《Born in Blood》


 Chapter 1: Dreams

    <h4>Chapter 1: Dreams</h4>


    Bam!


    In a small living room ¡ª polluted with the smell of alcohol ¡ª a tall adult male towered over a skinny young man, crashing his bloodied knuckles over thetter''s bruised face.


    The young boy had a worn down ck hoodie on and tight gym pants that stuck to his thin figure. He had lifeless ck eyes and dark hair, with thin features and pale skin.


    The middle-aged adult had a humped stomach and a frowned look on his face.


    "Didn''t I tell you not to bete?!" The adult shouted, swinging hisrge fists and suddenly knocking the young man unconscious.


    Malcolm King clicked his tongue in annoyance when he saw his sonying on the floor unresponsive.


    He wiped the blood off his knuckles before shifting his gaze towards his son, Darius.


    "It should''ve been you. Not her!" Malcolm snarled, before entering his room and loudly mming the door closed.


    Meanwhile, when Darius opened his eyes, he was no longer in his depraved, despaired room.


    Loud wind wafted over his ears, and passing fluffy clouds seemed just an arm''s reach away from him.


    He looked below, finding himselfying atop a huge body of rough, red scales, each scale bigger than him.


    In his hands, a pair of sharp des were clenched tightly, clinging to his palms as though he was born with them.


    A pping sound resonated beside the howling wind, and upon a closer listen, a deep growling noise.


    Darius smiled.


    Never did he do so in reality, but during his dreams, it was as though all his hardship and coldness melted away.


    He propped himself in one swift motion, before assessing his surroundings.


    He was in the air!


    Not only that, he was atop a giant bloody dragon!


    Upon Darius'' awakening, the dragon''s low growl slowly turned into a bellowing roar, apanied with blinding mes that assaulted the air.


    "Hahaha! I''ve missed you too!"


    Darius ran across the dragon''s body and with a wide jump, perched atop its scaly head.


    He stared down at the distant earth, its lush ins and vast mountains appearing as miniature paintings.


    Rivers connected thendforms like veins, giving the fauna and flora life.


    Before he couldmand his beast to lower itself, a distant roar entered his ears.


    Darius'' gaze shifted forward, a shadow forming behind a wall of clouds.


    Suddenly, another draconic beast burst through the sky and flew rapidly towards Darius'' figure.


    Darius smiled and readied his des as the two dragons were about to collide.


    And¡­


    Darius awoke to reality.


    His bruised face no longer containing the joy it did a mere moment ago, reced with a throbbing pain assaulting his entire body.


    His ears couldn''t hear the dragon''s roars any longer, reced with the deafening silence that he was used to.


    ''Ah. I''m home.'' He thought, staring at the ceiling of his small living room.


    His expression instantly turned to its usual detached coldness.


    Darius had no energy to pick himself off the floor. He was broken, in more ways than one.


    "Is this living?" He wondered, feeling like a bird stuck within a cage.


    As a young man, he hadn''t experienced a mother''s love, since she died shortly after giving birth to him.


    He hadn''t really experienced a father''s love either, or any love for that matter.


    Though, it wasn''t love Darius sought.


    It was freedom.


    ''I''ll never be free, will I?''


    During his dreams, he got a slight taste of how that freedom felt. As fleeting as it was, it gave him a slight hope to live.


    ''Malcolm spends all his pension on beer. He''s already cut me off at ninth grade because of his addiction. I''m not even neen and I''ve already gotten sick of life.''


    ''Shit. I don''t really see any light at the end of this tunnel. It''s not like I can really make a living in this ghetto either.''


    ¡­


    ''I''ve had enough.'' Darius decided, his face growing colder and detached. ''I can use the rest.''


    Darius mustered enough strength to push himself off the ground, ignoring the sharp pains that caused him to grunt.


    He limped to his room, making his way to his small futon andying down.


    ''How would I kill myself though? Jumping off a tall building would be ideal. I don''t want to suffer too much before dying.'' Darius thought, stroking his temples to lighten his headache.


    His thoughts grew more wicked the more he reminisced about his past.


    ''I won''t die before I make sure he suffers.''


    His mind raced to think of various ways to go about the murder suicide.


    ''Does Malcolm still have his pistol from his time being a police officer?''


    Tasers and batons were simply too weak of a weapon in the ghettos.


    ''He''d have to exit his room for me to search it, though.''


    Right as he thought that, the entrance door to their small apartment creaked open, before mming shut.


    Darius instantly propped himself up and limped to Malcolm''s room.


    The space had beer cans and wine bottles scattered across the room, but at the very least, housed a proper bed.


    Darius instantly started searching his cabs and drawers, but was unable to find anything.


    He heaved a sigh and sat on Malcolm''s bed, preparing to groan andment his luck, when he spotted the corner of a small box beneath his feet.


    He instantly pulled it towards him and opened it.


    Darius smiled, picking up the Glock-19 pistol and the eight bullets that it came with.


    Now, all he had to wait was for his father toe home from the bar, drunk and unsuspecting.


    ¡­


    Rain pattered against the living room window, and shes of lightning illuminated the small living room. ring police sirens grew loud for a moment before fading into the distance.


    Hours had passed and soon, it was midnight. The moon illuminated the living room Darius was in, casting a gentle silver hue on his face.


    He felt incredibly drowsy, but pinched himself to keep awake.


    A few momentster, the door creaked open.


    Malcolm staggered inside the room, his face flushed and eyes drooping.


    "You? Why''re you awake, kid?" Malcolm questioned, seeing his son standing in front of him.


    "Wha¡ª!"


    Bang!


    A muzzle sh flickered brightly across the room and shook the air, and a bloodcurdling scream sounded a second after.


    Malcolm''s left knee spurted blood as a bullet pierced through it, pulling him to the floor.


    He was instantly sobered.


    Fear, confusion, anger and panic all entered Malcolm''s mind at that moment, alongside a lethal dose of pain.


    He anxiously grasped at his knee and shouted at Darius to put the gun away.


    Malcolm''s eyes gathered anotheryer of despair when he saw Darius smiling with cold eyes.


    Gripping the gun tightly, he took aim once more.


    Bang!


    This time, it was Malcolm''s right knee that suffered, forming a pool of blood on the floor.


    Darius could see Malcolm''s lips move, but he filtered what they said, taking aim once again.


    A series of gunshots followed.


    Malcolm''s body was riddled with holes, yet it seemed the man still had a wisp of consciousness remaining.


    With one final bang, Malcolm abruptly limped, falling lifeless with his eyes and mouth still open.


    Darius heaved a mncholic sigh, sitting on the sofa and caressing the pistol''s trigger.


    "It''s over. I can end it now."


    He brought the pistol to his temple, before pulling the trigger.


    Darius felt his consciousness yanked out of his body, before being shrouded in a dark light.

 Chapter 2: Reborn

    <h4>Chapter 2: Reborn</h4>


    ''It''s dark.''


    Darius felt weightless, like air.


    His body was devoid of feelings, and his thoughts seemed slow and dull.


    All the while, his senses were muted.


    ''...Didn''t I just kill myself? Why can I still think?''


    Darius grew more confused the more he thought about his situation.


    However, he had heavy drowsiness looming over his consciousness, forcing him to sleep.


    Slowly, time started to blur.


    Darius had no clue how long had passed, but he always drifted between a state of semi-awareness.


    Over time, his feelings had returned, giving him a weak sense of touch.


    At the same time, he realized that he still had limbs, as he could kick and punch, albeit slowly and weakly.


    Soon, something started to press rhythmically against his body.


    At the same time, a dim light appeared opposite him.


    ''Wha¨C?!''


    A firm grip seized his legs and yanked him towards the light.


    The brightness temporarily blinded him, and a momentter, his vision and hearing returned and adjusted.


    The first thing he saw was an old woman''s face with a particrly long nose.


    From Darius'' perspective, the woman was a giant!


    Her wrinkled face expressed indifference, while her giant hands wrapped around his tiny waist held him still.


    ''No¡­ she''s not a giant.'' Darius realized, then creaked his neck to look below.


    He had be a baby, a warm air wafting over his buttcheeks as his wet body waspletely naked.


    ''I''ve been reborn.''


    With that shocking realization, he instantly started to look around and inspect his surroundings.


    He was in a simple wooden shack, devoid of any luxury.


    Tools like rakes and straw brooms were huddled in the corner, indicating a medieval age, while moonlight entered through a ss window towards the furthest wall.


    ''Is this still earth? Have I gone back in time?''


    Bright candles illuminated the space, casting an orange hue over the room.


    Besides that, an oval-faced youngdy rested on a bed to Darius'' right, panting heavily with a pained expression.


    Her in dress was drenched with warm sweat. Silky brown hair fell over her shoulders, and her irises were hazel.


    ''That should be my mother.''


    The old woman''s gaze fell on the member between Darius''her regions.


    "It''s a boy, Eve." She uttered, before handing him to the youngdy. "I don''t know why he didn''t cry, though."


    Darius couldn''t understand her tongue, nor link it to anynguage on earth.


    ''Maybe this is another world¡­''


    Eve''s panting had calmed down at that point, allowing her to gaze at his features.


    Her lips curved upwards to form a loving smile, yet warm tears streamed down her pale face.


    ''Why is she the one crying?''


    A momentter, she wiped her tears away and kissed Darius on his forehead, speaking what seemed like words of warmth.


    "I''ll call you¡­ Liam. May you grow strong-willed, just like your name." She uttered, before unfurling her dress and forcing ''Liam'' to swallow mouthfuls of breast milk.


    Liam didn''t understand a word she said, reluctantly drinking his fill to satiate the void in his stomach.


    ''Judging by the tattered rags these people wear, I don''t suppose we''re rich. If this really is medieval earth, I won''t make it past a few winters.''


    He didn''t fail to notice theck of a father figure either, or any other figure for that matter.


    ''I guess there''s a silver lining, but this works against me too.''


    After an hour''s rest, Eve finished breastfeeding and cleaned herself, before wrapping Liam in a tight cloth and leaving¡ª ignoring the pain assaulting her body.


    As they left the shack, Liam''s expression turned sour.


    A damp, putrid smell entered his tiny nose while his disappointed eyes reflected a destitute scene.


    The dirt roads were lit by tall posts with dimmplights at the top.


    Small favs made from y and wood were built on the sides, and the streets bustled with penurious peasants.


    They wore in tattered rags and bore skinny features. Although the townsfolk were visibly poor, they didn''t have an empty look on their face.


    Unlike Liam, of course.


    ''Did I really have to be reborn here, of all ces? As if my luck wasn''t already horrible.''


    As Eve continued to walk, more of the town revealed itself.


    Like any society, Liam spotted plenty of businesses the fortunate owned. The mostmon & popr of which were bars and brothels.


    Now and again, flush-faced drunkards could be seen tripped over themselves and loudly guffawing.


    Liam couldn''t find any differences from his first life.


    In truth, there was a part of him that wished for a fantastical world, yet his present circumstances were far worse than before.


    ''Maybe it''s not toote to kill myself. If I reincarnate again, technically It''ll be reroll.'' Liam thought with a bitter snort.


    Suddenly, the night sky rumbled.


    The surrounding townsfolk raised their brows in confusion, a slight fear growing in their expression.


    Liam himself felt Eve''s hands tremble as she held him.


    ''What is happeni¡ª''


    Over the horizon, where the houses and shops didn''t block the view, arge shadow grewrger amidst the gray clouds.


    Bright res of orange apanied the huge figure, which caused flickers of light to illuminate the heavens.


    The rumbling sounds grew louder too, shaking the air.


    The surrounding townsfolk instantly started to run for shelter, screams of pure fear echoing throughout the region.


    Eve clutched Liam tighter as she ran through the hectic crowd, holding him over her shoulder.


    Liam''s awed eyes reflected the giant figure as it burst through the clouds, flying over them like a ne.


    It was a dragon!


    Eve was forced to crouch, yet Liam still had a clear view of the sky.


    The giant beast was covered with sharp crimson scales, each one the size of a riot shield. Its massive wings stretched out on either side of its body, casting a shadow that darkened the surroundingndscape even more.


    Its reptilian eyes¡ª glowing like molten gold¡ª surveyed its surroundings with a prideful gaze, as though the sky was its domain.


    Although it was a long distance away, its mighty wings sent powerful gales of wind over the town.


    Liam watched as it flew past, growing distant by the second.


    The scene didn''t end there.


    From a far distance, a zing figure rapidly shot towards the dragon, leaving behind a trail of smoke and mes.


    It appeared as though a meteorite had shot from earth towards the sky. More precisely, towards the dragon.


    Upon a closer look, Liam realized the tiny dot was a human!


    The beast bellowed, its roar shaking the sky and earth alike, while its blinding mes were directed towards the human.


    Eve didn''t waste a second and began to run, but Liam''s awed eyes were fixed to the distant sky.


    The zing figure flew past the flurry of fire and collided with the dragon''s stomach.


    BOOM!


    One after the other, bright and deafening explosions caused the night to appear like day, while its vibrative shockwaves echoed through the air.


    The sh was short lived.


    Liam witnessed the dragon''s distant figure going limp, falling towards the earth. Yet before it did so, the human held it by its tail, slowly bringing it back to the ground.


    Eve''s ears bled and her body ached horribly, but she finally entered her lodge and mmed the door shut.


    Panting heavily, she shifted her anxious gaze to her baby, who hadn''t made a single noise from the beginning, except an inaudible giggle now and again.


    Eve sucked in a cold breath as she saw her son''s expression.


    Streams of warm tears ran down Liam''s face, all the while, he grinned maniacally with a toothless mouth.

 Chapter 3: Genius

    <h4>Chapter 3: Genius</h4>


    Days passed since Liam''s reincarnation, yet the sh between the dragon and the human kept reying in his mind.


    ''In this world¡­ a single human can actually fight against a beast like that and win? I must find out more.''


    Meanwhile, his life as a baby was repetitive and quite dull, simply feeding, emptying his bowels, and sleeping.


    Eve did most of the work, and Liam simply focused on his mother''s tongue while learning how to crawl in between.


    Not a minute passed where she didn''t converse with him, be it words of warmth or yful remarks. Thanks to that, it didn''t take long for him to learn thenguage she spoke.


    ''Udd is a monarchical city, split into a peasantry and aristocratic side. Although I haven''t seen any nobles, my mother seems to warn me of them already.''


    Liam remembered seeing a giant wall visible even from a great distance, which divided the wealthy from the poor.


    Stern-faced armored guards blocked its giant gate, which luxurious carriages made their way through.


    The townsfolk made a respectful gesture whenever they passed by.


    ''I guess status and wealth will always be important for humans.''


    On the other hand, Eve was quite simr to her son in some ways.


    She had no friends, nor family members Liam knew of.


    Liam sympathized with her and knew he had to help her, but his feelings resembled more of obligation than it did love.


    Besides that, there wasn''t anything significant that happened.


    Five months passed.


    Currently, Eve took him with her during a short trip for groceries, giving Liam opportunities to sightsee and learn more of the world.


    During the day, the streets bustled with men, women and children alike, a lively air surrounding the city despite its horrible conditions.


    Despite the panic and shock that the dragon had caused around the city, the townsfolk had resumed their normal activities.


    Eve was looking at a vegetable stand, inspecting the fruits and products, while a bored Liam was in her caring arms.


    ''A book stall!'' Liam''s glittering eyes fell on a middle-aged vendor selling dozens of books and manuals in the open.


    He tugged at Eve''s ear, grabbing her attention and pointing towards the book stall.


    Eve had a surprised look on her face, before she looked at the direction her son was pointing.


    "You want¡­ books?" She asked, her brow raised in confusion.


    Nheless, sheplied, approaching the stall and inspecting the various books stacked atop one another.


    Some had giant texts and illustrations on the front which exined their purpose, but Liam''s eyes scoured for anything rted to fantasy.


    Eve picked up a few children''s books and showed them to Liam, but his eyes were already fixed on three different covers.


    Instantly, he started to point towards them.


    Eve stared at the books her five month baby pointed at. Even the aged vendor had his mouth open in shock at that sight.


    ''Whispers, Myths and Legends.''


    ''Cultivation: The Art of Immortality.''


    The cover had a robed figure sitting cross-legged with his hands on his abdomen, yellow colored streaks converging on that spot.


    ''The Thousand Year War.''


    Eve had more than a few questions, and the books that Liam had chosen were thick in size andplicated in topic.


    Eve shook her head and shed him the children''s book again, but Liam shook his head and yelled for the other three.


    ''This child¡­ ever since birth, he hasn''t cried, even when he fell down when attempting to crawl. Could it be¡­ my son is a genius?''


    With that thought, Eve couldn''t help but gain some sort of pride. A momentter, she bought all three of them.


    Bringing them back to their lodge, she instantly handed the books to him for y.


    She obviously didn''t think he knew how to read, let alone know what a book is.


    However, Liam could already speak her tongue, and its writings were quite simr to the Englishnguage.


    As Eve headed to the kitchen to cook, Liam instantly opened the books, starting with the cultivation one.


    It was the thinnest out of all of them, and resembled more of a manual.


    ''Please don''t tell me this is about farming!'' Liam wished inwardly.


    Staring at the first page, he instantly started to read the wall of text.


    ''Cultivation! The fabled path to immortality, allowing mere mortals to challenge existences beyond their imaginations. How can one achieve such power?''


    ''Through ''Ora'', the miraculous world essence that gives any worthy being the chance to harness its groundbreaking strength. ''Ora'' is all around us. In the air, in the ground, in everything.''


    ''Stealing this energy is a direct crime against ''The Opposition'', its rightful owner. The Opposition is the ruling force that governs the very cultivation journey we tread upon. They are fair, they oppose, but do not oppress.''


    Liam''s eyes shone with a curious and joyous light. The book was satisfactory in every sense, yet still had vague descriptions.


    ''However, one simply cannot absorb this essence in its raw form; which is why our bodies have a certain organ to transform and safely take in ''Ora'', known as the ''Core''.''


    ''This center of power is one of three, with the other being the Body and Sea of Consciousness. However, these organs require ''Techniques'' to awaken.''


    Only one line remained at the bottom of the page.


    ''Haha! Good luck getting those!''


    Liam raised his brows, a bad feeling rising in his heart.


    ''What is that about?'' He shook his head, before repeating what he just learned.


    ''This world essence should be simr to the ''Mana'' in fantasy novels I''ve read. I''m too young to start leaving the house and finding out more, but my next goal is clear.''


    Liam focused on the next book. It was only slightly bigger than the first.


    ''Whispers, Myths and Legends.''


    He opened the first page, which had an illustration of a bald ''human'' figure, their body covered with arge ck cloak. Skin pale as ash, irises blood-red, a pair of razor-sharp fangs protruded from the corners of their mouth.


    Liam''s eyes widened as he read the text below.


    ''Vampires. Said to have evolved from blood leeches to bats, then a new existence entirely.''

 Chapter 4: History

    <h4>Chapter 4: History</h4>


    Liam''s eyes held an excited and curious glimmer as he scanned the vampire''s image again and again.


    ''Vampires feed on blood, sucking it through their nails. They are capable of conversation, and have intellectual capabilities. Found in the Parag Continent, but are rumored to be violently hostile and territorial. Fabled to possess immortality.''


    ''To think that other races exist¡­'' Liam thought with shock, before flipping the page.


    The next image he saw was of a fair-skinneddy, wearing a silky, long-flowing green dress with particrly loose sleeves. Her hooded eyes were a bright emerald, while smooth, light-azure hair fell over her most distinct feature.


    Her pink, pointy ears.


    ''Elves. Nicknamed the ''blessed'' race. Not much is known about them.''


    Liam flipped the page once more.


    The next race he saw couldn''t be mistaken for anything else.


    ''Goblins. Short, green-skinned creatures who¡ª when working together¡ª can cause devastating damage to towns. They target women, as well as little children.''


    ''Yikes.'' Liam thought, staring at the image and flipping the image for thest time.


    ''Dwarves. Midgets with amazing architectural abilities. Rumored pioneers of nearly all forging methods. Not much is known.''


    By then, Liam felt ecstatic. He couldn''t help but want to grow older quicker.


    Then, he shifted his focus to the ''Thousand Year War'' book, opening it and skimming through its coarse, worn-down pages.


    ''Ages ago, when myths and legends weremon knowledge. For a millennium, the world was at war. Most probably for much longer, but mortals just kept dying before they could continue the count. No one even remembers why the war had begun.''


    ''The Ashuras, a cursed demonic race¡ª though little in number¡ª wrought havoc on the world. The pantheons of the human and non-human countries formed a momentary truce,bining their strengths to fight against them.''


    ''It took long¡­ too long to defeat them. By the end of it, entirends were uprooted and countless lives were lost, but the demons were finally wiped out. So was their description and history.''


    ''Or so the legends im.''


    The book ended with that sentence.


    ''To think this world had such a background.'' Liam pondered, before his mother finished with her cooking and picked him up again. ''I need to learn more. I won''t be satisfied if I don''t turn over every rock I find.''


    Like so, more months passed.


    Liam was aging quite nicely, and over time, his features became more prominent.


    Strangely enough, he resembled nothing like his mother, since Liam had sharp green eyes and smooth blonde hair.


    ''My dad''s then.''


    On his first birthday, Eve baked him a pumpkin pie, which Liam had to admit tasted better than anything he had in his first life.


    On the same day, a knock surfaced on their house door.


    Eve opened it with Liam in her arms, and a burly, stern-faced man donning hunting attire handed her a satchel filled with meat, along with five gold, and twenty silver coins.


    "Here, Miss Eve. I''ve been told to deliver this to you." The man said.


    Eve epted the items with a "Thank you," but her worried gaze fell on the coins a secondter.


    "But Adrian agreed to much more than this¡­ I can''t afford to feed my child with this much alone!" She argued, panic in her voice.


    The hunter shook his head.


    "I don''t know much about your circumstances, Miss, but I have my orders."


    With that, the man turned around and left.


    Eve closed the door and instantly began sobbing on the spot, unaware of the cold gaze in Liam''s eyes.


    ''Of course this has to beplicated. I always wondered where she got her money from. Now I know it''s from my father, ''Adrian''.''


    Eve clutched Liam tighter to her chest.


    "I''m sorry, my child. Had it not been my selfishness, you wouldn''t have been born in this cruel world."


    ¡­


    Years passed, and Liam''s living circumstances had taken a turn for the worst.


    Once it was time for him to eat solid foods, Liam made sure to eat as much as he could to grow as strong as possible. Even in his first life, he didn''t have the best nutrition growing up.


    Eve made attempts to ration their meals, since only once a year, would money and food arrive. However, Liam simply ate too much.


    His mother was kind enough to feed him some of her own meals, but the rate of consumption was too fast.


    Noticing how Eve''s features became skinnier over time, Liam promised to help the one person who helped him unconditionally.


    Soon, he could walk and talk clearly, and was allowed to leave his home by Eve''s permission.


    However, there was a silver lining in their situation.


    Liam was a step closer to cultivation.


    He soon realized that Udd''s guards weren''t normal people.


    Now and again, some peasants daring enough attempted to rob in broad daylight, giving Liam a chance to witness more magic.


    It wasn''t tooplicated, tendrils of the earth wrapping around an escaping thief''s foot, gales of wind stopping an assant from stabbing someone, etcetera.


    These cultivators worked in ''Guilds''. Large, four-story buildings situated around the city.


    From what Liam knew, each building served a different purpose, yet he wasn''t allowed to enter them at all.


    Civilians were strictly barred from those areas, and the only way he could enter them was if he did so silently.


    ''I guess there''s no other option. There''s one more month left until the hunteres. When he does, I''ll creep behind him and enter silently. I''ll have to ask someone to teach me, though.''


    Liam was a month away from being ten years old. By then, his looks were far beyond those in the peasantry, with his cold green eyes giving him a mature look.


    However, his n depended on someone being kind enough to teach him, which was its biggest weakness.


    Soon enough, the day arrived. He watched from afar as a scar-faced man knocked on their door, a satchel of meat and a handful of coins in his hands.

 Chapter 5: Power

    <h4>Chapter 5: Power</h4>


    ''He''s unfamiliar.'' Liam realized, staring at the delivery man from behind a distant wall.


    Eve epted the coins and stored the meat satchel inside the home, which prompted the hunter to turn around and leave.


    Liam silently began to follow, pulling down his hood and keeping his distance.


    The streets of Udd were busiest during the day, allowing Liam to hide his short figure amidst the townsfolk.


    In the distance, the guild building grew visible, and the hunter was clearly headed towards it.


    Half an hour passed, and the crowds slowly dwindled the further they went, giving Liam less chances to hide his presence.


    ''Damn it. I won''t be able to follow him like this.'' Liam cursed, forced to extend his distance.


    However, the route the hunter took was quite strange, consisting of dark back alleys that led to the guild district.


    ''Does he know I''m trailing him?'' Liam wondered as he slowly peeked over the corner.


    However, the hunter was gone.


    "What do you want?"


    A grueling voice rang out from behind, and a strong pressure weighed against Liam''s mind.


    ''Sh*t! What should I say?''


    Liam slowly turned around, a defiant look on his pale face despite his flickering consciousness.


    "Please¡­ teach me how to cultivate."


    As he said those words, the pressure slowly subsided, allowing Liam to assess the hunter''s facial features.


    An unreadable expression was on his stern, scar-ridden face. He looked to be in his middle-ages, yet his aura indicated a strange enlightenment.


    His brown eyes contained a powerful gaze, and his tall, burly stature gave him an intimidating air.


    "Why do you want to learn it?" He eventually asked, his gaze fixed with Liam''s own.


    After a short pause, Liam answered truthfully:


    "I want power."


    The hunter''s eyes flickered with amazement for a split second, before reverting to normal.


    Memories of his own shed in his head, remembering himself saying the same thing.


    ''Such a defiant, ambitious rascal. If he wants to walk down this path¡­ I won''t deny his resolve.''


    "Ten seconds," The man uttered with an expectant look. "Suffer for ten seconds, and I''ll teach you."


    Liam suppressed a smile from appearing on his face.


    He''d been suffering for an entire lifetime, what could a mere ten seconds do?


    "Deal." Liam instantly agreed. "Suffer how?"


    "No spoilers." The man denied. "I''m Lloyd Kahl by the way, and you?"


    "Liam¡ª"


    Liam couldn''tplete his words before a mountainous pressure enveloped his consciousness, as though his head was ced under a truck tire.


    One. Two. Three.


    Seconds felt like hours, and Liam''s heart pumped blood like an engine. His face and body started to sweat from every orifice, all the while, the pressure on his head never waned.


    Four. Five. Six.


    At this point, Liam''s consciousness started to drift. His knees buckled, pulling him to the ground. His eyes flickered close as darkness started to take over his vision, and his limbs trembled uncontrobly.


    ''No!'' Liam managed to squeeze a thought, his eyes bursting open as he bit his tongue with all the strength in his jaw.


    Blood gushed from his wound and filled his mouth, causing him to cough it up violently.


    Yet, the sharp pain from his maimed tongue managed to keep him barely awake for the next four seconds.


    The pressure ceased.


    Lloyd''s expression didn''t hold back any amazement at that scene.


    ''This kid might just be something special.'' He realized, before attempting to inspect Liam''s condition.


    Liam raised his hand, denying any help as he weakly picked himself off the floor. "Are you gonna teach me now or what?" He asked, his wounded tongue slurring his words.


    Lloyd smiled, flicking his wrist and stretching his hand.


    Under Liam''s shocked eyes, a green, thumb-sized pill appeared out of thin air in Lloyd''s palm.


    "Chew. It''ll help with your tongue."


    Liam did as instructed.


    The pill had an extremely bitter taste, but gave a warm surge of energy throughout Liam''s body.


    Slowly, the wound on his tongue started to heal, and a momentter, there was no trace of any injury.


    "What¡­ is this?" Liam asked, an incredulous look on his face. He realized the world he was in was much more advanced than earth. "How''d ite out of nowhere?"


    "It''s a revitalization-pill. I said I''ll teach you cultivation, and I will. You''ll learn those things in time." Lloyd heaved a sigh, before gesturing for Liam to follow him.


    Liam nodded and followed.


    "Are you already familiar with what the guilds are?" Lloyd asked as they made their way to the guild building. "What about cultivation?"


    Liam shook his head. "Only the names. I have no idea what a ''Sea of Consciousness'' is."


    The pair approached the guild building. Armored soldiers leaning on sharp spears covered therge entrance, their expressions turning stern as they saw Liam''s figure.


    Lloyd shot them a brief, understanding look, and the guards let them pass.


    ''Is he important or something?'' Liam couldn''t help but think that as they entered the building.


    The inside lobby resembled avish bar, apanied with various drinks and furnished with wooden tables.


    To the right and left side of the room, were stairs that led downwards.


    Men donning simr clothes to Lloyd were seated around the tables, mugs of beer in their hands. They were too drunk to pay any heed to the small child.


    Lloyd walked down the stairs with Liam following closely behind.


    The basement led to a hallway, which led to a small empty booth. A small hollowpartment was on its side.


    Lloyd took out a smallpel button from his cor and inserted it into the slot.


    A momentter, whirring sounds resounded around them, and the booth doors closed on their own.


    ''An elevator?'' Liam thought with wide eyes. ''I thought they didn''t have electricity?''


    A few moments passed, before the ''elevator'' stopped and its doors opened.


    Liam''s green irises reflected arge underground ''city'', illuminated by giant, glistening chandeliers hung from the ceiling.


    ''You gotta be kidding me.''

 Chapter 6: Cultivation

    <h4>Chapter 6: Cultivation</h4>


    Within the underground were countless shops and other businesses, except they weren''t normal by any means. From what Liam could see, some disyed weapons which didn''t look to be made from traditional metals, glimmering various colors.


    Hundreds of merchants and robed figures could be seen traversing its pathways. Others shops sold pills, and some were restaurants with signs at the top which caused him to raise a brow.


    "Rare magical beast meats?" Liam uttered, remembering the dragon from his infancy. "Is that what it was?"


    Before he could ask, Lloyd had already begun walking, prompting him to follow.


    "This ce is only for cultivators and rich merchants. You can find practically anything as long as you have the means to pay for it." Lloyd exined.


    The underground was also protected by armored guards, but with Lloyd beside him, Liam didn''t get into any trouble.


    "I''ll exin a few things on the way." Lloyd said with his face turned forward. At the same time, Liam''s curious eyes fell on the surrounding buildings.


    "Know that this cultivation thing isn''t for the weak-willed. Although it might give you power, you can die at any time, and it''s much more boring than you think."


    Liam nodded. He had already resolved himself to it.


    "Firstly, the interconnected centers of power, starting with the sea of consciousness, an ethereal organ within the mind." Lloyd tapped his temple. "It''s also called the mental sphere."


    "The pressure you went through earlier was me releasing a bit of its strength. Simply put, it expresses your thinking speed, five senses, and something called mental energy. This organ even allows cultivators to sense their surroundings without eyes or ears." Lloyd revealed.


    "At the same time, mental energy is what allows us to use spells."


    Liam''s eyes glimmered with colorful lights. ''A bit of its strength?'' He repeated.


    Lloyd shed a smile from the side. "Moreover, it allows us to use space-rings, items that allow us to store anything we want as long as it fits inside." He shed his index finger, disying a ck obsidian ring.


    Lloyd opened his palm, and a piece of steak wrapped around a cloth materialized in his hand.


    "Eat."


    Looking at his disciple''s skinny features, Lloyd couldn''t help but feel some sort of responsibility for him.


    Liam instantly epted the meal and thanked him before wolfing it down.


    "Expanding the mental sphere vastly improves your senses and all your mental capabilities, as well as the synergy between other centers of power." Lloyd rified. "To expand it, you require a special rune."


    "The Body houses the other two organs. It determines your overall physical prowess. The strength of any martial art depends on your body first and foremost. This is why ''techniques'' are so important, beca¡ª"


    "Martial arts?" Liam interrupted.


    A chopnded bluntly on Liam''s head.


    "Let me finish!" Lloyd rebuked, before continuing. "Techniques are what allow us to make use of the ''Ora'' granted by the Opposition. Tempering methods, cultivation methods, etcetera, all take advantage of the world essence and give us humans magical abilities."


    Liam rubbed his head but listened intently nheless.


    "The body requires a tempering method to awaken. With it, one could absorb ''Ora'' into their body, strengthening it considerably.


    "That leads to thest and perhaps the most important organ, the ''core'', located within the abdomen."


    Lloyd tapped his lower body, right beneath the navel.


    "It allows for the maniption, and absorption of ''Ora'', and is the very essence of cultivation. Usually, it forms at the average age of fifteen, but if one progresses his other centers of power, that process can hasten considerably.


    "To put it simply, the core is the handle of a sword, the body is the sword itself, and the sea of consciousness is the hand which holds it all together.


    "Not to mention, once you awaken the core, you receive your element."


    Before Liam had the chance to ask, Lloyd already answered.


    "The elements are six, for humans at least. There''s Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Light, and Darkness. Light and Darkness elements are both extremely rare and versatile, but are equally as strong.


    "This doesn''t mean that the other elements are weak though, all depend on how they are used. In some, very rare cases, a person might receive two elements. Those lucky bastards are called dual-elementalists.


    "To begin cultivating, you must temper the body, because it houses the other two organs and is the easiest to awaken. Simultaneously, you can work on awakening your sea of consciousness."


    "I''ll tell you more when you take the first step."


    As Lloyd concluded his exnation, the pair reached the walls of the underground.


    The giant walls housedrge caves in which guards, hunters and other cultivators made their way inside,dders connecting them all together.


    A line of such people formed all around the foot of the wall.


    From what Liam could see, an armored guard epted a small fee before letting them enter inside.


    "These are called ''Ora'' caves. Spots where the concentration of world essence is stronger." Lloyd exined, before approaching the guard and handing him a handful of glowing yellow crystals.


    "One hour." The guard said nkly, gesturing for Lloyd to enter, before shifting his focus to others wanting to pay.


    "What kind of money is that?" Liam inquired.


    "''Ora'' Stones, a currency only cultivators use." Lloyd entered one of the caves with Liam closely behind.


    The inside waspletely empty, but a faint mist floated around freely.


    Lloyd sat cross-legged and gestured for Liam to do the same.


    "Now, I''ll give you a choice for your first technique."


    Lloyd smiled, taking out two parchments from his ring, handing them to Liam.


    Liam instantly epted and started reading.


    ''Infernal Breathing''


    ''Rank-2 tempering method.''


    ''Allows the user to use the Infernal Breathing-Technique to heat the body to extreme temperatures. To purify the impurities within the body, one must endure the heat for one minute,pleting one cycle.''


    ''Ten cycles are required. The minutes must be increased by one every cycle.''


    ''The end result is a Rank-2 Tempered Body. In addition to this, the user will have above-average heat resistance.''


    ''Warning: If the user does notplete the cycle by enduring the heat and loses consciousness, he may be maimed or, worse, unable to practice bodily cultivation.''

 Chapter 7: Guild

    <h4>Chapter 7: Guild</h4>


    Liam''s expression turned stern.


    He opened the other parchment up and read it as well.


    ''Tranquil sky body-tempering method. Rank-1.''


    ''Allows the user to absorb ''Ora'' within the body, cleaning out the impurities within, using the tranquil sky breathing-technique.''


    ''Slower than most tempering methods, but the safest and most stable for its rank.''


    ''The end result is a Rank-1 tempered body for the user. In addition to this, the user''s body will have more attunement to Body-Tempering methods that require ''Ora''.''


    "The first one is torture, but I''m guessing it''s stronger." Liam said with a pensive expression. "What are ranks anyways?"


    Lloyd smiled at Liam''s maturity.


    "Ranks are basically a ssification system for cultivation techniques and cultivators. I''d describe Rank-1 as rigid wood and Rank-2 as a hardened stone. I''ll tell you more about the future ranks, but for now, focus on learning the basics."


    Instantly, Liam''s eyes widened.


    ''Is the difference between ranks really that vast?'' He wondered, before thinking about his decision.


    "How long would these techniques take me?" Liam asked.


    "For the Rank-2, it could even be less than two years, even more perhaps. For the second, it''ll take just as long, but you''ll only be Rank-1."


    ''...There''s no reason to fear getting hurt if it''s strength I get by the end of it. After all, pain is just a feeling. Power is bound to stay.''


    Inwardly, Liam was done living in weakness. Meaning entered his life in a sense, and for the first time, there was a goal he set out to achieve.


    "I''ll go with the Infernal Breathing." Liam said after a short pause.


    Lloyd nodded approvingly with a smile.


    "Good choice. A de cannot be forged without entering the fire. Of course, I''ll train you rigorously before you undergo it." Lloyd promised, before taking out another set of parchments from his ring.


    "These are the martial arts you can choose from. Pick whichever one you''refortable with. They have different levels of difficulty, but there''s nothing you can''t learn."


    Liam nodded and instantly began rummaging through the arts.


    ''Lightning Spear arts.''


    ''A spear martial art consisting of four forms. High speed to catch opponents off guard. Focuses on offense, weak at defending. Movements are irregr and snappy, giving the opponent the appearance of fighting against lightning. ''Ora'' gives the user a slight burst of speed for 20 seconds. Rank-2.''


    "What are forms?" Liam asked. "And didn''t you say without the Core, I wouldn''t be able to manipte ''Ora''?"


    "Forms are special techniques within a martial art. The first form is usually the weakest and easiest to learn, while the following ones are more difficult." Lloyd exined thoroughly.


    "Martial arts can utilize ''Ora'' as well, and it doesn''t require you to manipte ''Ora'', it just needs you to absorb it, which is entirely possible. You''ll understand when we start."


    Liam nodded, before reading the next few arts.


    ''Limbs of Freedom.''


    ''A weaponless martial art consisting of two forms. Focuses on defense, while taking advantage of openings to attack. Allows the limbs within the body to contort and twist irregrly, even extending and shortening. ''Ora'' coats the body with a thin barrier. Rank-2''


    Liam couldn''t help but remember a rubbery figure wearing a straw hat.


    ''Defense is boring, though. Plus, it only has two forms.'' He thought, before shifting to the next.


    ''Sun & Moon arts.''


    ''A dual-wielding martial art with three forms. Requires a Katana and Wakizashi. Like the sun and moon, the des alternate in use, making it hard for the opponent to predict where the next sh wille from. ''Ora'' provides ayer of sharpness, no matter how dull the des are. Rank-2.''


    Memories of Liam''s dreams shed in his mind. Him standing atop a giant ming dragon with his des in hand.


    "I choose the sun & moon arts." He instantly decided.


    Lloyd nodded. "Good choice. I use a sword art myself, so I can teach you thoroughly."


    Lloyd spent the next few minutes showcasing to Liam what cultivation looks like.


    The former sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, and the surrounding mist entered his abdomen, glowing fervently.


    "That''s pretty much it." Lloyd said, opening his eyes and losing the glow.


    "More boring than I thought." Liam realized, but his intrigue didn''t waver one bit.


    "Now, the guilds. They''re run by the high-ranking nobles and each building ys a different role." Lloyd rified. "I currently work as a hunter specialized in magical beasts, but there''s plenty of other jobs to pick from."


    Liam''s ears perked up.


    "Can I be a hunter as well?"


    The benefits that would bring were endless. Food for both himself and Eve, as well as learning more about magical beasts.


    "You can, but not without the proper experience and training.


    A momentter, the cave lost the mystic glow, signifying the end of the one hour.


    "Come. It''s time I teach you how to hold a de."


    Liam nodded with a smile.


    The pair promptly left the cave and underground.


    Lloyd had led Liam to the borders of Udd, where¡ª beyond it¡ª nothing but lush trees and foliage could be seen. An eerie silence covered the region, and various smells entered Liam''s nose.


    The pair had walked a considerable distance, before reaching a beautiful ravine.


    Water trickling down to a flowing river gave a tranquil air to the space. The sides of the river bank looked as though a war had taken ce on it.


    The surrounding trees were cleanly cut from the middle, leaving bare stumps.


    "Alright, we''ve arrived." Lloyd uttered, taking off his upper clothes, revealing the endless scars that ran across his chiseled body.


    While Liam was speechless, Lloyd shifted his gaze to him and smiled as he said:


    "Strip."

 Chapter 8: Hunt

    <h4>Chapter 8: Hunt</h4>


    Noticing Liam''s confused and slightly weirded out expression, Lloyd cleared his throat.


    "It''s for the arts¡­ I need to know each movement your muscles make in order to correct you."


    With an understanding nod, Liam took off his in upper clothing, revealing his pale and skinny body. Even his ribcage and neckbones could be seen protruding from his skin.


    Lloyd shook his head. There were many with simr situations in the peasantry, but there wasn''t anything he could do by himself.


    "Now," Two sword-shaped sticks appeared in Lloyd''s hand. Tossing one of the sticks towards Liam, he said: "Try swinging."


    "But doesn''t the martial art require two des? One longer than the other?" Liam asked with confusion.


    "Did you really think we were going to start with a Rank-2 martial art from the start?"


    Lloyd felt like chopping the top of Liam''s head once again, but held himself back.


    "I need to teach you the basics first, then we''ll move to the moreplicated moves in time."


    Liam couldn''t help but feel slightly disappointed, but nheless, he nodded his head and began swinging his sword.


    The stick cutting through the air made a ''Fwip'' sound.


    Liam repeated the move a few times.


    ''He breathes out when striking, has a decent grip, and nts his feet. This one might be talented.'' Lloyd made a mental judgment.


    Still, though, Liam''s form had many problems, which Lloyd didn''t fail to point out.


    "Keep your arms straight, but not locked, unless you want them broken."


    Fwip...


    "Keep your shoulders loose. When swinging, tense them up. That''ll add more power to your swing."


    Fwip!


    "Keep your back straight and make sure it stays that way."


    As such, Lloyd kept correcting Liam''s form, and was surprised how fast Liam picked them up.


    Liam on the other hand, felt like with each swing, his speed and even understanding of sword arts was getting better.


    In just 15 minutes, Liampleted what Lloyd thought would take an hour.


    Lloyd made Liam swing the sword for a few more minutes, making sure everything stuck with him, before deciding on a different topic.


    "Alright, that''s enough." Lloyd gestured. "Now, let''s move to movement, then we''ll pair the two things you''ll learn together."


    Lloyd provided examples each time he exined a move, and made sure Liam understood before continuing. The routine continued for two hours, before Lloyd allowed for a break.


    Liam was sweating profusely, his body was sore and pulsing all over, yet there was a faint smile on his face.


    Lloyd sat on the floor with Liam beside him, his hands glowed before two cloths that radiated a tender smell appeared in his hand.


    Lloyd handed one of them to Liam and smiled.


    "Finish this as fast as you can, we''ll begin once again when you''re done."


    Liam happily epted, then unfolded the cloth and began eating the chunk of meat like an animal.


    A few minutester, after finishing thest bite of food, Liam grabbed the stick again, turned to Lloyd, and said:


    "I''m ready."


    Hearing Liam say that, Lloyd couldn''t help but feel slightly proud of the young man before him.


    They continued to train for one more hour, before Liam began showing signs of fatigue.


    "Alright, we''ll stop here." Lloyd allowed, then gestured for Liam to sit. "Since you''re already so ahead with the fundamentals, tomorrow we''ll prepare for your martial art."


    Liam nodded and rested with his backying on the floor, his arms and legsid out as there was no energy in his body.


    The sun was beginning to set, casting an orange hue over the horizon. Shadows stretched and darkened, covering the region with darkness.


    "Enough rest." Lloyd broke the silence after half an hour. "Wash yourself using the river water. We''ll hunt some weak magical beasts when you''re done."


    ¡­


    Liam had finished washing in the chilling river. Feeling the wind on his wet body, he quickly dried himself off using his tattered clothes.


    "I''ll get you a pair of training clothes next time." Lloyd promised as Liam approached him from the river side.


    At the same time, a bulky but small leather book appeared in his hand, which he threw towards Liam.


    "It''s a bestiary, containing knowledge of all the magical beasts I''ve hunted in this forest. Read it as we walk."


    Liam opened the book up and began scanning its contents.


    The pages on the left side had drawings of different mammals and reptilian creatures, yet they didn''t resemble any type of beast from earth.


    Below the drawings, were notes with a description.


    The pages on the right always depicted a map. The map remained the same, but on each different page, there was a specific marking.


    Liam read between the lines of Lloyd''s statement.


    They were getting ready for a hunt.

 Chapter 9: Crack

    <h4>Chapter 9: Crack</h4>


    The pair had walked deeper and deeper into the forest. The grass slowly increased in height, reaching Liam''s knees.


    Liam''s eyes scanned the pages one by one. Wolves, pythons, bears and even lions, were all beasts that Lloyd had hunted.


    However, they all seemed to have some sort of feature that separated them from the norm.


    "Open page twenty-two. That''s what we''ll hunt."


    Liam opened the page and saw a rabbit-type magical beast. It had pitch-ck fur, with red slits for eyes. However, its size wasn''t imposing, roughly being the size of a basketball.


    "It''s a weak Rank-0 Death Jackal. It can even be hunted by non-cultivators. One strong wack to the head can kill it, but it''s extremely fast." Lloyd reassured.


    Meanwhile, a pungent, burning smell entered Liam''s nose, making him scowl and hold his nostrils tight.


    "It''s urine from the Jackals." Lloyd revealed, lowering his voice and gesturing to Liam to stay close.


    "They have a small territory in the forest, so they piss over almost everything. The disgusting smell is what makes the predators stay away."


    The surrounding terrain became more wild, simr to a jungle. A canopy of stretched leaves covered the sky, basking the space in darkness.


    Liam could barely make out his surroundings, since it was approaching nighttime.


    Soon, Lloyd gestured for Liam to stop. The sound of icky chewing could be heard, followed by the smell of blood mixed with various unpleasant scents.


    "Do you see that?" Lloyd whispered, his eyes fixed towards a specific spot a few meters away.


    Liam followed his gaze, barely making out a Death Jackal which seemed to be chewing on a dead deer.


    A small river of blood ran through the dirt and spread out, originating from the dead animal''s innards.


    The Death Jackal''s ears twitched back and forth, while his loud chewing continued.


    The sooner you get used to it, the better; Lloyd wanted to say, but to his surprise, Liam''s expression held no difort.


    ''What a strange kid.''


    Liam focused on the Death Jackal''s features.


    The Death Jackal''s hind legs were muscr and thickpared to the front legs, but the front legs had sharp ws on the ends of them.


    Liam didn''t forget the sharp teeth he saw sinking into the dead animal''s carcass either.


    "As I''ve told you, a blunt hit to the head can kill them, but these things are fast. They won''t let you hit them that easily." Lloyd began to instruct. "The hind legs are the source of their speed."


    "The back legs tense up when the Jackal wants to attack. Once those legs spring, you''ll barely be able to see him with your naked eye." Lloyd exined. "They''ll continue to dash from spot to spot, while either cutting you with their ws, kicking you, or biting with their teeth. You won''t be able to do much in that state, but try to dodge."


    Liam listened carefully.


    "Yet, they can''t continue with that level of speed forever." Lloyd revealed.


    "You have a one to two second window when the Jackal takes a moment to rest. If you fail to hit him during that time, you''ll have to go through another one of its crazy frenzies."


    "Do you understand?"


    Liam took a deep breath and nodded, a look of determination on his face.


    "How do I begin, though?" Liam questioned. "Do I try a sneak attack or something?"


    Lloyd nearlyughed, but managed to hold it in before Liam noticed.


    "Mhm. You should definitely go for it." Lloyd spoke with a serious expression, leaving no room for Liam to doubt his words. "I''ll be watching from close by. If you begin to get seriously hurt, I''ll step in."


    Liam nodded, before making a slow but steady approach towards the beast. He constantly checked his feet to make sure he didn''t step on any branches or crunchy leaves.


    Liam was only a few meters away when the Death Jackal''s chewing began to slow down, releasing a nearly inaudible growl.


    ''Has it noticed me?'' Was Liam''s first thought as he stopped in his tracks. The Death Jackal still had its back towards him.


    A secondter, the Death Jackal''s chewing went back to normal...


    Then it became abnormally fast!


    Its growl grew louder and louder by the second.


    Instantly, Liam dashed and jumped right behind the Jackal, his stick getting seriously close to hitting its body.


    Thump...


    The sound of a stick hitting dirt could be heard, followed by a shrill hissing sound that gradually increased in volume behind him.


    Bang!


    The air in Liam''s lungs waspletely vacuumed as the Death Jackalnded a kick on his back, causing him to stumble and fall face first.


    Liam pushed himself off the ground and dusted off his face. His eyes locked with the rabbit''s.


    Its blood red eyes flickered with anger.


    With a shrill hiss, the Jackal began jumping from spot to spot, like a ping pong ball inside an arcade machine.


    Liam was in center while the barely visible Death Jackal continued to hop from tree to tree all around him. Under the darkness of night¡ª with its own dark fur to add¡ª it was practically a shadow.


    Without even having a chance to block, a red line appeared on Liam''s right arm, followed by a streak of blood.


    Liam limited himself to a low grunt. A shallow cut wasn''t enough to make him lose his grip.


    He didn''t have the time to catch his breath before the hissing noise began once more.


    At the same time, Liam realized that once the Jackal jumped, it made a ''thump'' sound, giving him a vague sense of where the beast was.


    The Jackal continued with its speed frenzy, forcing Liam to hold his defensive stance.


    Multiple streaks of blood appeared on his body, but the rush of adrenaline numbed his pain.


    Suddenly, the sound stoppedst right behind him, giving Liam just enough space to duck right, dodging the Death Jackal''s ws.


    The Jackal didn''t stop there.


    More cuts surfaced on his body, blood dripped from his body and soaked him like a wet cloth, yet his expression wasn''t one of pain, but of focus.


    The Jackal started to slow down.


    The cuts on Liam''s body turned into scratches, and the ''Tock'' sound began to dwindle in volume, as though the Jackal used its leftover energy to get further away from Liam.


    ''As if I''d let you.'' Liam thought as he chased the faint noise.


    Since most of its energy had been spent, the Jackal wasn''t fast at all, and Liam was able to catch up with it.


    His eyes lit up once he saw the resting Death Jackal just a few meters ahead of him.


    Suddenly, a dangerous aura covered the beast. Its fur seemed to glow and slightly grow in length, while its eyes grew redder. It yelped continuously, as though it was in pain.


    Whatever it was, Liam knew he couldn''t let it continue.


    Before the Jackal had time to replenish its energy and grow stronger, Liam prepared himself to throw the stick right at its head.


    He assumed a throwing form, bringing the wooden sword above his head with both hands. As he breathed out, he threw the stick with all his strength.


    The Death Jackal had stoodpletely still while it replenished its strength, unaware a hardwood stick was headed right for his soft skull.


    Crack!

 Chapter 10: Training

    <h4>Chapter 10: Training</h4>


    The Death Jackal was without a doubt, dead. It twitched here and there, buty limp.


    Pieces of its skull paired with brain matter sttered over a tree trunk, coloring it various shades of red.


    "Well done." Lloyd pped, dropping from a tree above. Strangely enough, his fall made no noise.


    Liam nodded, his gaze still fixed to the dead rabbit.


    "What was it doing?" Liam questioned as Lloyd approached the jackal and picked its corpse.


    "Magical beasts have innate abilities,'''' Lloyd revealed, taking out arge cloth and spreading it out.


    "The way they use ''Ora'' is quite special. From birth, their body is already attuned with it, allowing them to manipte their elements as their bloodline spreads and prolongs." He exined, before taking out a nt tipped silver de from his ring.


    "This one in particr could exchange some of its life for a temporary increase in strength. As they do that, they can shoot up to Rank-1, but their life expectancy gets reduced to mere hours."


    Liam raised his brows, but his eyes brimmed with curiosity.


    Meanwhile, as Lloyd exined, he began skinning the rabbit, gesturing Liam to pay close attention as he did so.


    "This is the Opposition''s fairness, the governing force of the cultivation world. There must always be some sort of barrier or drawback to growing stronger.


    "Magical beasts have powerful bodies and natural abilities, butck intellect. Humans on the other hand require cultivation techniques to progress further, but can make wonders with their minds alone."


    As Lloyd concluded his exnation, he started teaching Liam for the next 15 minutes, about how to gracefully separate the skin from flesh, the flesh from bone, and how to carefully extract the organs.


    Suddenly, Lloyd dug his hand into the jackal''s abdomen, yanking out what looked like a translucent, soft marble.


    "This is what allows them, and us, to absorb ''Ora''. The gaseous inside is the world essence in the flesh." He exined, handing the orb to Liam, who began inspecting it thoroughly.


    A momentter, the pair began to make a small bonfire with a kindle of thin branches; cooking the skinned pieces of rabbit meat over it.


    Like so, time passed.


    ¡­


    Liam''s time in the forest became enjoyable after he grew ustomed to its demanding conditions.


    Hunting wild beasts and learning how to survive in the wilderness wasn''t easy at first, but as time went on, Liam disyed talent in doing so.


    At the same time, Liam began to condition his body.


    His physical training consisted of lung strengthening, getting ustomed to heat, hunting, and daily spars with Lloyd.


    For his lungs, Lloyd had given him hardened gourd bottles to break through, using only the strength in his exhale. Each bottle was bigger than the next, and it took him an entire month to break the first one.


    Magical beasts were much more diverse and intriguing than Liam had realized. Nearly all their behaviors and abilities varied from each other, and Liam could easily hunt Rank-0 creatures with ease.


    For the heat, the ravine waterfall was connected to a geyser not far from it. Liam had meditated directly under the waterfall, while heavy, nigh-boiling water washed over him.


    Doing so didn''t only hone his focus, but his resilience to weight and high temperatures.


    However, out of all the rigorous and relentless training he went through, the spars were the most difficult.


    Lloyd was merciless!


    As Liam''s proficiency with the sword got better, he started using a real katana and wakizashi, in line with his martial art.


    Despite Lloyd only using a wooden stick, Liam couldn''t match his prowess at all, and their duels ended with thetter being bruised and battered.


    "You must get used to it. In a real fight, your attacker won''t care about age or status. Ignoring pain will prove to be useful during those moments."


    Though, Lloyd made sure not to injure the young man''s face.


    Creating a convincing story for Eve wasn''t easy. Liam bringing back home heaps of cooked meat every night made her raise a brow, but the aching hunger enticed her to believe his alibi.


    Liam would sell the spare meat to nearby butcheries and restaurants within the peasantry, providing him with a steady source of ie on the side.


    Five months passed, and spring had arrived.


    Liam''s thin andnky figure turned lean and muscr, with his above average height growing by a few inches. At the same time, his facial features also grew more elegant.


    Such progress was expected, as not a day passed where he didn''t train.


    ¡­


    Currently, Liam trailed through the blooming night forest with a giant sack tied to his back, pressing him down as he walked hunched.


    He wore a tight, blood covered gymsuit that clung to his lean figure, while his blonde hair was styled to an undercut parted halfway. On his hip, were des held tightly in their scabbard.


    Liam eventually stopped near a familiar ravine.


    "Took you long enough." Lloyd called out from a distance, sitting cross-legged on arge boulder with his back turned.


    Liam dropped the heavy sack on the ground ¡ª whichnded with a thud ¡ª then heaved a deep, tired sigh.


    "You should''ve described its size properly. It was the size of a bloody bear, not a dog!" He retorted, before taking off his clothes and jumping inside the flowing river.


    Lloyd raised his brows in surprise. ''Although Rank-0 Rage Badgers can growrge, don''t tell me he killed one the size of a bear?''


    A pensive look rested on Lloyd''s face, before he nodded to himself.


    ''It''s time for him to temper his body.''

 Chapter 11: Rascal

    <h4>Chapter 11: Rascal</h4>


    Liam rubbed his gym suit free of its bloody stains. He left the river and dried himself off with a towel, before getting ready for his daily spar.


    His body was covered with small cuts and light scars. A fresh wound in the shape of a w spurted slight blood on his chest, which he had applied a special medicinal herb on a moment earlier.


    "You''ve memorized the infernal breathing technique, yes?" Lloyd questioned, still perched atop a boulder.


    Liam instantly nodded as he approached, and didn''t wear his clothing.


    "Can we begin?" He asked with hope in his voice.


    Lloyd nodded with a brief smile, before turning stern a momentter.


    "Sit in the lotus position." He instructed, and Liam promptly sat down cross-legged on the ground.


    "You''re already familiar with how the breathing method works, so I won''t touch on that. Just remember your training and strengthen your resolve. No matter how tortuous it gets, do not breathe in air.


    "Too much external influence can ruin the entire process, so you''re on your own." Lloyd said, putting his hand on Liam''s shoulder.


    Training the young man took less effort than Lloyd had imagined. Liam was incredibly hard working, always looking for ways to improve.


    Yet, in a moment, there was a chance he would no longer be alive.


    Liam nodded with a resolved look on his face.


    "Good luck, kid." Lloyd uttered before taking a step back. "You may begin using the breathing method."


    Liam had patiently waited for this moment, the first step on his journey of cultivation.


    ''Can''t screw up my beginnings.''


    He let out a deep breath,pletely emptying his lungs. Then, a series of quick, immediate breaths followed.


    The goal of the Infernal breathing method was to heat the insides fast enough that it could forcibly purify and temper the body.


    Liam repeated the process multiple times, until his lungs felt as though they were burnt rubber, ring his body with heat.


    After reaching a state of hyperventtion, Liam let out onest breath, thest before he was to endure one minute without oxygen.


    This was the Infernal tempering method!


    Seconds passed, which to Liam, felt like minutes.


    His skin began to turn red, the need to inhale air wasn''t an issue just yet, but the heat from his lungs began to spread throughout his insides.


    Time seemed to pass in slow motion, and Liam''s condition only worsened.


    Steam seeped from his skin and moistened the air around him, while his lungs begged for a speck of air.


    Liam denied his body''s wishes and refused to yield, only thinking of what it took to get where he is now, and what he was to gain after.


    Thirty seconds had passed, yet Liam could swear one minute had already flown past.


    His heartbeat started to echo in his ears, slightly weakening.


    A thin line between life and death had presented itself, a test of resolve and determination.


    With his thoughts murky, Liam felt as though his head was filled with a dense fog. A momentter, his body went numb, convulsing violently.


    A breath of fresh air sounded more enticing to Liam than a mountain of gold.


    Bulging veins appeared on his neck, while his skin color transitioned from red to purple. Meanwhile, his eyes turned bloodshot.


    The light of his consciousness was beginning to fade.


    However, his pores turned from purple to dark ck, a putrid smell exuded from his body as a thick, goo-like substance left his body.


    Lloyd had watched the whole thing with a feeling of calm anxiousness he didn''t know he possessed.


    The second he saw Liam''s pores turning ck, his eyes widened as he shouted, "Enough!"


    As soon as he heard Lloyd''s voice, Liam''s consciousness was already hanging by a thread.


    Unable to hold back the urge to breathe any longer, he inhaled as much air as his lungs could allow him to.


    Hant! Hant! Hant!


    Each breath taken was sweeter than thest, and a newfound appreciation appeared in Liam''s heart for air.


    Lloyd smiled wide enough to showcase all his teeth. "You did it. A ten year old with a Rank-1 body!"


    Liam''s loud panting slowly abided, enough for him to furrow his brows and respond with a slightly angry tone, "Why are you so surprised? Were my chances lower than I thought?"


    Lloydughed awkwardly, before clearing his throat. "Of course not. I taught you after all."


    Liam shook his head inwardly, before inspecting his body. From head to toe, his figure dripped with ck mud.


    A disgusting smell assaulted his nose, and his consciousness was slightly woozy.


    Yet apanying it was a feeling of vigor and strength unlike ever before.


    "Can we spar now?" Liam raised his head and asked.


    Lloyd facepalmed and heaved a tired sigh.


    "You rascal! Go jump in the river already!" He suddenly shouted, picking Liam up from his shoulders, before hurling him into the flowing water.


    SPLASH!

 Chapter 12: Spar

    <h4>Chapter 12: Spar</h4>


    As Liam got submerged in the river, he instantly noticed the new effects of his body.


    For one, despite it being a cold spring night¡ª and a colder river no less¡ª Liam wasn''t too bothered by it.


    And although the water currents ran against him, it was considerably weaker than before. He could easily swim against it now.


    Slowly, pieces of the gunk washed off his body, revealing a defined and muscr exterior. The w wound had already turned into a faint mark.


    He began to hold his breath underwater. Part of him never wanted to do so again, but with a stronger body, came a stronger will.


    Two minutes passed with Liam underwater, yet he didn''t feel any major difort.


    The feeling of vigor, energy and strength was addicting. He needed more.


    ''I need to test this body.''


    Liam exited the river and dried himself off¡ª wearing his gym suit¡ª before approaching Lloyd with an anticipating expression.


    "Can we spar now?"


    Lloyd heaved a sigh, taking out two nt-tipped des.


    "Come."


    Liam suppressed a smile from appearing on his face. Slowly, he unsheathed his own des.


    The katana and wakizashi were in silver-made weapons, only thinner to amodate Liam''s short and weaker stature.


    ''They''re so light now.'' Liam thought, before shifting his gaze to the opponent.


    Lloyd stood opposite to him, like a statue, he stood still with his des lowered to his sides.


    Under the night sky, Liam''s vision improved quite well, enough that he could assess Lloyd''s calm, domineering expression.


    Liam gripped his des tighter, before tensing his knees and shooting at Lloyd''s figure.


    ng!


    Sparks lit the river bank with an orange hue as four des collided.


    Liam instantly felt the strength of his attack, but Lloyd didn''t even get pushed back by it; calmly parrying it and shoving the former away.


    Stumbling backwards and fixing his footing, Liam didn''t stop with his offensive, performing a swift barrage of powerful swings.


    A series of loud ''ng'' noises reverberated through the air, and sparks continued to form.


    Before, Lloyd would always spar defensively, focusing on blocks and counter attacks.


    Now, he was forced to be serious as Liam''s speed, strength and dexterity was bolstered. As the fight continued, a crazy smile appeared on his face ¡ª which could only be described as proud.


    Right as Liam attempted to sh at his thigh with his wakizashi, Lloyd evaded and instantly grabbed his wrist.


    ''Well sh¡ª''


    Liam couldn''tplete his thought as he was hurled arge distance away, crashing and rolling in the dirt face first, before abruptly hitting a tree trunk.


    "Ugh," Liam grunted as he picked himself up and cleaned his face. His body slightly ached, but his bones weren''t broken, and his skin wasn''t bruised. "You need to stop throwing me."


    "You little rascal." Lloyd guffawed, storing his des back inside his ring. "I can''t imagine what you''ll be like when you awaken all three centers of power."


    Liam expressed a slight smile when he thought of the future.


    "Speaking of centers of power, I''ll make some preparations for tomorrow." Lloyd said, referring to the sea of consciousness. "I''ll also need to teach you how to absorb ''Ora'' into your body. For now, go home and rest."


    Liam nodded with a grateful smile, sheathing his des and bidding farewell to his teacher.


    Instantly, he began to run back home, testing his newfound stamina.


    Sprints were also a normal part of Liam''s training routine, and he had built a solid amount of stamina during the five months.


    Usually, he approached his limits at 15 minutes running full speed, but now¡­


    Liam ran half an hour without sweating at all, already reaching the borders of Udd.


    ''I wonder what the further ranks can allow me to do.'' He thought.


    Needless to say, his ambition for strength rose.


    Liam respectfully greeted the border guards as he made his way into the peasantry, then continued to run until eventually reaching his house.


    From the house window, a faint candle light flickered bright and dim.


    Heaving a short sigh, Liam creaked the door open and silently walked in. "I''m home."


    Eve left her room with a slightly worried expression¡ª which softened once she saw her son in one piece.


    Eve had looked significantly better than before.


    Her cheekbones were no longer visible, her face lightened up and her figure improved, all due to Liam bringing food from his hunts.


    To her, Liam worked as an assistant to the hunters guild, which ¡ª in turn for his support ¡ª gave him a share of the meat they hunted.


    Eve smiled as she thought of her son''s hard working and determined personality. She neared his forehead for a kiss.


    "Wee home. I''ve already made your dinner, but it''s gotten slightly cold." She said with a slight sadness under her warm tone.


    In truth, she felt somewhat guilty for allowing Liam to work at such a young age. However, in Echoria, the age of adulthood was fifteen, since the core formed at that time.


    "Thank you, ma. I''ll finish eating then sleep. I have another long day tomorrow." Liam thanked, sitting and wolfing down his food.


    The two conversed shortly¡ª with Liam telling Eve about his day ¡ª before Liam finished his food, entered his room and put his head to sleep.


    The night quickly passed, and the day arrived.

 Chapter 13: Psionic Rune

    <h4>Chapter 13: Psionic Rune</h4>


    Liam left early before Eve woke up, heading to the usual meeting ce beside the ravine.


    As usual, Lloyd was perched atop a boulder, his body covered with a warm yellow glow.


    "You''re a bit early." He opened his eyes and started with a greeting, losing the world essence around his body.


    "Just a bit eager." Liam replied as he approached. "Can we begin now?"


    Lloyd nodded, taking out what looked to be a small rock from his ring, the size of a golf ball. He instantly tossed it in Liam''s hands.


    "That glowing rock is what''s called a Psionic Rune."


    Lloyd exined as Liam inspected the rock from different angles. It released a faint hum, vibrating slightly. On a t side, a small rune emitted blue light.


    "The Psions were a race with extremely high levels of intelligence and mental capabilities. It is said that their mental energy was capable of turning into physical weapons themselves.


    "Unfortunately, their race is now extinct, and they have be a stepping stone for humans to be stronger." Lloyd shrugged, before continuing.


    "Awakening your sea of consciousness is simple, tap the rune on your forehead." Lloyd instructed, tapping his forehead twice. "Grit your teeth, though. Focus on where it hurts."


    Liam quickly nodded, inwardly taking mental notes of the other races, before bringing the rune to his forehead.


    Instantly, a sharp pain assaulted his mind.


    It was as though someone had stabbed him in the temple, then twisted the de repeatedly!


    Wincing with a strained expression, his teary eyes were squinted shut. Still, he didn''t release his trembling grip on the rune.


    At the same time, images started to flicker inside his head.


    The migraine continued for what felt like minutes, before suddenly disappearing.


    Liam still had his eyes closed, but when he slowly opened them, he was astonished.


    The feeling of air on his skin disappeared, the sounds of small waves crashing against each other entered his ears, while he found himself floating above the air.


    His own figure was ethereal and naked, but there was no one else but him there, making him feel at ease.


    ''So this is the sea of consciousness¡­'' Liam thought, slightly stunned as his eyes scoured the surroundings.


    The space was enclosed in a dome-like shape. Below him was a grey ck sea, the light waves of which rippled and crashed against the translucent walls of the dome.


    There was nothing above him except the top of the translucent barrier, while his surroundings reaffirmed the spherical shape of the mental sphere.


    With a thought, Liam could actually move his figure towards anywhere he wanted.


    Bringing himself close to the walls, he peeked outside, finding it to be absolute darkness.


    Moving along, he made his way to the ck sea, dipping his toes in.


    Unlike the consistency of water, it felt like a thick, gas-like substance. Getting curious, Liam submerged his figure underneath the water, finding himself able to breathe normally.


    However, the depth was shallow.


    Liam opened his eyes once more, finding himself in reality.


    Noticing his student''s amazed expression, Lloyd smiled.


    "The sea of consciousness is all your intellectual propertiesbined. The sea itself, also known as mental energy, is your ability to think. With each thought, emotion and feeling, it ripples and forms waves.


    "When using the Psionic Rune, it depletes your mental energy exponentially, but it''ll consume less once you expand it.


    "The more you expand your mental sphere, the more mental energy you attain, the faster and quicker you can think, even boosting your senses in the process.


    "Although right now your mind is too weak to have any effect on reality, once you go up the ranks, that can change."


    Excitement brimmed within Liam, and he couldn''t hide the slight smile that formed on his face.


    Lloyd''s expression became stern before he continued.


    "Do not overexert yourself using that rune. If you do, it''ll have the opposite effect on your mental sphere, which could even crack when strained. What do you think happens when your sea of consciousness is shattered?"


    Liam''s demeanor changed once he realized the risk that came with expanding the mental sphere. He answered in a low tone:


    "You lose the ability to think."


    Lloyd nodded once, before jumping off his seat.


    "Now, for absorbing ''Ora''. You already know how to since ites with the Infernal tempering method. But it takes some time."


    Lloyd spent the next hour instructing Liam on how to absorb ''Ora'' within his body.


    It took some time, but eventually, Liam got the hang of it. All it really required was some concentration while sitting in the lotus position.


    Soon, a faint glow covered his pores.


    With an instinctive feeling, hemanded his pores to suck in the yellow colored mist into his body, causing it to morph into his figure.


    As ''Ora'' entered his skin, he felt the essence flowing throughout his body, nourishing and strengthening it as well.


    "Good! Now try and redirect that ''Ora'' in your body to a single point, in your arm for example."


    Liam tried as instructed.


    His control over it became much easier and simpler for him once he understood how it felt to absorb the ''Ora'' within the body; like muscle memory, it eventually became instinct.


    Liam closed his eyes and focused, with a thought, the ''Ora'' within his body moved ording to his will. Slowly, he directed it to his hand and arm.


    It felt powerful like never before.


    Lloyd pointed towards a small boulder nearby, then said, "Punch that as hard as you can."


    Liam''s lips curved upwards to form a smile, and without dy, he fixed his form and shot his fist at it as hard as he could.


    Boom!


    The boulder shattered into hundreds of little pieces, causing Liam''s eyes to widen in awe.

 Chapter 14: Hunt

    <h4>Chapter 14: Hunt</h4>


    Liam let out a low grunt while rubbing his bloodied knuckles. A little skin had shaved off when he punched the boulder, but his hand wasn''t broken despite taking the brunt of the attack.


    His gaze shifted to the scattered rock and he couldn''t help but smile.


    The ''Ora'' within Liam''s arm disappeared, and only a few minute traces of it remained.


    Lloyd giggled like a child watching someone fall, before clearing his throat and exining:


    "Absorbing ''Ora'' into your body is like a sponge, strengthening it considerably. You can absorb it and use it straight away ¡ª losing it in the process ¡ª or allow it to nourish your body. Doing so allows your body to slowly move up within the subsection stages, such as lower, middle, upper and peak stages within each rank."


    Liam listened intently, taking mental notes.


    ''Cultivation is so vast. I wonder how much I don''t know about this world.'' Liam imagined.


    "Now that you''ve learned how to absorb ''Ora'', try using it with your first martial art form."


    Liam''s face lit up as he remembered his martial art forms. His proficiency with it had grown well enough that he mastered the first form of the sun & moon arts.


    He spent the next moments absorbing enough ''Ora'' to store inside his body, before taking out his des.


    He had already memorized the form and its instructions. Without dy, he assumed a stance, raising his katana over his head and manipting ''Ora'' to his hand.


    ''First form... Lunar Eclipse.''


    Liam''s silver des glew gray as he shed vertically, a moonlight silver arc shooting out from his katana''s edges.


    The arc of light cut through the air with a whistling sound, eventually colliding with a tree and forming a shallow but smooth cut on its trunk.


    Liam''s lips curved to a wide smile.


    "Now, try hunting a Rank-1 magical beast." Lloyd proposed, and Liam eagerly nodded.


    .


    .


    .


    Liam hadn''t actually ventured that deep into the Udd forest, since magical beast packs would increase in both number and strength.


    Rank-0 beasts weren''t too powerful once he gained a bit of experience, but Rank-1 beasts required at least one center of power in the first rank to fight against.


    Eventually, Liam stopped amidst a smelly area, w marks and urine staining the surrounding trees.


    He climbed over a thick tree branch as his gaze was fixed on the mammal right below him, a Rank-1 bear type magical beast called the Earth Bear.


    Liam had already memorized the beast''s description in Lloyd''s bestiary.


    The Earth Bear had dense gray fur that was stained with dry blood,rge ck eyes that radiated strength, and a muzzle that contained a jaw asrge as an adult thigh.


    It gently rested by an oak tree, its purring vibrated through the air, unaware of the hidden figure looming above him. Liam had tracked it for nearly an hour.


    He had waited until the bear had a full stomach before he began his attack, giving him the element of surprise and the advantage of speed.


    Liam silently sprung his legs and leapt into the air, his des pointing right towards the skull of the beast as he fell towards the ground.


    Nothing stopped Liam''s trajectory as he headed for the bear''s head, and just as he was about to pierce right through its brain, the magical beast changed sleeping positionsst second and Liam''s des punctured only the side of its body.


    ''Welp¡ª''


    A thunderous roar shook the surroundings. Liam swiftly yanked his blood covered des out of the bear''s body and created distance between him and the beast.


    The giant mammal perked up and began to scoff and deeply growl, looking around angrily to find who dared to disturb his sleep.


    When it spotted Liam, it let out another roar aimed right towards him, longer and even more ferocious than before.


    His eardrums rang painfully, but Liam didn''t lose focus. With his des by his side, he waited for the beast to make its move.


    Just as Liam expected, the bear charged right at him with murderous instinct.


    As Liam dodged, its soft fur brushed right past his arms, while his sword and shortsword dragged across its body.


    Right after causing two gashes to appear on the bear''s body, Liam took a step back to avoid the giant w, simultaneously shooting out an arc of silver light at its eye, blinding it.


    The beast growled in pain, but only increased in anger. Its remaining eye glowed with fury, while its body seemed to pulse, growing in size.


    Liam took that as his cue to run as fast as he possibly could.


    Looking over his shoulder, he wasn''t surprised when it began furiously charging through trees just to get to him.


    The sounds of trees breaking and falling echoed throughout the forest.


    Nheless, Liam maintained a safe distance, jumping from tree to tree branch.


    The Earth Bear''s reckless rampage continued for a few minutes, before he appeared to slow down. its breathing became irregr and raspy, like it was difficult to inhale, while its movements turned sluggish.


    ''About time.''


    Liam found an opening on the beast and didn''t hesitate to take it.


    He used his des like a piton to quickly climb a nearby tree, then pushed himself off with both feet, propelling him towards the mammal''s head with his des in hand.


    The bear was weakened, making a poor attempt at blocking Liam''s steel des from severing its neck.


    Blood spurted from where the beast''s head once was, while a blood-red mist stained the air.


    The bear''s body thudded on the ground, a stream of blood flowing from its separated head, wetting Liam''s shoes.


    "Well done." Lloyd whistled as he watched the gruesome scene. He shifted his gaze to Liam.


    "I reckon that''s enough exining, you pretty much know everything. Now that you''re a cultivator, you can apply for a guild membership."


    The guild system was quite simple.


    Guild members couldplete missions, and umte merit points in return. With those points, they could purchase techniques and spells.


    Hunters, mercenaries, body guards, etc... The guild offers multiple options to choose from. Some of them paid more than others, but the higher one earned, the more difficult the job would be.


    "What do you want to be?" Lloyd questioned.


    Liam''s expression turned pensive as he recalled the many jobs the guilds offered.


    ''Bing a hunter is the best bet at the moment. I''ve already garnered enough experience with magical beasts as well.''


    There were three options Liam could currently choose from.


    Option one was a hunter specialized in magical beasts. The second was to be a mercenary, and the third, a scout.


    Mercenaries were the most versatile of jobs, since their work contained escorts, hunts, and more.


    ''Bing a hunter is the best bet at the moment. I''ve already garnered enough experience with magical beasts as well. Though, won''t bing a mercenary allow me to fight with other cultivators and gain more battle experience?'' Liam pondered for a few moments, before eventually concluding.


    ''I can always hunt on the side.''


    "Can I be a mercenary?"


    Lloyd nodded with an approving look.


    "Say no more."

 Chapter 15: Pity

    <h4>Chapter 15: Pity</h4>


    The sky was covered with dense grey clouds, while beams of light poked holes through them. A gentle breeze flowed through the area, covering the vast forest and shaking its leaves.


    The rays of sunshine squeezed through the cracks of a horse-drawn carriage, rocking up and down, bumping over the dirt road surrounded by thick trees.


    Inside the carriage were multiple figures, among them, a young boy.


    Liam had his eyes closed as heid his back against the carriage seats. A few days had passed since he had tempered his body and got ustomed to training with the Psionic Rune.


    ''Apparently, mental energy can be restored through regr rest and sleep. Though, a small side effect is the immense migraine I have to go through, and the bloodshot eyes thate with it.'' Liam thought, entering his sea of consciousness. ''When I reach the first rank, I''ll be able to use spells too.''


    His mental energy had been restored since he slept well the night before in preparation for the mercenary guild test. At the same time, his mental sphere walls seemed just a tiny bit more expanded.


    Which brings him to now, surrounded by a group consisting mostly of stern, scar-faced burly dudes who shot deadly res at him.


    "Kid, you sure you didn''t get lost on the way to the nursery?"


    The deep voice resonated from a tanned man, whose hairless head and severe, irritated expression made him seem uninviting. He stared at Liam, who calmly had his hands crossed.


    Liam slowly opened his eyes to stare at him, his cold green irises expressing indifference.


    "You look like an overgrown thumb." He abruptly replied, before closing his eyes again.


    The others held augh, but others with simr features grew more hostile.


    Blood rushed to Thumb''s head on those words, his fists clenched as he jumped off his seat.


    "Enough! Sit down."


    A robed man with noble features sitting in the front of the carriage spoke. He rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward, and no expression could be deduced from his face.


    "We''re almost there, I''ll brief you on the mission once more."


    Thumb let out a low growl, before sitting back down, his eyes stuck to Liam''s figure.


    Liam''s attention shifted to the robed man, who was also the test coordinator.


    "A group of bandits have piged a nearby vige down east. There are no cultivators in their group, but they are many in number, and nearly all are veteran fighters. Your job is to work as a team and sessfully take them down.


    "Banditry is punishable by death in Udd, so uphold thew."


    The world of cultivation was, indeed, much more ruthless than Liam''s first life. In a world where dragons and hostile races existed ¡ª governed by power and lineage ¡ª the weak had it much worse.


    ''I''ve already killed once. There''s no need to shy from it now.'' Liam thought with a dark expression. Inwardly, he knew the path he''d set on would be riddled with bloodied corpses.


    Eventually, the carriage came to a stop. All participants, totaling to six, came out one by one to survey the surroundings.


    The carriage had stopped atop the skirt of a mountain, allowing everyone to see the entirety of the distant forest, including the small vige situated right in the middle.


    Beacons of dark smog rose up from the air at that spot, forming a dark cloud of ash around it.


    "Good luck. We''ll be here"


    With that, the carriage began to ride away, leaving the six by themselves.


    ''This won''t end well.'' Liam thought, as his gaze probed his fellow team members.


    Inwardly, he had already given each a nickname, as he wasn''t bothered to remember their names.


    Baldy, des, Spear, Chains, and finally, Thumb, described by their respective features and weapons.


    "How about we start with an introduction and state what weapon we use?" Baldy assumed leadership.


    A friendly expression rested on his face as he said, "My name is Ivan, I wield a mace. What about you all?"


    The introductions continued ¡ª with Liam barely listening ¡ª until it eventually became Liam''s turn.


    "Liam, dagger and sword."


    All the participants had their eyes on him, looking him up and down. Some had distrusting and hostile gazes, while others were impressed.


    Ivan ¡ª Baldy did his best to redirect everyone''s attention.


    "Alright, now that we all know each other, let''s move in groups of two. Judging from the size of the vige, it''s faster to clear if we split up."


    The group simultaneously nodded in response, before each one found their own partner.


    Liam and Thumb were the only ones who didn''t team up.


    "There''s no way I''m teaming up with this kid. I''m going alone." Thumb shouted, before taking out his giant longsword and making his way towards the vige.


    "That idiot!" Baldy shouted, before shaking his head and sighing. He shifted his gaze towards Liam and spoke apologetically. "I''m sorry kid, but can you go alone?"


    Liam instantly nodded. In truth, he didn''t trust anyone in the group anyways.


    A momentter, Baldy began to talk strategy.


    The n they concocted was for everyone to converge in the middle, while at best, silently taking out the bandits on the way.


    Liam was to cover the east side, while the west and south were covered by the rest.


    Without further dy, they began to execute the n.


    .


    .


    .


    The walk towards the vige through the forest wasn''t long. Liam jumped between tree branches until he got close enough for an inspection.


    As he silently made his way to the entrance, the foul smell of blood entered his nose.


    There were no noises or humans in sight, but Liam kept a vignt eye.


    It didn''t take long before he saw the massacre that took ce.


    Severed body parts scattered everywhere, detached heads with blood still spurting from them, men and women, ruined corpses were littered like trash.


    The surroundings were tainted red, while the nauseating stench of blood only got thicker.


    Some blood patches were dried, giving the impression the bandits had started with this area and moved deeper in.


    Liam''s expression darkened, the scene made him frown deeply.


    ''If this is how brutal it is without cultivation, what world have I gotten myself into?''


    Liam started to make his way through the vige routes, hiding behind the vige huts as he kept a low profile.


    From what Liam could see, nobody was spared.


    Not even children or guard dogs, their expressions covered with shock and disbelief.


    Liam couldn''t help but feel pity.


    ''They didn''t have any power to protect their families. As a result, they suffer the consequences.''


    As he thought so, the voices of bandits entered his ears.

 Chapter 16: Guilt

    <h4>Chapter 16: Guilt</h4>


    Liam hushed his footsteps and instantly hid behind a vige hut, peeking his head from the side to get a clearer view.


    Ahead, an entric pair of bandits ¡ª donning thick leather tunics and masked with a western-style bandana ¡ª dragged bloodied corpses to a zing bonfire.


    Inwardly, Liam had already made up a nickname for the two: Fatty and Skinny.


    "Hahaha! I''m gonna be rich after this!" Fatty guffawed, his belly shaking up and down as heughed.


    In his hands were a handful of glimmering gold coins.


    "You idiot! Keep your voice down." Skinny reprimanded, but even he couldn''t hide the happiness in his voice.


    "We still have to gather the remaining bodies and burn them. Boss is gonna get mad if we''rete. Don''tze around!"


    With that, the pair spent the next half hour dragging and dropping the bodies into the fire.


    Skinny heaved a sigh, sweat trickling down his face from the fire''s heat.


    "I''ll go gather the corpses near the entrance, you take care of the ones here."


    With that, the two were separated.


    "Laze around my foot! Do the rest yourself."


    Fatty instantly sat down on the dirt right behind a dark alley to rx, taking out a dry piece of bread from his pocket to eat.


    Before the bread reached his lips, an agonizing sharp pain assaulted his chest.


    Creaking his neck to look below, the sharp tip of a sword jut out from his sr plexus.


    "Huh?"


    Liam felt a tactile response when piercing his de through the Fatty''s chest, as though the katana cut through the muscle, lungs, then bone all at once.


    Liam reversed the grip on his wakizashi.


    Before the bandit could understand what happened, Liam swiped his neck, severing it with one sh.


    Thud.


    His headless body fell to the ground, while he was yanked into the dark alley. Fatty''s hand was still gripped to the piece of bread, drenched in his blood.


    A look of shock and confusion sat on the severed head''s face while it fell and rolled on the dirt.


    Liam expected guilt. Any normal human being would when taking another life, but, to his surprise, there was nothing.


    Liam put a hand on his heart. Even his pulse was steady and calm, indifferent to what had just urred.


    Perhaps it was Liam''s first upbringing that prepared him well for this moment, or his greed and ambition for power that caused a gear in his brain to shift.


    ''Well, it is what it is. Can''t change who I am now.'' He thought with a wry scoff, before inspecting Fatty''s body and retrieving the stolen gold.


    Before long, Skinny returned with two male corpses on his shoulders.


    "Oi! Where''d you go, you fat pig!" He screamed, his venomous eyes scouring the surroundings with no trace of his partner.


    Spotting a dark alley with a crimson trail of blood, Skinny grew serious.


    He dropped the two bodies to his sides and unsheathed a silver saber, silently approaching the dark crevice.


    "Piggy? Don''t tell me you''re taking another one of your untimely dumps?!" He shouted, anger mixed with fear in his voice.


    His distraught and fearful eyes fell on Fatty''s headless body, when suddenly, a shadow flickered on the ground.


    The bandit hurriedly shifted his neck towards the sky, only to be on the wrong end of two silver des, promptly piercing through his eye sockets.


    Liam yanked out his katana and wakizashi from Skinny''s face, before flicking the blood off them.


    ''I should start moving.''


    With that, Liam left the alley and started to make his way further towards the center, but not before throwing the bandits'' bodies in the ze.


    Shifting his gaze towards the sky, he noticed more beacons of dark smoke. However, thergest trail of smog was in the dead center of the vige.


    ''I know where to go.''


    It didn''t take long for Liam to reach that spot. He kept low-key all throughout, simultaneously taking out a few lone bandits on the way.


    Eventually, he came across thergest beacon.


    Liam''s cold eyes swept the field, calmly assessing the situation.


    Seven enemies in total. Five of them wielded swords, while one carried arge mace, and another a spear. They were on guard, their eyes scouring the surroundings for any movement.


    The swordsmen came in various heights, but all were simr in terms of build. Nearly all carried an aura of experience around with them. Meanwhile, the ones with the mace and spear were like giants from Liam''s perspective.


    ''So these are the strongest among them. Howe the others haven''t arrived yet?''


    Taking them down silently was a difficult option, since, not only was it more difficult to divide them, but because there were nearly no opportunities to do so.


    ''Hmm¡­ I could probably take one or two down with the element of surprise, but the rest, I''ll have to fight directly."


    The ''warehouse'' the bandits were protecting was the width of two school buses, making Liam think it was most likely the townhall of the vige. It was situated in the center, a short distance away from all the surrounding huts.


    ''Why are they guarding that spot, though? The ''boss'' has to be inside.''


    Liam turned stern. The guarding bandits were already strong, but the leader had to be much stronger.


    ''I still have the advantage.''


    Dashing from house to house and hiding away from the bandits'' line of sight, Liam made his way to the back of the warehouse.


    No guards were stationed in the back, but the right, left, and main entrance of the warehouse were covered.


    Liam grabbed a random stone from the ground, before throwing it a short distance away.


    Tap.


    "What was that?" A horse-faced bandit voiced, a frown on his face. "Survivors?"


    Tap.


    He nudged one of his mates, a short muscr man, and silently signaled him to join him. Both had their swords unsheathed, slowly closing into the source of the noise.


    As the horse-faced bandit reached the corner, Liam''s ring and index finger greeted his eye sockets.


    "Aah!"


    A loud shriek resounded through the air, alerting all the bandits nearby.


    As the bandit stumbled backwards clutching his face, a red line appeared on his midsection, which spurted blood and viscera.


    The bandit had been cut in half, dying a secondter.


    The muscr looter had a shocked expression, before he quickly rposed himself and dashed in with his sword, swinging it directly at Liam''s neck.

 Chapter 17: One Versus Five

    <h4>Chapter 17: One Versus Five</h4>


    Liam instantly pivoted his foot and ducked low, running his wakizashi against the bandit''s giant hand, arm and shoulder, followed by a quick sh with his katana, severing it.


    Before the man could scream, a deep, diagonal gash appeared on his face, splitting it and revealing the brainy interior of his skull.


    The first scream had already notified all the other bandits to rush towards the source of noise, allowing them to witness a ten year old standing over the gory corpses of theirrades.


    Their faces grew severe as they unsheathed their weapons and fixed their gaze on Liam''s figure.


    In short, it was a one versus five situation. Three wielding longswords, another swinging a giant metal mace, and thest gripping a lengthy spear.


    "Don''t underestimate this little rat. I don''t know how, but he''s a cultivator." Spear whispered to his mates, causing expressions of shock and disbelief among the bandits.


    Even they, as lifelong criminals and ouws, hadn''t gotten the chance to gaze upon a tempering method or cultivation technique. They were simply too valuable.


    Heaving a long, forceful breath, a cold and calcting light appeared in Liam''s eyes.


    ''I can''t get hit by that giant mace. Maybe I can take a few stabs from that spear user, but I can''t let him pierce my vitals. The swordsmen are small fries, but there''s three of them.''


    Unbeknownst to Liam, his lips curved slightly upwards to form a smile, causing the bandits to flinch and subconsciously take a step back.


    The sun was at its zenith, covering the tense air around the standoff with a warm hue.


    "Go!"


    Mace suddenly shouted, and the three swordsmen reluctantly shot at Liam''s figure from the front. Simultaneously, he and Spear looked for an opportunity tond a killing blow from the sidelines.


    Liam''s back was against the warehouse wall, his eyes flickered coldly as the first swordsman swung at his chest.


    ng!


    Using his wakizashi to parry, Liam instantly counterattacked with his katana, slicing off a good chunk of the bandit''s shoulder.


    Liam was far stronger in terms of strength. Although a powerful attack from a non-cultivator could inevitably hurt him, the Rank-1 body wasn''t anything to scoff at.


    As the sword-user stumbled backwards with a loud shout ¡ª doomed to bleed to death as his shoulder spurted gobs of blood ¡ª the two remaining swordsmen approached him from the sides.


    Another loud ''ng'' noise reverberated throughout the air as Liam firmed his body, bent his knees and crossed his hands, blocking both the swordsmen with one de each.


    Mace and Spear saw an opening and didn''t fail to take it.


    The former swung his giant mace and threw it towards Liam''s chest, while thetter followed the spiked ball''s trajectory while clenching his spear.


    Liam stopped holding back the swordsmen.


    The two suddenly jolted forward due tock of an opposing force, only for a giant mace to smash one''s head in, and a spear to impale another''s skull.


    Before they could retract their weapons and react appropriately, Liam had swiped Spear''s midsection ¡ª spilling viscera and tainting the floor crimson ¡ª before splitting the Mace''s chain¡­ and head a momentter.


    Thest thing they saw before their vision went dark¡­ was Liam''s cold and indifferent expression.


    ''Compared to him, you''re all really weak.'' Liam realized, snapping his shoulders and flicking the blood off his katana and wakizashi.


    His battle prowess could only be attributed to his mentor, who didn''t pull his punches one bit during their training, in addition to Liam''s hardworking demeanor.


    At the same time, Liam felt his reaction time had improved by a bunch through training with the Psionic Rune, even though he trained with it for a few days.


    ''I''ll have to increase the intensity from now on. Training one hour a day was the limit Lloyd had given me, but I know I can push it past that.''


    Suddenly, Liam felt a spike in air temperature.


    His eyes narrowed as he attempted to figure out what the source was.


    ''What is tha¡ª''


    Boom!


    The warehouse that Liam was right beside suddenly exploded, charring his skin and sending him flying the distance until he eventually fell against a vige roof.


    Gray smoke and dust clouds rose into the air and covered the entire area.


    Liam''s ears rang with a high-pitch, while his head was experiencing a terrible ache. The right side of his gymsuit had been burnt off, and so was the crisped skin underneath.


    His consciousness was swaying, but luckily, he seemed to recover fairly quickly.


    The pain from the burns made him frown, but it began to numb as he picked himself up from the ground.


    The infernal tempering method allowed for increased resistance from heat, which was partly the reason why his body was in one piece.


    The dust cloud began to settle, slowly revealing a human figure standing in the middle of where the explosion originated.


    The silhouette seemed to flicker an orange and yellow, while the smoke and dust dulled the colors considerably.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed, before widening.


    Once there was nothing clouding his vision anymore, Liam could make out the features of the human figure clearly.


    The man wore a lengthy ck robe, his stature and frame simr to Mace and Spear.


    He had ck hair styled to a military cut, while his sharp eyes were a deep brown. No facial hair was visible on his face, except a wide smile that showcased all his canine-like teeth.


    The most distinct feature about him, was the fact that he was literally on fire, but his expression didn''t seem to be of pain.


    Liam''s expression darkened.


    ''A cultivator...''

 Chapter 18: Opportunity

    <h4>Chapter 18: Opportunity</h4>


    The robed cultivator instantly took off his clothing, inspecting the corners of his defined and muscr body.


    A wicked smile grew on his lips as he did so, before he solemnly shifted his eyes towards the sky. Multiple emotions flickered on his face.


    ''I need to leave. Better to run while he''s still pondering his life choices.''


    Inwardly, Liam knew he couldn''t beat the unexpected cultivator. After all, the man had both an awakened core of the fire element, and ¡ª from what Liam could deduce ¡ª a higher ranked body.


    The reason those mes didn''t damage him, was because it originated from his body or core, perhaps the special ability that upper ranked techniques came with.


    In that sense, Liam was correct.


    The only thing the guycked was an awakened mental sphere, since cultivators with a Rank-1 sea of consciousness could easily sense others in a vast area of range. Psionic Runes weren''t particrly easy toe across.


    ''I need to find the others. What''s taking them so bloody long?!''


    With a low, annoyed grunt, Liam picked himself off the vige hut and slid onto the ground ¡ª shifting away his focus from the pain.


    He didn''t walk far, before sensing a heavy bloodlust behind him, followed by a giant ck-metal saber aimed for his back.


    Liam inwardly cursed as he shifted, unsheathing his des and parrying with his wakizashi and katana.


    His wrists sprained crooked as they blocked the might of the attack, but Liam managed to redirect the saber away before jumping back to create distance.


    The bare cultivator was slightly taken aback and didn''t resume his offense. He shifted his gaze to Liam and spoke with a slightly amazed tone:


    "Wow. At such a young age, you''ve tempered your body¡­ What''s your name, kid?"


    Liam stretched his wrists as he fixed his footing, his vignt eyes shifting between his opponent and his own des, which had a slight crack on its edge.


    Liam remained silent, but then realized he had to buy time. Heaving a soft sigh, he responded calmly:


    "...It''s courtesy to speak your own name before asking someone else''s."


    The man chuckled, then guffawed. With a serious tone, he replied.


    "Wryel."


    Liam stretched the silence as much as he could, before a glimmer of impatience appeared in Wryel''s eyes.


    "Liam. Striking a ten year old from behind isn''t really a cool thing to do, old man."


    Wryel chuckled, shifting his attention towards the imploded warehouse, spotting corpses scattered around the back. The bandit''s Liam had killed had been charred ck, adding anotheryer of gore to an already savage scene.


    Turning back to Liam, he spoke sarcastically.


    "Said the brat that killed seven of my strongest men and didn''t suffer a single scratch."


    By the looks of it, Wryel was done talking, adjusting the grip on his ck saber, before taking slow steps towards Liam.


    Liam heaved a long breath. By then, his sprained wrists no longer hurt when he cranked them.


    ''I still have my trump card. That saber will definitely break my des if I let him, though.''


    Liam''s ''Ora'' reserves were still at its peak.


    Wryel''s figure flickered and reappeared in front of Liam, a maniacal look was on his face as he swung his giant saber ¡ª which suddenly burst into mes ¡ª horizontally against Liam''s arm.


    Liam pivoted on his left foot, barely dodging the sh and fire as he arched his body backwards.


    Wryel didn''t stop there. One after the other, wide shes backed by powerful swings forced Liam to evade and dodge, doing so by the skin of his teeth.


    His small size and stature worked to his benefit, since he was a much more difficult target to hit.


    Stinging burn marks started to sizzle on Liam''s skin, the pain of which was dulled considerably because of his heat resistance.


    ''I have to do it in the middle of his swing, so he doesn''t have the freedom to evade or block.''


    Forced to use his des to parry a direct hit, Liam''s katana and wakizashipletely shattered, leaving only a small, nt-tipped stump at the top of his des'' hilt.


    Wryel started tough sadistically as he swung his saber with even more strength and speed, though his attacks were riddled with tant openings.


    Liam bided his time as he dodged.


    Gritting his teeth, he suffered patiently, even throwing away his katana but holding his wakizashi, waiting for the perfect opportunity.


    Finally, it came.


    Wryel swung diagonally ¡ª his saber ring with violent mes ¡ª using all the strength in his giant muscles to cut Liam in half.


    In what seemed like a split second, Liam sprung from the ground and vertically swiped his de a few inches away from Wryel''s face, consuming all the ''Ora'' in his body.


    Wyrel''s brown irises reflected a silvery moonlight rapidly shooting for his features, forming a bloody gash from forehead to chin, splitting his nose in the process.


    The maniacal cultivator stumbled backwards and fell clutching his face, groaning with a strained tone. His marred expression disyed pure shock.


    Death seized him a secondter.

 Chapter 19: Social Status

    <h4>Chapter 19: Social Status</h4>


    Liam raised his gaze towards the vermillion sky, spotting the crimson sun setting over the horizon.


    ''I''m tired.''


    Panting heavily, exhausted both physically and mentally, thest thing he saw before copsing were his dumbfounded teammates arriving at the scene.


    ''Took you long enough, you pricks.''


    Thud.


    .


    .


    .


    Liam''s eyes flickered open.


    He found himself in a small wooden room, lying on a bed with bandages covering his body, which ached and stinged with the slightest movement. Not to mention the migraine that throbbed with pangs of pain.


    Grunting, he sat up.


    "Oh! You''re finally awake!" Lloyd eximed from the side, his mouth full of food which he hurriedly attempted to swallow.


    "How long was I out?" Liam asked with a strained tone, rubbing his temples.


    "Eight hours." Lloyd revealed, licking his lips and cleaning his mouth.


    His face grew somber a momentter as he scanned Liam''s figure.


    "How''s your body? Don''t move too much. Your bandages have beenced with multiple medicines, so there shouldn''t be any permanent scars or burn marks as it heals."


    Liam let out a concerned sigh. "It''s fine¡­ when can we get back to training? Also, how''d the test go? And¡­ does my mother know about this?"


    Liam''s fight with Wryel made him realize how weak he really was.


    Hearing his words, any worry or solemn emotion disappeared from Lloyd''s face, reced with a prideful smile.


    "Yep. You''re definitely my student. I''ve told your mother a few lies, but she didn''t really buy them. Just have an answer sheet ready.


    "Someone''ll tell you how the test went in a couple of hours. But man, to think you killed more than ten people on your first mission without batting an eye. Not to mention another cultivator¡­"


    Liam lowered his head, his expression indiscernible. "In the first ce¡­ is emotion a good thing to have as a cultivator?"


    Lloyd paused, pensive. After a few seconds of silence, his face turned dark. He answered with a low voice:


    "No¡­ at least, not when killing."


    Knock, Knock.


    The door to the room creaked open, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered man. He wore a pearly white robe stitched with the image of a golden dragon.


    He had a serious expression, his sharp eyes azure while his short hair was ck.


    For a moment, his gaze lingered on Lloyd, before shifting towards Liam.


    He began with a respectful greeting and introduced himself.


    "I''m David Leros, one of the senior members of the guild association board. I apologize for ourck of preparation. If our test protractor did his job, you wouldn''t have suffered so much."


    Liam limited himself to a quick nod.


    "It goes without saying that you''ve passed, but as an apology, we''d like to reward you with 200 ''Ora'' Stones and a Rank-2 cultivation technique for when you awaken your core."


    Liam suppressed a smile from appearing on his face, nodding again.


    David''s gaze shifted from Liam to Lloyd, then back to Liam once again.


    "There is another guild branch." David said, his sternness slowly softening. "Not too many people know about it. Kid, with your talent in cultivation and killing, I''d be a fool not to extend you an invitation."


    Liam listened intently, assessing Lloyd''s expression from the corner of his eye.


    His teacher had a cold look on his face, chilling, almost.


    "What guild branch?"


    "You''d have to make an oath not to speak about it to anyone outside this room." David said with a severe expression. "A nod would do."


    Liam promptly nodded.


    "The Assassin''s branch. Only a handful of people know about its existence, including your teacher. The rest is need-to-know unless you ept, but I assure you, if it''s strength you seek, you''d be foolish not to join.''


    ''Lloyd''s an assassin, then?'' Liam realized with shock.


    "I''ll leave the decision to you. If you decide to ept, your teacher knows exactly where to find me."


    With that, David had left the room, but not before handing Liam a paper slip to cash in his rewards. It took a few minutes for Lloyd''s expression to go back to normal.


    "What do you think I should do?" Liam asked, brushing past the cold looks and tense air surrounding the two.


    Lloyd realized how tense he was and cleared his throat before speaking.


    "At the end of the day, it''s your choice. He didn''t lie. As an assassin, you''d have ess to higher ranked techniques and spells, and even better conditions to cultivate. Keep in mind, though, you''d get a lot closer to nobles who look at you as a pawn."


    Liam inwardly cursed.


    ''Other than the Opposition, there''s also the giant hurdle that is my social status.''


    "I suggest taking some time to think it over. At least, until you heal and get better. When you heal up, I''ll buy you a pair of des from the underground." Lloyd promised, before parting ways.


    Liam inwardly agreed. He quickly wore a tight ck gymsuit over his bandages ¡ª masking it ¡ª before making his way back home.


    Night fell, and the endless stars revealed themselves, flickering as they adorned the heavens.


    Due to theck of light pollution, there was nothing clouding that majestic sight, allowing him to see the countless constetions that reflected on his irises.


    Eve was knitting Liam''s clothes when he entered his house.


    "Wee back, dear." She said with a soft smile, hugging him and kissing his forehead. Traces of tiredness could be seen on her face. "What took you so long?"


    Liam did his best to focus away from the stinging sensation in his body ¡ª which burnt with the slightest touch ¡ª and shed a quick smile.


    "Sorry, ma. Another long day at work. Can I go to sleep?"


    Eve opened her mouth to say something, but let out a weak sigh. With a slightly solemn look, she responded:


    "Of course, dear. Sleep well."


    Liam entered his room and instantly sat on the floor, taking out his Psionic Rune from behind his drawer.


    ''I''m sorry, Eve. But for your sake and mine, I''ll spend this time getting stronger. I won''t amount to a pawn. Never.''


    Liam thought, before pressing the rune against his forehead, the pain of which now brought a strangefort.

 Chapter 20: Underground

    <h4>Chapter 20: Underground</h4>


    Signs of winter were beginning to show over theing days. Nights were getting colder, and the fauna prepared to hibernate, while the flora started to wither and turn to chaff.


    A week passed since Liam hadpleted his guild test. During this period of time, he had ramped up his training intensity by a lot, suffering bloodshot eyes and hours of unceasing migraines.


    Still, his senses rapidly improved. Among them, his reaction timings and taste had be incredibly urate, so much so, he could recognize the different ingredients that his meals consisted of.


    Bodily cultivation, on the other hand, had a much more nourishing approach, strengthening his muscles in a slow but painless way. Liam cultivated within the ''Ora'' caves underground, since they had a higher concentration of world essence.


    In fact, he felt himself approaching the second cycle.


    Along with his cultivation, he hunted Rank-1 beasts on the side in order to train his martial arts, while continuing to sell the magical beast corpses to restaurants and pill-alchemists alike.


    The magical beast core was an instrumental ingredient for many pills, and likewise for the beast''s body.


    Over time, Liam''s savings had reached a substantial amount, giving him the means to renovate their house in preparation for winter.


    The wooden walls of their home were now made out of white-painted stone, and the dirt floors were fixed with wooden nks. Proper lights illuminated the space from the ceiling, expanding the space much more than it seemed.


    ''I don''t really need to do this since my body can filter out the cold, but Eve might get really sick. It''s really the least I can do for her.''


    His mother raised more than a few brows at how Liam got the money for the renovations, but she couldn''t hide her proud and amazed expressions. Although they held a tinge of guilt.


    The sun had just risen when Liam woke up and started to get ready. He washed his face with a warm water vessel, then wore his usual tight ck clothing ¡ª donning a small coat over his gymsuit.


    Today, he had to choose which guild branch to work in.


    Mindlessly choosing wasn''t Liam''s way of doing things. He weighed the pros and cons first, his face growing pensive and distant.


    ''On one hand, it leads to strength. More connections, more training and experience. On the other hand, it''s riddled with iron shackles and chains.''


    Liam reminded himself of his new purpose.


    ''I have to fight against my status anyways. Getting stronger quicker doesn''t hurt. Besides, I have no intention of serving these people.''


    Liam made his way out of his dwelling and silently exited, since Eve was still asleep.


    Outside, in the distance, Lloyd''s yawning figure could be seen approaching Liam''s home.


    With a quick greeting, Lloyd instantly asked as he gestured for Liam to follow him:


    "Did you make up your mind?"


    Liam''s response was immediate.


    "Yes¡­ I''ll take the job."


    Lloyd nodded. It seemed as though he already knew what his student''s decision would be.


    "Can you tell me anything about it?" Liam asked as the pair made their way towards the underground.


    Lloyd''s face turned pensive. After a few seconds of silence, he answered:


    "It''s simple really. You just kill people."


    Liam sighed. ''Thanks for that.''


    "Never mind that, let''s get you a pair of des."


    The pair entered the underground and entered various armories. The shopkeepers would shoot him strange looks now and again, but with the cold look on Liam''s face ¡ª and Lloyd''s presence ¡ª they didn''t bother him.


    Strangely, most of the weapons he inspected had small but strange ck writings on them.


    Even Wryel''s saber and Lloyd''s des had them, but Liam thought it was just some adornment or insignia. Looking at theirbels, he came to realize they were called ''inscriptions'', and were vastly more expensive than non-inscribed weapons.


    The pair were in a shop surrounded by axes, des and spears, when Lloyd quickly rified.


    "Inscriptions are special writings that could give your de unique properties. They''re not limited to weapons either. It''s one of the moreplicated uses of ''Ora'', and they''re practically used all around us. Though, it requires devotion to understand and develop one''sprehension of it.


    "Basically, it''s an entirely different branch, simr to cultivation or alchemy."


    ''That''s¡­ pretty amazing.''


    Liam shifted to the des in his grip. It was a ck-metal katana, designed with curvy stripes on its edges.


    On the other hand, his wakizashi had a simr appearance, only the edges were spiked instead of smooth.


    ''Night des. 350 ''Ora'' Stones. Inscriptions can absorb ''Ora'' and add ayer of sharpness, capable of cutting through steel.''


    Liam swung the des a couple of times, before nodding in satisfaction. "Good enough for me."


    Lloyd stared at the price tag and let out a wry sigh. "Kid¡­ at least buy something cheaper so my pockets don''t weep."


    350 ''Ora'' Stones equaled 3500 gold coins. In Udd, ten gold coins were enough to feed a family of three for half a year.


    As such, cultivator''s held a powerful edge against normal humans. However, their way of life was much more dangerous, and death loomed around every corner.


    "A promise is a promise, old man." Liam grinned, causing Lloyd to vow never to make another promise with his student again.


    Reluctantly paying the shopkeeper the price for the des, the clerk sheathed the des in a matte-ck scabbard, before giving it to Liam.


    Liam fixed the des to his hip, tying it together with a ck sash that wrapped around his waist. Overall, it gave him a slick and suave appearance.


    ''Damn, I look so¡­ edgy.'' He thought, letting out a bitterugh.


    Lloyd had led him towards the furthest wall of the underground. The surroundings became more deste, with only a few shacks and rundown inns visible.


    Eventually, Lloyd entered a small wooden hut with Liam closely behind. It wasn''t furnished at all, save for a small wooden table in the middle.


    Lloyd ced his hand on the hut wall, searching for a specific spot, before pressing it.


    Clunk!


    Suddenly, the wooden table in the middle sunk inside the ground, revealing an underground staircase.


    ''An underground¡­ within an underground?''

 Chapter 21: Binding Oath

    <h4>Chapter 21: Binding Oath</h4>


    The sounds of stone grinding against stone continued before abruptly stopping. Lloyd took the first step, followed by Liam.


    It was a spiral stairway that led downward, illuminated by lit candles, the wax of which didn''t seem to melt.


    Eventually, they reached a vast base. The square area was made out of uneven stone, lit by white chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. However, the space wasn''t furnished.


    Connected to the base were dark, clean-cut corridors and alleyways that led further in.


    "Liam, young man! I knew you would ept." David spread his arms, greeting the pair as he approached.


    He donned his usual white robe, but there seemed to be a veil of happiness over his usually stern face.


    Shifting his gaze to Lloyd, David exchanged a quick, nk nod. Before turning back to Liam.


    "Let me give you a quick tour."


    With that, the robed noble began leading the two down a hallway, their steps creating acute tapping noises.


    The narrow corridor led to a muchrger, but empty field. The air was cold, stiffening Liam''s skin.


    However, inscriptions and strange writings covered the floor, around a square perimeter to be exact.


    From where the trio were standing, there was a small table upon which different tablets rested.


    "Here, you''ll learn the ins and outs about the homes of your victims. Also, you''ll be briefed and taught more about assassination itself."


    David picked up a random tablet, cing it on a hollowpartment inside the table.


    Suddenly, the inscriptions on the ground lit up.


    Tremors echoed throughout the ground, and from the field, pieces of the earth arose to erect walls and build roofs.


    After a few minutes, it resembled arge mansion, simr to the White House from earth.


    Liam''s jaw was wide open. He simply didn''t have any words to describe the scene.


    "I''m sure you don''t regret your decision already. Let''s move on." David grinned, taking Liam out of his stupor.


    Lloyd had no particr expression on his face, simply nodding in silence.


    ''Judging by the mansion¡­ won''t my targets be the nobles? No wonder they keep it hidden.''


    Liam also confirmed that his job would entail much more difficultypared to the others, but he expected that much.


    Another hallway led to a dungeon-like area. Within the walls wererge, dug out holes. Caves, to be precise.


    "You''ll be assigned one of these ''Ora'' caves. They''re much more concentratedpared to those above, roughly twice as much."


    Liam nodded, forcing back a smile that threatened to appear on his face.


    "Your peers are few, but much older than you. Don''t be discouraged, though. You''re not too far behind."


    Along with that area, there was a space made for bathing and wearing clothes. There were even lockers to store personal items in.


    "Just a few more things to see, then you can start cultivating and training for your missions."


    The next area was a mission room. There were various boards that had leather posters stered on its surface, exining the requirements and description of the work.


    David didn''t linger in that room for too long, quickly showing the rest of the guild areas.


    There was also a map room, exuding antiquity and knowledge. It was filled to the brim with parchments that showed the topography of Udd, and beyond.


    Liam wanted to study the maps in that room, but David had already begun walking.


    After that, the trio reached an armory.


    However, the exquisite and expensive looking weapons ¡ª except the pills ¡ª and elegant armors that it had weren''t for sale.


    Within the armory, a plump, middle-ageddy donning a in robe sat behind a marble counter. Her hair was ivory blonde, and her irises amber.


    "This is Ava. She can answer any inquiries you might have. Also, she''s the sole proprietor for techniques and spells you can purchase."


    Ava let out a warm smile as she waved her hand.


    Liam solemnly nodded.


    "If you think a mission is too difficult for you, you can rent out these items with merit points.


    "I reckon that''s enough exining. You''ve got the gist of how things work. Though, there''s just a Binding Oath left for you to take."


    David''s expression held something sinister, causing Liam to inwardly scowl.


    "Binding oath?"


    Lloyd sighed, breaking his silence. "It''s just a simple measure for their teachings not to be disclosed to anyone."


    David flicked his wrist, taking out an inscribed stone tablet from his ring.


    "Put some ''Ora'' into it, and so will I. This constitutes a Binding Oath. If you break our agreement, may your core shatter."


    Liam felt a bead of sweat running down his forehead.


    "In exchange for our teachings, resources and support, you will never reveal our workings to anyone."


    ''So that''s why Lloyd couldn''t tell me anything.'' Liam thought.


    Liam reluctantly inserted his ''Ora'' into the stone, and the tablet glowed with a yellow light.


    David did the same.


    A momentter, Liam felt a hidden, silent force loom against his abdomen, marking it.


    "Now, with that out of the way, you''re officially a member."

 Chapter 22: First Mission

    <h4>Chapter 22: First Mission</h4>


    The tour and Liam''s integration to the guild had concluded.


    David had a wide smile on his face. Before he parted ways, he handed Liam a ck metal token with the number ''0'' on it.


    "That will store your merits. Be sure not to lose it. Your assassination mentor will being back soon, be sure to introduce yourself when you see her."


    In addition to that, he handed Liam a map, and a small box container the size of fist.


    "On that map, you''ll learn theyouts and surroundings of Udd. Specifically, the wealthy side." After exining a few more things, David parted ways.


    Liam instantly opened the container, finding a small ck ring resting atop a small red pillow.


    "A space ring?" Liam''s eyes lit up. He eagerly looked towards Lloyd. "How do I make it work?"


    Space rings were very expensive inscribed items. Liam had only seen it on the fingers of richer cultivators. In the first ce, they weren''tmonly found.


    Lloyd leaned in and chuckled.


    "Pour some ''Ora'' into it. It''ll contain your imprint and only you can use it, unless the imprint is wiped out with strong mental energy."


    Liam did exactly that. The ring glowed with a golden-yellow color, before settling into a dull ck.


    Liam inspected the ring using his sea of consciousness, feeling a faint connection to the item.


    Inside, there was roughly 10 square meters of space.


    He took out the Psionic Rune from his clothing''s pocket, and as he willed it, the Rune was sucked into the ring.


    A wide grin formed on his face.


    "Now, I''m sure you''re itching to cultivate." Lloyd pped his student''s back with augh. "Good luck, kid."


    Liam scratched the side of his head, before heading straight towards the ''Ora'' cave. Lloyd had departed himself, too.


    However, right as Liam made his way there, he felt a cold and sharp sensation on his neck, as though the tip of a needle had kissed his skin.


    "Don''t move." A woman''s voice demanded behind him, her tone filled with bloodlust and chilling coldness. "Who are you?"


    Liam scowled, staring at the glinting needle from the corner of his eye.


    ''Damn it! I didn''t hear or sense a single thing from this woman. Wait, could she be the guild mentor?''


    "Rx, dumbass! I''m a new member!"


    The needle pressing against his neck slightly softened at those words, before detaching from it entirely.


    Liam jolted around and created distance, assessing his assant, his grip on the hilt of his Night des.


    Thedy had short blonde hair tied to a ponytail. Her paleplexion contrasted with her cold brown eyes, which exuded strength. Currently, a dumbfounded expression sat on her face.


    She wore a fancier version of the assassin''s attire found at the guild, made out of a gleaming ck leather. Her sleeves covered her shoulders, while her arms were covered with a see-through ck mesh.


    Her slender fingers still held the bloodstained needle.


    "You? But you''re just a child? David didn''t tell me anything about a new member."


    Liam grimaced, his grip still on his de hilts. "The child you just tried to kill."


    Thedy scoffed, her eyes scanning Liam''s figure from head to toe.


    "Well, you don''t talk your age. Your name?"


    Liam eventually sighed.


    "Liam."


    Thedy let out a sinister grin.


    "I''m Ophis. Pleased to make your acquaintance."


    .


    .


    .


    The sky was overcast and snow began to fall over Udd.


    It began with just a few snowkes, but soon developed into a chilling blizzard. After a week of snowfall, everything had turned white and the apanying cold froze the entire region.


    Winter had bore its icy fangs.


    Many poor peasants would often perish during this time. Their threadbare rags simply didn''t hold back the deadly frost.


    In theing weeks, many events took ce.


    Liam hadpleted two tempering cycles, advancing his body towards the beginnings of the upper-stage of Rank-1. His physical strength increased significantly, but there was still a long road to the next rank.


    At that point, his body had gotten used to the excruciating pain and heat. Completing the future cycles didn''t seem difficult anymore.


    Liam divided his schedule between cultivating his body and expanding his mental sphere. Nearly all his time had been spent inside the dense ''Ora'' cave.


    At some point, Liam had gained the ability to spread his senses. It waspletely subconscious, like stretching a muscle. Doing so, he could vaguely discern his surroundings without his ears or eyes.


    During one of his tempering cycles, he asked Lloyd for guidance.


    His mentor had a shocked look on his face.


    "Can you seriously do that?"


    Liam nodded, prompting an incredulous but proud smile from Lloyd.


    "What you''re doing is spreading your mental waves throughout your surroundings. Usually, one should reach this level in five to six months from training with the Rune."


    Liam only had twoplete months with the Psionic Rune. However, he hadn''t taken a day off in that period.


    ''Wait¡­ doesn''t that mean if I continue doing this, I''ll be a Rank-1 Magus in less than a year?''


    Cultivators with a Rank-1 sea of consciousness were called Magi, since they had the ability to use spells.


    A dangerous glint appeared in Liam''s eyes.


    ¡­


    Over time, Liam learned more about how the guild system worked.


    Missions were divided between ''main'' and ''secondary''. Main missions consisted of proper assassinations. They held the most reward, but just as much difficulty.


    Small noble houses were oftentimes the victim, but not limited to it. Of course, these noble families had different levels of strength, beginning with small-size, and ending withrge-size families.


    Even underground businessmen and merchants had a price on their heads.


    The higher ranked the assassin was, the more difficult missions they had ess to. The riskier targets they could assassinate.


    Secondary missions were diverse. Liam could freely hunt, search for special materials and herbs, and defend viges from bandits and magical beasts, etcetera.


    Basically, Liam had be an assassin, but had ess to all other branches of the guild.


    Besides that, there were mandatory training sessions that Liam had toplete before taking his first main mission.


    To his surprise, it was much more tortuous than he imagined, consisting of poison training, seclusion inplete darkness, infiltration, starvation, and more.


    For the former, the poison would strengthen his body''s immunity, dulling and cleansing the toxin''s effectiveness.


    The seclusion in darkness would allow his eyes to adjust to the shadows. Although expanding his mental sphere gave him simr capabilities, this type of training bolstered its speed.


    Starvation would hone his focus, since cognitive function, learning, memory, and awareness were all bolstered by fasting.


    Not only that, but Ophis was simr to Lloyd in how they both were unrelenting in training.


    Soon¡­ it was time for Liam''s first assassination mission.

 Chapter 23: Arrogance

    <h4>Chapter 23: Arrogance</h4>


    A luxurious carriage drawn by a domesticated horse-type magical beast made its way through the streets of Udd. The exterior of the vehicle was pure ck, made from a mix of gleaming ck metal and wood.


    Any peasant witnessing the car go by would make a respectful gesture, hectically making way for it.


    Eventually, the carriage reached a giant, stern wall, guarded by armored soldiers wielding various weapons.


    "Halt!"


    The coachman holding the reins stopped at the entrance, approached by a tall guard.


    "Family name?" The guard asked rudely, his impatient face scrunched.


    The coachman took out a golden token and shed it towards the soldier.


    Instantly, the guard regretted his loud voice. He lowered his gaze and spoke with a soft tone.


    "My apologies, sir. Please enter."


    With indifference, the coachman pped the reins on his beast, and the ride resumed, entering the wealthy side.


    Inside the posh interior of the carriage, a young man donning a ck robe gazed out the window. His short blonde hair was slicked backwards, and his tranquil green eyes were in deep thought.


    Three golden earrings that looked like teardrops hung from his right ear. If anyone had seen this young man, they would''ve realized he was from arge-sized noble family.


    Liam didn''t dare train the night before the mission, resting his body to reach peak condition.


    He had already told Eve he''d bete that night, and had filled his body with as much ''Ora'' as he could.


    The scenery past the open doors wasn''t what Liam expected.


    Snow covered topiaries that were tended to and skillfully designed covered the sides of the road.


    There was only in snow in the distance, and straight ahead, was what looked to be arge border wall that had a slight curve.


    Eventually, the carriage reached it, allowing Liam to see how the entire border walls contained intricate ck lines, among which rested white, and even multi-colored writings.


    The border walls sunk downwards to the ground to let the carriage in, and inside was something Liam had expected to see.


    It began with small luxury houses and other establishments, slowly growing in size as they went along.


    Eventually, huge mansions covered entire plots of lush greennd, along with other three story to four story buildings.


    Nheless, he had enough information to know about what to expect.


    The roads were wide enough for three to four morerge-sized carriages to traverse through side by side; which there were, most seemingly going in the same direction.


    The rhythmic sound of hooves hitting the ground continued for a few more minutes, allowing Liam to truly memorize thendscapes.


    Finally, it came to a stop.


    Looking out the window, there were numerous other carriages like his, all ''parked'' on the side of a huge white mansion three stories in height.


    In front, by the grand entrance, butlers and other servants tended to the nobles and paid deep respects to them before they entered. Red carpets covered the floor where they walked, and the faint sound of music entered Liam''s ears.


    Heaving a deep breath, Liam opened his carriage door like many others, walking out with a charismatic aura.


    However, his gait was prideful and arrogant.


    ''I can''t think like I usually do. I''m an arrogant noble who hails from arge-sized noble house.''


    Snow drizzled from above, and with vignt steps, Liam approached the butlers who confirmed the identities of each noble.


    "Wee, young master. May I have your name, please?"


    Liam scoffed, as though offended by that question.


    "William Arnos."


    The pale-faced butler panicked, looking at the clipboard in his hand, before ticking it after a moment.


    "P-please enjoy your stay."


    Liam spared no time and made his way through the doors of the mansion, entering and surveying the surroundings.


    All around him,vishly dressed men and women danced,ughed, joked and sang.


    Beautiful women wearing dazzling dresses of various colors socialized with each other. Even young maidens slightly older than Liam''s age were no exception.


    However, most of them had one golden earring, while few had two.


    Butlers and maids carried trays of champagne, casually handing them around.


    The ground floor of the mansion was nothing short of a five-star hotel. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling and illuminated every corner of the space.


    Musicians performed in the left side corner, their music consisting of piano and violin, as well as other posh instruments meant for only the higher ss.


    Expensive furniture and other decorations covered the entire area, and towards Liam''s left and right, were long hallways that lead to upper floors. The smell of various perfumes entered his nose, the best he had smelled during his two lives.


    When the nobles saw Liam''s earrings, they quickly showed him their deep respects.


    ''So, this is what it''s like to be rich... I already know theyout, I''ll need to disable any protective arrays or inscriptions."


    Liam''s nerves were calm and focused as he remembered what he learned.


    Array''s, also known as formations, were giant diagrams that produced various effects in a wide range. It was no surprise that noble houses had their own way of security.


    ''The number of cultivator''s here are not that many. Despite being sovish, these nobles are only small-sized families, not to mention this is a weak branch of it, so they didn''te with many guards or protections.''


    Liam''s expression was casual with a tinge of arrogance, but time was ticking, and the stakes were high.


    ''I can''t loiter around. I''ll wait for the party address, first.''


    Liam inspected his surroundings once more. He quickly realized he was being sized up and down by a group of young girls his age, whispering in each other''s ears.


    To deter them, he simply had to put on a disgusted expression paired with a quick scoff.


    His n worked, as they looked utterly offended and shot stares of venom his direction.


    Ting! Ting! Ting!


    Before long, the sound of a spoon hitting a champagne ss resounded through the space, catching the attention of everyone present.


    ''There he is.''

 Chapter 24: Target

    <h4>Chapter 24: Target</h4>


    "Ahem!"


    Right ahead, a man with azure eyes and short ck hair cleared his throat, standing on top of an elevation a few steps higher than the rest.


    His belly was oval shaped and protruded through his dark green robe, while a wide grin rested on his face.


    ''There he is...''


    Liam''s gaze fixed on the man known as Vamar Belson, his target.


    Vamar had secretly been supplying bandits and ouws with strengthening pills and various weapons, and ordering them to attack rival families.


    Behind him, were two burly figures, wearing dark ck robes.


    ''Two out of seven.'' Liam''s gaze shifted to the robed figures, as he recalled the number of cultivators surrounding the premise.


    Most of them were actually stronger than Liam, having a Rank-2 body and Rank-1 core. However, they weren''t Magi, since they weren''t allowed ess to a Psionic Rune.


    This didn''t mean that they didn''t have enhanced senses. There were other ways to expand the mental sphere, after all.


    The nobles had to keep a tight leash on those who worked under them. Give them too much power, and they''ll start to rattle and shake the chain ofmand.


    This fact alone gave Liam the ability to assassinate Vamar, but he had to be cunning and swift in order to aplish it.


    He had no intention of fighting against the two bodyguards, but if it came to it, he had more than a few extra cards up his sleeve.


    "Thank you all for attending." Vamar said proudly, his eyes sweeping the crowd while his voice had a clear charm to it.


    "There''s not a lot of chances that the Belson family gets to host a get together among the nobles here in Udd."


    Vamar continued to address the crowd for a few more minutes, cracking jokes and singling out a few other noblemen to poke friendly fun at.


    Laughter spread across the crowd, but Liam ¡ª ying his hot-headed and arrogant noble personality ¡ª kept a stoic and unimpressed face.


    "I hope the drinks and food are to your liking,dies and gentlemen. Please, enjoy."


    The noblemen and women pped as he left the stage, going towards the right hallway, followed by his personal bodyguards.


    Liam''s eyes followed Vamar from a distance, before his n slowly started to flow into motion.


    ¡­


    From what the blueprints stated, soon, Vamar would be in his office for at least half an hour.


    His office was connected to a ss pane window from the outside, which was easy to climb through.


    Still, without disabling the arrays, it was impossible for Liam to climb in and out without risking his identity and location being known.


    ''I need to get close to the control room. From theyout, it''s just one cultivator and he''s not that strong either. The array only covers the outside of the premise, so I should be fine as long as no one sees me.''


    The array Liam was referring to, was a Location Monitoring Array. It allowed for the cultivator controlling it to see all living beings inside the mansion and out.


    "You. Where''s the bathroom?" Liam questioned a gentle-faced maid.


    The maid made a respectful gesture, instantly leading him into one of the long hallways and showing him the bathroom door.


    After Liam entered, the maid left and tended to the other nobles.


    He made sure there wasn''t anyone in the bathroom stalls, before quickly entering the bathroom stall and taking off his ck robe.


    A momentter, he took out a pitch-ck clothing and put it on.


    It was made from the leather of a Rank-2 Dusk Owl, and came with a hood and cloak that wrapped tightly around his body ¡ª covering his hair and face ¡ª leaving only his eyes open.


    Before Liam exited the stalls, he masked himself with a coating of mental energy,pletely hiding his presence from other cultivators and people.


    This skill had been the most valuable one he''d learned from Ophis, giving him a sharp edge over unsuspecting opponents.


    Liam looked left and right over the hallways ¡ª seeing that the coast was clear ¡ª he carefully made his way out and went deeper down the hallway.


    There wasn''t anyone in sight, and servants weren''t stationed at this part of the mansion. It seemed like all the amenities for guests were on the center of the first floor.


    Stairs leading up to the second floor appeared in his sight, and a patrolling guard slowly descended.


    Liam quickly hid himself behind the corner of the wall, and the guard took a quick look around, before going up the stairs once again.


    As Liam tailed the guard, his footsteps and even breathing made no noise. Another strong skill he had learned in the guild.


    The music became slightly muffled as they got up, and the surroundings weren''t as lit as the bottom floor, giving it a dark air.


    Suddenly, the guard he was tailing brought out a flickering jade stone from his pocket, seemingly imbuing it with his ''Ora''.


    A voice exited the stone, the words of which Liam couldn''t discern.


    ''Walkie-Talkies? They have walkie-talkies?''


    The revtion came to him as a shock, but nheless, he kept calm.


    "Uh... no? Why do you ask?" The guard suddenly said, confused.


    The voiceing from the jade stone seemed to be saying something, before the guard''s body visibly tensed up.


    Instantly, the guard jolted around, a d iron de materializing in his hand as he swung!


    However, he saw nothing except a long, silent hallway looking back at him.

 Chapter 25: Reminder

    <h4>Chapter 25: Reminder</h4>


    Gazing at the empty hallway, the soldier felt utterly embarrassed and humiliated.


    "Ugh, you retard! Stop scaring me for no reason! There''s nothing here!" The stern-guard said with anger and relief in his voice, before instantly turning the jade stone off.


    Meanwhile, Liam was behind the guard, imitating his movements like a mirror.


    Although mental energy was used to hide one''s presence, itrgely depended on the mental strength of the cultivator himself. The skill didn''t have any effect on those who were stronger than him in that aspect.


    ''I need to move fast. If the one controlling the array is aware of my presence, it won''t be long before he alerts the others.''


    The guard finally went back towards the stairs,pleting the same old routine.


    Another long hallway presented itself to Liam straight ahead.


    The corridor was T-shaped, and led to two additional paths left and right.


    Liam waited until the guard went downstairs, before his eyes shifted between the hallways. Silently, he started to run towards the right.


    ¡­


    Inside a small but cozy room, faint smoke floated around a ck robed, bug-eyed figure. He sat across a table, which projected a holographic map, filled with numerous green dots that represented people.


    A curved, wooden pipe sat on his lips as he huffed and puffed out smoke.


    His vignt brown irises scanned the various dots as they moved around.


    When he saw one of the dots vanish within the bathroom, his eyes narrowed to slits.


    ''What''s that about?''


    Upon a closer inspection, the dot was still visible, only it faded in and out at different locations.


    Suddenly, the dot started to walk awfully close to one of the guards, represented by red dots.


    The Monitor narrowed his eyes, before quickly grabbing his jade stone and calling the guard.


    The jade''s glow flickered on and off for a moment, before it became constant.


    "Number 4, do you not see anything unusual?" The Monitor asked with squinted eyes and a bit of caution.


    Something wasn''t right.


    "Uh... no? Why do you ask?"


    The guard''s response confused the Monitor deeply.


    Someone was right behind him! How could he not see it?


    "Carefully look behind yourself. There''s someone tailing you!" He shouted with panic, spitting out his pipe and hastily taking out his jade stones to alert the other guards.


    A momentary pause took over the call, before the guard''s response came through.


    "Ugh, you retard! Stop scaring me for no reason! There''s nothing here!"


    Thus, the jade turned off, stopping the Monitor in his tracks before he could alert the others.


    Suddenly, the green dot popped up awfully close to the window sill of his room to the right, causing his eyes to widen in shock.


    A cold, muffled voice rang out before the guard could turn his gaze towards it.


    "You move, you die."


    A cold sweat fell down the Monitor''s forehead, and his hand subconsciously reached for the jade stones in his pocket.


    Liam''s eyes flickered with a dark light, before he swiped across the Monitor''s neck.


    The poor man''s head slid across his shoulders, spurting blood across the room.


    His body thudded on the holographic map, before the projection flickered off and lost its glow.


    ''Should''ve listened.''


    The source of the array was the cultivator himself, and with him dead, Liam''s focus instantly shifted to Vamar''s location.


    ''I have a rough thirty minute window to kill him before they find out that their array is disabled and increase their protections around him.'' Liam thought, before searching the cultivator''s belongings and taking his space-ring, as well as making sure to hide the jade stones he had.


    He hid the body as well, before carefully leaving the room and spreading his senses.


    Liam had one specific location in mind, specifically where Vamar himself would be in.


    ''Two corridors to the right, one to the front. He''ll be there.''


    With that spot in mind, Liam began to move.


    Instantly, he sensed more cultivators patrolling the hallways further up ¡ª which he couldn''t go through without instigating a fight.


    Spotting the window by the end of his corridor, he jumped out of it and perched on its ledge ¡ª the cold air stiffening his exposed skin.


    The night was dark, and thick snow drizzled from above. Few stars could be seen from the dense gray clouds.


    Right below him, there were guards patrolling the premise, who thankfully didn''t care to look above.


    Liam didn''t take in the sight and began to jump between ledges, avoiding the window sills which had their lights on.


    After traversing enough distance, Liam''s gaze fixed on a window that exuded a cozy yellow light, which he leaped towards and silently peeked through.


    Vamar was unsuspecting, pacing left and right in his study room with a Jade in his hand. As he spoke, his tone was filled with scorn and disappointment.


    "You stupid fools! Because of your ipetence, the Royce family is crawling up my behind! Stop any current operations and go back into hiding. I''ll have a talk with that maniac leader of yours, until then, don''t you dare make a single move."


    After he spoke those words, he threw the Jade on the ground and stomped on it, shattering it.


    Liam''s eyes flickered with a dark light as he pulled open the window.


    The wind blew and howled, making the curtains flutter violently.


    Vamar instantly turned his head to see where the noise came from, just for his vision to go dark with a sharp, but fleeting pain.


    Vamar''s neck separated from his body, making a ''thud'' sound as it fell to the red-carpeted floor ¡ª brightened by the blood that stained it.


    Staring at the gruesome scene, Liam shook his head.


    He had learned multiple ways of assassination ¡ª most certainly cleaner and less painful than decapitation ¡ª but this method had been specifically requested from the guild.


    A stern reminder for those who defy authority.

 Chapter 26: Wealth

    <h4>Chapter 26: Wealth</h4>


    Liam couldn''t afford to waste time. He inspected Vamar''s person, taking off the space-ring resting on his finger.


    He began inspecting the room itself, hurriedly opening the drawers, cabs and dressers.


    His search was fruitful, as he managed to find a container of pills that varied in size and color. He quickly stored it in his space-ring, before leaving the room once and for all.


    Through a simr route, he made his way to a cold storage room, filled with containers and boxes.


    From the sounds of music still ying, Liam knew the bodies hadn''t been found yet.


    He silently entered the bathroom stall without being spotted, and changed his clothes back into the dark ck robe ¡ª putting on his golden earrings ¡ª before making his way back to the party.


    The celebration continued like usual, most of the nobles were drunk, their faces flushed as they continued tough and dance.


    Liam couldn''t help but look down on such people.


    ''Like animals, they waste their life. They could be doing so much more with their wealth and status, but they piss it away for nothing.''


    He shook his head inwardly, heading by the banquet area and picking up a meal.


    As much as he wanted to leave ¡ª to cultivate no doubt ¡ª he couldn''t. He needed to wait until the bodies were found and fear made its way in the nobles'' hearts.


    Before long, multiple robed figures diverged to where Vamar''s office was, and grave expressions were on their faces.


    They first stopped the musicians from ying any music, before grabbing everyone''s attention.


    "Noblemen and women, may I have your attention please?" The strongest among them spoke, a grave look on his face as he swept the crowd.


    The partiers shifted their focus to the guard, pausing all their activities.


    "Master Vamar has been¡­ assassinated. Reinforcements are arriving shortly."


    Gasps resounded all throughout the floor, with looks of shock and horror stered on their faces.


    Liam himself acted surprised, blending in wlessly within the crowd. Yet anyone who paid astute attention could tell his expression was a bit forced and unnatural.


    "Vamar¡­ has been murdered?!"


    "Who could infiltrate a noble manor like this?!"


    "Wait, did you catch the killer?"


    The guard shook his head, plunging the crowd into chaos and panic.


    Some started to run out the door - clutching the hands of their children - taking out their Jade''s and calling for their guards, uncaring of how cowardly it looked.


    Soon, all present nobles followed suit, pushing and shoving each other to exit through the main gate. Curses, screams and loud shouts spread through the air.


    Liam wasn''t one to hold back either, ramming those that stood in front of him.


    "Move, dog!" He shouted.


    Thenky noble in front of Liam wanted to retort and p the young man across his face, but saw the golden earrings hanging from his ear.


    Obediently, he made way.


    The middle-aged coachman from before spotted Liam approaching and opened the carriage door.


    "Well done, sir."


    Liam shot him a quick nod before he sat inside the car, gazing disappointedly at the petrified nobles from his window.


    ''There''s no way they''re all like this. After all, that human who killed a dragon in my childhood has to be a noble, too.''


    As the carriage started to move, Liam took out the ck space-rings he stole.


    ''In the Binding Oath, there''s nothing that prevents me from stealing, but I''m sure they''ll inspect me¡­ just in case, I won''t take anything too valuable or take too much.''


    They still had the ''Ora'' imprints of their owners, but Liam slowly wiped it out with his mental energy.


    Starting with the Monitor''s ring, he inspected it.


    The space was roughly 15 square meters in size. It contained a simple Rank-2 body tempering method ¡ª and misceneous like clothes and tobo ¡ª but everything else was worthless.


    ''I''ll swap my ring with his. The five extra meters coulde in handy, and they probably won''t notice.''


    Afterpleting the full transition, Liam wiped away Vamar''s ''Ora'' imprint and entered his ring.


    Instantly, his eyes widened.


    There was a full 50 square meters of space inside the ring, filled with various items such as pills, piles of glittering ''Ora'' Stones, even techniques and spells!


    Liam couldn''t hide his greed from appearing on his face.


    A momentter, he shook his head with regret.


    ''It''s no use if I try to steal these. They''ll eventually find out something is amiss, and I''ll probably get executed. What use is wealth if I don''t have the power to protect it?''


    ''...I''ll keep the box of pills that he kept inside his drawer. There''s only five inside anyways.''


    Still, his ethereal eyes inside the space-ring couldn''t help but stare at the items inside.


    ''What is that?'' Liam wondered, his eyes fixed to a stack of parchment papers that looked to be inscribed.


    Taking it out of Vamar''s ring, he examined it.


    The shabby writings on the parchment looked to be made entirely out of blood, but it still somewhat resembled a technique or method from Vamar''s stack of techniques and spells.


    ''I should save this. I don''t think they''ll notice it''s gone. I have a feeling it''lle to useter on.''


    Before long, Liam had arrived back at the guild.

 Chapter 27: Path

    <h4>Chapter 27: Path</h4>


    As soon as Liam walked down the guild stairs, Ophis greeted him ¡ª a dazzling smile on her full lips.


    "Well done, kid! The coachmen told me everything, give your teacher a hug. You deserve this reward."


    Ophis spread her arms and gestured Liam to a gentle embrace.


    "I''m good, thanks. Do you need me around? I need to head to the armory."


    Ophis'' eye twitched, a dangerous light appearing in her brown irises. Inwardly, she contemted whether or not to take out her needles.


    Eventually, she shook her head. "Do you have any items from your mission?"


    Liam nodded, taking out two space-rings and chucking them towards her.


    Ophis thoroughly inspected the rings. Liam had already wiped away all traces of his ''Ora'' imprint ¡ª multiple times just to be sure ¡ª which didn''t leave any room for suspicion.


    "Great. I trust you didn''t take anything from these, right?"


    Liam sighed and shook his head. "I know you know I''m smart enough not to."


    Ophis giggled yfully, before gesturing for Liam to carry on his way.


    Meanwhile, Liam instantly entered the armory.


    Ava was there as usual, greeting him with a warm smile and a quick wave.


    "Can you show me the tempering methods you have for a Rank-3 body?"


    Ava raised a brow, her tone caring and wise. "Aren''t you still Rank-1, though? There''s still some time before you break through, youngd."


    Liam hid the fact that only a few more of his cycles were left. The reason he wanted a Rank-3 tempering method so soon, was to begin cultivating as soon as he broke through to the second Rank.


    It seemed that, ever since Liam was reborn, he didn''t let a single second go to waste.


    "I just want to take a look." He responded nkly.


    Ava eventually sighed.


    A momentter, she put her palm on her marble desk, a faint golden glow epassing her hand.


    From the inscribed marble surface, a small stone rune appeared.


    "Just use your mental waves on that rune. All the Rank-3 tempering methods avable will appear in your mental sphere."


    Liam held back his amazement and quickly did so.


    Instantly, names and descriptions of multiple Rank-3 tempering methods appeared in his mind.


    ''Sworded Fingers. Rank-3 tempering method.''


    ''Uponpletion, it gives the user the ability to turn their fingers into sharp spikes at any time, which could cut through steel and armor like butter. ''Ora'' bolsters the lethality of the spikes, adding a poisonous side effect.''


    ''Merit requirement: 230.''


    Liam''s eyes widened when he saw the technique''s price.


    He inspected his own token, which he had brought up to 95 points during the past two months through missions and quests ¡ª including his first main mission that gave him 40 merits.


    ''Damn it! I''m still this far behind?''


    Nheless, he wasn''t disheartened and continued browsing through the methods.


    Most of them were around the same range of 150-250 merits, and contained a special ability of sorts.


    Eventually, Liam''s eyes got stuck to a specific parchment. Strangely enough, it was the cheapest amongst all of them, but also the most reckless and gruesome.


    ''Throes of Anguish. Rank-3 tempering method.''


    ''Uses pain as a way to advance through the rank. Battle wounds, poisoning, burns, etc... any type of pain transforms into ''Ora'' that nourishes the body and slowly advances it. Contains regeneration capabilities.''


    ''Thepletion results in a Rank-3 body that allows you to store pain and use it to gainrge amounts of strength momentarily.''


    ''Price - 75 Merits''


    Liam heaved a sigh. "I''ll take this one, please."


    Ava scowled, her tone grave as she reprimanded:


    "Do you know what you''re doing,d? Once you begin cultivating a tempering method, you can''t leave it midway. Don''t do something you might regret. There''s a reason why it''s so cheap. It''s illegal in Udd."


    Liam could guess why no one else wanted the technique despite its low price.


    A method that had slight amounts of pain ¡ª orrge depending on the rank ¡ª while using it wasn''t rare, and most of the time, it was only a side effect.


    These methods were called Unorthodox ¡ª due to their fast but oftentimes risky and painful methods of progress ¡ª while the opposite was true for Orthodox methods.


    However, a tempering method that only used sheer agony to grow stronger... what kind of deranged maniac would be that reckless to use it?


    Other than Liam himself, of course.


    "I''ll buy it."


    Ava''s mouth opened with a reprimanding expression, but a momentter, closed with a defeated sigh.


    Cultivators made their own paths. Who was she to judge how others paved their way to strength?


    In fact, those with grit and strong will seeded more often than not in such a harsh world.


    She took his token and put it on top of the table. A short moment after, a clean parchment paper formed on her hand, which she passed over to Liam along with his token.


    The number on his token was now ''20'', but Liam didn''t have any regrets.


    Wrapping up with his business with the guild, he headed straight to the forest to meet Lloyd.


    It was night time, and Eve was already asleep.


    ''It''s about time I ask him about my father.''

 Chapter 28: Powerless

    <h4>Chapter 28: Powerless</h4>


    Soon, Liam arrived at the ravine.


    The surroundingndscape had a thickyer of snow, but the river still gushed forth, since the geysers didn''t freeze during winter.


    Lloyd was sitting bare under the chilling waterfall ¡ª wearing only the bottom half of his clothes ¡ª his eyes closed in deep meditation.


    Liam picked up a fist sized rock, hurling it at his mentor with the form of a professional athlete.


    Before it could collide with his face, Lloyd''s eyes burst forth as he swiftly caught the rock.


    "You little rascal!"


    Although his tone was slightly angry, Lloyd couldn''t hide a warm smile from appearing on his face.


    He stepped off the waterfall and greeted his student with a strong side fistbump.


    "How''d your mission go?" Lloyd asked, using a towel to dry off his short hair.


    "Great. Made me realize how much I hate parties and wasting time." Liam responded.


    Lloyd chuckled, putting on his clothes. "I figured as much. You have a loner and unapproachable air around you."


    Liam shrugged.


    The student and teacher conversed for a few more minutes, before Liam eventually asked:


    "I wanted to ask¡­ do you know anything about my family or who my father is? I thought you might know since you brought us food when I was a child."


    Lloyd flinched and raised his brows. Eventually, he sighed and sat down, gesturing to Liam to do the same.


    After a long silence, he started speaking.


    "He''s from the Royce family."


    Liam remembered that name. Vamar had uttered it with fear in his voice.


    "They''re the ruling family of Udd."


    Liam''s eyes instantly widened.


    "I only know this because of my time as an assassin ¡ª which allowed me to peer into the politics of Udd. From what I''ve heard, one of their high ranking members can''t control his desires."


    Liam repeatedly cursed, his expression dark and distant.


    To have a noble as a foe was one thing, to have a ruler as an enemy was another. With this in mind, the numerous hindrances to Liam''s path grew thicker and much more difficult.


    Unadulterated killing intent silently spread throughout the surroundings, as Liam unknowingly spread his mental waves.


    Lloyd saw the dangerous light in Liam''s eyes grow even darker. The amount of bloodlust honestly shocked him, as only Magi were able to freely spread their killing intent.


    "Calm down."


    Lloyd''s calm words took Liam out of his stupor.


    It took a minute for him to suppress his violent thoughts.


    "Do you know his name?" Liam asked in a low voice, and Lloyd responded by shaking his head.


    "Listen, Liam," Lloyd put his hand on his student''s shoulder, squeezing firmly. "Right now, you''re too weak to do anything to any of these people, let alone the noble rulers.


    "The only reason you''re alive is because they don''t care enough to kill you¡­ and that''s a good thing."


    Liam''s scowl deepened, but he didn''t interrupt.


    "Be patient and always think ahead. Your time wille eventually¡­ to enact whatever morbid justice you have in your head."


    Liam lowered his head, pondering those words as a long sigh escaped his lips. He felt powerless, but a simr feeling of resolution arose in his heart.


    He stood up and shifted his gaze to his teacher. "Thanks for the words, I''ll do my best to follow them. I''ll head home now."


    Lloyd shot an understanding look towards his student, before the pair separated.


    Liam creaked open his house door, sensing Eve sleeping in the living room couch.


    She had dark-blue circles under her eyes, which Liam could guess was from staying upte waiting for his return.


    His face turned dark a secondter.


    ''Both your husband and son are shitty people, Eve.''


    He shook his head, before picking up a fur-made nket and throwing it over her.


    A secondter, he entered his room, taking out the box of pills he stole from Vamar''s drawer.


    The pills were sealed, and out of the five present, two pairs were the same.


    Liam recognized the first as the revitalization pills, except these ones had a much darker brown color.


    ''It''s probably more potent.'' He assessed, before shifting his gaze to the remaining three.


    The other matching pair were silvery white in color, with a circr shape that wafted a bitter smell.


    ''I''ll have to ask around in the underground if anyone knows about these. After a while, though, just to be safe.''


    He shifted his attention to thest remaining pill.


    It was a square shaped dark-purple pill, with blue and yellow patches all over it. The pill smelled like a dangerous poison, and had a strange aura surrounding it.


    ''I bet it''s valuable.'' Liam smiled, before putting the pills inside his ring again.


    A momentter, he took out his Psionic Rune and began with his usual training.


    Like so, a few weeks passed.


    Eventually, it was time for thest and final cycle of Liam''s tempering method.

 Chapter 29: Slaves

    <h4>Chapter 29: ves</h4>


    Liam chose to do his final cycle inside the guild cave, just cause it was easier to instantly begin his Rank-3 tempering method after breaking through.


    His upper body was bare and a look of determination rested on his face. After all, he needed to go through ten minutes of boiling heat assaulting his insides.


    Heaving a sigh, he began with the breathing technique.


    Steam slowly arose from his figure, condensing to the top of his ''Ora'' cave. The heat surrounding him increased substantially, as though he was inside a forge.


    One minute passed.


    Liam wasn''t bothered at all. It seemed that with higher mental capabilities, one could ignore pain much more effectively. Added to the fact that his body was also strong.


    Three minutes passed.


    Slowly, Liam''s insides were beginning to push out the impurities in his body. He felt it inching away from his organs and skin like a viscous paste.


    Six minutes passed.


    At this point, Liam''s skin had transitioned from a light red to a dark purple, his body emitting a boiling hot aura.


    Ten minutes passed.


    Liam''s purple skin had started to turn ck as he started to convulse. His pores pushed out all the umted impurities from his body, which bubbled and boiled with heat.


    Hant! Hant! Hant!


    Liam took in deep breaths to revitalize his dead lungs. The panting continued for at least five minutes, before strength gradually returned to his body.


    He felt strong. Powerful.


    ''I wonder how it would''ve been if I fought against Wyrel in this state.''


    The first thing he did was leave his cave and enter the bathing area for a wash.


    He dipped himself into the steaming water pool ¡ª which resembled more of a jacuzzi ¡ª ridding his body of the ck goo, slowly revealing his figure.


    The first thing Liam noticed was how defined his muscles now looked. He could even see the striations that ran across his arms and chest.


    His frame grew stronger and sturdier, while his skin grew a shade purer, making him seem even paler than he was.


    In addition, he felt his senses surge in sharpness.


    Moreover, his skin and flesh was in a constant tense state. He was still lean and slim, but having more muscle mass didn''t exponentially increase one''s strength when tempering the body.


    At the same time, Liam felt the ''Ora'' reserves within his figure increase in capacity substantially.


    "I can fight Rank-2 magical beasts now. I don''t think Lloyd can underestimate me now, either. I can also express the full strength of my Sun & Moon arts."


    A wide grin appeared on Liam''s face. In his mind, those mountainous hurdles and walls on his path grew a bit smaller.


    "First things first, I''ll need to start the Throes of Anguish tempering method, then I''ll test this body out."


    Liam finished with his bath and entered right back into the cave, cleaning out the filth from within.


    Liam had already studied the technique''s requirements which didn''t take long.


    The technique simply required him to scrape off parts of his skin and flesh, while absorbing ''Ora'' into them in a specific pattern. This had to ur on every single patch of skin on his body, even under the toenails and crown jewels.


    Due to the regenerative properties, the body would go back to normal in a few minutes after the process wasplete, and the flesh would grow back.


    The skin was the main way the body was going to advance, since wounds umting on it would turn into nourishment.


    He took out his Night des and started undressing.


    He began with enveloping his mental energy around his body to assess how deep to cut, then used the edge of the des to rub away the skin, starting with his right foot.


    Small amounts of blood started to flow and stain the stone floor, revealing a fleshy interior.


    A sharp stinging sensation grew on his foot, but it wasn''t enough to break his focus.


    Instantly, he started to absorb ''Ora'' into the bloody patch of skin, manipting it just the way the technique instructed.


    Due to his constant training and daily cultivation, his control with the world essence had grown smoother.


    A thin yellow membrane formed around the wound, causing the blood to stop flowing, and at a closer sight, healing the flesh itself.


    Liam was slightly amazed at the sight, yet it onlysted a moment before he continued skinning parts of himself.


    ''If I go too slow, the ''Ora'' membrane that formed on my skin will dissipate and bring me back to square one. Only when the membrane covers my entire body will it finally start regenerating.''


    It took him another hour topletely skin both of his feet, including the flesh under the toenails, while constantly forming the ''Ora'' membrane at the same time.


    Beads of cold sweat continued to flow down his face and body, falling down and diluting the blood umted on the cave floor. His face was paler than usual, but his focus was unwavering.


    Three hours passed.


    If one could see the inside of a certain cave, they''d be incredulous to the lump of skinned flesh that sat cross legged while a thin yellow membrane almost enveloped his entire figure, making it glow.


    Liam''s nerves were screaming in sheer agony, and even the air around his body caused him pain. Still, he pushed himself to cut thest patch of flesh.


    ''A little more!''


    Eventually, the membranepletely converged around his bloodied muscles, causing his body to glow even brighter, while the previously mangled skin was slowly starting to regrow at a rapid rate.


    By the end, Liam''s body turned into its original form, and his skin felt like it was stuffed with a honey-like substance.


    He let out a long deep breath and fell on the ground, uncaring of the blood and other liquids sticking to his figure. All around him, pieces of his own skin stacked on one another.


    ''Finally.''


    He let out another sigh of relief, before popping one of the weaker revitalization pills in his mouth.


    Finishing another bath, Liam wore his usual clothing, before heading to the mission room to ept a job.


    His eyes scoured the numerous posters.


    ''I can always fight against Rank-2 beastster. Escort missions take too long. Preferably, I''d like to test my new battle prowess against actual cultivators.''


    Liam''s eyes fell on a mission that fit his needs perfectly.


    ''vers elimination.''


    His irises lit up as he read the job description.


    ''Perfect.''

 Chapter 30: Missing

    <h4>Chapter 30: Missing</h4>


    In an area known as the Shallow Mountain Rivers towards the west of Udd, a figure with dark green irises silently dashed from tree to tree, a trail of snow following his lithe steps.


    Like the location''s name suggested, shallow frozen rivers ran through the ground, intersecting and joining with one another as they went above hills and the rough terrain.


    "Amazing... I can almost feel each snowke fall on my skin and melt on it.''


    A smile grew on Liam''s face.


    His awareness and focus towards his surroundings also changed for the better, in addition to his feeling and perception.


    As he continued to wlessly traverse through the surroundings, voices entered his ears.


    A far distance away, past the trees and thick fog, Liam noticed arge caravan, surrounded by men in front and behind it.


    ''Wow... I can hear and even see them from that distance?'' He thought in astonishment, before his expression turned serious.


    Burly men in various heights and sizes wore stern expressions, ck bandana masks covered their faces, and they seemed to be on guard.


    The caravan they surrounded was the size of a school bus ¡ª drawn by regr steeds ¡ª and Liam already knew what it contained.


    ''ves.''


    Human trafficking was no surprise to him in a ruthless world like this.


    Liam''s intentions were in a gray area.


    On one hand, he could free the ves and quickly finish the mission, and on the other, he needed to know where these bandits were taking them.


    He had to let them continue for the moment.


    ''There must be a ck market of some sort where they want to sell the ves. I''ll trail them to see where they go.''


    Slowly, Liam inched closer to hear what they were talking about.


    Eventually, he could make out what they were saying.


    "How many times did I tell you not to touch the merchandise, you little sh*t?!"


    A muffled and guttural voice reprimanded, his hand curling into a punch as he sent a scrawny man flying.


    The voice came from arge man with broad shoulders, his ck eyes exuding wrath.


    He shot an understanding look towards someone on his right.


    The man nodded and swiftly unsheathed his sword from his hip.


    The scrawny man was already half beaten to death, making him unable to run, his eyes filled with fear as he apologized and begged for his life.


    The ''Leader'' went back into the caravan along with the others, and the scrawny man''s begging came to an abrupt stop.


    A streak of warm blood flew horizontally in the air before a thud quietly sounded.


    Blood flowed from the man''s severed head and tainted the snow red, while his body was left to rot and decay.


    Liam shook his head, but his eyes were cold and aloof as he saw the scene.


    A momentter, the caravan started to move, and he silently followed along.


    ''Eight cultivators, the rest are small fries. They all have Rank-1 bodies and cores, but no spells or powerful techniques. I''ll take most of them out silently.''


    Eventually, the caravan stopped ahead of the steep side of a mountain.


    The slope had multiple entrances, big enough for two to three people to walk through side by side.


    Still, it was quite a distance away, and it wasn''t traversable using the carriage due to the rocky terrain; thus, they left it behind.


    They pulled out the ves from the carriages, and Liam got a good look at their condition.


    Most were young women wearing thick rags. The rest were either young men or kids.


    All of them were tightly chained up together from their ankles and wrists.


    From what Liam could see, there were a few old people too, but they had already lost their life inside the carriage due to the cold andck of care.


    The bandits dragged the dead ves and unlocked their chains, before throwing them in the snow to be eaten by the wolves.


    Those alive among them had dead and empty eyes as they walked with their head lowered, bruises and other injuries visible on their figures.


    Liam''s goal was already achieved.


    It was time to put them down.


    He waited for an opportunity.


    Due to reaching their location, they loosened up their guard and protections.


    A few went to the trees and bushes for a toilet break, not noticing a young man with a dagger and sword looming right above them.


    Their relief was short-lived.


    Liam''s Night de katana reflected the gentle moonlight, before severing through the vers like a hot knife through butter.


    One after the other, those who took toilet breaks died with their pants down and bowels emptying, streaks of blood painting the snow.


    The foul smell emitted from their bodies was masked by the frigid air.

 Chapter 31: Solar Eclipse

    <h4>Chapter 31: Sr Eclipse</h4>


    Liam was amazed at his own dexterity and speed.


    ''It seems the sea of consciousness directly boosts the body as well. Although it depends on the bodily center of power for strength, its potential is only maximized with the mental sphere.''


    Still, the targets he was focusing on were the weakest among them.


    His green irises shifted left and right as he looked for more criminals, jumping above the trees and making no noise.


    Just then, a particr bandit caught his eye.


    Liam couldn''t help but chuckle despite the seriousness of the situation.


    ''Why are you shitting at a time like this?''


    He wondered, looking at the fat man squatting down with his pants off, making grunting noises as he continued to push out the payload.


    Liam''s des gathered a fresh coat of red liquid, before his dark gaze shifted towards the main carriage.


    ¡­


    The ves'' chains made a clinking noise as they walked uphill through snow, walking with difficulty and heavily panting.


    The traffickers were to their left and right, and the strongest among them was right ahead.


    "Get a move on!" The leader among them shouted angrily from the front.


    The bandits in charge of the ves yanked their chains forward upon hearing his shout, causing them to yelp in pain.


    Some had tears streaming down their faces in frustration.


    Now and again, the Leader would look behind him to make sure everyone was moving along smoothly.


    Fog and thick thorny trees covered part of his vision, but he didn''t fail to count the exact number of people ¡ª thanks to his men carrying strongmps that lit up their surroundings.


    He slowly let his guard down, taking off his mask and storing it inside his space-ring.


    A short ck goatee sat on his chin, while the man himself seemed in his mid-thirties.


    His forehead was wrinkled and a stern frown naturally rested on his face. No hair was visible on his head.


    He looked behind him onest time for another check, but his eyes narrowed as he did so.


    ''Are we¡­ two less?''


    His frown deepened as his eyes swept the people behind him.


    ''They could have gone for a bathroom break... but two at the same time?''


    The Leader didn''t stop the men from moving straight away.


    ''I''m nearly back to base, I don''t want Boss to get pissed at me for beingte...'' He thought, keeping a vignt eye on his back, but nothing happened.


    He slowly shifted his gaze forward, a feeling of restlessnessing over him.


    Paranoia couldn''t help but whisper in his ear.


    A momentter, he turned his head slowly, and his eyes widened.


    The Leader''s clenched hand rose in the air, prompting all the bandits to stop dead in their tracks.


    The clinking noise stopped as well, and only the sound of wind howling entered everyone''s ears.


    The Leader grimaced.


    ''Four missing this time!''


    The Leader quickly exchanged hand gestures with the two men closest to him, who were both cultivators slightly weaker than him.


    The distance between those in the front and back wasn''t significant, yet the weak fog made it difficult for them to see clearly ¡ª since they didn''t have any particr mental strength ¡ª especially when cloaked in the night.


    The three men split up, each one covering the left, middle, and right of the area.


    The Leader wielded a normal iron mace, while the others carried silver sabers.


    Meanwhile, Liam let out a tired sigh in his mind as he perched above the leafless trees. His eyes could see clearly in the dark, but the bandits weren''t in the same boat.


    ''If only the leader wasn''t such a paranoid person, I would''ve gotten away with chipping them away.'' He thought,pletely oblivious to his own hypocrisy. ''Whatever, I wanted to test out my prowess anyway.''


    His hands flickered, while his des glowed with a lunar light.


    An arc of moonlight suddenly shot out from the tree line, causing two of the three cultivators'' eyes to widen in surprise and jump backward to dodge.


    Unfortunately for the third, the arc already shot out and severed his jugr vein before he could react, blood gushing out from the wound and dousing the ground.


    The remaining vers cursed loudly, grave frowns forming on their faces.


    "Watch my back, if we fight together and use the others as bait, we''ll survive." The Leader whisperingly-shouted to the remaining henchman as he thought of a n.


    The weaker traffickers were anxious and fearful, yet didn''t hesitate to take out their weapons and fight back.


    A shrouded figure continually sprung out from the shadows like a ghost, quickly but silently killing the men holding themps, stripping away their only source of light.


    One by one, thudding sounds resounded through the frigid air.


    The darkness hid the ted expressions on the ves as they saw their abusers getting murdered ¡ª killed in one swift sh.

 Chapter 32: Sacrifice

    <h4>Chapter 32: Sacrifice</h4>


    The Leader''s expression grew grimmer as he witnessed the dreadful scene.


    ''Shit!'' He cursed, before a look of resolve appeared on his face.


    His mace was useless against a target that fast, and he couldn''t hit them if he tried.


    ''I have no choice but to use it.''


    Dropping the mace on the ground, a yellow me grew on the Leader''s palm, illuminating the surroundings and revealing the corpses scattered underneath the snow.


    It grew in intensity and heat, even melting the snowkes falling from above.


    A basketball sized ze sat on his palm, which seemed unstable and vtile.


    The Leader''s expression was of agony, as the fireball seemed to burn his flesh actively, charring his entire arm.


    The remaining ver didn''t sit idle either.


    Once he saw what the Leader was doing, his fingertips dripped with an azure liquid. He was careful how he used it though, as the water and fire element didn''t mix well.


    The Leader''s eyes darted left and right as he waited for the dark figure to show himself.


    "You sure you wanna take your time?!" The Leader yelled, standing close to the line of ves all chained up together, the ze in his hand getting closer and closer to one of the female ves.


    "You wanna see how her pretty face looks burnt?!"


    Liam was still hidden from their line of sight, yet couldn''t help but click his tongue in annoyance.


    ''It doesn''t really matter if the ves die, but I''ll gain extra merit points if I save them.'' He thought, his cold irises scanning the two vers head to toe from behind a tree stump.


    Still, he didn''t show himself instantly. He didn''t know much about the intense ze in the Leader''s hand, and he didn''t fail to see the ver''s hand dripping with water.


    He knew that if he just patiently waited, the Leader''s injuries could grow severe and render his arm useless.


    In reality, it already had. The vers'' leader was using sheer will to hold the fireball together, even using his other arm to support it.


    "Last chance!" The Leader yelled with a growing panic, the me in his hand getting close enough to burn the female ve''s hair ¡ª its bright orange light illuminating the surroundings.


    Just then, Liam slowly stepped into the area lit by the me, catching their attention.


    His short figure became discernible to the criminals, while his des were by his sides, pointing towards the ground.


    "You midget shit! Do you know what you''ve cost me?!" The Leader yelled, tufts of his goatee had beenpletely burnt off. "Drop your des and get on the ground, now!"


    Liam''s cold irises were fixed on the bald man''s figure as he slowly approached the two.


    "Stop! Stay where you are!" He shouted, but Liam continued to walk casually towards them.


    Suddenly, Liam''s foot blurred as he kicked the snow upward, creating a thin foggy veil that covered his figure entirely.


    Simultaneously, his des glowed with a strange but mesmerizing yellow light, shooting a crescent shaped arc that radiated innate sharpness through the snow.


    ''Second form, Sr Eclipse!''


    The Leader''s eyes flickered with a dangerous light.


    Instantly, he hurled the ming ball towards him. The fire shot out like a bullet, before ring up violently.


    Boom!


    An explosion lit up the entire environment with a blinding light and caused the surrounding snow to melt ¡ª trees briefly catching on fire. A heat wave spread out and slightly shook the ground around them.


    Meanwhile, the Leader jumped backwards just in time to dodge the yellow arc.


    However, his eyes widened once he saw where it was headed.


    He realized the sh wasn''t meant for him, but for the remaining ver behind him.


    The blinding light from the explosion worked in Liam''s favor, as the ver squinted his eyes and opened them, only to see a thin rapidly approaching light.


    Azure and foamy water burst forth from his fingertips in an attempt to block it from severing his head, but it was too slow.


    The arc split his nose in two, and continued to flow through the air before eventually dissipating.


    With one arm charred ck and the other injured, the Leader didn''t have any strength in his body to carry his iron mace, his eyes frantically looking around the explosion radius to see if he hit his target.


    ''Where is he? Where is he?!'' He repeated inwardly, his heart racing.


    A momentter, his chest sank as he saw the dark figure ¡ª des in hand ¡ª approach him from the corner of his eye.


    Liam''s clothes had burn marks all over them, and there were still wisps of fire that continued to flicker on his body. A dark, cold pressure surrounded him.


    The infernal body hade in clutch for him once again. Due to his above average heat resistance, the fire didn''tpletely burn his skin ck, but nheless, caused a few more burn marks to appear on his body.


    At the same time, he felt those burn marks slowly turn into nourishment and strengthen his being.


    Also, due to his quick thinking and new found dexterity, he was able to rush his way behind a tree stump before the explosion engulfed him.


    Split second decisions felt longer to him now that his mental sphere had advanced quite a bit.


    He dashed and brought his wakizashi to the bald man''s neck, severing it under the shocked gaze of the ves.


    Liam spotted a space-ring on the Leader''s hand, which he didn''t hesitate to steal.


    He shifted his attention to the ves. ''I have to be quick. That explosion definitely alerted the people inside the mountain.''


    His eyes fell on the young woman in the front, just a few years older than himself.


    Arge gash on her chest bled continuously, her eyes devoid of any life, while her wrists and ankles were still chained to another ve. He knew straight away.


    It was his fault she died.


    During the fight, when he aimed the arc towards the remaining ver, it had continued on and shed her as well.


    Liam shook his head solemnly, but that''s all the pity he could spare.


    ''I did what had to be done... I didn''t mean for her death, yet my own survival was at stake.''


    ''You cannot gain without sacrifice.''

 Chapter 33: Disciple

    <h4>Chapter 33: Disciple</h4>


    Liam broke the chains holding the ves captive using his sword, then led them towards the carriage the vers left behind. Arge brown-maned steed was still well and able to pull them.


    "You''re free now. There''s a vige a few clicks that way."


    Liam gestured towards the east while addressing the ves inside the caravan. Some looked at him with contempt and anger for killing an innocent girl, while the others were just happy they survived.


    "They''ll give you food and water for work, now move along."


    A young man decided to sit in the coachman''s seat and steer the carriage, prompting Liam to walk back home. His back disyed a slight loneliness, as his figure disappeared into the thick fog.


    ***


    A few minutes earlier.


    Boom!


    A figure instantly emerged from the mountain slope, his pale face staring in the direction of the explosion.


    He shot out like a bullet towards it, reaching it after a few minutes and finding nothing but dead corpses warming the snow.


    He didn''t fail to notice the Leader''s handcking the space-ring he gave him.


    "Stupid rats, unable toplete something as trivial as this. They deserve to die." He uttered under his breath, stepping over their dead bodies and trampling them.


    The figure''s face was seemingly tired, his breath deep and raspy while a frown rested on his face. After investigating the scene, he spotted carriage tracks towards his left, in addition to footsteps to the right.


    Instantly, his expression softened into one of understanding.


    ''The ves can wait. I want to know who killed my goons.'' With that, his legs began to sprint towards the footprints.


    ***


    Liam quickly wiped out the ''Ora'' imprint from the Leader''s space-ring, before inspecting it.


    The space was stacked with different kinds of parchment papers, confusing Liam as to what their purpose was.


    Besides that, there were a few ''Ora'' stones and some gold. One specific paper caught his attention.


    Inspecting it, Liam''s eyes widened.


    ''Isn''t this the same parchment as the one from Vamar''s ring?''


    He took out both from his ring and put them side by side.


    Both writings on the leather paper were different from any kind of text he had been familiar with.


    It had a series of red diagrams beside each other, each one made from blood.


    ''It resembles a spell...''


    The only thing he could read was a small text at the top, stating its name in the Echoriannguage.


    ''Fire ze Prototype. Rank-1.''


    ''Prototype? Wha¡ª!''


    Suddenly, thick bloodlust spread from behind him, with noises of quick steps entering his ears.


    ng!


    A blood-red odachi ¡ª radiating sharpness and lethality ¡ª smashed against Liam''s Night des, sending him flying the distance and rolling on the snow.


    Had he not shifted himself in time, the de would''ve pierced right through his spine.


    Liam grunted, before pushing himself off the ground and looking for his attacker.


    The man he saw didn''t match his image for just how much strength was in the previous strike.


    His face was wrinkled and pale as a ghost, his brown eyes drooped while his body was skinnier than a twig.


    He took raspy breaths and seemed to be in difort, even coughing now and again. He seemed to be in his fifties, with graying sideburns and a sharp beard on his chin.


    With an ominous tone and interest gleaming in his eyes, he grinned, "Such reflexes. It''s no wonder you killed those weaklings."


    He took time to breathe between sentences while scanning Liam''s body head to toe.


    "Milk has just dried on your lips, and you''re already this devilish. I wonder what kind of threat you''ll be when you grow older."


    Liam grimaced inwardly at the man''s condescending tone, but kept a calm face.


    ''There''s a reason he''s this cocky, he doesn''t even consider me as a threat.''


    His mind raced, the air around him turning dark.


    ''I still have two revitalization pills with me. If I get too injured, I can use it and continue to fight. There''s still that unknown pill, but I can''t use it unless my life is in danger.''


    The pale old man started to chuckle at the sight, his breath wheezing out of control before he forced himself to calm down.


    "A cornered mouse will bite the mouser." He stated with a wet cough, taking out a Jade from his ring and throwing it towards Liam.


    "Since you''ve made meugh, I''ll let you live, kiddo. First give me back the space-ring you stole."


    Liam had no choice but toply, catching the Jade and carefully throwing the ring to the man.


    "In the off chance that you''re curious about those spells,e back here when you''re a Magus. The name''s Revel."


    A sense of relief formed in Liam''s heart, but he didn''t dare let his guard down, limiting himself to say one word.


    "Why?"


    The man shifted his solemn gaze towards the night sky ¡ª his eyes brimming with strange emotion ¡ª then looked back at Liam.


    "I could use a disciple."


    Revel turned around and left at that point, his figure merging with the frosty mist before disappearing.


    Liam didn''t spare a second and started to run the opposite direction.


    ''Damn it! I''m still weak!''


    He sped up before finally reaching Udd''s borders, reaching his house, and making his way inside his room through the back window.


    He heaved a deep breath as he sat down and inspected his weapons.


    The barely used Night des had cracks all over its surface, causing Liam to grimace.

 Chapter 34: Forge

    <h4>Chapter 34: Forge</h4>


    Liam''s nickname in the peasantry and underground was ''The Young Butcher''.


    He was named this because of all the magical beasts he would bring to various establishments, such as restaurants, pill stores, and even forgemasters.


    As it turned out, forging had its own entire branch of knowledge, simr to cultivation and alchemy. They used their own techniques and methods of forgery, but mastery of such a rigorous art depended only on hardwork and sheer persistence.


    Still, the weapons made by the underground forgemasters weren''t as good as store-bought inscribed weapons, which is why Liam opted for thetter.


    Liam had made more than a few connections with the rich businessmen underground, and he headed there as soon as the sun rose.


    However, before he left, he made sure to reassure Eve of his well-being and update her on his achievements.


    Liam was headed to a particr pill shop, donning a hood over his usual clothing.


    The store owner was one he was on the best terms with.


    He was anky, rosy-skinned old man by the name of Rudolph, with a vibrant beard that covered his chin, an air of experience and tempered knowledge surrounding him.


    Liam entered his small store, a pair of female servants wearing dark blue outfits stood to the sides of the entrance.


    Pills were sealed and stacked on wooden shelves covering the walls of the store, and a pharmaceutical smell covered the air.


    Liam gazed at the various kinds of medicine being disyed, differing in size and color. Under the disys, were a metal te describing them, along with their rank.


    Pills that increased the user''s speed, pills that increased strength; there were tablets virtually of any kind.


    However, most of the pills there were weak andsted for mere moments ¡ª as stated by their Rank. This was to be expected, since Rudolph''s shop wasn''t too developedpared to other stores.


    This was one of the reasons Liam had chosen to do business with him, since he could sell him Rank-1 magical beasts for a decent price.


    Rudolph spotted the young man entering his store and instantly beamed. He waved his hand, and the servants closed the store off and entered the backrooms.


    "Young Butcher! I reckon you''ve gotten another load of magical beasts you want to sell?" The shopkeeper questioned joyously.


    Liam nodded. "It depends. I''ve got a few favors to ask."


    Rudolph raised his brows. "Well, by all means. If it''s in my power, I''ll try to fulfill your request."


    Liam took out two pills from his space-ring, one silver and one purple.


    "Do you know what these are for?"


    Rudolph epted the pills and inspected them for a moment, before nodding his head.


    "This one here can restore mental energy to full capacity when used." He pointed at the silver pill, before moving to the purple pill.


    His eyes widened as he inspected it thoroughly.


    "If this is what I think it is, it''s worth more than 750 ''Ora'' Stones!" Rudolph said with shock in his tone.


    750 ''Ora'' Stones were no small amount. It could even fund an entire vige for a full five years.


    "It''s a bone strengthening pill. It can help you reach the peak of a stage body wise, as long as it''s below the third and fourth rank." Rudolph revealed.


    "Not only that, but the strengthening remains permanent. I''d love to buy this from you. I''ll even add 200 Stones extra."


    Liam was entirely satisfied.


    ''I''ll instantly use those pills and do a lengthy session with the Psionic Rune. The bone strengthening pill can wait after I reach the upper-stage of Rank-2.''


    He instantly denied Rudolph''s offer before asking him for instructions on how to use it.


    The shop owner obviously didn''t exin the process for free, but Liam didn''t mind.


    After the transactions were over, Liam took out a few Rank-1 magical beast corpses for Rudolph to freely use.


    "One more thing. Do you know any knowledgeable forgemasters in the underground? I need to have my des fixed."


    Rudolph turned pensive, but it looked as though someone hade into mind.


    "Well, yes¡­ but you might find his personality a bit difficult. He may or may not like you, and he only offers his services to people he likes."


    Liam took his offer and was given a green token with Rudolph''s shop insignia, as well as directions.


    Shortly after those words, he arrived at said ce.


    It was arge square hut, a chimney bellowing out smog from above. The smell of coal and steel warmed the surrounding air.


    Loud ''ng'' and ''bang'' noises resonated from within it.


    Forgemasters usually worked in such a ce, but with other facilities for customers. This location, on the other hand, worked only for the cksmith himself ¡ª and didn''t even have a banner or logo.


    Liam took a step inside and assessed his surroundings, when a deep and heavy voice shouted.


    "Hold up!"


    A tall and stout man walked out of a metal door ¡ª extreme heat wafting from that room ¡ª his arms and face darkened ck, while his face looked naturally stern.


    He wore ck clothing with no sleeves, exposing his broad shoulders, and a in apron that covered his chest and extended past his abdomen to his knees.


    His eyes were a deep brown, and his spiked hair tinted dark red with few strands of white. A thick, manly beard covered his jaw.


    The man towered over Liam with his giant frame, a menacing air surrounding him.


    "You lost?"

 Chapter 35: Forgemaster

    <h4>Chapter 35: Forgemaster</h4>


    Liam shook his head and took out the green token, handing it to the cksmith.


    The man grunted once he saw the token, and an irked expression formed on his face as he took it and crushed it with his bare hands.


    "I told that scrawny twig not to send me anyone unless they''re interesting enough to make weapons for, and he sent me a child?!"


    Liam sighed. He didn''t say much, but took out his des and stretched them forward.


    "I need new weapons, my current ones are damaged and are no longer usable. Can you make me new ones or not?"


    The red-haired man was about to kick the kid out from his shop, before he saw the state his des were in.


    At the same time, he realized how the young man standing before him didn''t even budge when he shouted but remained calm, and despite the burning air around them, he didn''t sweat.


    ''His des are made from an obsidian alloy, but it''s poorly made. Is that a coat of dried blood on it? Wait, the ring around his hand¡­ this kid is already a cultivator?''


    The cksmith pursed his lips for a moment, staring at Liam in silence.


    Without warning, he grabbed his Night des and shattered them on the ground.


    Liam scowled, his frown deepening with each second that passed.


    Noticing his re, the cksmith scoffed proudly.


    "Never use store bought weapons. The things those phonies make are a disgrace to us forgemasters! I''ll make you a new pair. What''s your name, kid?"


    Liam paused for a moment, before answering. "Liam."


    The red-haired man pursed his lips again. "Rogan."


    With that brief and strange introduction, the cksmith, known as Rogan, turned around and entered back into the forge.


    Liam followed closely behind, scouring the space, which was the size of two living rooms.


    Besides the boiling heat ¡ª which his body thankfully was used to ¡ª there were various tools and metalsying around chaotically.


    On the left wall, the corpses of various magical beasts could be seen, ranging from Rank-1 to Rank-2 ¡ª a price-tag beneath it. The beasts themselves were in arge see-through container which seemed to contain some sort of preservation capability.


    The area was illuminated by a white light hanging from above. In the middle of the space, a giant ck anvil sat, covered with dents and marks that disyed its heavy usage.


    Towards the right, materials ranging from greasing oil to various weapon handles sat in cupboards and tables.


    Hammers and other tools were hung on the walls, and in front, was a cauldron of red-hot magma ¡ª the cause of heat in the room.


    Liam approached a Rank-2 beast ¡ª the Albino Python ¡ª and inspected it.


    It was 3 meters long and had glimmering white scales. Its reptilian eyes were forcibly opened, revealing a yellow iris.


    Liam had seen them before, but he hadn''t had the opportunity to fight against one.


    ''With my current strength, it''s not a stretch to say I can fight against Rank-3 beasts.''


    Humans had a great advantage over magical beasts for one reason only. Their sea of consciousness and powerful intelligence.


    Liam''s progress with his mental sphere had been steadily increasing ¡ª the rune didn''t hurt his head as much as before ¡ª and he felt really close to a breakthrough.


    "Alright, let''s discuss payment. I specialize in making weapons from magical beast corpses, so you can choose which des you want from that bunch.


    "Keep in mind, whichever one you choose, your des will have the innate ability of that beast ¡ª at least, a copy of it."


    Liam raised his brows, remaining silent. His tone was incredulous as he spoke.


    "Innate ability? You can do that?"


    Rogan gave a firm nod. "It''s my forging technique. Now, quickly choose. I don''t have all day."


    Liam paused for a moment, before speaking with a respectful tone:


    "Please teach me."


    The benefits of such a skill were endless.


    Liam knew that he couldn''t count on store-bought weapons forever. It didn''t matter how expensive or well-made they looked ¡ª as long as he didn''t make it with his own two hands, he wouldn''t trust its quality.


    Not to mention, Liam dealt with magical beasts on a daily basis.


    Rogan arched his brows, scoffing.


    "If every ten year old wanted to learn how to forge, don''t you think this art would be redundant?


    "Not to mention, the technique I use is Unorthodox and iplete. It''ll cause you immense pain each time you use it, but also requires you to have a powerful body and sturdy mental sphere."


    "...That''s it?" Liam asked, confused. The part about immense pain felt incredibly casual to him. "How strong of a body and mental sphere?"


    Rogan himself was a bit confused. Although he himself had a high tolerance for pain, it didn''t ur to him that Liam might have the same.


    "A Rank-2 body, and strong mental energy you can manipte precisely."


    A short silence ensued.


    "Then teach me."


    Rogan had a dumbfounded look on his face, but slowly realized what Liam was implying.


    "You¡­ you''re already¡­?"


    Liam nodded, prompting a pensive look on Rogan''s face.


    A strong pressure started to emanate from Rogan''s figure ¡ª mental waves that wrapped around Liam, which thetter quickly pushed back using his own.


    Although his mental waves were significantly weaker, Rogan''s expression indicated surprise and realization. He continued to increase the waves'' intensity, before signs of pain appeared on Liam''s face.


    Eventually, the cksmith sighed and retracted his pressure. "Choose what magical beast corpse you want me to make."


    "Is that a yes?"


    Rogan scoffed proudly. "You''ll have to know how it works first. If you do decide to learn it, I won''t allow you to ck off. I don''t care if you start crying, either."


    A slight smile appeared on Liam''s face.


    He was gonna get along with his new mentor.

 Chapter 36: Primordial Forging

    <h4>Chapter 36: Primordial Forging</h4>


    Liam instantly went back to the magical beast corpses, pensive as he decided what to pick.


    It was obvious he was gonna go for a Rank-2, since he could easily afford it.


    ''Albino Python, Lake Beaver, Earth Boar. The first being of the wind element, the second of water, and third of earth.'' Musing over it for a few moments, Liam eventually decided on the first option.


    Rogan nodded and grabbed the snake, cing it on the metal anvil and taking out a sharp cutting-knife from his space-ring.


    It was a mere 4-inch de, yet it was covered with inscriptions that bolstered its sharpness to a terrifying length.


    The knife cut through the python like butter.


    "A katana and wakizashi. 23 inches for the former and 11 inches for thetter..."


    Rogan uttered words continuously under his breath while skinning the snake with ease.


    He separated the fangs, bones, flesh and core immactely. The skill and grace he did it with didn''t match his muscr physique, and his experienced eyes seemed to bepletely absorbed in his work.


    The same went for Liam, who was captured by the art of forgery ¡ª paying the utmost attention to Rogan''s handiwork.


    Afterpleting the separation and organizing all theponents, Rogan took a ck hammer off the wall. The hammer was covered with simr inscriptions, radiating strength ¡ª and looked simr to Mjolnir.


    Liam''s interest was piqued.


    Rogan began with the metallic scales, putting them all in a straight line and rubbing dark oil grease over them, before hitting it with the hammer.


    Loud bangs resonated through the air, however, instead of bing uneven and ruined, the scales wielded together to create a long, thin, and perfectly t piece of metal.


    ''How does that even work?'' Liam wondered briefly, before paying attention.


    After doing so, he took the shiny metal piece and dipped it into the magma cauldron, causing it to glow red with heat. He continued hammering it until it began to take the form of a sword.


    He repeated the process sixteen times, until the sword resembled a full-fledged katana.


    He shaved away the excess metal from the piece and purified it, then grabbed the snake flesh, bones and fangs, and continuously mixed them together with the metal piece until it blended inside.


    At the same time, he used the snakeskin to create a handle, wrapping it around a cloth until it took a solid form.


    It took two hours until he finished doing the same with the dagger, but since Liam was just as absorbed as Rogan, he didn''t notice.


    By the end, all the materials were expended except the snake core, which he took out toplete the final step.


    Rogan closed his eyes as he held the core, and the azure colored ''Ora'' inside of it oozed out like gas and entered through his forehead.


    ''Don''t tell me¡­ he''s absorbing that into his mental sphere?''


    Following this, Rogan went through a series of pained expressions. His eyes were closed all throughout, but it looked as though he was going through a mental sh.


    Gradually, color returned to Rogan''s pale face, allowing him to grab the des and clench them tightly.


    The ''Ora'' that he had absorbed through his mental sphere left his head and burst forth through his mental waves.


    It wrapped around the des ¡ª parts of it entering it and causing it to faintly glow ¡ª while other parts were lost due to ack of control.


    The ''Ora'' in his arms left his body and entered the des like tendrils, briefly enveloping them before disappearing inside of it.


    Only after he was done, did he stretch the weapons forward.


    "Come, hold them." Rogan''s tone was quieter than before, but his eyes were still full of life.


    Liam happily obliged, grabbing the des and waving them around.


    The end products looked extremely clean.


    The katana and wakizashi both had a white stripe along the edges. The aesthetics of the handle and de formed an expensive and posh appearance.


    The des felt perfect in his grip.


    "Mind telling me about the forging method now?"


    Rogan heaved a long, tired sigh. "As I''ve said, it''s an unorthodox method of forgery by the name of Primordial Forging. In essence, it consists of taking over a magical beast''s ''will'' and making it your own. Once that''s done, I can imbue that will onto a de.


    "This technique has multiple issues with it, however. The first being the short life-span of the creations made from it. Secondly, subjugating a magical beast''s will is a lot more difficult than it seems. You quite literally have to fight with it in your head, which can cause weakness to the mental sphere walls.


    "I won''t lie, it''s covered with ws. The only reason I use it today is because it''s been passed down from my forgery masters ¡ª who spent their entire lives attempting to perfect this art. I''ve barely fixed a few mistakes myself during my decades of practicing it, but it''s stillcking."


    Liam took a second to process everything, ncing at the pristine des in his hand.


    "There has to be a silver lining, right?"


    Rogan scoffed proudly.


    "Although it has its problems, it''s capable of surpassing every other forging method in terms of raw power and potential. Magical beasts are limitless, after all."


    Liam smiled.


    "When can I start?"


    Rogan smirked in approval.


    "First, memorize the forging method." He said, taking out an old, worn down parchment from his ring. "Then we can begin with the basics."

 Chapter 37: Warning

    <h4>Chapter 37: Warning</h4>


    Winter was slowlying to an end, but not before the season increased its intensity by multiple folds.


    The first thing Liam did when finishing with his underground business was head towards the forest.


    His des practically begged to be used.


    Night had cloaked the sky, flickering with bright stars barely visible through the cold mist.


    Liam spread out his senses throughout the region. Growls, screeches and hisses loudened in his ears, and he could sense what creatures those sounds belonged to.


    The further parts of the Udd Forest contained rougher and much more demanding terrain. It housed dungeons, des and caves, which no doubt housed a plethora of powerful magical beasts.


    Liam took the liberty of epting a magical beast extermination mission while he was at it ¡ª adding to his stingy-with-time personality.


    He needed to eliminate a pack of Rank-2 Blizzard Hounds located at the foot of a snowy tor.


    He avoided unnecessary fights with weaker beasts until he arrived there, instantly sensing the dozen-some wolves under a rough collection of giant boulders.


    The Blizzard Hounds had bright white fur, which glowed as they buried themselves under the snow ¡ª underneath the white tufts, was tough, purple skin.


    They were roughly 2 meters in length, with a tall stature. Somehow, their low growls were audible through the howling wind.


    ''They have powerful noses, so I''ll have to be quick.''


    Magical beasts oftentimes lived in habitats that supported their innate abilities. In this case, the snow provided a nourishing effect to strengthen their bodies.


    Further up, he could see the dark entrance of an alcove, multiple hounds blocking its entrance ¡ª sleeping around it.


    Liam''s eyes fell on that entrance and slightly narrowed.


    ''I sense danger from that cave. Though, it shouldn''t be anything too serious. Maybe a peak Rank-2 Blizzard Hound as the alpha. Rank-3''s can''t be found in this location either.''


    Without dying another second, Liam silently approached the wolf pack.


    There were few trees surrounding the mountain foot to traverse through, leaving him with just a direct confrontation.


    He tightened the grip on his des and dashed towards the closest sleeping hound, who''s snout twitched with a strange smell.


    As the wolf slowly opened its eyes, a shadowy de met its neck, tainting its white fur crimson and spurting gobs of red.


    The smell of blood quickly alerted the other hounds, their growling growing louder as they sniffed the air.


    Meanwhile, a smile grew on Liam''s face, uncaring of the thunderous barks and howls shot his way.


    ''It cut through it so easily! There''s no doubt about it. I need to learn this forging method.''


    His eyes turned cold as he scoured the beasts.


    The wolves instantly swarmed him, spreading around and giving him little space.


    However, they didn''t get very close.


    They couldn''t.


    Each time they tried to, a streak of blood flew in the air, and a wolf head quietly thudded on the snow.


    From thirteen, only six remained.


    The massacre continued one-sidedly, with Liam slowly pushing through towards the cave.


    Suddenly, the wolves changed tactics.


    They jumped back and kept their distance, their ws lengthening to razor-sharp icicles.


    Swiping their ws, dozens of sharp, finger-sized chunks of ice shot at his figure.


    Liam evaded most of those attacks, yet purposely allowed some to hit his non-vital spots.


    Streams of blood warmed his body and stained his clothes, but contradictingly nourished it.


    ''I nearly forgot about my tempering method. I''ll have to get creative with how I advance now.''


    Liam strengthened his arms with small amounts of ''Ora'', just enough for him to kill the remaining Hounds.


    Onest thud resounded, before Liam began extracting the beasts'' cores.


    ''It''s a shame I don''t have enough space in my ring. Rank-2 beasts sell quite well.''


    Liam shifted his gaze towards the unguarded alcove.


    Sensing the danger, he sat cross-legged and instantly began to refill the expended ''Ora'' ¡ª preparing for the worst.


    When he finished, he slowly entered through the hole.


    Right as he did, sounds of wet chewing entered his ears, in addition to a stronger, more demanding growl.


    The floor was dyed crimson with dried blood and viscera, littered with half-eaten Blizzard Hound corpses.


    Further up, a giant lump of ck fur had his back towards him, yet radiated immense danger ¡ª enough to make Liam''s hair rise.


    However, there was no trace of fear in Liam''s eyes ¡ª just his mind and body''s natural reaction to a powerful threat.


    Liam''s grip on his des tightened as the ck ''lump'' turned around and arose, revealing a vicious, 3 meter wolf that could make an adult man cry with one look.


    It''s snout and face had been marred ¡ª the healed scars indicating the beast had gone through a fierce sh time ago ¡ª resulting in one of it''s eyes being blinded. Most probably the previous alpha of the pack.


    As it spotted the tiny human invading its territory, it let out another deep growl, vibrating throughout the cave ¡ª even applying pressure on Liam''s mental sphere and causing him to scowl.


    ''Rank-3!''


    Liam instinctively knew the wolf was Rank-3.


    Magical beasts in this rank could apply physical and mental pressure, even if they weren''t species that focused on that aspect.


    Noticing the grey markings under the wolf''s eyes, Liam instantly thought of a species name from Lloyd''s bestiary.


    ''Shadow Lykos of the darkness element! Not only is this kind of beast rare like most darkness beasts, they''re also strong and highly dangerous.''


    Liam could freely leave.


    Well¡­ not so freely, but an escape was almost certainly possible if he tried.


    The Lykos growled again. A warning, Liam assumed.


    Amazingly, even the Rank-3 beast wanted him gone.


    Not only had Liam invaded its territory, he had also interrupted its meal. Under any other circumstance, it would''ve already pounced without warning.


    Yet it was injured, and intelligent enough to avoid a meaningless fight.


    Liam clenched his des, forcing out a deep breath, before smirking.


    "Let''s test our limits, shall we?"

 Chapter 38: Clash

    <h4>Chapter 38: sh</h4>


    Seeing that the invading human had no intentions of leaving, the wolf''s growl grew louder, before turning into a deafening roar.


    It didn''t bark, though. Only weaker lower ranked species did so, which only made the Lykos look more terrifying.


    A heavy pressure weighed against Liam''s mind, causing him to scowl deeply, but it wasn''t anything he couldn''t handle.


    Simultaneously, the Lykos'' ck fur turned ethereal, oozing out simr-colored smoke that covered its body.


    ''I''ve never fought against a darkness beast before, but from what I''ve read about them, I can''t let that smoke touch me.''


    A deep gurgling sounded from the beast''s chest, paired with an ethereal ck substance ¡ª the center of which appeared liquid ¡ª shooting out from its throat, rapidly beaming for Liam''s figure.


    Liam''s hands flickered.


    He swung his des as one, aiming for the dark vapor and Lykos simultaneously.


    His wakizashi glowed, and an arc of moonlight brightened the cave, colliding with the smoke.


    The smoke parted ways, but not before the liquid center made the arc of lightpletely redundant.


    The smoke dissipated into air, while the liquid center sploshed against the wall behind him.


    This was the darkness element, extremely versatile and equally dangerous ¨C able to mend and change like a shadow depending on how it was used.


    The Shadow Lykos had multiple innate abilities that grew stronger with each rank, with natural maniption capabilities growing stronger too.


    Suddenly, the Lykos'' body churned.


    It gurgled again, before shooting another blob from its throat ¡ª faster andrger ¡ª dripping with liquid darkness.


    Liam didn''t dodge the smoke like normal since it was so fast, but that wasn''t his intention.


    His katana flickered with a gentle sr glow, before a lengthy, orange colored arc shot out from it, shing with the liquid cloud of darkness.


    Simultaneously, he ducked low as he dashed forth, closing the distance between the wolf and himself using the bright sh of the first form ¨C using the beast''s blinded eye to his advantage.


    The wolf was caught off guard for a moment as it attempted to block Liam''s de with its sharp canine teeth.


    A moment was all Liam needed.


    Liam asserted ''Ora'' into his newly forged des, causing wind to gather around it and whir on their edges - radiating sharpness.


    An arc of sr light flew in the dark and headed straight for the Lykos'' neck, before the des themselves followed shortly after.


    Liam grit his teeth and used all the strength ¨C and ''Ora in his body ¨C to force his des through its ck skin.


    The katana prated through the fur of the Lykos first, before the wakizashi did the same.


    The wind caused a clean cut to appear on its body, even before the des made contact.


    At the same time, the Lykos grabbed a hold of Liam''s thigh, clenching its giant maws on it.


    Its long and sharp canine teeth - coated with darkness brutally dug through his flesh, sending pangs of pain throughout his body.


    ''DIE ALREADY!''


    Liam swung his des as hard and viciously as he could, using every bit of adrenaline in his veins to deepen the wounds on the Lykos'' stubborn skin.


    Thankfully, the wolf couldn''t use its darkness element, since Liam struck exactly in its midsection. More precisely, its core.


    The two were at a stalemate, and whoever could cause the most grievous wounds would win.


    Liam''s training hadn''t been for absolutely nothing. His pain tolerance over the past year had gone up to near masochistic amounts.


    With a loud shout, he forced his katana through the top of the wolf''s head, its tip exiting through the bottom.


    His wakizashi on the other hand pierced it from bottom to top.


    The Shadow Lykos continued to yank and pull away the flesh from Liam''s thigh ¡ª mangling chunks of his flesh ¡ª until gradually, it lost the strength to do so.


    A puddle of dark red liquid formed below it, while it took deep strained breaths in.


    The light faded from its remaining eye ¨C its body went limp, but its jaw was stuck to Liam''s thigh as it eventually died.


    Liam''s sword and dagger clinked as it fell to the ground, allowing him to pry the wolf''s jaw away from his bloodied and bruised leg.


    As he did so, warm blood continued to ooze from his leg ¡ª which had a few of the Lykos'' teeth stuck to it. He fell to the ground and panted heavily ¨C allowing himself a short respite.


    ''Shit, I have a headache¡­''


    Liam hesitated whether or not to use his strong revitalization pills, but his wounds already began to heal ¨C bing nourishment.


    Choosing not to, he sat cross-legged and began to cultivate, circting ''Ora'' within his wounds to heal them quicker.


    ''Damn dog bit me to the bone. This works, though. I''m already getting close topleting the lower-stage.''


    After feeling slightly better, he perked back up and started to skin the beast.


    After it died, the wolf wasid, but still almost powerful enough to resist the strength of his des.


    Almost.


    The most urate parable exining the difference in bodily strength could be: the first rank being wood, the second ¨C stone, and the third, steel.


    They were capable of damaging each other, but nheless, had major advantages.


    ''The Shadow Lykos is a rare species of magical beast, and no doubt each part would fetch a hefty price.''


    After skinning the wolf sessfully taking out the parts, he stored them inside the ring.


    He left the core forst, and after extracting it from the body, saw that it was pitch ck in color.


    ''Would Rogan make me a pair of des from this?''


    Smiling, he made space in his ring before quickly shoving the three meter beast inside the ring.


    With that, he left the den once and for all.

 Chapter 39: Ranks

    <h4>Chapter 39: Ranks</h4>


    Weeks passed.


    Atst, winter was finally over, and spring took its ce ¨C causing the previously dead trees to burst with various colors.


    When Liam brought back a Rank-3 magical beast corpse to Rogan''s forgery, the cksmith was at a loss for words.


    Even more so when Liam exined how he killed it.


    Liam used that opportunity to ask the cksmith for a new pair of des - made from the Shadow Lykos no less.


    Rogan sighed, then chuckled, thenughed.


    "Hahaha! Shameless rascal - trying to take advantage any time you can. Give them to me, I''ll preserve them for you.


    "However, weapons made from Rank-3 beasts are difficult to make, even for me. Their wills get substantially stronger with each rank, and I''ll have to use special pills to strengthen my mental sphere.


    "Pills I trust my honorable disciple will provide. Don''t worry though, you won''t have to pay for the des.


    "Also, I''m not making anything new until you dull those des you''re using now - and maybe a few more simpler des before that. Every weapon deserves to have a master worthy of wielding it. Never forget that."


    Liam smiled in acknowledgement before leaving the forgery.


    Theing weeks, his schedule continued like normal, with the addition of learning the basics of forging.


    They were simple instructions which he didn''t have trouble learning. Rogan simply wanted to familiarize him with how to work with the materials.


    Liam finally became eleven years old, cueing the same tradition of pumpkin pie his mother cooked him.


    There wasn''t any party, though. The two loners ate and chatted between themselves.


    "Son¡­ about your work. You don''t n on stopping, do you?" Eve said with a weakened tone.


    "Not currently, why?" Liam questioned, his mouth filled with food.


    "I''m just¡­ worried. What if, one day, you don''t return? I don''t want to lose you." Eve muttered, her brows furrowed.


    Liam sighed. "Don''t worry so much. I''m strong now, and I''m getting stronger. Eventually, I''ll get you out of this peasantry and settled somewhere much nicer."


    Eve let out a weak sigh. Her son''s confident tone assured her, but clearly not enough.


    On the other hand, hepleted a few more main missions, steadily umting his merit points. He didn''t spend them on anything, though, saving them for the higher ranked techniques.


    Meanwhile, his body had advanced past the lower-stage and entered the middle-stage.


    His progress was incredibly fast, thanks to his reckless and maniacal way of training - which basically consisted of getting bit, poisoned and shed by magical beasts and humans alike.


    Liam realized the forging method''s weakness, as the des Rogan had made already began to show signs of decline after a week - granted, through heavy usage.


    In the first ce, it wasn''t supposed tost that long. But the cksmith had used various methods to prolong its durability.


    At the same time, something peculiar took ce.


    It was midnight when he was training with the Psionic Rune in his room, when suddenly, the walls of his mental sphere echoed with tremors.


    Within, the space rumbled, and the waves of mental energy violently smashed against the translucent barrier.


    Liam felt like his thoughts were swimming through a viscous, burning liquid - as contradictory as that might sound.


    By the time the event stopped, a mental ''click'' resounded in his head, and Liam felt like a fog had been lifted from his mind.


    Everything felt so¡­ clear.


    His perception, his senses, his thoughts. He could feel each hair on his body swaying against the lightest of wind.


    He could sense all his surroundings with unadulterated rity despite not using any mental energy, and all kinds of sounds entered his ears.


    Liam didn''t realize his room was so detailed.


    His wooden drawers were covered in faint little markings, his walls were sallow and not a in cream color like he thought, and the back window was covered with unnoticeable old stains.


    Liam reeled in his amazement andughed.


    "I''m finally a Magus!"


    He entered his mental sphere, looking for any differences.


    For one, the sea below him was a shade darker and much more vast than before. Moreover, the translucent barrier had grown almost twice as thick.


    He decided to stretch out his ''mental muscle'', another word for spreading his senses throughout his surroundings.


    His mental waves left his room, spreading through his neighborhood, then district¡­ before faintly enveloping the entire peasantry.


    ¡­


    A day passed.


    "You rascal! Do you take me for a fool?" Lloyd frowned, causing Liam to let out an annoyed sigh.


    The pair were in the forest as Liam had a scheduled duel with his teacher - where he chose to reveal his advancement.


    "It takes almost two & a half years for someone to be a Rank-1 Magus. You''re telling me you''ve done it in barely one? Prove it."


    Liam scoffed, focusing all his pressure towards Lloyd''s figure. The night prior, he had practiced his control over his mental waves, and the pressure it released was quite amazing.


    Lloyd''s face expressed realization and shock, with a hint of pain - prompting Liam to reel in his pressure.


    ''He''s still much stronger than me. Though, with the age difference between us, I wonder at what age I''ll be stronger.''


    "Wow." Was all Lloyd could say. He took a moment to sit on the grass ¨C probably since his knees couldn''t hold him up anymore ¨C gesturing for Liam to do the same.


    "Since I haven''t exined the ranks in detail, I suppose now is a good time to start." Lloyd muttered, still somewhat shocked from that reveal.


    "There are 9 total ranks in the cultivation path. The first three are called Mortal ranks. They aren''t that difficult to advance in, and the power gap between them isn''t too big either, since a Rank-2 body can still damage a Rank-3 body.


    "This changes within the Zenith ranks, which range from 4 to 6. The difference of power is vastly differentpared to the first three ¨C since they could kill Mortal cultivators with a thought. Most noble patriarchs or matriarchs are around this level."


    Liam''s eyes brimmed with awe and emotion.


    "7 to 9 are called Celestial ranks. Little is known about them, but they''re otherworldly beings, capable of wiping out entire civilizations with a simple hand gesture."


    Liam lowered his head to hide the manic expression on his face.


    The word Celestial sounded just so¡­ enticing.

 Chapter 40: Stars

    <h4>Chapter 40: Stars</h4>


    Liam often used thefort of stargazing in his first life to cope with reality.


    The constetions seemed to bring peace to his heart for some strange reason ¨C the vastness of the universe reminded him of his insignificant existence, and even more so his insignificant difficulties.


    The word ''celestial'' seemed to stir up memories Liam had long forgotten, and his eyes couldn''t hide those solemn emotions.


    In a way, he had an unrequited rtionship with the heavenly bodies. But now¡­ he felt as though he could touch them.


    He shifted his gaze towards the sky.


    It was still daytime, and there were practically no stars in the azure space. Yet that didn''t deter Liam from staring right at them, knowing they stared back.


    ''I will touch the stars... or die trying.''


    Lloyd kept his silence for Liam to process what he heard. After a while, he spoke with a grave tone.


    "...Do you know what this means?"


    His teacher''s firm words took Liam out of his stupor.


    The seriousness of his tone made Liam just as stern. It took barely a moment for Liam to think of an answer.


    He inwardly cursed.


    "Will the nobles stop me from progressing?"


    Lloyd gave him a shrug, prompting Liam to sigh.


    "They most probably will, but might not. Since you''re from House Royce, there''s a chance they might see your talents and bring you into their family - as a soldier or something a bit higher ranked.


    "Although, there''s probably a slim chance of being recognized as a main family member."


    Liam clicked his tongue. "What if I keep my awakening hidden? When it''s a little less impressive, I can reveal it to them."


    Lloyd solemnly shook his head. "Where would you get your seeding techniques then? More importantly, the second Psionic Rune? Are you content with sitting around and wasting your time?"


    Liam grimaced. His face turned pensive as he thought about what to do.


    He leaned towards revealing his awakening straight away.


    In the first ce, he didn''t mind taking a risk if it meant he could get stronger faster. His usage of unorthodox methods were a perfect example of that.


    But he had to tread lightly. It could just as easily backfire and blow up in his face - the nobles could stunt his growth if they see him as a threat.


    "I''ll have to take a leap of faith. I''ll just have to impress them enough to take me in." Liam finally spoke.


    "But not now. I''ll wait at least two weeks and spend as much as I can on mental energy restoration pills. That way I''ll have an alibi of sorts."


    Moreover, he could spend that time focusing on forging as well aspleting missions - not to mention progress his body even further.


    Lloyd nodded in response, a bit taken aback by his student''s cunning. "You''re growing too fast for your own good, kid."


    Liam chuckled. "I do have a great teacher. Though he is a bit of a maniac."


    "You''ve got a point. I guess that''s where you get it from" Lloydughed, before taking out what looked like a scroll from his ring.


    "Take this and memorize it. As a Rank-1 magus, you can now use spells."


    Liam''s eyes stuck to the scroll like glue, and he instantly grabbed it and opened its contents.


    Like the previous spells he had inspected, the metal scroll had glowing diagrams ¨C resembling a mix of runes and inscriptions ¨C covering its surface.


    After thirty minutes, Liam memorized the spell diagrams, and those exact writings appeared on his mental sphere walls.


    "Try using it." Lloyd called out. "The name of the spell is ''Fleeting Foot''. It''s only Rank-1, and basically makes you move faster."


    Liam nodded. With a thought, the runes in his mind started to buzz ¨C consuming a chunk of mental energy ¨C and causing a yellow glow to envelop his hands and feet.


    Instantly, he unsheathed his des and started to swing them ¨C each of its movements a barely visible flicker.


    He practiced his leg movements too, and his body was incredibly fast, turning into a blur.


    The effectsted for 15 seconds, before eventually dissipating, giving Liam a small headache in the process.


    "Neat. I don''t suppose itsts longer?"


    Lloyd shook his head. "That''s the spell''s limit. You should only use it during emergencies, or sure-kill moments."


    "How much did it cost?" Liam curiously questioned.


    Lloyd let out a wry sigh. "Spells are expensive, even more than techniques. I''ve sold most of mine already, and that''s the only one I have.


    "It cost me 375 merit points to get from the guild. Still, I was fairly weak at the time, so I couldn''tplete high stakes missions."


    Liam''s eyes widened at those words.


    Even with all his savings, he barely made it past 240 points - which couldnd him a decent Rank-2 or even Rank-3 technique.


    But nearly 400 points for a Rank-1 spell was ridiculously overpriced. Not to mention, it only made him faster.


    "It''s normal. Spells exponentially boost a cultivator''s prowess and can express their power fully - especially through their mental spheres and cores. The body is often underestimated.


    "Prepare for the next few months well. You''ll need every bit of help you can get. Reach out if you need anything."


    Lloyd threw a Jade Liam''s way, which he had already exined how to use a moment prior ¨C before departing ways.


    Liam heaved a long sigh.


    ''I need to meet Revel.''

 Chapter 41: Chase

    <h4>Chapter 41: Chase</h4>


    "What do you want? I thought I told you not to contact me unless you awaken."


    Revel''s annoyed and angry voice came through the glowing Jade ¨C Liam only had to imbue the item with some of his ''Ora'' to activate it.


    "I have."


    A short silence ensued, bringing attention to the howling wind.


    "Meet me in the same ce. Careful not to get caught in the traps. Look for the top-right hole and enter through the mountain slope."


    Before Liam could respond, the connection had been cut.


    Liam clicked his tongue in annoyance, before making his way towards the same ce he freed the ves.


    ¡­


    Gray clouds rumbled above, while rain poured heavily below. A storm was rapidly approaching as the sun set, and shes of lightning lit up the lush environment.


    Liam jumped from tree to tree as he made his way towards the spot where he fought the vers.


    ''From what I''ve seen, that man is an inscription master of sorts ¨C though I haven''t seen anything inscribed with pure blood.''


    Liam was drenched as he made his way through the forest ¨C heading straight for the mountain slope.


    In truth, Liam was still on edge about meeting that pale-faced maniac, but he had to confirm his suspicions.


    He had already begun to learn about forgemastery.


    If he could pair it with inscriptions ¨C even beginning with the most rudimentary knowledge ¨C he could cover almost all his weaknesses.


    Not to mention, he could truly make use of every second of his time.


    As he was in deep thought, he could sense three figures rapidly approaching from his nk.


    They wore long ck hoods covering their faces, and their burly bodies were covered in tightly wrapped magical beast hide.


    Despite the rain and harsh weather, Liam didn''t miss the space rings on their index.


    ''Damn it!''


    Liam grimaced, speeding up and spreading his senses further to see if there were any more people.


    There weren''t any, but the three pursuing him had to be strong. However, Liam didn''t sense any strong mental energy from them.


    ''They don''t know I''m already a magus. If I had to guess, they have powerful bodies topensate for that ¨C judging by how fast they are. Maybe Rank-3."


    "Halt!"


    One of them shouted, but that only made Liam move faster, his eyes turning cold with a focused light.


    Despite the thunder booming, Liam''s ears could pick up on the conversation between them ¨C since they weren''t too far behind.


    "Don''t let him get away. We just need his head!"


    The three swiftly gained on him, and in a moment''s time, they would catch up.


    As they got closer, the first thing they felt was a chill that ran down their spines, mixed with pure bloodlust.


    At first, they attributed that to the harsh weather, but they had Rank-3 bodies ¨C which have high resistance to cold and hot weather alike.


    It didn''t cross their minds for a moment that their pursuant was a magus.


    Nheless, they were powerful cultivators. They wouldn''t back up now.


    A whip, a broadsword, and arge hammer appeared in each of the figures'' hands.


    The fastest among the three ¨C ''Broadsword'' ¨C got close enough for an attack, swinging his giant weapon at Liam''s back.


    The swing seemed incredibly slow in Liam''s eyes, but would prove fatal ifnded.


    Before it did, a faint glow covered Liam''s hands and arms.


    He unsheathed his katana and wakizashi ¨C green des that glimmered with shes of lightning ¨C made from a Rank-2 horned snake with acidic properties.


    "Watch out!"


    The eyes of the two figures behind widened in shock as they warned, yet they weren''t fast enough to help him.


    With a slight sidestep, Liam dodged the broadsword and weaved in, performing a series of wide shes that cut deep into the muscles.


    Liam had actually intended to cut bone-deep but found that the man''s body was too strong for that.


    Streaks of blood flew in the air, which the rain quickly pulled to the ground.


    Broadsword was blinded, his ears were severed, and his body was covered with dozens of sizzling gashes.


    Before his corpse could even fall to the earth, Liam turned around and started running again.


    ''Whip'' and ''Hammer'' cursed loudly, but were forced to leave him behind and continue the chase.


    "We have to end this fight quickly, that brat is somehow a Rank-1 Magus!" Whip shouted with panic in his voice, causing both to raise their speed. "I''ll hold him tight, you charge your strongest martial art form."


    Liam scoffed at their stupidity of shouting their n right behind him. Granted, the sounds of rain and thunder were loud, but not for a Magus.


    Suddenly, a zing iron whip ¨C weakened slightly due to the rain ¨C shot out like a snake towards Liam''s figure.


    At the same time, the giant hammer the other wielded hummed, causing slight vibrations to shake the air ¨C gradually growing stronger.


    Instead of dodging the ming whip, Liam allowed it tosh his arm ¨C the whip bursting into mes that charred his skin ¨C but he ignored the pain and wrapped it around his wrist.


    Before Whip could pull, Liam was much faster, forcefully yanking him forward and piercing the man''s neck with his wakizashi.


    Simultaneously, he blocked the loud sound shockwave shooting for his head using the man''s corpse.


    Still, Liam''s ears ringed and leaked blood from the attack, but the corpse suffered the brunt of it ¨C which now resembled a bloodied, deted balloon.


    The remaining pursuer cursed loudly, panickingly charging his martial art form again ¨C but two sharp arcs of light shot at his hands and body, severing his fingers and causing him to drop the hammer.


    The man fell on his back and coughed blood, clutching the spot where his fingers once were.


    Bloodlust apanied with chilling pressure assaulted his mind ¨C gradually growing stronger ¨C but the cold voice forced him to focus.


    "Who sent you?"


    Liam appeared above him, his katana''s tip held firmly against the man''s neck, drawing blood.


    The man coughed a few more times, blood sttering against the wet mud. Being so close to death seemed to give him a strange confidence.


    "Will you let me live?"


    Liam didn''t say anything, but his face implied there was a fate worse than death depending on what he said.


    The man took a few seconds toe to terms with reality. But by the end of it, he just sighed solemnly and epted his fate.


    "We epted the job through a proxy¡­ but I''m sure the employer was from a noble House. Never should''ve epted this damn job. Just make it quick."


    Liam nodded in acknowledgement, swiping his sword upwards and killing the man instantly.

 Chapter 42: Blood

    <h4>Chapter 42: Blood</h4>


    Liam looted the corpses for their rings and valuables, before throwing them in a crocodile swamp to be devoured ¨C then made his way towards the mountain slope again.


    His entire arm was charred, and his ears continued to bleed, but his body didn''t stop healing.


    ''A noble house¡­ it''s obvious who hired them.''


    Liam clicked his tongue. He knew too little, but even then, he expected such a reaction from the rulers.


    After all, he was a bastard ¨C one who pursued the power the nobles greedily hogged.


    Before long, he arrived at the mountain slope.


    He used his mental energy to carefully assess the different holes inside the wall and found that all of them were riddled with traps except for one.


    He found the one hole in the wall and entered it, a distant warm light glowing from the other end.


    As he got closer, faint screamsced with despair entered his ears.


    ''Is that him? No, it''s a feminine voice. What is that maniac up to?'' Liam wondered.


    He made sure to be careful as he made his way towards the light.


    He was met with a wide furnished area lit bymps, bulbs, and other illuminating devices.


    Different kinds of tools, books, and parchment papers rested on wooden tables, but the most eye-catching feature was the stains of blood riddled across the ground.


    The walls were rocky and uneven, forming a natural dome of sorts.


    The space was located inside the cavity of a mountain, and there were more holes leading to different areas inside.


    The dreadful screams abruptly ended, and a familiar voice wheezed as it spoke out.


    "I''ll be right with you."


    Revel''s ominous voice echoed from a hole in the wall that led deeper into the mountain.


    Liam took that time to look around and investigate. He grabbed a random book among the pile and opened it on a random page.


    ''Day 129.''


    ''Experiments are progressing steadily. I can only focus on ves for now, since magical beast blood is less pure. My sickness has been slowly getting better due to the constant absorption of it. Within a few years or maybe even months, I can surely be cured.''


    Liam''s eyes slightly widened at those words.


    ''Absorption of blood? Is this guy a vampire or something? Also, he already looked sick, but this confirms it.''


    ''Day 302.''


    ''My progress has started to recede. My blood purity has gone lower because I pushed myself too far. Even thinking hurts.''''


    Liam''s eyes glowed with interest as he continued to flip through the pages.


    ''Day 621.''


    ''Blood refinement progress has gone to shit. My blood is gued with growing impurities, and my mental sphere and body are too weakened to continue the experiments. All I can do now is dy the inevitable. That kid holds some potential, perhaps he can-''


    "Prying through my things, are you?"


    Revel interrupted Liam''s reading as he exited from the hole in the wall, wiping his blood covered hands with a white cloth.


    Hisplexion was somehow paler thanst time, giving his skin a snow-like glow, while he woreyers of thick clothing covered with blood stains.


    "Can''t me me, can you? You left it in the open."


    Liam retorted, making sure to keep some distance from the man.


    Revel scoffed coldly while coughing. "You look horrible, by the way. What''s wrong with your arm?"


    "I fought with a few beforeing here. Could say the same to you, though."


    Revel scoffed again. He gestured for Liam to sit on a nearby couch, then took a seat himself. Beginning with a sigh, he started to speak.


    "You are aware vampires exist in this world, yes?"


    Liam nodded once.


    "Their method of growing stronger and advancing in ranks is much, much easier than humans. Unlike us, who have the sea of consciousness, body and core, they only have two centers of power."


    Revel exined, taking breaks to breathe in between paragraphs.


    "The Nexus, also known as the heart, and the Blood, which is their life force. By consuming the blood of others, vampires can increase their strength and abilities, allowing them to advance in rank and power much more quickly than humans ever could."


    Liam''s face turned pensive, but nheless interested.


    ''But with three centers of power against two, surely humans are stronger than them...''


    "Simply put, they must refine their blood constantly in order to purify and strengthen it, while the second center of power, the Nexus, will nourish their bodies constantly. That''s the gist of the knowledge I have on them."


    "My passion lies there. I dedicated my life to research and gain more knowledge about the topic, since I was diagnosed with a rare blood disease that was known to be incurable."


    "Using my contacts, I secretly exported a simple blood refinement method from their continent and began to imitate it. At first, it denied my body, but after modifying it to suit my needs, it finally started to work."


    "It took me decades of research and hundreds of live human experiments to finally achieve some sess. Even my health was getting better and I finally looked¡­ alive."


    Revel''s eyes grew dark, especially on thatst word.


    "Everything changed when I started to use refined blood to inscribe spells and techniques."

 Chapter 43: Hatred

    <h4>Chapter 43: Hatred</h4>


    "To inscribe anything requires you to be knowledgeable about magical diagrams and how they work ¨C which I was, even above average."


    "Originally, I was from arge-sized noble family in another monarchical city near Udd, called Erivol ¨C where I studied inscriptions until my diagnosis." Revel said, his expression gradually turning dark.


    Liam recalled theyout of his region which he memorized from the map.


    Multiple cities simr to Udd lived in rtively close proximity to one another ¨C forming a ring.


    Each city would have a simr ruling system, with each lesser sized family living under onerge-sized family.


    Erivol was one of those cities.


    Revel continued, the vindication in his tone hardly hidden.


    "Once my family learned of my sickness, they simply threw me away despite my talent on the subject. From that day on, I realized something..."


    Revel''s face turned distant.


    "Human lives have no intrinsic value by themselves."


    From how those words were said, Liam couldn''t imagine just how many lives Revel had taken.


    "I digress." Revel let out a soft sigh. "I still don''t know how impurities formed in my blood, but it happened sometime after I started to refine it."


    "I assume it was a side effect to a vampiric technique used on a human, but I''m not sure." He shook his head. "I''ve already made two spells from this technique, but that''s why I''m in this state."


    "But that''s enough about me, you want to learn this technique, yes?"


    Liam remained silent for a moment. Eventually, he nodded. "Not before you tell me everything about your blood-refining method."


    Liam was reluctant for a few reasons.


    Firstly, seeing Revel''s state, he couldn''t help but consider the risks of using such a dangerous technique.


    He wanted power, yes. But not at the cost of his life.


    Secondly, if the method of inscription was riddled with so many holes this early, it would be extremely difficult for it to prove usefulter on.


    Rogan''s Primordial Forging was the perfect example of this. The cksmith and his forgemasters before him spent their lives trying to perfect it, but still fell short.


    On the other hand, Revel''s technique was fairly new. No matter how talented the man was, he couldn''t invent apletely new branch of inscriptions in such little time ¨C a little under two years, to be precise.


    Revel sighed. "I guess that''s fair. Let me show you how it''s refined first, then I''ll tell you about the rest."


    Revel entered through a tunnel leading deeper into the mountain cavity ¨C Liam following.


    As they walked through the tunnel, they passed a rectangr basement. Liam saw dead bodies chained to the left and right side of the walls, their figurespletely dry, as though all their blood had been forcefully drained.


    The smell was rancid. Any normal person would hurl and vomit on the spot, but Liam and Revel passed by without batting an eyelid.


    ''They resemble nobles, well... resembled. He still has a hatred for them.'' Liam thought.


    After a few turns, they had finally reached the end of the tunnel.


    It was a small and simple cave, yet the density of ''Ora'' was quite high, even higher than Liam''s cave underground.


    Revel took out his inscribed odachi ¨C blood-red colored with a curved de like Liam remembered ¨C the surface of which was covered with crimson writings.


    Revel stripped his forearm ¨C which was covered with scars andrge cuts that healed ¨C and shed it open.


    Scarlet blood soiled with lumps of dark-green and ck flowed from the wound, yet instead of sshing on the ground, circted in the air ¨C by Revel''smand, of course.


    It was just nail-sized in volume, yet Revel''s skin was drenched throughout the process.


    Liam didn''t blink as he watched.


    He felt Revel''s mental waves envelop the blood, and a momentter, warm strands of ''Ora'' poured from his abdomen and conjoined with it.


    The blood glowed bright scarlet, and whenever the world essence touched the impurities, it receded and slowly sizzled away.


    Revel continued to refine the blood.


    Abruptly, he manipted the nail-sized liquid to enter through his mental sphere!


    A small red stain appeared on Revel''s forehead, and he growled in pain, lowering his head as he clutched his temples.


    He continued to grunt loudly ¨C suppressing his urges to shout ¨C panting heavily and coughing ck blood. Eventually, his paleness receded, before heid his back on the cave wall.


    Revel raised his head, his eyes bloodshot. He slowly gained enough strength for an exnation.


    "This is in essence how refining blood works. I could''ve simply absorbed the blood back into my veins after purifying it with ''Ora'', but I chose to show you the first step to inscribing with it."


    Liam blinked. Though he had little knowledge of how inscriptions worked, he just knew it was naturally wrong.


    "You store that into your mental sphere? How is that possible?"


    The sea of consciousness was both ethereal and physical. It wasn''t inside the human body, but was still connected to them through their minds.


    Revel coughed, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. He spoke with an impatient tone:


    "There''s much you don''t know. Just tell me, do you want to learn it or not?"


    Liam was still slightly on edge. He couldn''t help but ask more questions.


    "What spells have you made with it?"


    The pale-faced maniac couldn''t help but sigh, but he smirked a momentter.


    Revel tensed his right hand. His nails grew ck and lengthened in an instant, turning razor-sharp. His fingers bulged with unnatural veins.


    Liam''s eyes widened. Revel''s nails were simr to the vampire''s illustration of it. "I''m guessing that''s what you used to suck the nobles'' blood?"


    Revel nodded, his gaze stuck to his hand. "It''s my masterpiece¡­ and perhaps the reason why I''m dying. I pushed myself too far to make this spell, but¡­ well, no reason toment. I''vee to terms with this¡­ curse."


    Liam turned pensive, before nodding to himself.


    ''If inscribed items are so expensive, there''s probably no chance for me to learn how to do them the normal way. I can''t be picky about what to choose¡­''


    "Give me all the books and trial-and-error catalogs you have of your technique ¨C and a proper schedule for you to teach me¡­ I''ll learn it."


    Revel grinned wickedly, approval in his steely eyes.


    "Begin with learning the vampirguage."

 Chapter 44: Blood Weaving

    <h4>Chapter 44: Blood Weaving</h4>


    Revel gathered his books to give Liam as homework. It totalled to twenty-three, and each book was about 4 inches thick.


    That fact didn''t annoy Liam in the least. He always loved reading books in his first life, even on topics that might have seemed mundane or boring.


    "Come whenever you''re ready, just let me know beforehand. I''ll be here most of the time."


    Liam nodded.


    "Oh, and what''s the name of the inscription method?" Liam asked. Calling it the ''inscription method'' wasn''t convenient.


    Revel pursed his pale lips, then grinned.


    "Blood Weaving."


    Liam hummed in approval, stored the books into his ring, then headed back home.


    Of course, he attempted to ask for the spells Revel had made, but the man chuckled and didn''t say anything.


    ''Being shameless doesn''t work on this maniac, I guess.'' Liam realized.


    The next two weeks passed quickly.


    Liam''s lessons with Rogan had been going well, and the former had gotten past the first few stages of forging ¨C thanks to his new mental prowess.


    It wouldn''t be long until he started using the forging technique.


    The biggest problem for him was keeping the des stable ¨C since, if he didn''t perfect the foundations, the whole thing would fall apart.


    An excessive usage of ''Ora'' was required in those steps ¨C which was used to purify the metals ¨C but since Liam didn''t have a core, his usage of it was obviously limited.


    In addition, Liam had started to learn the vampiric tongue. Its alphabet and writings were quite simr to the Japanesenguage, even its pronunciation was alike with minor differences.


    Revel had taught him the concept of inscriptions and the most basic of its knowledge. The man was beyond impatient ¨C and his tongue was vile ¨C but his methods of teaching made up for that.


    In essence, inscriptions consisted of three crucial parts. The ''meaning'', ''link'', and ''ink''.


    To invent an explosive spell, for example, the inscriber had to take into ount the amount of ''Ora'' that went into the user''s core, the strength of the explosion, its size, when it could detonate, and other factors that might affect the spell''s performance. These were called ''meanings''.


    The inscriber would then create a series of ''links'' between these meanings, using special writings and diagrams to express them.


    Such writings were made from a special ''ink'' that contained the meanings themselves.


    Blood weaving, like the name suggests, used refined blood as its ink.


    These links would create a circuit between the writings, which allowed the spell to function ¨C If made correctly, of course.


    Theplexity of the inscriptions would vary depending on the desired effect, with moreplex spells requiring more intricate circuits and a deeper understanding of the topic.


    This was partly the reason why Rank-1 spells and martial arts were so simple ¨C and simrly weak. They didn''t require much to make, and they served rtively simple functions.


    Obviously, these three elements were endlessly deep ¨C not to mention there were many more aspects ¨C and learning them would take multiple lifetimes.


    Thankfully, cultivators had long lives.


    Besides that, Liam had spent all his money on buying pills during that two week period ¨C both for himself and Rogan.


    They swallowed his savings up by heaps, but calming his paranoia was worth every penny.


    He didn''t use them, though, and saved the pills for when he attained the Rank-2 Psionic Rune.


    All the while, his body was steadily approaching the peak of the middle-stage ¨C his healing properties growing slightly stronger.


    It came to a point that Lloyd had to use most of his strength to keep up during their duels.


    Alternating between the trio was strange, but Liam had something important to learn from each one of his teachers.


    Besides that, there was the addition of the three space rings Liam stole from his pursuers ¨C containing a total of 300 ''Ora'' Stones.


    Each one contained a Rank-2 martial art attuned with their specific elements ¨C Whip was a fire elemental, Hammer used wind, and Broadsword used earth.


    Unfortunately, the martial arts were useless to him. He didn''t have his element yet, and didn''t use any of their specific weapons.


    The space itself was much more useful, since he got a total of 15 square meters to store more items.


    ''I''ll save the martial arts for now. Maybe I''ll be able to sell it somewhere else.''


    Eventually, the time came for Liam to reveal his awakening.


    He entered the underground guild and entered the armory.


    Ava gave him a warm nod as usual.


    Liam spared the pleasantries and cut to the point.


    "I''d like the second Psionic Rune please. I''m sure I have enough merits for it."


    Ava stared at him for a few seconds in silence, before raising a brow.


    "Why? You won''t need it for another two years at least."


    Liam nearly clicked his tongue in annoyance.


    "I''ve alreadypleted the first rune."


    Ava''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    Before she could pressure him, he took out his Psionic Rune and pushed it against his forehead ¨C expressing no difort or pain.


    Ava was stunned. Liam stretched out his token, which she slowly grabbed ¨C her shocked eyes still stuck on him.


    She fumbled around with her desk momentarily, before taking out the second Rune.


    The rock was hexagon-shaped, glowing faintly blue. It was slightly bigger than its predecessor, and on one of the sides, an ancient number rested ¨C which Liam presumed as two.


    Liam''s mental energy melted around it and couldn''t get close to the Rune all.


    ''I wonder how long it''ll take me to reach Rank-2.''


    Liam suppressed a smile.


    He hastily grabbed the rock and token, then stored them.


    His merits had gone back considerably, from 525 to 35, but it was worth it in his eyes.


    As Liam left, Ava instantly took out a Jade and called David.

 Chapter 45: Reaction

    <h4>Chapter 45: Reaction</h4>


    Two weeks passed since Liam revealed his status as a Magus.


    Using the second Psionic Rune was basically the same as the first, only it caused major migraines.


    Liam used all his mental energy restoration pills in one session, which helped him get an edge in starting the second rune.


    The nobles'' reaction was far less severe than he expected.


    David had met with him shortly, offering his congrattions and speaking a few words of praise. Other than that, he mentioned multiple noble families that would love to sponsor his growth.


    Of course, that came with the condition of servitude. No matter how high a familial rank they gave him ¨C or how strong he got ¨C he would be bound to them, epting orders from the top.


    Which, to Liam, sounded worse than death.


    As of now, it wasn''t mandatory for him to ept any of their invitations, but Liam knew stalling for too long would no doubt offend them.


    ''The Royce family didn''t react, which means they don''t want to be associated with me ¨C or maybe my father is the one trying to hide my achievements.''


    ''Either way, they''re waiting for me to either ept another family''s invite, or offend one of them.''


    The silver lining was that Liam got more time to organize his thoughts and his n of action, silently growing his strength.


    All his ns ended up with him escaping.


    However, they weren''t solid.


    He needed a proper opportunity ¨C not to mention there was still his mother''s situation he needed to take care of ¨C as well as a location to escape to.


    For now, he needed to exercise patience. Which he had no problems doing so.


    ***


    Six burly men ¨C wearing huntsman clothing made from heat resistant magical beasts and wielding various inscribed weapons ¨C stood at the entrance of arge, underground dungeon.


    The surroundings were covered with ash, and puddles of magma ¨C all of which lead to a giant volcanic geyser not too far away. In fact, the geyser was a source of heat for nearby water sources, mainly waterfalls and rivers.


    This location was a danger zone, both because of the environment conditions, and the magical beasts that infested them.


    Behind the men, rested more than a dozen Lava Lions corpses in the second rank.


    Their furs were pure ck, but their manes were a lustrous orange ¨C resembling fire. They were merely Rank-2, yet were 2.8 meters in length.


    "Get ready. This ce has been infested for god knows how long, we can''t let them grow any further."


    The men shot each other a knowing look, before they pushed forward and entered the dark dungeon.


    They were soldiers of the Royce family, sent to clear magical beast nests and infested areas. The Lava Lion den had been neglected for some time, but there was finally a team sent to exterminate them.


    Countless glowing, orange eyes opened in pairs within the darkness, apanied by loud growls.


    ROAAAR!


    The men didn''t sit still, and neither did the Rank-3 Lions.


    An inscribed spear burst into mes, a pair of sabers whirred with wind, a hammer smashed against the earth and shattered the ground like ss.


    The Lions'' manes burst into mes - apelling indication of its superior strength as a magical beast - an aura of heat surrounding their bodies. The dungeon was lit in an instant, revealing at least thirty Rank-3 Lions in that underground space.


    The Lions in the front pounced, while those behind opened their jaws, a growing light appearing in their throat ¨C which slowly took the shape of boiling magma.


    The cultivators came prepared.


    Those at the back cast long-ranged offensive spells to stop the Lion''s in their tracks, and those wielding weapons stopped the pouncing Lions from attacking them.


    Streaks of magma flew into the air from the Lion''s side, exchanged with simr fireballs and shes of wind.


    Booms, bangs and roars caused the underground to tremble, pieces of rubble falling from the dungeon roof.


    The sh continued for multiple minutes, with the human side visibly triumphing ¨C pushing forward towards the visible geyser not too far away.


    The veryst Lion prepared to gurgle and spew out magma, but a giant inscribed hammer smashed against its skull, killing it instantly.


    The tired and sweaty hunters were about to sigh in relief, but the hair on their skins arose all at the same time.


    Their eyes widened as they saw a chunk of the ground break apart, a giant figure with burning tufts of orange fur emerging from beneath it.


    Some cursed and instantly shot for the exit, but a w swiped against their bodies, severing them into three bloody sections.


    The others stood still in fear as the giant figure towered over them ¨C the heat radiating from it charring their flesh.


    What emerged from the ground was a giant Lava Lion, 7 meters in height and 10 meters in length. Its giant mane burst with violent mes ¡ª dripping with magma ¡ª and its low growl sounded like a thundering chainsaw.


    Its body was a mix of orange and ck fur, which made the beast look like it was made from molten gold.


    Its presence alone made the remaining men unable to move, their mouths agape and eyes filled with dread.


    ''R-Rank-4!''


    One brave fellow attempted to swing his hammer at the beast, but couldn''t get close enough tond a strike.


    All it took was one roar, and the men fell limp on the ground ¨C their mental spheres shattered and their internal organs destroyed.


    The Rank-4 Lava Lion growled again, and behind it, hundreds of its pack exited the darkness - awaking from their slumber. They swarmed the corpses and devoured them in an instant.


    The giant Lion left its den - followed by its underlings - and made its way towards the sunlight, reaching atop a hill. In the distance, a city caught its eye.


    Udd, to be precise.

 Chapter 46: Invasion

    <h4>Chapter 46: Invasion</h4>


    "There''s going to be a beast invasion soon." Lloyd said severely, sitting across Liam in one of the underground restaurants.


    Liam gulped a mouthful of food and raised his brows. "What kind of magical beast?"


    "Lava Lions, hundreds. They''re monstrous beasts with the ability to conjure up magma and spew it everywhere, devastating the surroundings."


    "Why don''t the noble soldiers do anything?" Liam asked, a bit shocked at that number.


    Lloyd sighed. He had no appetite to eat anymore.


    "Invasions aren''tmon. Usually, the Royce family sends strong cultivators to clear them out before it gets to that point."


    Lloyd scowled.


    "They tried to do the same¡­ but didn''t know a Rank-4 beast was among them."


    Liam stopped chewing.


    "A Zenith ranked beast?"


    Lloyd gave a firm nod.


    "Regr Mortals can''t hope to hurt it ¡ª they need to have at least two centers of power at the third rank, or at least close to it¡­ and there needs to be at least four or five of them. Only simr Zenith''s can fight it one on one."


    Liam raised his brows in awe.


    ''To think that Zenith''s are so strong¡­ and Celestials are even stronger.''


    Lloyd rubbed his eyebrow.


    "Thing is, the beasts are heading for the peasantry, not the wealthy side of Udd. Which means that we won''t get any support from them against defending it."


    Liam cursed loudly, catching the attention of the surrounding people.


    "You can''t be serious. Why can''t they just send the peasants underground temporarily?"


    Lloyd shook his head with a frown.


    "These nobles are a lot more shallow than that. The underground serves as a hub for traders thate from other cities. If they hear anything about a beast invasion, they might grow fearful and avoid trading with them."


    "There''s good news to this, though. They''ve already started building a new base for strengthening their forces. They''ll provide nourishing pills and potions for free, too.


    "Besides, the Rank-4 beast will be taken care of by a Zenith, but we''ll have to deal with its underlings until he arrives. There''s a good two weeks until the invasion, so prepare well."


    Liam pursed his lips and nodded.


    ***


    Over the next two weeks, the new guild base was erected ¨C arge rectangr building.


    It contained various facilities that helped the weaker ranked cultivators of the guild, including areas with higher concentration of ''Ora'', and areas that helped speed up the expansion of the mental sphere.


    That method of training was quite ingenious. The small inscribed area consisted of nothing except for a drugged Rank-3 Oppressive Toad in the middle, a frog-type magical beast that was mental attack based.


    The Toad was roughly the size of arge bean bag ¨C having blue skin with white protruding bumps on its slimy body.


    With each croak, it applied bursts of pressure on all the cultivators around it ¨C whoever was the closest, had the most pressure on his mind.


    Apanied with the Psionic Rune, it could speed up the expansion by heaps.


    Granted, it hurt like balls, and too much exposure had negative effects.


    Needless to say, nobody expected a child to sit so close to the frog. Especially since mostmon cultivators were way at the back.


    Liam had split his time between advancing his body and spending his time in that area, and he was close to the upper-stage.


    When the news of the invasion reached the peasantry, shock spread like wildfire. Many begged to be allowed inside the nobles'' side, but were firmly denied. Beaten, even.


    Eve for one wanted to leave the city with her son, but Liam had stopped her from making that decision.


    "All carriage routes are blocked off."


    Eve opened her mouth but no words came out.


    "Just be patient, ma. I already said I''ll protect you, didn''t I?"


    Liam felt guilty seeing his mother look so worried, but it was for her own sake.


    Other than that, Liam''s schedule continued until finally, there was just one day left until the beast tide arrived.


    Liam was in Rogan''s forgery.


    The businesses underground still functioned normally, since those present weren''t allowed to leave ¨C but the nobles enticed them with wealth.


    Rogan hadn''t nned to leave at all, but shamelessly epted the payment anyway


    The cksmith had tired eyes and a natural scowl on his face, but in his hands, were a pair of des.


    "Rank-3 Shadow Lykos. I spent some time on its endurance ¨C it should take at least a month before it shatters. Apply some ''Ora'' into it, and it''ll be ethereal without losing its sharpness."


    Liam smiled and took the katana and wakizashi ¨C the des of which had apletely ck sheen. The hilt was stitched with diamond patterns, and a wolf fang hung from a string at the bottom.


    Swinging it a few times, his smile grew wider.


    "Thanks, old man."


    Rogan scoffed.


    "Don''t try to butter me up, rascal. I know you have some hidden agenda."


    Liam chuckled.


    "I''ll be leaving, then. I''ll need to prepare."


    The cksmith nodded in response.


    "Next session, I''ll have you begin the Forging technique. You''re ready for it."


    Liam nodded as he left ¨C immediately heading back to his cave underground and throwing the bone strengthening pill in his mouth.


    The taste was horrible, but once the contents entered his stomach, its effects were immediate.


    His bones grew warmer and warmer, before reaching a boiling point.


    He closed his eyes and manipted ''Ora'' to enter his bones, a slight frown visible on his face.


    As the ''Ora'' gathered on his skeleton, the bones suddenly grew ayer thicker and sturdier.


    The process continued until all his bones had reached that state.


    Liam heaved a deep sigh with a slight smile on his face.


    ''Should be the peak of Rank-2. Now, all I need is just a few wounds for me to advance to the third rank.''


    Finally, the day of the invasion arrived.

 Chapter 47: Battle

    <h4>Chapter 47: Battle</h4>


    The sky was devoid of any clouds, allowing the sun to shine brightly. A light breeze carrying winds of hardship apanied that air.


    "I''ll be going then, ma."


    Liam concluded after sitting with his mother for half an hour.


    Eve reluctantly stopped stroking his flowing hair. As she stared into her son''s steely eyes, she couldn''t help but feel proud.


    ¡­And simultaneously grieved. His image reminded her too much of his father - the person who wanted nothing to do with either of them.


    Liam was merely eleven, yet had the aura of a confident and mature adult.


    Sometimes, she would spot a cold look in his eyes, making her forget he was just a child.


    "Please¡­ be safe."


    Liam assured her with a smile.


    "I will, don''t worry."


    ***


    All the guild members of the peasantry arrived at the new base - wearing heat resistant clothing made from magical beast leather.


    Scouts, mercenaries, escorts and more. Their numbers surpassed hundreds, but not all of them were strong. In fact, most weren''t Magi.


    Lines formed at the entrance, where two old men with long white beards and ck robes took their weapons, inscribing them with various lines.


    The aura they exuded was powerful, and their age didn''t match their demeanor.


    Liam stood in line like normal, wearing his ck clothing and tying his long blonde hair to a small man-bun.


    When his turn came, he saw how the old man inscribed his des.


    He used an inscribed quill with a sharp tip. The feather itself looked to have magical properties ¨C presumably a magical beast ¨C and its surface was covered with small runes.


    ''The methods of inscribing are practically endless. I''m sure there are others that use external tools to inscribe.''


    Thinking of inscriptions, Liam was reminded of Revel.


    The pale-faced maniac resided within the cavity of a mountain, thus had nothing to fear from the beast tide.


    "I''m guessing the inscriptions make the de more heat resistant?"


    Liam asked, and the old man shot him a smiling nod. He didn''t bother to add anything else, though.


    Thanking him, Liam made his way inside the new guild headquarters.


    Servants at the entrance handed out revitalizing pills, although they weren''t as potent as Liam''s own.


    A tense but rowdy air met him. Although not everyone was too strong, they were veterans who had more than a few brushes with death.


    The beast tide made them write their wills, though. Undoubtedly, all of them expected to die with the exception of some.


    Before long, David along with a few other white-robed men appeared on a small stage ¨C an informative map behind them.


    They gestured for silence, and David took a step forward.


    "As you all know, arge group of Lava Lions are approaching quickly from the east, which will arrive in just a few hours. There are an estimated forty-six Rank-3 beasts in various stages, and at least one hundred Rank-2''s¡­"


    "And one Rank-4."


    Almost everyone simultaneously grumbled in annoyance and anger, with an undisguised tint of fear. Their frustration was understandable.


    All it would take was one noble n patriarch to end the tide at once, but their circumstances ¨C their status ¨C didn''t allow that.


    David straightened his back and spoke in a confident tone.


    "Do not despair. We''ve requested help, and a gracious noble patriarch has epted¡­ only, we have to clear out the lower ranked beasts ourselves. Additionally, the more Lava Lion corpses you garner, the more merits you may achieve."


    David gestured to an empty scoreboard to his left. "Your group leaders will be in charge of the magical beast retrievals, and will divide it ording to whoever has the most contributions."


    Although the guild members were still visibly angry, those emotions slightly softened.


    "Other than that, we''ve already set down multiple formations that can strengthen and speed up our forces. Your inscribed weapons have heat resistance, so don''t be afraid of any magma the Lions might spew.


    "You''ve already memorized most of the strategies, so I won''t brush up on that topic. The fight will take ce on an empty de, so there won''t be any civilian casualties."


    "We will assign the groups now."


    As he said that, a dozen figures entered the stage. Among them was Lloyd and Ophis.


    Their auras were powerful, and they were no doubt the strongest within the guild.


    Liam exchanged a quick nod with his teacher, before David began speaking.


    "These men and women will be your group leaders. Strictly follow every one of their orders, or you will be held ountable for treason."


    Liam scoffed.


    ''Death either way, eh?''


    The next few minutes, the groups were quickly assigned.


    Liam, of course, was assigned to his teacher''s team. Besides him, were two women and five men.


    Lloyd''s group was the smallest, yet consisted of the most capable.


    "I''m Emma. This is my younger sister, Yannis."


    A blonde-haired woman with bright blue eyes introduced with a warm smile.


    Besides her, was a shorter woman with simr features, only she looked a lot less mature ¨C an condescending expression on her face.


    The rest briefly introduced themselves, giving Liam strange looks ¨C to which he replied with a sharp re of his own.


    Of their group, Liam could sense the strongest was Lloyd and Emma.


    ''I could probably kill the rest one on one ¨C if I use everything and catch them by surprise ¨C but I''m still too weak against these two.''


    Lloyd spotted the expression on his face and chuckled.


    "Right now, he''s thinking of ways he could beat you all."


    Simultaneously, all group members looked at him with a frown. Except for Emma, whoughed just like Lloyd.


    ''Thanks for that. We''re off to a great start.''


    Before the group could grow even further apart, David gestured for everyone to head for the de.


    As they reached there, Liam spotted intricate lines and diagrams on the ground ¨C strengthening formations. He had no idea how formations worked, since it was also apletely different branch of cultivation.


    There was a canyon gorge to their right, but a flimsy border protected anyone from falling inside.


    Designated stations for each group covered the border. Everyone took out their weapons and tensed up ¨C ready for battle.


    Liam himself turned serious, a cold pressure in his eyes.


    "Stick close, and don''t break apart." Lloydmanded.


    Before long, a deep rumbling grew louder, apanied by countless growls from the treeline ahead.


    "THEY''RE COMING!"

 Chapter 48: Tide

    <h4>Chapter 48: Tide</h4>


    "THEY''RE COMING!"


    On those words, everyone''s attention fell to the treeline.


    Yellow arrays brightly lit the ground - enveloping those in their vicinity with a faint glow, apanied with a surge of power.


    The trees began to splinter as the Rank-2 Lava Lions stampeded through them, forming scorching imprints on the ground. Ripples of heat spread from their bodies.


    With pitch ck fur and zing crimson mane, they were twice asrge as the average lion. Steam visibly seeped from their bodies, and they ragingly ran towards the humans in their path.


    Lloyd shouted a fewmands and bolted forth, followed by Liam and the rest of the group members.


    Emma wielded an inscribed spear, Yannis fought with two inscribed daggers. The rest didn''t wield weapons, since they only used spells.


    Lloyd utilized a pair of des, shing at the air with incredible speed and forming arcs of lethal wind, killing multiple lions.


    Emma''s spear tip grew sharp as it shot out and pierced the approaching Lions ¨C maiming them for Yannis to finish off using her des.


    ''They''re all using their martial arts attuned to their elements,'' Liam thought, blinding a Lion that attempted to lurch at him, before piercing its skull with his wakizashi.


    Blood started to drench the charred grass red, but the Lions didn''t stop their merciless offensive.


    Furious roars of both humans and beasts bellowed through the air. Apanied by thunderous booms, whooshing gusts of wind, rumbling spikes of earth, and swift bullets of water.


    A Lava Lion got close enough to Liam, its eyes began to glow orange, while its thick mane brightened to a scarlet hue.


    Its jaws opened with a gurgling noise, but before it couldplete its attack, an arc of moonlight shot at its neck, killing it.


    Liam had been briefed on the Lions'' weakness. Ironically, its greatest weapon was also its greatest weak point ¨C the neck. Slitting their throat incapacitated them long enough for another attack, but the first strike had to be lethal.


    Liam didn''t hold back on his ''Ora'' reserves, wildly shooting out first and second forms. His new des'' quality was superb, capable of piercing through the Lions'' skin with ease.


    It wasn''t long before human casualties started to rise.


    One of the men in the other groups got caught out and left his team formation.


    Before his teammates could pull him back, red-hot magma doused his figure, melting him alive.


    Despite the blood curdling screams, the battle continued, with the Lava Lions gradually getting pushed back.


    Like an open tap, the beasts didn''t stop arriving.


    When his teammates weren''t looking, Liam took that chance to get hit with theva attacks ¨C positioning them to hit non vital spots.


    His body was at the peak of the second rank. All it would take were just a few more wounds until he achieved a Rank-3 body.


    Minute amounts of magma melted his clothes and the skin underneath, but didn''t get through the flesh ¨C thanks to the infernal tempering method.


    A group of Lava Lions rushed him ¨C roaring violently and preparing to pounce.


    Lloyd, Emma and Yannis were further up ¨C fighting against arge horde of beasts, while the magi at the back were too busy supporting the other groups.


    Liam focused, imbuing ''Ora'' into his katana and wakizashi.


    The ck sheen on the des disappeared, reced by formless, ethereal weapons.


    Three lions pounced at him at the same time, while two at the back vomited gobs ofva.


    Liam unleashed a swift flurry of swings towards them, his hands and feet glowing.


    The formless des entered through the Lion''s mid air and exited from the other end countless times ¨C leaving no visible mark or wound.


    Simultaneously, Liam ducked underneath them, his body parallel to the ground as his des flickered against the gurgling beasts.


    Suddenly, the lions plopped to where Liam was, their bodies diced in countless bloodied pieces ¨C the magma in their throats swallowed by the grass.


    Liam took a second to inspect the state of his des after using its special ability.


    ''It got a bit worn down from just one usage¡­ but it''s deadly nheless.'' He thought, before regrouping with Lloyd and the rest.


    Finally, after an hour of constant battle, the tide of Rank-2 lions stopped ¨C giving the cultivators a moment of respite.


    The battlefield was covered with severed, charred and bloodied lion corpses, mixed with melted human parts. Even the air was several degrees higher than normal, causing everyone to sweat buckets.


    Liam was the first to sit cross-legged and replenish his ''Ora'' reserves ¨C uncaring of his surroundings.


    ''I''m close to breaking through. I can feel it! Just a little bit more.''


    He looked slightly pale from using the spell, but his condition looked a lot better than his first time.


    The others seeing him do so decided to replenish their own cores as well.


    Both the men and women of his group saw Liam in a different light, respect visible in their eyes.


    "Kid¡­ to think you''re a magus at this age. I could even feel your pressure as we fought. No wonder¡­"


    Emma praised, before strangely stopping ¨C shaking her head and shifting her focus to cultivation.


    Liam raised a brow, but the hair on his skin abruptly rose.


    A deep rumbling grew louder, violent tremors shaking the ground.


    "Get ready for the next tide! Don''t get caught out and stick together," Lloydmanded, readying his swords.


    Liam forced out a long breath, tightening the grip on his des while the pressure on his surroundings increased.


    ROAR!


    Thunderous roars bellowed within the des, and the Rank-3 Lava Lions emerged.


    Roughly 3.5 meters in length and 2 meters wide, the Lion''s burst from the treeline ¨C donning various hues of orange and ck fur that extended past their zing manes.


    Most paled at their sheer numbers, but their expressions turned serious as they readied their weapons - their hands slightly trembling.

 Chapter 49: Regret

    <h4>Chapter 49: Regret</h4>


    The sun was at its zenith, casting shadows that danced across the des ¨C disying a vicious battle between man and beast.


    Rank-3 Lion''s were disturbingly more ferocious than its predecessor. Its innate abilities grew substantially, able to manipte its magma to shoot in short orrge quantities ¨C and even coat their bodies with it.


    They charged.


    Lloyd stood his ground ¨C his group closely behind him, awaiting orders. He instantly sheathed his des and tensed his hands.


    Wind gathered on his palms, whirring violently before taking the form of a wind-made spear.


    He exchanged a nod with one of the fire elementals in his group, before shifting his focus back to the rushing lions, roaring violently and swarming all around them.


    Assuming a throwing form, he hurled the spears, just as his subordinateunched a burst of fire to coat those attacks.


    The spears burst with mes, gaining a boost of speed. It continued until piercing one, two, three lions and eventually exploding. It would''ve continued for longer, but one of the lions vomited a wall of magma that blocked its trajectory.


    Nheless, the lions were incapacitated, and Lloyd instantly shot forward with his team ¨C sending whirring shes of wind.


    Liam had a split second to admire that move, but heaved a deep breath and worked on finishing off the maimed beasts with him.


    Slowly, the tides of the battle favored the valiant cultivators. Although the spell casters in the back looked pale and tired, they constantly used elixirs and pills to replenish their mental energy¡­ but it was slowly running out.


    For the majority of the sh, the beasts were incapacitated long enough from the spells, for the weapon wielders to finish them off.


    Although this tactic worked at the start of the fight, the Lava Lions were cunning. They all backed off simultaneously and used long ranged attacks - mainly streams of magma.


    They needed to end the battle soon.


    Meanwhile, the cultivators continued to chip away at the Rank-3''s ¨C the horde was visibly getting pushed back, and the battle was seemingly bing one sided.


    The cultivators continued pushing them back further and further, with Lloyd''s group in the lead. Eventually, the peak Rank-3 Lion''s emerged, which required the group leaders to work together in taking them down.


    Liam''s body was drenched with sweat and blood while he panted heavily, and the same went for Yannis. Lloyd and Emma were tired too, just a little less than the rest.


    During the battle, Lloyd was forced to use his spells to cover for his group, showing off the destructive and precise capabilities of the wind element. Using the same spells multiple times made him pale, but he didn''t look weak.


    ''I''m close to the breakthrough, I can feel it.'' Liam thought, his body feeling heavier by the second while his face was pale. His des never stopped moving from the moment the sh started.


    Roars, battle cries and metallic sounds vibrated through the air.


    Finally, the Lava Lions slowly regressed back into the tree line, and smiles spread on everyone''s faces.


    They were about to roar in triumphal victory, but their expressions turned grave just a secondter.


    Liam frowned, retracting his consciousness just before¡ª


    An explosive roar tore through the entire region, popping the ear drums of nearly all the cultivators within the forest.


    Liam barely covered his ears right before the roar, but they still got maimed.


    His insides shook uncontrobly due to the mighty sound waves vibrating through him ¡ª with his mental sphere feeling like it cracked due to the mountainous pressure.


    The Rank-4 lion emerged from the horizon, taking slow, prideful steps as it did so.


    Its molten pupils reflected pure pride and strength. Its presence alone was daunting, like a mountain. If the dragon from Liam''s childhood had the sky as it''s domain, the ground was certainly the lion''s.


    Ripples of heat naturally exuded from its figure, causing the air to vibrate and shake. Not to mention soar in degrees.


    It seemed as though time had slowed.


    Liam couldn''t move a muscle. The previous roar had caused his body to spasm and quiver. Yet, there was an unexinable dread that caused him to freeze.


    Lloyd was a short distance away. He looked just a little better off than Liam, but veins bulged on his neck as he tried to stay conscious.


    Behind him, Emma and Yannis were doing strangely well ¨C as Emma had just conjured up a thick wall of rock for cover, but had a protective shield surrounding her and Yannis'' body.


    Liam felt his life sh before his eyes. There was no fear in him, just solemn regret ¨C of not aplishing what he dreamt of. Of not touching the stars. Of not doing enough. Of being weak.


    "Beast!"


    Abruptly, a single syble thundered from above ¨C the voice of which was deep with a trace of excitement.


    It came from a tanned, broad shouldered man, floating in the air and donning a blue robe ¨C failing to hide his bulging muscles.


    His blonde hair was styled to a military cut, while his menacing green eyes were fixed on the towering beast.


    A disturbing grin formed on the tanned man''s face.


    The man tensed his arms, causing it to sputter with a flicker of me. The tiny wisp of me steadily grew to the size of a small building, taking the shape of a zing fist ¨C ring violently.


    Liam''s strength returned to him, and so did his senses. He instantly activated the fleeting foot spell, every muscle in his body working at full strength to run away.


    "Let''s see who''s fire burns greater!"


    The two arms collided with the Rank-4 beast, who roared again in response.


    BOOM!


    Liam was sent flying. His entire body scorched, and his consciousness hanging on by a flimsy thread. At the same time, an awful pain suddenly assaulted his feet.


    Liam creaked his neck to look at the source of pain, finding a rocky spear tip lodged between each of his tendons. Before his vision faded, he nced at Emma, who held the spear the tip belonged to ¨C a wry look on her face as she picked Yannis up and ran away.


    Liam''s body tumbled down a dark but familiar canyon, the bottom of which looked like an endless abyss.

 Chapter 50: Epiphany

    <h4>Chapter 50: Epiphany</h4>


    Liam''s limp and charred body crashed onto the rocky surface of the canyon walls, hitting one rock after another.


    Sharp stones protruding from the rocky surface shed his skin and wounded it even more.


    He tumbled deeper, and deeper, and deeper, until finally, there was a slightly t surface that he bluntlynded on ¨C leading to a small hole inside the wall which he rolled into.


    Liam''s unconscious figure was a bloody pulp, his head was burnt entirely ¨C making him bald, pieces of his hair mangled with his charred skin ¨C his knees had broken during the fall too.


    There was nothing covering his naked body, as the clothes had all caught fire during the earlier attack.


    The only thing that indicated he wasn''t dead was his weak, beating heart.


    Hourster, he awoke, eyes flickering open and close.


    ''I''m alive.''


    Was his first thought, amidst the excruciating, slow pain that washed over him.


    He used the remaining strength in his arms to pull himself towards the cave wall, his body sore and heavy.


    He painfully looked towards his hand, and his rings were fortunately still intact ¨C though his fingers were bent in unnatural angles.


    ''I can make it out alive.''


    Was his second thought, but even thinking was painful.


    There were plenty of provisions stored in his ring, and he had multiple Jades he could use to contact Lloyd or Revel ¨C though he doubted his luck was that great.


    He then inspected the state of his body, and found it to be slowly healing. He instantly took out the two revitalization-pills from his ring and swallowed them.


    Strength grew in his body, and a few of his most serious wounds healed ¨C including his ears ¨C but not nearly enough for him to make a full recovery.


    His knees were still broken, rendering him unable to venture out, thus, he simply sat inside the small but empty cave, absorbing minute amounts of ''Ora'' to speed up his regeneration.


    The density of world essence was a bit higher than the surface, but he wasn''t in a state to find out more.


    He took a look into his mental sphere, and the translucent barrier''s state was poor to say the least ¨C multiple small cracks on its surface.


    Over time, his hearing returnedpletely ¨C howls, chittering, and every other kind of noise entered his ears.


    ''If I fell anywhere else, I would''ve been dead by now.''


    He thought as he continued to absorb ''Ora'', and his mind drifted back to the fight he witnessed with the Rank-4 beast and the patriarch of a noble n. The might of it, the scale of it.


    That, and Emma''s betrayal. Liam knew there was something wrong with her ¨C she looked too noble to be a fighter in the peasantry, not to mention he had never seen her, or her sister.


    Violent thoughts bubbled in his mind. They both needed to die.


    He sat there in dark silence, and an epiphany dawned on him.


    ¡­


    "I''m nothing."


    He uttered under his breath, his expression covered by a cloak of darkness.


    During the sh between the beast and the patriarch, Liam wasn''t even nced at. He was simply an ant, trampled on by beings of a higher power.


    He thought back to how fearful he truly became ¨C how his entire body shook at the sight of that giant Lion. As momentary as it was, he still felt shame remembering it.


    He realized how weak he truly was, both physically and mentally.


    ''My will, my ambition, my desire... it''s not enough. I need more.''


    His resolved green irises grew darker and his expression was strangely one of peace ¨C like a weight had been taken off his shoulders.


    A newyer of insatiable greed and bloodlust had formed within him. He felt as though there was nothing he wouldn''t do for his new goal.


    ''I won''t die here, not until I''ve be the strongest.'' He hadn''t forgotten about the word celestial for a moment.


    Unbeknownst to him, an entire week had passed as his mind drifted, while he subconsciously absorbed ''Ora'' into his body and ate small amounts of food.


    Suddenly, a pleasant change urred.


    Liam''s pores pushed out gobs of ck, pus-like filth, and his broken knees and bones slowly started to reform and straighten. Any scars or wounds on his body had dissipated ¨C turning into a healed scar ¨C while his skin grew a smooth pearly shade.


    The countless wounds he had umted slowly turned into nourishment during his seclusion, which pushed his body to the third rank.


    Underneath his skin, the membrane seemed to thicken ¨C which was the ability that stored pain and converted it to strength uponmand.


    Liam felt his strength blooming like a rose ¨C but a sudden change to his lower body grabbed his panicked attention.


    A small, marble-sized orb had formed right under his navel, and it naturally absorbed ''Ora'' at an astounding speed!


    The world essence pouring into his body was ten times denser than normal.


    "Wait... is that my core?" He uttered under his breath, his eyes widening in shock.


    ''Ora'' automatically entered it and nourished his entire body at the same time. That, coupled with his Rank-3 body gave him an indescribable feeling of vigor ¨C making him forget most of the pain he felt a moment earlier.


    ''What about my element?''


    Liam attempted to take out a strand of ''Ora'' from his core, but couldn''t do so.


    ''As expected. I''ll need a cultivation technique from now on. I can''t wait to get back to Lloyd and tell him about it.''


    Liam hoped his teacher was safe, but he knew Lloyd was strong enough to survive.


    He spent another week repairing the cracks on his mental sphere using his mental energy and resting properly, before deciding it was time to explore.


    He took one step outside the cave, and blood drained from his already pale face.


    All around him, different types of darkness magical beasts flew around the canyon gorge.


    Night Bats, Death Owls, Darkness Pythons, and even gue Rats were some of the few beasts he was able to spot ¨C and name, no less.


    He looked up, and the crack was nowhere to be seen. The idea of climbing upwards was automatically thrown away, since there were no handholds to climb with ¨C especially since there were hundreds of Rank-3 Night Bats flying above.


    Trails of corrosive smoke followed their flight, and they had three, red beady eyes instead of two.


    He creaked his neck to look below, finding an endless abyss of darkness not even his senses could prate through.


    ''Welp.''

 Chapter 51: Abyss

    <h4>Chapter 51: Abyss</h4>


    Liam muttered every curse word he knew. Under his breath of course, lest the countless blood-hungry animals find him.


    The beasts flew in packs and were all nearly in the third Rank, with one ¨C the leader ¨C being in the peak.


    There seemed to be an entire ecosystem living under the canyon gorge, in which different magical beasts had their own territory within the enclosed space, in simr caves like his own.


    Shrill noises and roars, both distant and near constantly entered his ears, and it seemed like the magical beasts were in a constant state of battle.


    He entered back into the cave ¨C plugging the entrance with a thin wall of mud ¨C and took out his des from his ring.


    His quick thinking allowed him to store his weapons before the explosion.


    The katana and wakizashi were still in good shape, which gave Liam a bit of hope of survival.


    ''The beasts here are way stronger, and all of them have the darkness element...''


    It wasn''t difficult for him to know why.


    Magical beasts lived and evolved in areas that corresponded to their element.


    For example, water elementals would live in ces near rivers or ocean beds, fire type beasts near ces with a higher heat intensity, etc.


    A dark environment naturally invited darkness elementals to live in.


    Liam sat cross-legged and examined his new organ thoroughly.


    With the dense world essence surrounding him, his core rapidly absorbed gaseous ''Ora''. The core was unique in the sense that, in each stage, the state of ''Ora'' inside changed. The first stage was gaseous, the second, liquid, and the final stage, solid.


    With the issue of low ''Ora'' reserves was automatically solved ¨C since he could use his martial art forms excessively without the fear of running out ¨C he smiled.


    Not to mention, he could naturally strengthen his body, too.


    ''There''s also my element I need to find out about. I can''t afford to die here.''


    Heaving a calm breath, he took out his Jade and attempted to call Lloyd.


    Despite him pouring ''Ora'' into the device, nothing happened. He attempted the same thing with Revel''s Jade, but got the same result.


    ''It could be since I''m so far and underground.''


    Shrugging, he threw the Jade''s back inside the ring.


    Peeking outside his small cave, Liam decided to survey his surroundings before trying anything brash.


    Moreover, the gorge was incredibly deep, and his senses screamed danger from the abyss.


    Whatever it was, Liam''s picture of what could be under thatyer of shadows grew more ominous the more he thought about it.


    That aside, there were caves like his further down, and even horizontally, giving him a method to traverse the canyon.


    Downward caves were wider, but from what Liam saw, housed even stronger magical beasts.


    ''The ''Ora'' density is definitely thicker further down.'' He realized, judging by the strength and numbers of the beasts below him.


    ''I''ll have to be careful if I move between caves, those bats and owls can hurt me mid air.''


    Liam''s only option to traverse between the caves was to jump towards them, since there weren''t any footholds.


    ''I can''t fall behind on my training either. I might as well use the time I have here to grow stronger.''


    He took out the Psionic Rune and began using it.


    Strangely, the pressure was even less than before. Not enough to avoid getting a migraine, just a less severe one.


    ''Is it because of the Rank 4 Lava Lion''s roar? I guess there''s a silver lining in everything.''


    Because of his mental sphere''s ability to withstand more pressure, he was able to increase his time with the Psionic Rune by half an hour, totaling out to two & a half.


    He didn''t use it for that long, though, limiting himself to just one hour. He needed to be in perfect condition to fight against the beasts underground.


    With that, Liam decided it was time for rest.


    A few hourster, his cave wall burst open, and a dozen, 3-meter long Rank 3 bats screeched as theyid their blood red eyes on him.


    Liam cursed as he jolted awake and instantly took out his des, assuming a passive stance and waiting for the bats to engage him first.


    One after the other, the bats screeched and dense, corrosive smoke spewed out from their mouths and shot at him.


    Liam had limited space to evade within that small cave, and parts of his flesh had been swallowed by the ck smoke, while he used his des to cover the rest of the attacks.


    At the same time, some of the bats decided to fly into his cave for a closer attack, but that was exactly the moment Liam was looking for.


    The membrane under his muscles had stored those feelings of pain, glowing fervently the more his body was damaged, and with a thought, Liam activated its special ability.


    The glowing membrane vibrated for a moment and lost its glow, but an addicting feeling of strength came over Liam.


    His de shed, and streaks of dark blood flew in the air ¨C bat corpses thudded on the ground beneath him. Among those dead bats were even middle and upper tier Rank 3''s.


    Liam''s arms didn''t have much difficulty with running his de through a Rank 3 magical beast anymore. As he fought, his lips curved to form a grin.


    Knowing they couldn''t beat him in close range, the Night Bats cleverly kept their distance, continuously shooting ethereal balls of smoke.


    Liam frowned, but he still had a way of reaching the bats.


    ''Third form. Equinox.''


    His des glowed with an iridescent light, and two bright arcs shot out and cut the bats'' wings, briefly illuminating the pitch-ck surroundings.


    Although the ''Ora'' he infused with his attacks were much purer and dense, his martial art was still Rank 2, and he couldn''t express his core''s true potential.


    More and more arcs followed, and the bats had no way of keeping themselves afloat, falling into the endless abyss.


    Liam heaved a slight breath, before his gaze fell on the bat corpses around him.


    Rank 3 bodies came with more digestive capabilities.


    ''My provisions will end soon. I''ll have to get... creative.''


    Liam skinned the bats and removed their cores, leaving only the ck flesh.


    Gulping, he chomped down on the raw meat ¨C his stomach hurled at the disgusting taste, but he forced down the nauseous feeling and continued chewing.


    If it came to survival, there was nothing Liam wouldn''t do.

 Chapter 52: Pack

    <h4>Chapter 52: Pack</h4>


    Using the bats'' hairy bodies, Liam weaved together a long ck robe, covering him from shoulder to shin. It was roughly made and impractical, but somehow, aesthetically pleasing.


    ''It''ll do for now.'' He thought, before assessing his circumstances.


    ''Right now, I''m in the Night Bats'' territory. Further along are the Death Owls and gue Rats... I need to explore this ce horizontally and find out what to do.''


    Liam''s stern gaze fell towards the abyss.


    ''Going down is inevitable. I''ll need to prepare for it.''


    With a n in mind, Liam spent the following days jumping from cave to cave, all the while, the threat of magical beasts never relented.


    He killed beast after beast, and each cave he went into was infested with dozens of them. His battle prowess naturally increased, and he made sure not to fall behind in training his mental sphere.


    In the span of two weeks, he passed by the territories of the gue Rats, Darkness Python''s and Death Owls ¨C moving forward.


    Over time, he got used to the taste of raw meat. He didn''t even gag or wretch anymore when he ate them.


    His previously scorched hair started to grow as well, eventually growing long enough to reach his eyeline - resembling an undercut parted in the middle.


    However, his green eyes took on a bestial look. Living with magical beasts for so long had its effects.


    Nheless, Liam''s appearance was the least of his worries, since despite two weeks passing by and hundreds of meters traversed, he was unable to find anything useful to help him escape.


    Liam shook his head.


    ''I''ve done nothing but kill beasts and jump from one cave to another like a monkey. Repeating the same thing for another week isn''t wise.''


    His steeled gaze shifted towards the abyss once more.


    ''If I can''t go up... I''ll need to go down.''


    His intent had been set, and without dy, he slowly but steadily began to descend, choosing the easiest magical beast types for him to deal with on the way.


    He was forced to use the Fleeting Foot spell a few times during his journey, since the packs lower down were much more powerful and higher in number.


    Using the spell didn''t give him drawbacks anymore. Repeated usage, however, was bound to cause negative effects.


    It took another week to get closer and closer to the abyss, though the process was slow, Liam had to rest after clearing a single beast pack.


    Once he got close enough, he realized the ''abyss'' he saw was actually a screen of thick, dark smoke, blocking his mental energy from piercing through it.


    Before carelessly jumping through the screen, he threw a Night Bat corpse at it, paying close attention to any changes.


    The dead bat plummeted and submerged itself within the darkness ¨C Liam caught a glimpse of its body being visibly corroded, before he lost sight of itpletely.


    ''There''s no other option but to endure the smoke and climb down.''


    Liam frowned, but took out his katana and wakizashi nheless.


    A momentter, he used them as a piton to climb into the corrosive smoke, holding his breath.


    It felt as though his entire body was being dipped in acid, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to climb downwards.


    He obviously closed his eyes to avoid being blinded, and used his mental waves to assess when to open them.


    An entire minute had passed with him in that state, before he finally felt the smoke dissipate.


    Before he could catch his breath, loud sounds of wings pping entered his ears.


    His eyes widened in shock as they witnessed a giant Rank 4 Night Bat flying towards him ¡ª a considerable distance away, but with its maws wide open.


    Liam didn''t let the fear paralyze him, not likest time. His mental energy spread instantly, brushing against the terrain for a foothold.


    He seemed to be at the top of a dungeon ¨C where the canyon gorge intersected with the rough, jagged ceiling.


    Wing pping noises grew louder ¨C Liam''s heart pumped like an engine, the noises syncing with each other.


    His narrowed eyes spotted a small alcove, just big enough for him to fit in.


    He could feel the Night Bat - which was 6 metersrge and, with its wings unfurled, spanned more than 15 meters - behind him. A trail of smog followed its trajectory, corroding the stone it brushed against.


    Liam cocked his thighs - every one of his muscles bulging - then propelled himself at the alcove at an incredible speed ¨C the sweat on his face dragged away from just how fast he was.


    He collided with the cave, cracking his shoulder, but just a secondter, the giant bat flew past him ¨C a tiny wisp of its smoke entering the space he upied.


    That tiny ck wisp fell on his foot and instantly consumed a chunk of his flesh before dissipating.


    Liam bit on his lip to suppress his shout, grunting in pain.


    Panting heavily, he took out a bit of rat hide to cover the oozing wound with, before he started to absorb ''Ora'' from his surroundings.


    The world essence was much more dense in that space, and ''Ora'' naturally nourished his body.


    That chunk of consumed flesh started to heal, pieces of tissue squirming and conjoining to form new muscles. His shoulder was still cracked, but thankfully, they would reform over time.


    After calming down, he decided to peer down from the cavity and survey his surroundings properly.


    His eyes widened inplete shock.


    An incredibly vast, uneven dungeon floor met his incredulous eyes. Dark stone pirs rose from its scarred and battle worn surface, upon which a few Rank 4 Night Bats and Death Owls perched upon.


    On the ground, Elephants, Lizards, Panthers and even Crocodiles lived in their own habitats, but strangely, they co-existed with one another and didn''t infringe on each other''s territories.


    That didn''t necessarily mean they weren''t hostile to different species, judging by their powerful growls and hisses vibrating through the air.


    All were in the fourth Rank, and had the same element of darkness. From what Liam could see, there were more than a dozen Rank 4 beasts¡­ in each pack.


    Some looked bigger than others, meaning they were even in different stages.


    Overall, the area was bigger than Udd and the Undergroundbined. And further along, wererge passages, covered with veils of darkness which Liam''s mortal eyes couldn''t see past.


    Within the very center of the entire wide in, was a giant pit, exuding a faint yellow light. Dense ''Ora'' vapor visibly oozed from it, and from where Liam was, he couldn''t see the bottom.

 Chapter 53: Years

    <h4>Chapter 53: Years</h4>


    Liam cursed countless times in his mind, forcing himself to calm down. Still, paranoia and dread would whisper in his ears.


    His will and ambition were merely ideaspared to a Zenith ranked magical beast, and there were countless of them before his eyes.


    Heaving a shaky sigh, he sat cross-legged in cultivation.


    Liam noticed how even the Zeniths didn''t approach the pit. If that was the case, there was bound to be an even stronger being down there.


    The source of dense ''Ora'' pointed him to that conclusion. Magical beasts and other creatures naturally flocked to locations where they could absorb purer world essence ¨C increasing their numbers and strength simultaneously.


    Liam grimaced, his meditation hardly one of peace.


    ''I''m pretty much fu¡ª''


    "Oi!"


    A voice called out from outside Liam''s cave, causing him to scowl.


    ''Someone else?''


    Liam peeked over the corner, spotting a dark figure waving at him on a simr cavity to his own.


    "Over here!" He whisperingly shouted, unfurling arge rope and throwing it at Liam ¨C who instantly grabbed it.


    Upon closer inspection, the rope had a sharp tip, which could firmly root itself to stone. It was even inscribed.


    "Quick, before those bloody bats spot us!"


    Liam hesitated, but the sounds of wings pping made him erase any doubt.


    He stabbed the tip on the ground before traversing the rope with wide strides ¨C arriving at the figure''s side, just enough to see his face.


    It was a middle-aged man, with ck eyes, a scarred face, and long, unkempt hair ¨C rough skinned, as though corroded and healed repeatedly.


    He wore a tight ck robe, made from a simr material as Liam''s own. A ck ring wrapped around his index indicated his status as a cultivator.


    The two stood on a hollow ledge, but behind the man, was a circr tunnel that steeped downwards.


    "I knew it! The array alerted me of something other than a beast!" The man beamed, grabbing Liam by the shoulders. "Young man, you''re a cultivator, right?"


    Liam nodded firmly, waving aside the man''s hands.


    "Who are you? How''d you get here?"


    The man took a step back and shook his head.


    "I''ve been down here for so long I''ve forgotten my manners¡­ the name''s Kirk Hoist. And this ce?" Kirk paused, his face turning dark.


    "...Is despair."


    Liam scowled.


    "I''ll exin. But first, let''s get somewhere¡­ safe," Kirk gestured for Liam to follow him down the incline. "If there''s any chance of us getting out of here alive, we''ll have to work together. What''s your Rank?"


    Liam briefly assessed the tunnel they were in. It was raw and uneven, but long ¨C it would take years of work to build a simr tunnel by hand, that is, without the use of spells or magical abilities.


    As they continued, tremors shook the tunnels, causing rubble and dust to fall over the two.


    "Rank 3 body, Rank 1 core, Rank 1 sea of consciousness," Liam spoke after a short pause. "What''s with the tremors?"


    Kirk''s eyes widened ¨C both in joyous surprise and simr shock. "Good, good! That makes you a Rank 1 middle stage cultivator, then. Though, how you''re at that stage at such a young age makes me question things."


    The ranking of a cultivator depended on all three of his centers of power.


    For example, a Rank 2 magus with a Rank 2 body and a peak Rank 1 core, would be a peak Rank 1 cultivator ¨C but the rankings could vary depending on which stage each center of power was.


    However, the cultivator''s capabilities and strength could not be measured by ranks alone. They were more or less urate estimations ¨C the rest depended on spells, techniques and third party abilities.


    "I myself am at the peak of Rank 1. I wish I put a little more effort into cultivation¡­ but my noble status truly spoiled me."


    Kirk''s exnation caused Liam a bit of relief.


    ''If he tries to fight me, killing him won''t be impossible. I doubt he''s as proficient with the de as I am, too.''


    Liam didn''t leave any possibility out. Repeating the cycle of killing, eating and training undoubtedly had him on edge.


    Still, how a noble ended up in such a situation didn''t really make sense.


    "About the tremors, Rank 4 Devourer Moles live underneath these grounds. Cursed things have copsed my tunnels more than I can count, making me relocate each time. They can sense the slightest vibrations, so I need to go slow each time I form a tunnel. I''m of the Earth element, by the way. You?"


    Liam shrugged. "Don''t know. Haven''t found out yet."


    Kirk looked a bit disappointed, letting out a soft sigh.


    At the tunnel''s end, a small circr entrance grew visible.


    The pair entered with Kirk in the lead, and Liam had the chance to assess his surroundings.


    Simr to a noble''s manor, the space ¨C which was roughly the size of arge living room ¨C was furnished with tables and chairs made of rock.


    It smelled absolutely rancid, but then again, there was no water to wash themselves with ¨C Liam himself smelled like a dead dog carcass.


    "It''s safe. This is one of the corners of the underground." Kirk reassured.


    Liam nodded and slightly untensed.


    "How long have you been here?"


    Kirk smiled wryly with a sigh, dragging a chair and sitting on it.


    "Two years."

 Chapter 54: Spells

    <h4>Chapter 54: Spells</h4>


    Liam tried to suppress a look of shock from appearing on his face, yet he failed to do so.


    Kirk lowered his tone as he exined. "This ''abyss'' is a home for hundreds of Rank 4 darkness magical beasts,"


    "I don''t know how or why they all gather here, or why they don''t fight against one another¡­ it''s way too strange. They even breed abnormally in order to increase their numbers, then viciously eat each other to grow stronger."


    "Whatever it is, my theory¡­ is that it has something to do with that ''Ora'' mine in the center."


    Liam raised a brow. "What''s an ''Ora'' mine?"


    "It''s where ''Ora'' Stones start to form, the purest and most basic form of it. There are multiple ways for ''Ora'' to form, starting with the gaseous form, then liquid, then solid ¨C the best state it coulde in."


    "''Ora'' mines are invaluable locations, and owning a mine half the size of that pit, you would automatically be able to fund arge-sized family. Even an ''Ora'' Well could have the same results ¨C the liquid version of an ''Ora'' mine."


    "They have incredibly pure and dense world essence in them, and can produce up to 500 thousand or up to 1 million ''Ora'' stones if mined." Kirk rified. "For all I know, it might rival the ''Ora'' mines the Royals of Echoria might have!"


    Liam was a bit taken aback, his face growing pensive.


    There was no way a noble family, evenrge-sized, would be allowed to seize that big a mine for themselves. Not just because of the zeniths surrounding it, but the politics and rules that it came with.


    Either way, he wasn''t interested in those things. What worried him was how the beasts didn''t get close to the pit.


    Liam shook his head. "What else can you tell me?"


    Kirk''s face grew stern. "I''ve been spending my time here building awork of tunnels and passageways towards that ''Ora'' mine ¨C at least, those that haven''t copsed.


    "Whatever it is, it could lead us to a way out of this ce¡­ or lead to our deaths. Either way, it''s the only option we currently have."


    Liam frowned. "How close are you to the ''Ora'' mine?"


    Kirk sighed. "Not close at all. Tunneling takes too much time, and I have to be extremely careful as I do it, too."


    Liam inwardly clicked his tongue. "Is there any way to continue the rest of the journey on foot after the nearest tunnel?"


    Kirk was a bit taken aback, as though not expecting that answer.


    "Well... yes, but that would take more than a few months to pull off. There are a few routes I''ve marked that have the lowest number of threats ¨C both physical and environmental, but we''ll need to time, and execute it perfectly."


    Liam paused for a moment, then nodded.


    "That''s what we''ll do then. Tunneling would take too long, and it''s riskier than going onnd because of the moles."


    "What spells or techniques do you have? There''s no point in keeping them for yourself at this point, you''ll have a much better chance of survival if you share them with me."


    Kirk chuckled, perhaps the first time in years.


    "Cheeky, aren''t you?" He teased, before taking out a few scrolls from his ring.


    "I have four spells with me at the moment, and one of them is an earth specific spell. You can use this chance to see if you have the same element as me."


    Liam instantly grabbed the scrolls and began to memorize their diagrams eagerly, hiding a smile from appearing on his face.


    At the same time, he brought out his Fleeting Foot spell and handed it to Kirk. He wanted to maximize the chances of survival, and he had to fight back his greedy instincts to keep the spell for himself.


    Nheless, Kirk had given him three, while he only gave one in return. It was a fair thing to do.


    Kirk nodded in return, grabbing the scroll.


    "You can use that free room if you''d like," Kirk pointed at a make-shift door made of solid stone. "I''ll be on my own. Let me know if you need anything."


    Liam nodded, entering the small space and memorizing the spells.


    The three spells fit Liam''s needs like a glove. They were all in the first rank, but had useful functions.


    The first was called ''Thicken'' ¨C a defensive spell which briefly thickened the mental sphere walls in case of a mental attack. It used a good amount of mental energy, but in his case, it was worth it.


    ''If one of those Rank 4 beasts roar or screech, with this, it won''t shatter my mental sphere... from a distance, at least.'' Liam thought with satisfaction. He didn''t dare underestimate a zenith''s abilities.


    On the other hand, ''Lethality Mantle'' was an enhancing spell that had the ability to coat the user''s de with a membrane of sharpness using mental energy.


    Its usage of mental energy wasn''t that much, but it required a constant amount to work.


    Without a doubt, it would bolster his battle prowess against beasts of the third Rank.


    Lastly, the bodily spell ''Cartge Brace'', used ''Ora'' and mental energy to briefly thicken his already strengthened bones, granting him a defensive crutch to use in times of danger.


    Liam''s mental sphere was his greatest strength, and even though the spells required high amounts of mental energy if used together, he was able to do so briefly.


    Furthermore, Liam realized he wasn''t of the Earth element, since the elemental spell didn''t work when he used it.


    ''That''s fine. I''m happy with any element at this point.''


    Liam''s eyes flickered with the stubborn me of willpower, and the ruthless resolve for survival.


    ''I''ll live. I''ll survive.''

 Chapter 55: Territory

    <h4>Chapter 55: Territory</h4>


    Liam spent a week learning theyout of tunnels that Kirk had made throughout the years, as well as keeping in touch with his training schedule.


    Resembling an ants nest, thework of tunnels connected to different parts of the abyss. Those closer towards the center had already copsed, and only through avoiding magical beast habitats did Kirk sessfully tunnel deeper.


    Kirk had spent nearly two years in the Abyss, which gave him strange habits ¨C like muttering to himself or chuckling under his breath at random times.


    Such behavior was understandable¡­ for the normal person.


    Although two years in seclusion was something torturous for the normal person to go through, Liam found peace in solitude, and spent the majority of his first life alone.


    Nheless, Liam didn''t pay it much heed and focused on the journey at hand, training his mental sphere and nourishing his body.


    Furthermore, he was finally able to eat cooked food, since Kirk created a makeshift bonfire using sticks and stones. They couldn''t heat it for too long, though, in fear of any of the beasts having some sort of heat sensing ability.


    Liam couldn''t help but remember his mother''s face when he ate ¨C two weeks of him being away caused her stress, but it had been more than two months that Liam spent underground.


    ''She probably thinks I''m dead now.''


    Tremors constantly echoed throughout their dwelling, seemingly growing stronger as time passed. Or closer.


    Thankfully, it was time to leave the underground once and for all.


    Liam and Kirk spent roughly two weeks sketching out a n ¨C marking the best routes and least riskiest methods of traversal.


    "From what I''ve seen, the elephants and crocodiles are much more docilepared to the lizards and panthers. They naturally ooze huge amounts of dark smoke from their giant bodies, but our path should be more or less far away from them." Kirk exined, looking at a detailed map made of beast hide.


    "Granted, peak Rank 3 Elephants and Crocodiles have infested that route. We''ll need to act swift and silently."


    Liam nodded in response.


    The threat of beasts wasn''t actually what worried them, but the possibility of being found out by the zenith Ranked monsters did.


    A night''s rest allowed the pair to bring their bodies to peak condition ¨C granted, the constant tremors didn''t do much for their sleep.


    The next day, Liam''s eyes emitted a focused pressure ¨C devoid of fear or any unnecessary emotion.


    Kirk was no different ¨C the promise of freedom after such a torturous period made him look much more menacing than the average noble.


    "You ready?" Kirk asked.


    Liam heaved a soft sigh and firmly nodded.


    The two exchanged an understanding look, before they entered a different tunnel, slowly walking towards freedom¡­ or death.


    ***


    Quakes echoed throughout the dark underground passages Kirk and Liam traversed through, causing small amounts of rubble and dust to fall at them from above.


    The Abyss was huge, and after walking an entire day, they had finally reached the end of the narrow tunnel.


    Kirk exchanged a knowing look with Liam.


    A momentter, Kirk made a series of gestures, an exit slowly starting to form ¨C the dark stone was slowly being peeledyer byyer, until finally, they were able to leave through it and assess their surroundings.


    Ethereal dark vapor naturally floated around them like rivers ¨C intersecting with each other to create awork of streams ¨C and towards their right, monstrous sized elephants rested not too far away.


    Their giant bodies were cloaked in shadow, while ck smoke bellowed from their trunks ¨C enveloping their habitats. They resembled small hills amongst the vastness of the Abyss floor.


    Liam and Kirk''s path had been closest to a corner of the underground, which was also why the lower ranked beasts lived there ¨C they were merely their underlings.


    Dozens of the same species of elephant blocked their path up ahead. Their bodies were twice the size of a normal elephant, but their aura wasn''t nearly as powerful as a Rank 4 beast.


    Kirk and Liam carefully avoided the corrosive ck gas, but an encounter with the beasts was inevitable.


    Thankfully, they came prepared.


    An unfortunate elephant that blocked their path suddenly felt its feet absorbed into the ground, rendering it unable to move.


    Its trunk curled up as it attempted to shout and alert its pack leaders, yet a shadow blurred towards it, severing its organ.


    Not a momentter, a sharp pain pierced its brain, killing it instantly.


    Liam was satisfied, but his stern face didn''t express it.


    He had used Lethality Mantle to coat his des with sharpness, which allowed for his de to easily run through even a peak Rank 3 beast. He didn''t even have to use his des'' special ability.


    Kirk''s earth aptitude proved to be extremely useful for the two ¨C since he could manipte the terrain and create a slow but steady advance.


    Like so, the process repeated itself, with no major threat appearing to either of them.


    Strangely, the two worked well together, with Kirk focusing on subduing the beasts, and Liam finishing them off.


    Another week passed, with the pair growing exhausted and requiring rest.


    Kirk spent a good part of the day slowly but silently creating a cavity underground ¨C which they were to spend the night in.


    With the ''Ora'' Mine growing closer, the density of ''Ora'' around them grew by at least tenfold.


    "We should be close to leaving their territory now. We just have to get through the Crocodile region and then make our way into the pit." Kirk said, chewing a roasted piece of meat.


    Liam nodded, forcefully gulping down a mouthful of food.


    A momentter, the pair went to sleep.

 Chapter 56: Nightmare

    <h4>Chapter 56: Nightmare</h4>


    Resting wasn''t peaceful.


    Violent tremors ¨C which grew in strength and duration as they made their way to the center ¨C jolted Liam awake.


    Kirk miraculously still slept.


    ''Toox.''


    Right as he thought that, Liam suddenly felt what seemed like mental energy on his figure ¨C brushing over his body like a firm but gentle touch ¨C giving him the feeling of being watched.


    For a moment, he thought it was Kirk, dreaming and subconsciously using his mental waves ¨C but the man looked like he was going through a nightmare.


    Liam frowned. The mental energy disappeared just as fast as it had appeared.


    ''What¡­ was that?''


    Paranoia and doubt started to creep into Liam''s mind.


    ''Could there be¡­ someone else with us? Or am I imagining things?''


    Needless to say, Liam didn''t sleep the rest of the night ¨C on edge and tense.


    After feeling nourished enough ¨C thoughcking a good night''s rest ¨C they started their journey once more.


    Kirk noticed a change of expression on Liam''s face, but that could have meant anything.


    After a few more days of killing Elephants and resting in short intervals, they had finally entered the Crocodiles'' territory.


    The terrain had visibly changed.


    ckkes made from a murky liquid appeared all around them. Ripples would form under their surface now and again, and giant scaled Crocodiles would slowly edge across the surface.


    Their ck reptilian irises wouldn''t move, yet Liam and Kirk both felt like they were being watched by them.


    Between thekes, narrow paths presented themselves before them, like an isthmus, leading towards the pit.


    "My abilities are useless in this region," Kirk grimaced and whispered. "We''ll have to make a run for it and hope for the best..."


    Liam frowned, but there weren''t any suggestions from his side. The ckkes were another form of the darkness element, and his senses warned him of that danger ¨C especially from the Crocodiles'' side.


    Luckily, there were no beasts blocking that area, and the only threat was the Rank 4 beasts under theke.


    "Fine," Liam agreed. "We''ll start slow, though. If the crocodiles are alerted, just use the spell I gave you and we''ll bolt from there."


    Kirk nodded in agreement, and the two heaved a synchronized sigh.


    A momentter, they began to slowly tread through a narrow path, holding their breath despite the tense danger they felt.


    Kirk uttered to himself in a whispering tone: "You''ll live through this. You''ll live through this. You''ll live through this."


    The rough-skinned man felt much more scaredpared to Liam, despite being around Rank 4 beasts for much longer.


    After all, Liam had already died once, and it wasn''t death that scared him¡­ just the inability to aplish his dreams.


    They slowly walked along thend with seemingly no threat. Thekes were still, unmoving, and the atmosphere tense. Only slight ripples could be heard.


    SPLSHH!


    Suddenly, a monstrous crocodile emerged from theke, mming its tail against the body of water as it headed straight for the pair of invading humans.


    Before it even emerged, Liam and Kirk both dashed forward, their hands and feet glowing brightly, attracting even more crocodiles their way.


    Parts of the ck liquid fell on Liam''s shoulder, consuming a chunk of his flesh, yet he was too focused for it to be a hindrance.


    Sounds of liquid crashing violently apanied with loud thumps resounded through the Abyss, and even the other magical beasts were alerted.


    The pit was growing nearer and nearer, and the pair had never stopped running.


    Their mental energies were slowly being used, but they were too focused on escaping to be worried about it.


    Liam''s eyes widened as he witnessed a giant Crocodile body blocking their path in the distance.


    To his left, right, and behind, distant crocodiles swam through thekes to chase and pinch the pair.


    A dark emotion appeared in Kirk''s eyes, and resolve grew in his heart.


    The ''Ora'' Mine, freedom itself was a hair''s length away ¨C Kirk''s desperation grew to resolve. Two sickles appeared in his hands, and he shifted his head towards the young man ¨C intent on sacrifice.


    "I''m sorr-!"


    Yet before he could attack, a wakizashi swiped his eyes, blinding him.


    A momentter, any feeling in his hand disappeared, reced with excruciating anguish.


    It had been severed.


    Before he could scream, another wound formed on his chest ¨C his heart had been pierced.


    Kirk rolled to the ground, no longer able to run. The crocodiles from behind had caught up with him in an instant, devouring his entire body in one bite.


    A secondter, he felt his consciousness fading, dragged into an abyss separate to the one he was in.


    Meanwhile, Liam''s cold eyes didn''t show a trace of emotion as he continued to run without looking back, taking the space-ring off Kirk''s severed hand before throwing away the dead meat.


    He had sessfully reached the pit, but some of the crocodiles hadn''t given up their chase ¨C gaining on him rapidly.


    With no other choice, he jumped inside the pit!

 Chapter 57: Stuck

    <h4>Chapter 57: Stuck</h4>


    Plunging down, Liam''s hair hectically fluttered upwards. With how deep the pit was, if he fell at his current speed, he would inevitably turn to mush.


    Liam cursed, clutching his des and attempting to stab them into the stone ¨C the katana & wakizashi scraped against the rock and created sparks, but failed to prate the surface.


    Rapidly, his des were being shaved away ¨C but slightly slowed his descent.


    Thankfully, a curve appeared at the distant bottom, illuminated by a bright iridescent light.


    Liam''s des shattered, causing him to curse loudly again.


    With no other choice, he used his bare hands and feet to slow down his plummet.


    Instantly, his nails splintered ¨C followed by the skin of his fingers and palms shredding away.


    Liam didn''t dare let go ¨C using his body slowed his descent much more effectively than his weapons.


    Right when the bones underneath his flesh grew visible, Liam reached the gentle curve, rolling diagonally instead of plunging vertically.


    Panting heavily, Liam felt like his hands and feet were burning ¨C thankfully, the regeneration that came with his Rank 3 body slowly started to reform his flesh.


    Iridescent light shone on his pale face ¨C the first brightness he had seen in months.


    Liam shifted his tired gaze towards the entrance¡­ and his chest sank.


    Compared to the vastness of the ''Ora'' Mine, he was basically a speck of dust. The walls of the mine were studded with glittering ''Ora'' stones, shimmering like precious gems and amethysts.


    Drops of pure, concentrated ''Ora'' seeped from the gemstones, resembling sweat in the bright light. The entire area was overflowing with such gems, creating a breath-taking disy of natural beauty and wealth.


    However, the ceiling of the ''Ora'' Mine was marred with w marks ¨C they were deep, but it looked like the same spot was attacked repeatedly.


    Despite that, Liam didn''t even nce at them ¨C instead, his attention was on something in the middle.


    It was hard to miss, really.


    ''It'' was a magnificent fox, with white fur that shimmered as if made of pure light. Its rxed posture, with its muzzle resting on its crossed paws, only added to its serene appearance.


    With each gentle breath it took, the nearby ''Ora'' Stones lost their luminance and were absorbed into the fox''s being.


    This peaceful picture was only made more surreal by its seven magnificent tails, each gracefully undting in the air, as if defying thews of gravity even in its slumber.


    Calling it a mere fox would be disrespectful ¨C it resembled a mighty Kitsune.


    Strangely, it wasn''trge ¨C even smaller by Rank 4 beast standards. It looked slightly frail, but the aura it emitted was much more dangerous than any of the darkness beasts Liam had seen.


    Even at that distance, Liam felt his mental sphere being pressured¡­ he felt watched.


    Taking in a shaky, cold breath, Liam sat with his back against the cave wall, his eyes unwavering from the Kitsune.


    If it woke up, Liam''s fate was sealed. He couldn''t climb up the giant pit, and he didn''t even have any weapons to defend himself.


    ''Think, think!'' His mind raced for anything. Quite frankly, there were no options present for him to choose from.


    His gaze shifted towards the w marks. Upon closer inspection, the w marks had pierced through the ''Ora'' Mine ceiling. There were even holes that he observed ¨C which he could easily fit through.


    ''If the Kitsune made those w marks, it couldn''t escape from here¡­ it''s stuck. If I can somehow get there without waking it up, I can escape!''


    All he could do was pray in his heart that the beast didn''t wake up due to his presence as he did so.


    Heaving a long breath to calm his nerves, Liam¡ª


    ¡­Was the Kitsune smiling at him? Oh god, it was.


    Its eyes looked like bright golden suns that were glued to his figure.


    "You are cunning, human."


    A deep feminine voice with a slight tinge of yfulness rang out from where the Kitsune was, and Liam''s chest sank even more.


    ''I-It''s¡­ talking?''


    Its grin grew disturbingly wider.


    It rose up, sitting on its frail front legs ¨C the frightening grin didn''t leave its face, showcasing its sharp, canine teeth.


    Liam felt his blood turn cold. Could it read¡ª


    "Your thoughts?" The Kitsune said, enjoying the crestfallen look on Liam''s face.


    Climbing up the pit sounded a lot more usible now, but he couldn''t move a single muscle ¨C a firm pressure held his body still.


    "I must say, I never expected you to be the first to betray your fellow human. Watching you two make your way to certain death has been... entertaining."


    A look of realization fell on Liam''s face. He ground his teeth and grimaced. He didn''t fail to notice the fox''s choice of words.


    "The mental waves¡­ they were yours. How?"


    The Kitsune scoffed.


    "With how anxious you looked, I thought you might turn back and cower like humans usually do."


    This time, Liam scoffed. He didn''t know why, but when nearing death, his confidence soared.


    "Isn''t that what you''re doing now?"


    Head-splitting pressure assaulted Liam''s mental sphere ¨C forcing him on his knees. Had he not used Thicken just in time, it would''ve gotten riddled with cracks.


    "I must have been toox with how I treated you, human. I''ll make sure to savor your flesh."


    The pressure slowly mounted, enveloping his brain from all sides. Liam''s mental sphere buckled and strained ¨C preparing to shatter at any second.


    He squirmed on the ground clutching his head. Veins popped on his neck ¨C his tone strained as he managed to squeeze out a few words.


    "I can¡­ bring you¡­ out of here."


    The pressure lessened considerably, enough for Liam to catch his weak breath.

 Chapter 58: Absurd

    <h4>Chapter 58: Absurd</h4>


    The words seemed to have an effect on the Kitsune ¨C it even gave Liam a respite to catch himself.


    "Speak."


    Heaving multiple breaths, Liam rose from the ground and fixed his gaze to the fox.


    "You''re stuck here. I don''t know how long, but you''re at a dead end unless somethinges along and changes your circumstances."


    "Well, I''m that something."


    Liam had to steele his gaze when looking at the Kitsune ¨C who scoffed coldly in response.


    "Big words for such a weak little being like yourself. I can kill you with a single thought. What gives you such power?"


    Liam creased his brows. He had to make his case, and he couldn''t do it by looking weak despite the pressure.


    He took out a scroll from his ring.


    It was the Primordial Forging method.


    "Do you know what this is?"


    The Kitsune remained silent, awaiting an exnation.


    "My forging method allows me to refine a magical beast''s will and imbue it into a weapon or item. I''m sure you know where I''m going with this."


    Again, the Kitsune didn''t say anything.


    "If you give me enough time, I''m sure I can... resuscitate you."


    Liam was careful with how he phrased his words, using all his willpower to still his mind.


    Basically, he was asking the fox to kill itself ¨C giving him a piece of its core or mental energy, which he didn''t even know could work ¨C then somehow giving the Kitsune into a new form.


    Liam didn''t know what to think of the Kitsune''s silence. He decided to further make his point.


    "You''ve been here for how long? You don''t n on attacking the ceiling over and over, do you? You don''t look like your greatest aspect is strength, after all."


    "All the while, those beasts above are getting stronger and stronger. Some have already made their way to the middle stage of the fourth Rank, it seems."


    The Kitsune was ufortably silent ¨C staring at him with those bright suns for eyes.


    "I''m not promising instant results. I''ll need time. Lots of time. If you entrust me with a piece of your core and mental energy, I can do it."


    The fox sensed truth and conviction in Liam''s mind.


    After all, it could read his thoughts.


    The boy really thought he could aplish that feat ¨C resuscitating a magical beast in a new form.


    Suddenly, the air around the Kitsune changed ¨C like an iridescent mist had dispersed around it.


    Liam''s eyes widened. What he''d been seeing was actually an illusion that the Kitsune was hidden behind.


    In reality, the frail fox looked much worse ¨C marred with countless bite marks and bruises, four of its tails missing, and one of its eyes blinded ¨C the previous shimmer of its fur gone.


    It even breathed with difficulty, and it didn''t look like those wounds were heble.


    "Cursed Opposition. As soon as I awakened a mind, my body turned weak."


    After a long pause, the Kitsune spoke with a much raspier voice.


    "Give me your eyes."


    Liam blinked, his skin somehow turning paler.


    "What?"


    The Kitsune shot him a hard re.


    "You''ve yet to convince me. I want to know how far you''re willing to go for it ¨C for survival. As of now, you''re far too weak to make grand promises, and I can''t entrust my life to someone weak-willed."


    "Come closer and give me your eyes."


    Liam gulped, letting out a soft breath, making his way towards the fox. The Kitsune was kind enough to remove any pressure it put on him.


    Liam took a good look around, thest he would take. Then he frowned, ring at the Kitsune defiantly ¨C the pressure exuding from him was actually much heavier than what was possible for a Rank 1 magus, but that did nothing to the fox.


    Tensing his hand and body, Liam shot his fingers into his right eye socket, wriggling his fingertips to wrap around his eyeball.


    Pangs of unadulterated pain assaulted his senses, but he didn''t stop ¨C curling his fingers around his eyeball and clenching it.


    With one swift motion, he yanked!


    "Urk!"


    The optic nerves holding his eye in ce pulled and snapped, making Liam almost lose his consciousness due to how agonizing it was. Thick blood started to flow from the now empty hole.


    Biting on his tongue to steady his mind, he began with his left eye ¨C turning his index, thumb and middle finger into a w ¨C tearing it out in the same fashion as he did his right.


    Liam growled, his eye sockets burning hotter than molten ¨C tears of blood ran across his pale cheeks. Even his regeneration hurt, as pieces of his flesh tried to squirm together and reform.


    Obviously, his vision had faded too, leaving him in the dark with only his wavering senses intact.


    Liam gripped the bloodied eyeballs in his hands and threw them on the floor, as if they weren''t a blessing.


    ''If this is the price for one more day¡­ then I''ll dly pay it!''


    ¡­


    With Liam blinded, he couldn''t see the contemtive glimmer in the Kitsune''s eyes.


    That forging method certainly had the potential to do wonders, but it had to have a capable forgemaster behind it.


    The fox had been stuck underground for decades ¨C with the darkness beasts above constantly invading its space. It had run out of cards long ago, and by chance, one hade its way.


    Though, the idea of a Rank 4 Zenith trusting a Rank 1 Mortal was absolutely unheard of ¨C even myths and legends don''t speak of a tale so absurd.


    "...Very well."


    Those two words sounded more pleasant to Liam than anything he''d heard.

 Chapter 59: Eye

    <h4>Chapter 59: Eye</h4>


    The Kitsune had agreed. Liam''s luck looked up for once ¨C though, with the pain he was going through, he couldn''t enjoy that feeling.


    "How would this work? You''re too small to carry my core or mental energy." The Kitsune stated.


    A wry, hopeful look appeared on Liam''s pained face.


    "I was hoping you would know something about that."


    The Kitsune scoffed.


    "You really didn''t think this through, did you?"


    Liam didn''t respond, grounding his teeth in response to the pain.


    The Kitsune let out a raspy breath, but its eye started to glow brightly a secondter.


    "If I was just a realm stronger, this wouldn''t have happened¡­"


    Clouds of ''Ora'' from the surrounding gems suddenly gathered into one spot, condensing and glowing fervently like an iridescent sun.


    As it condensed, serene ripples formed all throughout the giant ''Ora'' Mine ¨C chipping away at its value as it sucked the dense world essence.


    Slowly, the Kitsune''s giant, sun-like eye left its skull, shooting into the condensed world essence, basking in it and absorbing the ''Ora''.


    Simultaneously, the fox''s thick mental waves were added to the mix too ¨C imbued with profound meanings.


    Meanwhile, Liam could only hear thunderous noises that shook his body to the core. Whatever it was, he was patient to find out ¨C the pain in his eyes reduced to an agonizing, but tolerable amount.


    The strange process continued for a few minutes, and a momentter, the Kitsune''s eye had absorbed all the ''Ora'', bing hotter than magma, while glowing brighter than the sun. It floated mid-air, casting rays of light in all directions.


    At the same time, it was small.


    ¡­The size of a human''s eye.


    The Kitsune''s aura was no longer menacing and powerful ¨C looking like a husk of itself ¨C but the eye it produced looked like a royal treasure.


    "Grit your teeth." It breathed.


    Using its mental energy, the fox shot the eye towards Liam''s right eye socket, smashing into his face and causing him to fall backwards a considerable distance.


    "Argh!"


    Liam grunted, but those grunts turned to a yell, which turned into shouts of sheer pain a secondter, coursing his throat. Veins bulged on his neck, pulsing with his faint heartbeat.


    Death felt like a sweet release ¨C the eye felt like molten in his skull, but the pain wasn''t due to that.


    His mental sphere felt like it was boiling.


    ¡­Well, it was. The eye forcefully connected itself to it ¨C assimting to it like a cancer.


    Torn optic nerves reformed and instantly connected to the new organ. Safe to say, it was the worst feeling he had ever experienced in his lifetimes, spiraling his mind into chaos.


    The Kitsune didn''t pay any heed to those screams, and its body started to glow radiantly.


    With a sterner, raspier tone of voice, it spoke as Liam continued to writhe in pain:


    "Consider my eye as a loan. You wouldn''t be able to handle it with how it is, so I made it so it''ll grow stronger with your mind."


    "I will imbue you with my mental energy and ''Ora''. Whenever you deem it fit to¡­ ''resuscitate'' me, simply pour ''Ora'' into it."


    "Do not fail me... Liam Royce."


    On those words, the Kitsune''s body grew drier and curled into a frail husk, devoid of any life.


    ¡­However, a small part of its body turned into a streak of light that shot onto Liam''s body, forming a tattoo of a seven tailed-fox on his lower abdomen ¨C removing the Binding Oath that covered Liam''s core.


    Meanwhile, Liam hadn''t stopped screaming from the top of his lungs ¨C the pain simply didn''t stop, mounting pain upon pain!


    His right eye shone brightly, illuminating the now dim ''Ora'' Mine.


    At the same time, strange memories and emotions clouded Liam''s mind underneath the veil of pain ¨C fragmented and hazy.


    He saw himself walking as a four-legged beast ¨C strong, but without thought or intellect. He acted on instinct and desire alone.


    Another fragmented memory arrived. He saw himself walking into a familiar gorge, allured by the trails of thick ''Ora'' in the surroundings.


    Then, he spotted dozens of beasts simr in strength to his own there ¨C elephants, crocodiles and panthers ¨C their fur and powers ck.


    A vicious fight ensued ¨C between light and dark. Liam barely won, his body and figure wounded severely. There were many more, but he threw himself down the pit and found the ''Ora'' Mine.


    There, he spent days, months, years. There he awakened his mind ¨C he could think. More memories poured into Liam''s brain ¨C ethereal and scattered ¨C of previous generations of his species.


    Not to mention, he became a Zenith.


    That feeling alone trumped any other Liam had felt times a thousand. That power, that surge of strength, that superiority.


    However, his mind came at the cost of his body. His limbs turned weak and frail, and his physique was infinitely weaker than its Rank 4 counterparts.


    ¡­


    Liam''s eye slowly opened - a cold, royal, condescending pressure spreading to his surroundings from just that action alone.


    Pain was no longer the dominant feeling he was going through. Though, the sensitive migraine and aching body he felt was enough to make a grown man cry.


    The dim ''Ora'' Mine cast a weak glow on his face. By the time the Kitsune was done with the eye, it had absorbed all the ''Ora'' from the gemstones, leaving dark, glowing shards behind.


    And boy did Liam''s eye feel unreal.


    Through the eye, he could actually see different colors he couldn''t name beneath the darkness. Moreover, he could see natural ''Ora'' in the air, as well as the strange patterns it contained.


    Besides that, he identally discovered he could ''zoom'' in and out with his sight ¨C giving him the ability to scan his surroundings with unadulterated rity.


    Looking at his reflection through a dark gemstone, he saw how his eye was no longer green, but orange and golden, simr to a glorious sunset. As he ''zoomed'' in, the pupil constricted and dted.


    A wide grin formed on Liam''s face. He attempted to voice a few words, but his throat was too coarse to function.


    Instantly, he thought of a name for his new eye ¨C thinking of hisst name on earth, in addition to the Kitsune''s regal aura¡­


    ''King''s Eye¡­ good enough.''

 Chapter 60: Superior

    <h4>Chapter 60: Superior</h4>


    Nheless, Liam shifted his focus to his mental sphere. There was still pain, but it was bearable.


    Liam was afraid that his sea of consciousness could be riddled with cracks or soft spots.


    To his relief, there wasn''t any.


    However, there was a golden shimmer that his translucent walls gained, along with simrly golden lines inscribed all throughout the barrier ¨C it was assimted into Liam''s mental sphere.


    Liam thought back to the Kitsune''s words. The eye would improve each time his mental sphere advanced, and he couldn''t help but want to test out its capabilities.


    ''I''ll have to be careful from now on, though. I can''t show this power to anyone else.''


    Liam came back to reality, heaving a deep sigh. He instantly took out all the food he had and started wolfing it down.


    Calling him exhausted was an understatement, and Liam felt like his body was covered with mud.


    Once his body stopped trembling from hunger, he took a peek into Kirk''s ring. Liam felt no pity as he killed him, since the former was intent on doing the same.


    Shaking his head, Liam chose not to dwell on those feelings. In the first ce, it was his emotional detachment that allowed him to survive for so long, ignoring the pleas of his many victims.


    He wiped away Kirk''s remaining ''Ora'' imprint on the ring using his mental energy, then inspected it.


    The space was roughly 35 square meters, muchrger than all his other rings.


    Inside, Liam counted roughly 450 ''Ora'' Stones, in addition to a bunch of pills he didn''t know the use for ¨C five Rank 2 and one Rank 3 spell of the earth Element.


    There were Rank 1 and Rank 0 spells as well, but none could work without having the earth element.


    Despite his findings, the spells weren''t useful to him, and they were tant indicators of Kirk''s murder. The ring was too, but Liam had no ns on throwing the contents out.


    ''I''ll keep the ring hidden for now. I can sell its contents if or when I leave Udd.''


    In addition to that, he found a few Jade''s, but since they were underground, their usage was useless.


    He didn''t fail to notice the Binding Oath around his core was no longer there.


    Before he could organize his items, the sound of thudding, scratching, and screeching entered his ears.


    Looking over his shoulder, a deep frown scrunched his face ¨C he instantly started to run for the walls while activating Fleeting Foot.


    A distance away, the Rank 4 darkness beasts continued to throw themselves down the pit.


    Crocodiles, Panthers and Elephants dragged themselves on the walls with no regard to their bodies ¨C their attention stuck to a small figure a distance away.


    With the presence of the Kitsune gone, the beasts decided to finally enter the ''Ora'' Mine and revel in its thick world essence ¨C only to find it empty.


    Moreover, the Kitsune was turned into a mummified corpse, devoid of any nutrients.


    Anger churned within them¡­ which they decided to take out on that running human who was there before them.


    A chase ensued.


    Liam was a huge distance away from them, and the Elephants and Crocodiles weren''t fast enough to chase him.


    The Panthers were.


    More than half a dozen sprinted to his figure at full speed, their limbs blurring and turning into shadows.


    They were incredibly fast.


    Thankfully, Liam had a good head start.


    ''Why are you chasing me?! Fight each other, you dogs!''


    As if answering his plea, shockwaves and booms bellowed out from a distance ¨C a sh had broken between the beasts.


    Liam cursed, but the giant cave wall was soon to be in reach.


    sts, growls, and screeches reached Liam''s ears, but due to the distance and him using Thicken, there was no damage on his mental sphere except a bearable pressure.


    Devourer Moles entered the sh, bursting through the ground and ceiling ¨C their giant maws swallowing entire chunks of the mine.


    Rubble started to fall violently, boulders smashing against those below.


    The entire mine was going to copse!


    Before the rapidly approaching panthers caught him, Liam gripped the jotting ''Ora'' Stones in the wall, pushing himself upwards with all the strength he could muster.


    Beneath his skin, the membrane shook, injecting him with a jolt of strength.


    Like a mammal sprinting onnd, Liam propelled himself up with wide strides.


    Just then, the Panthers reached where he was a moment ago ¨C growling in anger at the meal they missed.


    Shortly after, they entered the fray with the other beasts.


    Liam spent the next few hours carefully climbing towards the roof of the ''Ora'' Mine, where countless holes led upwards to the surface.


    Before entering one of the holes and heading upwards, Liam took onest look towards the bottom to witness the battle between Rank 4 existences.


    From above, he felt superior, watching Zeniths get crushed by giant boulders, struggling to move.


    Gushing waves of darkness covered the underground cave like a rising canopy.


    Liam watched for a few minutes before the entire structure threatened to copse.


    It was unlike him. His ego had never gotten in the way of his survival, but being the cause of death to so many Zeniths gave him a look of supremacy.


    "Out of all you superior beings, I came out on top!" He shouted with a magical beast''s pride.


    With a re of condescension, he started climbing upwards.

 Chapter 61 News

    <h4>Chapter 61 News</h4>


    Getting out of the underground was easypared to the near three months Liam spent underground.


    He exited from a cave-like crevice that led to a wide opening into a hill ¨C which he quickly climbed atop. It was night time, and the moonlight cast a silver hue on Liam''s face.


    A gust of wind made him realize how much he missed fresh air, and any smell that wasn''t rotten.


    ''Wow.''


    Liam eximed, in awe at how far he could see with the King''s Eye ¨C even the tiniest ant didn''t escape his vision, despite the darkness ¨C not to mention he could distinguish ''Ora'' patterns and concentration surrounding him.


    He could even discern individual leaves on a tree from a mile away.


    Liam spread his senses. There wasn''t anything in the 150 meters range except for a few weak magical beasts and emptynd.


    His ''mental muscle'' had grown to an amazing level during his seclusion ¨C he didn''t have anything else to train except his consciousness, after all.


    The hill below him still shook for a good minute before abruptly ceasing. Now and again, slight tremors momentarily shook, before stopping once and for all.


    That felt strange to him. Zeniths were so powerful, yet they were unable to break through a mere cave underground.


    ''I guess that''s the limit of the fourth Rank. They can''t shatter the earth or pierce through the sky. That''s bound to change in the future ranks, though. Especially the seventh.''


    A momentter, Liam steeled his gaze. He hadn''t forgotten Emma''s betrayal for a minute ¨C he merely suppressed those feelings to focus on survival.


    Of course, he wanted to reunite with Eve, Lloyd, Rogan and Revel right away, to assure their worries and apologize for all the months he disappeared.


    But revenge took precedence. He couldn''t let a loose end walk freely. He began to run towards Udd.


    Taking out his Jade connected with Lloyd''s, he imbued it with ''Ora''.


    ***


    Three months ago.


    ROAAAR!


    Following the Lava Lion''s bellow, chaos and disarray spread among the cultivators.


    Most of them had their mental spheres shattered, and those who were lucky enough to survive were horribly maimed.


    Lloyd was one of the lucky few who didn''t have any life-threatening injuries. He had retracted his consciousness just before the roar, covering himself with mental energy.


    Pain invaded his mind, but he tolerated those feelings to look at his disciple.


    Before he could find him, a syble rang from above.


    "Beast!"


    BOOM!


    Lloyd managed to get behind a thick covering of trees and shrubbery just as the giant arms collided with the Rank 4 beast.


    Still, he was sent flying away, skin charred and flesh sizzling. He managed to block his face from the majority of the fire using his hands, but the harsh mes seeped through the cracks of his fingers.


    Lloyd crashed against the stump of a distant tree.


    By the time his consciousness steadied, the roars and explosions had already ended.


    The Lava Lion''s body was utterly maimed, its limbs broken and flesh cooked. The single attack from the patriarch hadpletely incapacitated it.


    The patriarch slowly descended.


    Lloyd watched from a distance as the Zenith ranked cultivator punched the beast once in the head with a ming fist, releasing another shockwave throughout the area, and dislodging the lion''s neck from its body ¨C its eyes popping out from their sockets.


    With that, the Rank 4 magical beast was no more.


    Flicking his sleeve, the hill-sized Lava Lion had been absorbed into the patriarch''s ring.


    Shooting onest indifferent look below, he flew up and soared away, heading towards the wealthy side.


    Regret, anger, and guilt was visible in Lloyd''s eyes. He healed his body with ''Ora'', enough to bear the remaining pain and enter the battlefield where the Zenith''s fought.


    The environment was still burning with thick mes, but Lloyd pushed past the burning sensations and searched.


    Soulless bodies continued to burn, spreading ashes that the wind scattered forth. Among them, hunters, guards and scouts.


    Despite searching all around, Lloyd couldn''t find his student''s body.


    His gaze fell to the canyon gorge, his senses screaming danger.


    "Tell me you lived, Liam."


    ¡­


    The following months were slow and filled with grief. Many lives were lost on that day ¨C nicknamed the ''day of loss'' ¨C but the townsfolk came together to rebuild theirmunity.


    For one, the guild base had been kept up, since the nobles thought it''d be better for any uing beast tides ¨C causing the strengths ofmon cultivators to rise exponentially.


    Ever since Lloyd hade back from that battlefield, he had visited his student''s mother once ¨C to tell her Liam was MIA.


    The news hit her more critically than Lloyd imagined, as she began sobbing on the spot. To the best of his ability, Lloyd attempted to calm her down, and promised Eve he''d find him.


    She was too distraught to pay any heed to his words, mming the door shut and secluding herself in her home.


    At the same time, Eve was boiling with grief and anguish. The pain of losing a son wouldn''t leave one for multiple life times, and she had no one to share that burden with.


    Lloyd hadn''t stopped searching for Liam since that day, but nothing had turned up.


    ¡­


    On the other hand, Rogan found it strange that his student hadn''t arrived for their session. At first, he''d denied that Liam died¡­ no way.


    But then a week passed, then a month.


    By then, all that was left was regret.


    "It''s always those with talent and a promising future that get snuffed out early," Rogan clicked his tongue in anger, before using his forging to cope with the loss.


    ¡­


    Meanwhile, Revel''s condition grew poorer over theing months ¨C only made worse by his missing disciple. Liam would be his inheritor, the one to continue his Blood Weaving and bring him the glory he deserved.


    Revel was never one to hold hope, but something about that kid made him believe he wasn''t dead.


    "Damn rascal! I don''t have much time left, get back already!"


    ¡­


    Lloyd was in one of the underground restaurants having a drink, his features covered with exhaustion and regret.


    Sighing, he took another sip from his mug, when suddenly, a Jade in his pocket started glowing.


    Eyes widening, he yanked the Jade out of his pocket and answered it.


    Liam''s voiceing from the other end made Lloyd smile from ear to ear.

 Chapter 62 Animal

    <h4>Chapter 62 Animal</h4>


    "I''m alive, old man," Liam said, smiling after hearing his teacher''s voice. "You almost killed yourself from sadness, didn''t you?"


    Lloyd guffawed, grabbing the attention of those in the restaurant. "Nice to see your sense of humor isn''t dead, either. Where are you, kid? My knuckles miss the top of your head."


    Liam snorted yfully, but his tone grew stern a momentter.


    "I''ll need you to do something for me, old man. I''ll start exining what happened¡­"


    Lloyd''s face went through multiple emotions, which eventually changed to anger when Liam exined Emma and Yannis'' betrayal.


    He himself thought they were fishy, but he missed any action from their side.


    Liam hadn''t mentioned anything about his time underground. That couldeter. Now, he was exining something else.


    "...And that''s the gist of what I want to do. Can you help?"


    Lloyd scoffed. "Don''t underestimate me, kid. Of course I can."


    ***


    Liam perched atop a tree near the ravine, his attention towards the night sky as he stargazed¡­ and waited.


    His flowing hair rested on his shoulders ¨C as Liam didn''t find time to cut it. He still wore the same hairy robe, made from bat hide ¨C but cleaner since he took a well needed wash.


    It wasn''t long before he sensed and saw three figures approaching from roughly 100 meters away.


    Liam already coated himself with his mental waves, concealing his presence ¨C which was a whole lot more effective due to his strong consciousness.


    Lloyd, Emma and Yannis were nearing the ravine. Through the King''s Eye, he could see their aura. More specifically, the ''Ora'' that surrounded their bodies.


    Lloyd had a translucent aura, Emma''s was slightly brownish ¨C since she was of the earth element ¨C and Yannis'' was an orangish hue.


    Emma looked stern, a frown scrunching her features. Yannis on the other hand looked tense and ufortable.


    "You sure you said he''s alive?" Emma asked, her eyes scouring the surroundings.


    "Yes. I heard his voice. I brought you two along so we could discuss how to divide the merit points. The kid is hiding from his mother, you see." Lloyd exined, and his Jade started to glow a secondter.


    Abruptly, a wind-made spear whirred in Lloyd''s hand, which he instantly rammed into Emma''s chest ¨C piercing her chest.


    "Urk!"


    Simultaneously, a shadow fell from the tree Yannis was under,nding a powerful kick on her back that caused her spine to crack.


    Liam used Cartge Brace to strengthen his knee. The strike caused Yannis to fall and scream in pain ¨C before she could react, Liam pulled her arms and pushed her body down with his foot.


    "What is the meaning of this!?" Emma bellowed, the hole in her chest leaking gobs of blood, but she popped a pill in her mouth that stopped the bleeding.


    Lloyd didn''t speak ¨C his figure blurred,nding a flurry of kicks, punches and shes on Emma''s body, pushing her backwards as she desperately tried to defend with her spear.


    As that happened, Liam shifted his attention to Yannis.


    "You didn''t expect me to survive, did you?" Liam growled, increasing the force he exerted on Yannis'' body, making her shriek. "Was it the Royce family who sent you?"


    Yannis didn''t respond, doing her best to suppress her groans of pain, but unable to ¨C especially since Liam moved his foot to press against her head.


    Liam''s mental pressure and strength did not fit his age in the least.


    Yannis'' consciousness threatened to break.


    "Stop¡ª!" Emma shouted from a distance as Lloyd continued to pressure her.


    "Answer me." Liam said icily, the surroundings turning frigid.


    The bloodlust radiating from Liam''s figure made even Lloyd scowl ¨C despite it not being directed towards him.


    "Yes! They did! We were main-branch soldiers, and master Adrian ordered us to take care of you. Let my sister go, please." Emma wheezed desperately, speaking in between attacking and defending.


    ''Adrian¡­ so that''s my father''s name.''


    Cracking noises sounded on Yannis'' bruised and battered body.


    Suddenly, she slipped from Liam''s hold by dislocating her joints, whipping out her daggers and aiming straight for his neck.


    "Die!"


    Lloyd and Emma watched in shock as Liam instantly evaded the daggers and put his mouth on Yannis'' neck.


    "Huh?"


    ¡­Biting out her jugr vein.


    Liam chewed the piece of bloodied flesh while Yannis stumbled and fell, her neck spurting¡­ a raw bite mark revealing the muscle underneath.


    Life left her eyes.


    "Yannis! You¡­ you whoreson!" Emma shouted, tears flowing down her face.


    Liam spat, his cold eye glowing golden in the dark.


    "I''ve had better¡­ magical beast is definitely better than your sister''s flesh."


    Lloyd grimaced. ''Just what did he go through during these three months? He looks like¡­ a wild animal.''


    It wasn''t the revenge that Lloyd felt ufortable with. He probably would''ve done the same. It was the indifference that bothered him.


    Before Liam could continue his torture, Lloyd shook his head. Another wind spear pierced Emma''s heart, killing her instantly.


    "That''s enough, don''t you think? She wouldn''t have said anything more, anyway."


    Liam''s cold demeanor gradually softened, and his bloodlust reeled back in, his face shifting to a smile.


    "How''ve you been, old man?" Liam sped his hand with Lloyd''s, pressing firmly.


    Lloyd snorted and shook his head. "Worry about yourself¡­ how about you start exining where you''ve been? Also, what''s with the eye?"


    Lloyd didn''t fail to see the changes in Liam''s physique ¨C his earlier grip was to assess his strength.


    Liam nodded, but then remembered something.


    "I''ll exin everything. Do you know about Rogan''s Forgery?"


    Lloyd nodded. "I''ve heard the cksmith is quite entric. I''ve never gone to him, though."


    "Tell him you''re my teacher. I''ll see you there, but I need to meet with my mother first."


    Lloyd nodded again. "Careful,d. She''s a bit¡­ grieved. Rightfully so. You shouldn''t start any mission or fight for some time before she''s calmed down."


    Liam let out a solemn sigh. "I''ll try. Thanks for your help, old man."


    The two departed shortly after ¨C but not before looting Emma and Yannis'' rings.


    After that, Liam started to run home.

 Chapter 63 Alone

    <h4>Chapter 63 Alone</h4>


    Liam made his way towards his house. The surroundings were slightly different than he was used to, but the townsfolk were still the same ¨C they still looked at him with fear, caution and shock.


    Heaving a sigh, Liam knocked on his door twice.


    "Piss off!" A muffled voice shouted from within, grabbing the attention of those passing by.


    Liam scratched the side of his head awkwardly. He knocked again.


    "It''s me, ma."


    Rapid footsteps ran at the door and yanked it open. Eve looked tired. Exhausted, more like. Her brows furrowed and brown eyes welled with tears ¨C pulling her boy in for a tight hug.


    She stayed like that, not uttering a word and loudly sobbing on Liam''s chest.


    "Can we do this inside, please? People are watching."


    Eve raised her head and held Liam''s shoulders tightly.


    "Your eye¡­" She cried.


    Liam smiled wryly.


    ''This is gonna take some time.''


    ¡­


    Liam spent the next thirty minutes briefly exining where he''d been during the three months.


    An altered version of it ¨C obviously leaving out the grimy details, which were most of it ¨C how he resorted to raw meat for food, how he sacrificed Kirk, and his deal with the Kitsune.


    He didn''t mention yanking out his own eyes, but that was for the best.


    Eve''s expression changed all throughout his exnation ¨C sadness, regret, pity. Her tears didn''t stop flowing, despite Liam reassuring her that he''s fine.


    At the same time, Liam noticed how even non-cultivators had an aura. He could see Eve''s mental waves much clearerpared to cultivators, and she even possessed a water element.


    By the end of the exnation, she looked solemn.


    "Why did you have to be a cultivator in the first ce?" Eve uttered under her breath. "Such a path riddled with death and blood¡­ why?"


    Liam let out a soft sigh. He felt slightly guilty¡­ but that was pretty much it.


    He lowered his head, pensive and solemn. "I can''t change who I am or what I want¡­ or why I want it."


    Liam thought back to Darius King. The weak, frail boy who loved looking at the stars, but without goal or motive.


    Given the opportunity to revel in the celestial bodies as Liam Royce, he was foolish not to.


    "...But I know I can''t change."


    Eve sighed weakly. After a long pause, she spoke with a faint smile.


    "I see. You''ve always been a stubborn child," She warmly caressed his cheek. "I bet you''re already itching to leave and do something else, are you?"


    Liam lowered his head and scratched the back of his head ¨C read like a book.


    Eve chuckled softly. "Go on, boy. I can tell you''re no longer a child who I need to shelter¡­ you never have been."


    Liam smiled.


    ''I definitely need to take care of her needs soon.''


    Eve let him leave, but not before feeding him a feastrge enough for five people ¨C that, and giving him a kiss on the forehead.


    ¡­


    Liam instantly left towards the underground, entering Rogan''s forge.


    Rogan and Lloyd looked like best friends from what he saw ¨C the twoughed and drank without a care in the world.


    The cksmith didn''t look much different, his muscr hands and clothing covered with soot, while his spiked hair stubbornly stood erect.


    "Nice to see you two getting along." Liam smiled.


    Rogan''s eyes widened as he saw his forgemaster apprentice.


    "You were alive after all, boy!" He guffawed, squeezing Liam''s shoulder. "I''ll have you know, I never doubted that you were alive. Not even for a moment!"


    Liam didn''t know why, but he doubted that sentence. Nheless, he gave the slightly drunk cksmith the benefit of the doubt.


    Lloyd chuckled. "Not what he said earlier. ''I thought he died? I already forged a de in his honor, though.'' Haha!"


    Rogan looked away as though that could change the topic.


    ''Thought so.''


    Liam shook his head with a short chuckle. "Still, those des you made me were a lifesaver. I would''ve died more than once if I didn''t have them. Thank you."


    Rogan waved his hand with a snort. "Don''t mention it, kid. Nowe, tell us an entertaining story."


    Lloyd grabbed a nearby chair and allowed Liam to settle on it, before the boy started to recount the past events.


    This time, he didn''t leave any part out ¨C save for Kirk''s sacrifice. That detail wouldn''t change anything, really.


    Liam enjoyed seeing Rogan and Lloyd''s expressions change so rapidly from one to another ¨C from incredulousness to shock, from pity to awe.


    Liam was a bit on edge about telling them about his deal with the Kitsune, but decided on revealing it anyway. He needed their advice.


    "A magical beast with a mental sphere? You''re sure of this?" Lloyd leaned in and questioned with a slight frown.


    Liam nodded, exposing the mark on his abdomen. The Kitsune tattoo was ever so slightly moving.


    "It''s what gave me this eye¡­ and took my other one."


    Lloyd slumped in his chair and let out a sigh, running his hand through his hair.


    "Wow."


    Rogan nodded firmly. "Wow indeed, my friend. In a way, I saved your life, kid! What would you have done without my forging method? Not even Zeniths can underestimate this technique." He huffed in pride.


    "That being said, what you''re nning to do is something no forgemaster has ever done¡­ in the history of Mortal forgery." Rogan scratched his beard.


    "What do you mean?" Liam asked.


    "Well¡­ depending on whether or not that Kitsune subdued its ''will'' for you, you''ll need to fight against a Rank 4 magical beast within your mental sphere¡­ which means that you need a Rank 4 sea of consciousness."


    "Not to mention, you''ll have to ''resuscitate'' the beast with its sea of consciousness intact. No cksmith who trained in the Primordial Forging method has ever reached the Zenith ranks, so there aren''t any records of such a thing."


    "...Do you see where I''m going with this?"


    Liam frowned with a wry nod.


    "You''ll be utterly alone in your goal¡­ I''ll help with anything I can ¨C but everything else, you''ll need to figure out yourself." Rogan revealed.


    Liam eventually sighed. "I see¡­ I''ll figure something out. I''ll need to find out what my element is now, though. And also a cultivation technique."


    Rogan and Lloyd''s eyes widened, and Liam grinned at their reaction.

 Chapter 64 Death. Destruction. Chaos.

    <h4>Chapter 64 Death. Destruction. Chaos.</h4>


    "Y-You¡­" Lloyd stammered, and Rogan pursed his lips with narrowed eyes.


    Liam didn''t say anything and nodded with a smile.


    "Yeah. How do I find out what my element is? My core formed right when I advanced to a Rank 3 body."


    Lloyd was stunned.


    Rogan''s reaction was more or less the same, but the cksmith couldn''t help butugh.


    Liam was 11 years old, not even halfway to 12 ¨C yet he''d already advanced to such a stage.


    "Can you imagine what kind of headstart you have against others your age?" Lloyd eventually voiced with his brows creased.


    "Udd is too small for you, now. You have to leave."


    Liam raised a brow. "What do you mean? Go where?"


    "How long do you think I''ve stagnated at my stage? A Rank 2 sea of consciousness, a Rank 3 body, and a Rank 2 core is the limit of what you''re going to reach here. They won''t give you any higher ranked techniques."


    "...The Royce family, on the other hand, would be more than happy to sponsor you now. But I doubt you''d want to stay under them forever."


    Liam ran a hand through his hair, showing his contemtive face.


    "Have you heard of the Echorian Academy?" Lloyd asked with a grin.


    Liam''s eye lit up, shaking his head.


    "Every five years, the Royals recruit different talents from around Echoria; below the age of eighteen ¨C to nurture their strength and grow their abilities further. You can buy your way in for a hefty fee, like most nobles do, or undergo an exam of sorts."


    Liam''s ears perked with interest.


    "From what I''ve heard, it''s a test that changes every single time. There are a bunch of cities near ''Roson'' ¨C the capital of Echoria ¨C that you can take that test in."


    "When''s the next test opening?" Liam asked.


    "Eleven months. If you don''t catch it by then, you''ll have to wait another five years to take the exam."


    Liam''s face grew pensive.


    Instantly, he knew it was his next goal to strive towards. That being said, there were multiple issues with how to go about it.


    "Something to think about, but for now, I''ll take care of the merit points you didn''t receive during the Lava Lion invasion. I''m sure Emma and Yannis don''t need theirs anymore," Lloyd said, gesturing for Liam to hand him their rings, which he promptly did.


    "I can take care of the element part," Rogan voiced. "I know a quick way to figure it out."


    The cksmith fiddled through his many drawers and storage items ¨C before taking out what looked like a palm-sized snake scale made from ss.


    "It''s from a Rank 3 Elemental Snake. It''ll change color depending on what elemental ''Ora'' is imbued within its scales," Rogan exined, handing the scale to Liam. "Go on."


    Rogan and Lloyd watched in anticipation.


    A person''s elementrgely affects their future and individual prowess. Knowing what element one of the youngest and possibly most talented cultivators would receive peaked their interest to say the least.


    Liam heaved a breath and willed a strand of ''Ora'' from his body into the snake scale.


    The minute amount of world essence was pure yellow at first, flowing and dancing around the snake ss, filling its corners.


    Gradually, the color started to shift¡­ slowly turning ck.


    Before that process ended, and Liam, Rogan and Lloyd processed what element that was, that strand of ''Ora'' started to vibrate.


    In the middle of the transparent scale, a spot started to grow crimson ¨C unable to mix with the ck ¨C causing the ss in Liam''s hand to shake violently.


    Boom!


    The scale exploded into a million pieces, sending shards of ss flying in all directions ¨C Liam watched as the crimson shot out from the scale to escape from its incasing, dissipating into air.


    Due to shock, the trio almost got hit by the shards shooting for them.


    Meanwhile, as the three steadied themselves, something else took ce with them unaware.


    A ripple of whispers formed from where they stood, instantly spreading like a vicious cancer.


    Rapidly, those whispers scattered across Echoria, allowing those with power to listen intently to what they spoke of¡­


    Death, destruction, chaos.


    ***


    A shocked silence stilled the forgery.


    Lloyd looked like a deer in headlights, and Rogan pursed his lips with a dumbfounded face.


    ''Darkness.'' Liam thought with an ear-to-ear smile, staring at the shards of ck-stained ss on the ground. ''And something else.''


    That violent red hue had already escaped from the scale, though, leaving those present to wonder what in god''s name it was.


    "...So I''m a dual-elemental, then?" Liam broke the silence.


    Lloyd and Rogan simultaneously nodded, without shifting their gaze from the scales.


    "So¡­ no one''s gonna talk about the explody red thing? Or how the kid is of the darkness element?" the cksmith voiced, unbelieving.


    "If you know what it was, by all means," Lloyd grimaced. "This strengthens my previous point, though. You have to head for the academy."


    "Cultivators with the darkness element are highly sought out for. The Royce family won''t let you leave¡­ if you let them."


    Liam scoffed, but his path grew much moreplicated.


    "For now, I''ll need a cultivation technique and a few more spells to add to my arsenal. Not to mention, my martial art has been getting a bit old. I''d like one attuned with my new element."


    Buying new spells and techniques would obviously alert the governing nobles, but Liam didn''t mind. It was time for him to start making his moves.


    Lloyd nodded. "I see. I''ll get your merits until then."


    Rogan looked a bit left out from what the two were discussing, but Liam smiled, flicking his ring and taking out more than two dozen Rank 3 darkness beast corpses from his ring.


    "I''ll need a pair, old man."


    Glimmering stars appeared in Rogan''s eyes, and he shot a proud look towards his student. "Such a good disciple¡­ I''m so d you''re alive!"


    Liam shook his head.


    "When do you n on starting the forging technique?" Rogan asked. "I figured to give you a short break to settle things before then."


    "Soon." Liam responded.


    ''Before everything, I need to visit Revel.''

 Chapter 65 Blood

    <h4>Chapter 65 Blood</h4>


    Night fell.


    A cold wind brushed against Liam''s face as he traversed the forest.


    Liam felt a little bad for leaving Revel thest person to tick off the list, but that was understandable.


    Arriving at the mountain slope, he entered through the same top-right corner ¨C coating himself in concealing mental energy.


    Revel sat on a desk lit by a flickering candle, a quill in his hand as he jotted down on a book. His aura through Liam''s eye looked feeble, receding and fragile.


    Suddenly, the man coughed loudly, causing blood to st against the page he was writing on.


    "You aren''t writing your will, are you?"


    Liam called out from above, causing Revel to jolt around and unsheath his bent odachi.


    Realizing it was Liam, his face turned softer, but that action still caused him to wince in pain and cough violently.


    "My bad," Liam said wryly, dropping from the entrance and approaching.


    Revel looked agitated, a frown creasing his ghost-like face.


    "Brat! You were alive after all." he coughed blood into his stained sleeve,ying his sword to his side and slumping in his seat with a wheeze.


    Liam looked at his inscription teacher with a pitiful gaze.


    Revel looked much frailer, his cheekbones poking out, dark circles under his eyes.


    Liam spent the next thirty minutes exining where he''d been, what he''d done.


    By the end of it, the inscription master looked at Liam''s eye with awe¡­ and greed.


    But he shook his head to calm those feelings down.


    "What can you see differently about inscriptions?" he asked.


    Liam hadn''t thought about it.


    He took out his spells,id them out, and started inspecting them.


    To his surprise, he could see different energies with each spell ¨C more minor differences, less major.


    He could vaguely assess the circuits, the links, and the ink, too. There was also a strange kind of mental energy ¨C presumably the ''meanings'', but those were tooplex for him to understand.


    Liam ryed his thoughts to Revel, which caused the man to grow pensive.


    "Try inspecting my blood."


    Revel cut open his arm and caused the clot of blood to float above his palm.


    Liam used his zooming in ability into the mass of contaminated blood. He could see how the mass of green and ck continued to grow, manifesting like cancer¡­


    Eyes widening in shock, Liam realized it was through ''Ora'' that those infections grew ¨C judging by the patterns of world essence he saw within the coagtion.


    "I think I know why your blood is gued," Liam voiced, causing Revel to lean in with a focused scowl. "It''s ''Ora''. It''s causing the opposite effect to your blood."


    Blood Weaving used ''Ora'' to refine blood ¨C conjoining the world essence and nourishing liquid together.


    Then, the user would absorb that into his mental sphere, where they would apply the meanings intended for the spell or technique.


    Revel frowned, coughing between sentences.


    "No! It¡­ it can''t be. I''ve read every book and article pertaining to ''Ora''s negative effect on the body. None mentioned blood, only absorbing denser world essence when you can''t handle it and vice versa."


    Liam shrugged, pensive. "That''s not what I can see. Have you ever tried to refine and imbue your blood with meanings without using ''Ora''?"


    Revel grimaced and after a short pause, shook his head. "I haven''t, but I''m not sure what the results could be."


    "So it''s not impossible?" Liam questioned, and Revel nodded.


    Liam nodded to himself. "That''s what I''ll do then. I haven''t really had time to hit the books since I was underground, but let me read through them and I''ll¡ª"


    Revel raised a hand, stopping him.


    "I don''t have much time left," Revel wheezed, regret filling his deep set eyes. "I wanted to teach you everything I knew about inscriptions and Blood Weaving¡­ but it seems like fate won''t let me."


    Liam raised his brows. He could see parts of Revel''s aura starting to slowly recede¡­ not returning back.


    "At the very least, I can guide you through your first refinement process," he shot a knowing look to Liam, and thetter responded with a reluctant nod.


    Truthfully, Liam didn''t want to rush into doing something that could negatively affect his blood or mental sphere¡­ but circumstances called otherwise.


    Revel coughed, blood leaking through the palm of his hand ¨C his aura growing dimmer.


    ''Damn it!''


    Liam instantly sat cross-legged, forming a deep cut on his thigh with Revel''s blood-red odachi.


    Using his ''Ora'' maniption ¨C bolstered with his new organ ¨C he made the drop float in front of him, but without imbuing it with any world essence.


    The methods of refining blood were endless, but the most natural of them were using basic mental energy.


    What Revel had been using before had been a mix of both ''Ora'' and mental energy, but the former wasn''t beneficial.


    Liam''s mental waves epassed the small drop of blood, then began to pressure it.


    Beads of warm sweat poured over Liam''s clothes, his brows frowned in focus.


    That process felt like pushing a needle through a metal wall, looking for a weak point to pierce through ¨C straining his mind and body simultaneously.


    Luckily, Liam''s sea of consciousness was much stronger than the average Rank 1 Magus.


    Revel himself suppressed his coughs in order not to disturb his student''s focus, calmly instructing Liam on what to do while his eyes grew dimmer.


    Half an hourter, the drop of sweat looked the same, except it slightly glowed brighter.


    "Quick, insert it into your mental sphere!"


    Liam did exactly that, pulling the droplet of blood into his forehead, then forcing it towards his golden mental sphere walls.


    Within Liam''s sea of consciousness, the drop of liquid looked muchrger as it attempted to push through the shimmering translucent barrier.


    Frowning, Liam''s ethereal figure grimaced. An agonizing migraine ensued, but he bit his tongue and focused.


    The droplet stained the walls crimson as it passed through, causing a mountainous pressure to envelop the inside of his mind.


    Liam covered the droplet of refined blood with more mental energy, enough that the pressure it emanated was no longer threatening.


    Still, veins bulged in Liam''s neck as he did his best not to pass out.


    Looking at his disciple''s gradually calming but unstable state, Revel sighed solemnly.


    "As your inscription master, I have to give you a nickname per the tradition of cultivators," Revel voiced with thest of his strength.


    Oxygen started to leave his body, throwing him limp on the floor with his weakening eyes fixed to the ceiling, but aimed for the sky.


    "Be my legacy, Blood Demon."

 Chapter 66 Farewell

    <h4>Chapter 66 Farewell</h4>


    Liam spent a good minute calming down the raging blob of blood in his mental sphere.


    If he had to guess, inserting ''Ora'' into his sea of consciousness helped settle the pain (or nourish the blood), but in turn had negative effects on the mind.


    Nheless, Liam had been subjected to much worse ¨C mainly his head boiling from having the King''s Eye assimted into it.


    Panting heavily, he opened his bloodshot eye to reality, just to find Revelying on the ground¡­ devoid of any aura or life.


    Liam''s face turned solemn with pity. He sympathized with the man. Having your dreams and goals torn apart because of factors out of your control was dreadful.


    "Blood Demon¡­ eh? I''ll hold this name for you, old man."


    He shifted his attention to the red blob in his mind once again.


    With a fixed thought, he willed it to appear on his finger ¨C then proceeded to run his finger across a nk parchment he grabbed from Revel''s stack.


    The dropletsted for much longer than Liam thought, and he nearly covered 1/6 of the page with his random writing.


    ''I''ve got the ink down¡­ shame he''s not here to teach me the rest.''


    Liam''s eyes fell on the inscribed odachi lying beside Revel''s body.


    ''A memento wouldn''t be bad,'' he thought, storing the weapon.


    He inspected his surroundings, looking for anything of value ¨C books, ''Ora'' Stones, etc.


    ''I''m sure he wouldn''t mind.''


    As Liam was looting the mountain cavity, his gaze fell on the book that Revel was writing on before he arrived.


    He began reading the first page, rubbing away the sts of blood dried on it.


    ''I figured I''d write a parting message in case you''re alive ande across this ce¡­ never thought I''d cling to hope. Desperation does that to you, I suppose.''


    ''I''ve left my spells and techniques for you under the drawer this book is on, so study them. There''s also a sum of ''Ora'' Stones I''ve umted over the years, so take those as well¡­ bloody rascal.''


    ''A humble request from your dearly-departed teacher. If you ever go to Erivol, make sure to kill any of my family members you can.''


    ''This one''s a bit of a long shot, but if you ever reach the peaks of the cultivation ranks, perfect Blood Weaving. Make it the best inscription method ever to exist.''


    ''On a side note, I have a small-scale organization towards the borders of Echoria. If you ever decide to take leadership of them, just sh them the token included in my ring. I''ve marked it for you.''


    ''May your blood perforate terror into Alucard''s nexus.''


    ¡ªRevel Or.


    Liam raised his brows at thatst line, but the rest of the letter was filled with gifts and solemn words.


    ''I''ll do my best,'' he thought, looking towards the motionless Revel.


    On the other hand, Liam had been eyeing the blood-sucking technique for some time, which looked like a neat spell to y around and test with.


    Also, the organization thing was huge. Liam had a ''n b'' if things ever went sour in Echoria. Though, hecked any knowledge about neighboring countries and continents.


    ''That''s bound to change soon. If I get into the academy, that is.''


    He pulled open the drawer and took out the space-ring inside a small box.


    Inside were all the spells Revel had made by Blood Weaving, including hisrge sum of ''Ora'' Stones ¨C which amounted to roughly 3000, making Liam smile.


    ''Money won''t be a problem for a while.''


    On the other hand, only two of the spells worked, the rest were prototypes and failures.


    Still, those would be good to study for when he gained some knowledge of how diagrams worked.


    Unfortunately, Liam wasn''t of the fire element, and the other spell Revel made ¨C including all others ¨C were attuned to it.


    Nheless, Liam took out ''blood absorb'' ¨C a Rank 2 spell ¨C and memorized it.


    As soon as he was done, Liam tensed his right hand.


    Thick veins bulged on his fingers ¨C his newly reformed nails grew ck and multiple inches longer.


    ''This''lle in handy,'' he thought, before organizing his new items, including the blood-red token with a fang''s insignia on it.


    When he was done, he took onest look around the surroundings, then his eye fell on Revel''s body.


    ''I''ll give him a proper farewell.'' he thought, before burning all the useless documents within the cavity and bringing Revel''s corpse out.


    He made his way to the ravine, walking over the serene river that continued endlessly.


    Shutting Revel''s eyelids, he ced his body within the river. The current pulled him along, a look of peace on his face.


    The man drifted until Liam could no longer see him.


    ''Farewell.''


    ///


    It took some time for Lloyd to bring Liam his merit points, but it was much more than he imagined.


    Of course, it contained Emma and Yannis'' share too.


    Without wasting a minute, Liam entered the underground assassin''s guild.


    There were a few more faces, but Liam didn''t pay them any heed and entered the armory.


    Ava''s eyes widened as Liam appeared. Everyone thought he was dead, but the boy looked matured and stronger than ever.


    After a casual greeting, Liam asked for spells of the darkness element, including Rank 3 martial arts. Not only that, but he took out the slip David gave him ¨C redeeming a free Rank 2 cultivation technique.


    "..." Ava blinked.


    "Do you need me to exin?" Liam asked, annoyed.


    Ava raised a hand. A momentter, she began to gather all spells and techniques attuned with darkness ¨C which appeared in Liam''s sea of consciousness.


    After thirty minutes, Liam decided on what to spend his points on.


    ''Midnight Sce. Darkness cultivation technique. Rank 2.''


    ''Absorbs ''Ora'' into the Core at a slightly faster pace after midnight. However, there is weaker absorption during the day.''


    ''Purgatory Night martial arts. Rank 3.''


    ''Lethality and speed focused dual wielding art. Cuts and shes cause internal damage. If imbued with ''Ora'', it will add a slightly corrosive property to the des. 3 Forms.''


    ''Corroding Touch. Mental attack spell. Rank 1.''


    ''Can corrode the mental energy of a victim as long as the user is close enough. Causes disorientation and head pain, but only fatal if the victim has a weak mental sphere.''


    As Liam left to test out his new abilities, Ava instantly called David, who then informed the Royce family.


    A meeting was to be arranged.

 Chapter 67 Meeting

    <h4>Chapter 67 Meeting</h4>


    It was a long night, but yet to be finished.


    Liam headed back towards the ravine to test out his new abilities.


    He memorized the cultivation technique and sat cross-legged, manipting ''Ora'' just like it instructed.


    Before long, dark colored ''Ora'' gathered around Liam''s abdomen and entered through his core.


    His entire body felt nourished and invigorated.


    Liam realized he had been fighting with one hand behind his back for the whole time. The core was an extremely important organ, and the quality of ''Ora'' would improve each time it advanced.


    After a whole two hours, he felt like he couldn''t absorb more.


    ''Too much cultivation isn''t good either, since it could strain the core. I''ve just awakened, so it''ll probably increase in time.''


    Heaving a satisfied sigh, Liam stretched out his hand.


    A wisp of darkness grew around his palm, dancing with the wind like a dark me.


    There were basically no limits to how much he could control, but his raw element was weak without any form or utilization. Not to mention, it rapidly expended ''Ora''.


    ''What about my other element?''


    Liam shifted his focus to the other essence inside his core. It wasn''t unstable like with the snake scale, but it stubbornly refused.


    ''Just what is this damn thing?''


    Shaking his head, Liam learned the Purgatory Night arts next.


    Rogan had made him a pair of des from a Rank 3 gue Rat ¨C which was much easier to subdue with his forging technique.


    The weapons were ck, sleek and lethal.


    Liam gripped the des tightly in his hand, swinging them a couple times before practicing his martial art.


    Purgatory Night consisted of snappy movements and fatal swings, forcing Liam to maximize his speed and strength.


    His katana and wakizashi cut through the air in a series of swift moves, and Liam started using ''Ora'' alongside his art.


    Ayer of dark smoke covered the edges of Liam''s de''s, dangerous to everything but him ¨C a person''s element was incapable of harming its user.


    He could maintain that state for as long as he wished, since it used a minute amount of ''Ora''... so long as his core isn''t empty, of course.


    Pairing that ability with Lethality Mantle made it even deadlier.


    Sheathing his des, Liam shifted his focus to Corroding Touch.


    There wasn''t a target for him to use it on, but there didn''t need to be.


    Activating the spell, his mental waves turned dark and violent.


    Nodding to himself in satisfaction, Liam grinned.


    ''My prowess probably tripled. I can''t imagine what I can do if I get into the higher ranks.''


    Before long, the Jade in his pocket rang¡­


    It was David.


    ///


    Liam arrived at the guild.


    Lloyd, David and Ophis were there already. The two guild members were staring at him with looks of awe and shock.


    "I would give you one of my hugs, but I doubt you''d ept," Ophis scoffed.


    "I won''t," Liam replied with a re, and Lloyd suppressed augh.


    David began speaking, shushing them both.


    "The Royce family has called a meeting with you, young man," he said, a joyous smile on his lips. "It''ll take ce tomorrow night at their quarters. I won''t ask you of where you''ve been. Your teacher has already exined most of the details."


    Those ''details'' were already discussed between Liam and Lloyd beforehand... a tight-knit cover story.


    Liam nodded firmly. One couldn''t deny an invitation from a governing family, but he didn''t n to.


    "Anything else I should know?"


    David shook his head.


    "Just make sure you bring a standard Echorian robe."


    Liam nodded, and the two guild members left him and Lloyd alone.


    "You sure you''ll be alright?" Lloyd asked worriedly.


    "I''ve nned for this. If it goes well, you won''t be seeing me for a while, old man," Liam said solemnly.


    Lloydughed, putting a hand on the boy''s shoulder and squeezing. "You were never meant to stay here, kid."


    ///


    Liam instantly headed underground¡­ for three things precisely.


    There was one more thing Liam kept hidden from his teachers.


    From Kirk''s ring, Liam found a strange pill.


    It waspletely white, but was shaped to a nk face with an open mouth. It had no smell whatsoever, even though Liam used his mental waves to assess it.


    Bringing the pill to Rudolph''s shop, the man took nearly half an hour to identify it.


    "It''s a Face & Body imitation pill," Rudolph said with a shocked look. "It can allow the user to change into another''s appearance, as long as they have at least ten drops of blood from said person."


    "These kinds of pills are banned to sell, and only one family in Udd produces them. Where''d you get these?"


    Liam''s response came instantly.


    "A friend gifted them to me," he said, before taking 700 ''Ora'' Stones out from his ring and giving it to the shopkeeper. "For your troubles."


    Rudolph was experienced enough to catch the hidden threat.


    ''Why do I feel like he''ll torture me before he kills me?'' Rudolph gulped, nodding in return.


    As Liam left the store, he grinned ear-to-ear.


    ''My escape is possible!''


    Other than that, he searched for a luxurious clothing store to buy a robe ¨C ck was the color he was mostfortable with, and he decided to buy the most expensive one he could find.


    Finally, there was onest stop for Liam to go through, before preparing for his meeting tomorrow.


    He arrived at Rogan''s forgery with an eager glimmer in his eyes, which caused the cksmith to smile in response.


    "You ready?" asked Rogan.


    Liam nodded. He already knew how to form, forge and shape a de. The only thing he hadn''t done was begin the Primordial Forging method.


    The cksmith took out a fresh Rank 1 Albino Snake corpse.


    "Crush the core and absorb the ''Ora'' within it into your mental sphere."


    Liamplied.


    As soon as he did what was instructed, he entered his mental sphere.


    The magical beast''s ''Ora'' he absorbed was much more wild and untamed, enveloping his mind with pressure.


    From within his sea of consciousness, blobs of his mental energy converged in the middle, growingrger to take the shape of a giant Albino Snake.


    An angry, angry snake.


    ''Why is it so much bigger?!''


    With a thunderous hiss, it shot to his mental sphere walls, thrashing it and violently attempting to escape.


    Liam used thicken before the collision, but still felt like a nail hammered the inside of his head.


    Instantly, he manipted his mental energy to envelop the roaring snake. Covering and seeping into its figure, gradually weakening the beast.

 Chapter 68 Disgust

    <h4>Chapter 68 Disgust</h4>


    It took Liam half an hour to tame the reptile, but there was also a factor of inexperience involved.


    The snake no longer resembled one, but a formless ball of ethereal energy, radiating constant pressure. It wasn''t anywhere near the level of a Psionic Rune, but maybe 1/50 of it.


    Liam''s face grew pensive as he stared at it. ''If it''s like that, maybe I can use it to progress even faster¡­ higher ranked beasts have much stronger wills and radiate even greater pressure.''


    Through the King''s Eye, Liam could see how unstable that energy was. He could even sense anger inside it, which was a remnant of the Albino Snake''s will.


    ''This entire process is simr to how Blood Weaving works too,'' Liam realized, opening his eye to reality.


    "Try imbuing this de with the will," Rogan stretched out arge dagger made from snake scale.


    Liam clutched the de and pulled out the beast energy ¨C unstable and fragile ¨C and instantly attempted to conjoin it with the weapon.


    He seeded¡­ somewhat.


    Half of the will wilted away before he could push it through the material, and the rest barely entered the dagger ¨C he hadn''t been able to firmly root the entire thing inside. It took a lot more effort than it seemed.


    "It''s barely passable as a forged weapon¡­ but I did every other step so it doesn''t count," Rogan spoke as he swung and inspected the dagger. "It''s still lousy¡­ you''ll need a lot of practice, kid."


    Liam nodded. He felt satisfied with how it worked.


    "I''ll be heading home, then. I''ve gotta catch the meeting."


    Rogan exchanged a knowing nod. "Good luck, kid."


    ///


    A luxurious carriage ¨C draped with blue silk and shy noble insignia ¨C rocked up and down as it passed through the thick border separating the peasantry and wealthy side.


    Liam peered out the window, donning his posh ck robe ¨C the fabric of which was smoother than silk.


    The scenery outside the carriage changed from vast patches of lushnd ¨C tended foliage taken care of by the hundreds of servants ¨C to small noble mansions gradually growing in size.


    One would be able to tell what sized family those mansions belonged to.


    Five to six story buildings were visible from a distance, built in physics-defying ways.


    Wealth was abundant everywhere he looked, though he felt no bitterness or envy ¨C civilian nobles of every age and size looked like theplete opposite of those Liam saw at the peasantry.


    ''They look so¡­ weak,'' he thought, unable to hide his scowl.


    After a whole two hours, the carriage stopped ¨C the car door opening, a stern-faced, heavily-armored guard gesturing for Liam to exit.


    Ahead, a giant mansion stood tall, four stories tall, but it stretched for at least 4 kilometers. All around, simr armed guards looked like statues that patrolled the grounds.


    ''The ruler''s quarters,'' Liam thought, looking over his shoulder to see the distant buildings.


    "Follow me¡­ sir," the guard called out. Liam remarked the reluctant tone of respect in his voice.


    ''They know I''m a bastard,'' Liam scoffed inwardly.


    The interior of the mansion was covered with different designs and intricacies. Liam was led through countless hallways, each one leading to an even vaster space.


    ''This entire ce is inscribed¡­ even the paintings and under the carpets,'' Liam thought, noticing the ck and blue writings that ran across the walls.


    Eventually, the guard stopped ahead of two doors, turning around and bing a statue.


    "Please enter."


    Liam didn''t waste a second and pushed open the doors, casting an iridescent light that shone on his pale skin.


    The inside within looked to be a hallroom of some sort, giant pirs connecting the ceiling with the marble floor.


    Ahead, a muscr, blue-robed man sat on a throne ¨C his skin tanned, his muscles bulging. To his left and right, men and women bearing the same features sat on smaller-sized chairs.


    Green eyes, blonde hair, and pale skin. Ages and demeanours varied, but they all looked at Liam with hidden disgust¡­ especially one particr man.


    ''The feeling is mutual, pricks.''


    Liam slowly approached, his gaze lowered to the floor.


    He curled his right fist on his chest, and curled his left to his back ¨C by Echorian tradition, this was the most respectful gesture one could make.


    Lloyd made sure the boy knew every bit of noble tradition and mannerisms, lest he offend one of them by mistake.


    "So you''re the bastard child of my kin I''ve been hearing about," the patriarch''s deep voice echoed through the chambers. Dense assessing mental waves enveloped Liam''s body. "Liam, is it?"


    Liam didn''t raise his head, but did a respectful nod.


    Getting off his seat, the patriarch approached Liam with slow, heavy steps ¨C the man was nearly two meters tall, and his giant stature could have caused any man to cower in fear.


    "Raise your head," hemanded.


    Liamplied, his eye ¨C devoid of fear ¨C locking into the patriarch''s own unwaveringly.


    Liam''s pushed down shock from appearing on his face as he saw the man''s aura ¨C it covered the entire hallroom and suppressed anyone else''s.


    Seeing his reaction, the man grinned, but it didn''t seem like he knew the King Eye''s ability.


    "Show me your darkness," he ordered, unfurling his sleeve and stretching out his colossal arm.


    Liam was taken aback for a split second, but didn''t deny the Zenith''s request.


    Gripping the patriarch''s bulging bicep, Liam used all the strength he could muster with his core and body, ring his hand with mes of darkness.


    ¡­The patriarch didn''t budge.


    Liam''s darkness hadn''t even nicked the man''s skin.


    A momentter, the patriarch burst intoughter, under the wry and bitter looks of those behind him.


    "Edwin Royce," the man introduced after, cing a heavy arm on Liam''s shoulder. "We will use your talent. From this day forth, you will don the Royce name. Unfortunately, you are not of pure blood."


    "The firmws of Echoria do not permit me to make you of the main branch, so you''ll have to work for spells and techniques."


    Liam''s eyebrow twitched, but he didn''t let the mask of respect slip.


    "Bring your mother here and live in the mansion. You''re perhaps the first darkness cultivator to be born in centuries. Perhaps in a decade or so, you''ll be a celebrity in the cultivation world."


    "Thank you, master Edwin," Liam replied, pretending not to notice the res and venomous looks shot his way. "I am most grateful."

 Chapter 69 Tournament

    <h4>Chapter 69 Tournament</h4>


    "Someone will show you how to work. That is all."


    Edwin waved a dismissing hand ¨C as those present left through various backdoors, a plump maid led Liam to his new room, which resembled the interior of a six star hotel.


    Alone again, Liam couldn''t care less about his new luxury living conditions ¨C his face turned dark, bloodlust and pressure tainting the air crimson.


    ''Celebrity? Do you really think I give a damn about any of that? Laws¡­ don''t make meugh! You''re just afraid I''ll grow stronger than you will.''


    Liam ground his teeth, eventually forcing a sigh to calm himself. Part of his n worked. He wasn''t going to be under any threat of assassins¡­ not with Edwin expecting him to survive.


    Moreover, there were bound to be better techniques and spells avable for him to choose from.


    His uncles and aunts weren''t that dumb to attempt anything¡­ were they?


    Nevertheless, he rearranged his room to create space for his martial arts ¨C instantly unsheathing his des and practicing.


    Dusk would arrive soon, and he would continue his cultivation and Psionic Rune training.


    ''At least he can''t sense my King''s Eye¡­ or second element.''


    The eye had be a sensory organ stuck to his mental sphere, making it a part of him. His second element on the other hand¡­ he had no clue why.


    At the same time, learning more about the location he needed to escape from was crucial. The surroundingndscapes, cities to go through, cities to avoid.


    ''I''ll wait for an opportunity. My escape is close!''


    ///


    Within the same mansion, an individual was violently ravaging his surroundings, seething with rage.


    Adrian Royce''s office didn''t resemble one any longer. Tables and furniture were turned to splinters, books and documents torn to shreds.


    "Why is he such a brute?! Doesn''t he understand? The bloodline needs to be pure! Letting that bastard mix in with us, father is corrupting his own family!"


    Indeed, Adrian Royce was a purist of the worst kind¡­ even resorting to attempted murder of his own son due to his half-blooded lineage.


    The Royce''s had many branches where each of Edwin''s sons and daughters controlled an aspect of.


    Richard Royce, Edwin''s eldest son, was in control of the Guild and all functions.


    Lisa Royce, Edwin''s eldest daughter, had power over the political field of Udd ¨C deals with the surrounding cities, trade, and more.


    It was through her wicked idea that the assassins guild formed, supported by her brother Richard.


    Adrian was in charge of economics.


    The reason was simple¡­ his talent in cultivation had been disappointing, showing no motivation or willpower to work hard for power.


    Fortunately for him, Adrian had a talent for numbers and business, controlling the family finances and gradually growing the Royce name.


    Still, he was a bit of a ck sheep in the family¡­ mainly because of his inability to control his temper and lusts.


    Calming himself down, his face grew dark, a sinister gleam in his eyes. ''If I can''t kill the boy, I can make his life worse than death.''


    ///


    A carriage had brought Eve back from the peasantry the same night, bringing her to the room next to Liam''s.


    She looked fearful, confused, angry, but seeing her son there gave her a jolt of shock.


    ''He knew all along?'' Eve''s brows creased with conflicting emotions, but Liam calmly exined the situation.


    Thankfully, before she could ask questions or point anything out, a happy group of maids that seemed to know her pulled her away for a chat.


    "I''ll be safe, ma," said Liam, seeing the reluctant and pained look on her face.


    ''You''ll be free from this... soon.''


    ///


    The next day, a knock surfaced on Liam''s door.


    A youthful looking man met his gaze when Liam opened it ¨C his eyes narrowed slits, head devoid of any hair, and a friendly smile on his lips.


    He wore a tight ck robe, and his aura ¨C a wind element ¨C was much more powerful than Liam was used to with the noble guards.


    "Young master Liam, we finally meet! I''m Samuel Horis, the head guard for the Royce family," Sam introduced with a respectful tone and gesture. "I''ve been told by patriarch Edwin to show you around?"


    Liam greeted the man respectfully and nodded ¨C causing the man to look slightly embarrassed.


    ''Strange. Is he not used to getting respect?''


    Awkwardly, Samuel gestured for Liam to follow him as he exined. "If you''d like, we can start with exploring the mansion."


    Liam shook his head. "That''s fine. What kind of missions do I have to do during my time here? I take it they''re much more political in nature?"


    Samuel nodded with a growing smile. The two exited the mansion.


    "You''re absolutely right, young master. Here, you¡ª"


    Liam raised a hand. "Just call me by my first name."


    Samuel nodded. He liked the kid''s straightforwardness. "Here, you''ll be able to work as a hunter, mercenary, escort and more. The missions are obviously more difficult, but equal rewards are given."


    Liam paused, then asked with a hopeful tone:


    "Do you offer Rank 4 techniques?"


    Samuel rubbed the back of his head, responding bitterly:


    "Zenith ranked techniques are a bit moreplicated than that,d. The Royce family decided to give me one after I spent nearly a decade in their service."


    ''Thought as much. He doesn''t look a day above twenty, though.'' Liam thought.


    Samuel decided to change the topic again, so as not to disencourage the boy.


    In the distance, arge rectangr building grew closer, surrounded by robed guards entering and leaving.


    "Most issues nowadays are political. Conflicts between families and ns, inner strife¡­ the uing tournament between the cities doesn''t help much either."


    Liam raised his brows. In a curious tone, he questioned:


    "What tournament?"


    "Ah, the Regional Power Tournament between the six major cities. It happens once a year, and each time there''s an uproar of excitement among the nobles."


    Noticing his silent gaze, Samuel smiled awkwardly and continued:


    "The winner receives a Rank 4 body tempering method, a huge sum of ''Ora'' Stones, and an honorary title."


    Liam''s ears perked up. He desperately needed a tempering method.


    He''d justpleted the third Rank at a very young age, but that advantage would be lost if he stagnated for too long.


    "When is this?" Liam asked after a pensive pause.


    "In four months."

 Chapter 70 Escort

    <h4>Chapter 70 Escort</h4>


    Liam seriously considered the details of the tournament, asking more questions to Sam as the two approached the building.


    The Regional Tournament consisted of the ruling families from each major city.


    Liam could already sense it was a pissing contest ¨C the rulers had immeasurable wealth, he didn''t think Rank 4 techniques were too difficult for them to obtain.


    ''I should definitely find a way to participate,'' he nned. ''If all goes well¡­ maybe I can use that opportunity to escape.''


    Liam and Samuel entered therge rectangr building ¨C which resembled more of an unfurnished base.


    Powerful guards looked to be epting missions from a giant holographic map ced on a circr table ¨C their physiques and faces looked battle hardened.


    Samuel walked towards the holographic map ¨C which disyed the vast Udd region in crystal-clear detail. Even the surrounding cities were visible, which formed a ring around thend.


    "You still have your guild token right?" Samuel asked.


    Liam nodded, taking out his token and handing it to him.


    Samuel took the token and brought it to the stone table, sticking it onto a smallpartment.


    "There you go. You''re ready to ept any mission. I wish you luck, youngd."


    There was one more thing that Samuel gave Liam before leaving ¨C a Rank 2 Jade, which could be used at much longer distances, and connect with more than one contact.


    It was already connected with the head guard''s.


    Liam thanked him as he left before browsing through the missions he could choose ¨C he needed to get a feel of how the missions worked on this side.


    ''Oh, I can work as an escort too,'' Liam thought, staring at the mission description.


    ''Escort the Reilos family caravan to Erivol. Protection against bandits and magical beasts.''


    ''140 Merit Points.''


    It was a mission that spanned across one week, but the merits were enticing enough. Liam could use the free time to cultivate and train anyways.


    ''I''ll settle for it. I need to know more about the politics of this region.''


    He applied his token to the hologram, and a blue dot with the letter ''L'' appeared next to the mission, along with the word ''ACCEPTED''.


    ''The caravan will set out in one or two hours. I can train my martial arts until then,'' Liam thought, leaving the base and heading towards his room.


    Four figures blocked his path ¨C two kids older than him, one girl and boy, with robed guards standing behind them.


    ''Ah. I can see why Samuel looked strange when I spoke respectfully.''


    Arrogant expressions on their faces tipped Liam off. These two were probably his half-siblings ¨C birthed from the main family branch, no less.


    The smug looking girl had a pet magical beast that perched on her shoulder, a domesticated Rank 1 Light Monkey that looked expensive ¨C meanwhile, the boy looked visibly irked at Liam''s sight.


    Both looked weak in Liam''s vision, though they were Rank 1 Magi already ¨C but the guards behind them were strong.


    "So you''re the bastard child grandfather decided to take in," the girl insulted with a scoff. "A stray dog alwayses for more, don''t they, brother?"


    "A peasant should know their ce," the boy clicked his tongue with a condescending look. "Maybe his concubine mother helped ''convince'' him, hahaha!"


    Liam stilled any growing instinct to unsheath his des and split the kids in two, but he knew he couldn''t ¨C he didn''t allow any emotion or bloodlust to appear on his face.


    Not getting any reaction, the girl grinned deviously.


    The nails on her right hand grew to rocky, razor-sharp spikes. Taking aim at Liam''s chest, the spikes shot out like bullets and pierced through his robe and skin.


    Blood tainted a patch of his clothes, but Liam''s expression was still devoid of any emotion¡­ even pain.


    Without batting an eyelid, he pulled out the spikes ¨C which didn''t get too far in ¨C and flicked them away. The wound instantly started to heal.


    The girl frowned, then smiled again.


    "Sunny¡­" she said to her pet monkey, as if it could understand. "...Piss on his head."


    The Light Monkey''s chipper sounded like augh ¨C it leaped over from the girl''s shoulder and onto Liam''s head, where it let loose warm urine on his hair.


    The half-siblingsughed in unison, while their guards behind them started to shake their heads.


    "...Perhaps that''s enough, master Elsa, master Ian. You''ll bete for your training session," one of the guards advised.


    With a harrumph, the girl ¨C Elsa ¨C recalled Sunny, and the group left after a few more insults.


    Liam made his way back to the mansion and entered his room, the air instantly turning frigid with cold pressure.


    ''Inbred weaklings! I could''ve split them down the middle if that was a real fight,'' he scowled, taking a warm bath and cleaning his robe. ''I''ll have my chance. Don''t lose sight of the real goal.''


    Liam unsheathed his des and instantly began to practice, his katana and wakizashi emitting faint ck smoke with each swing.


    Purgatory Night didn''t have any projectile-based forms, but instead focused on increasing the des'' lethality and kill potential.


    Soon, Liam would be able to use the first form.


    ///


    Two hourster, when the sun was at its zenith, it was finally time to begin his mission.


    Of course, he made sure his mother was safe and sound ¨C catching up with her fellow maid-friends.


    Then, Liam shot towards the east border of Udd, where a giant wall stretched across and curved around the city ¨C there were various gates that allowed caravans and carriages, controlled by guards.


    He neared a specific gate, a group of red-themed carriages parked at the entrance.


    An overweight man donning a red robe stood at the front of the ensemble ¨C his short goatee and long vermillion hair didn''tpliment his bulging stomach in the least.


    Liam approached, and the man noticed him.


    "Can I help you?" asked Robert, a member of the Reilos family, and the mission organizer.


    "I''m the envoy sent by the Royce family," replied Liam. "I''ll be your escort for this mission."


    A silence stilled the air, a gust of wind brushing past them.


    "WHAT?"

 Chapter 71 Attack

    <h4>Chapter 71 Attack</h4>


    Liam sighed, taking out his token and handing it to the shocked man.


    Robert grabbed the token, then looked at Liam incredulously.


    ''It''ll be a long week, it seems like...'' Liam let out an inward sigh.


    "Sorry, it''s just¡­ I never expected the escort to be so young," Robert apologized, attempting to salvage their conversation before it died. "Please,e with me. I''ll need to exin our¡­ circumstances."


    There were dozens of guards around the caravan, but they weren''t stronger than Liam.


    ''The Reilos are a small-sized family, not to mention, this is a weak branch of it¡­ no wonder they need an escort,'' Liam assessed.


    Not to mention, Robert wasn''t a strong cultivator, but like Adrian, he had a good eye for business. In fact, that was the reason they needed to get to Erivol safely.


    Robert led him inside one of the carriages, gesturing Liam to sit opposite him as he began to exin, bitterness and anger in his tone:


    "Us Reilos have always been neutral with the political situation in Udd. We''ve never had any major issues, and we''ve avoided altercations with other families."


    Robert''s tone grew more bitter as he exined, sweat dripping down his double chin.


    "The same can''t be said for all of them," he sighed. "House Khrios had decided to ask for my daughter''s hand a while back."


    "She firmly refused¡­ since their son looked like an inbred goblin, but the Khrios couldn''t take no for an answer. We''ve been under silent harassment ever since. Obviously, the cowards keep their identities hidden."


    Liam raised a brow. Before he could ask, Robert answered.


    "The Khrios are a mid-sized family. We are powerlesspared to them."


    Liam hummed in acknowledgement.


    "That''s enough of my ramblings. I just thought you should know what you''re getting into," said Robert, dragging himself out the carriage. "I''ll be in the carriage at the back. My family will be in your care."


    With that, the man left, and the stallions began pulling the carriages out of the city.


    Liam decided to start cultivating, but found that his absorption rate was incredibly slow.


    ''It''s still day time, so I''ll lightly expand my sea of consciousness,'' Liam nned, taking out the Psionic Rune and using it, cold sweat forming on his face.


    Although he had trained rigorously for months on end with the rune ¨C and his mental capabilities improved with each painful session ¨C the second Rank felt an incredible distance away.


    ''I should really use a beast''s will on the side, but I don''t think I''m in a good spot to start forging.''


    ///


    Hours passed, and the zing sun started to fall.


    The scenery outside Liam''s window changed ¨C from lush trees, to small hills, to giant mountains appearing in the distance.


    Eventually, Liam got bored after an hour of training with the rune, and decided to perch atop his car ¨C allowing the breeze to rustle his hair.


    Liam paid astute attention to the routes they passed through, stretching his mental muscle now and again.


    From the corner of his eye, an azure glint flickered amidst the treeline.


    Suddenly, a javelin made from condensed water shot out like a jet towards his head, grazing his cheek as he tilted his head to the side.


    "We''re under attack, stop the caravan!" Liam shouted, unsheathing his des and spreading his senses full force.


    Thirteen cultivators, all masked. Five to his right, emerging from the treeline. Seven to his left, appearing above a small hill ¨C most wielded spears, bows and swords, which were even inscribed.


    The rest were Magi, Liam presumed.


    Reilos'' soldiers left their carriages and spread around the caravan, executing a defensive formation ¨C although the soldiers weren''t too powerful, they had Rank 3 bodies and decent mental prowess.


    Liam''s gaze fell on Robert''s carriage. ''The mission depends entirely on whether or not he lives.''


    Forcing a long breath, Liam''s eye shifted left and right, assessing his approaching enemies. His strong consciousness sped up his thinking speed.


    ''Not all of them are Magi. I can kill the ones in front with ease, but those in the back could cause trouble,'' Liam assessed, a n brewing within his racing mind.


    Liam shifted his attention to the soldiers, shouting orders with amanding tone:


    "You all! Focus all your defenses on those above the hill!"


    Although the soldiers were much older than Liam was, they all simultaneouslyplied with his orders.


    More than a dozen men shifted towards the mountain, leaving the treeline side bare¡­ except a young boy holding a pair of des standing guard.


    The approaching goons at the front looked confused. They felt no mental energy from Liam, and neither did those at the back.


    "Don''t underestimate him¡­ the boy looks dangerous!" one man shouted from the back. "Our objective is the girl, don''t forget that!"


    Still, the burly goons couldn''t help but scoff, their auras and mental energies ring with violence in Liam''s vision.


    Before they could attack, Liam turned into a blur, reappearing next to the closest bandit.


    Before the man could even lift his spear, Liam''s ck katana and wakizashi ¨C coated with Lethality Mantle and dark smoke ¨C swiped against the man''s chest horizontally.


    Viscera and blood gushed out of the wound ¨C which festered with corroding darkness momentarily ¨C and the man lost any feeling in his body.


    Another javelin made of condensed liquid shot at Liam, but with him aware, a sidestep sufficed as an evasion.


    The atmosphere changed.


    Bloodlust ¨C unadulterated and demonic ¨C spread across the surroundings, and fear clouded the goons'' hearts.


    In their eyes, Liam was no human, but a vicious magical beast whose territory they invaded upon.


    "He''s a darkness user, don''t let him get close!" a voice masked with growing panic shouted.


    Javelins of water, arrows zing with fire, and even a small sized boulder converged on where Liam stood ¨C few hit, but Liam allowed them to in order to push forward.


    Using Cartge Brace, he strengthened his defenses, since his opponents had simr Rank 3 bodies.


    A sword wielder took advantage of a javelin piercing Liam''s shoulder, swinging at his neck, but found himself unable to move his arms.


    Before he could process what happened, his consciousness faded to dark.

 Chapter 72 Respect

    <h4>Chapter 72 Respect</h4>


    As Liam pushed forward, a macabre trail of blood and severed body parts followed closely behind.


    A brave archer shot a flurry of zing fire arrows at him, but instead of hitting him, they pierced the dead body Liam used as a shield.


    ''Three left,'' Liam thought with a cold eye, surveying the archer and two spellcasters further up ¨C whose attacks looked much more frantic the more Liam grew close, and weaker the more they used spells.


    Meanwhile, the Reilos soldiers were doing well holding up their front ¨C with their advantage in numbers, they simply used their force as a collective.


    Though, now and again, an invisible arc of wind would shoot out and spread apart their defenses¡­ but seeing Liam holding up five men by himself gave them valor like no other.


    The kid wasn''t even 12 years old!


    They didn''t have time to admire his sight for too long, shifting their focus towards the fight at hand.


    With another forceful breath, Liam threw away the charred corpse shield and weaved towards the archer ¨C evading the azure javelin and the spike bursting from the ground.


    Liam''s des found their mark in the bow wielder''s neck, separating head from shoulders.


    Forged des, Lethality Mantle and Cartge Brace cut a Rank 2 body like butter.


    Long ranged cultivators didn''t put too much effort into advancing their bodies, which meant that the Magi were simr in that regard.


    The pale-faced spellcasters looked incredibly tired, their mental energy expended nearly fully. Instantly, the pair popped a pill in their mouths, regaining a bit of theirplexion.


    Liam decided it was time for the battle to end. The membrane beneath his skin hummed, sending a jolt of strength through his veins.


    At the same time, his mental waves turned dark, which he decided to use the brunt on the closest Magus to him ¨C the same one who continuously hurled javelins at him.


    ''Corroding touch!''


    The magus recoiled in pain as the dark energy collided with his own, stumbling backwards.


    Thrusting his katana into the man''s chest, Liam swiped upwards, cleaving his face in two.


    Fear and the desire to live caused the remaining Magus to bolt, but not before erecting a thick barrier between him and the demonic child.


    He ran away, looking over his shoulder¡­ but the boy didn''t chase.


    Relief creeped into his heart, and he desperately needed a short respite.


    ¡­The relief was short-lived. A cold wakizashi pierced his heart the second he caught his breath, which was thest breath he took.


    ''I need to get back to the caravan,'' Liam thought, looting the space rings off the Magi and running back.


    He felt a bit drowsy from using so many spells at once, but thanks to his efforts with the second rune, he was still in a condition to fight.


    Thankfully, there was no need to. The Reilos soldiers had pushed away their side of attackers, taking advantage of theirck of support and dwindled numbers.


    Liam made his way back to his carriage with a tattered, bloodied and charred robe ¨C drenched in scarlet blood, head to toe.


    Gazes of respect, shock and awe intersected at his direction. What the soldiers did as thirteen, Liam did alone.


    Robert exited his carriage and ran out to Liam, his giant belly swaying left and right.


    "Young man¡­" he stared at Liam''s wounds with worried eyes. "Are you¡­ okay?"


    "It''ll heal," Liam waved a hand dismissively before heading to his carriage. "I''ll be in my carriage. Erivol is close by ¨C we won''t need to stop. We can arrive safely by nightfall."


    Robert looked a bit stunned, both at Liam''s fighting and nonchnt demeanor ¨C not to mention his rare element ¨C but eventually, he nodded in understanding.


    With no more enemies left to kill, Liam entered his car and began absorbing ''Ora'' to heal his grievous wounds.


    ''I''m satisfied with my current prowess, but I heavily depend on the King''s Eye.'' he mused, eyes closed in deep thought. ''That first javelin would''ve killed me instantly if I didn''t have it.''


    Dependingrgely on one aspect from his arsenal was not wise. Liam needed to improve in all fields¡­ and fast.


    In reality, he was being incredibly unfair to himself. Apparently, solo killing five cultivators more or less the same Rank as him didn''t satisfy his expectations.


    As soon as Liam''s state steadily replenished ¨C and the pain abided ¨C he took out the rings plundered from the Magi.


    Disappointingly, there wasn''t much to his satisfaction ¨C some ''Ora'' Stones, no spells or techniques.


    Nheless, more storage was always a plus for Liam''s needs.


    Soon, night fell. Countless stars flickered among the heavens.


    Liam had already perched atop his carriage to stargaze and memorize his surroundings, cultivating while his retinas reflected the constetions.


    Before long, Erivol''s gated borders grew visible in the distance, bright lights glowing behind the thick, inscribed wall.


    The caravan pulled up to the entrance, and armored guards approached, their suit of metal golden in color.


    Robert exited and briefly conversed with them, shing them what looked like documents and a noble token, before the armored guards gave him a knowing nod.


    Later, the caravan entered the city.


    The streets of Erivol bustled with golden-robed nobles traversing its streets, lined with marbled dwellings and elegant amodations. Tall buildings were randomly scattered around the region.


    Compared to Udd, Erivol looked more expensive to live in, but was vastly smaller.


    Suddenly, when the robed nobles saw Liam''s caravan, they began hurling anything they could find at them.


    "Ugly Uddian! Get lost!" one individual shouted, throwing a thumb-sized ''Ora'' Stone at Liam''s face, but thetter grabbed it mid-air and hurled it back.


    "Urk!"


    The stone smashed right in between the noble''s forehead, causing him to fall backwards.


    Thankfully, the carriage passed the main road before any repercussions.


    From inside the soldiers'' caravan, the menughed in unison.


    Liam grew curious - he jumped over his own car and over to the guards'', entering like a sly snake.


    "Why are they so angry?"


    The guards stoppedughing in respect to Liam''s question.


    "Udd has won against Erivol in the Regional Tournament twice now¡­ these people haven''t forgotten about it since."


    Liam pursed his lips in thought.


    ''...Interesting.''

 Chapter 73 Hate

    <h4>Chapter 73 Hate</h4>


    The caravan arrived at its destination shortly after ¨C parking beneath arge hotel-looking building.


    Robert came out and addressed the soldiers, his daughter and wife ¨C who looked vastly out of his league ¨C standing behind him, giving Liam strange looks.


    "We''ll settle here for the night," said Robert, pointing to the hotel. "Good work, men."


    The group entered the building, a well-dressed servant guiding them to their respective rooms.


    Liam entered his own, staring at the furnished and luxurious space for barely a moment, before creating space to practice his arts.


    ''I didn''t get a chance to test out my blood draining spell¡­ but that''s probably for the best. Revel kidnapped countless nobles and used it on them¡­ he''s definitely first on the most-wanted list,'' Liam thought.


    Since midnight fell, he began cultivating.


    Two hours quickly passed. Liam felt his core expand ever so slightly, but just like his mental sphere, he didn''t feel close to the next stage, let alone a breakthrough.


    ///


    Throughout the next day, Robert made multiple stops throughout the city, visiting various businesses and establishments.


    Liam took it upon himself to explore the areas surrounding the city ¨C most shops sold inscribed weapons and armors, but others offered techniques and spells.


    During the nights where most soldiers were asleep ¨C and those awake weren''t strong ¨C Liam concealed his presence and decided to sneak out, changing into a different pair of clothes.


    He decided to sell his unwanted martial arts and weak techniques ¨C he kept the higher ranked ones, since they could garner unwanted suspicion.


    As if his paranoia wasn''t enough, Liam made sure to sell in small quantities, and in different shops ¨C adding a hefty sum of ''Ora'' Stones into his already huge savings.


    It turned out, Erivol citizens really, really hated Uddians. The grudge spanned over multiple decades, and not just because of the tournament.


    From what Liam heard, even the ruling patriarchs hated each other, but the validity of that im wasn''t verified.


    Meanwhile, there wasn''t much to do from Liam''s side. The city was safe from any sort of threat, beast or human.


    More than once, though, a vindictive group of nobles attempted to scare the group ¨C shouting insults at anyone they could find.


    Obviously, they didn''t try anything too courageous. Not with the soldiers there¡­ and a strange kid that gave them a nk look, which strangely caused a shiver to run down their spines.


    Pretty soon, the week ended, and it was time to head back home.


    Robert had a joyous look on his face. He''d traveled between multiple cities to and fro, but never with so much security and peace.


    The man gathered everyone up early in the morning and set out towards Udd.


    "I have to be honest, I''d love to have you as my personal guard¡­ although the Reilos family isn''t too well known, we could offer high pay," said Robert, conversing with Liam inside his carriage.


    "I''m already with the Royce," Liam responded, feeling a bit ufortable with the noble in his space. "Plus, it''s not like I can even if I wanted to."


    Robert wasn''t discouraged. In fact, he decided to press a bit harder.


    "Lad, I''ll cut to the point¡­ what if I offer you my daughter''s hand in marriage?" asked Robert with a hopeful look.


    "That way, you won''t have to be disloyal to the rulers, and still work for me. Think about it, young man. Her vermillion eyes and scarlet hair, how would your children look? She''s a bit older than you, but it isn''t a major issue by Echorianw."


    Liam felt ufortable listening to Robert''s description of his daughter¡­ and how far the man peered into an imaginary future.


    His face grew distant as he peered out the window.


    Liam had a twisted idea of what love was.


    What even was love, anyway? Was it what Eve held for Liam? But what kind of love was that? Was there a way to measure it? How did it increase? It was tooplicated.


    ''...I''m good, thanks,'' Liam thought, his face subconsciously turning cold.


    ''What marriage? What children? What wealth? I couldn''t care less about your measly ambitions. I''d rather be someone that could splinter a mountain by flicking a finger.''


    The atmosphere within the carriage gradually changed, causing beads of cold sweat to run down Robert''s face. He grew unnerved, an anxiousness churning within the depths of his soul.


    He no longer felt safe inside that carriage.


    "N-Nevermind, haha," concluded Robert, shouting for the coachman to stop his carriage so he could exit. "I''ll be out of your hair, young man."


    Liam remained silent, his gaze fixed towards the window.


    For the rest of the ride, no one bothered him.


    ///


    The trip back went rtively safely after the initial attack.


    There was arge group of Rank 3 Spit Lizards that would intersect with the caravan''s path, which Liam himself decided to take care of ¨C he figured testing out his drain ability on magical beasts was much safer and easier to do.


    He separated from his caravan and decided to attack the lizards before they arrived. It didn''t take long for Liam to eliminate all of them ¨C Spit Lizards were ridiculously slow, requiring a full minute to charge a powerful stream of water.


    Liam simply killed one, then used its body as a cover for any attacks shot his way, before rinsing and repeating.


    Shortly after killing them, he caused his nails to grow ck and sharp, piercing the lizards'' body with it.


    He felt blood gulping through his fingers and into his bloodstream, which the spell automatically sorted to be nourishment.


    ''This really is a masterpiece. Not only does it absorb blood, but it suits it for the human body,'' Liam thought.


    After finishing what he needed to do, he dumped the lizards'' dry body into a waterbed for other beasts to devour.


    Soon, the caravan arrived at Udd.


    Liam exited his car and so did Robert, but thetter didn''t approach too close to him.


    "Thank you for your excellent service, young man," he thanked, handing Liam a jade slip, which was the sign of apleted mission.


    Liam limited to a nod before returning to his quarters, intent on checking out how Eve was doing.


    Before he could, though, his half siblings blocked his path, their personal guards looking ufortable standing behind them.


    ''If I don''t ughter you two in the most painful way imaginable, I won''t live with myself.''

 Chapter 74 Chains

    <h4>Chapter 74 Chains</h4>


    Time passed.


    Liam spent most of his days diligently training, pushing his mind and body past any limit it might''ve had.


    Of course, he couldn''t actually advance his body, but only perfect its capabilities by improving his mental prowess.


    Liam spent more timepleting missions than staying within the mansion.


    ¡­Truthfully, he did that to avoid his half-siblings and unwanted attention, but when Elsa and Ian began harassing his mother, he needed to stay behind.


    ''They''re not smart enough to do that on their own¡­ Adrian is giving them orders,'' Liam figured.


    That inevitably slowed down his progress.


    The twins realized Liam''s body had regenerative properties, allowing them to express much harsher torture upon him.


    Quite honestly, Liam thought they were too green¡­ despite being three years older than him.


    Most of their torture didn''t faze him at all, just annoying him to no end and wasting his time.


    On the side, Liam didn''t have much time to spare for his forging and Blood Weaving, but he didn''t think he could create a powerful spell or weapon any time soon.


    Liam kept in touch with his teachers via the Rank 2 Jade, but hadn''t met with them for too long.


    Other than that, the tournament was getting closer by the day.


    Ripples of excitement spread across Udd and every other major city, which Liam had actually visited during his many missions.


    Udd, Erivol, Crigate, Logras, Vence and Rizt were the six noble cities, each with their own specialities and characteristics.


    Among them, only Erivol had major problems with Uddians.


    Elsa, Ian and a few other of Liam''s half-siblings were going to participate within the Regional Tournament.


    Of course, they didn''t really need the Rank 4 tempering method ¨C being of the main branch gave them massive privileges, which was partly why they were so arrogant.


    It was their failure of a dad''s acknowledgement they sought.


    Meanwhile, Liam tried his best in finding a way to participate within thepetition. Mainly, he spoke to Samuel about it, and the head guard promised to look into it.


    ///


    Liam stood in the middle of his messy room ¨C his body bare ¨C? gripping his worn-down des with a passive stance.


    He had just taken a bath, washing out his piss-stained robe for the umpteenth time.


    ''I''m gonna crush that monkey''s skull one day.''


    Heaving a calming breath, Liam loosened his grasp and dropped his ck katana and wakizashi.


    ¡­But right before the pair of weapons fell to the ground, a dark chain made of darkness wrapped around their hilt pulled them back to his hands.


    Liam smiled in satisfaction.


    ''Dark Chains¡­ swallowed four months worth of merits, but it''s worth it.''


    What Liam was referring to, was a Rank 2 spell that allowed the user to produce a darkness-made link from their palms, allowing for painful ensnarement, or convenient utility.


    How long the user wanted them depended on how much ''Ora'' the spell consumed, which was quite a bit for Liam at the moment.


    More importantly, Liam solved his range problem ¨C Purgatory Night didn''t have any projectile attacks, but with the chains¡­ he could hurl his weapons without losing them, simr to a kusarigama.


    Liam wrapped the chains tightly around his katana and wrists, before twirling them like a rope and sending the de flying.


    He was inexperienced with the movements at first, but after some practice, he was able to swing his des with the chain ¨Cbining a deadly mixture of both close-range and mid-range attacks.


    However, upon a closer look, the chains started to damage the hilts of his weapons.


    ''...I can''t maintain this fighting style for long, but it''s good against those that like to keep a distance.''


    Nodding in satisfaction, Liam sheathed his des when a knock surfaced on his door.


    Opening it, Liam found Samuel looking at him with a mixture ofplicated emotions.


    "Samuel, I wasn''t expecting you," said Liam. Over time, he nurtured a friendship between the Royce family soldiers, hence theck of respective terms exchanged.


    It helped that he wasn''t a snobby brat like the rest of his siblings.


    "I don''t mean to bother you during your practice, are you free now?" asked Samuel.


    Liam nodded, attempting to invite the man into his room, but realized it reeked of sweat.


    "No matter, I was finishing up anyway. Would you like toe inside?" he asked, hoping the man would say no.


    Samuel raised his hand. "That''s fine, I just wanted to tell you about the uing tournament."


    A hint of a scowl grew on Liam''s face.


    "...Yes?"


    After a short, tense pause, Samuel spoke with a slight smile:


    "You''ve been allowed to participate¡­ but on one condition," Samuel paused. "You enter as a peasant."


    Liam beamed,pletely uncaring of Samuel''s second point.


    ''Finally. Entering as a non-noble would probably garner some annoying attention, but a small price to pay.''


    Seeing his reaction, the head guard heaved a sigh of relief. Truthfully, he liked Liam, which was why he personally delivered the news.


    "I''ll be on my way, then. Good luck,d."


    As soon as the head guard left, Liam visited his mother.


    "I got permission," Liam revealed, speaking to Eve in her living room. "I''ll be able to participate."


    Eve shed a smile, but Liam could sense she was ufortable with that.


    Most mothers were that way with fighting, but Eve had been used to it from a much younger age with her son.


    Nheless, she put on a smiling face and congratted him, before Liam had to go and prepare for his uingpetition.


    ///


    Throughout the next month, Liam had mastered the first and second forms for Purgatory Night, simultaneously honing his sea of consciousness to a sharp level.


    ''Dark Rend'', the first form of his art, allowed the de''s smoky coating to burst into dark mes. Liam could maintain that ferocious state for roughly five minutes before feeling depleted.


    The second form, ''Mordant Severer'', manipted the coating of smoke to whir into ayer of sharpness, bolstering its lethality. Simrly to Lethality Mantle, it required a constant stream of ''Ora'', but didn''t cost too much.


    Although Liam tried, he couldn''t master the third form to his satisfaction. He did learn it, but its execution was a bit¡­ difficult. For now, at least.


    A month passed, and the day of the tournament arrived.

 Chapter 75 Journey

    <h4>Chapter 75 Journey</h4>


    Liam woke up well rested, without the usual scowl on his face ¨C he barely expanded his mental sphere the previous night, paring moderate cultivation with a well needed rest ¨C before taking a warm bath.


    Briefly, Liam inspected his ring. Rogan had gone all out and made him four pairs of des made from Rank 3 darkness beasts.


    After Liam mentioned his participation in the tournament, the cksmith looked ted to showcase his forging ability in front of an audience.


    Liam nodded with a slight smile, before getting ready.


    Outside his room, could already sense themotion of excitement ¨C servants and guards working together to prepare for the ceremony filled the air with a tense anticipation of sorts.


    Liam got dressed ¨C a tight stic shirt that didn''t hide his defined muscles ¨C paired with a robe that covered his lower-half. A scarlet sash wrapped around his waist held the clothing together.


    His hair was cut shortly, styled to an undercut parted down the middle.


    He tucked his scabbards under the ribbon, before leaving his dwelling and heading towards the mansion courtyards ¨C where arge group of expensive carriages were parked.


    Low-level guards, butlers and maids looked hectic as they made preparations for the two day journey towards the Regional Stadium.


    At the head of the caravan, the highest ranking members of the Royce familyfortably resided ¨C along with the strongest guards that apanied them ¨C followed by those below them and vice versa.


    Apparently, Adrian hadn''t spoken to Eve since her arrival at the mansion, which allowed her to travel with the servant''s group.


    Liam honestly didn''t want her toe and see the fights, but she insisted oning herself.


    Meanwhile, Samuel saw Liam approaching and waved at him.


    "I''ll be traveling with the guards, I''m guessing?" asked Liam, nearing the head guard and remarking the wry look on his face.


    ''Thought so,'' Liam guessed, but promptly said: "I''ll be on my way, then."


    Liam found the furthest group at the back and joined them. The soldiers were more than a little shocked to find him there, but were happy they had hispany.


    "Lad! We heard you were participating?" a burly, tall, bald guard said with a smile. "We''ll be rooting for ya, just so you know. Do your best not to get embarrassed, haha!"


    Liam chuckled alongside the men¡­ but with an icy tone and a side eye, he added:


    "Whatever bets you all are making, I better be getting a cut."


    Those words caused the guards to tense momentarily, butugh a momentter.


    Soon, the preparations were clear and done ¨C Samuel signaled the carriages to start moving, and the lightning fast Wind Stallions began trotting.


    ///


    Each of the six cities were in a raging uproar.


    Nearly all nobles, small-sized torge, paid to see the Regional Tournament. Even those from other regions traveled to witness the event. There were hardly enough seats for everyone, though.


    The details of the tournament were simple.


    Roughly 24 participants wouldpete, each representing a ruling family¡­ with the exception of Liam, of course.


    Since the geography of the six cities formed a ring of sorts, the stadium was erected upon an empty grasnd ¨C it resembled a roman-styled colosseum.


    After a whole two days, the Royce family arrived at the arena''s location. Normally trips of that distance took an entire month, but the magical beasts hastened them greatly.


    Soon enough, the stadium grew visible¡­ and Liam underestimated how big the colosseum was ¨C towering at 8 stories high and made with ancient limestone, the arena had an open top.


    ''All this wealth for a tournament that won''tst longer than a week. Where do these nobles get off?'' Liam thought with a shake of his head.


    Large entrances were erected at the foot of the establishment, receiving noble guests and contenders separately.


    All the rulers had their own special gates, and the Royce family began entering through theirs.


    From the long line of carriages, one specific cargged behind and stopped.


    "That''s as far as we can go, friend," a skinny soldier said, handing Liam a pitch-ck coin with the Royce family insignia on it. "Just show that to thedy behind the desk. Good luck."


    Liam grabbed the coin and nodded, before silently exiting the carriage and heading towards the line of youths near one of the gates.


    As soon as he did, the men gave each other a knowing look¡­ before starting a betting war.


    Meanwhile, Liam silently assessed thepetition ¨C slightly older male and female nobles bearing different hairstyles and clothing.


    ''They all have Rank 3 bodies, pretty much. They''ve awakened their cores, too,'' Liam assessed. That kind of progress wasn''t strange, considering the ess the rich had to pills and elixirs.


    ''...None of them have as strong a mind as mine. Not to mention I have the King''s Eye. It''s winnable.''


    Now and again, some of thepetitors would shoot Liam a strange, condescending look, to which he replied with indifference.


    The line dwindled until it became Liam''s turn.


    He handed the ck coin to the deadpanned woman behind the counter.


    "Name and age?" she asked, fidgeting with the coin in her hand.


    "...William. Eleven and a half." Liam responded.


    "William. Eleven and a half. No family backing. Approved," she concluded, gesturing for one of the arena workers ¨C who wore a purely white servants garment ¨C to guide Liam to his space.


    Muffled cheering noises grew louder as Liam entered the colosseum, led to a small room that contained delicious looking food and drink. It looked like a wardrobe of sorts, with drawers and cabs all around.


    Straight ahead, arge, horizontal, rectangr mirror was stered on the wall.


    In the center of the room, Liam could see a circr diagram.


    "What''s that?" he asked the servant.


    "The teleportation matrix, sir. You''ll step on that when your bout begins. The event will start in roughly two hours, please let me know if you require anything."


    Liam''s eyes widened in shock for a minute, before smiling.


    ''You can do that?''


    He lingered for a moment, and inquired with a curious tone:


    "...Do you have any masks?"

 Chapter 76 First Bout

    <h4>Chapter 76 First Bout</h4>


    The servant nodded, bringing Liam to a specific cab.


    "You will be the eighth bout, sir," the man said before leaving with Liam''s permission.


    Liam browsed through the many face coverings¡­ eventually finding one that he saw suitable to wear.


    Done with that task, Liam sat at therge table and began wolfing down his meals.


    Soon enough, night fell.


    Just then, an enthusiastic voice rang out in Liam''s room, followed by the mirror opposite him flickering with lights across its reflective surface¡­ revealing the vast stadium from an above angle.


    "Ladies and gentlemen! Wee¡­ to the Regional Power Tournament!"


    Thousands of seats were filled with cheering nobles, divided into six sections by their familial colors.


    Liam''s eye widened in amazement as he astutely scanned the ''TV'' screen.


    Through the King''s Eye, he could spot meticulous writings behind the mirror, which ran through the walls and presumably converged to a ''camera'' (or something simr) on the other side.


    ''...I can use the King''s eye through the mirror too!'' Liam thought, capable of seeing countless aura''s and mental energies among the crowd. ''It''s probably using the inscriptions to redirect what the mirrors reflect.''


    An announcer stood on a floating tform way above the stadium ¨C two women standing behind him.


    The middle-aged man wore a pearl-colored suit, a monocle on his right eye. White, slicked-back hair gave him a posh appearance, not to mention the gray and white goatee on his chin.


    Liam didn''t see a microphone in his hands, which meant the man used some sort of spell or technique to amplify his voice.


    Dozens of dazzling, blinding lights of interchanging colors shed across the stadium stalls and arena, illuminating the night sky above.


    At the same time, around the perimeter of therge arena, a group of musicians started banging on massive war drums, following a catchy and rhythmic beat.


    The music, crowd''s cheering, the announcer''s shouts created an exciting cacophony ¨C which all sounded muffled from where Liam sat.


    Eventually, all the lights turned white, converging on the announcer''s sparkling suit.


    "I''ll be your favorite host, Whyte!" he smiled warmly, disying his glimmering white teeth. "Please give a roaring wee to the ruling families!"


    Cheers grew louder, mixed with whistles and other unintelligible sounds.


    Stationed above the crowds were special structures designed specifically for the rulers ¨C a note of their superiority, no one could see through the one way mirrors.


    Something to note was theck of n patriarchs around the stadium.


    ¡­After all, politics were a mortal construct.


    Zenith ranked cultivators focused more on themselves than anyone around them, even if they were important figures with powerful authority.


    Liam hadn''t seen patriarch Edwin since the first meeting, and was told for a Zenith to make time for a Mortal was quite remarkable ¨C a clear indication of how rare a darkness element was.


    "Without further dy, let us begin!" Whyte spread his arms and shouted. "Starting with the rules!"


    "All fighters have been verified for their ages and strengths ¨C everyone is roughly at the same level, but with minor differences. Techniques, spells and forged/inscribed weapons of any kind are allowed ¨C it''s up to you to win!"


    "Pills and elixirs are strictly banned! Failure toply with this rule results in an instant disqualification!"


    "To win, your opponent must be incapacitated or forfeit of their own will. If you need me to spell it for you ¨C wounds are absolutely allowed."


    "Fear not! The famous Yin & Yang Sisters are on standby. Any injuries or wounds you umted will be healed by the end of your bout. Break a leg ¨C they''ll fix it for you!"


    The spotlight fell on the two women behind Whyte.


    Their beautiful appearance was in stark contrast to one another ¨C despite looking like twins, the color of their hair, eyshes, eyes, and robe was milky white for one, and silky ck for the other.


    They nodded with a synchronized, dazzling smile.


    With the spotlight returning back to Whyte, the man grinned ear-to-ear before shouting:


    "Onto the first bout!"


    The crowd burst with another frenzy of cheers, as the bright lights split to two, centering around a small circr formation on the opposite ends of the arena floor.


    "Please wee ¨C from the great city of Crigate ¨C the ''Rain Fairy'', Jane Phelross!"


    Bright light gradually took the form of a human figure in one of those formations ¨C the light dissipated, revealing a tall, youngdy wearing an inscribed crimson robe.


    Shimmering blonde hair fell to her shoulders, and her crystal blue eyes were sharp.


    She didn''t wield any weapon, but looked rxed and confident.


    "And from the opposite side, hailing from Erivol, please cheer for the ''Phoenix'', Jacob Or!"


    The formation on the opposite side glowed with a white light ¨C a short but lean young man appeared, donning a tight yellow robe.


    His face was squared, eyes brown and condescending. Disturbingly, the young man''s face looked euphoric from the attention he was receiving.


    Jacob held an inscribed spear, covered with intricate drawings and designs of a Phoenix.


    Meanwhile, Liam hummed in understanding. ''Or¡­ that''s Revel''s family.''


    Liam remembered the inscription-master''s first request. ''Kill any of my family members you can.''


    ¡­Obviously, he would never actually attempt something like that. At least, without any sort of nning or reason.


    Nheless, he shifted his focus towards the ''TV''.


    An array caused the vast arena floor to glow brightly, before an invisible wall of force grew around it ¨C protecting the stadium stalls from any dangerous attack.


    The wall was only visible to Liam''s eye, though, judging by the confused looks from some of the crowd members.


    Whyte''s thunderous voice rang in everyone''s ears:


    "Begin!"


    Jacob moved first, cocking his feet and shooting towards Jane like a bullet, stretching his spear forward.


    Simultaneously, an azure whip made of tight, condensed water materialized in Jane''s hands, which she held passively for Jacob''s arrival.


    Jacob saw the spell, but simply scoffed, refusing to shift his trajectory. His body pulsed, while his muscles grew thick with bulging veins, growing aggressively stronger.


    At the same time, the noble''s inscribed spear burst with violent red mes.

 Chapter 77 Mask

    <h4>Chapter 77 Mask</h4>


    Jane smirked.


    She waved her hand, a wall of condensed water gushed forth as a shield.


    Jacob''s attack pierced through the wall as though it was paper, but just then, Jane pivoted her foot and dodged.


    As soon as Jacob flew past, a crackling water-whipshed across his jaw, cracking more than a few teeth and causing his eardrums to pop.


    Inertia flung the noble towards the arena borders, which he spat out a mouthful of blood, cursing with any word he can find.


    Jane didn''t dare let the noble rest, shooting at him with lithe but swift steps.


    Before she could release a barrage of wildshes, Jacob''s spear whizzed through the air ¨C glowing brighter by the second ¨C grazing her cheek as she attempted to dodge.


    ''Shi¡ª''


    Boom!


    A deafening explosion bellowed through the arena, smashing against the wall of force and creating a cloud of smog that dulled all sight.


    The crowd held their breath, and the announcer''s calls abruptly stopped.


    Meanwhile, the Yin & Yang Sisters shot at the stage, finding Jane''s charred and bloodied body.


    They nodded in synchrony, each taking out arge cloth that corresponded to their white and ck colors ¨C the cloth clung to Jane''s body and entered her wounds, steadily healing them.


    Charred flesh and grievous wounds started to regrow with renewed muscle tissue.


    By then, the dust cloud settled, and the crowd erupted to a wild cheer, with the Crigate nobles visibly distraught.


    Servants ran towards the stage with a stretcher, escorting Jane''s body back inside.


    Jacob raised his hands in triumph, waving at the crowd with a toothless and maimed smile ¨C which the Sisters quickly healed not long after.


    "The first round¡­ goes to Jacob Or!"


    ///


    Liam stared at the screen with a grimace.


    Inscribed items were dangerous¡­ and currently, Liam had none. Not to mention, his current fighting style consisted of getting up close and personal, with the exception of his Dark Chains.


    Any explosive item could put him in a difficult spot.


    ''She could''ve easily won that fight, too. All she had to do was keep her distance and use her spells,'' Liam thought, noticing multiple ws in how the two nobles fought.


    Although he was still young, he''d umted an amazing understanding of battle and martial arts.


    Realizing something, Liam''s grimace grew deeper..


    ''...They''re keeping their abilities hidden. They have to. The other contenders are studying their fighting styles and taking notes,'' Liam guessed. He was no exception, either.


    ''I''ll have to limit my own usage too, but that means I''ll have to win with sheer prowess.''


    ///


    Before long, the second bout began, Logras versus Vence, purple robe against green, Nick Lemross facing Sam Shero.


    Nick was a handsome young man with well-styled blonde hair, wielding a needle-thin rapier.


    On the other hand, Sam was skinny, but lean. He didn''t wield any weapons, but a dangerous aura covered him.


    "Begin!"


    Straight away, the sh started viciously.


    Sam blurred, reappearing ahead of Nick with his feet bursting into roaring red mes, smashing against thetter''s rapier.


    A series of wide ming leg kicks followed, each strike creating a bang louder than the first. Sam''s fighting style bore simrities with capoeira, using his arms to maneuver his raging lower body.


    The swings aimed for Nick''s lower body, mainly the knees and abdomen.


    Nick blocked those attacks and created distance, attempting to counter with quick stabs. The zing mes burned parts of his robe, burning his skin.


    Nick was shoved to the edges of the arena, when his eyes turned severe ¨C his rapier glowed white, a gust of wind enveloping his de and body, creating a loud whirring noise.


    Sam''s eyes widened as he attempted to fall back¡­ but it was toote.


    Nick''s rapier looked formless, creating gashes and holes all over Sam''s body.


    The spell seemed to cause him pain judging by his strained expression, but the speedy and destructive nature of the technique pushed him forward.


    In a panic, Sam tried to cause his body to burst into mes as defense, but the wind overpowered it.


    Before long, it was over.


    "The victor¡­ Nick Lemross!"


    ///


    The bouts continued one by one.


    Liam watched intently with a slight scowl.


    Almost every noble participating had some sort of forged or inscribed item¡­ not to mention their massive arsenal of spells they kept hidden.


    Even Elsa and Ian fought, winning by the skin of their teeth and only because of the aforementioned advantages.


    Liam looked disgusted seeing how joyous they looked from attention.


    ''Please tell me I get matched against one of them,'' Liam hoped.


    Before long, a servant knocked on his door.


    "Sir? It''s time for your bout."


    Liam fixed his hair and pulled it back, tucking it behind a small ck hood he found in one of the cabs.


    The servant shuddered as Liam exited his room, pulling his fearful gaze away.


    "P-Please step on the formation whenever you''re called, sir."


    Liam had chosen¡­ an unusual mask.


    It was resembled a red Japanese ''Oni'' mask ¨C a wrathful expression on it ¨C that covered the entirety of his face. The slitted eye sockets allowed the King''s Eye to eerily glow golden within the shadowy interior.


    "I-Is there any mantle you have, sir?" the worker asked with his gaze forward.


    Liam pursed his lips behind the mask and lingered, before answering with a hidden grin:


    "Blood Demon."


    Nodding, the worker whispered something to the ck beaded bracelet on his right arm.


    "Let the eighth bout begin!" Whyte screamed passionately from the top of his lungs. "Originating from the Royce family... dashingly handsome and equally charming, the one and only, Ivan Royce!"


    A handsome young man bearing the Royce family features appeared. Unlike the previous contenders, Ivan wore an entire suit of inscribed golden armor ¨C dual-wielding a set of expensive looking sabers.


    "Ladies and gentlemen¡­ as you all might''ve known, every year, we allow one person without a family backing to participate. Please wee¡­ William, the ''Blood Demon''!"


    Liam stepped on the formation with a soft sigh, and instantly, his surroundings changed.

 Chapter 78 Fear

    <h4>Chapter 78 Fear</h4>


    Instantly, Liam''s surroundings changed.


    How it happened was quite anticlimactic if he was honest with himself ¨C it urred in the blink of an eye, and there were no special effects of the sort.


    A spotlight focused on Liam''s figure ¨C at the same time, the audience was basked inplete darkness, but that didn''t deter Liam''s sight.


    Thousands and thousands of eyes scanned him thoroughly. Specifically, Liam could feel a plethora of venomous gazesing from the Royce family booth¡­ and for some reason, even Erivol''s.


    He could even see through the one-way mirror and look at Adrian''s tense face, along with all his uncles and aunts staring at him with disgust.


    There was one more gaze that Liam felt, but he didn''t need to look at who it belonged to ¨C Eve was probably watching with worried eyes, scared dreadful for him.


    The crowd began booing, with some people throwing food and drink on the stage. Particrly, those from Erivol looked visibly enraged.


    ''...Why, though? Was it the nickname?''


    Realization dawned on Liam, causing him to chuckle and shake his head behind the mask.


    ''Revel, you old dog. Was this your name before you kicked the bucket?''


    "Oi!" Ivan shouted, bringing Liam out of his entranced musings. "You dare ignore me, bastard?"


    Liam didn''t respond, unsheathing his des and holding them passively.


    Ivan growled in anger.


    Before long, the inscriptions on the arena floor started to glow, erecting a protective wall of force.


    "And¡­ begin!"


    Ivan scoffed, shooting at Liam with his body low to the ground and sabers clenched tightly.


    Through the King''s Eye, Liam saw how his aura grew much more powerful.


    A stream of wind gathered beneath his heel, doubling his speed and pushing him forward with each swift step.


    Liam tuned out the obnoxious crowd and the announcer''s annoying voice from his ears.


    Ivan was Richard Royce''s youngest son, although older than him and his half-siblings. He was considered a ''prodigy'' of sorts, since his father had trained him from a young age.


    His features reminded Liam of Adrian.


    A dark expression formed under the Oni mask. Liam didn''t move as Ivan grew closer, standing still with his des lowered like a statue.


    Ivan was only an arm''s length away from him when the grip on his katana and wakizashi tightened.


    Cartge Brace, Corroding Touch, and Lethality Mantle were activated at the same time.


    ng!


    A loud metal bang echoed the air and rang, followed by gasps of shock sounding throughout the stadium.


    The audience watched incredulously as Liam''s des swung vertically against Ivan''s sabers and metal chest, piercing through it in one swift sh and splitting it down the waist.


    The noble''s inscribed sabers and armor had shattered at the same time. Shards of metal paired with streaks of blood hung in the air as he scraped across the ground.


    Heid unconscious, with his face kissing the floor, his bum sticking out like a camel''s hump.


    A deafening silence ensued.


    Even Whyte had nothing to say, and he spoke with every breath inhaled.


    A devilish grin grew behind the mask as Liam''s eye scoured the audience, his gaze falling on the Royce''s amodation.


    Lisa Royce, Richard Royce, and Adrian Royce ¨C the three highest ranked members of the family ¨C all stared at Liam, stupefied.


    Liam put his index finger on the mask''s lip in a shushing motion, causing them to seethe.


    Ian and Elsa were watching the fight from their own rooms. They had looked up to Ivan like their own older brother, yet he was defeated with a single move.


    A tiny spark of fear in their hearts gradually grew, steadily consuming them from within.


    Meanwhile, the Yin & Yang Sisters descended from the floating tform and inspected Ivan''s state, covering him in a small ck and white handkerchief cloth that healed his chest gash.


    Their eyes fell on Liam to assess him for wounds, but thetter had already started to head off stage.


    A dyed booing followed, with hysteric and demeaning chants.


    "Cheating pig!"


    "He''s using pills! The nerve of this peasant!"


    "Someone unmask him so we can see how ugly he is!"


    Yet to Liam, their utterings were meaningless.


    Whyte jolted from his stupor and shook his head.


    "The win goes to William, the Blood Demon!"


    Liam went past the tunnel and entered his room, instantly inspecting the state of his des.


    The frail katana and wakizashi were both riddled with cracks, yet Liam was thankful to have such a thoughtful forge master ¨C he still had eight des remaining.


    ''There''s still a long time until I get done with all of these. As long as I don''t use their special ability, that is.''


    Using his spare time, he began cultivating and nourishing his mental energy.


    Before long, the TV in Liam''s room flickered on, and Whyte regained his lostposure.


    "Noble guests! The next series of bouts will begin after a short break! From 24 contenders, 12 remain!"


    As midnight came to pass, the stadium walls started to rumble and shake. Stone grinded against stone, as arge see-through dome started to cover the colosseum''s top.


    On the colosseum''s furthest wall, arger and much bigger ''TV'' screen revealed itself. It flickered with lights dancing on its surface, disying the brackets with the remaining fighters.


    Liam''s eye fell on his next opponent.


    It was Jacob Or.


    Most of the remaining contenders were powerful enough for Liam to fight seriously.


    ''I''m still above them mental wise. They just have more abilities.''


    Like usual, the second half started.


    The fights were much more difficult and dragged out for longer too, since the contenders were facing much stronger opponents.


    At the same time, Liam had the chance to witness much more spells and techniques. Through the King''s Eye, he could even see mental attacks being used, letting him know who to be careful of.


    Although Liam would''ve loved to go against him, Ian failed to advance to the next bracket¡­ but Elsa managed to win, only by the skin of her teeth.


    After a whole two hours, Liam''s turn to fight came.

 Chapter 79 Overwhelming

    <h4>Chapter 79 Overwhelming</h4>


    "Do you think he has a chance?" Richard asked his sister, Lisa, with a stern scowl ¨C his youngest son had lost to a peasant, bastard child. The man was seething inside.


    Though, Richard had known his sister to be the shrewdest when it came to scheming.


    She pursed her full lips and lightly bit down on them ¨C her green irises staring out the window and at Liam.


    With a severe tone, Lisa spoke:


    "I hate to admit it, but he''s grown incredibly powerful over time. Even though my nephew and niece constantly harassed them¡­ the boy barely sleeps."


    Adrian quietly listened from the side. His face was grave, sweat dripping over his brow.


    "We''ll see," Lisa said after a tense pause, before her face grew cold. "If ites to it¡­ we can do something."


    ///


    Liam stood opposite to Jacob, des rxed parallel to his sides.


    Meanwhile, Jacob''s stance was tense, the shaft of his spear slick with sweat.


    There wasn''t the usual arrogance on the noble''s face like before, but one of valiant resolve.


    To the untrained eye, it might''ve seemed like Liam wasn''t going to take the battle seriously.


    Jacob felt the opposite, his stiff gulp drowned by the cacophony of cheers, boos and war drums.


    Blood Demon''s aura was overwhelming.


    Jacob could feel his unwavering gaze scanning his body.


    ''What kind of monster is this guy? I only get scared like that with master Henry!'' Jacob grimaced, thinking of the senior cultivator that taught him how to fight.


    ''No¡­ don''t falter. Remember your training. Don''t stain your name more than it already has.''


    It didn''t help that the mask Blood Demon chose to wear was downright frightening.


    Jacob heaved a calming breath, assuming a passive stance with his spear pointed towards the masked Oni.


    Inscriptions lit the ground.


    "Begin!"


    Like a heron finding prey, Liam began with lithe steps growing in speed, turning into a blur and smashing both des against Jacob''s spear.


    ng!


    ''He''s strong!'' Jacob thought as more de attacks arrived from rare angles, which he used his inscribed spear to block.


    Each swing held a distinct weight, pushing him back as he blocked with his spear.


    Having a Rank 3 body wasn''t the only factor in deciding a person''s strength. After all, it was only a tool. Its effectiveness was only determined with how it was utilized.


    Cuts appeared on Jacob''s robe and arms, which slowly festered with hidden darkness and consumed his flesh from within. Still, he was too focused and tense to pay those wounds any heed.


    Liam made sure not to make his darkness too visible. It helped that his des were ck, but there was no way for him to keep his element hidden for the entirety of the tournament.


    Jacob began using his martial art forms.


    The inscribed spear burst into thick mes, creating arcs of orange that collided and managed to push back Liam''s attacks.


    Roles had reversed, with Liam now focused on defense.


    Yet, as Jacob continued to lung, swing and stab, he only grew more worried.


    Liam hadn''t used his martial art forms the entire fight, and only defended using his sheer physicality, evading the harder strikes, and absorbing the smaller attacks.


    The mes didn''t faze him ¨C after all, he had boiled his insides to get to the second rank and get the heat-resistance that came with it.


    At the same time, Liam''s footsteps didn''t make a single noise. He''d denied any supporting auditory cues for Jacob to predict his movements.


    Jacob paused his offense and jumped backwards to create distance, but Liam followed and contested any opportunity for reprieve.


    ''I have to use it now!'' Jacob grimaced in pain, thick mes gushing forth and engulfing his body.


    Liam witnessed his fiery aura growing in intensity. He attempted to sneak in a killing blow, but was instantly pushed back by a burst of fire.


    A pair of fire-made wings unfurled behind Jacob''s back, his body covered in a suit of ming armor, leaving only his face uncovered. Moreover, his spear had turned into a zing trident, resembling a Phoenix''s w.


    Jacob''s feet were no longer touching the ground.


    Liam''s eye narrowed with a frown.


    The wings on Jacob''s back suddenly fluttered, sending him shooting towards Liam while leaving behind a trail of hot mes.


    Jacob''s speed was almost double that of Ivan''s. Liam witnessed the trident aiming straight for his stomach.


    The w had slit Liam''s side as he dodged, cutting through his clothing and pale skin, charring it not a moment after.


    Jacob hadn''t relented, instantly turning around and starting a barrage of ming, piercing attacks.


    ''Survive. He can''t hold that form for long,'' Liam''s mind raced as he continued to evade and dodge, suffering wounds and burns.


    Liam''s clothes were tattered like a war g, but the mask and hood hung on.


    In the span of ten breaths, the mes on Jacob''s body started to flicker weakly, his speed and strength regressing.


    The wings of fire no longer held him up, lowering him. At the same time, he looked utterly exhausted.


    From then on, it was brutally one sided.


    Jacob wheezed heavily with each movement, his bruised eyes drooping from enervation. He couldn''t block the lethal shes that shredded his muscles from within.


    It was when his spear shattered entirely that the fight was finally stopped.


    "Blood Demon wins again!"


    After a tense pause, the crowd roared.


    Although some booed (particrly Erivol), nobles loved entertainment¡­ and the Blood Demon was much more than they expected.


    Meanwhile, Liam scowled behind his mask.


    ''I can feel Eve''s gaze on me¡­ is this why they allowed her toe?'' he clicked his tongue in annoyance. It wouldn''t bother him as much as it would his mother, but it was still an obnoxious move.


    The Sisters descended and wrapped Jacob''s wounds with a cloth corresponding to their color, before shifting their unified gaze to Liam.


    With a series of smooth and rehearsed movements, they did the same process on his body.


    The ck and white cloth squirmed inside Liam''s wounds and melted, which grew back the lost muscle tissue.


    "You''re not gonna take off the mask?" the Sisters asked in unison.


    Liam shook his head in silence, sheathing his des.


    Everyone stared at his lonesome figure with awed gazes as he made his way off the stage.

 Chapter 80 Humiliation

    <h4>Chapter 80 Humiliation</h4>


    Liam once again entered his temporary room and renewed his clothes, before healing his wounds and replenishing his ''Ora'' reserves.


    The Oni mask he wore was nowpletely charred ¨C turning ck and even more intimidating ¨C but thankfully, the wooden material held on.


    Before long, the giant ''TV'' turned on, disying the remaining brackets with the contenders hidden by a question mark.


    From 12 yers, only 6 remained.


    Liam would need to fight twice more to seize victory¡­ but he couldn''t hide his true prowess for much longer.


    Among the participants he saw fight, there were a few that could really force him to go all out ¨C mainly the ''Ogre'', the ''Ace'', and ''Bullet''.


    The rapidly changing brackets started to interchange with a sharp sound effect, gradually settling in one ce.


    After a dramatic, tense pause, the question marks were unveiled, revealing who would fight each other in the semi-finals.


    Liam grinned ear-to-ear.


    William [Blood Demon] vs Elsa Royce [Golden Empress].


    ///


    "You can''t let her fight that¡­ devil child!" Elsa''s mother, Nicky, desperately begged Adrian.


    Adrian grimaced, beads of sweat dripping down his forehead.


    Even he knew the limits of his arrogance and pride. Elsa was not powerful¡­pared to Liam, that is.


    His grimace grew deeper, mind throbbing for anything he could use.


    Lisa and Richard shot him a piercing re, like two lions intimidating a housecat.


    The tournament was equally organized by the major cities ¨C any decision that regarded it, big or small, had to be approved by a council consisting of a noble from the ruling n.


    That being said, the matchups were fully random ¨C an inscribed item was used to shuffle and connect them. Asking the council to change it could cause the Royce family to lose face and look weak to the other rulers.


    "Letting him participate was a mistake," said Richard, rubbing his stern face.


    "It''s all your fault," Lisa narrowed her eyes at Adrian, causing him to shrivel and sweat coldly.


    Unlike him, Lisa had a Rank 4 body and a powerful mental sphere.


    "If you cleaned up the mess you made, we wouldn''t have to suffer this much humiliation. We can''t even kill the damn kid since he''s caught our father''s eye!"


    An anxious silence followed, the atmosphere so tense, one could cut it with a knife.


    "Perhaps¡­ there''s a way to salvage this," Lisa uttered under her breath, a dangerous gleam in her cold eyes. Those present shuddered. "...Let''s wait and see."


    ///


    Liam stilled any sadistic emotion from appearing on his face¡­ even though his expression was obscured by the mask.


    Elsa stood opposite to him, pale and sweaty. Although her robe covered her entirely, she felt naked under Liam''s sinister gaze.


    ''Damn it, stop shaking! He''s just a bastard! A peasant! You''re better than him in every way,'' she thought, biting her lip in frustration.


    The crowd''s chanting, cheering and booing slowed, stretched and grew deeper in her ears, apanied by the muffled thumping of her heart ¨C which she mistook for the war drums.


    Her eyes were glued to Liam''s charred mask, but something desperately begged her to look away ¨C the longer she looked, the more the surroundings darkened.


    Somehow, in her trance, Elsa hadn''t realized that Whyte had already started the match¡­ and that there was no cheering noise. Just darkness.


    She watched with tense eyes as Liam took slow steps towards her, his des casually lowered to his sides, his eye locked with her own.


    Under her unbelieving gaze, the charred Oni mask contorted unnaturally, as though it came to life.


    It continued to struggle, eventually taking on a new expression¡­ a devilish, sadistic one ¨C the mask''s lips started to curve upwards to form an end-to-end grin, sending a bone-chilling shiver down her spine.


    Elsa''s heart sounded like a woodpecker''s rapid tapping against a tree. Her consciousness was on the brink of copse, like a demolished temple awaiting a gentle wind to tip over.


    Elsa always knew it was strange her half-blooded brother had a golden iris, which ominously turned radiant at times she tortured him.


    Between the murky dark colors epassing Elsa''s sight, Liam''s eye shone brighter, and brighter, and brighter¡­ before turning crimson.


    With the Oni''s grin growing wider, a guttural and demonic voice growled:


    "Where''s your father?"


    Elsa''s mind snapped.


    A foul, warm liquid gathered under her feet, tears forming in her winced eyes as her face repeated a glitched, terrified.


    Liam was taken aback. He hadn''t even raised his des, yet the noble had already soiled herself from fear.


    The Yin & Yang Sisters looked shocked as they assessed Elsa''s body. There were no damages to her mental sphere, nor body.


    "Did you use any mental attacks?" they asked Liam with a synchronized frown, to which he responded with the shake of his head.


    All the while, the crowd was dead silent. Not a single peep as Elsa was carried out in a stretcher, bowels emptying.


    Ian watched in shock from the contender''s room, alongside everyone else who lost their bouts ¨C thankful they didn''t suffer humiliation like that.


    Whyte scratched the side of his head. In fairness, he''d never been in a situation so daunting¡­ how can he make a joke to lighten the tension? He wasn''t touching it with a ten foot pole.


    "The finals, folks!" were the words he finally said, his voice devoid of enthusiasm. "Stay tuned for the finals, starting in five hours."


    ///


    "So much for face! We''ll be aughing stock for the next decade!" Lisa hissed, her otherwise beautiful face tainted by a venomous scowl.


    Adrian looked aghast. His daughter pissed herself in front of hundreds of thousands. his mind drifted to disowning her, but she was directly from his blood.


    Richard looked at Liam exiting the stage and narrowed his eyes.


    "We need to do something. Fast."


    The surrounding servants and maids started to cower from the pressure released by the three.


    Lisa slowly regained herposure, heaving a long sigh to calm herself.


    Her eyes grew cold.


    "The boy''s mother," she uttered under her breath. "Where is she?"

 Chapter 81 Chain

    <h4>Chapter 81 Chain</h4>


    Eve watched from a spot beneath the stadium stalls, a small booth for the maids, butlers and other servants to rest momentarily.


    At first, her heart was naturally strained with worry and fear for Liam.


    Cultivators were utter madmenpared to everyday people, and their fights were a testament to that.


    They were dangerous, scary, untrustworthy people. She feared them.


    But not her son! He was her protector, her guardian.


    Though when Liam teleported on that stage with that demonic mask and ck des grasped tightly, she looked¡­ shocked.


    There was no protective air around him, reced with a hellish atmosphere that caused a chill to ravage her bones.


    Not long after, he won the match with one attack, maiming and shattering a noble''s armor and pride.


    Eve bit her tongue to suppress her fear, but when she saw how indifferent Liam was to his wounds and burns during the second bout, tears clouded her incredulous eyes.


    Just what kind of life did her son live till now? Why was he so used to pain? Why was he so stubborn in attaining power?


    ''...He wants to escape,'' she realized, holding her face to stop the flowing tears. ''Why didn''t I see it? I''m the chain bounding him to this cursed family!''


    Soon enough, a wry-faced maid came to whisper something in Eve''s ear ¨C something that made her gasp.


    She lowered her head, a dark and pensive light in her eyes.


    ''I see. I can''t let that happen.''


    ///


    Meanwhile, Liam sat in his room cross-legged with a tense grimace.


    ''I don''t think they''ll punish me for that. Not now, at least.''


    Before long, the giant stadium screen revealed his next and final opponent ¨C thest before winning the tournament and receiving a Rank 4 tempering method.


    It was Gerard Ursus, Erivol''s young prodigy ¨C he was of the earth element and had particrly devastating spells.


    Needless to say, Liam couldn''t help but smile, but feel uneasy at the same time.


    He''d hidden all his martial art forms and most important spells¡­ which almost guaranteed him a win.


    ''After I win the tournament, I''ll focus on getting stronger under the Royce family¡­ maybe even advancing all my centers of power. With that, I''ll find a way to escape with Kirk''s pill, perhaps after transporting Eve to another family. Robert might help in that regar¡ª''


    A single knock surfaced on his door, but it creaked open anyway.


    It was his father, Adrian Royce ¨C followed by four powerful guards that stood outside the room.


    Liam suppressed a frown from appearing on his face.


    He narrowed his eyes and remained silent as Adrian waltzed into his space, browsing the cabs as though they were his own.


    "I''ll keep this brief," Adrian deadpanned, staring at his son as though he was a speck of dust.


    "Lose the tournament, or your mother dies."


    Liam no longer held back the deathly scowl ¨C the atmosphere in the room changed, bloodlust creeping in from the corners and tainting the air.


    "There it is," Adrian pointed at Liam''s face. He felt untouchable with his guards there. "You see? You could hide your hatred all you want, but I know who you are inside, boy."


    Liam forced down the urge to murder his father then and there.


    "Dad will get slightly mad I killed your mother, yes¡­ but then what? A p on the wrist is all I''ll get," Adrian scoffed. "He is reckless¡­ but not enough to kill his own son over a peasant''s death."


    Rage churned in the depths of Liam''s soul, like a hot coal burning his insides.


    His hands practically itched to grab his des and sever Adrian''s neck from shoulder.


    "This whole thing could''ve been avoided if you knew your ce," Adrian scoffed again, turning around to leave.


    The pressure was getting too much for him to handle, but he didn''t show it.


    "Lose the next fight. It''s an order."


    When Adrian and his guards left, Liam cursed with every vile word he knew.


    He strained his mind to think of something. The waves of his sea of consciousness were raging, smashing against the golden walls for an idea.


    ''I can''t quit this close to winning! Damn it! Think, Liam, think! Can they really kill her without suffering any bacsh?''


    Liam''s mind tuned out the drumming and crowd chants from his ears.


    ''They can kill her here, while everyone''s attention is on the fight¡­ but I still have a solid five hours before they can make any move.''


    ''Do I escape with her? But what if she''s already taken hostage? If I get caught, I can''t defend myself properly with her there. Not to mention, guards cover every corner of this ce.''


    He looked at the clock on the wall, realizing an entire hour had passed.


    Two knocks abruptly tapped on Liam''s door, bringing him out of his stupor.


    Liam couldn''t sense who it was.


    He opened the door to find Samuel staring at him with an apologetic look, avoiding his piercing re.


    "...Come with me,d."


    A bad feeling rose in Liam''s chest.


    Samuel led Liam down multiple hallways. The two walked in tense silence.


    Somewhere up ahead, there was amotion, servants and guards looked unnerved and fearful.


    As they watched Liam approach, they didn''t meet his assessing gaze.


    Samuel heaved a soft sigh and opened the door. The surrounding men and women promptly excused themselves.


    Within the room, Evey limp on the carpet, cold and without any aura ¨C a tight rope hung from the ceiling light ¨C which exined the purple bruise around her neck.


    Liam''s chest sank, his eyes widening with unbelieving shock.


    "One of the maids¡­ found her hanging from the light. By the time she was lowered... she had already passed," Samuel exined with a lowered head. A frigid pressure grew from Liam''s body that only he could handle. "There was a letter in the room, but I made sure no one opened it."


    Samuel uttered under his breath, putting a letter in Liam''s loose hand.


    "Leave me be," Liam said icily, his expression unequivocally dark.


    Samuel gave a respectful nod before leaving, shaking his head in pity.


    Liam entered the room and shut the door behind him.

 Chapter 82 Death

    <h4>Chapter 82 Death</h4>


    Liam walked over to Eve''s corpse and sat on his knees beside her, staring at her lifeless eyes fixed to the ceiling.


    "I kept saying I''ll get you out, but that never really happened in the end, did it?"


    The light in Liam''s eye dimmed, turning murky and dark. Regret could be deduced from his golden retina, but it wasced with a veil of anger and frustration.


    He stared solemnly at Eve''s corpse.


    ''Ego, self love, self loathing, ambition, pride, passion, willpower¡­ everything gets tested on this path to power. But knowing that, you still walked upon it ¨C you''ve forfeit every right toin. No matter what happens.''


    Those were Lloyd''s words when Liam began cultivating. In a sense, they were true.


    Liam had taken countless lives. Young, old, guilty¡­ innocent. He had no right nor ability to throw me. Not with his own hands stained with so much blood.


    Strangely, Revel''s words surfaced next:


    ''Love and legacy are the sacrifices we make for power. Allowing your resolve to puff out is akin to letting your dream die.''


    A long sigh escaped Liam''s lips ¨C deafening silence ringing in his ears ¨C a bitter, empty taste of loss on his tongue.


    Liam opened the letter in his hand, starting with the first line.


    ''I''m sorry, Liam.''


    ''You''ve always been the one to protect me, but I''ve never did the same for you.''


    ''I''m a selfish mother, even in death.''


    ''I wanted to speak to you onest time before¡­ this. Run my hand through your hair. But circumstances didn''t allow for it.''


    ''With this, you are free.''


    ''It''s not your fault. Forgive me.''


    ''I love you.''


    A small corner in the letter had been folded, which Liam opened.


    ''May you wet your des with their necks!''


    Liam''s eye widened on thest line - taken aback by the sudden tone shift.


    He abruptly chuckled, unable to hold in a wryugh.


    ''You were just as frustrated as me, weren''t you?''


    Liam grabbed arge white clothying around the room, then gently covered Eve''s body ¨C sneaking onest regretful nce at her face.


    "I''m sorry."


    It wasn''t an exaggeration to say Liam caused her death.


    Adrian explicitly said so.


    Liam looked at his mother''s corpse with pity in his eye and darkness on his face.


    "In the end, I chose power."


    "I''m sorry."


    "I hope you find your peace, Eve. You deserve it."


    "I''ll live. I''ll go on. I''ll suffer a bit, but that''s normal. You won''t be there to see."


    Though, as wrong as it felt, Liam felt¡­ free.


    No more lying, no more obligation, no more protecting.


    From this point forth, he was a vagabond.


    No longer bound by kinship or responsibility.


    Outside, the cheers grew louder and louder ¨C the final match was approaching.


    Liam steeled his gaze, his eye turning violently radiant, regaining its lost vigor.


    "I won''t let your sacrifice go to waste, mother."


    "I''ll show them."


    Liam''s face grew chillingly cold.


    "I''ll show them all."


    His gaze lingered on Eve''s body for a moment, before he tore it away and left the room.


    Outside, a few maids lowered their heads when Liam came out.


    "Take care of her body," hemanded coldly, and the two women nervously nodded. He would''ve taken care of her himself, but the match was to begin shortly.


    At the same time, Liam started to brew a n of his own.


    ''My escape was a lot closer than I thought.''


    ///


    Lisa, Adrian and Richard got the news that Liam''s mother had killed herself.


    Their expressions twisted and turned.


    Adrian looked slightly taken aback, before shaking his head.


    "There goes our hostage," said Richard with a grimace.


    "Does the boy know?" Lisa asked with hope in her voice.


    The guard delivering the news nodded hesitantly.


    Lisa cursed, clicking her tongue in annoyance.


    She looked conflicted momentarily, letting out a brief sigh. With a reluctant tone, she spoke:


    "I didn''t want to do this, but we have to visit the other families. That kid is still capable of winning this tournament if we don''t. Come."


    Nodding, her half-siblings left the room and followed her.


    ///


    Meanwhile, deafening cheers and hyper music mixed as one within the stadium.


    A timer showcased the remaining time for thest fight, which was roughly ten minutes.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, you have waited long enough! The dark horse, the [Blood Demon], versus the [Piercing de]!"


    As soon as Liam arrived at the stage, he knew something was wrong when he assessed his opponents aura.


    Gerard wielded an inscribed shortsword, roughly the same length as Liam''s katana but uncurved.


    Gerard''s features were extremely feminine like ¨C long eyshes, thin but plump lips, and long silver hair that fell over his shoulders.


    He wore an embroidered golden yukata, which looked to be inscribed.


    At the same time, Gerard''s aura was suspicious.


    Alongside the hazel color of the earth element, there were ethereal strands of crimson that swirled around his lower abdomen.


    Moreover, his mental energy was much strongerpared to the previous fighters ¨C on par with his own.


    ''He''s cheating,'' Liam thought with a dark frown, the grip on his katana and wakizashi growing tighter.


    He shifted his gaze towards the familial booths above, the nobles that sat behind the mirror looked much less worriedpared to before.


    Anger churned, but a calming sigh made him rx. That, and memorizing their smug faces.


    "It''s not personal, just so you know," Gerard said with a smirk and a shrug. "You and I could''ve been friends under different circumstances."


    Liam remained silent.


    Whyte took his time reveling in the tense air, his lips curving to a smile.


    "Begin!"


    Liam instantly shot forth, bloodlust tainting the air around him as he kept his body parallel to the ground.


    A ck mist trailed Liam''s des, causing the crowd''s eyes to widen in shock and awe.


    Corroding Touch, Lethality Mantle, and Cartge Brace were simultaneously activated.


    The shadowy vapor covering Liam''s des suddenly burst into dark mes as he executed the first form of his arts.


    ''Dark Rend!''


    Gerard''s eyes widened as he instantly jumped back, his instincts screaming danger at the ck smoke''s sight.


    The ground trembled as Liam closed the distance.


    Through the King''s Eye, he could see dozens of spots on the ground rapidly gathering ''Ora'', increasing in intensity by the second.


    Liam''s skin vibrated, sending a shock of strength throughout his body, bolstering his speed and every physical attribute.


    Razor sharp spikes burst out from the floor where Liam stood upon, barely missing him as his des aimed for Gerard''s chest, but met with his glowing longsword.

 Chapter 83 Sword

    <h4>Chapter 83 Sword</h4>


    ?


    ng!


    The index, middle, and ring fingers of Gerard Ursus were instantly consumed by the smoke, leaving behind a trio of bloody nubs.


    At the same time, the strength behind Liam''s swing was too much for Gerard, spraining his wrist and forcing him to retreat backwards ¨C any smugness disappeared from his face.


    Liam didn''t follow straight away, choosing to wait for any hidden reaction.


    His expression turned sour as he witnessed the scene.


    Gerard''s fingers instantly grew back, reforming with flesh and bone, even faster and potent than Liam''s own regeneration.


    The noble''s pained look gradually softened, turning to anger.


    Meanwhile, the crowd went wild at Liam''s showcase of abilities.


    Cultivators with the darkness element were extremely few, and any noble family that birthed one was guaranteed a high status in one or two decades.


    As long as you were pure blooded, of course.


    At the same time, in Udd''s underground, Rogan and Lloyd watched the tournament with wide, tense and proud eyes.


    All around them, fellow cultivators and rich business men watched as well, beer and drink in their hands, which they didn''t dare take sips from lest they miss the fight.


    During the Region Power Tournament, such ''TVs'' would be brought to special establishments where they could witness the fights for a price, but Lloyd had never cared enough to watch them, till now.


    Despite only Rogan and Lloyd knowing of Liam''s identity, everyone in that room, and underground in general, rooted for the Blood Demon, a peasant, to win against a noble.


    ///


    Gerard casually fixed his sprained wrist and stretched his arms, curling and bending his reformed fingers as he waved his de.


    On the other hand, Liam witnessed the red strands surrounding Gerard''s body dim just a tiny amount.


    ''Whatever it is, it helps him regenerate and probably use more spells,'' he thought, before growing stern.


    Now that he could use his Darkness freely, Liam no longer felt bonded.


    Forcing another breath, he shot forth, des burning.


    Tremors echoed from below, erratic rocky tendrils cracked through the ground and reached for Liam''s feet, attempting to stop his advance.


    Simultaneously, Liam caught sight of dozens of circr spots glowing around him, forcing him to evade and dodge backwards to avoid the lethal spikes.


    Gerard knew not to let Liam close. He had watched his fights, and noticed how Liam didn''t have any long ranged spells or attacks.


    His offense hadn''t stopped there.


    As Liam continued to evade his spells, Gerard gathered a burst of energy around him, his muscles bulging and growing twice the size.


    He bent his knees and squatted, slowly rising up his right foot, before stomping on the ground.


    Boom!


    Countless cracks spread across the ground, like a mirror shattering, causing Liam''s footing to shake and wobble.


    A rocky tendril managed to grab tightly at his right foot, but he yanked backwards just in time before a spike tore through his thigh. Still, jagged pieces of rock caused cuts to appear on his body.


    Boom!


    Another stomp caused small chunks of the stage to jut out and rise in the air, remaining in a floating state by Gerard''smand.


    This time, Liam wasn''t as fortunate.


    Both his feet were wrapped tightly together, rendering him unable to move as spikes impaled his calves, thigh, and foot.


    At the same time, the floating chunks of solid rock converged at his figure, bluntly smashing against his body.


    Gritting his teeth, he activated Cartge Braces for the second time and spun around himself, unshackling his feet.


    As he did so, blunt arcs of stone shot at him from different angles, shing at his shoulders, hips, and arms.


    Liam coughed a mouthful of blood as he dashed backwards, creating a moment of reprieve for himself.


    His pale body was covered with gruesome cuts and purple bruises, his tattered clothes doused in flowing warm blood.


    A heavy drowsiness weighed against his mind, barely bncing the chaos happening within his body. His mental energy had been lowered to a scarce amount from using too many spells.


    His bloodshot eye fell on Gerard''s figure.


    The red strands had disappeared from his body entirely, leaving him bare.


    But¡­ Gerard was woundless, only expressing a slight tiredness on his arrogant face.


    ''Will I lose?'' Liam wondered, mesmerized by the feelings of pain he was going through, like a child absorbed by the flickering of a me. ''Did I render her death in vain?''


    Liam let out a soft breath, slowly closing his eye. A serene feeling started to wash over him, calming his mind.


    Gerard smirked as he started to bolt towards Liam, his longsword clenched close to his hip.


    Liam gathered all his focus and aimed it all towards his opponent. Like a statue, he stood unmoving, unwavering, unblinking.


    Liam''s sea of consciousness had stilled.


    His perception of time seemed to slow down. Liam felt his heart muscles contract and rx, its rhythmic beat echoing throughout his body.


    His consciousness left his being and spread out to his surroundings.


    ¡­So much so, Liam was unaware of the streaks of drool flowing from the corners of his lips.


    There were no feelings at all ¡ª not even thoughts. Only a de intent on cutting through its victim.


    Liam slowly bent his knees at a forward angle, his body falling diagonally as his des were clenched tight.


    The dark smoke around the edges of his katana and wakizashi started to whir violently, coating the des in a sharp haze.


    Gerard''s panicked eyes reflected that sight, catching him off guard for a split second as he tried to raise his sword, but excruciatingly tight chains ¨C darkly linked with corrosive properties ¨C had bonded his feet together.


    Liam''s body blurred, reappearing behind the noble with his des stretched forward and stained with blood.


    Two gaping shes had torn through Gerard''s chest, the inside of which brutally festered and consumed muscle and bone.


    A silence stilled the air around the stadium, but the announcer''s voice awakened all from their stupor.


    "Blood Demon wins!"

 Chapter 84 Wraith

    <h4>Chapter 84 Wraith</h4>


    The crowd roared, men and women, old and young, shouting from the top of their lungs.


    Within Udd''s underground, Lloyd and Rogan started to punch the air in joy, smashing mugs of beer on each other''s heads.


    Entire regions did the same, yet the nobles ruling over them looked dreadful.


    Liam''s eyes flickered as he snapped back to reality.


    His body threatened to buckle at any moment ¨C as his calves and thighs had see-through holes in them, but he didn''t allow himself to fall.


    At the same time, Liam noticed something different about himself.


    The state he was in didn''t change.


    Liam still felt like all his senses were heightened, just lesser than a moment ago. It was like a mental fog had cleared in his head, removing the thin barrier between body and mind.


    Liam shifted his gaze towards the night sky.


    It was way past midnight, but the stars, cosmos and nebe were perfectly visible.


    A slight smile appeared on Liam''s solemn face, covered by the mask.


    ''One more step closer to the stars.''


    The Sisters descended and tended to Gerard''s wounds first. The noble looked anemically pale, a puddle of blood forming on the ground where heid.


    Meanwhile, in the Royce family booth, those present looked more dire than ever.


    "They''re all failures, every single one of them!" Lisa hissed with a growl, shattering the ss of wine in her hands.


    Adrian looked like his entire world was crashing down in mes, his blood pressure both rising and lowering at the same time.


    "Just admit defeat. We were bested at every turn, both by the boy and the hands we were dealt."


    Richard seemed to react the most maturely, but even he couldn''t hide his anger.


    Before long, the Sisters shifted their attention to Liam next, assessing the masked peasant''s wounds.


    "How are you even standing?" they asked incredulously, staring at Liam''s broken and bruised body.


    At least four bones had shattered during the fight (mainly his fingers and toes), with not a single handspan on his skin that didn''t have a scar or bloody gash.


    The Sisters covered Liam''s body head to toe with their magical cloth, exining a few things as they healed him.


    "A servant will bring you to your new quarters. A celebration will take ce in the grand hall, and you''ll need to meet with the ruling families as the guest of honor."


    Liam remained silent, but scowled at thest line. With his voice muffled behind the mask, he asked:


    "When do I get my rewards?"


    The Sisters shed a dazzling smile, then rified in unison:


    "Your rewards will be brought to your room, along with your prize money. Before that, the rulers will decide what Rank 4 body tempering method they are to bestow upon you."


    ''If it''s up to them, they''ll give the most basic and trashy technique possible,'' Liam grimaced.


    By the time they were done, Liam''s wounds had more or less recovered.


    He''d used the King''s Eye on their cloth, realizing it was a puzzle piece of sorts ¨C the ck side connected with the white to produce that powerful regenerative effect.


    Soon enough, a beautiful group of servants pulled him away, leading him inside the mansion and through its manyvish corridors.


    Eventually, Liam faced two giant doors at the end of a hallway ¨C it looked like a grand bedroom belonging to a king.


    "Would you like any¡­ ''pleasantries'' to arrive at your quarters, sir? No request is too big," a shrewd-looking maid asked, her cheeks blushed.


    Liam ignored her and entered, closing the doors behind him.


    The inside looked like it actually did belong to a king, filled with all kinds of adornments and expensive furnishings.


    Liam made his way to the bed and sat cross-legged, exhausted beyond measure, both mentally and physically.


    Although sleep was ideal, he didn''t feel like he could ¨C instead choosing to meditate and nourish his body and mind.


    Very soon, Liam had to make his move.


    His element was exposed, the Royce family was offended beyond measure, and his mother was dead.


    There was no reason for him to stay behind anymore.


    Rogan had taught him everything about Primordial Forging ¨C anything else depended on Liam himself.


    The same exact thing with Lloyd, and his departed inscription master.


    Like puzzle pieces clicking into ce, Liam put together a blueprint.


    ///


    Two hours passed.


    The Yin & Yang Sisters knocked on Liam''s door and opened it, held in their hands was a small-sized chest, glimmering with a golden sheen.


    "You have entertained the nobles thoroughly," They began with a smile, showing their pearly teeth. "They''ve never been so lenient with peasants, but for you, they''ll be making an exception."


    They handed Liam the chest. There was no keyhole, but a small inscribed surface the size of a palm.


    Liam imbued that spot with ''Ora'', and the chest clicked open.


    Inside was a ck ring, resting on a red satin pillow ¨C alongside a pearly white robe, with the Echorian characters of ''victor'' on its back.


    Liam instantly inspected the ring.


    The space inside was 70 square meters, filled with ''Ora'' Crystals all around it ¨C more or less 10,000 in number. In the middle, rested a small scroll.


    The storage alone made Liam''s smile widen.


    "There''s a few things you need to know about a Zenith ranked technique. The ruling board ¨C with the exception of the Royce family ¨C has voted to give you a technique that''s attuned with your element. They expect gratitude."


    Liam raised his brows momentarily, before firmly nodding.


    ''They really want me to be a ve to them, don''t they?''


    "Secondly, when bringing a center of power into the Zenith ranks, there will be a tribtion ¨C a test that will determine whether or not you advance," The Sister''s revealed. "For the body¡­ it''s Struggle."


    Liam paused.


    "Struggle?"


    The Sister''s smiled ominously, turning around to leave.


    "You''ll see. Everyone will be waiting for you at the grand hall. You''ll have to take off the mask ¨C they might be offended if you keep it on."


    Liam grimaced at thest line, almost clicking his tongue in annoyance.


    Alone again, Liam took out the scroll to see the technique he was given.


    ''Dark Wraith Body.''


    ''Improves regeneration ability significantly. Whenpleted, advances the user to a Rank 4 Body, with the ability to transform into a dark ethereal mist for a short period of time, bolstering the user''s speed. Limbs can freely turn ethereal, but require small amounts of mental energy and ''Ora''.''


    Liam grinned ear-to-ear. Not only was the method in line with his fighting style, it also enhanced his regeneration capabilities.


    ''Upon activation, it pulverizes certain bones, thenbines it with the darkness element to attune with cultivation. Requires immense focus.''


    Liam snorted with a chuckle.


    ''They haven''t seen my previous tempering methods.''

 Chapter 85 Cruel

    <h4>Chapter 85 Cruel</h4>


    Liam stored the technique into his new ring, along with all his important items.


    ''I won''t start it instantly. I don''t feelfortable doing that anyway.''


    For a moment, he lingered pensively, his face growing dark.


    The n he had thought of was solid.


    It had a few kinks that needed ironing out¡­ but if he could somehow pull it off, he could make a swift escape without looking back.


    ''It''s the only choice I have.''


    He took out the Face and Body imitation pill, his gaze turning cold as he took out his shortsword and cut open his palm.


    The pill absorbed the droplets of blood, twisting, curling and changing its shape.


    As it soaked in blood, the white surface gathered color, slowly taking the form of a face.


    More precisely, Liam''s face ¨C it copied his features down to thest detail, although stretched and caricatured.


    Even the golden hue of his eye wasn''t left out, and his empty left socket too.


    Meanwhile, the Oni mask was still on Liam''s face.


    Unfortunately, he couldn''t keep it on.


    Storing the mask in his ring, Liam put on his white victor''s robe ¨C it looked tailored to his body perfectly, clinging to his arms and broad shoulders.


    "Sir? The party is beginning shortly," notified the servant standing behind Liam''s doors.


    Liam exited, led by the maids and butlers.


    Passing by the hallways and corridors, Liam memorized theyout of the arena with a nce.


    Eventually, the servants led him to a vast hall ¨C filled to the brim with nobles ¨C adorned with every luxury possible.


    Giant chandeliers made from what looked like diamonds hung from the ceiling, filling the space with sparkling light.


    In the background, rxing music yed and spread equally throughout the air ¨C another convenient use of inscriptions, Liam thought.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, your 27?? Regional Power Tournament winner, the Blood Demon!" Whyte shouted, and all curious and amused gazes converged on Liam''s figure.


    The nobles looked taken aback.


    For a peasant (especially someone named Blood Demon), they expected a rugged kid with a barbaric demeanor¡­ which was the opposite of how Liam looked and carried himself.


    That in silencested for a moment, before the sounds of pping gathered volume.


    "Cheers!" they all raised a ss of alcohol in the air, to which Liam responded with a humble and meek smile.


    Thankfully, his time as an assassin paid off ¨C nobody could sense the difort and unnaturality of Liam''s thin lips curving upward, except a few from the Royce family that knew him.


    Venomous res shot at him from the back of the hall ¨C there were even some who lost their bouts hanging around the space.


    Richard expressed shock (the boy''s mother just died moments earlier, how could he smile like that?), Lisa expressed hatred (for obvious reasons), and Adrian expressed bitter jealousy (at a half-blood receiving such honors).


    Pretending not to notice them, Liam continued to smile, shaking the hands of the rulers that approached him.


    Nearly all of them congratted him on his victory, but simultaneously hinted at wanting to sponsor him one way or the other.


    A darkness cultivator was too valuable not to try, but Liam humbly denied their requests.


    Of course, that didn''t discourage them in the least ¨C not with their beautiful daughters there giving Liam bashful looks.


    Liam didn''t give a toss, but promised to think about it.


    Through that, the rulers finally relented and gave him some space.


    Meanwhile, Liam''s attention was on something else entirely.


    Unbeknownst to the nobles, Liam had spread his mental waves throughout the space, jotting down theyout in his mind.


    Six entrances connected the grand hall to other parts of the stadium.


    Granted, guards and servants patrolled regrly all around them, not to mention the outside was riddled with heavy security.


    Moreover, there was a problem at hand.


    The imitation pill had Liam''s imprint on it, meaning who ever swallowed it would take Liam''s image.


    However, they needed to be the same gender, height, and build.


    Liam''s eye scoured the hall for anyone simr to himself.


    ''Although the nobles have the most simrities with my build, they''re too risky to copy myself with. A missing son and daughter would raise more than a few rms.''


    Though it didn''t show on his face, Liam was tense.


    As he continued to think, a short worker brought him a ss of wine.


    He raised a dismissive hand, when he spotted the worker''s stature.


    It was almost too simr to his own.


    Liam''s eye turned dark, ncing at him from the side.


    ''...You''ll do.''


    An hour passed, and a feast was announced.


    Liam sat in the seat of honor, suffering the distasteful jokes, answering the stupid questions, faking hisughs, all the while he subconsciously tracked the worker.


    Time was ticking down.


    The short-statured worker lingered around and diligently tended to the demanding guests, before heading towards one of the hallways.


    "Honorable sirs, if you''ll excuse me for just a moment," Liam called out with a slight smile. "I''ll need to head to the bathroom."


    After a short pause, those seated at the table gave Liam a dismissive hand before chatting with their own.


    Liam didn''t make it look like he was rushing as he trailed behind the worker.


    The hall he entered wasn''t as bright as any other, presumably since it was where the workers did their jobs. Though, there weren''t too many maids and butlers around, since most were apanied with serving the grand hall.


    Liam watched from a distance as the short man entered the pantry room, patiently waiting behind a corner for him to exit.


    A few minutester, the man left the kitchen carrying arge tray with drinks on it.


    His expression shook when he heard clicking noises down the dark, empty corridor.


    Liam had his back turned as he fiddled with a locked door.


    "Sir?" the short worker called out, slowly approaching him tray in hand.


    Liam remained silent as the man continued to call out.


    Eve''s death taught Liam one thing.


    The world was cruel, but he had to be crueler.


    Liam used Cartge Brace and chopped at the workers neck as he got close, instantly knocking him out.

 Chapter 86 Instinct for Survival

    <h4>Chapter 86 Instinct for Survival</h4>


    Liam opened the door to the empty bathroom and slowly shut it. Inscriptions on the wall were designed to block any mental waves or sounds, entering or leaving the space.


    Liam''s eye turned dark, his expression hidden by a veil of shadow.


    First, he stripped the man bare.


    Then, tensing his hand¡­ Liam reached into the worker''s left eye socket and yanked out his eyeball!


    The worker jolted awake to a gut wrenching pain, but an iron-tight grip over his mouth denied his desperate screams to be voiced.


    A momentter, he was knocked unconscious again.


    Liam took out a spare revitalization pill and forced it down the worker''s throat, slowly healing the wounds around his eye socket.


    In a simr fashion, Liam forced the worker to swallow his imitation pill.


    Disturbingly, the short man''s face started to emit steam and curl, his vibrating body sounding cracking noises all throughout.


    Eventually, the worker no longer resembled himself, but a tired and broken ''Liam''.


    A secondter, Liam straightened his palm, ck nails growing inches longer.


    Without hesitation, he shot his hand inside the worker''s abdomen!


    Liam''s nails and strengthened palms sliced through the man''s flesh like a hot knife through butter ¨C his ck nails drew out the gushing blood and swallowed it, entering Liam''s veins as nourishment.


    Meanwhile, the servant would''ve screamed if he had any energy left in his body ¨C instead, he let out a lifeless moan of unimaginable pain.


    He could only watch with a darkening consciousness as Liam drained him of nearly half the blood in his body, before yanking out his core.


    With that, the man took in onest raspy breath before dying.


    Liam watched with a cold, distant eye, feeling no guilt or remorse.


    He simply didn''t have any to spare.


    ''You were simply in my path. If I''m worried about crushing the ants below me, I won''t be able to walk.''


    Shifting his gaze to the core, Liam inspected the organ briefly.


    Unlike a magical beast''s core, it was much smaller. Its surface waspletely smooth, which ¨C under severe strain or overwork ¨C would go soft.


    Inside it, a faint azure gas was floating freely about.


    Liam instantly stored the core in his ring.


    He took off his victor''s robe and clothed ''Liam'' with it, switching with the fully white worker''s attire.


    The white garment had loose sleeves and came with an abby cap that hid his hair.


    Overall, it had an insignificant presence.


    Within the pants pocket was a small keycard, which was used to lock the hallway bathrooms and storage rooms.


    ''All that''s left are two more bodies, and a ruckus loud enough for me to escape. Though, I need to make sure one body is from Udd and another is from Erivol.''


    Liam stored the worker''s corpse within his ring, then exited the bathroom and pressed the keycard against the door handle.


    The door clinked shut.


    Liam pulled the cap lower to hide his face as he began traversing through the corridors, carefully avoiding the workers.


    Abruptly, Liam''s senses picked up on something.


    A small monkey was silently stealing food from below the kitchen counters, stuffing entire dishes in its mouth and shoving the rest in his pockets.


    It had golden fur, and snickered mischievously as it ate the nobles'' food.


    Liam almost grinned.


    A momentter, the Light Monkey swung out of the cooking station and galloped down the opposite hallway.


    Liam followed closely behind, tracing the monkey with his senses while hiding his own presence.


    Some guards passed by him now and again, but Liam lowered his head as they walked by.


    Eventually, the monkey stopped in front of a certain door, jumping on the door handle to creak it open.


    Strangely, there were no guards around.


    When the door opened momentarily, Liam could sense two people in that room ¨C Ian and Elsa.


    Thetterid on a bed with the same traumatized expression, drool dripping down her chin.


    Ian looked grief-stricken and pained sitting beside his sister, holding her limp, unresponsive hand in his own.


    Seeing the monkey, Ian''s gloomy eyes got a tiny bit better, but it couldn''t mask his wry face.


    "Why do you always leave the door open, dummy?" he said, before getting up from his seat and attempting to close the door.


    A worker''s boot plugged the door from closing.


    Ian''s solemn emotion was instantly reced by unfiltered anger.


    His mouth opened as he yanked the door open, but a fist smashed against his neck, hurling him backwards as he clutched his throat.


    Liam felt Ian''s windpipe break on his knuckles ¨C he instantly entered the room and shut the door behind him.


    Ian made disturbing choking noises as hey on the ground, his face pained as he desperately attempted to breathe.


    The Light Monkey cried out angrily when it saw what Liam did, lunging at him with its shining fangs and ws bared.


    A Rank 1 magical beast was nothing in Liam''s eye ¨C he stretched his hand forward and grabbed the monkey''s skull like a ball.


    "Go ahead, piss on me if you can," Liam growled, tightening his grip that pressed through the monkey''s fur, ignoring the ws that barely scratched his skin.


    A momentter, he clenched.


    Pieces of skull paired with brain tissue and blood exploded across the room.


    Liam threw the monkey''s limp body to the side. That felt beyond satisfying, but he couldn''t revel in it for too long.


    He shot a nce towards Elsa.


    The girl looked the same as before, braindead, perhaps.


    Liam shifted his attention to Ian, whoy choking on the ground, tears swelling in his eyes as he was denied the air he desperately wanted.


    "You feel it, right?" Liam asked with stone cold eyes, walking over to the noble. "That instinct for survival?"


    A secondter, Liam shattered Ian''s kneecaps with a stomp.


    A loud grunt of painbined with the choking, creating a cacophony of morbid sounds that could make any veteran shudder.


    Liam didn''t flinch.


    It was music to his ears.


    Ian coughed repeatedly ¨C tears streaming down his face ¨C unable to answer.


    Liam grinned widely.


    "I promised to kill you two in the most painful way possible," Liam said icily. "But I don''t have time."


    Liam took out Revel''s odachi, which made Ian lose control of his bowels.


    "What''s with you two? You just keep soiling yourselves."

 Chapter 87 Escape

    <h4>Chapter 87 Escape</h4>


    Liam didn''t use any of his martial arts or spells.


    Anything that had even the tiniest detail of his fighting style had to be avoided.


    His n was simple, but shrewd.


    Using the feud between Erivol and Udd, he''d kill both ''himself'' and two nobles from each city.


    Of course, he''d use his dear inscription master''s methods of killing to achieve his goals.


    No one knew Revel died but Liam himself, but the real Blood Demon''s fate was unknown to the masses.


    With the odachi and vampiric nails, Liam could create a crime scene with Revel''s M.O.


    The reasons for the attack could vary, but perhaps the Blood Demon saw an opportunity to strike when everyone wasn''t expecting it.


    Or maybe his hatred had red seeing someone else stealing his name.


    It could even be jealousy from Liam''s element, which is why he had his core pulled out.


    ¡­Who could tell?


    There was massive room for ambiguity, leaving anyone guessing as to how and why a fight had started.


    With (fake) Liam''s core pulled out, no one could verify his death, but none could deny it.


    ¡­It didn''t end there.


    Although it was a gamble, Liam needed to put the Or family patriarch against Edwin Royce.


    Having two Zenith''s duking it out while Liam had long escaped sounded too good to be true¡­ but one could hope.


    In the first ce, the two cities absolutely despised one another. Even if the patriarchs had nothing against each other, all Liam needed to do was ignite the me of anger and hatred.


    Done with his musings, Liam watched with cold eyes as Ian struggled for air, asphyxiating, his skin turning purple.


    Liam towered over Ian''s body and swung the odachi.


    Chunks of Ian''s flesh along with his ears, chin, shoulders, scalp and thigh were severed at once.


    Just like that, Ian Royce was no more.


    Liam shifted his attention towards Elsaying on the bed.


    Her face hadn''t changed all throughout the encounter, but Liam didn''t feelfortable letting her live despite that.


    In the first ce, there were probably countless ways to heal mental illnesses and other defects. Liam wasn''t exposed to too many of those items, but the world of cultivation was vast.


    He had barely experienced the tip of the iceberg.


    "I''ve already broken you. Wasting time is pointless."


    With one swipe across her neck, Elsa''s head slid past the side of her neck and fell by the bedside.


    A momentter, Liam tensed his hands, activating the vampiric nails.


    He drained all the blood from Ian and Elsa''s body at once, turning them into mummified corpses, then absorbing their corpses into his ring.


    ''Now, all I need is someone from Erivol. I need to be fast!''


    Liam''s mind was already set to his next victim.


    It was Jacob Or.


    ///


    Jacob continued partying, drinking away his sorrows.


    The drinking age of cultivators was vastly different from normal humans, as their bodies handled alcohol much better than the norm.


    His family was particrly strict, and his master was undoubtedly disappointed.


    Jacob had already gulped down nine sses of heavy wine, a flushed look on his broken face.


    Despite being surrounded by beautiful girls his age, he felt alone.


    "Jacob, that''s enough, isn''t it?"


    A young girl with simr features to him called out with a worried expression ¨C his sister, it seemed like.


    Jacob scoffed and drank ss after ss, growing drowsy and dull.


    Sure enough, his dder required emptying.


    Jacob stumbled as he left the hall and approached the corridor.


    Emily, his sister, followed closely behind to make sure he was okay.


    "Stop chasing me around! What are you, my maid?!"


    Jacob shouted loudly, the surrounding nobles shifting their attention to the ruckus.


    After an awkward pause, Emily shook her head as she walked away, prompting Jacob to scoff as he turned around and continued through the corridor.


    The young man felt as though the colosseum halls had turned into a maze.


    He turned corner after corner, but all the doors were strangely locked.


    "Huh? Where am I?" Jacob wondered, supporting himself on the walls, finding himself in the middle of a dark T-shaped corridor.


    The surrounding servants were simply too afraid to approach a drunken noble, a brash, powerful young man at that.


    They simply avoided him.


    "Over here!"


    A faint, urging voice sounded from around the corner.


    Jacob couldn''t tell who it was since his senses had been dulled considerably, but he naturally assumed it was a servant.


    Peeking the corner, his brows raised in momentary surprise.


    An abrupt fist smashed against Jacob''s jaw, knocking him out cold, along with a few teeth that flew out from his mouth with a trail of blood.


    ///


    Liam made his way back to the victor''s chambers,ying down Jacob''s unconscious body on the floor.


    On the way there, he had passed a few guards, but with his cap down and Jacob''s hand around his shoulder, he looked like a servant tending to his drunk master.


    Then, he began setting the scene. One by one, he started shattering the expensive furniture and priceless paintings.


    He ced Ian and Elsa''s body somewhere random on the floor, arranging their bodies a specific way.


    Elsa was braindead, but it had to look like Ian carried her there.


    Soon enough, Jacob''s eyes started flickering open.


    His chest sank as he saw what Liam was doing with the nobles'' corpses.


    Before he could take out his spear and stab him in the back, a metal glimmer reflected in his brown eyes.


    Instantly, Jacob''s consciousness faded to dark.


    From the side, Liam had hurled Revel''s odachi like a throwing knife at Jacob''s head, killing him instantly.


    A momentter, he drained him of all the blood in his body.


    From the above view, it looked as though Elsa, Ian and Jacob entered the room together and a fight broke out between them and Liam.


    ''I have about a four or five minute window to get as far away as I can from here.''


    With everything out the way, it was time for Liam to make his escape.

 Chapter 88 Safer

    <h4>Chapter 88 Safer</h4>


    Liam instantly took out his Rank 2 Jade that Samuel had given him, imbuing it with ''Ora''.


    ///


    It was well past midnight, and the night was soon to recede.


    Clouds started to form and grow in the sky, churning up a thunderstorm.


    "It''s time for the rain to start pouring again."


    Outside the colosseum, Samuel and a few other head guards sat across from each other, discussing the events of the tournament.


    "I have to say, I never expected a peasant to win this year¡­" a burly, tall, stern man said ¨C donning a violet robe associated with Rizt ¨C taking a sip from his mug.


    "I bet we''ll start seeing some changes around these regions."


    "One thing is for sure, peasants will no doubt grow ambitious and hungry for power."


    "We''ll see strengthened regtions for techniques now too. Damn rascal, made it difficult for us all."


    Samuel chuckled, but some bitterness could be seen in his eyes.


    "That kid is just something else. The demon mask does well to represent him."


    Samuel himself was quite proud of Liam''s achievement, especially since he did it with a pair of des and a few low ranked spells.


    Cultivators had respect for power, no matter how brutal and scum-like they were.


    ''He''ll have more than one target on his back, though,'' Samuel thought, taking a sip from his mug.


    Abruptly, his Jade started to glow.


    His eyes widening, Samuel instantly answered it.


    "Help! Plea¡ª" Liam''s weak and desperate voice rang out from the Jade, abruptly cutting off.


    "Everyone inside, now!" Samuel bellowed, his thunderous voice echoing past the other families.


    Condensed wind gathered behind the head-guard to form two streamlined wings, whirring as it fluttered him across the celebratory hall.


    The Royce family soldiers followed closely behind ¨C the remaining head-guards seeing that reaction turned stern, shooting towards themotion.


    Seeing their familial soldiers entering their space, the nobles grew confused and panicked.


    Samuel was the first to arrive at the victor''s chambers, his senses stretching to their limits ¨C his mental waves were dulled considerably by the privacy inscriptions, and he couldn''t properly assess the space.


    Samuel punched once through therge doors, his eyes widening in shock.


    The Royce guards arrived shortly after, their mouths opening incredulously, unable to hide the shock in their eyes and the hurling of their stomachs.


    Ian was lying dead on the floor, his body desecrated beyond recognition. Elsa''s head was separated from her body, her neck spurting blood.


    Jacob was lying limp with a see-through gap in his head.


    "What¡­ what is this?" uttered Samuel, mortified.


    His eyes fell on the window.


    The pane of ss was shattered, indicating a break-in.


    "I want this ce secure. Notify Miss Lisa, I''m heading towards the western forest!" Samuelmanded, before his wings fluttered, sending him shooting outside with incredible speed.


    Unbeknownst to everyone there, a servant was heading in the opposite direction, slipping past the focused, marching guards and exiting the corridors.


    There was no way Liam could leave through the main entrance, which is why he left through the back gate.


    It was a small spot the servants used to discard their trash, and there was nothing but trees up ahead.


    Liam picked up his speed, hiding his presence and turning into a streak.


    ''Fleeting Foot!''


    Before long, he was dashing through the tree line like a Shadow Panther, pushing his limits with the Fleeting Foot spell to get as far away as possible.


    Liam felt multiple emotions welling up. Nearly twelve years in the same city, countless memories and losses. He hadn''t even said goodbye to Rogan and Lloyd.


    By the end, Liam''s lips turned to a resolute smile.


    ''I''m finally free!''


    ///


    Within the grand hall, a churning anxiousness started to gain intensity.


    Lisa Royce had a tense scowl on her face as she followed the trail of guards heading towards Liam''s room, her brothers following closely behind.


    "Move!" she shouted, shoving away the apologetic soldiers blocking her view to the room.


    Her eyes widened with disbelief as she stared at the scene before her.


    Her niece decapitated, her nephew mutted, her half-blooded nephew without a core in his abdomen ¨C all were mummified, their rings looted.


    Lisa covered her mouth in shock, a knot curled in her stomach as she felt like puking.


    Adrian entered the room a momentter, his trembling brows furrowed before his stomach emptied its contents.


    Richard was the first to enter the room, his eyes flickering with hard anger.


    He wasn''t too disturbed by the mutted bodies. As the eldest, Richard was subjected to harsh training by Edwin. He was even stronger than Samuel.


    All eyes converged on Liam''s corpse.


    Liam''s hands were wrapped tightly around a pair of ck des, bloodstained and riddled with cracks on its surface.


    ''At least he won''t be a problem anymore,'' Richard thought, inspecting Liam''s body further.


    There was no doubt about it¡­ the peasant was dead.


    A momentter, a pair of Or family nobles ¨C along with other ruling families ¨C arrived at the scene, followed closely by hundreds of soldiers.


    "The Blood Demon has returned!" Jacob''s mother shrieked, afraid to even approach her son''s desecrated corpse. "That cursed devil!"


    Kevil Or, Jacob''s father, shifted his incredulous gaze from the scene and looked towards Richard and his siblings.


    Anger grew on his face, and his eyes narrowed.


    "Our Patriarch will require answers," his voice cracked, a poor attempt at hiding his grief and fear.


    Richard coldly scoffed and spoke with a stern tone:


    "You think ours won''t?"


    Kevil gestured for the guards to leave, promptly turning around himself.


    "This won''t end well for your city. Our feud was never one of vicious hostility," Kevil stated, before turning around to leave. "Expect that to change."


    Richard scoffed and shook his head as Adrian approached Elsa''s and Ian''s body, kneeling and crying on their corpses.


    ''I doubt father gives a damn about those two,'' Richard shifted his eyes to Liam''s. ''It''s him he''ll get angry for.''


    ''No use worrying about it now. There will be some political bacsh, but we''re safer off with the boy dead.''

 Chapter 89 Freedom

    <h4>Chapter 89 Freedom</h4>


    A week passed.


    Liam hadn''t stopped running, not even slowing down his speed.


    He rested in short intervals to recover his mental energy and strength, then resumed using Fleeting Foot to run as fast as possible.


    He still felt exposed, since at any given moment, soldiers could appear on his nk and surround him.


    Still, he couldn''t help but feel a sense of exhrating, unbound freedom.


    Currently, he was passing through an area called the Hemlock Forest, a lush region with giant, rainbow-colored trees covering the earth.


    He had changed his clothes into his usual attire, tight ck clothing that clung to his defined muscles.


    Liam also made sure not to walk on the ground, avoiding any footprints. He used the tree branches instead.


    At the same time, he was careful not to intrude upon magical beast territories, leaving a trail of animal corpses that could lead to him.


    Though from time to time, he''d have to use the vampiric nails on a magical beast to get back his strength and energy.


    The map he had taken from the assassination''s guild vaguely marked those areas with red, highlighting routes that led towards the different locations around the region.


    ''I''ll have to keep a low profile from now on. I''ll be hunted like a dog the second they find out I''m alive.''


    He had already prepared beforehand in case an escape presented itself, storing his ring with food and drink, as well as many pairs of covert ck clothing.


    In truth, Liam was itching to cultivate and train, but he held off those instincts until he was safe enough to do so.


    His next destination was obvious ¨C any city near ''Roson'', Echoria''s capital.


    Eventually, he''d have to ask around for cities that he could take the academy test in, but never so early. There was still four months until the academy tests were to begin.


    ''Despite running for one week straight, I''m still nowhere near Roson or any other city for that matter.''


    Although the Hemlock Forest stretched hundreds and hundreds of kilometers, there were towns and small-sized cities in between. Still, Roson wasn''t anywhere close.


    Another week of non-stop running passed.


    Finally, Liam decided it was time to rest.


    It was still midnight when he found himself arge hollow tree, enough for him to fit infortably and cultivate.


    He did his usual two hours of cultivation followed by some light mental sphere expansion, then took out Ian, Elsa and Jacobs'' rings, inspecting each one individually.


    Besides the filthy amount of ''Ora'' crystals in them ¨C which Liam stored in a specific ring ¨C he found nourishing pills and potions in them.


    Not only that, but various inscribed weapons and powerful spells. There weren''t any that fit Liam''s needs or element, though.


    The most valuable spell was the Phoenix Form spell, which was Rank 3 ¨C the same technique that Jacob used during his fight with Liam.


    There was also a Rank 3 earth spell and Rank 3 water spell in their rings.


    ''I don''t think wealth will be a problem for the time being.'' He thought, before assessing the pills and potions.


    Some elixirs had concentrated ''Ora'', which allowed for high amounts of world essence to enter through the body and nourish it.


    Other elixirs had a mix of different colored liquids. When inspecting it, Liam recognized aponent simr to the mental energy restoration pill.


    ''So it can refill my mental energy?''


    Liam smiled.


    ''Though, I should find a way to sell the inscribed items. They don''t have any weapons simr to mine¡­ not that I''d use anything Rogan didn''t make.''


    The anticipation to cultivate had never been stronger¡­ but he had to temporarily suppress it.


    Liam remembered his teachers back at Udd and cracked a slight smile.


    ''I hope they are well.''


    A momentter, Liam''s gaze turned resolute.


    He took out his Zenith ranked technique and put it in front of him, memorizing itpletely.


    ''It''s time.''


    Liam closed his eyes and heaved a focused breath, manipting the ''Ora'' around him to enter his body in the technique''s specific way.


    Darkness started to seep through his skin, entering through the tips of his fingers and enveloping Liam''s bones.


    Slowly, his bones started to corrode and shrink, sending pangs of agony throughout Liam''s body.


    Liam scowled in pain but didn''t let his concentration waver, continuing the process.


    By the end of it, all of Liam''s bones were pulverized!


    With his back against the tree, Liam waspletely limp.


    He felt his lungs pushing against shrinked splinters of rib, but didn''t dare waver.


    A momentter, the corrosive smoke within his body started to fill the gaps where his bones used to be.


    An hour passed with Liam in that state, before the smoke started to liquidize then harden, recing Liam''s regr skeletal system with pure darkness.


    Despite being in a tortuous amount of pain a moment ago, Liam''s lips curved upwards to form a tired smile.


    ''I can finally start advancing to the fourth rank,'' Liam thought, assessing his body''s new features.


    With a thought, ''Ora'' naturally entered through Liam''s pale skin, slowly entering his bones.


    To cultivate the Dark Wraith body, it required you to absorb ''Ora'' during the nighttime, and through each bone that it pulverized and reced.


    The bones acted as a sort of conduit for world essence, the insides of which could house ''Ora'' in them.


    To advance to the fourth Rank, it required Liam to fill all of them with enough nourishing ''Ora''.


    Liam spent two hours barely filling a bone in his finger with world essence.


    ''It doesn''t look like I''m anywhere close to the fourth Rank.''


    Soon enough, Liam left his tree cavity ¨C removing all traces of his stay ¨C and began running once again.


    Liam would repeat the process, running from midnight to dusk, and cultivating his centers of power in between.


    Another week passed, and Liam had ventured deeper into the Hemlock Forest.


    The environment around him became much more mountainous in nature, and further along, a vast mountain chain was visible, almost touching the low clouds.

 Chapter 90 Chaos

    <h4>Chapter 90 Chaos</h4>


    ?


    Liam shifted his attention to the map in his hands.


    That mountain chain was called the Endless Peak. Past it, was a small city by the name of Velrich.


    At the same time, Rank 3 beasts were prevalent in those areas, but nothing Liam couldn''t avoid or kill.


    ''I''ll head there next and sell techniques and spells I don''t need.''


    It took him some time to arrive at the mountain chain, especially since he took multiple detours and evaded the magical beast packs.


    He climbed on the tallest peak of the mountains, a gust of wind brushing past his body and fluttering his wild hair.


    In the spur of the moment, Liam spread his arms and shut his eye, basking in the warm rays of the setting sun.


    Freedom!


    That feeling¡­ Liam would never let mere mortals like himself deny him of his liberty.


    As the sky flowed with countless shades of vermillion, Liam''s eye scoured the distant city ¨C Velrich.


    It wasn''t as big as Udd or the major cities, but looked quite wealthy by itself, judging by the many carriages entering and leaving through its gates.


    With that n in mind, Liam found a small cave amidst the mountain to camp in for the remaining night.


    Of course, there was a Rank 3 Mountain Bear living in that spot with its cubs, but Liam swiftly exterminated the pack and took over.


    Meanwhile, as Liam cultivated in silence, his organ slowly but steadily expanded.


    Abruptly, his core slightly trembled.


    With a slight panic, Liam instantly inspected his lower abdomen fearing the worst, but his brows were raised a secondter.


    The gaseous ''Ora'' within his core grew incredibly moist, ring with dark world essence that swirled together.


    A momentter, it condensed, forming beads of liquid ''Ora'' on the walls of the core.


    By the end of the process, there was no more gas within Liam''s core, but a tiny drop of liquid ''Ora'' that umted on its bottom.


    ''Did I just¡­ advance to the liquid stage?'' Liam wondered incredulously, inspecting his core once more just to confirm.


    Liam instantly started to absorb ''Ora'' into his abdomen to test out his new capabilities.


    His core contents were no longer gaseous, but pure liquid.


    After filling it up a considerable amount, Liam took out his des and activated the first form of his Purgatory Night arts.


    Liam''s katana and wakizashi burst into violent dark mes, and the ck smoke was visibly more concentrated and deadlier.


    Much, much more deadlier.


    Liam took out the Rank 3 bear he had just killed from his ring andid it before him.


    Using Dark Rend, he swung once at the bear''s midsection.


    Liam could only watch in surprise as the dark mes consumed the bear''s flesh and muscles, leaving a raw wound that revealed the skeletal interior.


    For a second, the dark smoke still clung to the bear''s corroded fur before eventually puffing out.


    ''Just one sub-advancement and I''ve already grown much stronger. I can even double the amount of martial art forms I can do.''


    Liam grinned ear-to-ear.


    Upon some further testing, Liam also realized his maniption with world essence had improved exponentially.


    ''...Maybe I can try using my second element?''


    Testing his limits, Liam''s attention fixed to his second element within his core.


    Although he tried many times already, he just couldn''t get the damn thing out.


    Trying once more, the strain Liam felt when pulling out that crimson energy was considerably less.


    He manipted a strand of that unstable essence and made it exit through his finger, barely a nail-sized amount.


    Liam watched in slow motion as the red element lingered in the air for a split second, chaotic and unstable, before it exploded in every direction.


    A slight shockwave echoed over the cave walls as it did so, causing Liam''s ears to ring in the process.


    ''Just what is this damn thing?'' Liam wondered, his gaze conflicted and confused. ''Just with that amount it caused my ears to ring¡­''


    Liam paused pensively for a moment. Calling his second element, ''second element'' was not ideal.


    Thinking of its destructive and violent nature, Liam instantly thought of a name.


    ''Chaos.''


    Although he wanted to test it out some more, it was time for him to head towards Velrich and sell his items before resuming his journey.


    ''I''ll figure out what it is soon enough.''


    Instantly, he covered his head with a covert hood.


    Naturally, there were guards at every gate leading to the city, but Liam had no intention to show his face.


    Like every monarchical location, there would be an entrance fee and a short inspection, but there were methods to avoid that.


    ¡­At least, methods Liam knew from his time as an assassin.


    Liam perched on top of a tree located right about one of the carriage routes leading into the city.


    Not long after, a small sized merchant''s carriage appeared in the distance and rapidly approached.


    As soon as it passed below the tree, Liam jumped andnded on the carriage roof with a lithe step.


    "What was that?"


    A panicked voice rang out from inside the car interior, ordering the coachman to stop and assess what just happened.


    The coachman did exactly that¡­ but found nothing wrong after an extensive inspection.


    Shortly after, the carriage started moving once more.


    Liam clung to the carriage''s bottom like a spider, his hair an inch away from the muddy road.


    Soon enough, the carriage approached the city gates, entering through after a brief inspection and talk.


    As Liam assessed his surroundings from under the car, he couldn''t spot anything special about the city.


    Like the peasantry, there were brothels, bars and taverns themon folk could indulge in, but some wealthier amodations could be seen further along.


    Right when the carriage passed by a dark alley, Liam leaped from the bottom and rolled out.


    In a swift series of movements, he propelled himself over a building to get a better view of the city.


    ''There it is.''

 Chapter 91 Chase

    <h4>Chapter 91 Chase</h4>


    Liam''s gaze was stuck to a well guarded shop in the distance.


    It was the only establishment that looked vastly better and more polished than the surrounding buildings, and Liam knew it had something to do with the contents they sold.


    Before he could dy himself any further, Liam approached the shop.


    Instantly, the two guards spotted him and grew weary, their hands tightly gripping to inscribed spears.


    "State your name and business," one of the two demanded, his toneced with predetermined battle intent.


    "Nick. I just have a few items I want to sell," Liam responded, shing the many space rings on his fingers.


    It didn''t help that the hood and unkempt appearance made him look more like a vagrant than a rich noble.


    The two guards slowly eased up, making way for him to enter.


    "Thank you."


    Liam entered the shop, noticing the countless inscribed weapons and pieces of armor disyed.


    ''Rogan would kill me if he saw me entering one of these.''


    As he inspected the katanas and des, a woman''s voice rang out, soothing and warm:


    "Can I help you?"


    A ck robed woman appeared behind the counter, smooth dark hair fell over her sharp shoulders,plimenting her amber eyes and full lips perfectly.


    A warm air surrounded her, and her lips curved upwards to form a dazzling smile.


    "I''m She, the shop owner," she introduced. "I take it you have some things to offer me¡­ Nick?"


    Liam nodded, approaching the counter and taking out various techniques and spells.


    Obviously, he left out any items that could link him to the tournament.


    She took the various techniques and began inspecting them.


    "Where''d you get such arge haul?" she asked, her gaze still on the spells.


    "Myte father''s inheritance," Liam replied briefly, remarking She''s nonchnt nod.


    In truth, she couldn''t really care less where the boy got it from. She wasn''t obliged to report any criminal activity she saw, not that she would in the first ce.


    "Do you have any more? I can buy your spells in bulk, no questions asked," She offered, and Liam paused, assessing her.


    A momentter, he took out a few more spells, but not all.


    "Must be one rich father," Sheughed, but didn''t add anything else. "All of this will amount to¡­ 4,502 ''Ora'' Stones."


    Liam nodded, and She smiled.


    She stored all the items in her ring, before transferring the sum of money for Liam to store.


    "One more thing,d¡­ you wouldn''t be intending to take the academy test, would you?" She asked with a slight worry in her tone.


    Liam lingered, then nodded firmly.


    "Anything I should know? Mainly, what cities can I take the test in?"


    A long sigh escaped She''s lips.


    "Many things you should know. Firstly, avoid meeting with, or offending any nobles on the way there," said She, her gaze tense. "You don''t seem like a noble to me, so I''ll tell you now."


    "Countless young men and women without a family backing get lost around those cities. It''s obvious what happens to them, but no one can do anything against these people."


    Nobles.


    "...As for which cities allow peasants to participate, it''s mainly Rosht, Borocot, and Talross, to name the nearest few."


    Liam lingered pensively for a moment.


    He had his own methods of keeping a low profile, mainly hiding his presence with mental energy.


    ¡­Though, if someone with Samuel''s level of mental and physical strength were to target him, Liam would undeniably be killed.


    ''I''ll have to be extra careful then.''


    "Thank you."


    She waved a dismissing hand.


    "It''s nothing. Good luck,d. You''ll need it."


    Once again, Liam began his journey, killing beasts, cultivating, taking short breaks in between before repeating the whole process.


    He decided on taking the test in Talross. It was the furthest from the two cities She mentioned, but the route there would be considerably safer.


    ''I still have time. Three months worth. Not to mention, I haven''t used any of the pills or elixirs from those three rings.''


    Liam was saving those items for one arduous session of cultivation, but only when he got to a safer location.


    One month passed.


    Liam had gone past the first city, Rosht. On the way, he had seen the ruins of multiple carriages, including a few old corpses here and there.


    It was disturbing how young those dead men and women were, but such was the relentless world of cultivation.


    Liam was currently in a tree cavity, bitterly enjoying the taste of raw, dried badger meat.


    His hair had grown long past his shoulders, unkempt and filthy, just like the rest of his attire. He hadn''t stopped for a bath since his journey began.


    The rain helped wash away the blood, but that was pretty much it.


    ''I smell¡­ horrible.''


    Not to mention, Liam''s provisions had run out long ago, leaving him to use his vampiric nails and strong tolerance to raw meat for nourishment.


    Another month passed, and Liam passed by the second city, Borocot, as well.


    The amount of random corpses he''d seen had doubled, since the date of the entrance exam was steadily approaching.


    ''I have to increase my speed! Spending the remaining month in Talross would be wise. I''ve done enough to cover my tracks.''


    Just as Liam thought that, a faint rustling sounded behind him, followed by a glimmering throwing knife shooting at his back.


    Liam unsheathed his des with a grimace, deflecting the knife mid air before activating Fleeting Foot and dashing away.


    Behind him, three hooded men chased, all wielding longswords. One was of the water element, another of fire, and thest of wind.


    Their presences were hidden ¨C even from Liam ¨C meaning they were trained soldiers whose prowess could easily match Liam''s own.


    ''Damn it! I underestimated them!''


    His chasers weren''t slow by any means, which indicated powerful Rank 3 bodies.


    Liam managed to get an edge on speed from his usage with Fleeting Foot, but he couldn''t maintain the spell for much longer.


    Dashing through the endless tree line, Liam''s gaze turned hard.

 Chapter 92 Pissed

    <h4>Chapter 92 Pissed</h4>


    ''Catching them off guard is the only option I have,'' Liam thought as his chasers steadily got closer. ''I can''t afford to show my darkness either.''


    For a split second, Liam was incredibly pissed from being chased so many times.


    Bandits posing as soldiers, then Zenith ranked Crocodiles and Shadow Panthers, then soldiers posing as bandits again. He was sick of it!


    Liam''s grimaced face started to turn slightly pale from overusing Fleeting Foot, but his powerful consciousness allowed him to push past his limits.


    Throwing knives, shes of condensed wind coated with fire, along with bullets of water shot at his back, which he had to deflect using the edge of his shortsword, or evade by sharply shifting his trajectory.


    A frigid pressure spread throughout Liam''s surroundings, making the three behind slightly flinch. Thankfully, from what Liam saw, the three were weaker than him in terms of mental capability.


    Rumbling sounds echoed from above. The thick clouds had been churning with thunder for the past hour or so, but rain chose to fall just then.


    As raindrops pattered against his body, Liam''s scowl softened.


    ''Perfect,'' he thought, taking sharp turns and spontaneously changing his direction.


    Although he threw off his chasers, it still slowed him down¡­ but that was nned for.


    Talross was close, merely a few kilometers away.


    In fact, towering buildings could be seen over the canopy of thick trees and shrubbery, which resembled a modern day city.


    Still, Liam didn''t feelfortable being tracked by powerful assassins and noble soldiers.


    He had to lose them before making his way inside the city if he didn''t want his paranoia to re.


    Unrelentingly, the tense chase continued, and the rainfall gradually increased in intensity.


    Liam managed to outrun two of the three men, but the wind elemental was the fastest among them.


    Just as the hooded figure was in arm''s reach of Liam, thetter took onest turn, which the former mirrored.


    The man''s eyes briefly reflected a marble-sized crimson ball ¨C unstable and increasingly vtile.


    Boom!


    The ball exploded, sending a small shockwave that made him stumble as he clutched his face.


    Behind, the two remaining figures could only watch as Liam''s back disappeared amidst the treeline, wrapped behind a veil of heavy rain and thick darkness.


    Meanwhile, Liam''s condition looked dire. He no longer sensed or saw his pursuers, but he didn''t allow himself any respite.


    ''Using chaos makes me extremely tired. I pushed myself to take out more than normal, too. I need rest.''


    He continued to run while changing his route, before finally approaching Telross.


    Countless caravans were making their way through the giant, well-lit gates of therge city.


    Liam scoured the carriages with an assessing eye, looking for any noble family insignia that he was familiar with.


    Thankfully, Liam was in an entire region away from any families that knew him.


    In front were the main gates built specifically for nobles and the like.


    To the sides, Liam spotted a line of penurious youths that didn''t look much better than him.


    Fixing himself onto a new set of clothes, clean this time, Liam pulled back his wild unkempt hair and approached the line.


    As he found his way at the back, he started to assess the strengths of the youths. Surprisingly, they weren''t weak.


    Liam could guess that it had something to do with a difficult life or harsh circumstances of living, making them adapt to the world much faster than normal.


    Still, there wasn''t anyone he couldn''t handle. Although the peasants were better physically and presumably battle prowess wise, Liam had ring advantages.


    Before long, his turn arrived.


    A stern-faced armored guard gestured him to approach the square booth.


    "Name, age, reason for arrival," he recited in a dull tone. "Family backing if you have any."


    "Lawrence. Near twelve. Taking the academy test. No backing."


    The soldier gave Liam a momentary probing gaze, before taking out a ck beaded bracelet.


    "Imbue this with your ''Ora'' and don''t lose it. It''ll confirm your centers of power and age, and you''ll need it for your admittance into the test."


    Handing him the bracelet, Liam imbued it with ''Ora'', making it glimmer with a ck sheen.


    Along with that, the guard handed him a city token, with directions to a building he was to reside in until the test date.


    With a curt nod, Liam made his way into the city.


    It was still nighttime, but the bright lights of various colors made him think he was treading through a modern day civilization.


    Bustling throughout the streets were crowds of nobles.


    Here and there, towering buildings challenged skyscrapers in terms of height.


    ''That''s where I''m headed.''


    Liam kept a low profile as he approached the building, a tall and intimidating guard standing at its entrance.


    Liam noticed how the man rivaled even Samuel''s level of strength.


    "Bracelet and token," was all the man said.


    After shing both items, Liam was allowed inside the vast lobby, which was surprisingly cold and well ventted ¨C the floor was a shiny marble, and chandeliers lit the space.


    Groups of excited young youths were already gathered there, discussing the details of the test.


    There were marble stairs leading up to the upper floors, which Liam had already begun climbing.


    ''Floor 17, room 1715,'' Liam thought, finding his dwelling at the end of a long, red carpeted hallway, lined with cozy warm lights.


    Some had already found their rooms and proceeded to enter, while others simply conversed with each other outside their amodations.


    When they saw Liam, though, they looked disgusted ¨C at both his appearance and vagrant attire.


    However, a piercing re sufficed any daring noble from even saying anything.


    Liam was too pissed and exhausted to get into pointless fights.


    He took out his ck token and imbued it with ''Ora'', pressing it against a smallpartment that reced the door handle to his room.


    With a ''click'', the door opened, and Liam entered.


    It was a standard looking hotel room, nothing less than posh and fit for a ruler.

 Chapter 93 Royalty

    <h4>Chapter 93 Royalty</h4>


    Liam took a well needed shower first, then pushed away all the furniture taking the space inside his room.


    He took out all the elixirs and pills from the three stacked rings,ying it out in front of him.


    Just the sight of it made Liam smile.


    ''I''ll use them all before the test starts. I shouldn''t overestimate myself.''


    Like so, Liam spent nearly all his time inside his room, mastering his martial arts, expanding his sea of consciousness, and cultivating his body and core.


    In his spare time (which was undoubtedly little), Liam eavesdropped on the surrounding nobles for any info about the test.


    Doing so gave him some crucial knowledge about theyout of Echoria as a whole.


    Echoria was ruled by the Royal Thyress family. No noble could even dream of getting close to their level of wealth and status, mainly due to their massivework and influence over the country.


    The Echorian Academy was built specifically by them, either to expand their connections and military prowess ¨C by nurturing young talents and connecting them to the Thyress name ¨C or increasing the number of specialized experts in each individual field.


    Both were rumors, and Liam couldn''t verify their validity.


    Apparently, the Thyress family was the first to arrive on baren Echoriannds and cultivate it, for god knows how many millennia.


    They were the ones who dictated the rulers which even the most powerful of nobles had to submit to and abide by.


    Even the academy test administrator was going to be from that family, from what Liam heard.


    ''Millennia¡­ I wonder if cultivators from those times are still alive now.''


    Cultivators exponentially extended their longevity through ''Ora'' and getting into the higher ranks, but obviously, there were limits.


    ¡­At least, those that Liam were familiar with.


    ''Zeniths and Celestials are probably in a different realm, though.''


    As the test date approached, more and more people could be seen entering the city ¨Crger, more luxurious caravans, followed by entire groups of soldiers and guards.


    During that period, Liam had gone through almost all of his strengthening pills and potions.


    He felt incredibly sharp and on edge ¨C his senses had never been so precise and clear, and his body never so strong and reflexive..


    Some of the pills also helped with expediting his core and body''s progress, albeit not an incredible amount.


    There were also some elixirs and medicines that Liam had no clue as to their usage.


    After daring to swallow a blue pill that looked shy, it caused a certain body part of his to rage for hours on end, unable to rx.


    ''Cursed nobles and their disgusting practices,'' he thought with a grimace, shifting ufortably cross-legged.


    He decided to save the suspicious ones for another time.


    Finally, the day of the test arrived.


    The same guard at the entrance gathered all the participants outside ¨C behind him, a band of intimidating looking soldiers gave everyone piercing looks.


    Massive lines of people were being herded to different sections of the city, which were tailored specifically for the participants taking the test.


    Liam, along with arge group of youths, was taken to a vast, stone tform that stretched across 20 kilometers.


    The surface of the tform was covered with glowing arrays. From what Liam saw, it resembled arge scale teleportation matrix.


    All around the tform, golden robed cultivators gave the participants probing gazes, a hint of worry on their faces.


    ''Why are they worried?''


    A silver light sputtered above the tform, slowly taking a human form. Simultaneously, everyone present did the Echorian gesture for utmost respect and honor, their gazes lowered.


    "We pay respects to her Majesty!"


    Meanwhile, Liam shifted his wary gaze above, instantly mirroring his peers'' movements.


    The light dissipated, revealing a beautiful woman donning a shimmering silver robe, floating in the air with her gaze set below ¨C her white eyshes were long, lined with golden eyes that exuded regality.


    Her long, smooth, silvery hair flowed naturally with the wind, giving her a regal aura that matched her superior beauty.


    "I am Kalia Thyress," she introduced, a smile on her plump lips as she scoured the vast hordes of eager young men and women. "I''ll be monitoring the test."


    Although she spoke in a low voice, everyone heard her loud and clear.


    Liam took a brief minute to assess her with his King''s Eye, unlike the ogling young men who surrounded him who just stared at the Royal dumbfoundedly.


    Strangely enough, all kinds of multi-colored energies swirled around her figure, enough to make it look rainbow-like.


    Liam couldn''t even deduce her element.


    ''Some kind of Royal thing no one knows about?'' he thought, before focusing.


    "Your goal is simple," she assured, flicking her wrist and taking out a gem-like rose ¨C the sparkling petals of which looked like they were made from pure diamond. "This is called a Diamora Blossom, also known as the White Gem flower."


    "They are priceless treasures that allure hordes of powerful magical beasts and humans alike ¨C rest assured, you don''t need to fight against your own kind for this mission¡­ just beasts."


    "To extract them, you must be careful and diligent, lest they shatter instantly."


    "For the rules," Kalia flicked her hand, and the flower had disappeared. "You have 72 hours as a deadline for the test."


    "Any foul y will result in an instant disqualification. Do not forget, you are not to use status or threats to coerce fellow participants in any way."


    "If you do¡­ I''ll know."


    With how she delivered that line, some nobles got chills down their spines.


    "However, no one cany im on a White Gem unless it is stored safely within your ring."


    "Your bracelets are safeguards. If you activate them, it''ll teleport you right back to this location."


    "Those with the most White Gems gathered will join the Royal Echorian Academy ¨C only five students will earn that honor."


    The reason for that was quite simple ¨C Talross wasn''t the only city the test was being taken in, and the instructors only needed the most powerful talents in each city.


    "When you feel like you''ve done enough, head back to the spot you teleported upon."


    "Good luck."


    Kalia concluded her exnation, waving her hand dismissively.


    Suddenly, the ck bracelets on everyone''s hands started to glow brightly.

 Chapter 94 Vagrant

    <h4>Chapter 94 Vagrant</h4>


    Liam''s consciousness and body felt like it was strongly yanked, like a rollercoaster plunging down the highest point.


    When he flickered open his eye, he was no longer standing on the tform, but on a circr elevation above some shrubbery.


    Liam''s gaze scoured the surroundings, and his senses spread throughout the area.


    The air was no longer dry, but a warm, moist humid, causing Liam''s clothes to stick to his skin.


    He seemed to be in a lush jungle of sorts.


    A vast canopy of giant leaves blocked out the zing rays of sunlight, leaving only a few cracks for it to bleed through.


    Insects chirped and buzzed here and there, with other various wildlife roaming all around him.


    Vines and other nts hung from the branches of thick, towering trees, which almost stretched to the clouds.


    Instantly, Liam noticed something strange ¨C ''Ora'' fluctuated and swirled all around the nt life.


    Almost as if¡­ they absorbed it¡ª


    Liam''s eye widened as the vines shot at his body!


    Instantly, he unsheathed his des and activated the first form of his martial art.


    ck mes burst on Liam''s katana and wakizashi as he swung against the vines, causing them to recoil and wither.


    A further inspection allowed one to see the entire jungle slightly slithering, coiling around insects and wildlife, like flies caught in a web.


    Liam heaved a short sigh of relief.


    ''They''re not as strong as I imagined¡­ but they''ll target any living being. I better not get caught by them.''


    With that, he began moving.


    He hadn''t spotted any other participants besides himself, but his senses would pick up on a scream, tremor, or loud explosion now and again.


    ''If we all spawned in different locations, some might''ve gotten lucky and already found some gems.''


    Thendscape surrounding the jungle was uneven and rough. There were small underground caves,rge hills and flowing rivers.


    As he ran, Liam''s eye picked up on a faint trail of ''Ora'', hidden along the thick shrubbery.


    ''Could it be?'' he wondered, tracing alongside the world essence.


    It took him half an hour to reach the source of that trail¡­ but a smile grew on his face when he did.


    Underneath the tall ledge he was on, was arge pond, the surface of which was covered with countless lily pads. All around, lush shrubbery enclosed the space.


    Right in the middle of that pond, was a White Gem ¨C sparkling brightly with the faintest light ¨C atop a crystal clear lily pad.


    Besides that, there were dozens of Rank 3 Pond Worms wriggling beneath the water, each one 2 meters in length, with the thickness of an adult thigh.


    Pond Worms were parasites.


    If they managed to pierce through skin, they''d slowly devour the body from within, consuming flesh and bone with their circr maws ¨C adorned with rows of spikey teeth.


    That being said, they had no particr defense or attack skills, just incredible speed.


    Liam grew pensive.


    ''The Gem might break if I jump over and make a big enough ssh,'' he clicked his tongue in annoyance. ''Killing them one by one is doable, but that takes too long.''


    Suddenly, Liam sensed two figures rapidly approaching from the tree line, emerging from the wall of nts.


    They were a pair of young nobles, a girl and boy, just a few years older than Liam was ¨C robes tattered and hair muddied, they looked awful.


    Their skin was red and bumpy all over ¨C some nts in the jungle were particrly poisonous, through touch, smell and consumption.


    Noticing the crystal flower in the middle, their faces beamed.


    "Look! We''ve found one!" the girl smiled joyously, the tears swelling in her blue eyes instantly dried.


    Meanwhile, the young man looked conflicted. Some muscle could be seen under his robe, but a pensive look gave him a schrly air.


    "But, the snakes¡­" the young girl pouted, sneaking a nce at her boyfriend.


    Watching silently from afar, Liam felt mildly irked with her calling Pond Worms ''snakes''.


    "Don''t worry, Jane. You already know Ie from an alchemic family, don''t you?" he huffed his chest and smirked. "All you have to do to extract the gems is apply some light mental energy and ''Ora'' to it ¨C it''ll exit the stem by itself."


    Liam took the liberty of naming the girl ''Curly'', due to her unkempt blonde curls, and the boy ''Depraved'', due to his interactions.


    "I''ll distract them. You go the other way and extract it then."


    Curly and Depraved exchanged a nod, before thetter started to wave his hands in the air.


    Powerful gales of wind began to whir around the pond, but precisely avoided the crystal flower in the middle.


    Screeches that sounded like nails scraping against a chalkboard gathered volume from beneath the pond ¨C the worms slithered out of the water and lurched at Depraved with unreal speed.


    One after the other, the young man used wind elemental spells that pushed back the worms, cutting them down and spraying the ground with blood.


    Nearly all worms slithered out the pond and hissed angrily at the invading human, while Curly beamed with a devious grin.


    Carefully, she produced water-made tforms to hop on towards the flower.


    Before she could get two steps close, a figure fell from above, ck chains wrapped around his feet ¨C the ends of which were tied to a pair of des stuck on the ledge he dropped from.


    Liam positioned himself upright over the flower, extending his chains just the right amount in order not to hit the water.


    Before Curly could utter a word, Liam''s precise mental waves and improved ''Ora'' maniption enveloped the Diamora Blossom.


    The stem gracefully twisted around itself, before blooming into a glittering treasure.


    Liam grabbed the flower with a delicate touch, putting it safely into his ring, before pulling himself back to the ledge.


    "W-what?" Curly stuttered, watching incredulously, jaw dropping from shock.


    Watching the vagrant thief reel himself back over the ledge, the two could only curse as they saw him running away.

 Chapter 95 Thief

    <h4>Chapter 95 Thief</h4>


    Once again, Liam began his search for more diamond flowers, indifferent to the insults and curses hurled behind his back.


    It didn''t take long for him to find another faint trail of ''Ora'', cleverly hidden behind lush trees.


    Throughout the next hour or so, Liam had umted more than 6 White Gems.


    Honestly, Liam had much more trouble with the magical beasts surrounding the flower than finding and extracting it.


    Not all the flowers resided in such convenient locations ¨C others were guarded underneath tight spaces, some behind the web and nest of Spear Spiders, others underneath a swamp of Devouring Crocodiles.


    All the while, Liam had to constantly be on edge to avoid getting ensnared by the jungle vines.


    ¡­Thus, he concocted a smart but shrewd tactic.


    For the flowers that were close to being discovered by any nobles, Liam simply waited until they did, and took care of any of the hard work.


    Then, while they were busy fighting the magical beasts, he''d swoop in and steal the White Gems before their very eyes.


    By then, Liam was used to being called every curse word imaginable ¨C in response to which, he justughed.


    ''Unlike everyone here, I have a cheat code.''


    Another 4 hours passed.


    At that point, Liam had 17 gems in his ring, and enough enemies for multiple lifetimes.


    By mistake, he''d actually shattered two of the crystal flowers, which ured due to his hastiness and excessive force.


    Soon enough, a cold, rainy night was falling. The thick canopy of leaves amazingly started to reel in, withdrawing into the trees they grew from.


    ''I''ll have to find a ce to camp in. There''s still 48 hours left for the test''s deadline, and something tells me this ce is much more dangerous at night.''


    With that, Liam''s senses and exceptional sight scanned the surroundings for a good enough spot to camp in.


    He settled for arge tree cavity, the inside of which contained enough icky bugs to make a man squirm.


    Liam instantly filled the cavity with his darkness, vanquishing the countless bugs, before making his way through the tight entrance.


    Rain began pattering over the wood Liam resided in, with the thunder rumbling violently in the air.


    Liam''s stomach eventually growled, but he''d already stored some dried badger meat prior to his camp.


    ''This is more than just a test for finding flowers. They want to test adaptability, strength, determination, intelligence and more. Maybe they had enough with nobles using their status haphazardly.''


    The rest of the night concluded with smooth cultivation. All the while, the outside flooded with gushing tides of water.


    Before long, the waters receded.


    Liam instantly exited the tree cavity and resumed his search for the flowers.


    Strangely, he noticed how the jungle vines and general nt life were much stronger and fasterpared to the previous night.


    Before, a single swing of his first form did the trick, but now, he needed to pair it with Lethality Mantle.


    If that wasn''t enough, the air was now difficult to breathe in ¨C Liam had to resort to strengthening his lungs with ''Ora''.


    Furthermore, the itch on his skin was just unbearable. Liam had to actively bite on his tongue in order not to scratch it and make the rashes worse.


    ''Was it the rain?'' Liam wondered with a narrowed eye.


    As usual, a bad feeling grew in his chest. ''That means the next night, it''ll be even harder to gather the flowers.''


    That was the catalyst for Liam to work much harder to find the gems, bing even more daring with how he extracted the flowers.


    ''I''m sure nobles have scouting techniques they could use. No sweat, I still have time!''


    ///


    Meanwhile, scattered all over the jungle, nobles and peasants formed groups to find gems and equally divide it amongst themselves.


    ¡­However, they just couldn''t find any.


    The first night, they had some initial luck with where they spawned, but even then, they only managed to gather two or three gems.


    It was when that ''vagrant thief scum'' stole from each individual group, that they started to realize what was happening.


    That cursed peasant was too fast for them to do anything, but they couldn''t attack him even if they desperately wanted to.


    When the first 24 hours passed, chaos ensued. Almost nobody knew what to do with so much downpour, not with nature as their enemy.


    Ironically, grouping up actually worked against them ¨C as a collective, the nobles constantly bickered as to who the leader should be¡­ which ended with nobody leader at all.


    Half of the participants had to take off their bracelets, teleporting back to base, leaving the rest to scramble desperately for shelter.


    ///


    6 hours remained until the test deadline. Night was about to pass, a faint mist flowing in the air.


    ''73 flowers,'' Liam assessed the contents of his ring with a pensive gaze, perched atop one of the towering trees ¨C the rain felt like thousands of tiny needles pricking his skin.


    Below, an ocean of magical beasts were being swept by raging waters, creating a loud cacophony of gushing noises, wails and screeching.


    At that altitude ¨C and excruciating jungle atmosphere ¨C breathing was arduous. One had to ration his air carefully.


    ''Have I done enough?''


    Liam''s clothes were tattered and covered with various shades of blood ¨C his own, along with countless species of magical beast.


    Underneath, his gory wounds started to squirm together to heal, while his grimaced face was paler than usual.


    ''It''s probably a good amount, but there''s no way to tell. If only there was a leaderboard of sorts.''


    Lingering pensively, he nodded to himself.


    ''This should do it. I don''t want to overdo the test and get unwanted attention either.''


    In the first ce, he''d felt like it was enough, but his paranoia made him do more.


    Finally, night passed.


    Liam watched astutely as the ocean below started to absorb back into the wet earth.


    Simultaneously, the jungle floor started to quake, causing Liam''s eye to narrow uneasily.

 Chapter 96 Student

    <h4>Chapter 96 Student</h4>


    World essence started to gather around arge mass of thick vines, which twirled and twisted to conjoin with each other.


    Liam watched with a tense gaze as the giant mass started to take a disturbing shape.


    A giant pincer resembling a venus flytrap emerged at its front, adorned with razor-sharp spikes for teeth. Hook vines shot out of its rear, front and sides, clinging to the surrounding trees as it released a low, deep growl.


    Liam didn''t need to watch the rest, activating Fleeting Foot and running away at full speed


    ''What is that thing?!'' he cursed with a frown, looking over his shoulder to track the giant monstrosity. ''Rank 4?''


    It started to chase, its hooks clipping to trees to catapult itself forward ¨C its giant pincer closed and shut repeatedly, splintering the thick, towering trees with ease.


    Hooks shot at Liam''s body, but Lethality Mantle, the second and first form of his martial art, severed the chain-like vines and withered them.


    ''It''s not! If it was, I wouldn''t be able to cut or dodge that,'' he thought with relief, but didn''t stop his speed.


    Incoherent shouts, shrieks and screams of fear and anger gathered volume throughout the jungle.


    At first, Liam thought the nobles spotted him and wanted to take revenge¡­ then realized they were being chased by the same thing he was.


    ¡­All around, bright shes lit up the shaded jungle.


    One by one, the fear-struck participants decided they had enough, activating their bracelets and teleporting back home.


    The giant monstrosities softened their growls as they saw the humans disappearing¡­ all except one.


    Instantly, their bloodthirsty focus shifted to him, their low growls sending vibrations through the air.


    Just before the figure was to be converged on from all angles, his body began to glow, before disappearing in the nick of time.


    Liam''s consciousness went through the same rollercoaster drag, but he''d never been happier to experience it.


    His surroundings changed again, the inscribed tform filled with dread-faced youths that looked traumatized. Those aware, stared at Liam''s figure with shock in their eyes.


    ''What''s with them?'' Liam''s gaze narrowed, a bad feeling stirring in his chest. The grip on his des subconsciously tightened.


    He shifted his gaze above ¨C Kalia still stood in the air, shooting him a knowing grin, staring at him with a probing and amazed gaze.


    ''What''s with her?''


    Then he realized it.


    Towards the once empty front of the tform, now rested a giant inscribed leaderboard that illuminated the names of the participants.


    [1. Lawrence ¨C 73 Gems.]


    [2. Rin ¨C 34 Gems.]


    [3. Sveinn Horst ¨C 18 Gems.]


    Liam looked dumbfounded, a grimace growing on his face. He cursed himself for wishing there to be a leaderboard, especially when he overdid it to such an extent.


    "How is this not foul y?!" a chubby young man shouted from among the crowd, his fat cheeks red from anger as he pointed at Liam. "He stole my flower right beneath my nose, then made the monkeys piss on me!"


    Liam didn''t even nce at the noble, his uneasy gaze fixed on the leaderboard.


    Before long, others started to protest as well.


    "After two whole hours, I had finally found a flower¡­ just for this vagrant to shatter it in front of my eyes!"


    That¡­ had been by mistake, but Liam didn''t care to exin. He would, if Kalia pressed him on it, but her attention wasn''t on him.


    Kalia looked at the youths with a piercing re, causing a lump to form in their throats.


    "Silence."


    And silence followed.


    "He didn''t cause any harm, nor did he steal it from your hands. So long as the flowers were on their base, they were free for the taking. Let this be a lesson. Your families will not grant you everything."


    Then, Kalia alternated her attention between five youths among the crowd.


    "Well done, you all," she waved her hand, a glow basking Liam''s body.


    With an indifferent tone, she added:


    "The rest can leave."


    Once again, the rollercoaster drag weighed against Liam''s mind, forcing him to squint under the pull ¨C he just couldn''t get used to the sensation.


    This time, itsted nearly a whole minute before he could open his eye.


    When he did, he found himself in a cold, well-ventted but small rectangr room.


    The floor and walls were made out of marble, and towards his left and right were a series of windows ¨C the outside of which was a blurry streak of fast moving lines ¨C lined withfy seats.


    Behind him were four youths, two male, two female ¨Cying on the ground as they waited to pick up their senses.


    A smooth, whirring sound yed in the background, the source of which was vents that circted cold air throughout the space.


    Liam noticed how the entire ce was stacked with inscriptions and precise, glowing writings.


    Kalia stood in front, looking at Liam with an assessing gaze.


    ''Is this¡­ a train?'' he wondered incredulously, instantly picking himself off the cold floor to greet the Royal.


    "I''ve never seen a non-noble with a golden eye before," Kalia teased with a smile, assessing Liam''s figure top to bottom.


    Non-noble¡­ a pleasant way of saying peasant.


    "I''ve never seen a royal with golden eyes either, your majesty," Liam made his usual respectful gesture and responded. "It''s my mothers color."


    "So you''re not afraid to talk back? You''ll be an interesting one to follow. Your future already looks bright, by the way," Kalia praised with a sly smile.


    "And you can spare me the pleasantries, Kalia is fine ¨C you''re all students of the Royal Academy now."


    By then, the students behind Liam awoke, giving him a chance to assess their auras and features.


    One of them was a square faced youth, his ck eyes looked valiant and sharp, dark red hair tied to a man-bun. From those present, he looked the oldest, donning a crimson robe.


    The remaining male student looked like a delinquent. His vermillion eyes held a hostile gaze, while his smooth dark hair fell over his shoulders. A natural frown rested on his face, donning a ck robe that didn''t look like it was from noble origin.


    Beside him was a young girl, the youngest from the bunch.


    She had a bashful demeanor and light blue hair that fell gracefully over her ears - azure eyes, blushed cheeks, donning a violet robe that highlighted her soft shoulders.


    Thest was a young girl with hooded violet eyes and tied, dark purple hair that flowed wildly. She had a quiet, solemn dispositionpared to the others there, and wore a ck one-piece that extended past her shins.

 Chapter 97 Luck

    <h4>Chapter 97 Luck</h4>


    Liam quickly assessed each of them with a keen gaze.


    The square-faced young man was of the earth element, the red-eyed boy was of wind, the young girl of water, and the solemn-faced girl was of fire.


    Strangely, thetter didn''t have any mental waves that emitted from her forehead.


    Almost everyone Liam hade across emitted natural waves of energy from their heads besides her.


    They were thoughts, Liam deduced, that red depending on emotion.


    It was tooplicated and difficult to understand with his level of knowledge, but he promised himself to utilize it properly.


    Unlike them, her mental waves were quiet and still, barely leaving her sea of consciousness.


    "I want to give you all my congrattions," Kalia said.


    "You''ve all done splendidly on your entrance exam. Be at ease, you don''t have to pay respects every time you see me. Our family isn''t as iron-handed as one might think."


    Slowly, those present eased up, making her smile.


    "We are on our way to the academy this very second," she exined, approaching the train window.


    "Our methods of transportation are quite remarkable, if you''d like to see."


    Liam was the first to make his way to the window, peering through with awe in his eye.


    They were in a train after all¡­ a bullet train, passing through an endless tunnel which no light pierced through.


    Apparently, they were moving so fast, the underground looked like a streak of dark light.


    The next instant, the train left the tunnel. The surroundings changed to a vast, uneven underground ocean floor.


    Liam caught sight of enormous sharks, jellyfish, manta rays, and other marine life that looked like magical beasts swimming above the azure water.


    Liam was beyond stupefied.


    The train itself had a protective encasing ¨C a iridescent bubble of sorts ¨C enveloping it as it sped underwater, its surroundings lit by small blue lights.


    "This is what modern-day inscriptions and engineering could do ¨C powered byrge ''Ora'' crystals, it can get you from one end of Echoria to the other in less than a week."


    That feat was a lot more impressive when one knew just how vast Echoria really was.


    "We''ll be there in roughly an hour or two. I''ll leave you guys to converse with each other and whatnot. You may be ssmates soon, after all. A servant will bring food and drink."


    With that, Kalia disappeared, teleporting away.


    Liam was the first to find a seat and settle in itfortably, peering out the window with an absorbed gaze.


    It was still daytime, thus, he couldn''t really cultivate even if he wanted to.


    He was just fascinated by the beauty of the ocean, spotting giant sea creatures and various types of creatures.


    The four others looked at him while he did so, before following suit.


    The seats were facing each other, which gave way to some awkward silence.


    The delinquent, blue haired girl, and square faced youth sat in front, while the solemn faced girl sat beside him.


    Although Liam wanted peace and privacy, there were simply no other seats.


    Thus, Liam simply closed his eyes to avoid the awkward air and inquisitive gazes shot his way.


    "I''m Sveinn," the red-haired youth said, breaking the silence. "I reckon we should introduce ourselves to one another? I came third."


    Hearing his words, the young girl nodded.


    "I-I''m Nessa Ulrich. I like alchemy and¡­ things," she trailed off with a blush, shifting ufortably with the attention on her. "...Fifth."


    "Nord," the red-eyed boy introduced right after, his piercing eyes locked on Liam and the other girl''s figure. "Fourth."


    The three shifted their attention to Liam and the other girl, waiting for an introduction.


    "Lawrence," Liam eventually said in a deadpan voice.


    In all honesty, he was too exhausted to care about making friends. Not that he would care even if he wasn''t.


    Exchanging a curt nod, the three looked towards the remaining girl.


    She looked at them silently for a few seconds, before slowly pointing to her ear with a nonchnt expression.


    "...What?" Sveinn raised his red, saber-like brows, the others looked taken aback as well. "What''s that mean?"


    Nord looked confused and angry, but Nessa looked at her with pity in her eyes.


    "She''s deaf," Nessa revealed with a low voice. A momentter, she began gesturing enthusiastically ¨C signnguage, it looked like.


    "You came second¡­ Rin, right? You can read my lips?"


    The deaf girl looked surprised, before slowly gesturing back with a bit of newfound curiosity in her eyes.


    Nessa seemed much more courageous when talking with her, but Sveinn shifted his attention to Liam.


    "Lawrence, you came first, right? Just how did you get so many damn gems?" he leaned in, Nord reluctantly mirrored his movement.


    Rin and Nessa sneaked a nce at him too.


    Liam paused, lingered for a moment, before shrugging:


    "Luck."


    Sveinn gave him an impatient gaze, before leaning back to his seat ¨C he gave up any further probing.


    Rin and Nessa lingered on his figure momentarily, before taking their gaze away.


    Nord still had his eyes fixed on him, though.


    "Well, I guess it''s understandable you''d keep it a secret. I wouldn''t tell anybody mine, either," Sveinn stated, peering out the window.


    "If I wasn''t an alchemist, I would''ve never passed," Nessa heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank god it wasn''t abat oriented test."


    Nord scoffed at her words.


    "I wish it was."


    Funny enough, Liam said the same thing in his head.


    Before long, a well-dressed servant ¨C donning aplete ck suit and tie ¨C teleported within theirpartment carrying a tray full of delicacies.


    He greeted them respectfully, before waving his hand.


    Liam watched as a table started to build itself bit by bit from between the seats.


    When it finished, the servant ced the food on the table teleporting once more.


    Liam was amazed momentarily with the self-building table, before gulping down entire tes of meat, uncaring of any manners or etiquette.


    Sveinn looked dumbfounded that such a person could get first ce, but he couldn''t deny that Liam looked unsettlingly threatening.


    The five quickly ate their food in silence ¨C except Nessa and Rin who gestured to each other now and again, while Nord''s eyes were glued to Liam''s figure.


    It wasn''t long before the academy grew visible in the distance.

 Chapter 98 Janice

    <h4>Chapter 98 Janice</h4>


    As soon as the train climbed over the underwater slope, Liam''s eye widened with shock, his golden retina zooming in to get a better look.


    As if the bullet train wasn''t enough, what caught his gaze almost made him gasp.


    The giant academy looked like a giant underwater ''dome'' ¨C at least, that''s what the colossal, iridescent bubble surrounding it made it seem like.


    Colossal albino whales floated freely around the cup-like location, releasing sharp-pitched screams that shot through the water. Thankfully, the bubble seemed to protect those inside the train from that.


    "Guys! Look!" Nessa noticed the academy and proimed. Everyone moved towards the window to peer through.


    Inside the bubble, was what looked like a vast city, grander than the entirety of Udd.


    Towering structures, blocky houses, luxurious mansions and circr domes were scattered all over it, shaped differently and made from varying materials.


    The space was lit with bright white lights, making it look like some sort of ancient underground metropolis.


    Here and there, some towers hadrge antennas on them, which Liam could spot emitting powerful ripples of some kind of mental energy.


    ''Is that a scanner or something?'' he thought, feeling like a caveman in a modern society. ''Just how much do I not know?''


    Right in the center, was a huge pit, even bigger than the hole Liam fell down in within the Abyss.


    Even from that distance, the waves of ''Ora'' around them were beyond thicker than average. Considerably less than what Liam felt in the ''Ora'' Mine, though.


    ''It''s an ''Ora'' well! It makes sense how they would make an academy right on top of one,'' Liam thought excitingly. ''Our cultivation is bound to be sped up, right?''


    The blocky houses were too much to count. Some were bigger than others, depending on how closer they were to the giant hole.


    Upon a further inspection, there seemed to be an actual mansion over the hole, floating by its own ord ¨C much bigger than any other house.


    "Holy¡­" Sveinn''s voice trailed off, a wide smile on his lips. He let out a chuckle. "How is that even possible?"


    The train went around the bubble, slowly descending, like a helicopter circling a city.


    As they got closer, the structures grew more visible, enough to know there was a gate the train would go through at the bottom of the academy borders.


    Kalia appeared then, grabbing everyone''s attention.


    "We''ll be out shortly. Before that, I''ll need a few things from you all," she said, taking out five individual tokens from her ring. "You''re all familiar with what a binding oath is, correct?"


    Liam was thest to nod. Just to be on the safe side.


    "Good, then we won''t waste any time on exining. Imbue your ''Ora'' into the token ¨C it''s just a standard ''don''t give out any important secrets'' oath."


    Kalia threw everyone a token, which they promptly imbued with world essence.


    Strangely though, when Liam did the same to his own, there was no constriction around his core.


    ¡­It felt like there was, fleetingly, but a secondter, it withered away and disappeared.


    ''Binding Oaths don''t work on me. It has something to do with the Kitsune,'' Liam realized.


    He didn''t know if that was good or bad. On one hand, he wasn''t restricted by any harshws.


    If it came to it, he could trade crucial secrets to other organizations or maybe even countries.


    ¡­If he lived that long.


    On the other hand, that strange oddity might get noticed, and the Royalty might not have a friendly reaction to it.


    Thankfully, Kalia didn''t seem to know.


    "You can keep the tokens. You''ll need them to get to your individual dorms," she exined.


    Outside, the view changed again.


    They finally pierced through the bubble.


    Instead of it popping, though, the train''s bubble merged with the academy''s.


    The train started to slow down, lining up against arge terminal that edged the academy borders.


    There were various figures waiting there, staring at the train as it eventually stopped with a quiet hiss.


    Liam and the other four followed Kalia outside, witnessing just how grand the bubble above was.


    Rays of sun barely prated through the dark depths of the ocean, but with Liam''s vision, he could see the countless magical beasts that swam across those waters.


    Shadows of those waters were cast on the ground where Liam stood, flowing serenely with each wave and movement.


    From the other sections of the train, groups of five youths led by a female Royal exited and greeted those waiting for them.


    "Kalia!" a deep, feminine voice shouted in the distance. "You''rete!"


    The voice belonged to ady with wild emerald hair tied to a bun. She had a sturdy build, not enough to be burly, but just above an athlete.


    She wore a pirate''s eye patch on one eye, and the other had a green iris that pierced through whatever it looked at.


    Her tanned skin was slightly scarred, but her tight huntress'' clothing covered her fit body well. A quick-tempered air surrounded her.


    ''She''s strong,'' Liam thought, staring at her azure aura. ''Her aura resembles Samuel''s, but I feel like she''s much more dangerouspared to him.''


    Kalia let out a short sigh when she saw the woman arrive.


    "This woman here is Janice ¨C she teaches advanced battle techniques and prowess," she said, before whispering the next words:


    "Although she''s a genius when ites to fighting, she''s an idiot in everything else."


    "I heard that, princess," Janice said with a narrowed eye, before shifting her attention to Liam and the rest. "Who came first in your group?"


    Kalia paused, then nced at Liam.


    Janice beamed and smiled ear-to-ear.


    "Oh, and he did it with one eye! Young... so young! And you did it with one eye? How about I get you an eye patch like mine? We''ll be best buddies!"


    Liam remained silent, ncing at Kalia and remarking her repeated sighing.


    "I''m good, thank you."


    Before Janice could enthusiastically convince him any further, Kalia spoke first.


    "You still need to exin some things and show them their dorms. Don''t waste time."


    Janice pouted with a scoff.


    "You''re all no fun¡­"


    She turned around and began walking away, gesturing for the five to follow her.


    "Let''s go, twerps. Princess over there is gonna seethe if we linger for too long."


    Kalia shook her head as she teleported away.


    "Alright, first things first, let''s start with how things function ''round here."

 Chapter 99 Headmaster

    <h4>Chapter 99 Headmaster</h4>


    Janice exited the packed train terminal followed by Liam and the others.


    From where they walked through, it looked like the academy edges, the furthest away from the Hole.


    Somehow, under all that water and depth, there were lush trees here and there, with pleasingndscapes and green ins.


    It was basically a makeshift city, but everything was artificial.


    Surrounding them were countless amodations, square shaped and made from white stone. They fitted close to each other, but Liam could see them inscribed all throughout.


    Still, strands of ''Ora'' wafted all around, visible only to Liam''s eye.


    In the distance, other students were led by various teachers, donning different types of clothing.


    "First off, you''ll need to choose what sses and specializations you want to take. There are countless to pick from, but don''t bite off more than you can chew."


    "There''s no limit to how many you end up taking, but if your grades in that ss are below average, you''ll be forced to leave it and choose another."


    Janice exined with a bored, monotone voice, as though she was reading off a script.


    "You¡­ you look like you enjoy a good battle, eh? How about it? Wanna join my ss?" she asked Rin, eye sparkling with glittering lights.


    Rin just stared nkly, blinking with confusion. Janice grew ufortable and looked away.


    "She''s¡­ deaf, ma''am," Nessa said from the side, gesturing to Rin. "I''m actively tranting your words to her."


    A look of realization fell on Janice''s face, shifting to a smile.


    ''She looks strong despite that. The red-eyed kid doesn''t look too bad either. It''s him with the greatest potential, though,'' Janice thought, ncing at Liam who had his focus somewhere else.


    ''Looks like this year won''t be boring either.''


    Her eye lingered on the group for a moment. Cracking her knuckles, she continued.


    "Anyway, your token will be the key to your dorm. You''ll find an arrow on its bottom ¨C that''s pointing to where you''ll live for your duration here."


    Liam flipped his token. A glowing red arrow indeed pointed towards the north-east.


    "We''re heading towards the main hall now. There won''t be any sses for a week, which is more than enough time for you to settle down and organize your things."


    "Oh, there''s also the Oracle you are required to visit ¨C she''ll give special rmendations on what sses to choose. It''s your choice whether to ept her advice or not."


    "Oracle?" Liam questioned, confused. "What''s that?"


    Before Janice could answer, Sveinn did.


    "They''re special individuals that have a deep connection with the Opposition. I heard they could peer into souls¡­ and could even receive whispers of what the Opposition says."


    Janice gave Sveinn a quick thumbs-up, but didn''t notice the grave look on Liam''s face.


    ''What are they gonna see if they peer into my soul? Will they know I''vee from Earth? How can the Opposition speak?''


    As Liam was absorbed in his musings, they arrived at arge dome-like building.


    The interior resembled a modern museum, the floors were made from shiny marble, with chandeliers lighting up the space. The ceiling was entirely ss, allowing one to see the ocean above.


    To the right and left wererge inscribed boards, containing a mumble jumble of information and various charts that moved on their own. In front, a plumpdy sat behind a wooden counter.


    Soon, all the cohorts led by other teachers converged within the hall, filling it slowly.


    The air instantly turned rowdy, excited whispers passing from lip to ear.


    "Ugh," Janice grunted, annoyance growing on her face. "I hate it when the crowds get big."


    An old man suddenly teleported in the center of the hall.


    He had a golden monocle on his right eye, his ck irises somehow sharper than the well-trimmed goatee on his chin.


    Although there were wrinkles on his face, his age didn''t reflect on his intimidating face.


    He was dressed in aplete ck suit, his shoulders square and broad ¨C his short milk-white hair slicked backwards.


    Liam saw how his aura was much stronger than Janice''s.


    "I am Headmaster Reye Ornn," His voice was deep, demanding, regal.


    Like a kingmanding his soldiers, his piercing gaze swept the crowd.


    "I will now state this year''s highest ranker. If you recognize your name and number, step forward."


    "Lawrence. 73 Gems."


    Liam''s face turned dark. He suppressed a grimace from appearing, but let out a deep grunt inside. First the soul peering thing, and now this.


    ''When are they gonna realize some people don''t beg for attention?''


    Janice and the students made way for Liam to pass through, giving him a strong tap on the back along with a mischievous wink.


    Countless gazes intersected on Liam''s figure ¨C awe, jealousy, respect and disgust. He hated each one.


    "Well done, young man. Due to your incredible aplishment, you will be given close amodation to the Hole. Use it well."


    ''At least that''s a plus.''


    Liam nodded with a gesture of respect.


    Reye took his token and applied some ''Ora'' on it, then gestured for him to enter back inside the crowd.


    "I will now exin the rules of this establishment. You are obliged to strictly follow. I have already expelled 84 students¡­ nobles, mind you, for unruly behavior and disrespect. Do not add yourself to the list."


    A smirk almost appeared on Liam''s face. He liked the Headmaster already. Especially seeing the stiff look from the surrounding nobles.


    "No fighting or bullying of any kind... self-defense, however, is perfectly okay."


    "Duels and wagers are allowed, but first-years are required to have a supervisor on standby."


    "Some sses are mandatory, and run on a strict schedule. The teachers have thest word, do not challenge them or ask for leniency."


    "For the first week, our facilities are free, before you are required to pay to use them."


    "We have a point system for those that wish to purchase techniques and spells, but you will need toplete missions in order to attain them."


    The Headmaster let the students absorb his words momentarily, before concluding his words.


    "You may visit the Oracle before the end of this week, along with the many facilities we have before sses start."


    "Dismissed."

 Chapter 100 Classes

    <h4>Chapter 100 sses</h4>


    Instantly, the crowds scattered in all directions, but not before everyone received thick books regarding the academy sses and timetables.


    Headmaster Reye had already teleported out, but Janice lingered for a bit.


    "Alright. You misfits look like you understand everything, so I''ll be on my way. Oh, before I forget¡­" Janice fiddled around with her pocket, before taking out five individual maps.


    "That''s the generalyout for the academy. Just use your mental energy to get a better description of them," she said, handing them to Liam and the rest.


    "Drop by my ss if you''d like to get battered," Janice said with a smile, before turning around to leave. "If you''re good enough, I''ll take you as my disciple."


    With that, Janice left.


    "I''ll be going, then," said Sveinn, shifting to the group. "I hope we can be friends and hang sometime."


    Nessa nodded with a meek smile, Rin remained silent, and Liam hummed nomittally.


    Meanwhile, Nord looked at Liam with respectful but challenging eyes.


    "Let''s fight one day. I''m sure I''ll make it worth your time."


    Liam let out a half-scoff, halfugh, before leaving himself.


    Even in his first life, Liam had no friends. He didn''t imagine that would change in the second.


    As he left the hall, he noticed a group of nobles looking at him with strange gazes.


    The look in their eyes was something Liam recognized well ¨C that greedy glimmer he could notice from a mile away.


    He responded with a piercing re, unblinking as he looked over the group sizing him up.


    They eventually got ufortable and left the area, but Liam memorized their faces just in case.


    Heaving a sigh, Liam followed wherever his token pointed towards.


    After half an hour of walking, he faced a medium-sized two story house. There weren''t any windows, except the ceiling which was see-through.


    ''This is it,'' he thought, imbuing his token with ''Ora'' and pressing it against the front door.


    CLICK.


    Liam creaked the door open and entered. His mental waves couldn''t actually pierce through the space from the outside ¨C the inscriptions didn''t allow it to.


    That, and there was no noise exiting the house, making everything that happened inside perfectly discreet.


    ''d they thought of privacy,'' Liam smiled, ted at his new dwelling.


    After a quick tour, he realized there was? arge basement in the bottom as well ¨C alongside the three well furnished bedrooms.


    The rectangr basement was empty, but the walls were made from reinforced white steel, lit by bright lights lodged between the ceiling.


    Inscriptions covered them too.


    With roughly 55 square meters, Liam could freely practice his martial arts, spells, and forgings without having to worry about shattering anything like he''d done in the past.


    There also seemed to be a formation of sorts around the space, which had some healing and anti-fatigue properties.


    Besides that, the ''Ora'' concentration was amazing at where he lived.


    ''This could make me fast-forward my progress by months at least, if not a year,'' he smiled.


    He''d alreadypleted his daily cultivation, thus, he needed to browse through what sses to choose, as well as memorizing the map.


    He opened up the academic book and started to read it carefully.


    Amazingly, the book itself was inscribed, which made the writings directly enter Liam''s mind, along with Reye''s, Janice''s, and multiple voices magically ring in his ears.


    Needless to say, Liam''s urge to learn inscriptions grew.


    In short, the book highlighted the countless sses avable for Liam to choose, along with their timetables and requirements.


    ''Inscriptions, alchemy, cultivation, botany, forging, formations, wards, battle, world history,nguage¡­''


    The list went on and on, which spanned from beginner level work, to intermediate and advanced.


    Three sses were mandatory ¨C cultivation, battle, and world knowledge.


    Thetter consisted of general knowledge ofndscapes, borders and current events happening within the world.


    However, specializations all depended on the student themselves, so it would be pointless to mandate it upon them.


    Not only that, but there were countless teachers to choose from for each topic, due to the vast differences between methods of inscriptions, forging and more.


    Weirdly, the teachers had their own star rating, signifying how good of a teacher they were. Below, there were even ''reviews''.


    Janice had 3.5 stars, with anonymousments under her photo.


    ''In a friendly spar, she broke my arm and held me in a triangle choke!''


    ''Rude and condescending. No respect for noble families!''


    ''Loves eye patches and won''t shut up about them. Please, just shut up about eye patches!''


    Liam chuckled briefly, then scanned the book for any inscription teachers that worked with blood.


    ¡­Sadly, there weren''t any.


    Although there were teachers specialized in unorthodox methods of inscription, none went as far as using blood to invent spells and techniques.


    ''Blood Weaving is heavily influenced by vampires. Even the diagrams are more or less written with thatnguage. Maybe learning more about them can help me.''


    With that, Liam noted world history andnguage as one of his chosen subjects.


    He browsed the same for a forgemaster that worked with something simr to Primordial Forging, and there actually were methods simr to it.


    ''I''ll mark these down for now.''


    With that done, Liamid out the map in front of him. All the establishments and facilities were built around the circr shape of the academy.


    ''Battle Halls, Alchemy Labs, Formation Fields, Inscription Labs, Armories... Grand Library! there''s too much here to browse through in just a week.''


    Liam memorized theyout quickly, before nodding to himself.


    ''I better visit the armory first. I''ll see what spells I buy with my current wealth.''


    Liam had a hefty sum saved ¨C Revel''s inheritance, prize money from the tournament, the three nobles'' rings and the countless inscribed items he sold off.


    Over all, it amounted to 38 thousand ''Ora'' Stones.


    Before that, he pushed himself to the limits with the Psionic Rune.


    He didn''t feel close to bing a Rank 2 Magus just yet, but Liam''s biggest advantage was his strong mental sphere.


    Reaching a Rank 4 body was still far away, and so was the solid-stage of his core. But with the torture he''d endured with his sea of consciousness, it wouldn''t be long before he could advance.


    ''At least, if I get the time to absorb a Rank 2 or Rank 3 beast will.''


    After his eye turned bloodshot from training, he''d finally left his dwelling and went straight towards the armory.

 Chapter 101 House of Honor

    <h4>Chapter 101 House of Honor</h4>


    Liam rounded to arge square building. It was just three stories tall, yet powerful guards ¨C wearing ck suits sheathed with des ¨C stood outside its doors.


    Liam shed his token after the two demanded to see it, and he was let inside.


    The interior wasn''t anything too shy ¨C a stern-faced, tall and bald man sitting cross-legged on an elevated wooden tform.


    He had brown skin, wore a ck and white suit, and had thick eyebrows above his dark, menacing eyes.


    Behind him, were countless bookcases filled to the brim with scrolls ¨C techniques and spells. Liam''s eye flickered with greed, but he knew it was an unrequited feeling.


    He respectfully greeted the man, who''s name was Behn, before asking his questions.


    "Can you tell me how much a Rank 4 darkness spell, and a Zenith ranked body tempering method would cost?"


    Liam still had his Dark Wraith technique. That alone could warrant some good money, but he was conflicted on whether or not selling it was a good idea.


    ''It can connect me back to the tournament¡­ it''s best I save this for now.''


    Meanwhile, Behn looked at Liam as though he''d grown a second head. The sternness present on his face had been reced with incredulousness.


    "Did you say¡­ darkness?" Behn blinked.


    ''Ah. I forgot it''s rare.''


    Thankfully, the Binding Oath stopped any knowledge of his element or strength from leaking out. Even if he told the other students, they wouldn''t be able to inform their families of his abilities.


    Thus, Liam nodded.


    Behn let out a half-amazed, half-shocked chuckle.


    "As if having a dual-elementalistst year wasn''t rare enough," he uttered under his breath.


    "For your questions, a Rank 4 darkness spell would cost you about¡­ 250K Stones, more or less. For missionpletion points, that would be 25,000."


    Liam raised his brows, which deeply furrowed. He clicked his tongue.


    "Spells of that caliber are too rare and powerful, even formon elements," Behn said, noticing Liam''s grimace.


    "Inscription masters often make spells suited to their own elements ¨C they have their own unique properties, after all."


    "With how rare darkness and light are, spellmakers capable of making Zenith ranked techniques for them are even more scarce."


    Liam lowered his head. His grimace grew darker.


    ''Doesn''t that mean I won''t be able to utilize my chaos? How long and how much would it take for me to buy two darkness spells? I need to learn how to inscribe, fast.''


    "Let''s see¡­ Rank 4 body tempering methods sell at about 100K. If it was attuned to darkness, that would make it 200K," Behn rified, rubbing his chin.


    Liam hummed in understanding. That seemed to soften his scowl, but barely.


    ''Still not enough, and probably not worth it, either.''


    Eventually, Liam got tired of racking his brain to find a n. His time at the academy had just begun. There was no need to think of the future as a dead end.


    ¡­Yet.


    ''I may as well broaden my arsenal of spells while I''m at it.''


    "Can you show me your Rank 3 darkness spells?" he asked, and Behn nodded.


    Behn closed his eyes. One by one, scrolls from the bookcases shot towards him, slowly floating around his seated figure.


    "Here you go," Behn handed the spells to Liam to browse through. "A Rank 3 spell would take you down 35, lower ranks would cost 20 to 10."


    Liam nodded and read through them one by one.


    ''Piercing de. Rank 3 mental attack spell. Darkness.''


    ''Produces a sharp, dark de from mental energy capable of piercing through the sea of consciousness if unguarded. Consumesrge amounts of mental energy.''


    ''Umbral Needles. Rank 3. Darkness.''


    ''Creates a sharp needle made from solid darkness ¨C capable of piercing flesh ¨C that explodes with corrosive smoke after a few seconds of contact with skin. Can be used in quick session. Medium mental energy consumption.''


    ''Obsidian Skin. Rank 3. Darkness.''


    ''Can freely turn any patch of skin to sturdy, solid darkness. Bolsters the defenses of the body considerably. Consumption based on how much skin is hardened.''


    Liam read a few more spells after that. Some helped with speed, some with strength and some enhanced durability.


    However, none caught his eye like the exploding needles spell.


    ''I already have a mental attack spell. Corroding Touch is Rank 2, but it''s good enough. Obsidian Skin sounds really good, but I already have Cartge Brace. I currentlyck a long-ranged attack, and that''s the best one.''


    "I''ll take the needles," he eventually settled, taking out his sum of Stones.


    Behn nodded. His ring seemed to have a special function ¨C it sucked in all the crystals Liam put on the man''s desk in less than a second.


    "Here you go," Behn said, handing Liam the scroll.


    "Thank you," Liam said, turning around to leave before remembering something. "What''s this about a dual-elementalist?"


    "Ah," Ben eximed. "He''s currently the possessor of the House of Honor, over the Hole."


    "A prodigy, that boy is. He wields both wind and water, which work to produce ice. Not to mention, his noble family is one of the strongest in Echoria. His name is Rishe Voist, a second-year. "


    Liam nodded in understanding before leaving, heading straight for his lodging.


    ''House of Honor¡­ I like the ring of it.''


    ///


    It took Liam half an hour to memorize the spell. He quickly entered his basement, heaving a breath and opening his palm.


    Bymand, darkness swirled around his hand to form a bleak needle the length of two fingers. Dark vapor oozed from it, and the tips were razor-sharp.


    Taking aim, Liam flicked his wrist from the side and hurled the needle at the wall.


    Shooting through the air, the Umbral Needle was like a lethal streak of dusky light.


    It smashed against the wall but didn''t pierce it. Instead, it instantly exploded into a cloud of noxious gas.


    The protective inscriptions on the wall rippled violently like water, before the reaction eventually ceased.


    One after the other, he kept shooting Umbral Needles at the walls. Their consumption of mental energy and ''Ora'' wasn''t too much, and it was a powerful all-round spell.


    The inscriptions rippled to no end, before he eventually relented.


    Liam pursed his lips pensively, then smiled.


    ''It''s worth the money. I finally have some long-range capabilities.''

 Chapter 102 Corrupt

    <h4>Chapter 102 Corrupt</h4>


    Liam spent the following week checking out the various facilities the academy offered.


    He had to skim through most of them, but he got the general gist of how each establishment worked.


    For starters, battle halls were giant rectangr buildings built close to one another.


    The interior was simr to Liam''s basement ¨C vast empty floors illuminated by natural white lights, the walls of which were reinforced with steel and protective inscriptions.


    It was also where students could do friendly duels, train, and wager their wealth, techniques and dwellings.


    epting a wager or duel wasn''t mandatory, but paying a hefty fee of 10K Stones could grant you an ''Force ept'' slip.


    It cost a massive amount of money and any individual with half a brain would avoid pointless wagers¡­ but nobles were a peculiar species.


    The slip forced the one challenged to either ept the wager, or pay the huge fee the slip cost.


    That¡­ annoyed Liam. But he knew it was to createpetition between the students.


    On that note, Liam browsed through the academic missions administered by the Main Hall ¨C a hub for all things academy rted.


    He soon realized that missions were granted by the Headmaster himself. They would only be given after the first month of studying, and depended entirely on how good or bad the student was doing.


    Those with greater marks would also be given longer breaks, and vastly more rewarding (but presumably harder) missions.


    At the same time, there were Expansion Rooms ¨C the floors of which were heavily inscribed and studded with runes that helped with expanding the sea of consciousness, simply by applying strong pressure on their mental spheres.


    There was already something simr to that back in Udd, but this one was made to steadily advance the mind depending on what level the individual''s mental sphere was on.


    Paired with the Psionic Rune, it noticeably bolstered the expansion speed, but too much of it would have negative effects on the mind.


    Although he visited the Grand Library ¨C probably the biggest establishment, even bigger than the Main Hall ¨C he just didn''t know what to look for because of the sheer amount of books there.


    Finally, it was one day before sses started, and Liam had to visit the Oracle.


    Truth be told, he was worried. Extremely worried. He didn''t know what ''peering into the soul'' entailed, but he knew it meant trouble.


    If he could, he''d obviously not go.


    But this was mandatory.


    If he knew anything about himself, it was that his soul was corrupted in the most literal sense of the word.


    ¡­Could they sense that?


    He suppressed his paranoia and made his way to the Oracle''s Suite, an orb-shaped house made from ck ss with a small door in front.


    There weren''t too many students around, since most had alreadypleted their appointment.


    Liam heaved a sigh and walked in.


    His eye was greeted with a crusty old hag, gray unkempt hair flowing wildly over her shoulders. She wore a single, silky ck garment which shone under the dark light illuminating the space.


    Her face was wrinkled and sagging, and an expressionless look rested on it.


    "Ugh, I thought we were done for the week," she uttered, annoyed. "My head hurts, dammit. Let''s get this over with."


    Liam knew the Oracle as Nelsa. From the rumors circting around the first week of the academy, she was probably the highest paid one there.


    Nelsa gestured for Liam to sit across from her, then heaved a long, annoyed sigh.


    "You ever been¡­ ''Oracled'' before?" she asked in an annoyed tone, to which Liam responded by shaking his head. "My mental waves will enter your sea of consciousness. When that happens, you may feel a strange sensation, but it''s only for a moment. Don''t resist it, or else the reading wille out wrong."


    Liam nodded firmly, but he couldn''t hide the nervous look in his eye.


    "It''s not that serious. I can''t uncover any of your secrets or life memories ¨C I''m not advanced enough for that. It just gives me your specialties and what your motivations are."


    That did nothing to soothe his worries.


    "I shall begin," Nelsa said, turning stern.


    Her mental waves left her forehead and swirled around Liam''s mind, slowly seeping through his sea of consciousness.


    Meanwhile, Liam noticed how her mental waves werepletely different than anyone else''s he''d seen. It was dense, with different types of invisible energy mixed into it.


    The process continued.


    Liam didn''t feel pain, just an itch that made him want to scratch the inside of his brain. It was a momentary sensation, but eventually it ceased.


    Nelsa closed her eyes, her consciousness drifting into a slumbering state.


    When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the same room.


    ///


    Nelsa took a moment to steady herself.


    Readings were always difficult to do. It''s what caused her condition to slowly deteriorate, and what made cultivation so arduous for her.


    Although some considered her connection with the Opposition a blessing, she herself regarded it as a curse. Especially since it was that very connection that made here to such a state.


    Although it caused her mental waves to have special properties ¨C and gave her certain abilities ¨C her body and core were never strong, even from a young age.


    Still, being an Oracle promised her a wealthy future, one she capitalized on all she could.


    She held her head to calm down the starting headache, then slowly stood up, her gaze gaining enough focus to assess her surroundings.


    Darkness.


    Cold, cold darkness.


    Everywhere she looked was pure, unadulterated dusk. Even her stretched hand was consumed by the thick shadows.


    And it was so cold! Her skin instantly stiffened, goosebumps growing on her body.


    The floor below her was a crimson liquid¡­ the pungent smell of which indicated blood.


    Nelsa was instantly unsettled. Fear creeped into her heart like the shadows that lingered all around, but she suppressed those feelings.


    ''What''s wrong with this kid?'' she wondered bleakly, realizing the dark liquid beneath her feet had started to squirm and gurgle.


    Abruptly, solid lumps started to emerge from beneath her feet.


    Nelsa''s eyes widened in shock when she realized they were corpses.

 Chapter 103 Intruding

    <h4>Chapter 103 Intruding</h4>


    As if the darkness and blood floor wasn''t enough, Nelsa stumbled backwards in fear once she realized the lumps were human corpses.


    Some floated on their backs, allowing her to see their severed body parts and marred faces. Deep gashes on their skin made them unrecognizable.


    Here and there, a severed hand and leg floated freely about.


    And the worst thing of all¡­ was the fact that the bodies never stopped appearing.


    Faintly, countless whispers rung in her ears. They were near iprehensible ¨C but loud and quiet at the same time.


    She could only deduce anxiousness and worry from them.


    Nelsa''s breathing grew erratic. In her decades of Reading people, students and teachers alike, she''d never Read someone like this.


    She desperately wanted to leave.


    ¡­But she couldn''t.


    Once a Reading began, it would continue until the end, through reaching its conclusion or some other way.


    They were like lucid dreams, except one you couldn''t escape or wake up from.


    At the same time, Nelsa could feel Liam''s emotions. They came inplex forms ¨C anger, ambition, bloodlust, worry, greed, apathy, vengefulness.


    Those were the strongest emotions she could sense¡­ alongside a very faint, hidden touch of regret.


    More and more bodies emerged. That sight paired with the endless whispers and strong smell of blood made her knees weak.


    ''When will this end?!'' she screamed inwardly, afraid her voice would attract any unknown attention.


    Finally, the corpses stopped surfacing, the whispers slowly regressed, and the smell of blood ceased.


    Nelsa''s breathing gradually calmed down, just enough for her to regain some of herposure.


    She was a strong Magus and powerful Oracle!


    How could she fear from a mere junior''s reading?


    She''d killed far more than the average cultivator, and she''d lived for a long, long time.


    ¡­Still, her hand still trembled from an ominous feeling that loomed above her heart, like an invisible de pressed against her neck. Fear of the unknown, she presumed.


    And there it was¡­ the ''unknown'' spoke to her.


    A voice so deep, so cruel and so foreign, it made her feel like she aged another hundred years.


    "You''re intruding. Leave."


    ///


    Nelsa''s eyes burst open, paired with heavy panting? and cold sweat that drenched her garment.


    When her gaze fell on Liam ¨C who sat there with a wince ¨C she flinched backwards and nearly fell.


    "Just¡­ just what are you?!" she screamed with narrowed eyes, a heavy, hostile pressure grew around her.


    Liam''s grimace grew darker. He''d been watching as Nelsa''s expression rapidly changed.


    "What did you see?" he asked with a low voice, his face dark. He stood up and took a few steps back.


    Liam''s des were in hand''s reach, he stilled the urge to unsheath them, or to make any sudden move.


    His instincts told him to run.


    Was he going to fight an academic Oracle?


    She must be at least two entire Ranks above him.


    Where would he go afterwards to escape?


    ¡­Slowly, Nelsa retracted her heavy pressure, staring at Liam''s cold face with a conflicted expression.


    After a short, tense pause, she spoke:


    "You''re too green if you think killing a few people would make me scared," she scoffed, slowly regaining herposure. "You¡­ just caught me off guard. Sit."


    Liam gave her a probing look. He couldn''t suppress the frown from appearing on his face.


    Reluctantly, he sat down, but his tense movements didn''t go unnoticed.


    "You''ve killed many at such a young age. Part of me wonders what kind of life you lived to stomach that sort of thing, but¡­ I''m not one to judge."


    "There was something strange when I Read you," said Nelsa, a tint of fear in her old eyes.


    "It was another voice, there within you."


    Liam narrowed his eyes. "Another voice?"


    "It¡­ told me I was ''intruding'', then ordered me to leave. I''ve never had that done to me before, so I don''t know how worried I should be," Nelsa spoke in a low tone.


    Liam wondered what it was that made even an Oracle feel scared.


    "Let that be¡­ for now. We''ll talk more about it sometimeter."


    "For now, let me tell you what you can specialize in¡­"


    After giving Liam his ss rmendations and dismissing him, Nelsa immediately called Headmaster Reye.


    ///


    One more day passed, and it was time for sses to begin.


    Liam''s scowl didn''t leave his face ever since that meeting with the Oracle.


    He was in deep, and he knew it. Although he felt like he had some sort of protection because of his potential, that didn''t do much to reassure him.


    Nevertheless, there was no use thinking of it as of now. He''d n something once he had a few cards up his sleeve.


    ''The first ss is for cultivation. I better head there now. I''ll check the ones she gave me after.''


    Lines of youths had crowded the streets as they all made their way towards the Lecture Hall ¨C arge pavilion with the interior of a modern university ssroom.


    The halls were lined with red carpets and lit by diamond-like chandeliers, which Liam thought was a bit overdone for something like school.


    He walked through the packed corridors before eventually finding the cultivation ssroom.


    The front of the ss consisted of an inscribed board which had a reflective surface, along with some different tools on the processor''s desk


    Apparently he came quitete, judging by how all the seats were taken. Only a single spot in the back was left.


    Liam almost cursed when he saw Nord, Sveinn, Rin and Nessa sitting there with only a single seat left for him on the side.


    A few sneers shot his way from the front, but he ignored them and reluctantly made his way to the remaining seat.


    "Oh, Lawrence. You''re finally here," Nessa said with a smile when she saw Liam approach.


    Rin remained silent, Nord stared silently, and Sveinn exchanged a nod with him.


    Liam nodded tersely and didn''t say anything, quietly sitting down.


    "Man, this ce is just unreal. The number of beauties in this ce¡­" Sveinn said loudly, but multiple res silenced his words.


    Nord scoffed.


    "I''ve already made a thousand Stones profit from wagering. They''re all weaklings, this bunch."


    ''That should be a good way to make money,'' Liam realized. ''The professor still isn''t here, though.''


    As though on cue, a woman had teleported in front of the ss.

 Chapter 104 Tribulations

    <h4>Chapter 104 Tribtions</h4>


    The professor had long, raven-ck hair that fell past her neck and ocean-blue eyes which looked deeply knowledgeable.


    Her silky white robe embroidered with intricate golden lines gave her a schrly air, which paired well with her powerful aura.


    "I am Ve Rei, your cultivation professor," she smiled, disying her bright white teeth. "Treat me well, and I''ll do the same for you."


    Instantly, she was a sight for sore eyes. At least, noble ones. Sveinn looked entranced, Rin looked distant as ever, Nord let out a quiet scoff, Nessa smiled and Liam was expressionless.


    "This ss won''t be as boring as one would imagine," Ve paced around the lecture hall. "We''ll be discussing the centers of power, Zenith and Celestial Ranks, as well as their tribtions and abilities."


    Instantly, Liam was interested.


    So was everyone else, for that matter.


    Ve smiled seeing the interested looks from her students, then continued.


    "For one, mental energy isn''t as simple as you might think, and neither is the sea of consciousness."


    Ve''s mental waves spread across the space.


    Liam suddenly felt something click in his sea of consciousness.


    [I bet none of you knew transmitting your voice mentally was possible.] Ve''s voice rang out in everyone''s mental spheres, but her smiling lips didn''t move. [This is just one of the few skills that you''ll be able to learn.]


    Liam''s eye widened in fascination, but his lips curved upwards to form a smile.


    The other students looked amazed as well, but a few looked like they knew about that ability.


    "You''ll learn much about your future journey through this course," said Ve.


    "Let''s begin with what a Tribtion is, first. Obviously, you all know the Opposition, the governing force. This force acts as a direct counterpart to your journey for strength. We''ll go more in depth on that topicter."


    "When entering the fourth Rank of any center of power, that''s when you''ll undergo a difficult test, determining whether or not you advance."


    Liam knew that tidbit of information from the Yin & Yang Sisters, but they hadn''t been kind enough to exin what it was.


    "We''ll begin with the Struggle Tribtion, which is also called the Bodily Test. This is when you''ve already cultivated a Rank 4 body tempering method and just about to break through¡­ only, that''s when the Tribtion will begin."


    "The reason it''s called a ''struggle'', is because everything in your body is going to shut down, and you''ll struggle for life."


    "Your heart, your lungs, your ears, your eyes, your taste, all of your senses and bodily functions will die. Not to mention, all of this¡­ hurts. the amount of people that died during this test is uncountable."


    Liam''s eye narrowed, but he supposed there was a catch that made gaining such a powerful body somewhat fair.


    The surrounding students looked even more worried and anxious, while some had gone pale.


    "But!" Ve eximed. "Your mind and core will still function, and the Tribtion is not that long. The way to advance is simple ¨C a dense, purifying ''Ora'' will start to grow on your body, starting with the internal organs, then moving to bones, flesh and skin. You are required to equally spread this essence across your being, slowly regaining your bodily functions."


    "Once that essence is fully expended, you will officially enter the fourth Rank for the body. Is that understandable?"


    The ss nodded in unison, but their worry couldn''t be hidden.


    "Moving on, there is the Self Tribtion for the sea of consciousness," Ve revealed. "This one is unique¡­ in the sense that every Tribtion depends entirely on the individual."


    "Our knowledge on this test is somewhat limited, since the mental sphere is the hardest center of power to progress through, which not too many cultivators reach in their lifetime."


    "All we know is, once it begins, you will enter a dream-like state. You won''t be able to wake up until the Tribtion ispleted."


    "When undergoing this test, it''s rmended you do it in a safe ce where no beast or man can kill you, because they could even span months."


    "Also, if you fail¡­ your sea of consciousness will shatter instantly, leaving you with a mindless body without thought."


    That made some draw in a cold breath, sweat trickling down their foreheads.


    Liam frowned.


    ''Damn it. I really hoped there was some useful knowledge regarding that test. I still have to uphold my end of the bargain with the Kitsune.''


    "Don''t worry, though. Bing a Rank 3 Magus will no doubt equip you with the necessary capabilities and mental prowess to survive that Tribtion. It wouldn''t be fair, otherwise," Ve reassured, noticing the grimaces and worried scowls. "There are many, many years left until you get to that point."


    That realization made Liam rx a bit. It was a problem for another day.


    "Thest Tribtion is called the Defence Tribtion, and it''s probably the easiest of the bunch¡­ depending on how you look at it. Depending on what element you are, you''ll have to defend powerful attacks from said element."


    "These ''attacks'' are very, very powerful. And destructive ¨C even Rank 4 bodies are not enough to block their might. You may die, even with a Zenith body."


    ¡­That made Liam raise his brows.


    "They are aimed at your core, intent on destroying it. For example, if you were of the fire element, a giant mass of mes would appear out of nowhere and assault you. The same with wind, earth, water, darkness and light."


    "You can minimize the damage if you''re in protected areas, but you''re bound to suffer some sort of damage or attack."


    "Another thing I want to add is what happens once you go up the ranks, techniques and spells will undoubtedly lessen in avability. Especially those attuned with your own element. That''s why it''s important to pick up on an inscription or forging method to eventually make your own."


    Liam realized his problem applied to everyone else as well.


    ''Maybe I can get some advantage if I start early. That way, I could find some ways to utilize my chaos.''


    Ve took a moment to let everyone absorb her words, before nodding to herself.


    "That''s it for today''s ss. I''ll prescribe some books for you guys to study in the meantime."


    "Dismissed."

 Chapter 105 Bother

    <h4>Chapter 105 Bother</h4>


    Liam made his way back to the next ss with a dour look. The Tribtions were much more torturous than he imagined.


    The good thing was, his body was going to be the first to advance to the fourth.


    That meant his physical strength would be significantly better during his Defense Tribtion, and, if it applied, the Self Tribtion.


    ¡­Well, no fret. He had time to prepare.


    The second ss was battle prowess.


    Liam, along with dozens of other youths, made their way towards the next ss.


    The battle ss led by Janice was obviously not held inside a real ssroom ¨C instead, they would fight inside the Battle Halls.


    Janice was already there when the group of youths arrived. She did nothing to hide her excited and joyous expression.


    "Alright!" she eximed, her eye scouring the group of students.


    "Listen up! We''re going to do some light dueling for starters. This ss will help you increase your battle prowess, if you were too dumb to understand the self-exnatory name."


    "If I spot any weakness in your fighting style, I''ll point it out and help you improve. With that, everyone look for a fighting partner to duel with."


    The youths turned to one another and started to find their partners.


    Sveinn was there too, chatting with some red-haired girl. Rin and Nessa chose each other as partners, but thetter looked way weaker than the deaf girl.


    On the other hand¡­ Nord instantly appeared beside Liam.


    "Do you mind?" he asked, respectful enough that Liam considered it.


    "Fine," Liam replied after a short pause, causing Nord to smile and nod.


    "Thank you."


    Eventually, Janice gestured for everyone to duel one at a time. Spells were not allowed, and neither were grievous wounds (although Janice looked particrly sad when saying that). Only some techniques were allowed to be used.


    The duels happened in no particr order, and some haughty nobles decided they were first to begin. There were roughly a hundred students there, so the fights could be somewhat entertaining.


    Disappointingly, their duels were nothing catchy.


    Some still had Rank 2 bodies, and their prowess was undeniably underwhelming ¨C most fights were stale. At times, both parties looked scared to make the first move and engage. Liam suppressed a chuckle when seeing a few of them horribly fail.


    They all used Rank 3 martial arts, though, which seemed to spice up the fights slightly.


    In reality, it only looked boring through Liam''s eye.


    He realized it wasn''t that they were bad¡­ he just saw everything they did with an unadulterated rity.


    Janice had the same perspective he did, though. She looked bored out of her mind, even sighing repeatedly as she gave the students tips now and again.


    Sveinn fought against the same red-haired girl he was talking to. Though, he purposefully went easy and lost against her.


    That made Liam lose any respect he might''ve had for the noble.


    Finally, it was Rin versus Nessa next.


    Janice regained some of her lost excitement as the atmosphere grew tense.


    Rin held two daggers in her hands. They were 7 inches long, made from the fangs of some wolf-type magical beast. Her face looked cold and focused, even when going against a ''friend''.


    Nessa looked slightly fearful, but she clenched the inscribed staff in her hands tightly. Although an alchemist at heart, she had her fair share of fights.


    "And¡­ begin!" Janice eximed.


    Instantly, Rin turned into a blur, her des bursting into mes and smashing against Nessa''s staff as she tried to defend.


    The attack caused her to skitter backwards and grunt, but she didn''t have any time to catch her breath.


    A barrage of infernal dagger attacks pushed Nessa back and caused her to grunt in pain ¨C warm sweat dripping down her face.


    Each swing painted vibrant lines of orange in the air, and Rin didn''t hold back in the least.


    The fight ended when Nessa desperately attempted her first counterattack, only for a dagger to kiss the side of her neck.


    The spectators looked at Rin with new eyes.


    She helped Nessa up with a curt nod, before assimting with the crowd.


    Meanwhile, Liam realized no one saw what he did. The fight was impressive, he admitted.


    ''She was smiling at one point. She definitely has some screws loose in her head.''


    The teapot called the kettle ck¡­ but Liam didn''t have time to think more, since Nord started walking in front.


    ''Oh, right. I still have my turn.''


    Liam unsheathed his des and walked in front.


    They weren''t his usual ck ones, but a cheap pair he''d bought from the armory.


    He didn''t want to chip his remaining des, only two pairs of which were left.


    Nord wielded an intimidating ive. It was sharp-tipped and longer than an adult, the handle of which was crimson red. It looked to be made from a dense metal, with intricate designs on the edges.


    Somehow, this fight aroused more attention than the previous one.


    Janice had an ear-to-ear smile.


    Liam shook his head, slightly annoyed.


    ''I just want to grow stronger in peace. They''re all battle maniacs.''


    Nord did not seem weak. Liam could guess that his battle prowess was somewhat close to Rin''s.


    Heaving a sigh, Liam waited for Janice''s signal, which came instantly.


    Nord stomped his foot and weaved in forward, ive in hand as he tried to pierce through Liam''s chest with his weapon.


    Liam evaded with ease, deflecting a flurry of powerful wide swings that chipped parts of his des.


    The ive''s sharpness was enhanced by Nord''s wind, causing small cuts to appear on Liam''s clothing despite it not touching.


    Liam''s eye flickered with a dangerous glimmer.


    As the ive pierced through his shoulder ¨C forming a deep gash that revealed the ck bone underneath ¨C Liam gripped the hilt and pulled.


    Nord was yanked forward, thereupon Liam headbutted the red-eyed boy with enough force that made the spectators wince, causing him to drop the ive and fall a short distance away ¨C nose broken and bloody.


    Liam snorted out the bit of blood stuck up his nose, then fixed it, and sheathed his des. Therge gash on his shoulder slowly healed, but bloody cuts marred his body.


    ''That should be enough for them not to bother me.''

 Chapter 106 Powerhouses

    <h4>Chapter 106 Powerhouses</h4>


    The ss ended shortly after that.


    Janice looked like a fangirl after the fight, smilingly stealing nces at Liam''s direction. She had little advice to give him, since the usage of spells and techniques weren''t allowed.


    Nord looked angry at first, but then epted the fact that Liam was stronger. He looked at Liam with even more respect.


    ''It had the opposite effect, damn it!'' Liam cursed.


    Needless to say, the fight scared off any scheming nobles. At least the more cowardly ones.


    There were a few that still looked at him with strange emotions in their eyes.


    ''It won''t be long before I get one of those Force ept slips,'' Liam thought, irked.


    Finally, it was time for thest mandatory ss, which was world knowledge.


    The next ss resembled a mix between a library and a lecture hall. Books were neatly stacked here and there, and the space was illuminated by a warm, cozy light hanging from the ceiling.


    An old man epted the studentsing in ¨C dark blue eyes, arched nose, lengthy white hair that flowed behind his back, paired with a warm smile that made him look trustworthy.


    He wore a ck and white shenyi, stitched with hanging ornaments. Needless to say, he looked like a sage.


    "Wee, wee, children. Please find your seats, let''s begin instantly," said Gorris Shel, the world knowledge teacher.


    Once the students found their seats, Gorris smiled to himself and began talking.


    "Let''s begin with an overview of countries and continents."


    Therge, mirror-like board started to turn on with various colors, disying a vast, top-view of the world.


    Certain countries had their own characteristics andndscapes.


    The board also disyed certain interactivities ¨C one country in particr had thick, ck clouds covering its surface, which hid thend beneath it. Another was etchedpletely ck, as though it was an area of the world yet to be unlocked.


    Besides that, there were many, many morends.


    "In the very center of this world, we have Echoria," said Gorris, pointing to the mass ofnd on the center of the map with a long metal stick. "Echoria is a powerhouse in terms of a country."


    "Do you all know why?" he asked, pointing at a young girl who had her hand raised.


    "Because of its vast resources, poption and millennium of cultivation?" she exined confidently, sure of her answer.


    Gorris smiled with squinted eyes, but his face instantly shifted to one of grave sternness.


    "No."


    The denial made the girl look shocked.


    "It''s because of one reason, and one reason alone," Gorris corrected with a stern look. "We have a Rank 6 cultivator as our ruler."


    Liam''s eye widened, and shocked murmurs spread through the lecture hall.


    ''Rank 6?''


    The most Liam had seen was a Rank 4 magical beast with a mental sphere. Although that was amazing, he didn''t think it would be even close to a Rank 5 beast, let alone Rank 6 ¨C one Rank below a Celestial.


    Gorris smiled at their reactions.


    "Yes, a Rank 6 cultivator," he reiterated. "Queen Thyress of Echoria."


    "Such cultivators are way too powerful to live together with weak humans such as us. They build special structures and areas where ''Ora'' can nourish their enormous levels of power. You won''t even find a picture of them¡­ well, if you''re lucky, you might. But such people are way beyond our reach."


    For a moment, Liam wondered how powerful Queen Thyress really was. Could she extinguish entire civilizations with a hand gesture? How long did she live? Where did she live? How did she get to that point if techniques were so scarce?


    "She is not the only one," Gorris revealed with a smug smile, reveling in the fascinated looks. "There are the vampires in the east, led by Alucard, the Blood Lord," he said, tapping the country with ck clouds covering itsnds.


    "That is an entire continent called ''Korsa'', upied by different races, but presumably led by the Pashah of vampires."


    "There is the General, with his Imperial Legion in the north, living in the Abyssal ins. Although they are small in number, they are capable of going head-to-head with any country or organization at this current time," he tapped his metal stick at the small, blocked out country.


    "And perhaps the strongest organization of our time, the Martial Alliance in ''li''. They are ruled by the Seven Great ns, each of which contains a Rank 5 cultivator as its elder. Even among them, there is a Rank 6 powerhouse."


    "These are just a few. There are many more. Some are even hidden."


    Gorris stopped to let everything sink in.


    The surge of information flowed inside Liam''s mind and red his ambition to a zing fire.


    He was merely an ant, with his sights set for towering mountain peaks, but no discouragement could be seen on his face.


    ''I''ll climb them. Even they started out as ants and worked their way up the hill,'' Liam smiled.


    "The politicalndscape is something that we''ll study as well. I rmend opting for the world history ss too. It''ll exin why the rtions are the way they are."


    The rest of the ss consisted of Gorris exining how borders worked, which countries were allies, and the traversal between countries.


    ///


    After all the sses ended, Liam entered the Grand Library to grab the prescribed books to study.


    After that, he entered his lodging, sitting cross-legged in bodily cultivation. He was organizing the information in his head with a pensive look.


    ''Almost none of these countries are allied with one another. Echoria is neutral. li has strict borders that don''t allow anyone inside. The Imperial Legion is something to be worried about, from what Gorris said. The General is secretive, but that mantle of his was made through conquering variousnds. The Korsan Continent hasn''t had any contact with humans for ages, too.''


    When he finished with his meditation, he shifted his attention to his right index and applied some ''Ora'' and mental energy on it.


    Instantly, his finger turned to dark mist, flowing freely even though no air brushed against it.


    To Liam, it felt like any sensation in his finger turned off, reced with a convoluted mix of cold feelings that rapidly interchanged.


    ''I''ve finally filled enough bones for oneplete finger,'' Liam thought with a smile. ''I need to get used to this.''

 Chapter 107 Forging

    <h4>Chapter 107 Forging </h4>


    Liampleted his morning training and headed to his spare specialization sses ¨C ones given to him by the Oracle.


    Race Studies by Rnd Herk, Magical Beast Studies by Warh Qwim, Magical Beast specialized forging by Jordan Klop, Basic Inscription by Richard Nesht, among World History, Language and¡­ Realm Studies?


    That was a particr one. Liam searched up the teacher''s name in the academic index and the results were slightly¡­ concerning. The man had half a star, and not a single positive review.


    The Oracle somewhat saw fit for Liam to take that ss, so he didn''t question it.


    He started with Rnd, the race studies teacher. Liam had already forgotten theirst names, but he couldn''t care less about that.


    There were just a few students that picked this particr ss. None that Liam recognized.


    Rnd had an unkempt appearance that made him look slightly drunk ¨C a short stubble covered his chin, gray hair curly that fell to his shoulders, deep set amber eyes and a short stature.


    The first study was about the foreign race everyone was familiar with ¨C vampires.


    There were multiple drawings and illustrations the professor had disyed on the reflective board, which had much more detail and ritypared to Liam''s childhood book.


    From the ss, he learned more about the vampiric centers of power ¨C Rnd even promised to bring a vampire''s Nexus for a close-up study one day.


    That would prove extremely useful for Liam, who could see the ins and outs of everything with his eye.


    From the illustrations, the heart of a vampire looked nothing like that of a human''s ¨C it was spherical in shape, nearly the size of a small bowling ball.


    Tendril-like veins hung from the crimson, fleshy, almost glowing surface, which would transform, refine and purify the blood.


    Magical beast studies was another field Liam was interested in, which was the very next ss.


    He''d already gained a hefty amount of experience from fighting, killing and being attacked by so many of them.


    The ss provided answers for some of the questions Liam had.


    Warh was a burly, intimidating man with a dark, thick, well trimmed beard. He had a natural frown on his face, but had a soft tone when he spoke.


    Strangely enough, Rin was there too ¨C an unusually focused look on her pale face.


    The ss was mainly about what strength someone needed to be to fight against a Rank 4 magical beasts, as well as different species and capabilities of each of the Ranks, starting with the Mortal ones.


    Fighting Zenith level humans was a different matter entirely.


    Magical beasts had only two centers of power, the body and core, with the former being the main prowess they fought with.


    Human Zeniths on the other hand had 3 centers of power, each one extremely deadly on their own.


    To put it simply, to kill a Rank 4 beast, you''d need one center of power in the same level as them.


    The mostmon of these was the body, since it was rtively the easiest to advance, followed by the core and sea of consciousness.


    ¡­For Liam, though, it was the other way around.


    He awakened his mental sphere before his core, and was already ranked 3 body-wise when he finally did.


    Of course, killing with just a Rank 4 body was not enough.


    At least an experienced group of 5 people with a Zenith ranked body was required for a sure-to-kill chance, but that example was considering their other centers of power being weak.


    The next ss was the one Liam was most excited about, besides basic Inscriptions.


    Jordan was a tall,nky man with no hair on his head. He had dark bags under his ck eyes, and his voice sounded like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing against each other.


    There were just a handful of students in this ss, but strangely enough, Rin was there too.


    Unlike the other lecture halls, this one had arge inscribed forging table, one with differently shaped tools. There were simr forging tables in front of each student''s desks, but it was way too early for them to start.


    "Alright, before we begin, if there''s anyone with a forging method rted to magical beasts, meet me after ss ends."


    Jordan began exining how to mend, purify and strengthen magical beast-made items with various forging techniques ¨C he brought out Rank 3 beast parts to work with, and disyed examples as he taught his methods.


    Some Rogan had taught Liam already (a reminder of the entric cksmith''s skill), but most of the others were unknown techniques extremely useful for Liam''s needs.


    Especially the endurance aspect of it, which could solve his des'' quick deterioration.


    "With forging, one has to trade one aspect of strength for another. For example, if you want to increase the sharpness of your des, you have to lessen the endurance and overall strength," Jordan exined, cleaning up his table by rubbing it with a white cloth. "Of course, this tradeoff would lessen once you get better with forging in general, but that''s how it is. "


    "Oh, and the academy offers materials for a cheap price if you''re looking for them. That''s all for today."


    Liam waited until the ss was somewhat empty before approaching Jordan.


    Rin lingered back as well, which made Liam think she might have some sort of forging method rted to magical beasts as well.


    "Professor, if I tell you about my forging method, will you be able to tell it to any others here?" Liam asked with a low voice. He cupped a hand over his mouth so the distant Rin couldn''t read his lips.


    Primordial Forging was an iplete, unorthodox and deadly forging method¡­ but it had massive potential. He didn''t want to risk putting a target on his back.


    "The Binding Oath doesn''t let me tell even the Royals about your special abilities. You''re free to do so,d."


    Liam nodded firmly, then exined.


    Jordan''s eyes slowly widened as he listened.


    "S-Such a forging method exists?!"


    Liam remarked a slight frown growing on Rin''s face, but didn''t expect Jordan''s overreaction.

 Chapter 108 Golden-Eyed Vagrant

    <h4>Chapter 108 Golden-Eyed Vagrant</h4>


    Jordan took a moment to reel back his shock, growing pensively silent.


    "I''ve spent my entire life forging with magical beasts¡­ but I''ve nevere across a forging method like yours. Even mine only goes as far as taking the toughness and strength of a magical beast''s, never the innate ability."


    Liam hummed nomittally.


    "It wouldn''t be shameless for a professor to ask his student for his forging method, would it?" Jordan asked with hopeful eyes and a wry smile, but Liam shook his head.


    "I would¡­ but I can''t. This forging method was the inheritance of my father. He made me swear an oath never to give it to anybody."


    Jordan slowly hummed in understanding, a bit of regret in his eyes.


    "...Even if I pay you 200K Stones?" he offered with a pleading look.


    Liam lingered for a split second, but eventually shook his head.


    "I see¡­ well, fair enough. What do you need my help with?"


    Liam proceeded to give Jordan a list of the things he required assistance with ¨C mainly how to imbue a de with aplete will, strengthen his des'' endurance, and ways to decrease the drawback on his mental sphere without decreasing the beast will potency.


    Jordan nodded and dismissed him after a few questions, tending to Rin who stayed behind.


    ///


    Liam had a short break before heading to his next ss ¨C Basic Inscriptions by Richard Nesht.


    He chose that time to cultivate and enter the Academic Lounge ¨C an area consisting of pleasantries for students to partake in.


    There were sleek andrge restaurants near there, containing an almost endless menu and meals of a royal quality.


    Most of the time, students gathered there to socialize, which meant the air was almost always rowdy.


    Liam moved past the hordes of young men and women, shing his token to gather himself arge serving of delicacies from the lunchdy, before finding a secluded ce in the corner to dine in.


    Sveinn was there too, charmingly chatting up a group of girls ¨C Nessa was presumably in the Alchemic Labs, and Nord was most definitely in the Battle Halls.


    Still, Liam couldn''t help but feel various gazes on his figure, but he was too fixed on his musings to pay them any attention.


    ''I don''t think I''ll learn how to inscribepletely through learning the basics. Blood Weaving is just too unique and different.''


    He didn''t get ten bites in before a beautiful noble ¨C scarlet hair and plump lips ¨C a few years older than him walked to his table.


    "Are you¡­ Lawrence?" she asked inquisitively, her alluring, ruby-like eyes locked to his golden.


    "No," he answered indifferently, taking another bite of his meal.


    "Liar! You''re Lawrence, the ''Golden-Eyed Vagrant'', are you not?"


    Liam almost winced.


    "I just said no. Are you daft?"


    "Rude! I just wanted to say hi!"


    Liam shrugged nonchntly, then continued eating his food.


    The girl stomped her foot in anger and walked back to her group, which shot gazes of scorn and vindication at Liam.


    ''Golden-Eyed Vagrant¡­? What kind of retarded nickname is that?''


    A long sigh escaped Liam''s lips.


    ''Can''t catch a break.''


    A few minutes passed after such an interaction, and this time¡­ Rin, of all people, came to his table.


    Liam had already noticed her lingering around the cafeteria, eyeing him for a good minute and eventually making her way to his table with arge serving of food.


    She looked at him solemnly and gestured if it was okay to sit opposite him.


    Liam heaved another tired sigh and casually shrugged, hasting to finish his remaining te.


    Making conversation with a deaf girl was bound to be a bitter treat¡­


    Rin made a series of gestures that looked like ''your forging method, what is it?'', which she painfully repeated over and over until Liam eventually understood.


    By the end of it¡­ Liam shrugged with a smug chuckle.


    Rin''s thin purple brows momentarily furrowed in slight annoyance. With a defeated sigh, she chose to dig into her meal.


    A sharp, serene chime of a bell rang in everyone''s mental spheres ¨C marking the end of their break.


    Liam stuffed the rest of his food and headed straight to the basic inscription ss, along with the scattering youths who went their own ways.


    He was quick to realize, though, that the inscription''s ss was jam-packed with more students than any other ss, even the mandatory ones.


    There were faces Liam didn''t recognize, which he attributed to other cohorts joining their lecture.


    Even those Liam knew were there, including Nord the delinquent battle maniac, and Sveinn the womanizer (their respective nicknames given by ssmates).


    ''Inscriptions are too important to let up, I guess,'' Liam realized, finding an empty seat at the back.


    After a short respite, a teacher teleported at the front like usual.


    Out of all of Liam''s professors, this one looked the most posh ¨C smooth blonde hair, azure eyes and a square-shaped face that paired well with his solid white suit.


    "I am Richard," he introduced briefly, his drooping eyes scouring the students.


    After a short introduction, he instantly began.


    "I''ll revise the topic from scratch for our newer students. Inscriptions consist of three aspects. Ink, meaning, and link."


    "These aspects must work together as one united front to create any technique, spell, or wonder imaginable to the human mind¡­ that should tell you about their endless depth andprehension requirements."


    Richard paced around the lecture hall, his sharp leather boots tapping against the wooden tform.


    "Inscriptions have their own strengths and weaknesses, especially what they focus on."


    "Creating unique spells, enhancements, inventing techniques and generally building an inscribed construct, are all different types of specializations."


    Abruptly, Richard''s hair turned white, glowing brightly.


    He took out a simple longsword made from steel from his ring, then stretched it forward.


    Each thread of his hair extended and flowed around the de, weaving in with lithe motions and leaving behind an etched mark with every hair.


    By the end of it, the longsword looked much more ornate with incredibly precise white lines on its glowing surface, forming an intricate pattern.


    Shocking of all, Liam noticed how none of the lines intersected with each other.

 Chapter 109 Useful

    <h4>Chapter 109 Useful</h4>


    Richard took a moment to let the students calm down. They''d broken into loud exmations of shock and awe.


    "This is my family''s specialization ¨C instantaneous enhancements. It may look simple and easy, but I assure you¡­ it''s not. It took us centuries just to bring it to this point."


    "That''s how these kinds of methods improve. Trial and error, repetition, and constant adjustment."


    Richard summoned a standard training dummy - humanoid shaped and made from solid steel ¨C then lightly swiped the air from top to bottom.


    The training dummy split in half, stilling the air with shocked and amazed silence, but the sword shattered right after.


    "Such is the power of enhancements, but everything has its limits. Although my sword can kill a man or beast in one swipe, it has a one-time usage, and it takes a long time to make."


    "The ink in this situation was imbued within each thread of my hair. I had already stored them with the meanings, and the links were made by me."


    Richard noticed the confused looks and smiled lightly.


    "The meanings are done with the sea of consciousness. More specifically, mental energy. Don''t worry, you''ll learn how to do so."


    "It has a direct connection with the ink, since it''s an expression of those meanings you''ve made."


    "However, you can get creative with the ink itself. I''m sure you all have seen people inscribing using different tools?"


    Some nodded, prompting him to continue.


    "External factors help in controlling the ink and creating the circuits that connect them, but they take time to learn and could possibly lose some of the imbued meanings."


    "On the other hand, the link ¨C made by the ink containing the meanings ¨C must be free of any sort of error barring the spell from being expressed. This aspect is what determines if your inscription works or not."


    "It''s the hardest part to do since even the smallest error will result in your spelling out wrong or not working in general."


    "The only reason I''ve done mine so fast, is because of the sheer amount of times I''ve repeated the same inscription."


    "It requires constant study, practice and memorization, but we have some exercises to help with that."


    "Bing an inscription master is extremely useful, not to mention it pays very well. I made my first sessful inscription in roughly 4 years, but it could take you all much earlier than that."


    Richard spent the remaining time answering questions, dismissing the ss after prescribing the necessary books.


    As the lecture hall emptied, fully this time, Liam repeated the same thing he did with Jordan.


    Although unbelieving and shocked at first, Richard''s face grew pensive and conflicted a momentter.


    "That can''t be safe. Not at all. You haven''t suffered any mental or physical damage, have you?"


    Liam shook his head.


    "It isn''t safe. But I''ve been careful not to overdo it or go over my limits. I have a good tolerance for pain."


    Richard nodded slowly, his eyes fixed to Liam''s.


    "It is indeed amazing, and I''ll do my best to help you with it. I''ll prescribe you some special books for you to study, it''ll help you understand unorthodox methods better."


    Liam nodded and left after a few more questions.


    Those were the sses for the day, and he could spend the rest in study, training or cultivation.


    Just as he left the lecture hall, the same ruby-eyed girl from before approached him, along with herrge group of goons.


    She smiled condescendingly, walking up to Liam¡­ and pping him as hard as she could.


    Liam''s face jolted to the side, which he slowly brought back to the girl with a deathly stare.


    "I dare you to hit me ba¡ª"


    Liam''s hand blurred. The only thing audible then was a loud crackle, as though a whip had yed flesh.


    The girl went flying, eventually smashing against a small aodation''s wall ¨C knocked out and slumped.


    Liam didn''t care to hold back his bloodlust and pressure to those remaining.


    They recoiled and subconsciously took a step back, genuine fear for their lives.


    Just as he took one step towards them, Liam''s academic token started to glow, making him frown.


    Before he could reel in his pressure, his body and mind was dragged into a new location ¨C a well decorated and ornately furnished room.


    He was presumably in one of the towers, judging by the pane of ss on the opposite end of the room, through which the entire academy grounds were visible.


    "Making trouble already, eh?" said Headmaster Reye, sitting behind a mahogany desk with his hands steepled.


    Liam instantly got off the floor, calmly greeting the Headmaster.


    "They starte¡ª"


    "I know,d. They''ll be disciplined thoroughly. That''s not why I''ve called you here."


    Liam grew confused. A bad feeling rose in his chest despite the Headmaster''s niceties.


    "...Why''d you call me here, then?"


    The Headmaster''s eyes turned hard.


    "I wanted to wait until you had all your necessary sses¡­ but I wouldn''t want you to kill any of my students."


    Liam heaved a sigh and lowered his head, raising it with a dark face.


    "Let me guess, the Oracle?"


    Reye remained silent, but that was a sufficient answer.


    "You see, through our Oracle friend, we find out who could be a threat or troublemaker in the near future."


    "Most people think it''s the nobles¡­ they''re unbelievably wrong. Those spoiled brats are too green."


    "It''s your kind we''re worried about the most. You, the mute, that red-eyed kid, and the others. You especially."


    Headmaster Reye spoke matter-of-factly, but Liam looked severe.


    "Calm down, you''re not being expelled."


    That only unnerved Liam more.


    "I''m not? Why?"


    Reye remained silent. His old eyes held a dark light.


    "You might just prove yourself to be useful. Just tread lightly until then."


    Before Liam counter, Reye waved his hand, teleporting him back to the front door of his amodation.


    He cursed, entering and shutting the door behind him, heaving a calming sigh.


    ''What are these people scheming? He didn''t call me by my real name, so they probably don''t know I''m a fugitive.''


    Liam''s gaze turned dark as he started to cultivate.


    ''Whatever, as long as they don''t kill me, I''ll have enough time to think of a n.''

 Chapter 110 Realms

    <h4>Chapter 110 Realms</h4>


    Liam''s studies and cultivation continued.


    Cultivation, Battle, World Knowledge, World History, Race Studies, Forging and more revealed countless pieces of intriguing knowledge.


    Liam spent most of his free time in the Expansion Rooms and studying, leaving little time for any enjoyment.


    Firstly, cultivation was really the easiest ss to go through, especially for Liam since he had genuine interest in the subject.


    He also learned the mental transmission trick fairly quickly.


    It only worked if the person you''re connecting to wants you to connect to them, and practice was the key to learning it.


    ¡­Thus, Liam had to pair with Nord of all people, since nobody else wanted to work with either of them. Everything was a challenge to the boy, and studies were no exception.


    [Test, test. Did it work?] Liam transmitted to Nord''s mental sphere. The look of shock mixed with defeat in his vermillion eyes indicated sess.


    Velia was shocked that Liam learned it in a week, especially since it took her more than a month.


    As a reward, she gave him five thousand ''Ora'' Stones and an early introduction to the next topic¡­ which gathered him even more enemies.


    ¡­Wonderful.


    On the other hand, battle was something Liam excelled in like no other.


    Everyday, it looked like his ssmates were getting more and more dejected from losing to him¡­ except Nord and Rin, who tried harder every session, to Janice''s delight.


    Meanwhile, his forging sessions had been going well.


    They''d finally moved on to using magical beasts corpses to forge small but powerful weapons.


    Jordan gave Liam special attention.


    To everyone''s dismay, he''d outshine them in that topic as well, unaware of his previous experience.


    Rin hadn''t let up either. During his lunch breaks, she''d sit opposite him in silence, making her usual gestures and receiving a shrug back.


    ''Is she hoping I''ll eventually tell her?'' Liam shook his head.


    What shocked him the most during his studies, was how the Thousand Year War did actually happen, and the Ashura''s did exist!


    Ancient records ¨C which the academy apparently had ¨C mentioned that the entire world was in a chaotic state for a thousand years, roughly 3000 years back.


    Liam''s history teacher, Noris Jhest, even brought out illustrations of what ancient Ashuras looked like.


    They were giant, six-armed humanoid species, spanning from 3 to 5 meters tall.


    Their chests, arms, legs and fists were extremely chiseled and defined, wrapped in what looked like ancient markings and patterning ¨C the surface was reflective, like a dense metal alloy. In contrast, their skin was tanned.


    It was their natural body defense, Noris exined, said to be extremely hard. Even tougher than magical beasts byparison.


    Liam didn''t know if it was exaggerated, but their sharp eyes were a crimson shade, and wild, snow-like lustrous hair either flowed freely behind their backs, or was spiked upwards.


    There were even drawings of the pants they wore ¨C loose hakama trousers of no specific color, hung by a simr sash at their waist.


    Every drawing Liam saw of them had this wrathful face, as though they wanted to devour the world.


    ¡­Well, turns out, they did.


    At least, ording to history, they wanted to devour earth and all its inhabitants with their vicious maws ¨C lined with human-like teeth, but incredibly sharper.


    Female Ashuras were presumably the same, but apparently, the species did not have any breeding capabilities, and their origin is still unknown.


    There weren''t even records about their centers of power or unique abilities. Not even the academic archives knew that.


    The war ended when all the human countries temporarily allied to fight them.


    After a relentless battle, the Ashuras had gone extinct from then on, not a peep or whisper.


    Liam learned about the ancient Psion race too, who humans had reaped the Psionic Runes from.


    They were also humanoid shaped, except much, much skinner. Horse-shaped heads didn''t make them look pleasing in the least, and a hollow but glowing circle hung at the top of it, like some sort of alien crown.


    Within the hollowness of the crown, was the Psionic Rune Liam recognized, floating freely.


    Besides that, they had no other distinct features.


    Psions disappeared too.


    Well, the correct term would be extinct, since they were massacred inrge numbers and farmed for their Runes.


    But presumably, they were still alive¡­ hidden somewhere safe, away from human hands.


    Meanwhile, Language consisted of learning about almost every tongue in the explorable world ¨C vampiric, dwarfish, elvish, including the surrounding countries that bordered Echoria.


    Liam decided to learn each and every one, just in case it came into use one day ¨C but focused mainly on vampiric.


    The veryst and most peculiar ss was Realm Studies.


    Liam made his way to a secluded corridor of the Lecture Hall, then came across a small room barely enough to house two people at once.


    A man''s back was to the entrance door, who sat behind a marble desk and wrote down with a quill feather.


    "Mr Kilver?" Liam called out, prompting the man to turn around.


    Kivler Urwol was middle-aged, but hardly looked like it ¨C graying short hair, dark bags under his drooping amber eyes, along with three lines of stress creasing his forehead.


    "What do you want?" he asked impatiently with a frown.


    "I''m here for the ss," said Liam. The word ss was an exaggeration.


    Kivler looked shocked.


    "You are?" he uttered, a wide smile growing on his face. "Welle right in!"


    Liam nodded and muddled through the cramped space, settling on the small chair opposite to a smaller board.


    "Excuse myck of amodation¡­ I haven''t had a student in roughly 5 semesters, so I''ve been reassigned to this room," Kivler said bitterly.


    Liam did a slow nod of understanding, wondering why he was there in such a ss.


    "Well, the correct name for this ss should be realm theory, since this topic isn''t confirmed," Kivler exined. "In essence, what I theorize is that there are different realms."


    Liam hummed in understanding, slightly interested.


    "I''ve been called a madman more than once¡­ but I know this is true!" Kivler gestured passionately. "Think about it, where have the Celestials gone, besides the inheritances they left behind? What about the Ashuras? History says they are extinct, but that''s bull! They just disappeared one day."

 Chapter 111 Exercise

    <h4>Chapter 111 Exercise </h4>


    Liam looked slightly stupefied.


    Hadn''t he transferred from a different realm? That meant that Kivler was most probably right, and that other realms did exist.


    On that note, inheritances were another topic Liam had learned from the general knowledge ss.


    They were basically a separate dimension that ancient higher ranked cultivators left behind for various reasons.


    Some were close to dying and needed an heir to carry on their life''s work, others had various methods that they didn''t finish by the end of their lifetime, and needed someone toplete it for them.


    From what Liam learned, there were countless inheritances scattered around the world, each with its own level of wealth, techniques and treasures.


    At the same time, they weren''t free handout establishments. Most inheritances had difficult tests, trials and other requirements to even participate.


    But Celestials¡­ inheritances left by them were an entirely different kind, and undoubtedly scarce, hidden and world changing.


    Entire countries were presumably built upon these inheritances, capable of altering the politicalndscape of the world with ease.


    Ve had actually mentioned a visit to an inheritance site one day, as a trip of sorts for the students.


    "You already know how higher ranked cultivators can''t stay in the same ce as Mortals," Kivler exined.


    "For one, the resources are too little for their needs. Can you imagine how slow and arduous their progress might be?"


    "And it''s not anything simr to ours, we can imagine. That''s why their lifespans are so long. Progress gets harder once you go up the ranks."


    Liam nodded in understanding.


    "Do you think the Ashuras are still alive, then?" he asked.


    Kivler had a pensive look.


    "That''s up for debate¡­ but I''m sure there are. That''s not my point, anyway."


    Liam raised a brow.


    "So what''s your point?"


    Kivler smiled.


    "That there is a different realm for Celestials to exist in all together. It can''t be that they''re so scarce and so little in number here."


    "The Opposition doesn''t want people to cultivate, right? And it especially won''t want those powerful people lingering around such fragilends."


    "I can''t even imagine what a battle between Celestials might look like, but devastating would be a good word."


    "If we somehow tap into those realms, we can gain more knowledge and insight into the secrets of the cultivation journey."


    Liam eventually nodded in understanding.


    ¡­But all of that was theory. Not to mention, there was no way for Kivler to truly find out his answers through mere studying.


    "The only way to know is to get there," Liam said.


    Kivler looked at him with an assessing gaze.


    "Aye,d," he heaved a sigh. "I suppose you''re right."


    Thereupon, the sses for the day had ended.


    Liam instantly went back to his lodging, thinking over his learnings of the day.


    ''It''s time I begin inscribing.''


    He didn''t have any lectures for the next week, which meant he could finally start practicing his inscriptions and forging.


    He spent most of his time learning the former, but had multiple Rank 3 darkness magical beast corpses in his ring, freshly bought and carefully preserved.


    He entered his basement and began with Blood Weaving first.


    Closing his eyes, he entered his sea of consciousness.


    Waves of mental energy sloshed around his mind, but with a raising gesture, arge blob separated and started to float above.


    Liam''s spiritual form closed his eyes.


    The blob of mental energy started to change slightly, reflecting shes of light. Gradually, it increased in luminosity, filling Liam''s mind with light.


    When he opened his eyes, the blob now looked like a dim, liquid sun. Obviously not as bright, but it was luminous nheless.


    Cold sweat trickled down Liam''s forehead. Imbuing meanings within mental energy was much more arduous than he imagined, and he was attempting the most simple form of it.


    It was the ''brightness enhancement'' inscription. The inscriber had to create a simple circuit that consisted of simple but colorful lines, illuminating a sword or an item.


    This simple exercise was also the first assignment that Richard had assigned to the ss. The first person to seed would even receive ten thousand ''Ora'' Stones.


    To make it, Liam had to take in the intensity of brightness, the range of colors it was to be, how it interacted with the surroundings, how long it wouldst, and if the line was straight or flowing.


    ¡­And that wasn''t all of it.


    ''So much for simple. No wonder techniques and spells are so expensive and difficult to make. Something like this takes this much effort.''


    Coming back to reality, Liam took out his wakizashi, forming a long cut on his bare thigh, then floating the droplet of blood in front of him.


    His expression was strained, although considerably less than thest time, as he refined the droplet. After all, his mental capabilities improved by leaps and boundspared to then.


    He began refining the droplet of blood with his mental energy, causing it to glow.


    After half an hour of onerous refining, he absorbed the droplet of refined blood into his mental sphere.


    A migraine ensued like usual, though weaker in strength.


    Within his sea of consciousness, the droplet slowly muddled through the golden walls by force, adding a heavy weight on Liam''s mind.


    When the droplet fully immersed into his sea of consciousness, Liam began to conjoin the blob of mental energy with it.


    As the two liquids started to join together and mix, more weight pushed against Liam''s head, making him grit his teeth in pain.


    Slowly, the droplet started to glow luminously, but the red from the blood overpowered it. If anything, it only increased in sharpening the crimson hue.


    Although he considered padding it with more mental energy to lessen the pain, he eventually decided against it.


    ''Doing that will convolute the meanings. I have to endure.''


    Liam waited for half an hour for the energies to steady and fully mix, before pulling out the droplet through the tip of his right finger, and taking out a small silver dagger.

 Chapter 112 Inscriptions and Forgery

    <h4>Chapter 112 Inscriptions and Forgery</h4>


    The drop of refined blood stuck to Liam''s right index, glowing a fervent scarlet, Liam heaved a sigh and focused.


    Blood Weaving made Links using the vampirguage.


    Richard mentioned how that allowed for more flexibility and freedom with the circuits being performed ¨C since you could simply write innguage whatever you wanted to inscribe.


    For example, Liam simply had to write what color he wanted, how intense it was to be, and so on, right on the de or parchment itself.


    There wasn''t theplicity of inscription lines, runes and diagrams, but simplenguage and writing.


    Still, that meant it didn''te with the precision that those other methods did.


    Liam would have topensate for it by writing, and generally inscribing more.


    Without dy, Liam began to run his finger through the small dagger, writing the vampiric characters for his desired effect.


    It took him half an hour, but eventually, the entire de was covered with writings, and the refined ink had been depleted.


    Liam heaved a short sigh before moving to inspect the dagger.


    All the characters were connected to each other, as they should have been, and Liam could see that it could absorb mental energy like he intended.


    With a smile, he imbued it with his mental waves.


    The inscriptions flickered on!


    ¡­Before flickering off just as fast, crushing Liam''s smile before it could fully grow.


    It was to be expected, especially since it was his very first time even writing with the vampirguage.


    ''Well, I''m not talented enough to make this thing work on the first try anyway.''


    Liam inspected his ring. There were thirty small silver daggers stored nearly inside.


    Thirty more tries.


    Once again, he entered his sea of consciousness and separated blobs of his mental energy, renewing the same meanings until he refined them.


    Each inscription hurt horribly, and his eye grew more and more murky with blood.


    Still, Liam pushed through, repeating the process.


    He was on his eighth dagger, when the inscriptions on the surface of the des started to flicker weakly.


    Liam dejectedly thought he had failed once again ¨C ready to toss away the des to therge pile on his left ¨C but then realized the flickering didn''t stop.


    It was unstable and vtile¡­ but it was a sess!


    ¡­Somewhat.


    The writings on the de were only blood-red in color, and the weak light it exuded was not constant. Both needed rectifying, among other things.


    ''I''ll have to adjust the colors to be the two nearest to red¡­ so orange and yellow.''


    ''Pushing myself past this point isn''t safe anymore. This is a good stopping point anyway.''


    Liam stored the de into his ring, before taking out a Rank 2 magical beast.


    It was a Twilight Owl, sharp jet-ck feathers that spanned twice the length of Liam''s arms, the beak of which was curved and razor-sharp.


    Liam wasn''t crazy enough to store a Rank 3 beast will into his mental sphere right away.


    He wanted to test the waters first and see how difficult it was before proceeding to the higher ranks.


    He began skinning the owl with quick and precise movements, separating all the required parts and organizing them.


    Unlike traditional forging that required a set anvil, zing heat and iron tools, magical beast forgemastery could be done differently.


    Of course, Rogan himself used those tools, but they weren''t a necessity.


    When excessive amounts of ''Ora'' is applied to a magical beast part, it softens enough for the forger to shape and manipte however they pleased.


    At the same time, it''s used to purify the material and strengthen it.


    Liam bunched up the Owl''s ck bones and began to envelop them in his ''Ora''.


    Slowly, the bones started to change state, turning mushy and soft.


    Seeing that, Liam slowly began shaping the bones to a dagger''s form with his hands, only using ''Ora'' in short intervals when the bones were about to harden.


    A focused pressure spread throughout his surroundings, while his eye waspletely locked in.


    He had to be careful not to underuse, or overuse ''Ora'' during the beginning stages of forging, since it had the opposite effect and could considerably lessen the strength, endurance and overall capabilities of the materials.


    It took him two hours to finish with the shape. Amazingly, the bones looked¡­ decent!


    The edge was slightly bent, simr to Liam''s wakizashi, but not nearly as long. It was the same sharpness as a kitchen knife, but that was Liam''s first try at shaping something sessfully.


    He took the de and shed at his arm. A cut formed that dripped a little blood, but not enough to pierce through the muscle, and it healed a moment after.


    ''Forging methods are basically the same as inscription methods. Both require experience and constant adjustment,'' Liam thought pensively, oblivious of his self-harming attitude.


    He did a few more finishing touches on the de ¨C sharpening the tip, ttening the sides, and adding teeth to the edges ¨C before fixing a small hilt made from Owl hide on its bottom.


    ''Now, the hard part,'' Liam thought, taking out the Owl ck colored core and heaving a slight breath.


    Clenching his fist, he crushed the core and absorbed the essences into his mental sphere.


    Liam instantly entered his sea of consciousness, pressure assaulting his mind as the core contents entered his mind.


    Large blobs of mental energy raised, swirled, gained color and took the form of a giant Twilight Owl. With it, came a pressure matching Liam''s blood inscriptions.


    A low-pitched shriek tore through the spiritual space as the Owl developed, forcing a wince on Liam''s face.


    The Owl looked enraged, its giant wings unfurling as it shot at Liam himself.


    Liam hade prepared.


    Jordan had taught him how to use mental energy as an actual weapon within his mind.


    Although doing that outside his sea of consciousness was quite frankly impossible, Liam''s mind was his domain.


    Energy swirled around his hands to form two ethereal des, which cut through the Owl as it charged.

 Chapter 113 Expedition

    <h4>Chapter 113 Expedition</h4>


    A week quickly passed, and Liam hadn''t exited his basement in that period, cultivating, inscribing, forging.


    Littered all around him were failed inscribed des, broken pieces of Owl bones and other materials.


    Liam had a crazed smile and a bloodshot eye as he inspected a silver dagger with his blood inscriptions on it.


    It was an actual sess.


    The blood writings on the de glowed with interchanging red, orange and yellow.


    The glow was constant, and there was no weak flickering that disrupted the light it exuded.


    Liam was on his 27th dagger when the damn thing finally started working.


    ''Do I go to Richard and get the rewards for it? It''s 10K Stones, after all¡­'' Liam pursed his lips.


    ''Probably best not to. There''s enough attention on me as is. I can make that money fairly quick anyway.''


    Then, Liam moved to inspect histest forged item, the Owl Dagger.


    It was much sharperpared to his previous inventions, but Liam had to sacrifice the aesthetics and size to achieve that oue, making it easier for him to imbue the will inside.


    However, his experience had started to show through his products, as the dagger was sturdy enough to be used in a real battle.


    Still, he hadn''t had the chance to test if it worked or not.


    ''This is my twelfth try. It better work.''


    Fighting so many Rank 2 Twilight Owls was starting to weigh against his mind, after all.


    Not to mention the sheer amount of times he had to refine his blood and repeat his inscription process.


    He needed rest.


    After a short pause, Liam imbued the de with ''Ora''.


    Wisps of smoke started to ooze out from the dagger, like the sputtering of a me. Weakly, it continued doing so, but the dark vapor increased in intensity.


    By the end, it started flowing naturally. A sess!


    A broad smile formed on Liam''s face.


    CRACK!


    Then the de shattered to dust, as Liam didn''t realize he was continuously imbuing it with ''Ora'' to make the effect work.


    With a sigh, Liam chucked the de into the broken and shattered pile.


    By then, he''d expended all the magical beast corpses he bought using his remaining money.


    ''It''s still a good start. It''s time I rest and get a breath of fresh air.''


    Liam cleaned up his basement and bathed, before testing his progress with the Dark Wraith body.


    Liam stretched both hands. Bymand, they turned into ethereal ck mist.


    The next day, he left his lodging with a set of clean clothes and slightly restoredplexion.


    Instantly, he made his way towards the Battle Halls.


    ''It''s about time I start making some money.''


    ///


    Time passed.


    Liam''s studies continued in all topics.


    His cultivation was steadily rising, and so was his knowledge of it. He even felt halfway close to the solid stage.


    Liam basically knew everything there was about the Mortal ranks, with lesser understanding of the Zenith and Celestial powers.


    His knowledge of magical beasts and the like also grew, and his battle prowess exponentially increased.


    Despite his ssmates growing stronger beside him, Liam''s score was still undefeated.


    Each day, his inscriptions and forging was growing moreplex and difficult, but so did his experience in the field.


    The person who won first ce in Richard''s enhancement assignment was Nessa, who sessfullypleted the exercise in two weeks.


    Everyone looked at her proud figure with new gazes of reverence, and Richard profusely praised her for the aplishment.


    Only after a good part of the ss handed in theirs, so did Liam.


    Meanwhile, Liam''s infamous reputation grew like wildfire ¨C the Golden-Eyed Vagrant fought anybody in the Battle Halls, even second-years older than him.


    None won.


    Liam had to try just a bit harder against those students, but still held himself back.


    In total, he had gained 11K Stones from wagering alone, making back the reward money he didn''t receive.


    It helped that nobles were so easily offended and quick-tempered.


    Using their fragile egos, Liam didn''t duel unless offered a hefty sum of money. It was apparent that Nord did the same.


    Like so, a month passed, and it was time for Liam to receive his mission from the Headmaster.


    He left his dwelling early in the morning, bathed and donned ck-d clothes.


    As he walked towards the Academic Hall, his token started glowing.


    Liam''s gaze narrowed.


    ''I don''t like where this is goi¡ª''


    Liam couldn''tplete his thought, before his surroundings changed.


    He was on the floor of the Headmasters office, staring at the wooden ceiling above.


    A cold pressure slowly grew from Liam''s figure. It was the fourth bloody time he was dragged to another location against his will.


    The Headmaster cleared his throat, and Liam retracted his mental waves.


    "What is it this time?" said Liam, steadying off the floor.


    Reye looked displeased at his words, but he sighed and shook his head.


    "Your mission¡­ and something I needed to talk to you about."


    Liam raised a brow.


    Reye adjusted the golden monocle on his eye and began speaking.


    "The Korsan continent is foreign to us. And so are its inhabitants. We have too little knowledge about them, since any sort of spying is blocked by the thick ck clouds that loom above theirnds."


    Liam nodded.


    The ck clouds were somewhat of an anomaly. It hung over the entirety of Korsa, basking thosends in a perpetual state of darkness.


    "We''ve been wanting to go there for a while now, to scour theirnds... but we can''t do it officially. It''ll look like we''re invading theirnds, and war isn''t a favorable oue."


    Liam hummed nomittally.


    "Your point being?"


    Reye sighed, then hardened his gaze.


    "We want you to assemble a small group and embark on an expedition there. You won''t have to fight anyone, just document thends and study the lifeforms. You can pick anybody you like, and you''ll also be the one to lead them. Don''t give me that look, it''ll obviouslye with rewards."

 Chapter 114 Needs

    <h4>Chapter 114 Needs</h4>


    Liam was pensive. He himself didn''t n to be in Echoria forever. Going on such an expedition would be a good experience, and also allow him to understand thendscape of the world in person.


    The problem was the risks that it involved. He could simply do easy missions day by day and increase his strength without having to worry about too much danger.


    ¡­Then Liam remembered the Royce family. His safety wasn''t ensured either way.


    "What kind of rewards?"


    Reye''s response sounded prepared.


    "Well, that depends on how far your group traverses, and how much information you bring back¡­ but as a baseline reward, you''ll be given 350K, three Rank 3 spells of your element, cultivation techniques of your choosing, a Rank 4 martial art, and more."


    Instantly, Liam''s attitude towards the mission changed.


    He wasn''t naive. It was obvious the endeavor was going to be extremely difficult, but the benefits to it were premium.


    And best of all, a Rank 4 martial art!


    Those cost a lot less than what a Rank 4 spell did, but Liam stillcked the proper funds to buy them.


    "Fine. But I''ll also need some things on our journey there," Liam voiced after a long pause.


    "Name them," the Headmaster dered.


    "Rank 2 and Rank 3 magical beast corpses, as many pairs of inscribed des as you can give me, simr des but in, nourishing pills and elixirs, and any other need I might have."


    The Headmaster let out a soft scoff.


    "You''re daring, aren''t you? Fine¡­ consider them taken care of. For now, I''ll give you a side-mission toplete. You''ll be given more leeway when this is done, and epting minor quests would be possible as well."


    Liam nodded.


    What followed after was a short exnation of the mission details.


    In short, there was a group of people that needed killing.


    They had attacked a caravan that was meant to bring in supplies to the academy from Roson.


    Although the Royal soldiers would''ve killed those men with ease, an ambush paired with months of nning in advance allowed the bandits to take over the supplies and escape to a secluded town towards the east.


    They weren''t weak in the least, and most certainly not dumb.


    Reye informed him of their formation capabilities ¨C which was also how they overpowered the guarded caravan ¨C and Ranks, but nothing Liam couldn''t take care of.


    Headmaster Reye gave him a map and few other instructions, before teleporting him to the train terminal towards the academy edges.


    Said terminal was packed with all cohorts and all the first-years and second-years, and there were teleportation matrixes that led to different parts of their region.


    Liam saw a bit ofmotion up ahead near one of the train stations, where the second and first year girls were huddled around a young man.


    Instantly, Liam recognized him due to his aura, which was cold as ice with the properties of wind and water.


    Rishe Voist had lustrous steel blue hair that fell behind his back. He was slim but had broad shoulders, and his hooded eyes were icy azure. He calmly smiled to those greeting him.


    "It''s that ice prick," Nord appeared beside Liam. "I can''t go five minutes without hearing some dumb girl talk about him. Don''t these people have anything better to do?"


    Liam couldn''t help but feel the same.


    ''He''s strong, though. Second-years are just students that are cultivating Rank 4 bodies and are strong Rank 1 Magi. He''s probably the strongest among them.''


    "Guys! Look, it''s the Golden-Eyed Vagrant!" a girl called out and pointed to Liam.


    Countless eyes converged on him, but Liam didn''t show any reaction. Instead, he simply thought, ''I''ll kill that girlter.''


    Rishe locked onto Liam''s eye with an assessing look.


    The atmosphere changed as the two stared each other down, unblinking and silent. Those surrounding them felt an invisible tenseness growing in the air.


    TING!


    A loud chime rang out as the bullet train arrived at the terminal, graduallying to a stop.


    Everyone''s attention momentarily fell on the train, before moving back to the staredown¡­ but the vagrant was gone!


    Liam used that moment to sneak find a specific matrix to step on and teleport away.


    ''He can hold onto the House of Honor until I take it from him,'' he thought, bright light epassing his body.


    When he opened his eye, he found himself on some rockyndscape above a small teau.


    The first thing Liam did was spread his senses and assess his surroundings.


    He was atop a ttened mountain top, among many other mountains that formed a ring around arge patch of terrain at the bottom.


    ''This should be the Korplo Region in the east, known for its giant mountains and rocky terrain.''


    Liam made his way to the edge of the teau, his eye zooming in to get a better view.


    To anyone else, it may have seemed like arge patch of trees, shrubbery and wild terrain.


    But Liam, who could see right through the camouging formation, saw a small makeshift town run by bandits and cultivators.


    ''Formations really are amazing. It''s a shame I can''t learn them since I already have enough on my te.''


    He zoomed in his retinas to get a better look.


    There were at least 57 men inside the small town that he counted diligently.


    Not all of them were Magi, thankfully, and most didn''t have powerful auras.


    ''That old man really gave me the most difficult mission he could find¡­ prick.''


    Liam mapped the various buildings erected there, each with their own uses.


    There was even a treasury ¨C judging by the men hauling inrge boxes and supplies ¨C guarded by three of the strongest men there.


    A series of small buildings indicated amodations for the lower ranked bandits, among many others.


    And then, there was one particr old man that looked like the boss, judging by his powerful presence and the respect his men gave him.


    ''These ouws are no amateurs. I''ll have to be very careful with how I go about this.''


    Sitting back, Liam simply waited and noted their behaviors throughout the day, looking for any weaknesses.


    He was in no particr rush, since he had a whole month toplete the mission.

 Chapter 115 Suffer

    <h4>Chapter 115 Suffer</h4>


    An entire week passed.


    Liam had finished concocting his n after reviewing all their little behaviors and intricacies.


    Food was apparently a problem for the professional bandits.


    Now and again, they''d send a small group of weak men (by Liam''s standards) to hunt them a pack of magical beasts in the wilderness.


    It usually took them 4 hours toe and go, so beingte wasn''t going to be strange.


    Liam marked that as his entry point.


    He could find the formation sources and break it, but that would only make things difficult.


    Silence was the only way.


    The sun was just setting over the horizon, painting a vermillion orange hue over the endless skies.


    Just then, a group of men left the formation and headed towards the forest for another hunt.


    ///


    "Why are we always the ones to do this, man. Randal justnded the biggest haul of our lives, can''t we catch a break?" a voiceined.


    "We''re also the weakest. Just keep your mouth shut and work. He''ll kill us all if you run off," a wise voice advised.


    "He did get a Rank 4 spell though¡­" another voice added, making greed flicker in the groups'' eyes.


    The five cultivators grew silent after that, but bitterness gripped their ugly faces.


    Liam waited until they got a considerable distance away from the town, denying their ability to call for backup or return to safety.


    Granted, if they had Jades, they could call them anyway, but Liam didn''t n to let that happen.


    An hour passed before the group came across a pack of Rank 3 Boulder Apes, which they spent a good hour effortlessly killing.


    By the time it was over, the group let out exhausted sighs, allowing themselves a short respite.


    "Come on, we''ll have to head ba¡ª"


    The chubby middle-aged cultivator couldn''t finish his sentence, since a shadow burst from the shrubbery and slit his throat in an instant.


    The others instantly recoiled and jumped back, but another one was ensnared by a tight chain wrapping around his face.


    He screamed in agony as the dark bonds sizzled and corroded his skin, digging into his flesh.


    Liam silenced those shrieks with a quick severing of his head, before his eye fell to the remaining three bandits.


    Anger held their faces as they charged Liam instantly, three mental pressures converging on his mind.


    Liam used Thicken, then reeled back his chains and ensnared the one closest to him, wrapping his feet and halting his charge, before sticking his shortsword in the man''s eye.


    He fell with a coarse scream, causing the two remaining to flinch in fear, horrified.


    The slender man in the back took out his Jade and began running away, but a dusky light tore through the air and pierced his wrist right after.


    The Umbral Needle exploded, engulfing the man in corrosive gas that invaded his lungs. Blood leaked from his nose and mouth, choking as he sumbed to death.


    Only one remained, and the short-statured cultivator looked mortified, the inscribed shortsword in his hands trembling.


    "Put your de down. I''ll make it quick if you answer my questions."


    Liam''s words seemed to anger the man, enough to overpower his fear.


    He charged with shooting an arm-sized spike from his arm, before weaving in to sh horizontally at Liam''s head.


    Liam sidestepped the spike and ducked under the de, lining the bandits chest with three quick thrusts of his shortsword.


    Blood spurted from the man''s back like gunshots, followed by a scream louder than one.


    "I told you," Liam sighed. "Answer my questions and I won''t let you suffer."


    A cold air suddenly grew around the screaming man, slowly freezing his screams. Clutching his wounds, he made a slow reluctant nod.


    "What Rank is your boss? What other formations are there in your base? How many people are there in total? There''s nothing that could notify them of my arrival, right?"


    "R-Rank 1 Magus, Rank 3 body and a Rank 2 core. Nothing besides the camouging formation, and 62," the man said with a shaky voice, mixed with regret and pain. "And no, you can just enter¡­"


    Liam hummed in understanding.


    A wet sh sounded right after, followed by a thump and a rolling head on the ground.


    Liam looted the bodies for their space-rings, then exchanged swapped clothes with the shortest bandit he''d killed.


    It was a simple leather tunic with a hood that covered his head, paired with a simr mask for his face.


    Liam discarded the bodies in an downstream river, before instantly making his way towards the town.


    Night fell, stars flickering in the sky. Shadows stretched across the forest and darkened the entire region, adding to Liam''s bleak silhouette.


    ''I''ll attack when they''re all sleeping. Only a few people would be awake at that point, but even if they find me out, I''d already taken out half of them,'' he thought, putting on his hood.


    Another two boring hours passed, the sounds of cheering and joyous chants gradually dying down. Only when the entire town grew silent did Liam steele his gaze.


    ''It''s time.''


    The disappearance of the five thankfully weren''t noticed due to their partying and drunkenness.


    Liam silently entered the town and hid behind one of the small wooden buildings, his des unsheathed and his senses spreading all throughout the space.


    Most of the cultivators who were outside were drunk out of their mind, and some were tout asleep on the ground, snoring obliviously.


    ''I better start, then.''


    Some of the drunkards needed to empty their dders, choosing to head towards the edges of the town to do their business.


    Liam found at least three of them going in different directions.


    He chose the one closest to him and silently walked up behind the man, casually thrusting his shortsword into his neck.


    With a choke and bloody gurgle, the man slumped on the ground limp.


    Liam chucked his body behind a dark alley between two small buildings, then shifted his focus to the others.

 Chapter 116 Pissers

    <h4>Chapter 116 Pissers</h4>


    Liam had already killed six of the piss-takers.


    They were easy targets, after all.


    Now, he turned his attention to the drunkards who still lingered around the camp. Only the treasury was guarded bypetent men who didn''t leave their posts or indulge in drink.


    Liam approached the small bonfire where the guards slept.


    In his changed attire, he blended in with them, especially with the leather hood obscuring his face. The sleeping men didn''t even stir as Liam severed their heads with one swift sh of his de.


    The others were too drunk to know what was happening.


    Before they could even realize it, their vision went dark.


    Liam steadily cleaned out a small section of the base, leaving 16 dead in his wake.


    He moved on to the dwellings where the men slept.


    Despite their professionalism and ability to overtake a Royal caravan, they were careless when it came to guarding themselves during sleep.


    ''They''re underestimating the Royals,'' Liam thought as he killed each sleeper with an instant sh to the head. ''If a single powerful guard was sent, this entire ce would be wiped out instantly. But they chose to let me do it instead. Crazy bastards.''


    A macabre trail of bodies followed in Liam''s wake as he killed another 27 men, adding to the previous 16.


    In less than five hours, 43 meny dead and Liam remained unscathed.


    ''I guess that''s all the weaklings,'' Liam thought. ''I''ll work on the treasury next. That Randal guy is stored in one of thoserger houses further up, but I''ll save him forst.''


    The hunters he''d killed had mentioned that Randal had a Rank 4 spell.


    Spells of that nature required strong centers of power to express their full potential.


    A Rank 1 Magus couldn''t possibly execute a Rank 4 spell at its full potential ¨C there needed to be a simr or at least close disparity between them.


    That''s why Liam wasn''t too afraid.


    He climbed onto the building opposite the treasury and watched as the three guards stood like statues, unblinking and ready for any threat.


    But Liam''s presence was hidden from them, allowing him to circle around and climb onto the treasury roof right above them.


    Dark chains grew from his hands and with a lithe jump, two Umbral Needles shot at the left and right guards while Liam fell atop the middle-man with his chains wrapped tightly around his neck.


    The dark needles pierced through the necks of the two men, exploding into noxious gas that marred their faces and choked their breath. But they were experienced enough to resist the pain and crawl away.


    The middle-man was not so lucky. Liam''s chokehold on his neck grew tighter by the second, crushing his windpipe and sucking the life from him.


    "WE''RE UNDER ATTACK!" one of the men with a needle in his neck shouted as he desperately crawled away.


    ''Dammit! It didn''t pierce deep enough!''


    Those choked words tore through the air and awoke the entire base, including the boss. They left their dwellings at once, just in time to see Liam send another two needles to finish off those on the ground.


    Liam''s gaze locked with that of an old man and a group behind him. The old man was aged but looked vigorous, and strong. His wrinkled face twisted in anger as he pointed at Liam and bellowed:


    "Get him!"


    At once, arge horde of men charged at Liam with raging screams, wielding des, spears, and other weapons. Those in back charged up spells of every element, including Randal himself who had the biggest aura of them all.


    Liam took a deep breath and unsheathed his des, wrapping his chains around them and twirling them in the air like kusarigamas.


    ''I guess this is a good time to test out my prowess,'' he thought as seven spearmen attacked at once from all sides, attempting to thrust their weapons into his flesh.


    Liam''s des burst with dark mes, coated with Lethality Mantle and his second form. He blurred as he jumped above the spears and swung his chains in a wide, circr motion.


    Seven heads flew into the air, trailing spurts of blood as shocked and pained expressions twisted their decapitated faces. Liam didn''t have time to admire his handiwork, though.


    A javelin made of condensed fire zed through the air and stabbed through his right shoulder, charring his flesh.


    At the same time, gusts of wind cut into his muscles and drew blood.


    The men looked smug for barely a second before realizing that Liam was still running at them despite his deep wounds, his hands and feet glowing.


    He continued to swing his dark-ming chains, too fast, too deadly, and too terrifying for the remaining men to counter.


    They couldn''t evennd a single hit.


    Liam''s hands would turn to dark mist now and again, allowing their weapons to pass straight through without inflicting any damage. Fire javelins, spikes of earth, and zephyrs of wind did little to stop his charge.


    Randal grimaced from a distance as he desperately hurried to charge his Rank 4 spell, the Earth Dome. ''Ora'' gathered from beneath and increased in intensity until a ring started to form around the ground where Liam stood.


    Liam didn''t slow down.


    He continued to charge forward, his chains twirling and slicing through the air as he cut down one man after another. The men fell before him like wheat before a scythe, their screams echoing through the night.


    Suddenly, the ground shook beneath Liam''s feet as a solid rock-made encasing started to rise around him.


    But Liam didn''t falter. He chose that moment to activate the membrane under his skin, sending a powerful jolt of strength through his veins.


    Before the encasing wasplete, Liam used Cartge Brace to further increase his physical strength, ramming straight through the solid rock wall.


    Boom!


    Randal looked mortified as he saw Liam shattering through the dome like a juggernaut.


    He stumbled and fell on the floor ¨C pieces of jagged bone jotting from his shoulder ¨C but Randal was deathly pale from using a Rank 4 spell to take advantage of it.


    Liam smiled grimly as he got up and reeled in his chains, swinging once across the man''s neck.

 Chapter 117 Regret

    <h4>Chapter 117 Regret</h4>


    Liam activated his academic token, and it flickered to life. Reye''s voice came through from the other side.


    "Yes?"


    "It''s finished."


    "Already?" Reye sounded surprised, his voice raising a pitch.


    "I just said it was," Liam said impatiently.


    "Alright," Reye said, trying to hide his amazement. "An associate of mine will be there shortly to verify yourpletion."


    Liam spent the time waiting in gathering space-rings and looting the bodies.


    He entered the treasury to make sure everything was there, which it was.


    It was filled withrge piles of gold and jewels, glinting under the moonlight, along with some other low level techniques and spells.


    Soon enough, anky man wearing a ck suit arrived at the scene.


    His small eyes could only grow in shock as he saw so many dead bodiesying around.


    The smell of blood was so thick he could taste it, but the young boy in front of him looked expressionless.


    Liam greeted the man nonchntly.


    "Here are the rings," Liam promptly gave the man more than a dozen rings¡­ with the severed fingers attached to them. "The treasury is that way."


    Liam pointed to the small building with three dead guards littered around it.


    Although the suited man was disgusted at the pile of fingers in his hands, he gulped down his fear and nodded.


    "Great."


    "I''ll be leaving then. Is it back the same way?" Liam asked, and the man quickly nodded.


    "Oh, and you might wanna be careful when you clean some of them," Liam added as an afterthought. "They died pissing."


    With that, Liam made his way back.


    ///


    Liam gained roughly 1,300 merit points from his mission.


    He used those points to buy darkness magical beasts for his forging and des for his inscriptions, along with some nourishing pills that helped bolster his progress with his core and mental sphere.


    Spells as of that moment weren''t of any concern to him, since he''d get plenty from the expedition.


    His main goal was improving his inscription and forging capabilities, since,pared to others, his cultivation journey was going to be significantly harder.


    Being of the darkness element, there were too little spells of a simr nature. Not to mention, he was a dual-elementalist, the extent of his second element he didn''t even know about.


    Liam moved to studying the vampiric nails spell made by Revel. With his eye, he could vaguely make out theplex meanings stored into the technique.


    There were countless other failed inscriptions that Revel had made, but they were still useful to study and memorize.


    At the same time, he had a massive idea with his forging. At one point, he simply thought, ''Why don''t I add meanings into the beast will itself? I use mental energy on it anyway.''


    He approached Jordan with his questions and the man confirmed it, though skeptical.


    "You definitely can, even I do, only it''ll take you years of understanding how the two energies interact with one another. You could get much, much more creative with your inventions though."


    He saved that idea for another time, along with a proper utilization of the King''s Eye.


    In the meantime, he also gained more details of his expedition.


    He had permission to dy his final tests until he came back from his journey, and he could begin as soon as he assembled a team.


    It wouldst roughly two to three months, and depending on how well or bad it went, that time period could change.


    Liam had a few names in mind for his mission.


    ''Nord is strong, but he''s an idiot. Still, it''s better than bringing any noble. Rin too, but her deafness might be an inconvenience. Nessa shoulde. She doesn''t seem like the scheming type, and she''s smart enough. Sveinn is a liability. I''ll find someone else in the meantime.''


    During one of their battle sses, Liam brought the topic up using mental transmission ¨C vaguely, he described the details and its dangerous nature.


    [You in? You can push your luck with the Headmaster and fleece him for more rewards if you''re not satisfied,] Liam concluded and advised.


    Nord looked pensive, before a smile spread on his lips.


    [Of course I am.]


    Liam approached Rin and Nessa next, and the two agreed instantly. Nessa looked excited to visit newnds and study different magical environments, and Rin seemed more interested in the reward it came with.


    The fourth person Liam picked was a boy by the name of Gerald. He was a peasant just like the rest of the group (with the exception of Nessa), but a bit weaker and less drivenpared to them.


    It took a bit of convincing to bring him into the group, but the promised wealth had enticed him to agree.


    With that, the expedition party was ready to set out.


    Early in the morning, the Headmaster teleported everyone into his office.


    Looking everyone over, he nodded, then exined to them in detail what their goal was.


    "Lawrence will lead you. Consider his words like orders, and don''t fight amongst each other. We''ll give you all special storage items and enough provisions for your trip."


    Just then, a bright light sputtered across the room and took the form of a woman.


    "Good, you''re all here," Kalia said with a firm nod. "I''ll be leading you all towards the borders of Echoria. There, you''ll be put on a small ship camouged with an invisibility formation. One of our workers will steer the ship and wait on the borders until you return."


    Everyone exchanged a nod.


    As everyone continued their studies, the group headed towards the train and quickly entered.


    A momentter, the train began churning, increasing in speed as it left the academy grounds.


    Nord sat beside Liam as the group settled in their ce.


    [Yo, man. I actually wanted to ask you something,] the red-eyed boy looked left and right despite speaking mentally, worried someone might hear him.


    Liam gave him a quick side nce as he peered outside the train window.


    [Have you ever seen a woman go to the bathroom? Do you think... they even do?]


    Liam slowly creaked his head towards Nord''s direction, giving him a disappointed and stunned look.


    Instantly, he regretted bringing him.

 Chapter 118 Journey

    <h4>Chapter 118 Journey</h4>


    The train continued its course, passing through countless underwater habitats and magicalndscapes.


    Liam would''ve liked to enjoy the sight, but Nord''s incessant mental chatter made it impossible. The boy''s mind was a never-ending stream of inane questions and pointless observations.


    At one point, Liam simply couldn''t take it anymore. He blocked out Nord''s mental transmission and began to cultivate with his eyes closed. It was a wee reprieve from the boy''s constant noise.


    ''It''ll take at least 4 days until we reach the borders. After that, it might take two weeks to arrive at Korsannds.''


    Liam''s storage devices were filled with provisions, books, forty-some inscribed pairs of katanas and wakizashis, forty of the same kind except in, paired with mental sphere, body and core strengthening/nourishing pills.


    On a separate ring, there were twenty-five Rank 3 darkness magical beasts, and fifty Rank 2 of the same kind.


    They were even given new space-rings with 50 square meters of space to hold those items in.


    The sight made a smile form on Liam''s face.


    Liam would entrust Nessa with documenting thends, flora (if there was any in thosends), and navigating the team. She was more than happy with her workload.


    Rin on the other hand was tasked with the fauna. Her knowledge of magical beasts and other lifeforms actually outshined Liam''s, since she expressed deep interest in those topics.


    Gerald had basic knowledge of formations, mainly those that helped hide the group''s presence from outside threats. That would helped greatly once they settled onnd.


    ¡­Nord was just there as a pair of extra hands and legs.


    That would be injustice to the boy, since, despite his idiocy and simpleminded nature, he was strong and well-versed in battle.


    Liam spent the next four days cultivating and expanding his mental sphere. The others did more-or-less the same, finding their own corner within the space to huddle in.


    Soon enough, the train had emerged from water and began traveling through vast ins of lush greenery. There was no civilization there, justnd for as far as the King''s Eye could see.


    That sightsted for about three hours, before the train gradually slowed down to stop.


    Kalia arrived at the car and addressed those inside.


    "We''re here."


    The group left the train as one, eyes widening in unbelieving shock as they looked past the cliff overseeing the endless azure seas.


    The five had never seen the ocean before. They''d seen pictures and maps, but never the real thing. Echoria was just toorge for them to witness such a majestic sight.


    Large waves crashed over one another, flowing into each other before repeating the same dance again. Here and there, oceanic magical beasts poked out from the water''s surface.


    Liam spotted an eel with stretched fins on its sides, flying freely above the water as though it was a bird. Just one kind among the countless different creatures living there.


    Kalia let the group witness the sight for a short moment before heading towards the edge of the cliff.


    "Come on now," she called over her shoulder. "The boat is right under here."


    Her words brought the group back to their senses. They followed Kalia''s example as she lightly jumped from the cliff onto the flowing shore below.


    There, a tall, skinny, bald middle-aged man greeted the Royal with a respectful gesture. He wore a single ck robe, and had dark eyes.


    "Wee, your majesty. Is it just these youths?"


    Kalia exchanged a nod with him.


    The man shifted his attention to Liam''s group with a warm smile on his face.


    "Wee. My name is Jack, I''ll be your sailor for this journey. Please, let us waste no further time."


    On those words, the group grew confused. Liam''s eye scoured the beach, noticing a blurry translucent form on the waters.


    Smiling knowingly, Jack waved his hand and suddenly a giant boat sprung into view. It was inscribed with countless lines on its ck surface and looked to be made from ''darkwood'', a special material belonging to a rare magical tree whose wood was stronger than steel yet lighter than a feather.


    Nessa''s face lit up at the sight of the boat, her eyes shining with excitement. Nord grinned, Rin looked amazed, and Gerald''s expression was one of stunned disbelief.


    A gangnk slowly descended from the side of the boat onto the beach, inviting them aboard.


    "Please board on if there''s nothing else for you all to do here," Jack requested.


    Liam approached Kalia.


    "Is there anything else I need to know before heading there?"


    Kalia pursed her red lips.


    "No, nothing you haven''t been briefed on. Just remember, safety is the priority. Don''t risk going to any mainstream or threatening locations if it poses danger to your life."


    Liam gave a terse nod before following the others inside the boat.


    ''Stay alive now, get usedter. Got it,'' he thought disdainfully.


    The interior of the boat was like any other ¨C the main deck wasrge enough to amodate a hundred men at a time, and at the helm, Jack began to steer the boat with aplicated set of inscribed controls.


    Slowly, the boat repositioned itself. It twirled around and set opposite to the beach, growing in speed as it drifted away from the shore.


    Watching from afar, Kalia nodded to herself before teleporting away.


    "There is arge cabin under that trapdoor in the corner," Jack called out with his hands still at the helm. "Please choose a room to sleep and stay in. We''ll be there in two weeks more or less, so you''ll have plenty of time to train and prepare until then."


    Liam and the rest nodded.


    "Is there room for me to freely practice my martial arts or train?" Nord asked eagerly.


    "Ah¡­ er, no. Please hold off until then."


    Nord clicked his tongue before entering the cabin with the others.


    Spacious wooden rooms were lined opposite to each other. Unlike the dwellings within the academy, these didn''te with the luxury of sound-negating inscriptions for privacy.


    "I choose the biggest one!" Nord eximed, hurriedly checking each dorm with a quick nce.


    A disappointed look fell on his face as he checked all the rooms. "They''re all the same¡­"


    Liam sighed.


    ''I probably shouldn''t have brought this idiot.''


    The rest chose their rooms quickly, and Liam was thest to pick.


    There was nothing too fancy inside the cabin ¨C just a simple bed for rest and a single cab filled with clothes.


    Instantly, Liam unloaded the magical beasts and nourishing pills he would consume on the way.

 Chapter 119 Dozer Sharks

    <h4>Chapter 119 Dozer Sharks</h4>


    The Darkwood ship steadily gained speed over theing days, cutting through the ocean with ease.


    It seemed as though the waves grewrger and more tumultuous the closer they got to the Korsannds. The ship rocked and swayed chaotically, but the cabin within remained perfectly bnced.


    Liam kept to himself, preferring to focus on his own training rather than interacting with the others. He knew he would have plenty of time to do that once their journey truly began.


    Still, the thin walls of the cabin gave him some indication of what the others were up to.


    Nord was obviously training, judging by the sounds of things breaking and crashing in his space. Rin was experimenting with something involving fire, or perhaps forging something. Nessa was studying in silence, while Gerald worked on his formations.


    Meanwhile, Liam finally experienced a breakthrough.


    He had passed the lower-stage of the third Rank body!


    Thanks to the pills he had taken, his body''s absorption rate had increased by twice its normal amount for a short duration.


    The difference in strength wasn''t immediately obvious, but it was still significant.


    With each sub-advancement, his regeneration capabilities grew stronger. Now, both his arms could be turned into dark mist up to his shoulders.


    To test his new strength, Liam took one of the inscribed des and made a deep cut on his bicep.


    Blood poured out onto the wooden floor below, but after just four minutes, his wound hadpletely healed ¨Cpared to before when it would take six to eight minutes for even his deepest wounds to reform.


    His progress with his mental sphere and core were less dramatic, but he still hadn''t used all of his pills and elixirs.


    ''Damn it,'' Liam cursed in frustration. ''I always feel like I''m close to a breakthrough but it just never happens. I may have overestimated my progress.''


    What Liam was forgetting was his age.


    He was only three months away from his thirteenth birthday, yet he already possessed physical, mental, and battle prowess far beyond those of his peers.


    ''Well, it''s only a matter of time,'' he thought to himself. ''I''ll get there eventually.''


    Meanwhile, his skills in inscriptions and forging were slowly improving.


    Liam had shifted to using basic sharpness inscriptions. They were a whole lot moreplicated than the simple brightness enhancements, and he was nowhere near to seeding in one.


    It required him to visualize how sharp and precise the de needed to be, how it would react to flesh or metal, and its rigidity. All these elements, and more, needed to be in harmony.


    A failed attempt resulted in just weakening, or even shattering the entire de.


    ¡­Compared to that, forgings were a lot more simpler. Liam used his original ck des Rogan had forged him as a reference, since he could see the beast-will inside it with his vision.


    A week passed, and Liam left his cabin after a night of heavy training.


    It was dead dark outside, but the view was breathtaking.


    Nothing clouded the night sky, leaving the constetions in in view, reflected across the seas. The sounds of waves crashing gave that sight a serene audio, and Liam found himself lost in the stars.


    "You''re finally outside," Jack said, leaning against the railing with a smoke-pipe in his mouth. He looked a bit worried seeing Liam''s bloodshot eye and pale face. "I thought I''d never see you leave."


    Liam waved his hand and leaned against the railing himself, peering out into the endless, dimly-illuminated ocean.


    "Just busy."


    Jack took a huff out of his smoke pipe and nodded.


    "I can imagine. You''re the youngest youth I''ve seen with a strength almost matching mine. Hardworking and talented ones are always rewarded, though."


    Liam let out an inward chuckle.


    Talent?


    He wasn''t talented in the least.


    Everything he did was by his own two hands.


    A tolerance for pain, an ambitious mindset, and indifference to killing helped.


    Before Liam could reply, an ominous feeling washed over his senses, making him frown.


    He shifted his furrowed eye to the oceanside. Jack did the same, a stern frown on his face.


    There were only waves as far as they could see ¨C nothing out of the ordinary.


    Mental energy couldn''t pierce through thick depths of water, but his eye picked up a shadowy figure trailing behind the ship right before¡ª


    BOOM!


    A pack of sharks almost as big as the Darkwood ship burst from the water and smashed against the hull, knocking Liam and Jack upwards and chinking the ship.


    As he flew through the air, Liam unsheathed his des and ran them across the darkwood just in time to stop himself from falling overboard.


    "Sharks!" Jack shouted from the top of his lungs, making quick gestures in the air that sped up the ship.


    ¡­Not fast enough, though ¨C the sharks pped their giant fins against the waters, propelling them forward.


    Now that they were above the water, the true form of the sharks was clear to see.


    Their bullet-shaped bodies were covered in dark-blue, hardened skin, with streamlined fins andrge gills lining their sides. On the top, was a giant bent fin that glowed with a blue light.


    Tiny, human-like eyes were set on either side of their massive heads, fixed on the ship with unrelenting focus.


    With their maws wide open, rows upon rows of razor-sharp ck teeth were visible inside.


    As if their explosive strength wasn''t enough, the sharks shot powerful beams of water from their mouths, each stream weakening the chinks in the ship''s armor.


    Panic and dread spread across Jack''s face as he frantically pressed against the t marble surface of the control panel, but to no avail.


    "The controls¡­ they''re broken!" he cried out in despair.


    Liam let out a grunt of annoyance, followed by another crash that violently wobbled everyone.


    "Can you fix them?" Liam questioned with a hard frown.


    Jack quickly nodded as he looked over the helm.


    "I can, but I need time. The defense system of the ship could easily take care of them if I can fix it."


    Liam nodded, then shifted his attention to the others.


    Out of all of them, Nessa and Gerald looked the most scared, but Rin and Nord narrowed their eyes in focus.


    ''There''s five of them. They''re all peak Rank 3 Dozer Sharks, but their weaknesses are their fins and gills. We can win!''

 Chapter 120 Strong

    <h4>Chapter 120 Strong</h4>


    Liam''s mind raced for a n.


    The fins and gills were the sharks'' weakness. All Liam needed to do was sever them ¨C which could be done without much difficulty, as their hardened exterior only applied to their skin, not fins.


    ¡­But the ocean was their domain.


    Liam would have to jump off the ship if he wanted to inflict any damage to the sharks, since the needles couldn''t cause any significant damage to hardened and watery surfaces.


    ''Unless¡­''


    Liam''s attention lingered briefly on the floorboards of the main deck, then to his group, then back to the bloodthirsty sharks.


    More precisely, their gills.


    ''...That can work.''


    Rin and Nord hesitantly looked at Liam for orders, but found him prying out a piece of floorboard from beneath his feet.


    Then, he reeled out his dark chains and tied them to his legs, before tightly anchoring them to the ship.


    Liam turned towards Gerald and Nessa with a focused and hardened gaze:


    "You two make sure this chain doesn''t snap. On the off chance that it does, pull it with your bare hands if you have to."


    Liam''s domineering tone held no room for negotiation, and the two profusely nodded.


    Walking towards the railing above where the sharks were ramming against, Liam spoke over his shoulder, addressing Nord and Rin:


    "And you two make sure the other sharks are upied while I''m down there. st them with any and every spell you have in your arsenal. Throw the kitchen sink if you have to!"


    Nord''s mouth opened to question what he nned to do, but in the next instant, Liam, with rapid steps, jumped off the edge!


    With a new pair of des unsheathed, Liam made sure not to jump straight into the maws of a peak Rank 3 beast bigger than a house. That''d be pretty embarrassing considering how valiant he looked.


    He positioned himself to fall towards the backfins of the closest shark. Thankfully, Liam''s short figure was too small for it to notice he had perched atop its back.


    Gushing foamy waves crashed against Liam''s body as hended on the slippery surface. His gaze turned to one of hardened focus as his hands and feet started to glow.


    Instantly, his inscribed des ¨C strengthened by the first, and second martial art form, along with Lethality Mantle and Cartge Brace ¨C blurred against the shark''s hardened skin.


    With each deep sh, parts of the rigid scales would shatter off and reveal the soft interior.


    Darkness would seep into those openings and consume entire chunks of muscle.


    Liam didn''t hold back on using his third form, Interweaving Sunder, which cut uprge patches with X shaped wounds.


    The Dozer Shark, now painfully aware of the human attacker, trashed around, uncaring of its own wellbeing.


    It smashed its backfins against the water in a desperate attempt to brush Liam away.


    It even submerged itself underwater repeatedly and pulled Liam with it, but holding his breath was an easy counter to that.


    After a short moment, it returned to the surface and let out a frustrated, low-pitched sound.


    ''There it is,'' Liam thought expectantly.


    At that point, the surrounding sharks noticed themotion and spotted Liam, who instantly started running towards the top fin.


    On the left and right, the Dozers prepared to shoot a beam of water at their fellow shark!


    Just before they could crush Liam to a pulp, Nord''s ive created a series of quick thrusts and wide shes in the air.


    At the same time, Rin''s fists burst with thick mes, which grew twice the size of a basketball ¨C with a low grunt, she hurled them.


    Nord''s shes had formed countless cuts on one of the shark''s mouths, disrupting his ability, while Rin''s fire forced the other one to go underwater to evade the attack.


    Meanwhile, Liam had neared the fin ¨C the hardest and most rigid part of the Dozer.


    Sliding across the slippery surface at an incredible speed, he held his wakizashi and katana reversely, running his des across the organ and cleanly severing it off as he flew past.


    That seemed to kill the rage within the Dozer and rece it with fear, but Liam wasn''t done.


    Right before he jumped to the next shark ¨C that re-emerged from the water after evading the fireball ¨C darkness swirled between his fingers to form three needles, which he promptly stuck within each of the Dozer''s gills.


    Immediately, the needles exploded and clogged its gills with lethal smoke. Viscous blood poured from its insides and stained the water red as it slowly sank.


    As Liam did that and moved to the next beast, Rin and Nord backed him up using their long-ranged attacks and spells to repeat the process.


    "The controls are fixed!" Jack''s relieved voice eventually rang out.


    Hearing those words, Liam instantly hauled himself back to the ship. He was at his limit after using so many spells back to back.


    Cold sweat mixed with saltwater from the ocean dripped from his drenched body.


    ''Saved by the bell,'' Liam thought, panting heavily.


    Meanwhile, the ship started to shake violently.


    The inscriptions glowed on its surface, and the darkwood slowly repaired itself ¨C any trace of the previous damage to its nk was gone.


    It wasn''t done there.


    Thick tree roots grew from the bottom of the ship and shot at the remaining sharks, wrapping around them and tightening its crushing grip until they¡ª


    SPLURG!


    ¡­Exploded.


    Bloody pieces of fish meat fell all over the main deck like small meteorites, with steaming-hot blood drenching everyone from head to toe.


    Liam let his back touch the hard floor. His panting was finallying to a stop, but his head throbbed with a hurtful ache.


    "I''m gonna rest. Let me know when we''re near the Korsannds."


    Slowly, he sprung to his feet, feeling five pairs of eyes on his back as he entered the cabin.


    "I don''t think I''m anywhere close to that guy," Nord said with a low tone as Liam left, respect evident in his voice and vermillion eyes.


    Rin and Jack nodded in silent agreement.


    Nessa looked dejected, angry at her inaction and weakness, and Gerald was just relieved he lived through the whole ordeal.


    Soon enough, the Korsannds came into view.

 Chapter 121 Worries

    <h4>Chapter 121 Worries</h4>


    After a whole week, Jack called everyone up from the cabin.


    Liam opened his eye after cultivating his usual amount at midnight. His core contents were full, but his ''Ora'' reserves grew by a lot since his breakthrough to the liquid-stage.


    He made his way to the main deck, and the others were already there, gathered at the hull and overseeing the distance.


    Liam traced their shocked gaze as he neared, and a slight smile appeared on his face. He zoomed his eye in to get a better look.


    The Korsannds came into view. Dark cumulous clouds canopied the unguarded ck stonyndscape that crimson waves washed upon.


    At one point during the journey, the ocean waters transitioned to a blood-red color. Liam wasn''t too surprised by that ¨C it was a known phenomenon that had something to do with the soil in Korsa.


    ¡­However, that didn''t exin the thick stench of blood that perforated through the air.


    Besides that, thends were hidden behind the thick mist. Unnerving, almost, if not for the crackling red lightning shes that struck the surface of the grounds.


    Even with the King''s Eye, Liam couldn''t see past a thick curtain of mist that oozed freely around the surface of those grounds. They weren''t normal by any means either.


    "God, am I d I''m not apanying you guys," Jack heaved a shocked sigh with his eyes stuck to the slowly nearingnds.


    "Why is the lightning red too? Did I miss something in ss again?" Nord looked to hispanions and asked, but they were too fixated on the sight.


    "I heard rumors that it rains blood in this ce¡­" Gerald muttered under his breath, his eyes trembling slightly.


    Nessa looked much calmerpared to before, a slight frown on her little face. After the shark attack, she had spent more time and effort into training with her staff.


    On the other hand, Rin made a small smile.


    "We''ll be reaching in two hours," Jack stated. "Please make any final preparations you might need until then."


    Liam stayed at the main deck and watched as they approached. He felt like a Viking exploring newnds¡­ which was exactly what he was doing.


    ''The only thing missing are the trumpets that mark mynding,'' Liam thought with a growing smile.


    It wouldn''t be truthful to say he wasn''t excited about the trip. If he could somehow find, study or kill a vampire ¨C not in that particr order ¨C it would do wonders for his Blood Weaving.


    "If you somehow do find sentient races, you''re not advised to kill them," Jack said, noticing the dark glimmer in Liam''s eye. "Only if they attack you first."


    Liam shrugged. They wouldn''t know the difference.


    Soon enough, the ship neared the vast ind. The booming thunder grew louder, and shes of red light flickered behind the white mist.


    Liam half-expected something huge to burst through the fog and assault them¡­ but nothing of the sort happened.


    Jack cautiously docked the ship, fitting it between an arched cavity inside the dark base of the ind. It was almost too perfect of a ce to hide in, since the arch provided a roof and a clean hiding ce for the ship.


    "Alright, this is where we part ways. I''ll stay here and fix up a base for you all to return to. You''ve all been given special artifacts, Jade''s and storage devices for your journey, so don''t hesitate to use them if your life is in danger. Your mission shouldn''t take more than six to seven months," Jack addressed the crew with a slight smile. "Until then, good luck."


    Liam and the rest nodded. They all had their items readily stored in their ring.


    "Let''s go."


    With that, the gangnk descended on the ck and dark red soil. They jumped off and climbed to the foggy surface from a cliff.


    On the surface, the mist was so thick, Liam couldn''t even see past five steps despite zooming in and out with his eye ¨C it was even worse for the others. At the same time, an unnatural coldness caused everyone''s skin to stiffen.


    Gerald and Nessa, who still had Rank 2 bodies, held their arms to still his shivering.


    "Everyone bunch up and link to one another. Don''t let go no matter what. We don''t know if this fog belongs to a magical beast or some other creature, so stay alert."


    On Liam''s orders, everyone locked arms, weapons wielded as they marched forth. Liam was at the lead, with Gerald at the nk. Rin and Nord covered the sides, and Nessa was in the middle.


    Not even mental energy could assess the silver fog, which made Liam frown in concern.


    They didn''t get twenty steps in, before Gerald began uttering something inaudible. Due to the fog, he couldn''t see his figure clearly,


    "Oi, what''s with him?" Nord questioned, but Liam frowned.


    "I-I don''t know¡­ wait, he''s not holding on to us anymore!" Nessa''s words caused everyone''s chest to sink.


    "Gerald!" she shouted with panic, taking a step away before being yanked back by Liam.


    "Don''t move," Liam whispered, but Nessa didn''t look back at him. "We''ll look for him as a group. Don''t let emotions get in the way of yourmon sense."


    Nessa didn''t respond. Her attention was stuck to the distance¡­ but she still couldn''t see through the fog. At least, Liam couldn''t, so how could she?


    "What''s wrong with you?" Liam asked in a low voice, a bad feeling rising in his chest.


    Nessa didn''t respond. Cryptically, she began mumbling, as though entranced by something she was seeing. Despite Liam''s grip on her robe, she broke free and walked forward, consumed by the fog.


    "Oi! Where the fu¡­" Liam''s voice trailed off. His breathing grew heavy, with a grave frown scrunching his face.


    Nord and Rin were gone too.


    Gulping, Liam tightened the grip on his des.


    He noticed how the first to go was Gerald, the one with the weakest consciousness, followed by Nessa and the others.


    Right as Liam was deducing what it was behind it all, a serene feeling made him feel like all his worries were melted away.

 Chapter 122 Danger

    <h4>Chapter 122 Danger</h4>


    Liam felt like he was going to drift to sleep. He was so¡­ peaceful.


    He''d never been that way since¡­ well, forever.


    His paranoia and desire was always at the forefront of his emotions, never letting him any reprieve.


    He immediately realized how dumb that truly was.


    People needed rest!


    They needed to rx after some time.


    All this talk about power and ambition and this and that¡­ who cared about any of that?


    Killing so many people because of a stupid dream¡­ even his own mother died because of it.


    He was still weak.


    Even now, he couldn''t protect her even if she was alive.


    Did Liam not have anything else to do? ¡­Of course he did!


    Sleep.


    Liam wanted to desperately sleep.


    His eye drooped drowsily again and again, but it would weakly flicker open once more.


    The grip on his de''s hilt grew loose, but something made him re-adjust and tighten it again.


    Why?


    Didn''t he want to relieve himself of the suffering? Of the pain? Of the paranoia and difficulty?


    Liam wanted to sleep!


    He wanted to sleep!


    SLEEP!


    SLEEEP!


    "NO!"


    Liam''s grip tightened on his short-sword, his eye bursting open.


    SPURT!


    Instantly, he stabbed his left thigh with it and used Thicken to get rid of the fatigue dulling down his senses.


    Thick, warm blood poured down his leg, but that helped bnce his cold skin.


    Just like he thought, the pain paired with his increased mental strength blew away the silent assault on his consciousness. The thing that attempted to override his bodily controls recoiled.


    Liam felt anger churning in the depths of his soul.


    An icy pressure overpowered the cold air surrounding him.


    Guilt, weakness, worthless ambition and stupid dreams?


    "If you think my dream is as weak as your worthless tricks, think again!" Liam thundered.


    Liam pointed his index forward.


    A vtile, crimson ball shot through the air and lingered unstably for a split second, before¡ª


    Boom!


    Instantly, all of the fog was blown away, revealing Liam''s crew huddled around a skinny, fog-made wraith, oozing thick mist from its figure.


    It had an ethereal, semi-humanoid form, floating freely with the wind around it. Faint, ghostly lights were on its nk, featureless face. Eyes.


    Rin, Nord, Nessa and Gerald looked entranced, their irises rolled back in their heads as they stumbled with their heads hanging loose.


    The wraith let out a disturbing screech, pointing its thin ethereal ''hand'' at Liam.


    At once, everyone from his crew started to rush at him like zombies, their movements awkward, as though controlled by an untrained puppet-master.


    Liam''s cold expression didn''t change.


    Running forward, he passed Nessa first, chopping her once at the back of her neck after dodging a wide swing and knocking her out cold.


    Gerald followed closely behind, and a simr attack sufficed for him.


    Rin was next. She flew in the air tond a ming punch, but Liam''s katana hiltnded on her abdomen, making her hurl and fall on the floor.


    Nord attempted tond a flurry of speedy leg kicks, but Liam grabbed him by the ankle and pulled the boy''s face to his knee.


    He made sure not to use excessive force. After all, he didn''t want to risk killing them and attempting toplete the rest of the mission alone.


    Then, it was the wraith''s turn. It turned around and desperately tried to speed away, but Liam didn''t dare let it.


    He activated Fleeting Foot and rushed to its side, his des ring with dark mes.


    At once, his katana and wakizashi blurred, corroding parts of the wraith until it turned into a shrieking wisp of air ¨C eventually puffing out of existence with onest hiss.


    That felt satisfying.


    Liam hated being controlled.


    He already was, but not at least not literally. Having his dream demeaned was not something he took lightly, either.


    "I''m not one to be deluded by the illusion of peace."


    With a scoff, Liam turned around and tended to his subordinates.


    He carried each one of them on his back and shoulders, making his way to a secluded cave he spotted not too far away.


    Now that Liam''s vision wasn''t obstructed, he took a good look at thendscape.


    There were small hills made from obsidian rock and soil ahead, covered by bony trees with blood-red leaves on them, which made way torger mountains further up in the distance.


    Lightning hadn''t stopped striking those peaks for even a moment, the bright shes of red tearing through the darkness provided by the clouds.


    Liam barely caught sight of hidden shadows creeping through those areas, but their silhouettes were too shrouded to figure out what they were.


    Shifting his attention to the borders where they climbed atop of, there were more wraiths, wandering around aimlessly and oozing thick fog.


    Even the spot where he''d blown away the fog using his chaos, another wraith quickly formed and covered it just as fast.


    ''How do they form like that? This ce lurks with danger at every corner,'' Liam thought with a frown, entering the cave.


    He made sure there wasn''t anything living in that spot, before dropping his human luggage on the ground.


    They couldn''t erect a base as of now. Gerald was given the artifact for that, but he was still out cold. He took a moment to take out his provisions and fill his stomach.


    The first to wake up was Rin, her eyes weakly flickering open before she flinched aware and hectically scanned her surroundings.


    An aching pain assaulted her abdomen, making her let out a soft grunt, but when her eyes fell on Liam, she gave him a ''what happened?'' look.


    Liam gestured towards the ghostly creatures in the distance. By then, Nord followed by the rest slowly awoke.


    "You can begin documenting whatever that is. They have some sort of mental ability that forces one to fall asleep, giving them control over the subject if their consciousness isn''t strong. Darkness and presumably fire could vanquish them easily. That aside, we''ll work on finding a suitable ce for a base next."

 Chapter 123 Corrupted

    <h4>Chapter 123 Corrupted</h4>


    Rin frowned at the wraiths'' sight, but took out her inscribed notebook and started jotting away.


    "How long was I out?" Nord asked, his nose cracked for some strange reason.


    Nessa rubbed the back of her neck with a pained expression. "Where are we? What happened?"


    Gerald grumbled in pain, muttering quiet curses as he cranked his neck.


    Seeing those ghosts outside, their eyes trembled, with Nord cursing loudly.


    "W-What is that?" Nessa asked with a narrowed gaze.


    "I don''t know. Consider it a new species we''ve just discovered," Liam mentioned casually, before shifting his gaze to Gerald. "You still have that item, right?"


    Gerald nodded once, before taking out what looked like a square box from his ring, covered with inscriptions and runes on each side.


    "We''ll look for a suitable ce to use it. Having it this close to the border isn''t ideal ¨C since we''ll have to explore further ahead anyways. We''ll rest here for one week and find out more about the surroundings, before setting out."


    With that, the group started to cultivate and bring their bodies to peak condition.


    Nessa began to collect samples of the ck and red soil, putting them in preserving vials to study and bring back.


    Gerald began covering their temporary base with minor enhancing formations.


    Formations were much easier to learnpared to inscriptions, but didn''t have the freedom of creating spells and any other magical construct.


    One week quickly passed, and the group was to leave and explore the ''Blood Forest'', as they dubbed it.


    "We''ll start heading towards the hillside first. If it''s safe, we''ll find somece there to camp in."


    With that, they left the cavity.


    As they moved forward, Liam made sure to keep a keen eye out for anything that moved within the shadows, relying on his senses for any danger.


    For some reason, mental waves couldn''t be spread too far apart. Something would interfere with it and pull it back, but Liam didn''t feel that to be from any living creature.


    ''This ce is much moreplicated than I thought.''


    They spent the next hour making their way up the hill, entering the forest and thoroughly examining the bony-white trees with the leaves that dripped with blood.


    Cherry-like fruits hung from their branches, which Liam instinctively knew wasn''t safe to eat.


    Even the trees themselves had this bloody aura, and ''veins'' transporting that red liquid were throughout the trunk.


    ''The ''Ora'' around thesends are all stained by blood¡­ why?'' Liam wondered with a pensive frown. ''Thesends are owned by the vampires, I''m sure. It definitely can''t be the same all throughout the continent''


    He felt threatened being so near to the trees, but it didn''t attack, even after getting closer to them.


    ''Maybe it only attacks if it''s provoked. We best avoid this for now.''


    "I''ll grab a pair of these fruits to study and bring back, if that''s alright?" Nessa asked Liam with a respectful tone. "I''m sure this could be a precious material to create countless useful pills and elixirs."


    Liam nodded firmly.


    "Just be careful when you''re handling it. There''s a reason this tree has survived this long."


    Nessa responded with a nod, putting on a pair of gloves before carefully extracting the berry from the stem.


    Another hour passed.


    Nothing out of the ordinary urred.


    Nessa hadn''t stopped writing in her inscribed notebook all throughout the journey, thendscapes, minute details and more.


    Other than the sheer amount of trees and berries there, Liam didn''t sense anything unusual, except a river of blood-red water that led upwards and curved around a hill.


    "This ce is so unsettling¡­ I should have nevere!" Gerald cursed under his breath, pulling his ck coat over his shoulder.


    "Stop crying. You chose toe anyway, so shut your mouth and focus," Nord harshly reprimanded. It was clear the boy was annoyed by Gerald''s cowardly antics.


    "You don''t have to say it so rudely¡­ he''s just a little bit scared. We all are," Nessa added, patting Gerald on the back and giving him a smile. "Just hang in there, okay?"


    "Not him," Nord scoffed and pointed at Liam, then himself and Rin. "Not me, and not her. I thought only spoiled nobles were pussies, but he is too, apparently."


    Nessa frowned, the iron staff in her hands tightening.


    "Shut up, all of you."


    Liam chose that moment to interfere as a low growling grew louder a short distance away.


    Abruptly, a pack of blood-frenzied hounds shot through the woods, rushing straight to where Liam stood.


    The hounds had dark crimson fur, unkempt and bloody. Four meters in length, their deep barks and howls shook through the air. It came as no surprise that their eyes were blood-red as well.


    The most prominent and disturbing feature though, was the fact that each beast had two separate heads.


    Liam let out an annoyed grunt. He just couldn''t catch a break.


    Nord and Rin followed behind as he shot forth at the closest hound.


    It attempted to pounce and devour Liam''s arm and leg simultaneously, but only found a katana and wakizashi piercing its jaws and dark smoke consuming its insides.


    Although fierce and vicious looking, the pack of beasts were dealt with rtively easily.


    Fire and darkness seemed to be their weakness. Rin had plenty of spells in her arsenal, and Nord helped bolster their effectiveness with his wind.


    After killing thest bloodhound, Liam sliced apart its body and began to thoroughly examine its insides.


    ''As I thought, their blood is corrupted,'' Liam assessed, extracting the blood-red core and examining it.


    They were magical beasts.


    Only, during the fight, the bloodhounds didn''t use their innate abilities. They grew razor-sharp ws made from blood that chipped away part of Liam''s des as they fought.


    However, Liam noticed how it actually damaged their bodies and worsened their conditions.


    Liam moved to ask Rin about it, but the deaf girl was as lost as he was.


    ///


    Meanwhile, a red sh of lightning briefly illuminated two silhouettes standing atop the peak of an obsidian mountain, their gazes fixed on five humans treading through the forest.

 Chapter 124 Village

    <h4>Chapter 124 Vige</h4>


    "Should we call for help?" a raspy voice suggested. Thenguage spoken was foreign. "That short one seems like trouble."


    "No," another declined. Feminine, this one was. "We''ll take care of them ourselves. We''ll get rewarded if we bring them in alive."


    "Y-You sure? I don''t want Vxich to get angry again. He always takes it out on me, you know?"


    Silence.


    "...Just shut up and let me do the nning."


    ///


    Liam stored the bloodhounds in his ring, with Rin grabbing one herself to study, document and presumably forge with.


    They continued for a good hour of marching. Nessa picked up a bloody flower or herb from the sides, storing them in vials to study and bring back.


    When they climbed over the mountain peak, grave frowns gripped their faces.


    ¡­At the foot of the mountain, there was arge human vige.


    Thick borders were erected around it, but humans freely walked around its streets.


    There were even women and children among them.


    "W-What¡­ is this?" Nessa stammered, her eyes trembling at the sight.


    They walked like they were used to their surroundings and looked¡­ normal? Happy, even.


    There were cultivated fields for farms and regr homes for them to live in.


    "They don''t look Echorian to me. Maybe they''re from a different country? Why are they here, though?" Nord added. Disturbed, but focused.


    Past that, more mountains and hills covered the view ahead. Rivers of blood led further towards thosendscapes, but the source wasn''t viewable.


    Rin remained silent but shifted ufortably.


    "I don''t want to be here anymore!" Gerald shouted with fear in his voice. "I''m leaving back to the ship, rewards be damned!"


    "Oi,e back retard! You''re gonna get lost and die!" Nord shouted with a frown.


    Liam shot Gerald a cold look.


    "You already agreed toe," he remarked with a re. "But if you want to go back, that''s fine. Give me your ring."


    Liam stretched his hand, but Gerald paused. He went silent after that, but grumbled and swallowed his fear.


    ''I wouldn''t have brought this guy if he was this cowardly,'' Liam clicked an inward tongue.


    Shifting his attention to the human vige, he would definitely explore it, maybe question its inhabitants.


    "We''ll make our way inter. But first, the base."


    ///


    Liam spotted a decent ce to camp in after two hours. It was a patch of emptynd, right underneath a mountain formation that provided a dome-like roof.


    They were attacked by another pack of bloodhounds, but they were swiftly dealt with and stored forter use.


    "This should be a good ce. Although we''re not too deep in, the mountain provides good cover. We''ll set it up here."


    Gerald walked forward and took out the inscribed box. Casually, he imbued it with ''Ora'' and threw it a short distance away.


    Anticlimactically, the box tumbled on the grass in silence and did nothing.


    Just then, the box started to glow and hum. From barely the size of a fist, it spread out in a controlled fashion and rapidly grew, like a fastforwarding construction.


    By the end of it, the tiny box had stemmed into arge square base the size of arge home.


    It was only one story tall, but the material it was made from was sturdy and durable, even from a nce. In front, a circr door made from solid steel allowed for entry.


    Liam promptly entered followed by the others.


    The inside provided five different rooms, along with a forging station, alchemyb, formation test-room and training space.


    Looking around, Liam couldn''t help but think how the Royals thought of every little detail. Everything was tailored perfectly to suit everyone''s needs.


    "I''ll start studying what we''ve gathered," Nessa eximed with a smile, entering the alchemicbs and starting with the blood cherries. "My skills aren''t the best, but maybe I can find out what causes their mutations."


    "We''ll leave after a few hours and enter the vige then."


    Liam nodded and made his way into one of the rooms, unloading all his misceneous items and fixing himself a spot to practice inscriptions and forging.


    He took out a corrupted bloodhound and started to examine it, skinning its parts one by one and organizing them.


    He didn''t dare attempt to use the Primordial Forging technique on it. Having his sea of consciousness corrupted was thest thing he wanted.


    That said, it didn''t mean he couldn''t make something out of its parts and inscribe on its surface.


    For the next three to two hours, that''s what he focused on doing.


    The bones of the corrupted bloodhound were dark crimson, and much more difficult to manipte and shapepared to normal beasts.


    By the end of it, he managed to shape the bones to a six inch dagger, jagged but sharp, and the durability was quite good too.


    The reason Liam was so fixated on working on daggers, was because from that form, he''d transition to working with wakizashis and katanas.


    Forging weapons took time, effort and experience, but easing into his preferred weapon choice would be much better than starting with it straight away.


    Liam swung against the bloodhound hide he had skinned earlier, and the jagged dagger sheared through it.


    ''It''s better at inflicting grievous wounds, but not good at severing things.''


    Then, Liam moved to refining his blood to inscribe the surface of the de with.


    An hour passed.


    When his eye grew bloodshot and his head felt like it would explode, he decided to start inscribing.


    Liam did the same sharpness enhancement, having re-adjusted the meanings and writings on its surface, it took another hour to finish inscribing everything.


    At that point, he''d gotten good enough to make the inscription absorb his mental energy, and the inscriptions worked just fine.


    Liam swung at the hide again, and it tore through it like butter¡­ but cracks riddled its surface.


    Liam widened his eyes in shock.


    Although it wasn''t aplete sess, it was still vastly better than his previous attempts.


    ''Is it because of the blood?''

 Chapter 125 Outsiders

    <h4>Chapter 125 Outsiders</h4>


    Liam inspected the dagger from different angles.


    ''That''s definitely why it worked. I barely adjusted the meanings and writings¡­''


    ''There''s no other difference between this and normal magical beast parts except that. Besides, my entire inscription method is focused on blood, it''s no wonder it had such an amazing effect.''


    Liam grew pensive.


    Doesn''t that mean his inscriptions could be realms above others as long as he used corrupted beast parts?


    Though, he would have to hold back his Primordial Forging technique in order not to suffer the corruption effects of the blood.


    ''A perfect forged item would be one with both Primordial Forging and Blood Weaving working together¡­ but I guess that''s not possible.''


    But Liam thought about the avability of mutated and corrupted magical beasts.


    ''I shouldn''t depend too heavily on it. I''ll continue normal studies on the side, until I figure out how to weave the two together.''


    Finally, after another two hours of cultivating and expanding his mental sphere, it was time to leave.


    "Me and Nord will go explore the vige. You three stay behind and focus on¡­ whatever it is you''re doing," Liam said to Rin, Gerald and Nessa.


    Rin quickly gestured to Nessa: ''Tell him I want toe too.''


    "No."


    Liam''s answer was immediate, causing the purple-haired girl to raise her brows.


    He had already figured out the signnguage Rin and Nessa used between themselves.


    He didn''t want any ns made behind his back, and knowing it could help speed up theirmunications by plenty.


    Mental transmission didn''t work well with her for some reason. Although she could receive them, she couldn''t ry them back.


    The sea of consciousness expanded and developed from the brain, and by extension, the senses had to be functional before it awakened.


    "You stay back with them in case there''s an attack. They''re weakerpared to you."


    Nessa and Gerald looked offended for a split second, but didn''t say anything.


    Rin remained silent, before gesturing with a slight smile. ''Why didn''t you tell me you understood me? I would''ve asked about your forging technique even more.''


    Liam shook his head with a sigh, before leaving through the front door.


    Nord lingered for a bit and gave the remaining three a proud smirk.


    "Hear that, losers? I''m the one he took with him."


    Rin''s eyes turned cold as she pped her left hand over her right elbow ¨C her right fist clenched ¨C a universal sign that needed no exnation.


    ///


    Liam and Nord climbed up the mountain again, looking over the vige again.


    Perhaps because of their time to sleep, there weren''t too many people traversing its dark streets.


    [Only use mental transmission,] Liam ryed with a focused face, his des stored in his ring. [And don''t wield your ive. If they''re normal humans, we could ask them questions.]


    Nord gave him a firm nod from the side, before the two began treading down the slope.


    As they got closer to the thick walls surrounding the space, Liam remarked the stains of dried blood all around it.


    They belonged to corrupted beasts, he realized.


    ''Someone killed them,'' Liam''s focus grew sharper. Suddenly, he felt like he was being watched. [Be careful. There''s someone around we need to be worried about.]


    [Who?] Nord ryed.


    [I don''t know. Chances are, they''re watching right now. Just act normal until they make a move, and don''t make it look like we''remunicating.]


    Nord was smart enough not to nod in response.


    Still, the thick ck border walls were made from normal obsidian stone, the same material as the mountains.


    The pair climbed over with a strong leap, then dropped down with a light step on wet, cultivated fields ¨C atop whichy strange fruit that Liam didn''t recognize at all.


    They were white and droplet shaped, but had a strange energy around them.


    At the same time, Liam noticed how the sounds of thunder and lightning had been muted, reced by a quiet stillness.


    [Someone''sing,] Nord warned with a slight frown.


    [It''s a normal farmer. Put on a smile,] Liam replied.


    Opposite to them, an old man wearing a non cap and loose farming clothes came to the fields, when his squinted eyes spotted Liam and Nord, he flinched backwards, fear growing on his face.


    "Greetings, senior!" Liam smiled warmly and made a friendly wave. "Can you help us out? We''ve lost our way."


    A chill ran down Nord''s spine at Liam''s sudden personality change. If he didn''t know any better he would''ve imagined it to be genuine.


    The farmer looked like he didn''t understand, shooting Liam and Nord a skeptical gaze.


    Seeing that their words received no response, Liam tried the vampirguage. "Do you understand me now?"


    A look of surprise fell on the man''s face. He smiled, disying his toothless mouth.


    "...I do". he responded in the same tongue, suspicion lessening. "Sorry I got scared, it''s just I haven''t seen you two before. Are you with the Outsiders?"


    Liam waved a dismissive hand. "No, it''s my fault for showing abruptly and unannounced¡­ but yes, I am."


    The old farmer beamed.


    "Wonderful! It''s a bit early this year, but who will you bring out this time? Also, where''s Niveh and Shirzx?"


    Liam pursed his lips.


    Nord looked confused. Unlike Liam, he hadn''t spent a day innguage ss, and thus didn''t understand a single word. He simply yed along and put on a forced smile.


    "Why don''t you show me around and I can pick from there? I''m filling in for them at the moment, but don''t worry, they''ll return."


    Liam''s gentle smile seemed to melt away the man''s skepticism and worry. Although the boy''s ent was a bit off, he pronounced the words perfectly.


    "Alright," the old man nodded excitedly. "I''ll gather all the children around and bring them to you."


    Liam suppressed a deep frown from appearing on his face.


    ''Children? Outsiders? Has this person never gone outside?''


    The man turned around and used his hands to amplify his voice.


    "Wake up, everyone! The Outsiders ha¡ª"


    Abruptly, the man froze, his movements tensing.


    A bad feeling churned in Liam and Nord''s chest, the hair on their skin rising.


    The man''s neck slowly creaked a whole 180 with a deathly look on his face.


    Both of them contemted unsheathing their weapons that instant, but a momentter, the man''s head rolled off his neck with a burst of blood.

 Chapter 126 Heartless

    <h4>Chapter 126 Heartless</h4>


    Liam cursed and instantly took out his strongest des, Nord doing the same with his lengthy ive.


    Both jumped back and created as much space as they could.


    As the pair assessed where the invisible attacks came from, a red line formed on Nord''s shoulder.


    SPURT!


    A chunk of flesh tore off Nord''s body and flew through the air, even though the boy sidestepped to evade.


    Nord growled in suppressed pain, but sharp wind swirled around his figure and coated his body to form air-made armor.


    Liam''s des blurred as he felt something lethal aiming for his nk.


    He turned around just to see a nigh-invisible crimson thread attempting to cleave him in half, but a dual-swing of his zing des sharpened with Lethality Mantle severed the line.


    "Show yourself, coward!" Nord shouted with scorn in his voice, blood pouring from his shoulder. Surprisingly, the boy had a good tolerance for pain.


    Silence ensued.


    With each passing second, the two grew more tense, their eyes narrowed to slits.


    "You know, I''m surprised by how well you know how to speak ournguage," an amused, feminine voice rang out from around them. It came from no specific direction, yet was heard loud and clear. "You''ve been taught well."


    Liam heaved a small sigh to keep his instincts in check.


    Conversing to buy time wouldn''t hurt. At least, until he found out where she was hiding. Slow and silent, his mental energy started to spread.


    "I take it you''re either Niveh or Shirzx? Why did you kill the old man first? I was under the impression he was with you."


    Silence.


    "Your questions caused his death. A pity. He was the head farmer too. It''ll take us years before we grow another one."


    Grow another one?


    Liam frowned, but didn''t stop. Nord''s condition was getting better by the second, bits of his shoulder were weaving together.


    "I take it these people haven''t left this ce for as long as they''ve lived. Why? Are all vampires as hostile and heartless as they say they are?"


    Silence.


    The voice let out an entertained chuckle. Liam didn''t know if she caught up to his ploy or was genuinely intrigued by his words.


    "It''s ironic I hear a human say that. Do you shed tears for the cattle you farm?"


    Liam scowled, ncing at Nord from the side.


    The vermillion-eyed boy looked battle-ready. His shoulder was no longer a mangled mess of torn flesh, but stered with reformed muscle tissue and pale skin.


    "By the way, stalling for time isn''t the smartest move."


    That''s when it hit him.


    All around their surroundings, imperceivable lines of crimson strung around the air, ground and sky. They were multiplying like bacteria, at a point that even Nord realized them.


    Liam let out a grumble of irritation, clenching the des in his hands tighter.


    Then, he noticed a detail that instantly soothed his anger. The newer crimson threads that formed were significantly weaker lookingpared to the old ones.


    Whatever the vampire was doing, it was sacrificing strength for numbers, thinking the two humans wouldn''t notice.


    Liam stilled a smile from showing on his face, then ryed to the fearful Nord. At the same time, he positioned himself so their backs were to each other.


    [Follow my lead.]


    ///


    Back at the base, Rin and the others continued their studies.


    Gerald, although cowardly in confrontational aspects, was quite passionate in the art of formations.


    "Formations are like art," he mentioned to Nessa.


    She and Gerald had actually gotten along quite well, and she quickly realized they had a lot inmon.


    "It just requires you to shape ''Ora'' into specific ways using the earth as the canvas."


    "That''s the same thing with alchemy!" she beamed. Her warm smile made Gerald turn away to hide his blush. "Everyone underestimates it, but they all reap its benefits by using nourishing elixirs and pills!"


    Rin, who was opposite them while examining the corrupted magical beast, currently wished her senses didn''t allow her to pick up on lip movements.


    Originally, she had wanted to ask Nessa for her advice, but found her to bepletely absorbed in meaningless chatter with the peasant boy.


    Her disability often isted her from others. Unless they knew how to gesture back, she was stuck with her own silent thoughts.


    Shaking her head, she was just beginning to cultivate, when a blood-red pole ¨C the tip of which was razor sharp ¨C pierced through the front door and aimed right between her eyes.


    Rin cursed inwardly as she arched her back towards the ceiling, watching the pole whiz by where she was a second ago.


    Nessa and Gerald instantly flinched at the sudden attack. The former stumbled to take out her staff, while thetter cursed loudly and took out his longsword.


    Before the spear could continue on its trajectory and smash against the base wall... it redirected itself mid air, making a sharp turn towards Gerald''s direction!


    The peasant wasn''t fast enough to block. He barely managed to sidestep the spear-like pole as it tore through his shoulder, falling back with a loud scream of pain.


    Rin unsheathed her fang-like daggers just then to sever the red line with burning des, seeding in doing so, but her brows furrowed as she saw the pole melt and boil like blood.


    "The backdoor!"


    Nessa shouted hectically as she picked up the wounded Gerald and ran out the back, followed by Rin.


    However, past the back door was a dead end. Blocked by the mountain. They couldn''t climb above it either, since the rocky dome covered the top.


    "Lawrence and Nord!" Nessa screamed panickily, and Gerald''s shouts of pain had not stopped all throughout. "We need to regroup!"


    Rin shot the pair a hard re.


    Nord was right. These two were beyond cowardly and weak.


    She gestured dismissively: ''Run. I''m staying behind.''


    In Rin''s way of thinking, she didn''t want their base to be trashed as they sought help.


    ¡­And also, how long were they going to depend on Lawrence for?


    The boy was two years younger than Rin yet the group would''ve fallen apart if he wasn''t there.


    Rin clenched her daggers, sparks zing in her eyes as she ran towards the front of the base to confront the attacker, ignoring Nessa''s pleading screams.

 Chapter 127 Sun Bather

    <h4>Chapter 127 Sun Bather</h4>


    Rin''s eyes fell on the attacker opposite her. It didn''t take long for her to find him, but they weren''t particrly hiding their presence either.


    Instinctively, she knew he wasn''t a human.


    ''He'' was a slender looking youth, yet the cold look in his condescending crimson eyes made him look older.


    His skin was ghostly white, and a smirk covered on his dim-red lips.


    His jet-ck hair was spiked upward, paired with his loose, sleeveless ck garment that covered him from shoulder to shin, revealing a muscly body.


    A particr feature Rin noticed was his nails. They were pure ck and razor-edged.


    "You''re fast, y''know? You have mypliments," he praised, but the condescending look didn''t leave his face. "My name''s Shirzx. You are?"


    Rin remained silent, but understood him.


    Nessa and Gerald were hiding behind the base, with the former tending to thetter''s wounds.


    With her daggers still in hand, she was polite enough to flip him the middle finger, a smirk on her face.


    Although it didn''t look like he understood it, Shirzx instinctively knew that was not a friendly gesture.


    A scowl made its way onto his pale face.


    "Filthy sun-bather. Your blood will taste well on my ws."


    Shirzx smashed his palms together.


    A jet-like stream of hardened blood burst from his hands and blurred at Rin.


    Daggers zing, she barely managed to deflect the piercing attack, responding with arcs of burning mes while closing the distance.


    The vampire grimaced at the fire''s sight.


    With a powerful stomp, he jumped back, but a zing ball of fire met his trajectory.


    Shirzx cursed loudly in the vampiric tongue. He evaded, but as the fireball passed by, his skin sizzled with its ambers.


    Angrily, he pped his hands again. This time, the hardened jetstream of blood was even faster.


    Right as Rin attempted to cut it apart, it changed trajectory, turning into an unpredictable beeline.


    Rin''s unblinking eyes tracked them all throughout. Just then, it made a direct line to shoot at her abdomen.


    She deflected it with ease, severing its sharp tip and turning the rest to a boiling liquid with her mes.


    ¡­Yet failed to realize that Shirzx had left his spot and reappeared behind her back.


    A gnarly wmark tore away Rin''s back flesh as she dodged with a low yelp and shot another flurry of ming arcs at the vampire''s figure ¨C he dodged with ease and re-adjusted his footing at a safe distance.


    "Tasty¡­ so tasty! I''ve never had such delicious blood before," Shirzx eximed, licking away the chunks of flesh and blood from his ws. He wheezed euphorically with his tongue out.


    Rin looked grave. Pissed, more like. Silent as ever, she took out a magical beast core from her ring¡­ then crushed it between her mrs!


    Rin let out a long grunt of anguish that made her throat coarse, under the confused vampire''s eyes. By the end of it, she opened her cold violet eyes with contrasting mes in them.


    Nessa and Gerald had been watching from behind the base. Having tended to the boy''s wounds, she instantly wanted to go and support Rin¡­ but her limbs were trembling in fright.


    ''Damn this weakness!''


    ¡­Suddenly, Rin dropped her des to her sides. Her face dark and indiscernible.


    "What is she doing?" Gerald whisperingly shouted.


    Rin''s form blurred.


    The vampire looked confused for a split second, but fear gripped his Nexus like a snake constricting around prey.


    Shirzx barely felt a soft gust of wind on his pale skin, then yanked his neck to look at the side where Rin slid past him.


    Her cheeks were puffed with air, and her neck bulging with thick veins. As she opened her mouth, ance of mes burst forth, like a dragon''s breath.


    ///


    Liam felt a lot more confident now that he had a grip on the situation.


    At one point, the wafer-thin threads even stopped multiplying. An iplete blood-cocoon of sorts encased the two.


    [I hope you have a n for this,] Nord ryed with a scowl.


    [When I say switch, change ces with me,] Liam responded, wrapping his des with Dark Chains.


    Seeing that the cocoon didn''t make the first move, four needles formed in Liam''s right hand.


    He threw them at the areas where the strings were the strongest, watching as the smoke corroded their tensile strength.


    That seemed to stir up a reaction. Instantly, the cocoon started to shoot strings at them from random directions, which Liam''s darkness and Nord''s wind started to split with rtive ease.


    [Switch!]


    Liam shouted mentally as he spotted a particr crimson line that looked vastly stronger than the others.


    Nord instantly sidestepped as Liam took his ce, activating Cartge Brace and splitting the horizontal line down the middle with his first and second form.


    The string stubbornly held on, but eventually snapped.


    A dance of death followed. Strings relentlessly bombarded the two from every direction, but the strongest attacks were cleverly blended in between weaker ones.


    "How! How do you know where theye from?!" the feminine voice shrieked, but sounded like it regretted it right after.


    A crooked smile appeared on Liam''s face. He knew where she was.


    [Switch!]


    [Switch!]


    [Switch!]


    Blood drenched their figurespletely. Their defense wasn''t impregnable, and the pair had to sacrifice more than a few chunks of flesh to survive.


    After the fifth and final switch, the cocoon was left with nothing but frail strings.


    With thest thread cut, Liam instantly ran to one of the vige homes, bursting through the front door with a kick and hurling his swords at a pale-skinned girl hiding there.


    She let out a long screech ¨C the two swords pinning her bloodied arms to the wall ¨C that Liam silenced with a powerful shin kick, shattering more than a few of her teeth.


    The girl had silver hair and blood-red eyes. She was short, wearing a white garment that hid her figure.


    Despite the pain washing over his senses, Liam managed a crooked smile.

 Chapter 128 Citadel

    <h4>Chapter 128 Citadel</h4>


    "Sun-bathers! I swear, I''ll tear out your organs and eat you alive once I get fre¡ª"


    Another kick shattered the remaining fangs in the vampire''s mouth.


    "I''d watch my mouth closely if I were you. I''ll gouge out your eyes next. We''ll see if you can regrow a limb or organ."


    Niveh flinched. The cold glimmer in Liam''s eye didn''t match any human she''d seen in the past. It made her wonder if the boy in front of her was truly human, or a demon pretending to be one.


    Her mangled arms were already starting to squirm together and reform. Her regeneration was much, much fasterpared to Liam and Nord''s.


    ''Can they really regrow limbs?'' Liam wondered, before taking a moment to assess her aura.


    Converging on her left breast, Liam could see an influx of blood-red energies rapidly swirling. That was the Nexus, he was sure. As the wound on her arms healed, Liam spotted the energies slightly dimming to reform the flesh.


    The blood of the vampire wasn''t like humans'' either, it was much more bright. Zooming in his retina, it even had different shades of red that signified its purity and impurity.


    Nord caught up a momentter.


    As his eyes fell on the vampire, his ive shed and nearly severed her neck clean off. Liam stopped it in the nick of time.


    The boy red, but Liam reassured with a calm smile.


    "She''ll be our guide."


    Liam rified with a knowing smile, before shifting her attention to the maimed Niveh pinned to the wall.


    "You''llply, right? You don''t have much of a choice, though."


    They were yet to explore and understand theyout and politics of the Korsan continent. Nor did they understand why the vampires were ''growing'' humans in farms, or who supplied them those humans in the first ce.


    Well, Liam had a few theories, but still. Subduing an actual vampire would do wonders for their progress.


    Absorbed in his musings, Liam suddenly realized there was a second party missing.


    ''Shirzx,'' he thought, taking out his Jade and calling Nessa and the others. It flickered to life, and Nessa''s voice rang out.


    "We''re okay. We were attacked by a vampire, but Rin took care of it. What about you two?"


    Liam heaved a relieved sigh.


    "We''re fine. We''ll bring back a guest shortly."


    Thankfully, none of the vigers had woken up, as the cultivated fields were still a good distance away from the main vige housings.


    ///


    To Liam''s dismay, Rin had swiftly taken care of the other vampire, who now resembled an insignificant burn mark on the ground, ashes swept away by the wind.


    It was a pity, Liam realized. He would have liked to study the Nexus and blood¡­ but no fret.


    Niveh was still well and alive, although distraught and sorrowful at the other vampire''s sight.


    That said, Rin looked incredibly worn out and tired ¨C her lips were pale and¡­ burnt? Nessa had given her multiple pills that brought back herplexion, but she still looked exhausted.


    "You''ve done well," Liamplimented and exchanged an understanding nod with her.


    Meanwhile, Niveh had a stubborn look on her face as Nord held her at ive. They brought her inside the base and examined her for any devices, but she had nothing.


    Liam dismissed Nessa and Gerald despite their protests. They were promptly tasked with fixing the base.


    "Unless you two can stomach torture, there''s no reason for you to stay around."


    With a pout and a grumble, they stood outside the door.


    With that, Liam, Nord and Rin stood opposite to the tied up Niveh seated on a chair.


    "First question. Who do you work under? This isn''t an operation between just two vampires," Liam asked with an inquisitive gaze.


    Too much pressure wasn''t good when interrogating someone heartbroken. He''d hold off the threats for the time being.


    Niveh had her head lowered, her solemn gaze to the ground. Slowly, she raised it, then spat on the floor with a toothless mouth.


    "Kill yourself."


    Liam sighed and shook his head.


    He gently took Niveh''s hand in his own, delicately wrapping her fingers around hers like a loving spouse. She looked confused, her brows furrowed in misunderstanding.


    "Wrong answer."


    CRACK!


    Liam clenched and bent Niveh''s hand forward, breaking her wrist.


    Her high-pitched screams echoed throughout the base. Gerald and Nessa shivered as they heard it, d they chose to leave.


    "Try again?" Liam offered, wrapping his fingers around her left this time.


    Rin and Nord''s expressions didn''t change, but they made a strict mental note not to make an enemy of Lawrence.


    Waiting for her breathing to steady, Liam calmly waited for an answer.


    "We all work for those in the Citadel," she said, breathing erratically between words. She honestly felt like weeping. "We farm the humans and¡­ throw them to the Feeding Grounds."


    Liam remained silent. Niveh continued, shifting ufortably. With a reluctant tone, she continued:


    "Not all of us are sentient. The Feeding Grounds are ces where lesser vampires grow their Nexus and purify their blood. They kill and feed off each other until one eventually evolves. Ours is right past that mountain."


    The three absorbed the info silently.


    A brutal way of advancing, that was for sure, but damn if it wasn''t efficient.


    "I assume that''s what you and the other one did?"


    Niveh nodded.


    "How many Feeding Grounds are there, and were you the only two operating it?" Liam asked. "How did you use your strings? You didn''t exin what the Citadel is, either."


    Niveh clicked her tongue in frustration. Bits of her hand started to reform again, and her fangs were starting to regrow.


    "I don''t know the exact number, but there are eight different Feeding Grounds on this side of the mountain chain. And no, that''s reserved for someone higher Ranked. I myself am Rank 2, and Shirzx was a little weaker than me."


    "Above us is someone named Vxich, the Blooder, aplete Rank 3. You cannot defeat him, not even three of you together."


    Niveh paused, furrowing her brows.


    "And they''re called Blood Arts! Not¡­ ''strings''. The Citadel is where the upper echelon of vampires live. The strongest and most influential of them¡­ and also where our beloved Pashah lives. What are you people doing here anyway?"


    Liam didn''t respond.


    ''I underestimated how advanced they could be. Clearly they''re not mindless monsters¡­ to think they had their own society.''


    After a short pause, Liam couldn''t help but ask.


    "How do your Blood Arts work?"

 Chapter 129 Conditions

    <h4>Chapter 129 Conditions</h4>


    Niveh scoffed proudly with disdain in her tone.


    "It''s not something you can just learn in one day. Every one of our Arts takes a lifetime to learn and adapt to. It''s a fighting style we choose and remain with for the rest of our lives. Unless you have a Rank 3 Nexus, you can''t choose another."


    Liam hummed thoughtfully. He took another look at Niveh''s palms.


    A thin red line began from the tip of her fingers, then ran up to the top of her hand and down her arm. Those were where the strings exited from.


    They were also made from their blood, and their hardness, strength and usage would depend on what Rank it was.


    Interesting. He had actually thought of recreating that art into a spell or technique to use. It sounded incredibly useful and powerful, but no doubt difficult and hard to make. He wouldn''t give up on that train of thought just yet, though.


    "This Vxich person. Where is he?"


    Nineveh looked like she didn''t want to answer¡­ but Liam''s gentle hand hadn''t left hers.


    "...North of the Feeding Grounds. There''s a station there."


    Liam nodded, then proceeded to ask a few more questions.


    In short, there were roughly 10 ''upper vampires'' ¨C vampires with sentience and a Rank 2 Nexus ¨C and one Rank 3 ''higher vampire'' ¨C Vxich, within each station.


    Moreover, the Citadel was roughly a month or two away from where they were, towards the north. But there were multiple viges, Feeding Grounds and borders that needed passing before they got there.


    Not to mention, they''d have to pass by Vxich''s territory too.


    It was risky. Kalia''s words rang in Liam''s mind, not to go to dangerous and mainstream locations if it risked their lives.


    But gaining information about how the vampires functioned and advanced would be extremely rewarding, both for himself, and the prizes he was to receive.


    Liam didn''t forget to ask where they received the humans from, but Niveh honestly didn''t know.


    It could have been any country surrounding the Korsan continent, perhaps even Echoria had a dark hand to y in it.


    Though, Liam wouldn''t trust every word the vampire told them.


    Unsurprisingly, vampires had a ring weakness ¨C sunlight. They couldn''t kidnap the humans even if they wanted to, which meant someone had supplied them with it.


    [I say we go towards the Citadel,] Liam transmitted to Nord and Rin. [If at any point it gets dangerous, we can leave¡­ but we''ve hit the motherload.]


    In all honesty, he would''ve liked to make the sole decision himself and go there without conferring with his crew¡­ but Nord and Rin had earned some respect from him.


    Not to mention, it was practically impossible for him to do it alone. Nessa and Gerald¡­ well, they had no say in the matter.


    [I''ll go,] Nord ryed after a short pause. [It''s not like I have anything better to do.]


    Rin looked pensive, but gestured with a nod.


    ''I''ll go too.''


    "It''s decided then. We''ll be heading to the Citadel."


    Niveh scowled with shocked eyes.


    "Did you not hear a word I just said?! Your little squad can''t do anything against them! The Blooder can kill ten of you if he wants!"


    Liam hummed nomittally. There was fear in the vampire''s tone, but not at him, at her superior.


    "Well, with how much you''ve told us, you would get butchered with us if he found out, wouldn''t you?"


    Niveh flinched, then lowered her head with a frustrated and defeated look.


    Liam smiled, then let go of her hand.


    "It doesn''t have to be that way¡­ I have a proposition."


    ///


    Liam''s ''proposition'' was something that benefited both sides. Niveh would be a guide of her own freewill, and Liam''s crew wouldn''t kill her, nor tell the Blooder of her betrayal.


    ¡­Also, if things went well, he could quietly bring back the vampire to Echoria.


    The more Niveh spoke, the more Liam realized that she really didn''t like her circumstances.


    Vampiric society was apparently much more ruthless than he imagined.


    By their standards, Niveh was still young, only 46 years old. Her age was a shock to Liam and the others, but he supposed that was in line with their cultivation journey. Just two centers of power yet it took a very long time to purify and evolve them to a higher Rank.


    That said, Niveh wasn''t overjoyed with her life here in the Korsan continent. Most of all, she hated her superior with a ming passion for all the torture she''d gone through by his hand.


    It took a little bit of convincing, but she eventually agreed on certain conditions.


    "I don''t want to get tortured and dissected for your kind to see my insides. And I¡­ I want a house of my own, and my own supply of food and other¡­ things."


    Liam gave her a strange look.


    "Is that all?"


    Niveh nodded after some thought.


    Liam left the room and gave Jack a call, exining what they''ve been doing over the course of two weeks.


    "What?! You want to bring a vampire back to Echoria? And she agreed to this demand?" Jack said incredulously.


    "She has," Liam responded casually. "Can you get permission from the Royals?"


    Silence.


    "I''ll try and get back to you."


    Jack exined what he''d been doing in the meantime before hanging up. He''d been creating formations around the ship to establish a proper safezone. Blood piranhas attacked the ship more than once, apparently.


    An hourter, Jack gave them the OK.


    "We have a deal," Liam gave Niveh a firm handshake, though she thought he would break her hand again. "Oh, and there''s one more condition."


    Niveh gave him a confused look.


    "You''ll have to let me cut you apart now and again for some light experimentation. At least, until I find someone else to experiment on. Oh, and you''ll have to teach me your Blood Arts."


    "That''s two conditions!" Niveh protested angrily. "And are you sick in the head?"


    Liam shrugged, then put on a thinking face.


    "Or maybe I should cut you apart anyway and find someone else to rece you with..."

 Chapter 130 Shock

    <h4>Chapter 130 Shock</h4>


    "Ugh, fine!"


    Niveh grumbled with a frown, then impatiently gestured to the tight rope binding her.


    Liam pursed his lips. Nord and Rin gave him a knowing side nce, but he decided to cut it open anyways.


    "You''re smart enough not to try anything ambitious."


    Niveh gripped her right wrist and let out another scoff of disdain.


    "To think someone like you called me heartless."


    Nord and Rin let out a brief chuckle at her words. Liam shrugged it off.


    "Stay in my room for the time being. Rin, you can begin taking notes now. Make sure not to leave any details out, not even the size of their organs or how they reproduce. We''ll head out to the Feeding Grounds soon."


    Concern grew on Niveh''s face. Just how cruel was this filthy sun-bather?!


    Liam entered the forgery as Nord entered the practice room.


    Nessa stood there with an inquisitive look, and Liam filled her in on what they wanted to do. Instantly, she entered the room with Rin and began enthusiastically asking questions.


    Apparently, Niveh had be a ''friend'' to the group.


    Liam hadn''tpleted his daily cultivation and training with the Psionic Rune, and he started with that.


    Three hours passed, and Liam concluded with his quiet cultivation. He finally decided to make use of his beast-will n, using it to speed up his sea of consciousness expansion.


    ''I''m very close¡­ It''s time I start with a Rank 3 beast.''


    Liam took out a Rank 3 Shadow Hog ¨C arge hedgehog-looking magical beast with dark spines on its back ¨C from his ring and ced it atop the forging table. Dissecting it piece by piece, he began shaping the ck spikes into a sharp de.


    Although he wasn''t intent on using the beast-will straight away, he would eventually try and turn it into a proper weapon he could use. After an hour, the spikes turned into a shortsword of his liking.


    Once he finished with that, he popped a translucent ''coating'' pill that helped strengthen his mind walls with temporary protection. Taking the core in hand, he crushed it and absorbed the essence.


    Within his mental sphere,rge blobs of mental energy started to converge in the center. A mountainous pressure made the transparent barrier tremble, but the coating held on.


    Slowly, the hedgehog ¨C which now looked three times its original size ¨C formed fully and let out a deafening screech.


    Liam winced, but didn''t wait for its next move. He shed mid air and began forming countless cuts on its ethereal body, starting with the spikes that looked like they were ready to shoot out at any second.


    Now that his consciousness had improved to an amazing level, his ability to weaponize mental energy had naturally gotten better.


    He sessfully cut off the spikes one by one using his swords, causing the hedgehog to shriek again and ram the walls with all his might.


    With each collision, Liam felt like the inside of his head was being hammered with a nail.


    It made him flinch each time, but his des hadn''t stopped moving.


    Eventually, the hedgehog''s presence started to regress. Unfortunately, it still had a raging anger that made it uncaring of its body, relentlessly thrashing Liam''s mind.


    Finally, it was over. Liam had marred the entire hedgehog''s body enough that it stopped moving, then added on multipleyering of energy.


    A Rank 3 beast-will was vastly, vastly different from its predecessor. Liam could see that its raging remnants were much more potent and so was everything else about it. It wasrger too, vibrating with a jarring hymn.


    Liam opened his bloodshot eye to reality, only to see Rin opposite him, inspecting his forged item with a child-like curiosity.


    "What?" Liam couldn''t really be bothered with pleasantries. Speaking made his headache worse.


    Rin realized that Liam had opened his eye and quickly put the de back down. ''I''m done with the questioning.''


    Rin''s pensive gaze lingered on the forged item for a split second before she left.


    Liam carefully entered back into his room, vignt for any crimson threads. There weren''t any.


    Niveh casually browsed through his things like they were her own. He pped away her pale hands, receiving a sharp re.


    "Stop acting like a child. You''re 33 years older than me."


    That seemed to offend the vampire even more, but she was more than shocked to learn how young Liam was.


    "You''re healed up now, so I''ll take a bit of your blood."


    Liam took out his shortsword, making the girl sigh. Although she''d gotten away from one torture, she''d jumped headfirst into another.


    Uncaringly, Liam made a long vertical cut across Niveh''s arm, collecting every drop of her blood in arge ss potion. It looked much purerpared to before, as the girl had time to rest and let her Nexus do the work.


    "What are you going to do with it, weirdo?" Niveh insulted in child-like fashion. She was surprisingly an idiot.


    Liam ignored her and inspected the glistening blood with the King''s Eye.


    He''d have to study it keenly if he wanted to improve his Blood Weaving ¨C even learning how to enhance the ink would allow for better links and meanings.


    Absorbing it into his bloodstream was also on the table, but he would have to make sure it wouldn''t do any harm.


    "Once we relocate the base, start showing me how your Blood Art works."


    He stored the potion in his ring before shifting his gaze to Niveh.


    "Bring us to the Feeding Grounds. We''ll start heading towards the Citadel now."


    Niveh grew stern, but agreed nheless.


    Gerald and Nessa were just about done with fixing up the remaining wreckage of the base. Thankfully, its inscriptions weren''t damaged.


    Liam gathered everyone outside, and Gerald ced his hand on a certain part of the base wall, imbuing it with ''Ora''.


    The base started to shrink just as fast as it was built.


    From there, a week passed as the group arduously traveled across the mountain chain and took short breaks for cultivation and food in between.


    Liam couldn''t help but raise his brows in shock as he and the rest finally made it over the mountain.

 Chapter 131 Mistake

    <h4>Chapter 131 Mistake</h4>


    Throughout the past week, the group had passed by several more human ''farms'', forck of a better word.


    Nessa wanted to save them. Liam denied her train of thought in an instant for obvious reasons.


    They were invaders, and needed to keep their presence at a minimum. That caused a slight rift to form between one side of the group, with Gerald shamelessly siding with the petite noble.


    Pretty soon, it was apparent their intrusion would be widespread.


    One of the vampires overseeing a Feeding Ground had been killed, and the other was currently in their expedition party as a guide.


    To lessen the effect, Liam had Niveh clean up the head farmer''s body before anyone noticed it.


    The humans weren''t allowed to leave their vige, but on rare asions, some were brave enough to escape, only to find out the truth and have their fates sealed.


    Meanwhile, over the foggy mountain cliff, hisses, growls and shrieks mixed with thunder created a cacophony of morbid sounds.


    Around a vast square border, vampires ¨C thousands in number ¨C unclothed and violent, fought to the death, killing and dying in a chaotic dance of demise.


    Their bulging eyeballs were pure white as they ravaged each other mindlessly in the most brutal of ways. Blood flew across the field like water, overflowing till shin height.


    Liam spotted some wing each other''s necks off, others tearing off limbs and gnawing them, with few piercing another''s Nexus and absorbing their life force. It was relentless, and didn''t stop for a single second.


    Liam noticed a couple with intenser auras than the rest, which were probably the closest to evolving.


    Gerald''s stomach couldn''t handle the scene. His stomach hurled and emptied its contents.


    Nessa went ghastly pale and felt her knees weaken.


    Even Nord and Rin looked stunned, but Liam was somehow captivated by the sight.


    Thankfully, no one caught that look in his bloodshot eye ¨C muddied red from having the beast will inside his head for a prolonged period of time.


    ''So that''s why this entire ce is dyed red.''


    Liam shifted his attention over to the horizon. Zooming in, he could make out a faint silhouette of a city through the thick silver mist, lit up by shes of dim crimson lightning.


    On the mountain chain opposite to them, was arge border that followed the rockyndscape''s peaks and troughs.


    Atop one of the peaks, was an obsidian spire, twisting above the foggy clouds. Lightning struck it more than once, but it remained stubbornly standing.


    Below that were entrically shaped buildings ¨C arched obsidian stone interwoven with bony-white wood ¨C precisely lining the sides.


    "That''s where Vxich is if you want to fulfill your death wish," Niveh added casually.


    Gerald hadn''t stopped vomiting, gaining him a look of pity from the vampire.


    "What''s the easiest way to pass through without being noticed?" Liam asked.


    "There really isn''t, since each of the Blooder''s goons hold a section of the border. It stretches out and connects to another Feeding Ground anyways, so you can''t go around."


    "I could lead you all in, but even I haven''t explored the base fully," Niveh said bitterly. "They have much more powerful abilitiespared to mine, and I don''t even know the full extent of them."


    ¡­Unfortunate circumstances.


    Liam wasn''t discouraged, though. Niveh''s abilities coulde in handy, and nothing could go wrong with a bit of pre-prepared nning.


    They would execute in two weeks. Nord had surprisingly found a good ce to ce the base in, and the group went dormant.


    ///


    Liam was just about toplete his daily cultivation for the day when he felt his core slightly tremble.


    ''Is it happening?'' he thought with an excited smile.


    The liquid in his organ started to swirl and merge with itself. Amazingly, Liam felt pangs of extreme warmth and cold at the same time while the process took root.


    Moreover, his core walls, that he''d been expanding throughout the past year or so, began to shrink at a rapid rate.


    In reality, the core walls wanted to copse due to the transition to a different state, but Liam had to strenuously hold back the organ before it could do so.


    In the span of a minute, Liam''s liquid ''Ora'' started to converge into a single shard of dark red world essence.


    He had finally entered the solid-stage!


    His progress has been significantly bolstered by being near an ''Ora'' Well, and through the many pills he had consumed.


    Liam instantly began absorbing ''Ora'', smiling as both his natural abilities and prowess increased substantially.


    After another hour of cultivating, he didn''t wait to test out its effects.


    He opened his palm. Darkness, more saturated in shade and fervid, swerved in between his fingers to form a sleek Umbral Needle.


    Liam nodded in approval as he saw how sharper and deadlier the spell looked ¨C the tip was much sharper, and its form wasn''t as ethereal as before.


    Before, his usage limit with the needles was roughly 7 or 8 times, but now, he could double that amount with ease, even factoring in other spells.


    Liam couldn''t help but smile again, but his gaze turned hard a momentter.


    ''What about my chaos?''


    Sometimes, Liam would genuinely forget he was a dual-elementalist. Except now and again, his chaos would extend a helping hand during difficult circumstances.


    He knew too little about its origins, why he had it, and why it was so damn dangerous¡­ but answers didn''te on a silver tter.


    Seeing that there wasn''t anyone around, Liam silently pulled out a minute strand of chaos from his core. His ability to manipte the element had be much smoother with his advancement.


    Liam used the same amount he''d always done ¨C a finger-nail sized amount.


    He watched with keen eyes as the chaos exited his index.


    Brightening in shade wasn''t the only thing his chaos underwent ¨C Liam could see that it was practically begging to burst. The dangerous and vtile nature had be¡­ well, more chaotic.


    He instantly regretted his decision to use the same amount, since within the next second, it¡ª


    BOOM!


    The explosion made everyone burst into his room thinking there was another attack, but didn''t find any signs of it.


    Liam coughed into his fist and spoke as though nothing happened.


    "Forging mistake."

 Chapter 132 Hulking

    <h4>Chapter 132 Hulking</h4>


    After concluding his exnation, his crew had left, but not before giving him suspicious looks.


    Having made their n, they would set out in a moment, but not before Liam had concluded a few things.


    With a sigh, Liam took out his shortsword made from the Rank 3 hedgehog spikes.


    It was streamlined and resembled his own shortsword to a sense, but without the intricate details that Rogan had cared to put.


    ''I can make one much better but I''ll have to hold off as of now.''


    The beast will hadn''t left his mind for the entirety of the two and a half weeks.


    Though the pain eventually simmered down to a tolerable amount, he had to hold off any forgings or inscriptions.


    Now that they were ready to engage the enemy, Liam decided to use it to be in peak condition.


    Entering his sea of consciousness, Liam inspected the beast will.


    To his surprise, it was a lot more¡­ tamed.


    The enraged remnants of the beast had dimmed subdued, while it didn''t look as vtile and unstable as before.


    ''Wait, if I keep it in my mind long enough, it''ll make the wills easier to forge with?''


    Liam cursed himself for not realizing that sooner.


    Exposing those energies to his mental sphere was bound to have some sort of effect.


    Maybe the same could even be true for refined blood¡­


    The only downside was the cruel pain he was to bear with, but then again, he had gotten quite good at that feat.


    Done with his musings, Liam gently pulled out the beast will and began to force it through the shortsword.


    Like he thought, it was much less difficult to control!


    Though, unlike his previous forgings, he was using a Rank 3 beast will.


    Naturally, using higher ranked materials was more challenging, but Liam had the basics down enough to dip his toe in a bigger pool.


    That, and his advance to the solid-stage helped massively.


    The beast will slowly seeped into the de''s center, then, by Liam''smand, spread like a slow moving liquid to the opposite ends.


    Even with Liam''s experience and advancement, the process made sweat dribble down his pale face.


    By the end of it, more than one-fifth of the beast will had entered through his de!


    Although that sounded like less, his usual forgings with the Rank 2 beast will worked only with one-eighth, even as a lower form of material.


    Even that was extraordinary, as his experience with forging was diminutivepared to others his age.


    The King''s Eye was an instrumental help, helping him direct both his inscription writings and forging.


    Before he could do more, the rest of the will withered away. Liam smiled nheless.


    He picked up the shortsword, cutting the air with it.


    As he did so with precise moves, Liam imbued it with ''Ora''.


    Jagged spikes of different lengths burst unevenly through the de''s edge.


    Liam nodded in approval. The de lost a bit of its sharpness, but he didn''t mind.


    ''We should leave now.''


    Besides his forging, he had experimented a bit with Niveh''s blood and Blood Arts, but his studies hadn''t bore too much fruit.


    He wanted to know if there was a way for his own blood to imitate the wondrous effects of a vampire''s, both in capability and regeneration¡­ but anyone would rightly call him a lunatic for it.


    There was a reason vampires had an entire center of power for that exact purpose. For humans, there was no such organ.


    Liam didn''t go as far to think he could miraculously make another center of power¡­ but he didn''t think it required him to. There had to be a middle ground.


    ''Cultivation is endless. It''s possible, I just need to find a way.''


    He stored the de and left the room, where the rest of the group were huddled around the entrance door.


    Everyone had bags under their eyes from their respective specializations and training except Niveh.


    Liam''s n to pass through the Blooder''s territory was absolutely reckless and maniacal. Gerald, Nessa and Niveh made sure he knew it too.


    From the ten upper vampires that held the border walls, the Red Hammer, Zvehm, was the weakest ording to Niveh''s assessment.


    The other nine had morous nicknames like Death Fang, Blood w, Vicious Bite, and so on.


    With their numbers and strengths, Niveh mentioned that it was impossible for Liam''s group to kill them all together.


    Also, it wasn''t going to be easy to pass by without triggering special traps that the vampires had set all around the base.


    Vampires weren''t exactly primitive in terms of magical items or techniques. They had their own ways to create formations and inscriptions, but Niveh didn''t know any methods herself.


    All she knew was that if you passed the border without express authority, the Blooder would know of your location instantly.


    ¡­Thus, Liam decided to discreetly assassinate every one of the upper vampires one by one, starting with Red Hammer, before singling out the Blooder as the ''final boss.''


    They called him a madman.


    "You don''t think he''ll alert his superiors if we pass by without killing him? Then, it won''t be just eleven against six, we''ll get ughtered by everyone in the city."


    His words were inarguable.


    As such, they silently made their way towards the spire with intent to kill.


    ///


    Getting there wasn''t difficult. A few corrupted ''snakes'' had attacked them in packs, but Niveh managed to kill those out using her Blood Arts.


    Four days passed as they followed a narrow route towards the Red Hammers section of the border, attacked by different kinds of corrupted magical beasts.


    ording to Niveh, the Red Hammer, Zvehm, would regrly hunt wild beasts for amusement and to practice his Blood Arts on.


    Thus, the group hid themselves and patiently waited for the man toe out.


    After another two days, he finally did. Gerald almost yelped when he saw the Red Hammer''s hulking stature, which resembled a towering bear''s.

 Chapter 133 Danger

    <h4>Chapter 133 Danger</h4>


    Zvehm was roughly 2.1 meters in height. He wore a hairy red tunic made from bloodhound will that covered his lower body, while his pale muscr chest and massive arms were left bare.


    Like his moniker suggested, a giant hammer made from hardened blood hung on his shoulder, which he haughtily walked around with.


    His jaw was square, eyes crimson, while unkempt jet-ck hair fell behind his back.


    Withrge steps, he trodded down the mountain slope and headed straight towards the forest.


    Silently, the group pursued.


    With their presences hidden, it wasn''t possible for Zvehm to know he was being trailed.


    Three hours passed.


    The Red Hammer found a group of corrupted hyenas, his pale lips cracking to a wicked smile.


    One after the other, thunderous bangs and booms resounded through the small forested area.


    Zvehm had shattered the hyena''s skulls one after the other, brain matter and viscera sttering across the bloodied trees.


    The man''s guttural and thrilledughter sounded like a murderer reveling in his kills.


    Liam''s eye shed coldly.


    Sliding his feet across the wooden branch he perched on, he erupted forward with his des aiming straight for the Red Hammer''s neck.


    Zvehm yanked his neck to where the tree branch fell, only to see the wrong side of a katana and wakizashi.


    His neck barely pulled back at the nick of time before getting severed but caustic ck mes marred his face, making him grunt in pain and anger.


    "Who dares?!"


    Lifting his hammer to the sky, he attempted to strike the earth with all his might.


    Before he did so, Liam''s des ¨C activated with its forging ability ¨C and chains blurred, severing off the man''s hands and making him drop the giant hammer.


    It didn''t end there.


    Everyone began to unleash their strongest spells on the man''s figure.


    Fire from Rin, wind by Nord, threads by Niveh, water by Nessa, and earth by Gerald.


    Liam made sure to spam his needles as much as he could.


    Eventually, Zvehm''s body wasn''t even visible due to the clouds of smoke, earth and other debris from their spells.


    "Stop."


    Liam''s low voice sounded, and the spells ceased instantly.


    Slowly, the dust cloud settled, revealing Zvehm''s muscr body filled with every grievous wound imaginable.


    His charred innards were seeping out from his body. His hands were severed. A chunk of his corroded face was missing.


    Still, he was standing valiantly. Thankfully, his main body was intact, slowly healing.


    Liam approached cautiously. For safe measure, he cut off the vampire''s muscle tendons, making him trip over with a thump.


    ''Easier than I thought,'' Liam realized. He turned to Niveh and asked, "Does he know where the traps are?"


    "He might," she responded with a bit of fear in her voice. "But I doubt he''ll tell you."


    Liam scoffed, binding Red Hammer with a tight rope.


    Gripping the man by the hair, he made him sit upright under a blood tree, then crouched beside him as he healed.


    Gerald had seen enough bodies and killing to barely stomach the gory sight, with Nessa doing the same.


    For Liam, Rin and Nord, it was just another Tuesday.


    Eventually, the Red Hammer had regained enough strength to speak.


    "Sun-bathers? You fu¡ª"


    Liam stomped the giant in the face. Niveh flinched, feeling his pain, but she thrived on the schadenfreude.


    That only worked in enraging him further, but another kick struck.


    After another four kicks, the giant stopped shouting.


    "Tell me where the traps are. You only get one chance to answer right. I have about nine others to get through in the span of a couple of days."


    Usually, Liam would use his mental pressure to frighten his victims, but to vampires, that trick didn''t really work.


    They didn''t possess a sea of consciousness, unlike humans.


    For this reason, mental attacks didn''t work on them. Only spells.


    Zvehm, who''s figure slowly started to heal, gave Liam a smug smile¡­ then spat blood on his face.


    Liam heaved a sigh, fixing his right hand into an eagle''s w. Without warning, he stabbed into the man''s heart!


    The giant vampire looked shocked, then let out a sharp gasp. His crimson eyes lingered on Liam''s cold, uncaring face.


    "I told you. One chance, retard," Liam said, pulling out his hand and taking out the man''s Nexus with it.


    Under the incredulous gaze of the others, Liam began inspecting it with the King''s Eye. Slowly, the blood-red energies that surrounded the spherical heart started to dim down and die.


    Liam made sure to collect every drop in a ss container, and stored the heart itself forter studying.


    By then, the Red Hammer was no more.


    "We can''t waste time. We''ll do the others next."


    ///


    Vxich rested his cheek on his fist as he leaned back in his throne. Peering out through the spire windows, he heaved a satisfied sigh.


    This was the life. Comfortably living above everyone else with no worries other than a few to kill here and there, with a group of powerful people under him.


    ¡­Though, there was aplication.


    Two of his people were missing.


    It wasn''t unusual for those two to be gone for long periods of time. They were stationed towards the borders anyway.


    Yet nearly a month passed and there wasn''t a peep from them.


    "How many times will they make me pluck out their organs?" Vxich sighed.


    Things were just looking up as well. He was just about to get a promotion and move to the citadel to work with the higher ss where he belonged, not among these low-leveled mongrels.


    The lower ranked vampires lived boring lives, simply receiving orders from an endless list of superiors. The Blooder was not to be among them!


    Vxich reluctantly left his throne room, fixing his long, blood-red garment as he made his way down the spire stairs.


    Now that he thought about it¡­


    Where the heck was everyone?


    His heart pumped as he moved to the base of the spire. It only did that when it faced danger.


    "Wherever you are, you cane out now."

 Chapter 134 Laughter

    <h4>Chapter 134 Laughter</h4>


    Liam grimaced hearing those words.


    There had to be some sort of sensing ability that came with a Rank 3 Nexus, or something that had to do with the Blooder''s Blood Arts.


    Over the past two days, the group had slowly killed off the vampires one by one, taking them by surprise. It wasn''t easy, but they came prepared. 10 different Nexus''s were stored in Liam''s ring, preserved in special containers forter study.


    Some of them had coughed up the baseyouts and trap locations, which helped greatly in taking down the following enemies.


    After killing thest one, they had finally decided to take the final Rank 3 vampire.


    Although Liam would have attacked close-up as soon as he was noticed, he was cautious around a higher ranked species. Rin and Nord almost attempted to burst forward at the vampire, but Liam''s mental ry stopped them.


    "Are you waiting for me to force you out?" Vxich''s cold eyes scoured therge spire hall adorned by medieval-like furniture.


    Six pirs made from blood-wood held up the ceiling and the spire above it, behind which they hid.


    To test the vampire''s strength, Liam shot an Umbral Needle at his nk.


    The vampire made a small gesture with his finger. A hardened wall of blood intercepted the spell and its noxious smoke.


    [Fire,] Liam''s mental transmission reached Rin, Nord, Gerald and Nessa.


    Simultaneously, everyone began shooting their spells from different angles.


    Nessa took out a potion containing yellowish gas and threw it forward.


    Upon impact, the ss exploded and began to expand, rising in heat before surging into red mes.


    Gerald finally finished casting his spell. Tendrils of obsidian earth formed arge boulder that shot towards the vampire. He looked exhausted from doing that,


    [Stop.]


    Liam didn''t think the same tactic they used would work against aplete Rank 3 vampire, but what they saw made deep scowls form on their faces.


    Arge sphere of blood encasing the vampire absorbed all the hits and brushed them off like nothing happened. It was both hardened and liquidized at once, the surface of which rippled slightly.


    Liam''s eye widened as he saw the sphere gather concentration onto thousands of little spots.


    [Take cover!]


    The sphere shattered into a flurry of arm-sized spikes before Liam couldplete his ry, shooting in random directions with unbelievable speed.


    Liam ducked behind the wooden pir right before spikes poked holes in his body. Even the pir behind him was getting splintered by the rapid barrage.


    On one side of the room, Rin, Niveh and Nord looked fine, but some of the spikes grazed their skin and drew blood.


    On the other, Nessa and Gerald were much worse ¨C the former''s hand got impaled before she got to safety, forcing out a yelp from her, and thetter had a spike tear through his wounded shoulder once again, making him growl in anguish.


    "Sun-bathers¡­ what are you filthy creatures doing in my domain?" Vxich''s cold and scornful voice rang out once the attack finally subsided.


    Liam didn''t respond, his mind rushing for a n. ''There''s no way he can do that attack again, can he?''


    Liam''s heart told him he can. Niveh was difficult to deal with while it was still a two versus one, those standards couldn''t be applied to a higher vampire.


    Even if he decided to bait out his attacks enough to gas him out, Liam didn''t know the limits of a Rank 3 Nexus or Blood.


    Even a sub-advancement for a human core allowed it to store twice the amount of ''Ora''.


    Still, they were six now¡­ though in reality, they were four ¨C Liam had factored out Nessa and Gerald''s participation in the inevitable sh.


    ''Niveh still had her cocoon ability that she could use. Vampires are susceptible to fire¡­ this is doable.''


    Having the earth element on their side would''ve been a lifesaver¡­ but Gerald had used most of his strength on his spell, and he wasn''t in any condition to fight.


    "That little girl is also with you, isn''t she?" Vxich spotted the crimson lines below his feet that melted into liquid.


    A wicked smile formed on his face.


    "After I''m done sucking you humans dry for every drop, I''ll make sure you wish for death, Niveh."


    Fear grew on Niveh''s face¡­ but Nord, despite the seriousness of the situation, couldn''t help but chuckle.


    Liam didn''tugh at the vampire''s poor choice of words, still focused as ever.


    Eventually, a simple n emerged from his mind ¨C inundate the vampire with numbers. Him, Rin and Nord would go physical and up close, while Niveh provided backup.


    He ryed the idea instantly to everyone, then gestured to Niveh.


    "That doesn''t sound as cool as you think it does. Sucking us dry? C''mon now," Nord said, but gave Liam a firm nod from the side.


    Red veins formed on Vxich''s pale face, his eye twitching.


    He stretched out his clenched hand, blood oozing through his pores and gathering around his palms to form sharp javelins.


    At the same time, a coating of blood-hardened armor started to form around the vampire''s figure, giving him sleek, knight-like armor that sleeved even his fingers ¨C which had turned into sharp ws.


    Only his sharp scarlet eyes were visible through the helmet on his face.


    Liam''s face grew dark. ''That was not supposed to happen.''


    Taking a javelin-stance, the vampire''s hand blurred as he shot the javelins at Nord''s location, splintering the pir and missing Nord by a hair as he ducked.


    Another blood-made javelin formed in the Blooder''s hand.


    At that point, Liam realized there was no point in hiding.


    He was the first to engage, followed by Rin and Nord that shot out from behind their pirs.


    Like a heron circling its prey, Liam hurled several needles as he ran around the vampire''s figure with his des unsheathed.


    He aimed at the joints where the knight-like armor interconnected, knowing he couldn''tnd a direct hit.


    Rin''s daggers burst in mes and Nord''s ive began multiplying mid air.


    Niveh, on the other hand, began to form her cocoon.

 Chapter 135 Smile

    <h4>Chapter 135 Smile</h4>


    Behind the Blooder''s mask, a smile began to form. He smacked away the needles at once. They exploded, corroding his javelins, but that didn''t worry the vampire in the least.


    Ahead, was the shortest one wielding two des of differing heights. To his side, was the wind boy. On his nk, the fire girl. Further ahead were the two others, but Vxich knew they were incapable of fighting.


    At once, the three converged on the vampire''s figure and let their des collide.


    CLANG!


    A series of loud ngs, booms and shockwaves shook the spire floor.


    Amazingly, the vampire''s prowess was not normal.


    As they fought, he made sure to get up-close and personal with Nord, since his wind wasn''t exactly useful against his hardened armor.


    All the while, he kept his distance against Rin''s fire des and spells, doing the same with Liam''s darkness.


    Niveh wasn''t providing much cover since she worked on finishing her cocoon, but wafer-thin strings would sometimes block the vampire''s most fatal attacks.


    Vixch was fighting against three of the strongest students of the Royal academy, including another vampire¡­ and holding his ground!


    Liam knew exactly why that was. Vampires aged differentlypared to humans.


    Vxich must have gained massive amounts of experience during his long life, there was a reason he was in the third Rank, after all.


    At first, Liam attempted to chip away at the javelins the vampire wielded, but the Blooder reced them with the flick of his wrist.


    However, Liam quickly noticed that while the armor didn''t receive any heavy damage, it didn''t regrow and mend its dents.


    Fire was particrly effective in wearing it down, but Vxich made sure to avoid Rin''s attacks at all cost, even subjecting himself to tant attacks by the other three.


    Liam activated Cartge Brace and began using all three of his martial art forms in quick session bolstered by Lethality Mantle.


    He snapped forward with Fleeting Foot and focused on chinking the armor on the Blooder''s arms, finding minute opportunities between Rin and Nord''s attacks.


    They smoothlymunicated through their mental link, with Liam dishing out the orders and points of focus.


    Metallic sounds of metal smashing against hardened blood-armor echoed and reverberated the air.


    Nessa and Gerald watched in horror from a distance.


    "Why do I cultivate?" Gerald said with a somber tone as Nessa hurriedly tended to his shoulder wound, applying a thick blue salve. His face was distant and bitter. "Why do I try so hard?"


    Nessa didn''t have anythingforting to respond with. "You don''tpare a hill to a mountain."


    "Glorious!" Vxich shouted as he shoved away Liam with a dual swing of his javelins, then threw one at Nord and the other at Rin. They deflected the strikes but were skittered away by the impact.


    "This is a true battle!"


    Although Rin and Nord panted heavily, the corners of their lips curled upwards to form little smiles. They weren''t without their wounds.


    Nord''s inscribed clothing had been chipped away, revealing the boy''s defined but wounded body. Rin had the least wounds, but used the most spells among them, giving her a paleplexion.


    Meanwhile, the Blooder looked practically woundless, besides a few dents in his armor here and there.


    Liam''s cold eye shed as he looked at therge chink in the vampire''s arm.


    The membrane under his skin shot a pang of power through his blood, the speed of his heart quickened, and his form blurred.


    Vxich saw that attacking from a mile away, fixing his javelins to block with ease, only to find that his weapons went straight through Liam''s misty body.


    KRRSH!


    Liam reappeared behind Vxich.


    Shards of armor paired with dazzling blood flew midair as the Blooder''s sleeve shattered, his arm severed clean off with the third form of Liam''s art.


    Before the Blooder could react appropriately and defend himself, a wall of fire boosted by wind blocked his escape, and his right foot was bound by a dark chain, holding him still.


    From above, the cocoon was finally done.


    Niveh smiled crookedly as she let loose her crimson threads.


    Finally, a different emotion grew in the Blooder''s eyes.


    Fear.


    Time appeared to slow down.


    Vxich could clearly see each individual threat. There was nothing he could do at that moment to defend any of them.


    The short one that severed his arm didn''t relent for even a moment and shot another four needles at his lower body in case he decided to duck.


    ''Ah. I''m gonna die,'' the Blooder bitterly realized. ''Against humans.''


    Anger churned within him.


    There was no peace before death!


    All those aspirations rendered moot!


    An entire century down the drain!


    Right as he felt the strings, fire and needles inch closer to him, his eyes fell on Gerald and Nessa.


    If he was to die, he would take at least one with him!


    He put all the remaining blood he held in his body on his final attack, sending it flying at the boy with all the strength in his limbs.


    Time resumed.


    The mes, needles and cocoon crashed down at the Blooder''s body at once, but not before a javelin escaped the line of attacks and burst through the wave of fire.


    Liam could only watch as the javelin shot through Gerald''s right eye, killing him instantly.


    Blood washed over Nessa''s incredulous face, her screams of shock filling the spire a momentter.


    Exhausted and tired, Nord and Rin could only send pitiful looks towards Gerald''s corpse.


    Liam scowled, but his focus was still on Vxich. He wasn''t sure their attack did the job.


    As the debris cleared, Liam saw that Vxich was still alive, judging by the blood-red energies still radiating from his heart.


    Instantly, he shot towards the Blooder''s corpse and promptly severed his neck. Liam was still afraid the man might grow out another head... but there was no such urrence.


    He put a hand on the vampire''s chest, and to his delight, the Nexus was still in studiable condition.


    A slight smile found its way to his face, but he quickly caught it before anyone else noticed.

 Chapter 136 Human

    <h4>Chapter 136 Human</h4>


    Rin did her best tofort the horrified Nessa, but it was a bit difficult without having a voice.


    The result was an awkward pat on the back that didn''t do much to quell the noble''s trembling and erratic breathing.


    Nord didn''t want anything to do with that, but he couldn''t help but feel pity looking at their dead crewmember. He simply shook his head in the end.


    Liam, on the other hand, was still fixated on Vxich''s body. He saw what happened to Gerald, then scowled.


    ¡­But what''s done is done.


    He couldn''t bring back the dead, and he didn''t try.


    All he could do was make sure the same didn''t happen to him, like it did to Eve and countless others. He didn''t know how the Royals would react to that, but he knew for a fact it wasn''t his fault he died.


    ''This mission got a whole lot moreplicated.''


    He''d pay his respects in a moment, but first, he had to do something.


    Crouching, Liam carefully lined up his shortsword against the Blooder''s left breast and began to cut precise lines to extract his Nexus.


    He inspected it briefly.


    Unlike a Rank 2 Nexus, it was smaller in size, but much more vibrant in shade. Fleshy, hair-like tendrils connected to it, and it looked way more valuable than its predecessor.


    ''Staying here for a few days won''t hurt. I''ll need to start experimenting on these hearts. There isn''t any interaction between domain rulers around these borders, and they''re far away anyway.''


    Besides, there was also the ''treasure room'' Liam needed to thoroughly loot.


    Niveh had mentioned that her Blood Arts, and everyone else''s, rested with the Blooder. It was just in case she or anyone else died and needed a recement.


    Blood Arts were simr to techniques in a sense. They weren''t specific to any particr element, but had simple restrictions in order to function. They would grow stronger when the Nexus advances.


    "Are you done with his body?" Niveh asked with a weirded out look on her face. Liam responded with the shake of his head. "Can I get a bite of him? His life force is going to be wasted soon."


    "No. I need it."


    Storing the Rank 3 Nexus in his ring along with Vxich''s body, Liam made his way towards Gerald''s body, uncaring of Niveh''s grumbles and curses.


    The boy had been impaled through the eye, leaving a see-through hole that disyed jotting shards of skull and brain matter.


    There was no emotion in Liam''s eye.


    His interactions with the boy had been brief, and Liam had seen enough bodies for a lifetime.


    What was one more?


    "He deserves a burial. At least he died instantly and didn''t suffer. We''ll spend a few weeks here to lick our wounds and prepare for the Citadel."


    Nessa slowly creaked her neck towards Liam, staring at him with a churning anger in her cloudy blue eyes.


    "He just died! One of your own people, and you don''t bat an eyelid? Are¡­ are you even human?"


    Liam looked at her coldly, his eye peering into her soul.


    "No."


    ///


    A short momentter, Liam, helped by Rin and Nord, dug out a small hole in the ground to bury Gerald in. It was a waste of time, Liam thought, but he didn''t want to make the rift between their group grow any bigger.


    Before lowering him down, Liam made sure to take the space-ring off his person.


    At the same time, Liam gave Jack a call and gave him an update on their situation.


    The sailor sounded shocked and bitter, but the choice to continue the mission was still on the table. As long as they weren''t found out and taken captive.


    "We''ll continue and map out the Citadel. That should mark the end of the mission. Gerald dying cut the approximation short."


    Jack was a bit stunned at Liam''s casual and matter-of-factly tone, but didn''t have anything more to add.


    With that done, Niveh led Liam up the spire, while the rest began with their specializations.


    Liam and Niveh made sure to move in cautiously so as not to trigger any traps.


    Some spaces were dark chambers that didn''t have any purpose (besides maybe torture), and they didn''t find anything remarkable until reaching the ''Throne Room''.


    There, a small chest made from bloodwood sat on the furthest side of the room, and Liam approached it cautiously. It didn''t have any keyhole or normal mechanism to unlock, but a small hollowpartment studded the top.


    His eye hadn''t spotted any traps or formations surrounding it, and he made his way safely towards it.


    Attempting to open it, Liam found it unbudging.


    "How does this thing work?" Liam asked Niveh with furrowed brows.


    The vampire girl shrugged, sitting on Vxich''s throne and pretending she was a queen.


    Liam tinkered around with the chest for a full minute, his eyes fixed to the hollowpartment.


    Eventually, he took out the Blooder''s Nexus and let some of its blood fill the vacancy.


    CLICK!


    With a slight smile, Liam slowly opened the chest.


    Inside, there were ck pieces of coarse parchment paper, on its surfaceid deep crimson lettering, written in the vampirguage. There were roughly eleven parchments, with one of them looking significantly moreplicatedpared to the rest.


    Liam beamed.


    He could vaguely see the meanings!


    They were beyondplicated and challenging to understand. Not to mention, Liam didn''t even know how vampires could administer meanings into their Arts ¨C they weren''t simr to a human''s, but more or less had the same effect.


    At the very least, the writings were more or less identifiable.


    There were letters that didn''t even look like they meant anything, but looked integral to the Art as a whole. That wasn''t a strange urrence.


    Liam''s linguistics teacher often told him thenguages that they learned were iplete and missed various aspects. Most of the foreign races were out of touch with humanity, but the few remnants of theirnguages remained behind.


    All in all, it was still an amazing find. If Liam could understand even a little bit of the meanings and piece together the words he didn''t know, his inscriptions would be infinitely better than before.


    Also, although he wasn''t nearly experienced with his Blood Weaving, he could vastly improve his method as a whole if he perfected his understanding of the vampirguage.

 Chapter 137 Change

    <h4>Chapter 137 Change</h4>


    "Are you gonna take all of those?" Niveh asked as Liam rummaged through the chest and started to store them one by one. "You can''t even use any of them¡­"


    Liam didn''t really consider if Rin, Nord or Nessa wanted any of the Arts. Nheless, he only needed two of them ¨C Niveh and Vxich''s, while the rest were useful for studying.


    The other Arts mostly focused on biting, wing, shooting blood spikes and strengthening the body, but he didn''t have any interest in those. Those vampires were killed rtively easily, after all.


    However, that sleek, knight-like armor looked perfect for Liam''s fighting style. It wouldn''t hold back his speed or movements, and it provided excellent defense, which Liam currentlycked.


    There were also those spherical blood spheres that Vxich made with a simple gesture, plus the javelin and w attacks.


    Niveh mentioned that his particr Blood Arts were much more advancedpared to hers, and contained some sort of blood maniption that came with a Rank 3 Nexus.


    Liam pulled himself out of his cocky line of thought as he looked at each parchment greedily.


    ''I''m getting ahead of myself. I still need to somehow attune it to my body and find a way to make it work.''


    He found an empty but spacious chamber within the tower to use, then got to work.


    ///


    Throughout the next two months, Liam divided his time between forging with magical beasts, corrupted magical beasts, studying Blood Arts, inscribing, and testing out the Nexus''.


    A mouthful, and Liam barely had enough time for rest. He ended up stretching out his schedule to its limits, spending time with each specialization in intervals.


    Using Primordial Forging with a Rank 3 magical beast was no longer necessary, as the pressure from those specializations was enough to help expand his mental sphere walls.


    The pain from the Psionic Rune was slowly diminishing.


    The average age for awakening to a Rank 2 sea of consciousness was 18 to 23, depending on how heavily someone trained with it, and a few more external factors like using pills.


    Meanwhile, Liam was merely a stone''s throw away from bing a Rank 2 Magus, a feat nobody at his age could boast or even dream about, which was just a little over thirteen.


    On the other hand, Liam''s tests with the Nexus had been moving slowly. He dissected them one by one, starting with the weaker Rank 2''s.


    Inside, there were special organic tubes and arteries that interweaved and interconnected, forming aplicatedwork that transported blood and purified it.


    Those tubes connected to the surface of the Nexus and then narrowed down into tendrils that gave the vampire precise maniption over his blood and healing.


    Honestly, Liam had no idea where to begin.


    He wasn''t discouraged, but it was just tooplicated for his understanding.


    It was clear that his goal of mimicking a vampire''s regeneration and blood purity was the most challenging, and he couldn''t aplish it with his current level of strength andprehension.


    Liam narrowed his goal to working on a purer ink to inscribe with, which was much easier to work toward.


    On the other hand, his forgings had been progressing steadily.


    Liam had fully transitioned into forgingplete shortswords. He had gotten quite good at them too. 5 out of 10 of his inventions functioned properly, thanks to his new method of letting the beast will ''cook'' in his head.


    Inscribed items had their own rankings and tiers in between.


    Generally, a Rank 1 Magus with a Rank 1 solid-stage core couldn''t make something better than a Rank 2 Magus with a gaseous-stage core. The disparity was too great between centers of power.


    Simrly, the opposite could be true.


    Of course, these factors varied depending on how knowledgeable and talented a person was in forging, and the method they used.


    Unorthodox methods helped forge items that were beyond the standard capability of a cultivator. Primordial Forging was one of those methods.


    ''Most of my items are in the lower tier of Rank 1. The more beast will I add, the better the de.''


    His forgings were a lot sharper and more pleasing to look at due to Liam''s advancement to the solid-stage. He found that purifying and shaping the magical beast parts were significantly easier to do as well.


    Out of all his progress, his inscriptions were doing the best. Mainly his linking capabilities.


    Learning the tiny intricacies of the vampiric tongue by studying the Blood Arts gave Liam ways to express his meanings much more fluently.


    Through that, Liam was able to sessfully perform a sharpness inscription on his de after one and a half weeks.


    Had Richard seen him do so, he would have coughed blood.


    It wasn''t the best, and he still had a long way to go, but it bolstered his silver de''s sharpness considerably.


    As time passed, Liam improved in all of his aspects, physical and mental.


    As the months came to a close, Rin experienced a breakthrough in her core, giving her the status of a liquid-stage cultivator. She seemed to be in an uplifted mood


    Nord was the same, followly just a bit further behind. The boy didn''t look too proud seeing that he was beaten to the punch by Rin, but that only strengthened his drive to cultivate.


    Nessa kept to herself throughout the two month period, silently creating potions and other alchemic products. Gerald''s death seemed to make her more mature and less childlike, but took away her enthusiasm and cheerful personality.


    ///


    Liam was sitting cross-legged with the Psionic Rune on his forehead. Cold sweat trickled down his face and drenched his ck-d clothes, but nothing he wasn''t already used to.


    His hair grew long enough to reach his knees, but he didn''t bother to take care of his unkempt appearance.


    ¡­Suddenly, something started to change!


    Slowly, the Psionic Rune lost its ability to harm and pressure Liam''s mental sphere.


    Within his sea of consciousness, his golden barrier started to rumble and shake, while the mental energy within started to deepen in shade.

 Chapter 138 Meeting

    <h4>Chapter 138 Meeting</h4>


    Hundreds of different sensations ¨C painful, ming, ice-cold ¨C washed over Liam''s brain.


    He was simply stilled in ce, unable to move a muscle while his brain felt like it was on fire while being restructured and simultaneously enhanced.


    At the same time, his eye grew hot like molten steel as its ck pupil narrowed to a vertical slit.


    Liam didn''t scream, not even a grunt. He could just ignore that pain entirely.


    A huge pressure unfolded in the small chamber. Waves of buzzing hums vibrated the air around Liam''s figure. He felt his thoughts racing at incredible speeds, clear andprehensible, detailed and precise.


    After a solid thirty seconds, it was over.


    Liam felt serene. Usually, fatigue weighed against his mind due to how heavily he used it, but all of that washed away.


    He could pristinely hear and sense exactly what the others were doing throughout the entire spire and surrounding space. Nord was cultivating, Nessa was mixing alchemic ingredients, Niveh waszily lying around Rin''s room.


    Liam heaved a small, exhrated sigh, then smiled ear-to-ear.


    This. This was why he worked so hard to gain power. That thrill, that unexinable feeling that fills the greedy void in his chest.


    Meanwhile, his vision almost seemed to pierce through the walls. Zooming in, his iris could spot little pieces of foreign bacteria living in between the cracked walls.


    At the same time, there was a strange feeling connected to the King''s Eye that Liam couldn''t put his finger on.


    It was like another limb with a specific function¡­ except connected to his eye.


    Liam fiddled around with it for a good minute, before something finally happened.


    The mental energy surrounding him suddenly flickered with ethereal forms and iridescent colors. Itsted for a split second while Liam had it activated, before it wafted away like a foggy mirage.


    ''Illusions!''


    Liam unclothed his abdomen and inspected the Kitsune tattoo. It silently flowed around his skin, but it looked a bit more vibrant and invigorated than before.


    The Kitsune had illusionistic abilities.


    Although it sounded amazing at first nce¡­ Liam didn''t really think that skill would be too useful beside providing gimmicky tricks.


    Against the patriarch of the Royce family, hiding himself with illusions wouldn''t do much, would it?


    Unless of course, it had some other functions that Liam was not aware of.


    Before Liam could take out his parchments and test out the full capabilities of his eyesight, the hair on his skin rose abruptly.


    Thick darkness filled the chamber like smoke, drowning out the sounds of thunder smashing against the spire. Despite his new mental capabilities, he couldn''t move a single muscle.


    Liam couldn''t move.


    For someone who had faced packs of Rank 4 beasts, regrly handled powerful magical beasts, killed strong cultivators and tore out his own eyeballs¡­ fear was a forgotten emotion.


    Yet Liam''s heart started to pump at twice the speed, thundering in his ears.


    An ominous aura like nails scraping against a chalkboard spread tainted the air, along with what sounded like the shrieking of a harrowed wraith, though Liam might have imagined that.


    FEAR.


    Primordial fear.


    Fear had a voice, and it spoke.


    "A meeting long overdue. I grew tired of watching."


    Liam''s skin crawled.


    The voice was beyond guttural, yet held ayer ofplexity Liam mortal mind didn''t quite grasp.


    "What are you?" Liam asked. To his credit, fear didn''t stain his voice.


    Silence.


    "A gracious benefactor. You have amused me. Meeting you here was done on a whim, but your reaction is¡­ satisfactory."


    Silence again, but the darkness started to recede and slowly pull away.


    "We will learn more about each other. Soon, Determined One."


    Liam narrowed his gaze. His sight and senses couldn''t prate the thick veil of umbral shadows at all.


    "Who are you?" Liam asked again with furrowed brows.


    Just as thest wisp of night receded into the corner of the room, Liam heard a name, breathed like a sigh:


    "Raast."


    ///


    Liam was back in his chambers.


    Despite his amazing advancement, he looked aghast, pale and distraught.


    Hundreds of instantaneous thoughts shot through his mind at lightning speed, yet despite his newfound intellect, he failed toe to any conclusion as to what just happened.


    It took him an hour to fully rx his senses and still any unstable emotion.


    Tired of watching? Gracious benefactor? Raast?


    Liam cursed loudly.


    Just when he thought he was getting a bit stronger, something bites him in the back.


    He just knew that the interaction he just had would w at the recesses of his mind endlessly.


    ''Staying here isn''t safe anymore. I need to get back to Echoria and understand what this is. Inscriptions and studies can wait.''


    He threw his current priorities at the back of his mind.


    Liam looked around at the pile of forged and inscribed items beside him.


    There were at least twenty jagged daggers made from corrupted magical beast bones, ws and teeth.


    Inscriptions covered their surface, and they were one-time use items that would shatter upon a single, but lethal sh.


    Liam guessed that their prowess was in the upper-tier of Rank 1, which was actually well above his level of capability, but Blood Weaving had a good attunement to those materials.


    Another pile consisted of shortswords and daggers made from his darkness beasts.


    Inscriptions could exponentially increase the prowess and level of a forged item.


    Currently, Liam''s des were lower-tier items, yet the single sessful inscription he had written on one de bolstered its prowess to the middle-tier.


    He stored them quickly and steadied his mental sphere before leaving.


    His control over his newer, denser mental waves wasn''t the best.


    Although he didn''t think his breakthrough would be hidden for long, he would do his absolute best to dy that as much as possible.


    There was also his iris, which was now a vertical slit simr to the Kitsune''s.


    The King''s Eye as a whole gained anotheryer of incandescence, glowing faintly like a rare gem.


    After testing it for an hour or two, he left his chamber and made his way to the bottom floor where everyone camped.


    They had a bit of shock in their gaze looking at his figure, as everyone felt their skin and mind tingle at once, even Niveh.

 Chapter 139 Tame

    <h4>Chapter 139 Tame</h4>


    "Pack up. We''re heading to the Citadel."


    Liam''s aloof and cold aura wasn''t possible to hide. It gave off a threatening air, like he might attack at any given time.


    Frowns stered the group''s expressions.


    Lawrence bing a Rank 2 Magus crossed their minds for a brief moment, but they instantly denied that thought. It was shockingly unbelievable to think so. Impossible, even.


    After such a long period of seclusion, they just imagined that he focused most of his time with the Psionic Rune. A reasonable conclusion, all things considered.


    Nessa looked at Liam with quiet, hidden disdain. She didn''t approve of his cold and indifferent personality, but she respected him enough not to voice it.


    Nord, on the other hand, only grew in respect. Just being around Liam helped increase his motivation to grow stronger.


    Rin had a much moreplicated look in her mauve eyes. It''s like she had some words to say, but couldn''t find or express them.


    Meanwhile, Liam realized that he could see mental energy seeping through his group''s minds with unbridled rity.


    He didn''t fail to notice how it containedyers of meanings that held different levels ofplexity. Layers Liam obviously didn''t understand.


    ''I''ll find out sometime soon.''


    Liam noticed how everyone was still staring at him in silence. He scowled.


    "Why are you all gawking at me? Get moving."


    ///


    Liam climbed the top of the spire, just below the sharp tip where powerful lightning smashed against.


    His iris constricted, peering over the endless, foggy horizon.


    It no longer hindered Liam''s sight. He could see the Citadel in all of its magnificence.


    The word ''Citadel'' did well to represent it, since it looked like a gothic metropolis that almost tore through the clouds with spires and towering structures, built around an obsidian teau where a special looking castle rested.


    Strangely enough, lightning didn''t strike thosends, only those outside its huge borders that stretched across a huge plot of ground.


    Around those very borders, Liam spotted giant bats that flew in and over the Citadel.


    Upon a closer inspection, there were people perched atop of those bats! Vampires, to be exact.


    Niveh had exined what those were ¨C the vampires'' natural method of transportation.


    The Blood Bats weren''t Rank 4 beasts.


    They were Rank 3, but their strengthsy in their size, flight and physical strength.


    They were also tameable, and found withinrge mountain dungeons¡­ which just happened to be the next goal for the group.


    That was the only ''safe'' method for them to get into the city. The borders were heavily swarming with powerful vampires, and Liam couldn''t think of a way to pass through without violence involved.


    However, if you flew in on a bat above ground, you''d be assumed to be a fellow bloodsucker.


    "Just so you know, you won''t find those bats easily. They''re extremely rarepared to earthen creatures, and it''s not guaranteed they will let you ride them."


    Niveh''s words contained a mix of fear and excitement.


    Liam and the rest swapped out their clothes with the garments of the vampires they killed, at least, those that were still in one piece.


    The sizes looked a bit off, but it would take a closer assessment to truly see the difference.


    Liam wore ck, Nord wore silk red, Rin wore mauve, Nessa wore yellow. Thankfully, the loose garments came with hoods they could throw on their head.


    Once everybody was ready, they set out once again.


    ///


    It took a week for the group to find arge dungeon with Blood Bats, taking cultivation and food breaks in between.


    Niveh expected at least one month of searching, since bats of that caliber weren''t easy toe by.


    Liam''s eyesight and strengthened ''mental muscle'' was no joke. He could push his senses up to 55 meters in total, giving him a crystal clear view of every nook and cranny nearby.


    He made sure to avoid the routes that were infested with corrupted beasts and wandering Rank 1 vampires. In truth, he had already sensed a Blood Bat dungeon, but made several ''mistakes'' until Rin or Nord eventually found it.


    They stood at the entrance of a giant circr cave. Silent screeches rang out from within, along with faint rustling and faint wind pping noises. From the roof, dozens of huge bats with crimson fur hung with their wings enshrouding their bodies.


    Even on the floor, there were bats thatid on top of each other for warmth.


    "I¡­ I''m not a hundred percent sure about this, but to tame one, you have to feed it some of your blood. If it likes you, it will let you ride and fly on top of it."


    Seven icy eyes pierced holes through Niveh''s skull.


    "You waited that long to tell us you didn''t know?" Liam asked with a scowl. Everyone else was angry for the same reason.


    Niveh shifted ufortably in ce. "It''s not my fault! I thought if I wasn''t useful, you''d kill me off¡­"


    Nessa let out a slight scoff. "Maybe he will," she shot a look at Liam.


    Liam ignored her remark and heaved a sigh.


    "We''ll have no choice then. Who wants to go first?"


    Silence.


    Surprisingly, it was Nord who answered first.


    "I''ll do it. It looks fun."


    Nord stepped forward and cautiously stepped into the Blood Bat den. It took him a minute to reach the closest bat on the floor, which looked at him with an unnerved look.


    It hissed repeatedly as a warning, but the vermillion-eyed boy wasn''t afraid.


    Taking another step forward, Nord bit his finger, collecting the blood in the hollowness of his hand. With slow and careful movements, he stretched out his hand towards the bat.


    It took a few minutes for the bat to stop hissing¡­ but slowly, it reached for the blood!


    Like a cat dipping its tongue into milk, the bat licked Nord''s blood until itpletely finished it.


    With another hiss ¨C which sounded way softerpared to the first ¨C it picked Nord up with its giant maw and threw him on his back!

 Chapter 140 Flight

    <h4>Chapter 140 Flight</h4>


    An ear-to-ear smile spread across Nord''s lips. He couldn''t help butugh incredulously.


    "I''m doing it! I''m actually doing it!"


    Looking at the delinquent so happy, Rin couldn''t help but feel a bit of envy. Even Nessa looked like she wanted to be next.


    Niveh raised her hands in triumph, then looked at Liam with a smug smirk that said, ''I told you so.''


    "Who''s next?" Liam questioned, ignoring the vampire''s existence.


    Rin was about to raise her hand, but Nessa beat her to the punch.


    "I''ll go¡­"


    With a slight awkwardness to her step, Nessa carefully entered the dungeon and made her way to the nearest bat.


    Meanwhile, Nord was already ruffling the hair on his Blood Bat''s head, rubbing his face into his fur as he called the beast a ''good girl''.


    ''They''re letting their guard down,'' Liam thought with a tinge of anger. ''Raast'' came up in his head again, souring his mood.


    Then he remembered his dreams of riding dragons, perching atop their heads and soaring through the skies.


    Bats'' flight probably resembled the sensation, but most definitelycked the power and might that a draconic beast had.


    A solemn look shed on Liam''s face for a split second, but he suppressed it and scoffed lightly.


    ''I won''t settle for cheap replications.''


    Nessa reached deeper into the dungeon, eventually reaching a smaller-sized Blood Bat curled up in the corner.


    She looked a bit fearful getting too close to one, but seeing how easily Nord tamed his, she pushed away any second thoughts.


    The Blood Bat noticed her and started to hiss, but Nessa held her ground.


    With a quick bite of her hand, she drew enough blood to fill the hollowness of her palm.


    Stretching it forward, she squinted her eyes with hope and waited for the Blood Bat to ept the offering.


    It took a bit more convincingpared to Nord''s, but eventually, the beast came around and started to shloop up the blood from Nessa''s hand, warming up to the human.


    ''She is growing,'' Rin gestured to Liam from the side. ''You helped her in that regard.''


    Liam shrugged indifferently. "Your turn now."


    Rin sighed.


    Any attempt at making small talk was instantly pped away by Lawrence, and she couldn''t find any foot in the door to ask about his life or forging method.


    Nheless, Rin was the third person to enter the dungeon and look for a bat. Hers was unsurprisingly the fastest to finish, too.


    Her violet eyes scoured the avable beasts and chose the one she assumed would be the best for her.


    She formed a quick cut on her palm and let one of the morerger beasts take a good amount of blood from her, sessfully forming a bond.


    With a lithe jump, Niveh jumped atop Nessa''s bat and settled behind her. Out of the four, she was the one easiest to speak to, and the vampire''s favorite.


    Then, it was Liam''s turn.


    The others were already halfway attempting to figure out the beast''s controls.


    A tuft of dark crimson fur gave them a seat behind the bat''s giant head, and to move it forward, they simply had to tug the hairs in a specific direction.


    Right as Liam took his first step into the cave, a bat from the deepest part of the dungeon let out a low hiss.


    At once, every Blood Bat fixed on Liam''s figure with hostile glimmers in their beady, scarlet eyes.


    Nord looked confused. Rin furrowed her brows. Niveh grew fearful while Nessa grimaced.


    Heaving a sigh, Liam shook his head, prepared to unsheathe his des.


    ''What now?''


    Liam already knew what it was.


    A peak Rank 3 Blood Bat. The pack leader, to be precise.


    From a steep slope on the furthest end of the den, it climbed out and stared at Liam with a violet gaze.


    Dragging itself with its spiked wings, it took haughty steps towards Liam, causing bits of the cave to shake due to its sheer size, spanning more than 6 meters tall.


    The surrounding bats flew away to make way for their alpha.


    Liam didn''t move, even as the beast towered over him.


    It let out a guttural growl, its huge, ruby-like eyes staring down at him. It slowly brought its head closer and closer to Liam''s, enough that its drool dripped below his feet and its foul breath entered his nostrils.


    Rin, who watched from atop her beast and had the most knowledge about magical beasts, knew exactly why the Blood Bat exited its dwelling. It made her widen her eyes in hidden shock.


    ¡­It felt threatened by Liam''s presence. It didn''t attack for the same reason.


    Magical beasts were prideful animals.


    The only time they grew docile, was when a significantly more powerful beast invaded their domain.


    Without so much as a flinch, Liam responded with a prating, pressurizing re of his own, his golden iris constricting vertically and causing the bat to considerably soften its growls.


    The silent staring conteststed for a good minute, but felt like hours to everyone watching.


    By the end of it, the Blood Bat lowered its head below Liam''s, its perked up ears drooping down just like its pride.


    "You can''t be serious¡­" Nord voiced with a dumbfounded look. Everyone else mirrored the same expressions.


    Liam suppressed a smile. He put his palm on the Blood Bat''s head, then perched on top of it as though it were a horse. Pulling its mane forward, it let out a slight screech and began to p its skinny wings with growing fervency.


    With an awkward hop over to the ledge, the giant bat leaped off the dungeon entrance, plunging towards the foot of the mountain at a terrifying speed.


    Liam couldn''t suppress his smile any longer.


    He felt alive!


    Gales of cold wind dragged his lustrous blonde hair and garment, making it flutter like a g.


    Just as the bat was about to smash face-first against the earth, it unfurled its wings and smoothly rode the gushing waves of air, ascending towards the skies and taking flight.

 Chapter 141 Luck

    <h4>Chapter 141 Luck</h4>


    "What are we waiting for?!" Nord shouted at his beastpanion. "Let''s go!"


    The delinquent yanked his beast''s fur forward, making the Bat stumble unstably, awkwardly unfurling its skinny wings and lurching over the dungeon cliff with an angry hiss at its rider.


    Nord nearly fell off the damn beast, hugging the bat''s mane with all his strength as he plunged towards the earth, screaming his lungs out with curses.


    Nivehughed wholeheartedly hearing the boy''s desperate cries. She looked towards Nessa.


    "Well? Go! What are you waiting for?"


    Nessa fumbled nervously for a second. She looked towards Rin.


    "Can you go first?"


    Rolling her eyes, Rin, as though she already had experience riding an aerial beast, controlled her bat and made it fly with precise movements.


    Watching her go, Nessa mustered her courage and mirrored her actions.


    Soon enough, she was soaring through the air with an ted smile.


    Meanwhile, Liam looked over his shoulder. His squad was a short distance away, but they all managed to figure out how their ride works.


    Bolts of crimson lightning spread through the churning clouds like cobwebs. More than once, Liam and the rest were nearly struck down, but narrowly missed.


    Shifting his attention to the Citadel, Liam estimated it would take at least five to six days to arrive there.


    From what Niveh had told him, there were special ''docking'' sites where you couldy down your beast and enter the city.


    Flying over the spires was a big no-no, since those structures belonged to the ruling ss of vampires. Little was known about them, as even upper vampires knew nothing except that they existed.


    Especially the teau. Liam''s eyesight could only make out the silhouette of the castle atop it, as pure mist enshrouded it like an ethereal dome.


    ¡­Presumably, Alucard lived there, but no one knew for sure.


    Even at that distance, the hair on his skin rose, warning him of danger.


    There wasn''t any particr goal that Liam had in mind. Simply mapping the city was enough, but it would help to know how the ce functioned.


    Until that time, Liam had nothing to do except cultivate.


    ///


    Five days passed.


    The Citadel was only a few more hours away. As the group got closer, they could see the smaller buildings and the streets that bustled with all kinds of vampires.


    It looked like a regr civilization, only the inhabitants sucked blood and lived off it. Not all vampires were practicing Blood Arts. Some were strong, yet weren''t built for fighting or killing.


    Structures closer to the teau looked much more grand, while those built towards the borders were more mild looking.


    Liam put on his hood. Other than their group, there were hundreds of others that rode on Blood Bats.


    Most of them followed a particr trajectory tond within the city, a ''runway'' of sorts paired with countless stations ¨C tall poles for the bats to hang off of and grip.


    The space was dark and provided shade for the Blood Bats to sleep in until their owners returned.


    [Follow the line and put your hoods on,] Liam transmitted to the rest.


    They responded with a quick nod, merging with the swarm of screeching bats that filled the air.


    Rounding up the runway, Liam lowered his beast and slowed it down. A few of the surrounding vampires ¨C both below him and beside ¨C looked at him amazed.


    Domineering a powerful Blood Bat required considerable skill and strength, and only higher vampires exclusively possessed that sort of ability.


    ''Damn it. Even this turned out against me,'' Liam thought with a grimace, pulling down his hood tighter.


    He chose one of the furthest stations tond his beast on, where there were little to no vampires around.


    With a low-pitched screech, the bat stretched out its ws and gripped the handle with them, halting its flight instantly.


    Liam dropped off the beast with a lithe step, then slowly spread his mental waves around the area.


    Towards the exit that led inside the city, an upper vampire that looked like a guard made note of the people entering.


    The Citadel had its ownw system, and its own army.


    The ''Nocturne Legion'', as they called it, was responsible for the safety of the city.


    As a bare minimum, the lowest ranked ''Bloodguards'' ¨C a fancy way of dubbing their soldiers ¨C were Rank 2 upper vampires.


    The Bloodguard stationed at the exit wore a single loose ck garment that didn''t cover his muscr but pale arms. His deep set scarlet eyes scanned every individual that passed by the stations.


    A stern expression wrapped around his face, but as he nced at Liam''s figure, he looked a bit nervous.


    ''Does he think I''m a higher vampire?''


    What luck!


    The rest followed suit, parking theirpanions and getting off to meet with Liam.


    At first, the n was torn between escaping through a different side of the docking stations, or letting Niveh do the talking with the guard.


    They didn''t really trust the vampire girl with that bit, though.


    [Change of ns. I''ll lead us in. You all stay quiet and follow.]


    Liam spoke the same words to Niveh, who looked confused at first, but then reluctantly nodded.


    They all pulled the hoods over their faces just a little more to be safe.


    Clearing his throat, Liam began leisurely walking towards the exit followed by his hooded group, ignoring the guard''s existence entirely.


    The man was a bit reluctant to call out, but nheless, he did, with the most respectful voice he could use.


    "Sir? Your name?"


    Liam halted his step, slowly creaking his head towards the vampire.


    Bloodlust wasn''t something an upper vampire could regrly emit, nor feel.


    Even during his fight with the Blooder, Liam couldn''t affect the higher vampire with his mental waves.


    But Liam was no longer a Rank 1 Magus.


    The Bloodguard had to suffer the full brunt of his unadulterated killing intent, making him recoil in fear and nearly vomit blood.


    "Please, forgive me," he begged in a strained voice, head lowered.


    Just then, Liam stopped, looked away, then resumed his leisurely steps with his group sticking closely behind him.

 Chapter 142 Little

    <h4>Chapter 142 Little</h4>


    Liam felt several pairs of eyes piercing holes in his back, but he promptly ignored them and focused his attention on the surroundings.


    ''That little trick won''tst forever. We need to map this ce out then bounce.''


    The first thing he noticed was the amount of ''Ora'' in the air. It was brilliantly pure and came in abundant amounts.


    Perhaps even better than the ''Ora'' Well back at the academy.


    The source was obvious. The giant teau ¨C nearly the size of fourrge mountains on top of one another ¨C radiated dense waves of ''Ora'' that spread throughout the city.


    The smell of blood was so pungent one could taste it.


    Now that they were slightly closer, Liam spotted countless lines of red that led upwards to the teau, stemming from the very ground they stood upon.


    Zooming in for a clearer inspection, Liam realized it was an upstream flow of pure blood.


    ''I know too little.''


    Smaller structures lining up the obsidian roads were made with interwoven bloodwood and dark stone.


    They were jagged and unruly in shape, with nocturnal creatures hanging off every corner they could find.


    Swarms of bats flew overhead and chirped, blood-eyed rats skittered around dark alleys.


    There were a few vampires wandering around here and there, but they looked rtively normal, if one could call them that.


    ''Loitering around as a group will eventually garner attention¡­ but splitting up has never been a good idea.''


    First, Liam wanted to know theyout of the city, what currency they used, what facilities they offered, and the likes.


    Not to mention, they needed somece to stay. Somece quiet and insignificant for them to rest in and maybe lose the suspicion they attract during their time here.


    That said, they still needed to explore the heart of the citadel, where all the ''important'' activity took ce in.


    Liam was careful not to stress his mental waves too much, since that could possibly alert the stronger ones of his presence.


    Instead, he kept his senses low to the ground, enough to know the precise number of people around him. With his newfound control, that wasn''t difficult.


    ''Good, some ces offer rooms.''


    Liam sensed a series of weird-shaped buildings that crowds of vampires passed through and entered further ahead.


    ''It''s still too crowded,'' Liam thought, annoyed.


    "What''s the goal?" Nord whispered as his vignt gaze scoured left and right.


    Liam realized he''d gone silent for some time. Sensing no one around to eavesdrop, he exined firmly:


    "We''ll just explore and note down our findings for now. Then we find a ce to stay in within the outskirts. Also, if there''s even a chance that you might have gotten found out, abort and run straight towards your bats."


    Exchanging a stern nod with his group, Liam shifted his attention to the surroundings once more.


    They passed by a spot that looked like a potion/alchemy store. Nessa''s eyes glittered with curiosity, yet the space was upied with vampires, making her grumble in annoyance.


    A few more interesting ces met their eyes.


    Blood Art stores were apparently coveted all around the Citadel. Flocks of rich looking vampires ¨C judging by their bright red garments and cold expressions ¨C filled thoserge buildings.


    There were arenas for vampires to fight against one another and even weapon stores, selling blood-made items that were ''enchanted'', from what Liam heard and saw.


    More than once, a series of Bloodguards passed by Liam''s group. They also had their own base, which was swarming with powerful guards and Rank 3 higher vampires.


    ''Gotta avoid that.''


    Meanwhile, the vampires'' currency resembled hardened blood tokens. The purer the blood, the more valuable the token.


    As they traversed the streets, Niveh asked if she could split off and do her own thing, but Liam firmly denied her request.


    "I only have a little bit of Bloodtokens saved up. Can''t you let me enjoy myself?"


    ''Well, that solves our money problems,'' Liam thought derisively.


    Eventually, Liam decided to call it a day and headed away from the main attractions, moving towards the outskirts where the number of people dimmed and the air grew a lot more eerie.


    Around dark alleys, sketchy looking vampires hid, presumably looking for a victim to rob.


    Liam''s group of five didn''t look weak at all, and no one dared to attack.


    Eventually, they arrived at a run-down triangle shaped building, lined beside small houses.


    They muddled through the circr entrance to see a pale, wrinkly, unkempt old hag crept up behind a counter.


    A weing expression gripped her indifferent face, but her weak Nexus tingled when she nced over at Liam.


    She began with a respectful greeting, but received none in response. The short one wearing ck walked over, his face obscured.


    "One room, how much for one week?"


    "Er, ten tokens," the hag responded, unsure whether to increase her fee or not.


    Liam took out ten circr bloodtokens from under his sleeve and threw it on the woman''s desk. A grumble sounded behind him, but he ignored it.


    The old hag suppressed any annoyance from appearing on her face, picking up the tokens with a forced smile before handing Liam his key and directions to the room.


    Making their way to the room, they quickly realized it wasn''t much.


    It was lit by a single blue me fixed above a dirty bed, and denied them the chance to practice their specializations due to the limited space.


    "I choose the bed," Niveh proimed, already settling below the nkets and beating Nord to the punch.


    Rin gestured to the corner and imed it, silently cultivating as she faced the wall.


    Nessa looked ufortable with how the room looked.


    "Too dirty for your tastes, your majesty?" Nord teased, sarcasm dripping from his tone.


    Nessa scowled, her cheeks getting a bit red with anger. "Not all nobles are rich, idiot. Are these the living conditions you''re used to?"


    Nord shrugged and picked a corner toy down in.


    "Not like I ever had a choice."

 Chapter 143 Hunt

    <h4>Chapter 143 Hunt</h4>


    The Bloodguard overseeing the bats'' docking stations couldn''t shake off the encounter he had with the higher vampire.


    Higher vampires had a reputation of being proud, haughty and arrogant pieces of work. Despite nearly killing him, he knew his troubles wouldn''t end there.


    If anything, he might even get relieved of his duties and executed just for not recognizing authority. A brutal society it was.


    A giant Blood Bat ¨C a pack leader ¨C shadowing the skies and slowing over the runway brought the guard out of his musings. He cursed loudly.


    Another higher vampire!


    The man watched as a broad-shouldered, ruby-haired and cold-faceddy gently got off her beast and began walking towards him.


    Instantly, he lowered his head and made way, but that remark didn''t go unnoticed by the woman.


    "What''s wrong with you?" she questioned, making the guard curse his fate once more.


    "N-nothing, Ma''am," the guard fumbled and shifted ufortably in ce.


    The woman scowled, leaning closer. "Tell me. Now."


    Letting out a short sigh at his sealed fate, the guard spoke with a reluctant tone, mentioning the specifics of his disrespectful encounter with another higher vampire.


    As the Bloodguard spoke, he realized the woman''s expression was growing more and more enraged. He knew he had only a few more minutes of life remaining.


    "There isn''t any scheduled visit from a Legionnaire except me. What did he look like?"


    Huh?


    "I¡­ didn''t see his face. He wore ck and was together with 4 others. Ma''am¡­ he made me cough blood. Was that¡­ not a real Legionnaire?"


    The woman frowned. Saying nothing, she stretched out her right hand.


    With an eerie caw, arge crow with beady red eyes split the air from above and perched on her arm.


    Shifting her gaze to it, she spoke one word.


    "Hunt."


    ///


    Two days passed.


    Liam slowly gathered intel regarding the city, leaving the inn alone and sticking close to the shadows.


    The city ran through magical constructs powered by blood themselves. They were basically imitations of normal inscriptions and formations, only weaker and more primitive.


    It helped that his presence concealing ability had been enhanced to an amazing level. Even his smell was hidden.


    That didn''t stop a few daring hoodlums from attacking him.


    They were dealt with shortly and their Nexus'' were stored.


    Other than that, his findings were satisfactory.


    In short, the Citadel was ruled by tenrge families, further emphasized by the ten giant spires erected around the teau that nobody could get within 200 meters of.


    They were oligarchs whosebined wealth presumably rivaled that of Echorian Royalty.


    The political system was simr to the nobles back in Echoria, only here, authority was considerably more iron-handed.


    Higher vampires were called Legionnaires, and they were greatly respected and known.


    In hindsight, pretending to be one wasn''t wise, since it could bite him in the back.


    ¡­Oh well. What could go wrong?


    They were gonna stay there for a few more days anyway, mapping out at least one section of the Citadel.


    The city was too big to explore fully, and Liam honestly felt like he had a leash on his freedom.


    Every second spent in the Citadel felt like time wasted, and Liam needed to get back to the academy to experiment and grow stronger peacefully.


    On that note, he did covertly practice a bit with his illusionary abilities that came with his eye.


    All Liam had to do in order to make it work was shape his mental energy into any form he wanted, think of the color, then flick on a ''switch'' in his eye.


    Just like that, a ripple of iridescent light would spread through the air and disy an ethereal de or sword or whatever Liam had imagined.


    It wasn''t perfect by any means¡­ but it could definitely prove useful now and again.


    Other than that, Liam couldn''t suppress the urge to test out absorbing vampire''s blood. More specifically, the Blooder''s.


    Fixing himself a rtively safe ce to work in ¨C an abandoned area within the distant outskirts ¨C he began to examine and study Vxich''s blood.


    There was a crucialponent he was missing in order to practice Blood Arts like an actual vampire.


    Blood maniption.


    Liam needed to find a way to control his blood.


    There was always ''Ora'' maniption, but that didn''t have the precision and control to harden or shape blood into a desired form.


    Liam had a few theories on how to learn and force that ability into his own body.


    The first was the purified blood.


    Although he wasn''t 100% on it, he imagined that refined and enhanced blood entering his bloodstream would eventually attune to his body. Even if the blood was from a vampire.


    The King''s Eye had actually supported that argument.


    There wasn''t anything in the blood that was specifically designed for a vampire''s body.


    In other words, it was simr to a human''s, only more pure.


    Liam''s idea was crazy, like all his other inspirations, and anyone would be right in calling him a maniac.


    In short, that ''idea'' consisted of slowly recing all the blood in his body with purified vampire blood, at a pace that his body won''t outright reject.


    Then, he would gorge down the Nexus'' stored in his ring, starting with the Blooder''s, and eventually working his way to those under.


    Obviously, he didn''t know if eating a center of power was going to have any effect, but at this point, why not?


    Liam took several safeguards before attempting anything ¨C mainly eating the remaining body strengthening/nourishing pills ¨C but eventually, he began.


    For the first step, he diluted small amounts of Vxich''s blood with his own.


    For one, that would have definitely reduced the purity of the blood, but would be much safer for his body to ingest.


    ''There''s plenty of it remaining. I can afford to be safe.''


    Tensing his hand, his nails grew ck and lengthy. In the next moment, he slowly dipped his fingers into the container of blood.


    A euphoric feeling pulsed through Liam''s blood, reddening his pale face. He was tempted to absorb more, but held off the urge.


    A momentter, his decision proved correct, as the pleasurable feeling was reced by a cruel pain.

 Chapter 144 Sacrifice

    <h4>Chapter 144 Sacrifice</h4>


    Almost instantly, pangs of agony forced Liam on his knees.


    The blood felt like it was digging into his skin and viciously gnawing his flesh, paired with magma flowing through his veins.


    Normally, Liam was used to such pain. Yet even with his added status as a Rank 2 Magus, it wasn''t ignorable.


    Thick veins bulged all over his body as he suppressed the urge to shout.


    However, he didn''t stay idle as his body readily rejected the purified blood.


    Amidst the burning, piercing and paralyzing feelings, he began to guide the blood and spread it throughout his circtory system using his mental waves.


    It dimmed the pain to a bearable amount, since it wasn''t concentrated on one spot.


    At the same time, it eased his body in epting the vampire''s blood.


    Liam let out a shaky breath.


    It wasn''t done there.


    He took out the Rank 3 Nexus from his ring. The majority of lifeforce inside the organ was preserved, but it looked less bright than before.


    As a safety measure, Liam waited until he saw signs of his body getting attuned to the blood.


    It took an hour, but he felt his skin getting colder, albeit the pain lingered.


    ''Starting instantly with the Blooder''s heart wouldn''t be ideal¡­ but a Rank 3 Nexus has blood maniption abilities.''


    Gritting his teeth, Liam mped his teeth on the heart and bit off arge chunk.


    The urge to vomit had never been stronger. Even raw magical beast meat wasn''t as foul as a vampire''s heart.


    Liam retched and gagged, but held back the nauseating taste and forced it down his throat, not sparing even the fleshy tendrils.


    Like so, after four bites, the Nexus was fully consumed.


    Instantly, his body protested with an even greater burst of pain.


    His stomach acids began to boil, as though it was going to melt through his organs.


    Still, his body held on.


    All Liam could do was slightly lessen the cruel bacsh of consuming a Rank 3 center of power.


    As the excruciating hours flew by, the Blooder''s organ started to melt into Liam''s body, fusing together with him.


    There was no magical ''awakening'' of any kind. At least, not instantly.


    However, Liam could feel a difference with the refined blood he absorbed. It was like he formed an extremely faint connection with it.


    Despite the pain, an ear-to-ear smile formed on Liam''s face.


    It worked!


    ¡­Somewhat. The connection was too faint for Liam to control or know what to do with.


    ''...I have to strengthen it.''


    A momentter, he diluted another mixture of Vxich''s blood with his own, then absorbed it through his nails.


    The same horrible pain ensued, forcing Liam toy t against the stony floor, grunting and groaning.


    As it subsided, Liam felt the connection ever so slightly strengthen.


    A momentter, he took out another Nexus. With a heavy breath, he bit down and hurriedly chewed like a wild animal.


    Again, besides boiling inside, the connection between his blood and body grew, like weaving one string to another.


    Another hour passed.


    ''I should stop,'' Liam thought, feeling like he was thrown into an incinerator then stabbed all over.


    ''I can feel it naturally growing, but too much stress could shatter it all together and ruin my body.''


    Taking a moment to revitalize himself and cultivate, Liam got up and headed back to the inn they stayed in.


    His eye was a bit bloodshot, but that wouldn''t look strange to his crew.


    As he passed by, his gaze couldn''t help but fall on the teau, enshrouded by the mist.


    ''Alucard¡­ from what I''ve heard, nobody has seen him for thousands of years. Is he even in there?''


    Revel seemed to think Liam could ''perforate fear'' into his Nexus, but Liam let out a weakugh remembering that. He smiled.


    One day.


    Soon enough, he arrived, entering through the single back window of the space.


    "Why were you gone for so long? We were getting worried," Nessa said, irked.


    "Rin was gonna begin forging and burn the entire ce to the ground. The other two idiots wanted to run out and check out the fighting arenas."


    Liam gave the three a stern re, but they conveniently avoided his gaze. The wall was an interesting thing to look at, apparently.


    "Three more days. After that, we''re leaving for good," Liam nned, thenid down on the free side of the room.


    An entire district was mapped out in the span of two days, while another was halfway done. As soon as that wasplete, they would leave once and for all.


    "I have to say," Nessa voiced with a meek tone. "Despite working with you guys for nearly a year¡­we barely know each other. Why don''t we share a bit about how we got here?"


    Liam hummed nomittally, Rin raised a brow, Nord scoffed derisively.


    "Now you ask?" Nord questioned. Although the boy kept a stern face, Liam could tell he wanted to know more.


    "It''s not like you have anything to do except cultivate," Nessa responded snidely. "Besides, you already know all about my origins, why can''t I know yours?"


    A long silence followed.


    Surprisingly, Nord was the first to break the ice.


    "There''s not much to say, really. I was born in a middle-of-nowhere vige, to a mother that died after giving birth, and a father that disappeared right after."


    Nord''s voice was solemn and cold at the same time.


    "Most of my people regarded me as a bad omen because of my eye color¡­ calling me "cursed" or whatnot. Even my brothers and sisters avoided me," his tone grew colder. "They were right, though."


    "The first thing I did when I got a tempering method was butcher every viger in that ce."


    Nessa flinched, looking at Nord''s indifferent eyes with a trembling gaze. Liam still had his back to the wall, and Rin gave the boy a probing look.


    "Pretty much it. I enjoyed fighting them enough that I wanted to do it again and again until my death," Nord gestured to Rin, concluding the exnation. "You next."


    The deaf girl said nothing for a solid minute, before sighing as she shook her head. With no particr expression on her face, she gestured:


    ''I was a sacrifice.''

 Chapter 145 Hijack

    <h4>Chapter 145 Hijack</h4>


    Everyone raised a brow.


    "Sacrifice to what?" Nord questioned. Eventually, he picked up on the signnguage shtick.


    ''Dragon,'' Rin gestured back. ''A Rank 5.''


    Liam widened his eye in slight shock, turning his attention to the girl.


    Everyone else looked just as stunned, except Niveh, who had no idea what they were saying.


    Seeing Liam sit up from his sleeping ce, Rin let out an amused chuckle.


    "Rank 5?!" Nessa eximed, like she didn''t believe her words. "Impossible¡­ how? Beasts like that are too dangerous to live around normal civilizations. Their presence alone creates a Rank 5 Death Zone."


    ''Death Zones'' were areas that high ranking beasts inhabited within the wilderness.


    Such areas were ssified by their danger levels, ranging from Rank 4 to Rank 6. They didn''t always specify a beast living there. Sometimes, the climate and conditions of a location was simply too dangerous to venture into.


    As far as Liam knew, Death Zones were deste and abandoned areas that no human, Zenith or not, dared to venture through without reason. Unless of course, they came heavily armed and prepared.


    ''It lived under the earth. I remember it clearly. It was nearly the size of a mountain, and was covered in giant white scales.''


    Rin paused for a bit. There was a solemn and deep emotion in her violet eyes, but she continued.


    ''My people wanted to sacrifice me to it in exchange for attaining its ''sacred power'', whatever that meant. They entered itsir all at once, with me tied up as a meal.''


    Rin''s lips curled upwards to form a disturbing smile.


    ''Instead, the dragon ughtered them all with the flick of his w¡­ and spared me. I still don''t know why¡­ but one day, I will find out.''


    After that, Rin went silent.


    Liam lowered his head in thought.


    ''Magical beasts get moreplicated as the ranks progress¡­It''s clear she''s hiding most of the story, though.''


    He raised his head, only to see everyone staring at him in silence.


    "There''s nothing interesting about my past."


    That was all Liam said, before turning his head andying down to sleep. Obviously, he wasn''t sleeping.


    His mental waves were always on guard in case there could be an attack of any sort.


    "C''mon..." Nord said, disappointed. "Give us something more than that..."


    A long silence followed, making the group think Liam wouldn''t respond. They were about to move on, but Liam spoke.


    "Stars. I want to touch the stars."


    He owed them that much at least.


    Nord nodded in silent approval. Rin raised her brows, and Nessa was taken aback.


    ///


    The next three days passed swiftly.


    The group discreetly investigated different parts of the Citadel with seemingly no difficulty.


    Liam resumed his schedule of absorbing blood, eating a Nexus, and resting.


    Something he added to that was killing hostile vampires that lived in sketchy back alleys.


    They were basically criminals, and no one would even care that they went missing.


    Meanwhile, Liam''s connection with his refined blood grew to a decent amount.


    More than 1/15th of his body was now attuned with that liquid.


    Eventually, Liam decided to test it out.


    Forming a tiny vertical cut on his palm, he tried to manipte the blood without the usage of ''Ora''.


    Nothing happened.


    Blood simply gathered into Liam''s palms and continued to flow, making him disappointed.


    He increased his consumption of Nexus'', even eating two per day.


    Liam was intent on eating even more, but held himself back in case it had a dire effect on his body.


    After the eighth heart was consumed, Liam focused on the newfound connection he had with his blood.


    Slowly, the liquid changed shape!


    It twisted and turned as Liam arduously shaped it to.


    It was a bizarre feeling, manipting his own bodily fluids ¨C like moving a limb without any bones.


    Unfortunately, Liamcked the ability to harden his blood like a regr Blood Arts user.


    In time, that would change.


    Soon enough, the three days were over.


    Liam left his ''workshop'' ¨C which was really just an abandoned chamber in the outskirts ¨C and headed shot straight towards the inn.


    As he made his way, a cawing noise entered his ears. He shifted his gaze above.


    A raven had its beady eyes fixed right on Liam''s, circling above his figure.


    Liam grimaced.


    ''Have we been found?''


    Slowly, he lowered his head. A secondter, his hand blurred, and three needles shot at the raven''s body, piercing through it and exploding into dense gas.


    It let out a screeching caw, then desperately pped its pierced and corroding wings to escape.


    Instead, it plunged to the ground, where Liam promptly severed it in half with his shortsword.


    Blood sttered on the obsidian floor.


    A long distance away, a ruby-haired woman surrounded by armored Bloodguards opened her crimson eyes with a churning anger.


    "Eastern Gate, near the Outskirts. Go!"


    ///


    Liam cursed loudly at hiscency.


    He instantly changed direction and started to run towards the north.


    Meanwhile, his legs started to transform into dark mist, making him look like a blurry wraith.


    At the same time, he spread his senses fully.


    From the north and west, he could feel distant groups of Bloodguards converging on his location.


    In the distance, even armored Blood Bats were rapidly flying to his location.


    ''Damn it! We can''t even head back to our rides!''


    Taking out his Jade, he instantly connected it to Nord''s. A second passed, and it flickered to life.


    "Yeah¡ª"


    "We''ve been found. Quietly leave the inn through the window and avoid the Bloodguards. Meet me on the north side where the bats pass through the runway."


    Liam''s undisturbed voice gave the others a levelhead to think calmly. Even Nessa didn''t panic.


    Without pause, the group put on their hoods and left through the back window one by one.


    Despite being focused, their hearts were uneasy. They were still young, after all. Dying in a foreignnd wasn''t part of their ns.


    Meanwhile, Liam rounded up arge obsidian tower and climbed it with wide strides. Ten handspans above, a swarm of Blood Bats flew past.


    The runway was, as he thought, swarming with vampires. From the high vantage point, he could see twenty soldiers waiting for anyone suspicious.


    Running away on foot was definitely impossible, thus, Liam had a different n in mind.


    ''How do I hijack a bat midair?''

 Chapter 146 Chase

    <h4>Chapter 146 Chase</h4>


    Liam watched with furrowed brows as Blood Bats tore through the air, a cacophony of screeches ringing through the air.


    He needed to subdue one, and fast.


    It wouldn''t be long before they were found.


    He kept himself hidden pretty well, but the armored Blood Bats over the skies were rapidlybing the ground. They were pretty damn fast, too.


    Zooming distantly, he spotted Nord, Rin, Niveh and Nessa moving towards the north.


    They were smart enough to split up and not move as a group, seamlessly blending in with the crowd.


    Good. He didn''t have to worry about them.


    Liam''s mind raced.


    He couldn''t just use his des to strike down a Blood Bat and potentially kill it.


    Not to mention, failing miserably would no doubt grab the attention of his pursuers.


    He had one chance to grab onto a decent Blood Bat midair, kick or kill off the person riding it, then circle around and pick up his crew.


    Whether or not he could be discreet was an issue forter.


    Heaving a sigh, Liam closed his eye and dimmed the noise around him, honing his focus to a de''s sharpness.


    Absolute serenity calmed his mind, dispelling any paranoid or anxious thoughts.


    When he opened his eye, he wasn''t worried anymore.


    Slowly, Liam cocked his body just below the tower''s tip. Simultaneously, theyer under his skin hummed, tightening his already tense muscles.


    With his target in sights, Liam''s knees sprang like a coiled spring, propelling him through the air with explosive speed!


    He must''ve miscalcted the strength in his body, since he reached a height of 16 meters in less than an instant!


    At the peak of his ascension, Liam felt as though a lightning bolt was about to tear through the churning clouds and strike him back down.


    Thankfully, no such thing happened.


    But¡­ what goes up, muste down.


    Liam began to plunge rapidly, like a torn kite falling down, guided only by the gales of wind.


    WOOOSH!


    Below him was the stream of Blood Bats¡­ only, he was a little too far to the side.


    Liam didn''t have time to curse, as the bat closest to him was swiftly passing by.


    Leaning himself forward to ride the waves of wind, Liam spread his arms to slow down his dive and control his trajectory.


    Meanwhile, the vampire riding the beast waspletely oblivious to the raining figure above him.


    He was casually steering his beast when Liam shot at him from the side, de in hand, sticking it into the vampire''s neck and using the man''s body to cushion his fall.


    That¡­ turned out to be a mistake.


    The vampire''s grip on the bat''s fur was still tight as he died. As soon as Liam killed him and essentially used him as a pillow, he fell lifelessly on one side and the bat began to tilt excessively.


    WOOOSH!


    Cursing, Liam barely managed to catch the bat''s hair as it slowly rolled and started to fly upside down. The vampire''s corpse fell right off, but the screeching bat didn''t stop flying.


    At that point, the onlookers in the distance caught sight of the bat and thought some sort of event was taking ce.


    Instantly, they began cheering!


    Hanging like a loose thread in the wind, Liam shifted his bnce and pulled himself up from the beast''s hair, and in doing so, caused the bat to perform an inverted nosedive straight towards the earth.


    Liam''s grip slipped more than once, but he pulled himself up by the skin of his teeth.


    Just as he and the bat were about to smash t against a building and turn to mush, Liam pulled upwards, missing death by an inch.


    The crowd of vampires roared and started to cheer loudly.


    At that point, it was impossible for Liam not to get noticed by the Bloodguards, both aerial and onnd.


    Even the Legionnaire noticed him as she made her way towards the north. An enraged grimace formed on her face as she increased her speed.


    "Is¡­ is that him?" Nord muttered to himself in amazement. Grounding his teeth, he used wind to bolster his speed.


    Rin did the same with a slight frown on her face. Her feet burst with miniature explosions as she jumped across buildings with wide strides.


    Nessa and Niveh began to synchronize their abilities ¨C the former used a heavy water spell that catapulted both of them forward, and thetter used her strings to direct theirunch and soften theirnding.


    There weren''t too many people that saw their abilities, since they were in a fairly deste area of the outskirts.


    Those that did were visibly shocked.


    Vampires had a dark underside. Liam himself had seen so. Within the deeper parts of the city, fresh human parts were being sold for a heavy price.


    Hearts, hands, limbs, skin, eyes, even nails. Human flesh was a delicacy, and their blood was even more so. They were grown in farms, after all.


    So to see their cattle using powerful abilities, gave them a jolt of disbelief.


    Meanwhile, Liam steadied his mount, scouring the ground for his group''s sight.


    Finding them, he did a sharp turn and lowered himself to the ground.


    ''Faster! Fly faster!'' Liam shouted inwardly, sensing the armored Blood Bats, Bloodguards and Legionnaire making a beeline towards him.


    Blood-red auras grew in his vision as several long-ranged attacks shot at him from behind ¨C bullets, javelins,s meant to ensnare his beast, and w-shaped arcs of blood.


    Liam promptly swerved and rolled his beast. Most of the bigger attacks whizzed by, but a blood bullet managed to pierce his beast''s flesh, forcing it to screech in pain.


    Still, it flew on, only a bit slower than normal.


    In a moment, Nord and Liam were going to intercept.


    The red-eyed boy ran with all his strength and then leapt through the air, his hands stretched.


    At once, Liam''s hand sped tightly with his, and he threw the boy over the beast.

 Chapter 147 Pet

    <h4>Chapter 147 Pet</h4>


    "You''re actually crazy!" Nord shouted as heughed thrillingly, even as the Bloodguards were readily closing the distance.


    Liam ignored the remark and flew towards Rin next.


    The deaf girl''s feet boomed with a burst of explosive mes as she barely managed to intercept the ride, grabbing onto Nord''s hand and rolling onto the tufts of bat fur.


    Niveh and Nessa followed right after. With the added pair of hands, they pulled each other up with rtive ease.


    From then on, Liam headed straight towards Jack''s location.


    "Contact Jack, tell him we''reing and bringing some friends."


    Liam''s voice was disturbingly calm, but that only instilled confidence in his group.


    Nessa instantly took out her Jade and did as he instructed.


    Tailing them not far behind were about two dozen armored Blood Bats, with a tall, mean lookingdy at the forefront, standing atop her beast.


    "We''re dead! We''re dead!" Niveh uttered repeatedly, anxiously looking over her shoulder and meeting the woman''s bloodthirsty gaze. "That''s Madam Ursul, the Sanguine Witch!"


    As she said those words, the Legionnaire flicked her wrist.


    Coagtions of blood gathered around her palms to form two long, transparent sickles.


    She hurled them at Liam''s back with unreal speed, but as he evaded, the scythes clipped off arge chunk of flesh from the bat.


    The beast let out another screech of pain, its speed dulled once more.


    Meanwhile, Liam''s eye held a dark light as he swerved his ride and barely dodged the flurry of attacks shot at them.


    ''If I eat another Rank 3 Nexus, won''t my blood maniption get stronger?''


    Nord and Rin blocked most of the attacks aiming for the bat''s main body, but the Bloodguards shifted their attention to the wings.


    Liam looked over his shoulder as his group struggled to defend against the tide of vampires.


    Nord used most of his spells to push back the assault, his face growing slightly paler.


    Nessa was in the same boat, but she gulped down an elixir and resumed shooting streams of water from her hands.


    In between, she''d sneak in a ''fire surge'' potion at them, which erupted into red mes that killed two of the chasers.


    Nessa burst into cheers, oblivious to her change in personality.


    Meanwhile, Rin was the most effective in countering the attackers. She hurled inscribed daggers that exploded upon contact with the bats, along with fireballs andnces of fire.


    The number of chasers were halved, yet the biggest threat was not taken care of.


    "Coat the bat''s wounds with your strings," Liam suddenly ordered Niveh. Letting go of the bat''s reins, he looked to Nessa. "You drive."


    The noble looked confused, but Liam already left the bat''s head and walked to its back.


    "Where are you going?!" Nessa asked with an incredulous tone, but grumbled with a curse and gripped the bat''s mane.


    Liam''s probing gaze locked with the Legionnaire''s, sparks forming in their scarlet and golden irises as they gauged each other''s strength.


    ''She''s stronger than Vxich, that''s for sure,'' Liam''s eye turned cold. ''But then so am I.''


    Slowly, the Sanguine Witch was getting closer. Her red lips curled upwards to form a sadistic smile, disying her razor-sharp canines. Another pair of sickles formed in her hands, but she didn''t throw them.


    Nessa continuously swerved and moved in unpredictable ways to evade the iing attacks, but the chase wasn''t close to being over.


    They were still two weeks of flying away from reaching Jack''s location, after all.


    Nord and Rin gave Liam a worried side nce.


    Why were they looking at each other like that?


    Liam simply had his ck des unsheathed as he stared at the Rank 3 vampire in calm silence.


    The distance was readily getting closed, and the Sanguine Witch''s smile grew broader.


    Suddenly, under everyone''s incredulous gaze, Liam crouched, activated Fleeting Foot, slid his feet behind the bat''s rear, then leapt forward like a tightened spring at the Rank 3 vampire.


    Madam Ursul smiled joyously at Liam''s arrival. From just a nce, she knew what he was nning to do.


    All she needed to do to end the fight then and there was to change her bat''s direction and let Liam plunge to his death.


    ¡­But she didn''t.


    Her cheeks were flushed red as her sickles smashed against Liam''s wakizashi and katana.


    CLING!


    "I LOVE THE CRAZY ONES! BECOME MY PET!"


    A barrage of instantaneous attacks followed as soon as Liam found his footing.


    Liam focused all his pressure and bloodlust on the vampire, making her wince in pain and recoil, but the smile didn''t leave her euphoric face.


    Shards of hardened blood and dark bone from their weapons started to shatter.


    Deep, corroding cuts started to appear all over the vampire''s body.


    Liam let loose his chains and needles, followed by quick executions of his martial arts.


    Slowly, the smile on her lips started to die down. As the fight continued, her ted expression changed to one of worry.


    She hadn''tnded a single strike!


    Any time she was about to, her sickle went straight through Liam''s misty body.


    Meanwhile, entire chunks of her flesh were cleaved right off.


    Ducking under the sickle that was nearly severed off his head, Liam activated Cartge Brace and shot four needles at Ursul''s neck, then weaved in and attempted to thrust his katana into her chest.


    The Sanguine Witch sidestepped while her pores secreted a membrane that slowly covered her body, barely evading the needles.


    Liam watched in slow motion.


    It was his first time fighting seriously since advancing to a Rank 2 Magus, but every movement he made was crisp and precise, like his mind and body were one.


    Not to mention, he predicted every one of the vampire''s attacks and didn''t attain even a single wound.


    What he saw before as an imprable defense, was now filled with openings he could take advantage of.


    Liam''s shortsword tore through a spot in the membrane before it fully formed, piercing through the Witch''s abdomen.


    Before she could counter appropriately, Liam''s katana changed trajectory mid attack.


    Instead of aiming for the chest, it changed target and swiped horizontally against the woman''s neck, cleanly severing off her head in one swift movement.


    Thest thing she saw before her vision went dark was Liam''s grim and mocking smile.


    "You said something about a pet?"

 Chapter 148 Human

    <h4>Chapter 148 Human</h4>


    Liam stored the Sanguine Witch''s body, even grabbing onto her dislodged head with his chains before it flew away.


    The remaining vampires instantly lost their courage with the Legionnaire''s death.


    Why would they try to fight someone their superior couldn''t kill?


    They''d rather live for another day. Although the higher-ups could potentially execute them for cowardice, they''d gamble their chances.


    Instantly, they turned around and headed towards the distant Citadel.


    ¡­But Liam chased after them.


    Zooming towards the Citadel, he realized there was no backup in sight, meaning the dearly departed Madam Ursul hadn''t ordered for any.


    Or, she simply didn''t order them to chase.


    Lower vampires strictly followed the instructions given by their leaders, and the Sanguine Witch clearly thought she was above receiving support.


    At the same time, Liam didn''t want any witnesses to the battle he just had.


    There weren''t too many cultivators that could wield darkness, after all.


    If they were to make an effort and search for him, they could narrow down their inquiry and find him with ease.


    If that were to happen, Liam didn''t doubt he would be used as a pawn to soothe things over.


    ''Not gonna happen.''


    As Rin, Nord, Nessa and Niveh went one direction, he went the other, trailing after the remaining five.


    Liam was atop an armored, peak Rank 3 Blood Bat, and its speed was way fasterpared to the others.


    In a sh, he soared towards the nearest vampire, whose already pale skin grew even paler, swiftlyunching three needles into each wing of the beast it rode.


    Liam''s aim was on point.


    The needles tore through the skinny membranes between the bony wings of the bat, then exploded, corroding through and making it lose the ability to fly.


    Only the main body of the bats were armored, and their wings were freely exposed.


    The vampire''s screams and the bat''s screeching eventually faded as they both plunged downwards, consumed by the thickyer of fog enshrouding the ground.


    Liam''s vertical iris constricted, shifting between the other four.


    "What are you?!" one of the vampires shrieked as Liam pulled up behind it, shooting another barrage of needles that clipped the bat''s flying ability.


    The other three were dealt with in a simr fashion.


    All they could do was throw random attacks in a panic, but they were too distraught for any tond.


    Liam swiftly retrieved two of their corpses midair before they tumbled down, then began flying back to his group.


    ''I have a good amount of vampire hearts left in my rings. With the Witch''s, my blood maniption prowess could even double.''


    ''I''m not even done with draining Vxich''s body, too.''


    A smile formed on Liam''s lips despite the dire circumstances.


    There was much to be excited for.


    ///


    Crimson lightning struck the mountain peaks, between and below which two Blood Bats flew with a short distance between them.


    Soon enough, Liam caught up with his group.


    At first, they were prepared to attack him, thinking he was the Witch or some other Legionnaire, but quickly realized he wasn''t.


    "You crazy bastard!" Nord shouted, not bothering to hide his amazed and loud voice. Heughed. "You keep taking all the glory!"


    Rin shook her head in defeat.


    In a way, she imagined that Lawrence''s strength was a little above her own. Now, her previous thought of him bing a Rank 2 Magus wasn''t too far fetched anymore, yet she had no way to confirm it.


    "I''m surrounded by crazies¡­ every single one of you," Nessa uttered under her breath as she maneuvered her mount.


    Niveh was just thankful she epted Liam''s offer, remaining silent and avoiding his piercing gaze.


    "What happened to that woman?" Nord eventually asked over her shoulder. "We couldn''t see because of the fog and growing distance."


    Liam said nothing and simply maintained some space between him and his group, cultivating in silence as the soft gusts of wind pulled his hair back.


    In truth, he took a slight gamble when performing his little stunt. He wanted to keep the Rank 3 Nexus without his group members having any right to ask for it, but he underestimated just how fast he dealt with the Legionnaire.


    "She fell off."


    Was all Liam responded with.


    ///


    The two weeks of travel passed quickly.


    At one point, Liam had taken his group under the Witch''s bat in order to reach their location faster.


    During the time period, he couldn''t do much except eat, cultivate and keep a lookout for anyone trailing them.


    Thankfully, they were far enough from the Citadel. Even if anybody was following them, it would take a simr period of time for them to meet up.


    On the way, Rin began to mark and jot down the various farms and Feeding Grounds they passed by. There were too many to count.


    Liam made sure to fly low through the Blooder''s territory, so as not to alert the other domain rulers.


    ''Though¡­ I could use another Rank 3 Nexus¡­''


    Liam shook his head. He was being a little bit too ambitious. Settling for what he had was enough for the current time.


    Eventually, they reached the foggy cliff where the Korsannds met the blood-red sea.


    Liam ''parked'' the bat just before they went through the misty areas. They would walk the rest of the distance on foot, since the bat was a little too big to fit inside the boat.


    Before they passed through, Liam exchanged a knowing nod with Rin.


    Upon entering the wraith infested area, Rin simply hurled a simple firence spell that cleared open a path. Several shrieks rang out as the ''will-breakers'' ¨C the nickname Rin had given the ghosts ¨C were vanquished.


    The group instantly passed through and climbed down the docking port where the ship was.


    "Took you all long enough," a voiceined. A momentter, arge form blurred, revealing the darkwood ship with a slightly cranky looking man atop of it.


    Looking at the disheveled, exhausted and cold-faced youths, Jack realized he had it quite easypared to them. His lips curled to an awkward smile.


    "Wee back."

 Chapter 149 Cycle

    <h4>Chapter 149 Cycle</h4>


    As everyone entered the ship, Jack didn''t waste a second and exited the cliff cavity, making a beeline towards Echoria.


    Unrelentingly, the tumultuous waves were chaotic as ever, smashing against the darkwood ship and swaying it unstably.


    Liam stayed out for a while with his eye keenly stuck to the Korsannds, just in case an unexpected enemy appeared.


    Everyone else had entered their cabins, desperate for rest.


    Gradually, the sounds of lightning striking the ground faded in the background.


    Half an hour passed, and there was no attacker on sight. Thends grew further and further apart, and Liam lost the interest to keep looking at it.


    Overall, a decent experience, all things considered.


    Liam had gotten the chance to finally advance to a Rank 2 Magus, while making massive improvements to his Blood Weaving and understanding of the vampirguage.


    Not to mention, the blood maniption he was itching to test out, and the remaining hearts he needed to eat...


    "You can give me the fill now. I''m sorry about Gerald, by the way¡­ he was a good kid," Jack kept his voice low, pity visible in his eyes. A moment prior, the sailor had awkwardlymunicated to Niveh and gave her an empty room in the cabin.


    Liam gave a terse hum in response, before telling Jack the events of what happened during the past half a year.


    The man''s expression changed like the colors of a rainbow, but his shock at Liam''s thinking and nning was the most prominent.


    After an hour passed, Jack was at a loss for words.


    Concluding his exnation, Liam began to head towards the ship cabin. "I''ll be in my room."


    Alone again, Liam grinned.


    He instantly took out Vxich''s body, but not before concealing his presence to any unwanted snooping.


    Rin was especially guilty of that, and he caught her stalking him more than once.


    The Blooder''s body ¨C at least, what remained of it ¨C was still in okay condition. He could still juice out the remaining blood left in his body, and that''s exactly what Liam started to do.


    For the next week, Liam drained, diluted, then absorbed the vampire''s blood.


    He even paused his cultivation in order to rest, seeing as his body begged for respite.


    Time passed.


    Liam''s body had now absorbed all of Vxich''s remaining blood.


    His eye was always bloodshot, and he was in a constant state of agony.


    Yet his body''s connection with his ichor was steadily growing stronger. So was his maniption of it, and Liam hadn''t even consumed the Witch''s Nexus yet.


    Testing out his control, he found that he could mildly harden the blood to create little spheres of blood, barely the size of his finger.


    ''This is just the start. I can push myself more.''


    Thus, Liam took out the Sanguine Witch''s corpse.


    Madam Ursul''s body was missing a few chunks here and there, but other than that, was in pristine condition.


    Liam didn''t doubt that he would get a hefty reward if he simply gave the academy the Legionnaire''s body.


    But why would he?


    ''Money won''t make me more powerful.''


    With that thought, Liam bit down on the Witch''s heart.


    Liam could instantly tell that Ursul''s heart was much more refined and purified, judging by the dense waves of lifeforce that melted into his boiling stomach and nourished his body.


    It took another week to digest the center of power, but when it fully dissolved in his belly, Liam felt like his maniption ability had doubled.


    With an eager and hopeful gaze, Liam tested out his control once more.


    Manipting his blood no longer needed much effort, and he had plenty of practice to get used to how it worked.


    The cut on his arm secretedrge amounts of blood that gathered into the shape of a small liquid needle.


    Under Liam''smand, the blood-made needle slowly hardened, turning solid¡­ but it slowly melted as his control over it waned.


    ''Not enough. I need to strengthen it even more!''


    Liam began to absorb the Witch''s blood. This time, he lessened the dilution of the mixture.


    He made sure to avoid going overboard, but that didn''t stop him from testing out his limits.


    After an entire week and a half of cruel, terrifying pain that almost made him pass out, Liam absorbed more than one-third of the Witch''s blood.


    ''I need to finish draining the entire corpse before we arrive in Echoria. There''s only a few more days left.''


    Again, he reattempted forming a blood needle, making a cut on his palm and repeating the process.


    This time, as it slowly transitioned from liquid to solid, the needle remained rigid and didn''t fall apart.


    Exerting a bit of force on it, the needle shattered after Liam used a bit more strength.


    Liam heaved an exhausted sigh, but his determination didn''t dare wane.


    With no Psionic Rune training to undergo, he had much more time to work on other aspects of his strength.


    Despite that, Liam paused his bodily and core cultivation, only doing so when his body was sapped of its strength, and pairing it with at least two hours of rest per day. He even suppressed the urge to forge and inscribe.


    Because of this, he was able to absorb what remained of Madam Ursul''s blood.


    The result was extremely promising. Liam''s regeneration capabilities had improved to an amazing level, halving the time required for a deep wound to reform!


    He could even feel his body naturally revitalizing itself as the blood circted through his veins.


    Taking a one day break, Liam nursed himself back to health, just enough to continue gorging down the remaining vampire hearts.


    By the end of it, Liam was finally done with the cycle of absorbing and eating.


    Dark bags were under his bloodshot eye, and his face was whiter than milk. His bare body was covered with dried off blood stains he couldn''t be bothered to wash off.


    In a twisted way, he resembled a reverse vampire, except he didn''t consider vampire flesh a delicacy.


    Fixing himself, Liam tested out his blood maniption for the final time.


    This time, he didn''t form any cut, simply "willing" the blood to seep from the pores of his hands.


    It did just that.


    Blood gathered and coagted around his palms, gradually taking the form of a shortsword and wakizashi.


    In an instant, it crystalized.


    As soon as it did, Liam swung once against the darkwood floorboard.


    To his satisfied delight, it cut off the steel-like material with ease.

 Chapter 150 Weather

    <h4>Chapter 150 Weather</h4>


    Liam took a minute to inspect the state of his blood-made weapons after the simple attack.


    They were still in usable state!


    Albeit, they wouldn''tst a real fight between someone of his level, but still.


    ''This whole thing actually worked so well.''


    There were a few things that needed ironing out, though.


    For one, Liam instantly realized he couldn''t regrly use his blood as a weapon.


    Although his bodily liquid bing weaponizable was something unimaginably powerful and convenient, there was a limited supply of it.


    Unlike a vampire, who could pump massive amounts of blood in a moment''s notice, Liam''s human heart just couldn''t do the same.


    Moreover, now that Liam''s supply of vampire hearts were over, he didn''t have a clue on how to improve his blood purity.


    ''Will it get better if I advance to the fourth Rank?''


    That seemed like the most usible conclusion. Skin, senses, hair, general appearance ¨C everything naturally purified itself as one went up the ranks.


    Still, the fact that his ichor could freely turn crystalized at any point was a massive upgrade.


    ''If I had to guess, it''s at least at the Rank 1 middle-tier level. Maybe even more,'' Liam thought, inspecting his blood-made weapons.


    ''...What would happen if I started inscribing now?''


    Right as Liam was about to take out the parchments from his ring, Jack''s voice rang out from above.


    "We''re here!"


    Liam grimaced.


    Time went by real slow when he felt pain, but fast at any other.


    After taking a bath and changing into a cleaner set of tight, ck-d clothes, he exited and met with everyone else at the main deck.


    It was nighttime, and Liam took a moment to gaze at the stars, igniting his ambition to touch them once again.


    Meanwhile, Niveh was still holed up inside the cabin, afraid she''d turn into ash as soon as moonlight touched her.


    ''I don''t me her. It''s just sunlight reflected off the moon. Maybe it has the same effect.''


    Nord had dark bags under his eyes. Rin as well.


    Looking at Liam, they quickly realized he had it much worsepared to them.


    He quite literally resembled a wraith, and they couldn''t imagine the migraine he was going through.


    Nessa obviously didn''t push herself as much, but it looked like she was investing more time in cultivation.


    Peering over the distance, the Echoriannds were readily getting closer, and so was the feminine figure waiting for them on the shores.


    Kalia, donned in her embroidered silver robe, with a slight smile on her lips.


    ''Ugh, I almost forgot about this woman,'' Liam thought, hiding a frown. On a closer look, he could gauge her aura much clearer now that he was a Rank 2 Magus.


    Iridescent energies flew around her figure, originating from her abdomen and¡­ body?


    ''So it was a tempering method of sorts. Something only Royals use¡­''


    That was interesting, but Liam doubted he had the jurisdiction or interest to find out.


    The ship lined the beach and dragged itself over the sand, and the gangnk descended onnd. Jack descended first followed by the others.


    They quickly paid their respects, but Kalia raised her hand to stop them.


    "You all look tired, forget the pleasantries," Kalia stated, looking at the group''s expressions. Even Jack looked exhausted, and he didn''t even set foot on thosends.


    "Jack has already given me everything I need to know. I''m sure you''re all tired and need a good night''s rest."


    Kalia smiled as her quiet gaze swept the group. Her golden eyes lingered on Liam for a brief moment, before shifting away.


    "You can give me back the rings with all the resources you brought back," Kalia said. The group did just that.


    "Don''t worry, your rewards will be assessed and given once you arrive at the academy. All the lessons you''ve missed will be given in one to one sessions as well, and can ept the tests at any time. Lawrence, a moment, please?"


    Liam made a slight nod.


    ''What does she want? Did she figure out my advancement?''


    The rest gave him a suspicious look as they left while he and Kalia remained.


    "Is there a problem?" Liam asked.


    Kalia remained silent. She gave Liam a deep, probing gaze, then spoke with a slightly distant voice:


    "Another student died. I remember telling you not to go to mainstream locations if it will cost another life. Not to mention, you got caught and nearly captured."


    Liam stilled any bloodlust or cold pressure by leaking from his figure. He shook his head.


    "Another ''peasant'' died. Gerald had no family backing whatsoever, and the world has already forgotten him. And me going to a mainstream location got you years worth of valuable information, including how their political system and magical formations work."


    Liam wasn''t done.


    "Keyword, "nearly captured". The vampires didn''t even catch glimpses of our faces, and I silently killed off any that did. I took the necessary measures to keep the crew alive, and I always put the mission priority first. Not to mention, I literally brought back a live vampire."


    Liam had a hunch Kalia already knew that, though. She was probably just testing to see what Liam had in defense.


    Royals couldn''t care less about themon poption ¨C if they did, the peasantry back in Udd would cease to exist. They had their own interests and priorities in mind.


    Kalia had an unreadable expression. Liam spent a good minute attempting to understand her mental waves, but they were a mumbo-jumbo ofplex meanings.


    ''I really need to work on that. Reading minds could save me so much trouble in the future.''


    "I suppose so," Kalia said after a long silence, her gaze on the border of being cold. "I only hope your loyalty will be bought. I don''t imagine any other method would be effective in keeping you as an asset."


    At least she got one thing right.


    "We will keep in touch. Your rewards will be brought to your dorms, but meet with the Headmaster just in case."


    From there, Kalia headed to the ship to meet the vampire girl.


    With that, Liam was allowed to enter into the gem-powered bullet train, entering the back car with the others.


    Thankfully, there was a bit more freedom this time. Everyone had their own "pods" ¨C inscribed spaces with privacy and sound-deadening inscriptions.


    It was basically like a first-ss airne seat, just more luxurious.


    "What did you guys speak about?" Nessa asked, poking her head through the pod.


    Liam quickly entered his pod before she began to bombard him with pointless questions.


    "The weather."

 Chapter 151 Choices

    <h4>Chapter 151 Choices</h4>


    Liam couldn''t help but feel excited going back to the academy.


    ''There''s much to do. I haven''t even begun forging something suitable for my prowess. I can probably match Rogan''s des now.''


    Although the level of experience was vastly less, Liam had the King''s Eye. Not to mention, Rogan didn''t have the ''cook'' method Liam had invented.


    Out of all his new advancements and progress, Blood Weaving was still the area he most improved in. Liam smiled just thinking about it.


    ''I''m also close to the middle-stage of the Rank 3 body. It''ll take a week or so to get past that point.''


    Liam remembered the ''House of Honor'' over the Hole.


    ''I should be strong enough for that now, right?''


    ///


    A week passed.


    The train had finally arrived at the underwater terminal.


    Liam and the rest had promptly exited.


    There wasn''t much that changed inside the academy while he was gone. It looked the exact same, but it looked like most of the students were on break.


    The giant bubble was still holding strong, but the few students lingering around the terminal looked much strongerpared to before.


    They gave Liam and his group shocked looks, as though they had grown another head.


    "I guess we depart from here," Nord said solemnly, his gaze forward. "It was a fun journey, but I''m sure we won''t see each other anymore."


    "Probably not," Liam confirmed casually as he began to walk to his dorms, but the others were headed in the same direction.


    "I''ll be here until I graduate, maybe ept a high ranking position in the Royal army. Deafie is obviously heading back to the dragon. What about you, Lawrence?" the delinquent asked curiously, dodging the kick aiming for the back of his head.


    Despite the squabble, they were still curious as to what Liam was going to answer with.


    "The Celestial Ranks."


    "Thought so," Nord and Rin nodded to themselves. ''Touching'' the stars only meant one thing, after all.


    Nessa gave the three youths a quiet side nce. Although she didn''t approve of their maniacal personalities, they made her realize the harsh truth of the cultivation world.


    "Thank you. I will repay the safety you all have given me if my family ever grows."


    Exchanging a solemn nod with the group, Nessa departed.


    From there, Rin and Nord left after exchanging a few more words, and Liam was alone once again.


    Just how he liked it.


    Nord and Rin''s personalities weren''t too annoyingpared to the snobby nobles¡­ but he wouldn''t deliberately be friends with them just because of that.


    ''I haven''t been teleported to the Headmaster''s office yet. I''ll meet with himter. First, I''ll wait for the rewards.''


    As he made his way towards his amodation, Liam garnered more than a few strange looks from the passing students.


    "The Golden-Eyed Vagrant is back!" a shocked voice shouted in the distance.


    Liam felt his headache worsen.


    Scowling, he quickly found his dorm and entered.


    The small house had not changed in the least during his time abroad, which relieved him quite a bit.


    Although he wanted to get straight into forging and inscribing, Liam didn''t have any materials on hand. In the first ce, he wouldn''t start anything before receiving his rewards.


    ''Also, I''m going to need the third Psionic Rune¡­''


    That would undoubtedly reveal his new status as a Rank 2 Magus, but then again, it was just a matter of time before it got out anyway.


    Liam made his way to the basement, then steeled his gaze and heaved a slight breath.


    "You''re watching, right?"


    Liam seemingly spoke to himself.


    Silence answered his question.


    "Don''t be difficult¡­ tell me what you want. Didn''t you tell me we''ll talk more?"


    Silence.


    Liam clicked his tongue in annoyance. He spent the next few minutes speaking to himself, but nothing useful came out of it.


    In the end, he just began cultivating out of frustration.


    ///


    Two hours passed.


    Still, his rewards didn''t arrive.


    Frowning, Liam decided to leave his house and head towards Reye''s office, but when he opened the door, the Headmaster was looking straight at him with a sly smile.


    "Miss Kalia thoroughly praised your work. May Ie in?"


    Liam softened his grimace and nodded, then stepped aside for the man to enter.


    He half expected the Headmaster to be pissed off at him for Gerald''s death, but Reye didn''t bat an eye.


    "This ce is a mess¡­ how can you call this a home?" Reye asked with furrowed brows, looking at the scattered piles of clothes and misced furniture.


    "I have no time for cleaning."


    Reye opened his mouth to reprimand him, but shook his head and gave up.


    "I''m honestly relieved you''re back. Most of the teachers haven''t been briefed on your mission, and that damn Janice has been pestering me constantly about where you went."


    The Headmaster''s tone grew angrier as he spoke, but then calmed himself down seeing the weirded out look on Liam''s face.


    A momentter, he took out three individual rings from his pockets.


    Liam''s eye shed with greed for a split second.


    "Rx," the Headmaster said, noticing the look. "Not all three of these are yours."


    Liam looked dejected, but the Headmaster shook his head.


    "I''m here to grant you a choice between three options."


    Noticing Liam''s confused expression, Reye began with an exnation.


    "Your achievements in the Korsan Lands have been nothing short of amazing, and it wouldn''t fit the Royals not to graciously reward you for it. Kalia simply thought you would be the type to appreciate a choice."


    Smart of her.


    Reye began to exin the choices.


    "As a general reward, you''ll be given a base reward of 450k ''Ora'' Stones, four Rank 3 spells, a Rank 4 martial art, and a Rank 3 cultivation technique of your choosing."


    Liam was about to interject. The rewards were basically the same as before, but Reye stopped him instantly.


    "You have the choice between a base Rank 5 tempering method, not attuned with your element, or a Rank 4 darkness cultivation technique, or a darkness spell that progresses with your mental sphere."

 Chapter 152 Wise

    <h4>Chapter 152 Wise</h4>


    Liam was visibly shocked.


    A Rank 5 tempering method?


    Even if it was a base, non-elemental technique, Liam couldn''t imagine how strong his body would be at that level.


    Not to mention, it would solve his problem of finding another tempering method after advancing to the fourth Rank, and the general scarcity of techniques at that level.


    Although his inscription abilities had improved by leaps and bounds, he didn''t see himself inventing Rank 3 techniques, let alone Zenith Ranked tempering methods.


    It was the same with the Rank 4 cultivation technique. He was already set for the third Rank, but eventually, he''d have to start looking for another.


    ''There''s still a lot of time left before I have to look ahead.''


    Then there was the spell that would strengthen each time Liam''s sea of consciousness advanced.


    It was obvious what he was going to choose.


    There was no doubt in his mind a spell that naturally grew alongside him was going to be the most useful down the line.


    Although choosing a Rank 5 could provide insurance and steady strength, Liam didn''t like how it limited his potential for more power.


    ''If it was attuned to my element, there''s no way I wouldn''t choose it.''


    "Let me see the spell, then. I want to weigh my options before I choose."


    Reye nodded, taking out a luxurious golden scroll from his ring and handing it to Liam.


    Liam''s eye scanned the scroll contents carefully. The intricate diagrams were soplex, every line was thinner than a hair, and theplex meanings imbued within them were in seamless harmony.


    Even with the King''s Eye, Liam didn''t understand how one could invent a spell soplicated.


    ''Amazing.''


    Was all Liam could think.


    ''Even the ink is etched into the scroll.''


    At the top, the spell name was written in cursive Echorian characters, along with a brief description below it.


    ''Shadow Clone.''


    ''Depending on the user''s mental capabilities, they could summon a clone simr to themselves, made from a mix of gaseous, liquid, and solid darkness. Requires constant mental energy to control.''


    ''Heavy usage of ''Ora'' and mental energy. The number of clones could rise depending on the user''s sea of consciousness. It will notst indefinitely, and requires a constant stream of mental energy to persist and hold together the construct.''


    Liam''s eye shone with glimmering lights.


    ''A spell like this can actually exist?''


    His jaw went ck.


    "You''re quite lucky," Reye mentioned, his toneced with hidden envy and regret. "That spell has been gathering dust in the academy''s armory for years. If you were any less fortunate, they would''ve sold it for a giant amount of ''Ora'' Stones."


    Liam hid a mocking grin at Reye''s jealousy, remarking the change in his mental waves as the old man expressed his regret.


    ''So that''s what jealousy looks like. One of theyers in his mental waves slightly changed shape¡­''


    Saving that forter, Liam started weighing his options.


    ''It''s a no brainer. Between this and the other spells, my battle prowess will reach the sky.''


    Liam didn''t have to ponder over the other two choices¡­ though he had to say, a Rank 5 technique certainly had a nice ring to it.


    Liam nodded to himself.


    "I choose this one."


    Reye responded with a nod of his own, storing the other two rings and giving him one.


    Liam instantly inspected the ring and found that it had 60 square meters of space, and was absolutely stacked with profound looking ''Ora'' Crystals.


    By now, Liam had so many rings he could make a pimp jealous.


    "Your spells and martial arts will be avable to you in the Armory. You can head there to choose."


    Liam nodded, and the Headmaster promptly left. As soon as he did, Liam began to memorize the spell.


    It took him aplete hour to do so, and he entered the basement to give it a test.


    With a thought, Liam''s core began to surge out massive amounts of mixed-state ''Ora'' that separated from all over his body. Liam felt his organ nearly empty from just one usage of the spell.


    Meanwhile, the spell literally split Liam into two halves, as though a bacteria had multiplied.


    It took a second for it topletely form, but when it did, it was a perfect copy of Liam.


    Even the clothes, the cold expression, height, hair, everything was replicated¡­ except one ring difference.


    It was purely made from darkness.


    Even the clothes and the skin were pure ck, and one could instantly tell who was who.


    ''I really didn''t ount for that, did I¡­''


    Nheless, Liam wasn''t discouraged in the least. He was perfectly satisfied with his choice.


    A momentter, Liam tried to control the clone with his mental waves,manding it to take a few steps forward.


    As though it was being controlled by a lousy puppet-master, the Shadow Clone took unnatural strides, jittery and unstable all throughout, like a robot missing more than a few parts.


    Liam felt a natural connection to the shadow clone, but his control over it was definitelycking in all areas.


    Not to mention, it was feeding on his mental waves like a gluttonous pit, causing a bit of cold sweat to trickle over his brow.


    ''The real problem is how to use this spell in a real battle¡­''


    ''First, I have to get good at controlling it. Enough that it could hold des and support me in a real fight.''


    ''Second is the appearance. If it wasn''t purely darkness, it could easily disorient my target.''


    Just then, something in Liam''s mind clicked.


    Didn''t he have illusionary abilities?


    Gulping, Liam coated the Shadow Clone with another thinyer of mental energy.


    After taking a minute to project his image onto the copy, Liam activated the King''s Eye.


    At once, the entire Shadow Clone resembled Liam near perfectly.


    There were missing details here and there, and parts of the image were missing¡­ but other than that, the skin, face and other features were infinitely more Liam-like.


    Liam grinned.


    A wise choice indeed.

 Chapter 153 Challenge

    <h4>Chapter 153 Challenge</h4>


    Liam headed towards the Armory after finishing up a few more tests with the King''s Eye.


    A few minutes after, the Shadow Clone simply fell apart and dissipated after his control over it waned.


    The clone simply took too much mental energy to function properly, and Liam would need to spend hours of cultivation and rest to refill his centers of power.


    ''Other than the massive consumption of energy it takes, it''s an amazing spell¡­ I wonder how much better it would be as a Rank 3 Magus.''


    Eventually, Liam arrived at the Armory.


    Behn, the Armorer, was pleasantly surprised to see him, and the stern-faced man cracked a broad smile.


    He couldn''t help but respect how mature and stronger the boy lookedpared to half a year ago.


    "Kid, you have any idea how infamous you are around this ce? Everyone''s screaming "Golden-Eyed Vagrant", or whatever that is. Where the heck were you?"


    A curse almost left Liam''s lips, but he stopped himself.


    "It''s nothing. Just useless gossip between retards. If the Headmaster didn''t tell you where I was, neither could I."


    Behn raised a brow. ''Aren''t you a kid, though? And what''s with that answer?'' he thought.


    "Forget that, I have to cash in my rewards," Liam said, taking out his academy token.


    Behn epted the token with pursed lips, and his face grew into shock as he realized just what Liam was owed.


    "All of this together is worth more than 500K! Were the rumors true? Were you actually sent to kill a dragon? Or kidnap an Elf princess?"


    Liam was taken aback. Just what kind of dumb rumors flew around when they were gone?


    He shook his head.


    "If you could hurry it up please. I still have other ces I need to visit."


    The Armorer chuckled awkwardly, then fixed himself and began to summon the different spells and techniques Liam was to choose.


    "Rank 4 martial art specialized in dual-swords, four Rank 3 spells, and one Rank 3 cultivation technique."


    "Also, show me the Rank 4 darkness spells you have avable," Liam added, causing the Armorer to raise his brows.


    "You have enough?"


    Liam nodded.


    Currently, Liam''s ring held a little more than 450,000 ''Ora'' Stones. Obviously, he was going to buy a Zenith ranked spell that would boost his strength.


    However, the rest would be useful for any future needs.


    Money was still an issue for weaker cultivators, and Liam couldn''t brute force through his problems with power alone.


    More than a dozen different scrolls flew to Liam, and he eagerly began inspecting them, beginning with the martial arts.


    There were only three to choose from, but he wasn''t surprised.


    ''Shadow''s Embrace. Rank 4.''


    ''Harness the darkness.''


    ''Close range, dual-wielding art that focuses on defense. Two forms. Consists of powerful attacks that utilize physical strength, enhanced by darkness.''


    ''Paired with ''Ora'', a thick armor of darkness covers the user briefly, depending on his core stage. The first and second form allow the armor to switch from offense to defense.''


    ''de of Twilight and Dawn. Rank 4.''


    ''The path between two worlds.''


    ''Swift and unpredictable movements that focus on lithe but instantaneous attacks, and a bnced mix of defense and offense. Four forms.''


    ''Mid to close range effectiveness, with thest form focused on a singr, long ranged attack. Paired with ''Ora'', the user will gain a burst of speed and power.''


    ''Phantom''s Edge. Rank 4.''


    ''Ghostly.''


    ''Focused entirely on speed and lethality, but sacrificing defense and strength. Fighting style will make the user resemble a phantom due to the swift attacks and unpredictable movements. Three forms.''


    ''Close range effectiveness. Paired with ''Ora'', the user could instantly change the direction of his des mid swing.''


    Liam hummed to himself in thought. It was between ''de of Twilight and Dawn'' and ''Phantom''s Edge''.


    ''Bnce can never go wrong¡­but my body will be heavily speed oriented once I advance to the fourth Rank.''


    ''No point in changing styles now¡­I''m bing a Wraith and a Phantom.''


    With that, Liam picked the Phantom''s Edge, before shifting his attention to the Rank 3 spells.


    ''I need spells that enhance my prowess and defense, since that''ll bnce out my martial art''s weaknesses. A mental attack spell would be nice too.''


    After a long silence and deep assessment of the spells, Liam chose the four spells and cultivation technique he was going to use.


    ''Vanishing Steps, Obsidian Skin, Corrosive Mind, Piercing de, and the Shadowfire cultivation technique.''


    Liam ended up buying two mental type spells, one for defense and one for offense.


    Vanishing Steps would give Liam the ability to change his direction instantaneously, and with incredible speed to boot.


    Obsidian Skin was the spell Liam had chosen Umbral Needles over, but it was pretty self exnatory. Defense would no longer be a major issue.


    Corrosive Walls was a defense spell that would cause any mental assault aimed at his sea of consciousness to reflect damage back at the attacker.


    Piercing de was thest addition, a simple but effective mental attack.


    The Shadowfire cultivation technique was an unorthodox method of cultivation.


    It consisted of burning away the impurities within the core by using the corrosive properties of the darkness element.


    Too much of it would no doubt damage the core walls and possibly maim him, but the rate of progression it promised had already enticed him.


    Finally, Liam moved to the Rank 4 spells.


    There were only three, but two of them weren''t particrly useful for his needs since they involved speed and defense, which Liam currently had plenty of.


    ''That leaves me with you, then¡­''


    Firm in his choice, Liam picked out the ''Surging Burst'' spell, then bid the Armorer farewell.


    ''I''ll get ready to move out in a bit.''


    ///


    Rishe Voist sat on his satin sheeted bed in quiet cultivation, a slight smile on his face.


    He had just advanced to the second Rank of the core!


    An amazing achievement for a youth barely aged 19.


    Just for that, Riche had dismissed his women and had the entire mansion to himself.


    Yet his peace was shattered by the academic token flickering brightly in his robe pocket.


    Answering it, a woman''s monotone voice rang out.


    "Lawrence has challenged you for the House of Honor. Do you ept?"

 Chapter 154 Both Worlds

    <h4>Chapter 154 Both Worlds</h4>


    ?


    Rishe snorted derisively as soon as he heard the challenge.


    The so-called ''Golden-Eyed Vagrant'' had been giving him a massive headache for the past month or two.


    Many students of the academy began topare the two''s achievements, and after considering Lawrence''s age, they concluded that what the peasant did was much more impressive.


    Rishe didn''t deny it. Lawrence was indeed an amazing student that excelled in the cultivation journey.


    But so what?


    Despiteing from one of the richest and famous noble families in Echoria, Rishe still focused all his time on growing his strength¡­ with the asional indulgence in pleasure.


    Which meant he had the best of both worlds.


    Wealth and power.


    Backing and influence.


    As a profound parable, he even had two elements.


    "They will know the difference between us," he muttered coldly under his breath.


    ncing at the token, he spoke two words.


    "I ept... on public conditions."


    The token flickered off on his words.


    At that moment, Rishe took out a circr pill from his ring, golden in color with inscribed lines on its surface.


    Smiling, he threw it in his mouth and ingested it slowly.


    His core churned violently, but contrary to the pain Rishe was going through, the gaseous contents within forcibly changed state into liquid.


    Rishe was instantly entering a new sub-stage!


    The Voist family specialized in alchemy. Especially expediting the core advancements of the Mortal Ranks.


    The pill Rishe had just consumed had been made by the family patriarch himself, a Zenith ranked celebrity!


    An hour passed and his core finally stabilized, making the noble smile.


    ///


    Over the next few days, the academy was in an uproar.


    Three of the strongest students had made an abrupt return, and the most infamous of them instantly challenged the House of Honor owner, a third year student with a Rank 2 sea of consciousness.


    That was absolutely crazy, especially since Lawrence was a first year, and by extension, a Rank 1 Magus. Yet somehow, the students didn''t think it was so simple.


    Despite the sses being on break, most of the professors had an interest ining to the event.


    Especially Janice, who had been relentlessly knocking on Liam''s door for an "inspection".


    Obviously, Liam pretended he wasn''t home, but on more than one asion, the battle prowess professor attempted to break in and find out herself.


    Thankfully, the Headmaster intervened before his house was turned to rubble.


    The wager would take ce in a week, and Liam had wholeheartedly put that time into practicing with his martial arts and new spells.


    The Phantom''s Edge martial art was amazingly fast with its movements.


    Despite speed depending on the physical prowess of a cultivator, martial arts had the ability to strengthen and bring out certain aspects of their strength.


    Zenith Ranked techniques took that to the next level.


    Each stroke made the des look near invisible, turning into faint ck lines that lingered mid-air. There was still a long way before Liam could master it.


    He learned the basics of the art, before pairing them with his new spells to get a good feel for his new fighting style.


    Though, he hadn''t taken out the third Psionic Rune from the Armory just yet.


    ''I''ll buy it right after the wager, along with magical beast parts and other items. I don''t trust my restraint to stop me expanding my mind right before the fight.''


    A week passed quickly.


    After a well rested night, Liam showered and ate his fill, then donned his usual clothes and left the house.


    Instantly, his eye met with at least fifty students shooting him a variety of gazes.


    Some looked at him with contempt, others blushed as their eyes met his, and a few looked awed.


    Liam frowned.


    ''These people¡­''


    Heaving a sigh, Liam began heading towards the Battle Halls.


    To his dismay, the crowds of students only grew bigger and rowdier over time.


    They followed a good distance behind Liam like stray cats and dogs, excitedly murmuring between themselves about the wager.


    Despite resting and taking off the stress on his mental sphere, Liam still felt a headache.


    Although he didn''t think he would need all the spells in his arsenal, Liam couldn''t go all out knowing there were so many eyes watching.


    He would hold off on using Shadow Clone or Surge Burst unless he was absolutely forced.


    The Binding Oath could only do so much, after all. Liam didn''t put any trust into that mechanism.


    His own Binding Oath was wiped away due to the Kitsune''s influence.


    What was to stop a Zenith from doing the same?


    Abruptly, the sounds of cheers andughter brought Liam out of his musings.


    He had arrived at the Battle Halls, which was brimming with first year, second year and third year students.


    "You really got yourself a following, don''t you?"


    Nord and Rin appeared beside him, broad smiles on their faces.


    Liam gave them an annoyed side nce.


    "They''re not my followers. Don''t you two have anything better to do?"


    Nord chuckled briefly in response, and Rin shook her head.


    "I wouldn''t miss this for the world. Even if you didn''t challenge him, I would. Then again, that guy is already a Rank 2 Magus, so my chances of winning are slim."


    A path opened between the students as they noticed Liam approaching, like a parted sea.


    Further up and opposite to them was Rishe himself, wearing his signature silver, oceanic blue and azure robe, representing his wind, water and ice.


    He was surrounded by a group of popr nobles just as rich as him, including a familiar face that Liam had spotted ¨C the same girl that pped him once.


    She looked at Liam with venom in her ruby eyes, but her existence was ignored.


    ''Maybe one p wasn''t enough.''


    On the sidelines, nearly all the known professors had gathered around to watch the event.


    Even the Headmaster was there, holding Janice by the arm like a leashed pet in case she wanted to join the fray.


    Nessa was hidden among the crowd as well, unable to help herself froming to the event.


    Inwardly, Liam spewed countless curses, a dark expression on his face.


    The entire bloody academy was there!


    Despite the Battle Hall''s giant size, it was jam-packed with nobles and peasants alike.


    All that was missing were the Royals, and the circumstances would qualify for a corny bar joke.


    Rishe''s azure irises locked onto Liam''s, and the former grinned.

 Chapter 155 Break

    <h4>Chapter 155 Break</h4>


    Liam''s gaze narrowed.


    Perhaps he was being superstitious, but he couldn''t help but feel uneasy for some reason.


    It definitely wasn''t from the fight. Liam hadplete confidence in his new abilities.


    Perhaps the age difference gave Rishe a slight advantage, but that didn''t matter too much.


    Even the dual elements didn''t bother him.


    Nheless, the feelings lingered.


    ''It''s just paranoia. Too many eyes fixed on me.''


    Although the situation was the same when he fought in the Regional Power Tournament, back then, he wore a mask.


    ''So that''s what it is. Being seen by so many people at once.''


    "Everyone make way!" Headmaster Reye shouted with a frown, instantly making the students disperse and create space.


    Putting those thoughts in the back of his head, Liam approached the center of the field, alongside Rishe and the Headmaster himself.


    "Rooting for ya," Nord said from the back. Rin gestured the same.


    Liam, Rishe and the Headmaster huddled in the center of the field.


    "Lawrence. You have challenged Rishe Voist for the House of Honor. You may add nothing else as the initiator. I will judge fairly, as my Binding Oath demands," the Headmaster rified, before looking towards Rishe.


    "What do you ask of the challenger?"


    Rishe paused, a pensive look on his face. A momentter, he smirked mischievously.


    "Five of his highest ranking techniques and spells. I get to choose."


    Reye nodded, then looked at Liam.


    "Do you agree with these demands?"


    Liam said nothing and casually nodded.


    "Very well. You may exchange a few words if you wish. I will begin the duel once you find your mark."


    The Headmaster teleported away, joining the teachers. A wall of force formed around the two to block any eavesdropping.


    "I have to say, I''m d we can finally settle this debate of who''s stronger."


    Liam shook his head.


    "And you chose to do it publicly? Are you the type to enjoy feeling humiliated?"


    Scowling, Rishe chose that moment to try and probe Liam''s strength, but thetter promptly pushed away his mental waves.


    Surprise and shock gripped the noble''s face.


    "The rumors were true? You''re actually a Rank 2 Magus?"


    Considering the average age of a Rank 2 Magus, the Voist family heir was already a prodigy in that regard, awakening at the age of 17 due to the usage of expensive pills his n invested in him.


    Yet a thirteen year old peasant with no family backing was on the same level?


    How?


    Liam said nothing as he walked to the opposite side of the field, leaving the noble dumbstruck for several seconds.


    Frowning, Vishe eventually found his mark.


    ''I have to take him down here and now. At least lessen his strength until a more permanent solution,'' he thought.


    Within the Battle Halls, everything was silent.


    The spectators didn''t blink as they watched intently.


    Liam unsheathed his ck des as soon as he stopped at the field''s edge.


    It was thest pair Rogan had left him, and he figured it was time to use them.


    Heaving a slight breath, the air around Liam changed, bing suffocating for the students near him.


    The same thing happened on the opposite side. Rishe didn''t hold back his aura and let it burst forth.


    Wind and water gathered at his hands and merged, freezing into two lengthy but sturdy ice spears as tall as his body.


    Assessing the noble''s aura, Liam slightly grimaced. It was much more powerful than he imagined.


    ''Directly living over an ''Ora'' Well must have bolstered his progress by a lot. He''s probably stronger body-wise, too.''


    After that thought, Liam dispelled any unnecessary thinking and focused.


    Silence ensued.


    Liam''s eye fixed to Rishe emotionlessly as he waited for permission to attack.


    Although subtle, the noble was unnerved behind the calm and collected mask he put on.


    Inscribed lines started to glow beneath their feet, creating a defensive force around the field.


    Silence.


    Right as the tension rose to its peak, it burst like a dam as soon as the Headmaster''s voice rang out.


    Solid darkness tightened around Liam''s feet and erupted him forward, making his form blur as he reappeared right below Rishe.


    CHNK!


    The noble barely managed to block the attack, crossing his ice-made spears against Liam''s swords.


    In one fluid movement, Liam weaved in again and shed horizontally against the noble''s waist, activating Piercing de. However, the mental attack didn''t pass through, as thetter used a defensive spell.


    Rishe leaped back and deflected the strike, his speed bolstered by a wind spell yet Liam followed his movements and continued his assault.


    CLING! CLANG!


    Abruptly, Rishe''s aura grew cold, attempting to merge together with Liam''s mental waves.


    Sensing the mental assault, Liam briefly let the coldness touch his sea of consciousness before activating Corrosive Mind.


    In an instant, Liam''s golden walls ckened, corroding the noble''s mental waves and making him recoil with a low grunt.


    As soon as he spotted the opening, Liam activated Vanishing Steps again and reappeared behind Rishe, his des turning into thin streaks as they shed across the noble''s back, forming two deep corrosive wounds.


    Still, Rishe lessened their impact by pivoting around and hurling his spears, then sending a beam of condensed water at Liam''s chest.


    Liam didn''t ount for how fast and powerful the beam was.


    As he evaded with Vanishing Steps, the spell wasn''t fullypleted as the beam collided with his shoulder, ripping off a chunk of skin and shattering a bone on impact.


    Liam let out a grunt of pain as he leaped backwards.


    Rishe had found his footing, but looked genuinely pained as his back stung with every little movement.


    Despite cultivating a Rank 4 body, it wasn''t a method that focused on regeneration, but increasing his spell usage and conservation. Even if he was at the upper-tier of the third Rank.


    For that reason, he chose to bide his time until it naturally healed, smiling as he saw the Vagrant''s state.


    Meanwhile, Liam held his mess of a shoulder. His deltoid was practically torn to shreds, and the bone beneath was freely jotting out.


    ''Is it the scap that''s broken?'' Liam frowned.


    Even clutching his des shot pangs of pain through the right side of his body.


    Blood slowly gathered around his shredded muscles and began healing the mass of ruined flesh. However, his enhanced blood didn''t have the ability to fix shattered bones.


    ''Never given a break, am I?''

 Chapter 156 Difference

    <h4>Chapter 156 Difference</h4>


    Liam had blocked out every noise that wasn''t rted to him or his opponent.


    Even the sound of his own heartbeat was ignored.


    Forcing a long breath, Liam narrowed his gaze at Rishe, who didn''t engage and kept his distance due to his paleplexion.


    As the seconds passed, Liam''s deltoid had more or less healed, reformed into an eptable shape.


    Unreeling his Dark Chains, he wrapped it around his shoulder and quickly tightened it.


    A low grunt of pain escaped his lips, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through the disturbing agony.


    Liam grimaced as shards of cracked bone tore through his flesh, digging deeper with each slight movement.


    Despite using Cartge Brace and Obsidian Skin in the nick of time, the beam of water still shattered through theyer of hardened darkness and thick skeleton.


    After all, it was a Rank 4 spell. Liam doubted that was thest of them, too.


    Although Liam could have used his mist ability, against water, it wasn''t exactly effective ¨C the dark mist would precipitate and turn back to its normal state upon contact with liquid. In other words, nullify the ethereal state.


    Rishe looked ready to resume the sh, smiling as he saw Liam''s dire straits.


    By then, Liam had finished wrapping his chains around his shoulder.


    Although it would help in slowly conjoining the cracked bone fragments, his fighting ability had still lessened.


    Rishe began first.


    Wind and water condensed and mixed all around him.


    Pieces of ice started to form in the air with no particr form, then slowly took the shapes of more than two dozen razor-sharp icicles.


    Although Liam wanted to, he couldn''t rush in at once and stop them from forming.


    The pieces of ice were floating mid-air and Rishe''s mental energy was connected to them¡­ which meant he could control them.


    Then, Rishe spread his arms and held out his hands upright.


    Dense wind rushed from every direction,pressing on his right with a sharp churning sound.


    On his left, thick azure liquid sloshed around and slowly grew to twice the size of a basketball.


    Wind.


    Water.


    Ice.


    Imprable and piercing all at once.


    Rishe became as pale as a ghost, but he managed a mocking smile. "Do you see now? The difference between us? Let the people witness!"


    Ignoring his remarks, Liam''s eye constricted vertically, analyzing every tiny detail regarding Rishe''s spells.


    ''He can''t use the ice for long range attacks, those are just in case I attempt to get close.''


    ''That leaves his wind for one killing move, and his water for defense or ensnarement.''


    Either way, the noble was incapable of using anymore spells, judging by his weakeningplexion.


    As if to confirm his theory, Rishe slightly moved the fingers on his right hand, and thepressed ball of wind shot four arcs of nigh-invisible air towards Liam.


    WOOOSH!


    If Liam didn''t have the King''s Eye, the arcs would have instantly severed off his limbs instead of flying past him as he sidestepped and ducked.


    More arcs and bullets of air followed, but Liam sidestepped, leaped back, ducked and dashed away to dodge.


    ''No other choice except to get close!''


    As soon as he dodged another round of attacks, Liam tensed and started to run in with lithe steps gradually increasing in speed.


    As he deflected the wind arcs aiming for his vitals, he let the weaker ones tear apart his skin, spraying lines of blood over the field.


    When he got ten steps in, the blob of water exploded into tendrils that came at him from all sides, attempting to engulf him.


    The membrane under Liam''s skin vibrated.


    That ability, paired with Vanishing Steps and Fleeting Foot, allowed him to pass through the body of water and close the distance in an instant.


    At that moment, the icicles surrounding Rishe began to shoot and home in on him one by one.


    Ten more steps away.


    As he continuously moved forward, Liam let loose his needles to exactly where the icicles were. They smashed against the attacks and slowed down their speed by a little.


    Seven steps away.


    Of course, that did little damage to the ice itself, but allowed Liam to continue his trajectory, deflecting the rest and allowing the others to tear through his flesh.


    Five steps away.


    The wind attacks didn''t relent either, creating a whirlwind around Liam that formed countless cuts on his figure.


    Three steps away.


    Liam weaved in between the two icicles that aimed for his face, grazing his left and right cheek and shing through his ears. His des shattered right after deflecting another pair of attacks.


    One step away.


    Time seemed to slow down.


    Liam''s right hand pulsed unstable and chaotic darkness as he finally arrived beside Rishe, bursting with dark mes and rapidlypressing all at once.


    To Rishe''s dread and horror, Liam grinned and clenched his fist as he punched the former''s face.


    BOOOOOM!


    As though a shotgun had gone off, Liam''s fist burst into a condensed st, blowing away Rishe''s figure as though he was made of stic.


    The noble tumbled the distance and smashed against the walls of the Battle Hall, falling limp and barely conscious.


    Disturbingly, the side of his face had been melted off and corroded. Any previous handsomeness was reced by a grim appearance that could make an adult man squirm.


    Academy doctors instantly rushed to his side, tending to his wounds.


    Liam steadied his footing, grounding his teeth as he felt his shoulder cracks worsen.


    Using the Rank 4 ''Surging st'' spell had a heavy recoil that ripped off the skin from Liam''s right hand, leaving his knuckle bones bare.


    Blood dripped and trickled down Liam''s shredded clothes. The gashes on his body slowly healed, but sapped him of his energy.


    That said, the stilling silence inside the hall was strange. Liam imagined that he was just too focused to hear anything, but quickly realized that was not the case.


    He creaked his neck to look at the spectators, just to see them staring at him dumbfoundedly with cked jaws.


    Even Nord, Rin and Nessa who knew Liam personally couldn''t force a reaction.


    Looking towards the right where the professors were, they were just as silent, shocked and aghast.


    ''Yeah¡­ I don''t see myself staying here for much longer.''

 Chapter 157 Contingency

    <h4>Chapter 157 Contingency</h4>


    Liam''s pale face turned dark.


    In the worst of ways, he overdid it.


    He was too absorbed into the sh and honed everything on winning, brutally maiming the heir of one of thergest noble families in Echoria.


    Though, if he went any easier, he definitely would have lost.


    To add salt on the wound, he did it in front of an audience!


    The best course of action was to use the Surge Burst spell on Rishe''s body, not his face. He would''ve won either way¡­ but Liam chose the more lethal route in the spur of the moment.


    ''If his family patriarch is what I think he is, there''s no doubt in my mind... he would want revenge.''


    ''Not to mention, if the Royce family hasn''t found me yet, they will raise more than a few brows hearing about a darkness cultivator inside the academy.''


    In the back of Liam''s mind, a contingency n was already being made.


    ''Looks like I''ll have to make use of Revel''s organization much faster than I thought.''


    The Headmaster coughed into his fist, making sure he wouldn''t stutter. Approaching the field with crisp footsteps, he said two loud words.


    "Lawrence wins."


    Reye made a few gestures, and the academy token in Liam''s pocket began to glow fervently.


    "You now hold the House of Honor."


    Liam nodded, stored the ring, then made his way towards the exit, the awestruck students creating a spacious path for him to walk through.


    Liam casually strolled through and left, thousands of eyes piercing holes in his back.


    Instead of entering his house straight away, Liam first entered the Armory and bought the third Psionic Rune.


    It had only mild differencespared to the first two. This time, three runes covered its surface, and the number of sides multiplied by three, too.


    Behn was there and gave Liam nk stares, but he quickly left before a conversation began.


    Then, he made his way to the Storage and bought himself enough Rank 3 magical beasts tost a month of constant forgings.


    ///


    Liam arrived at the Hole.


    The huge House of Honor was floating 20 meters away from him, like a lone ind above sea.


    Dense ''Ora'' freely floated around him, naturally healing his body and vitalizing his strength.


    Liam stepped on the special teleportation matrix that connected the two together, then tapped his token against the smallpartment on the side.


    As soon as he did, the matrix glowed, and his surroundings switched.


    Liam found himself in a vast hall, the entrance to his mansion. The floor was made of marble, with chandeliers made from crystal hanging from above.


    Compared to the luxurious amodations Liam had been in, they resembled a candle mepared to his current mansion.


    Though, Liam honestly couldn''t care less.


    Spreading his senses to map out the space, there were too many rooms for him to make use of in one lifetime.


    An inscription room, an alchemyb, a vast underground, a formation space, including countless other spaces for the most trivial things.


    The first thing Liam did was enter the underground, heaving an excited breath.


    ''I can finally begin working on my specializations!''


    sses would resume in a few more days, and Liam had plenty of time to take his tests.


    ''My focus should be on forging and inscribing a set of des at least around the second Rank. I should expand my horizons, too. Maybe add meanings to both the beast will and blood.''


    ''Just making the same des over and over with a little bit more sharpness sounds dumb. Rin threw exploding daggers at those Blood Bats¡­''


    Though, the deaf girl''s element was fire, and everything that had to do with it was destructive and explosive.


    ''Then I''ll focus on the Blood Arts and the King''s Eye''s abilities.''


    Any form of escape or deception was made massively easier with the King''s Eye, and Liam stopped underestimating its usage.


    ///


    Liam did the beginning steps of the forging like usual.


    His precision and control was lightyears betterpared to when he was still a Rank 1 Magus.


    He could now afford to add little intricacies that helped bolster the material''s endurance, appearance and sharpness ¨C in line with his speed oriented martial arts.


    After absorbing the Rank 3 beast will into his mental sphere and defeating it with rtive ease, he simply let it "cook".


    There was still pressure ¨C the usual for his eye to get bloodshot ¨C but bearable.


    ''I''ll leave it for two days. Any more would be overkill. I feel like I can add another one¡­ best to hold that off for now.''


    Right after the beast will fully cooked, he would begin inscribing.


    With that, Liam began with the Blood Arts.


    Of course, Liam gave up most of them, but hid the two best to himself ¨C the Blooder''s and Niveh''s.


    Kalia didn''t bother to thoroughly inspect him since he had already given her nearly everything from the trip.


    ''Although the Arts are made for vampires, I just have to remove those aspects and attune it to my body.''


    Liam divided his day between studying the diagrams, martial arts, cultivation, the King''s Eye, and the Psionic Rune.


    Not a second was wasted.


    Amazingly, Liam''s limit with the third rune was only half an hour.


    The pressure applied to his sea of consciousness was enough to drain him of half his mental energy in one session, even without the influence from the Rank 3 beast will.


    On the other hand, the ''Ora'' density did wonders for his steady progress, both for his body and core.


    Most of his shattered bones and grievous wounds had already healed up by then.


    Two days passed.


    Liam was ready for his forging session.


    He didn''t enter the forgery, since Primordial Forging didn''t really require any heat or special tools.


    They helped, but weren''t necessary.


    Liam held out the katana and wakizashi. Single-edged and clean. It was already a lower-tier item, even without the beast will.


    Forcing out the bestial energies from his mind, he directed them into the shortsword first, starting with the center de and spreading it evenly to both sides.


    By the end, half of the beast will had entered the de!

 Chapter 158 Concept

    <h4>Chapter 158 Concept</h4>


    Liam took a good minute to inspect the shortsword from all angles.


    It gained an umbral sheen that made it look alive.


    Naturally, Liam shed against his bicep to test out its sharpness, and the de slowly sliced through his flesh with some effort.


    His skin and muscles were still stubbornly tight, and it protested against the act.


    ''Still Rank 1 middle-tier...''


    Liam was using his own body as a golden standard.


    He wanted a de that could sever at least bone deep, or near that point.


    Through his fight with Rishe, he realized his opponents were going to get a whole lot more difficult to deal with.


    Then Liam fell into thought.


    ''How long will des work against my enemies? I don''t think a tiny sword will matter against a creature bigger than a mountain.''


    For a brief moment, he felt dejected¡­ but realizing something, the feelings melted away and Liamughed under his breath.


    ''The de just needs to be sharp enough to cut through it.''


    Although Liam had only done the shortsword, he decided to hold off on the katana for now. He needed to focus on Blood Weaving.


    Liam willed out a tiny droplet of blood. It seeped right through the pores on his skin and began to float.


    Using his blood maniption abilities required his ichor to stay linked with his body, but Liam used a bit of his mental energy to keep the droplet in the air.


    The refinement process was the same. It was not easier or harder. Both the blood and mental energy had improved in quality, after all.


    Liam began conjuring up the meanings in his head.


    Sharpness.


    Precision.


    Edge.


    Sword.


    Sever.


    Cut.


    sh.


    Instantly, Liam realized how his meanings had gotten more fluid and natural to link with one another.


    It was like stacking up entrically shaped cinder blocks atop one another.


    Except, what Liam was stacking were the concepts of sharpness itself. At least, his understanding of it.


    Naturally, the more Liam added, the more it grew unstable and difficult to maintain.


    He first needed to perfect the foundation and his understanding of the concepts.


    It was exactly theprehension hecked.


    He wasn''t amazingly talented in the field either, besides some experience he gained from rigorous studying and practice.


    In his mind, sharpness simply meant how easy it is for a de to sever something.


    A tool to kill and ughter with.


    For now, he would just test the waters.


    He concluded the meanings and applied them to the droplet.


    Absorbing it into his mental sphere was the same, except the pressure had increased threefold.


    Thankfully, his resistance matched it just as much.


    It took two hours for the pain to simmer down.


    When it did, Liam gathered the refined blood on his right index, then began writing on his shortsword.


    The ink was naturally more pure and refined, glowing fervently with crimson light.


    Making the links was apletely different challenge.


    It was like slowly connecting a puzzle together, but the pieces were up to him to make in real time.


    Thanks to his newprehension of the vampirguage, the writings made a lot more sense with what he had in mind.


    It allowed him to shorten the overall sentences he had to write over the de.


    The less Liam wrote, the more effective and powerful the general inscription would be.


    In the same way, using concise and simpler words was better than dragging out the sentences.


    The writing size itself mattered too. The smaller Liam could manage to write the characters, the more he could afford to add on the de''s surface. His eye helped greatly with that.


    Another hour passed, and Liam was done with inscribing.


    Unbeknownst to him, he had not blinked throughout the entire process, like a surgeon performing surgery.


    Inspecting the de riddled with glowing writings, Liam pursed his lips in thought, then smiled.


    ''Rank 1¡­ upper-tier. It''s close to the second Rank, too.''


    Although that didn''t sound like much, it was basically the same level as Rogan''s des. The enhancement inscription worked amazingly, raising its tier.


    ''It''s still shoddy work. My purified blood did most of the work. I have a long way to go.''


    ''Eventually, I''ll need to start broadening my field of work. Enhancements are the easiest to do, but I don''t n on specializing in it.''


    Spell making.


    That was what Liam had his eye on.


    ///


    Time passed.


    Studies resumed.


    Apparently, the House of Honor inhabitant had the privilege of being "home schooled", forck of a better word.


    All of Liam''s teachers came and taught him personally, one to one. It was an unexpected benefit, but a wee one, nheless.


    His cultivation professor, Ve Rei, gave him insight into the future Ranks and the different hurdles one had to pass in order to arrive there.


    Evidently, Ve had offered her mentorship to him, but he humbly declined.


    Mentorships required time and effort, and Liam honestly didn''t have any to spare.


    His world knowledge teacher, Gorris Shel, informed Liam of the various celebrities within the cultivation world, those who were willingly public and didn''t mind recognition.


    None were Rank 6, only below.


    They were renowned for their aplishments, like clearing out Rank 5 Death Zones by themselves, creating spells deemed impossible to, and exploring unchartednds.


    At the same time, Liam''s knowledge of the countries and continents were expanding, which gave him more options to explore from in case he wanted to leave Echoria.


    Meanwhile, Richard and Jordan helped with his specializations. Now that he was a Rank 2 Magus, the two were much more demanding with their expectations.


    Jordan began teaching Liam how to integrate the forging room to his method. Liam protested, but the professor was firm.


    "It''s good to know if you ever settle down somece. Forgeries help greatly in speeding up your work progress and easing your workload at once."


    Richard, on the other hand, was giving Liam more insight into the different concepts he wanted to learn, such as spell and technique making.


    Liam hadn''t told him about his purified ichor, though. Afraid that might cause the professor to cough another mouthful of blood.


    All in all, Liam wasn''t even a first year student, yet he was learning third year material!


    Like so, the months of peace were steadily passing.


    And the winds of hardship were beginning to churn.

 Chapter 159 Heat

    <h4>Chapter 159 Heat</h4>


    Liam was now a little more than 14 years old.


    There was no pumpkin pie or hug of warmth for celebration.


    In fact, Liam didn''t even celebrate.


    That sentiment had died with Eve, reced with a merciless drive to move forward.


    Currently, Liam was in his basement holding a pair of des, standing opposite to a bulky, steel-reinforced training dummy.


    Liam looked taller by several inches, with his broad shoulders and lean body highlighting his growing physique.


    His lustrous blonde hair was shortened, reaching just below his neck.


    Inspecting the katana and wakizashi in his hands, he grinned.


    It was a Rank 2 lower-tier item!


    Glowing, blood-red writings riddled their surface and gave the des a dangerous air.


    Liam made significant progress during the peaceful period.


    There was no fighting, cursing or pain¡­ of course, besides the cuts and migraines Liam inflicted on himself.


    His core was slowly approaching the peak of the solid-stage, thanks to the ''Ora'' Well''s benefits.


    His body had long entered the middle-tier of the third Rank, and more than half of his body could turn to mist.


    Liam hadn''t left the House of Honor for months on end, only leaving to buy pills or elixirs.


    Despite this, his reputation in the academy had not diminished in the least.


    Nobody dared to challenge him after what had happened to the Voist family heir.


    Rishe had lost face¡­ in more ways than one.


    He didn''t make his presence known after the duel, but Liam could guess he was scheming a way to get back at him.


    In the third month of Liam''s seclusion, Nord had visited him with a proposal.


    10,000 ''Ora'' Stones in exchange for him to stay in his mansion.


    He wouldn''t interfere in any of Liam''s studies or work, and quietly cultivate in some unused room.


    After some thought, Liam agreed, but for apletely different reason than money.


    With Nord''s simple personality, the boy wasn''t capable of scheming anything.


    A few weeks after that, Rin appeared and proposed the same thing.


    Liam declined, but the deaf girl offered twice Nord''s amount, which gave her a ce in the house.


    Meanwhile, the academy had split into two factions.


    Purists, consisting of nobles who protested against the results of the duel and a peasant from inhabiting the House of Honor.


    And reformists, consisting ofmoners who opposed the nobles and called out their victim mentality.


    One thing was for sure, it was a sign for Liam to leave.


    Although he wanted to stay for another year and indulge in the academy''s facilities, the heat on his back was growing hotter.


    Teachers and students were asking questions of his origins, Kalia had visited more than once, and his professors were beginning to grow suspicious of his abilities.


    That, paired with Rishe''s silence, gave Liam the heads-up he needed.


    ''If I stay another three months, I could probably break through to the second Rank of the core¡­ but it''s risky.''


    In situations where his freedom was under threat, Liam would rather not gamble.


    Not to mention, there wasn''t anything important to learn knowledge wise within the academy. A fourth year curriculum didn''t exist.


    It was regretful, since Liam hadn''t visited the inheritance site Ve had promised at the end of the year, but a necessary sacrifice nheless.


    Putting those thoughts aside, Liam''s eye fixed to the two meterrge steel dummy in front of him.


    SHING!


    In an instant, Liam''s form blurred, reappearing behind the dummy¡­ which nowcked an upper body.


    KRSH!


    With a metallic crash, the dummy fell stiffly on the basement floor.


    Liam examined his des after the attack. The inscriptions and materials held strong, with minor nicks on the edges.


    ''Good enough.''


    Liam then spread his mental waves around himself and thought of a specific image, then activated the King''s Eye.


    Compared to the industrial surroundings a moment ago, it now resembled the Headmaster''s office,plete with ornate furniture and paintings on its ethereal wooden walls.


    Illusions had their limits.


    With a closer look, anyone could tell the construction was fake due to the missing details.


    Not only that, but it only covered a small portion of his surroundings.


    ''I''ve gotten good enough with it¡­ it''s about time I leave.''


    Liam left the basement and gathered both Rin and Nord to a private and isted room.


    The red-eyed boy looked stronger and more maturedpared to a year ago, and his hardened gaze showed it.


    Rin was the same, only she resembled more of a woman instead of a tomboy, with her growing violet hair and matured features.


    Most of her coldness had melted away at that point, and she didn''t re as much around the two.


    "I need you two to do me a favor," Liam asked with an even tone, making the pair raise their brows.


    "What?" Nord asked curiously.


    "Don''t leave this ce unless someone forces you to. Skip a few sses too. Also, swap your tokens with mine."


    "You two can have the House."


    Nord was confused and visibly shocked, but knew better than to ask questions and receive a vague answer.


    Rin mirrored the same look, but even a blind man could see his unwavering decision to leave and nevere back.


    She tried to grasp any emotion from his stern expression, but couldn''t find any.


    In the end, they both nodded and gave their tokens to him. Rin was reluctant at first, but she could im for a new one with the correct excuse.


    "Good luck with¡­ whatever you''re trying to do. I guess this is goodbye," Nord said with a solemn tone.


    Liam remained silent. Sentimentality wasn''t really his strong suit.


    "You can enter your rooms now."


    The two lingered for a second, staring silently at him.


    After exchanging a nod, the two left and entered their rooms.


    Liam heaved a sigh, hid his presence, then activated the Shadow Clone spell.


    Slowly, theyers of darkness separated from his body and started to form a clone.


    Upon itspletion, Liam carefully shaped his mental energy and applied it to the clone''s entire figure.


    He did the same to his own body, then activated the King''s Eye.


    Instantly, Liam''s appearance changed to Nord''s, and his clone became the spitting image of Rin.

 Chapter 160 Evidence

    <h4>Chapter 160 Evidence</h4>


    Liam, disguised as Nord, left the mansion through the floating tform.


    The Shadow Clone masquerading as Rin followed closely behind, its movements looking natural and human-like.


    Liam spent a good amount of time working on his Shadow Clone spell, ironing out the issues with its movements.


    At the same time, he memorized Rin and Nord''s features to the tiniest detail, then projected them onto himself and the clone.


    The result was more than satisfactory¡­ only, if anyone touched his clone, the flesh on their hand would melt along with the illusion.


    To prolong the ability as much as possible, Liam didn''t expand his mind nor forge or inscribe the previous two nights.


    He had a good three hours of using the spell without worry.


    As the floating tform docked at the edges of the Hole, Liam''s gaze met with a group that regrly stalked the House of Honor.


    Their dedication for something so measly and pointless could be calledmendable, but annoying was the more suitable word.


    As they saw Nord (Liam) and Rin (Shadow Clone) pass by, they looked a bit disappointed.


    "For a moment, I actually thought Lawrence was gonnae out¡­"


    "Do you think we should sneak in on him? It''s been months¡­"


    "Don''t bother. Jamie did thatst time and the Vagrant broke both his hands."


    Liam ignored the group and made his way towards the Main Hall.


    There weren''t too many students around this time around, and Liam freely walked up therge board to look for two missions.


    ''Revel''s organization is towards the north west. Apparently it''s a legitpany that has proper authorization to sail the seas.''


    He needed a long and distant mission. Spotting one, he picked it out and gave it to thedy in front.


    She didn''t sense anything out of the ordinary and stamped the mission parchments, then directed him and his clone to the train.


    Liam suppressed a smile as he discreetly entered the train, keeping a low profile and entering the back car.


    ///


    Two and a half years ago.


    The Regional Power Tournament had begun in good spirits, but came to be remembered as a day of dread.


    The bodies of Jacob Or, Liam, Elsa, and Ian Royce were fresh in the memories of the soldiers who walked in on the scene.


    Samuel Horris'' search was fruitless. He spent an entire week tirelesslybing the vicinity, unable to find even a hair strand.


    Adrian Royce, Liam''s father, could not sleep at night any more.


    Oftentimes, he''d dream about his children alive once more¡­ only for his half-blooded kin to cut them down again and again.


    It was not long before the issue was brought forward to Edwin Royce.


    The patriarch of the Royce family was enraged. His unstable mental waves caused the messenger guards to faint instantly.


    Without dy, he boomed out from his quarters and shot towards the Or family domain like a meteor.


    "Come out, Ken!" Edwin bellowed over the giant Or mansion.


    A few servants and low ranking guards had instantly died from the vibrating soundwaves tearing apart their organs.


    "You''ve crossed a line, fool!"


    Silence ensued, but a figure donning a yellow robe left the mansion and ascended to an eye-level with Edwin.


    There wasn''t any emotion in Ken Or''s dark eyes, his features surprisingly normal ¨C long ck hair tied to a bun, anky build covered by a yellow robe, and a short goatee.


    "You meathead. Do you think I would waste my energy and kill your worthless kin? Did you not see that my grandchild had died as well? My estranged son has done this."


    Blood rushed to Edwin''s head. His fists churned with zing red mes.


    "Your son?! Because of your ipetence as a father, he killed my nephew, the first darkness cultivator born in centuries!"


    A bit of shock fell on Ken''s face, but he didn''t show it.


    "Calm yourself," Ken said icily. A battle would no doubt wipe away his noble estate. "A fight here is meaningless. I have gone over the details of the attack, and some things don''t make sense."


    Silence.


    The mes surging around Edwin''s fist slightly simmered down.


    Indeed, some things did not add up.


    How did the Blood Demon break in despite the area being infested with guards?


    Not to mention, some guards had found broken teeth and stters of blood in one of the hallways.


    To add, one of the servants had gone missing during the event.


    It resembled an inside job.


    "We will have the Searching Eye mediate between us," Ken offered. "His investigative abilities could figure out what happened and find the attacker."


    Edwin remained silent with a hard gaze. A subtle agreement.


    "He''s in seclusion. It will take at least a year before hees out, and he won''t help for free. We will both pay half of his fee."


    Grumbling, Edwin didn''t say anything.


    BOOM!


    Kicking his feet and leaving behind another shockwave, Edwin shot back to his quarters.


    Time passed.


    Searching Eye had left seclusion.


    Upon hearing the news, both Ken Or and Edwin Royce arranged for the man toe and take a look at the evidence.


    Searching Eye was a powerful cultivator focused entirely on investigations and mediation.


    He solved conflicts between major families and had a powerful cultivation base to boot ¨C A Zenith stronger than the majority of noble patriarchs.


    In the giant stadium the attack took ce in ¨C now empty aside from the few guards that patrolled the area ¨C Edwin, Ken, and Searching Eye, who''s real name was Lorcan, had met and exchanged pleasantries.


    The investigator had a well trimmed but graying beard, paired with high cheekbones and receding white hair.


    He looked schrly, with his Hanfu coat and pants,plimenting his piercing blue eyes.


    "Please, there is a case to be solved," Lorcan exchanged a knowing look with the two, then made his way to the evidence room.


    There, the dried up mummies had beenid out beside each other. Nothing had been tampered with, meaning the macabre scene was perfectly preserved.


    Searching Eye spread his mental waves throughout the entire room, analyzing the tiniest drop of dust and the thinnest strand of hair around the room.


    Instantly, his eye fell towards Liam''s body.


    "There is something wrong with this one."

 Chapter 161 Search

    <h4>Chapter 161 Search</h4>


    Hearing Lorcan''s words, the two instantly raised a brow.


    They simultaneously began examining Liam''s body, realizing with shock what Searching Eye meant.


    The exterior of the body did not match the dried interior.


    "The Face & Body Imitation pill¡­ I''ve dealt with this many times before," Lorcan uttered casually, putting both his palms on the dried corpse.


    "Although the duration of the pill is not long, if the user dies during the process, their image won''t change even after death."


    ''Ora'' gathered on his hands and gradually peeled away the dried skin, revealing the corpse''s true identity as the servant who had gone missing.


    Edwin and Ken grimaced at the same time.


    ''So the boy is still alive?'' Edwin thought with furrowed brows. ''Was he the one who did this by himself? Or did Ken''s son kidnap him? Or were they both working together?''


    Lorcan took a good look at the servant''s corpse, peering down his throat and into his abdomen, then shot a look towards the n patriarchs.


    "I will need a full rundown of who this ''Liam'' interacted with, and what his usual schedule was. We cannot throw away any possibility," he asked Edwin, who nodded firmly in response.


    "Also, please tell me more about this Blood Demon person," he asked Ken, and the three began to speak.


    ///


    In a certain forgery in Udd''s Underground, Lloyd and Rogan were ying a game of cards. Although merely a year passed, the two looked aged.


    Even Rogan''s spiked hair didn''t stay up anymore, drooping down over his face.


    "Three of apples paired with an ace of fruits. I win again!" Lloyd guffawed and took away the pile of ''Ora'' Stones on the table, storing it away.


    Rogan shook his head. "This game sucks."


    Lloyd tutted. "You suck," heughed.


    Rogan sighed.


    Before he could respond, three figures arrived at the forgery doors and entered.


    Realizing who they were, Lloyd and Rogan reeled in shock.


    What were three Zenith''s doing in their forgery?


    "You are the boy''s masters, are you not?" Lorcan addressed with a ''friendly'' smile.


    Lloyd remained silent under the three piercing gazes.


    Pressure grew in the room, making both him and Rogan wince and sweat.


    It wasn''t too heavy. More of an indication that their life was at the three Zeniths'' fingertips.


    "We were. Is he not dead now?" Lloyd broke the silence.


    Lorcan hummed to himself, his gaze distant.


    "Apparently not."


    "What?!" both Rogan and Lloyd eximed at the same time.


    "He''s alive?"


    Searching Eye paused, then nodded.


    "He isn''t dead¡­ not that we know of, at least. Tell us about this boy and his personality. Although you''re obliged to do so anyway, we will give you both 10,000 Stones as a reward."


    Silence.


    Lloyd nced at Rogan from the side.


    Rogan did the same with a knowing grin.


    All of a sudden, they burst intoughter.


    "Can you imagine?" Lloyd wheezed, ignoring the Zenith. "This is the second time, too!"


    Rogan couldn''t stop his guffaw. "And he did it right after taking the rewards! Even myths can''t make up something so ridiculous!"


    The three Zenith''s frowned. Pressure steadily mounted and made the surroundings shake.


    "Did you not hear what he said?" Ken said with an even voice and a chilling tone. "Tell us about the boy."


    Despite the growing pain on their weary mental spheres, the twoughed crazily for a good few minutes.


    Slowly, Lloyd''sughter came to a stop, then he gave Lorcan, Edwin and Ken a mocking look.


    "You''re telling me three Zenith''s need the help of these two lowly cultivators¡­ to find a little boy?"


    Silence descended upon the group. Awkward and tense at the same time. Edwin clenched his fists in frustration. Ken''s eyes were like piercing knives, and Lorcan simply gave the two a probing gaze.


    "That kid has escaped death more times than you can count. He will reach the Celestial Ranks. You old coots better die before he reaches you," Lloyd broke the silence with an insult and a grin.


    His fate was sealed.


    Any held back pressure on his mind began to unload, like an elephant slowly stepping on a bug.


    Lloyd lowered his head and solemnly closed his eyes.


    Cracks were rapidly spreading across his mental sphere, but he felt strangely at peace.


    ''I never gave him a moniker, did I?'' he squeezed in a thought amidst the mind numbing pain. ''Oh well. He''ll gain plenty throughout his life. Be well, my disciple.''


    CRACK!


    Lloyd thumped limp on the ground, his eyes open but devoid of life. He died with a grin on his peaceful face.


    Rogan gave his friend a pitiful look.


    The pressure wasn''t directed at him and he watched Lloyd die.


    "You can choose to live, or follow his footsteps," Searching Eye threatened impatiently.


    Rogan pursed his lips in deep thought. The silence was deafening, and the Zeniths were getting annoyed.


    "Nah. I''m good. You three can suck my filthy, soot covered toes. My me has puffed out anyway¡­ his is still raging."


    Lorcan shook his head and turned around to leave, but not before shattering Rogan''s mental sphere.


    The cksmith thumped down beside Lloyd, a simr smile on his face.


    "What a pointless waste of time."


    ///


    Searching Eye had spent months looking over the forest near the stadium and Udd.


    Thanks to his spells and investigative methods, he found an rming piece of evidence ¨C an abandoned hideout within a mountain cavity, but without any Revel or Liam of the sort.


    It turned out, they really didn''t need to question Liam''s teachers. Lisa and Adrian Royce dly spoke about the boy, including his cold and hardworking personality.


    Still, the case was difficult to deal with.


    Lorcan still didn''t know whether it was just one or two of them.


    "The de used was the Blood Demon''s¡­ but the peasant''s body was fake. Unless¡­ did they know each other somehow?"


    He spent another two months investigating the surrounding cities, but his search didn''t yield any fruit.


    As Searching Eye thought of a motive, a sudden light flickered on in his head.


    "The academy!"


    Till now, he had only considered revenge. He didn''t see any other reasonable clue why the attack could happen. The killings were too vicious and grim for something like that.


    "The kid thought this far¡­"


    Abruptly, Edwin and Ken chose that exact moment to appear.


    Edwin looked grim and silently enraged.


    "There''s been word of a darkness cultivator inside the Royal Academy."

 Chapter 162 Gone

    <h4>Chapter 162 Gone</h4>


    "Are you sure it''s him?" Searching Eye questioned with a frown.


    Edwin paused.


    How his grandson escaped from his grasp and became a member of the academy actually made him respect the boy.


    But that wouldn''t stop him from breaking his bones for doing so.


    "Word is he has no familial backing, and is also young and talented. There''s no doubt about it."


    Silence.


    "This got difficult," Lorcan professed.


    It was one thing for Liam to be hiding in some random city as a fugitive.


    It was another for him to be under the Royals.


    Still, a fugitive was a fugitive.


    They had grounds and authority to bring a killer to justice.


    However, the patriarch of the Ken family had other ns.


    To have his name dragged through the mud by a peasant was a death sentence he would execute personally, no matter the cost.


    "No reason to linger then."


    The three began to shoot towards Roson with jet-like speed, turning into streaks.


    The capital was at least two months away from Udd, but that wasn''t applicable to Zeniths.


    They arrived in three hours.


    Roson was vast, the thick, inscribed borders alone were nearly 300 meters tall.


    There were golden towers and skyscrapers everywhere one looked, and only the top potentates of the country could afford to live in such a luxurious area.


    The three Zeniths lingered outside the borders.


    They couldn''t just enter willy-nilly.


    Even they, as powerful patriarchs, couldn''t afford to offend Royalty. Instead, they waited outside for someone to eventually amodate them.


    As they waited, a distant figure rapidly approached from the side, sonic booms causing the air tremble at his flight.


    For a moment, the trio thought that was a Royal, but he didn''te from the city.


    As he got closer, the three instantly realized who the man was.


    Nature''s Hand, Benedict Voist.


    An esteemed expert who specialized in alchemy and botany, and one of thergest potentates of Echoria.


    He was a silver-haired,nky, tall middle-aged man donning an azure robe embroidered with various flowery patterns. A deep frown scrunched his sharp features.


    Spotting the trio, Benedict looked confused, then made a beeline towards them.


    Edwin, Searching Eye and Ken paid their respects as he approached.


    Nature''s Hand was a hard man to reach, and his expertise in creating pills was useful even for Zenith ranked cultivators.


    "Why have you all gathered here?" Benedict questioned, confusion mixed with anger in his tone.


    "Two years ago, amoner murdered three noble heirs before escaping to the academy," Lorcan was the first to respond. "He is now a student."


    Benedict frowned deeply.


    "The Thyress family has gotten toox¡­ epting peasants andmoners was always a w in their reasoning, yet they never attempted to fix it. Even my own grandson was mutted by one of them! A darkness cultivator, they said," Benedict spat in anger, crossing his arms as he looked towards the Royal city.


    "It''s about time things changed around here."


    An awkward silence took over the air.


    "We''re searching for the same person, then," Searching Eye confessed. Benedict''s eyes widened in shock. "Perhaps if you join us, our chances of resolution could improve."


    Benedict paused, then nodded firmly.


    A few minutester, a Royal met them at the city gates.


    Almost all Royals were women, and they all shared the same beauty ¨C silver hair, golden eyes, red lips and pale skin, paired with their auerate silver robes.


    This particr one wasn''t a Zenith by any means, yet the Rank 4 cultivators didn''t offend her. The fact that she could fly meant she was nearing that realm, and Zenith ranked Royals were monstrous.


    "We pay respects to their majesty."


    The four made the Echorian gesture for respect, receiving a nod and a wave in response.


    "I hope there is a good reason for this unscheduled visit. Our forces are a bit¡­ busy as of now," the Royal, known as Keris Thyress, mentioned with a slightly worried look.


    "Please," Ken smiled in reassurance. "We would not have bothered you unless it was. We''re searching for a student of the darkness element. We have proof he has murdered three noble heirs and escaped from his hometown. If you''d like, we can show you the corpses¡ª"


    Strangely, the Royal raised a hand, stopping him.


    The four looked taken aback, but Keris looked grave.


    "Does this boy have one golden colored eye and blonde hair?"


    Edwin looked rmed, but nodded profusely.


    Keris sighed, inwardly cursing.


    "Our forces have already been trying to locate him since two weeks ago."


    What?


    "...He''s missing."


    ///


    The search for Liam began precisely two and a half weeks ago.


    At first, there was nothing out of the ordinary.


    The sses were on break, and there was at least an entire month before they resumed.


    Knowing Lawrence''s personality, there was nothing strange about him staying inplete istion.


    The only proof that he even lived in that mansion were the various sounds that resounded from within it.


    Soon enough, a month passed.


    By then, the Headmaster and Liam''s professors grew concerned.


    Liam wasn''t answering his token and refused to meet with any of his teachers. There was utter silence from him.


    At that point, the Headmaster allowed himself to enter the House, and was shocked to find Rin and Nord there instead.


    "Weren''t you two on a mission?" the Headmaster asked them.


    Nord and Rin looked confused.


    "What are you talking about?"


    Reye Ornn''s chest sank.


    "Your tokens! Show me your tokens!"


    Nord took out his and gave it to the Headmaster, only for thetter to realize it wasn''t his token, but Lawrence''s.


    Rin patted down her pockets but looked genuinely confused.


    ''It''s¡­ not with me? I was sure it was!'' she gestured with panic.


    After a stern questioning, the Headmaster''s interrogation was fruitless.


    The two genuinely looked confused and oblivious. They mentioned how Liam paid them 10,000 Stones just for them to skip a few sses, and they didn''t see a reason to disagree.


    Cursing, the Headmaster instantly alerted Kalia, who quickly gathered all the academy professors and organized arge search party that scattered across Echorian.


    ///


    Janice, along with arge gathering of professors, filled the bullet-train.


    She had been designated an area to hunt for Lawrence - Liam Royce - but she had no intention of going there.


    ''I have a feeling I know where he is.''

 Chapter 163 Despair

    <h4>Chapter 163 Despair</h4>


    An unkempt, filthy, short figure dashed across a foggy canyon and leaped over to the other side with a powerful jump.


    If there was something Liam was exceptionally good at, it was running, and he hadn''t stopped throughout the entire two months since getting off the bullet train.


    He used the most direct path towards the north western borders of Echoria, uncaring of the magical beasts and human threats thaty there.


    At the same time, he didn''t bother being discreet about it. The Royal army would catch up anyways. The best thing to do was board and ship and leave Echoria once and for all.


    He had prepared well for the asion, buying stamina, mental energy and strength restoration pills beforehand.


    ''I should be getting chased by now,'' Liam assessed, popping another pill that helped heal his ghostlyplex.


    His hands and legs turned to mist now and again, bolstering his speed. All the while, his feet would tighten with darkness and spring him forward.


    ''At my current speed, it will take just three weeks to reach Revel''s marker. I''m very close!''


    Although the train did most of the work, Liam still had to traverse the rest of the distance himself.


    The train didn''t allow entry to areas that neared Echoria''s borders. That required permission, which Liam obviously couldn''t ask for.


    He had put aside all aspects of cultivation or rest to reach that goal.


    Still, he couldn''t help but feel unnerved.


    A week passed, and his journey continued rtively safely.


    His stomach growled with anger and his body was drained of strength, but he suppressed those feelings and continued.


    Another week passed, and there was still no issue.


    Liam''s worry gradually lessened, but he wasn''t deluded by that. The surroundings switched continuously, from arid drnds to marshes and mountain peaks.


    On the third week, the surroundings changed to a lush forest. A canopy blocked any sunlight from piercing through.


    ''There''ll just be the sea after this point. I''ll find the organization there,'' Liam smiled.


    Abruptly, Liam''s chest sank to his gut.


    As he ran and looked over his shoulder ¨C a habit he had developed throughout his journey ¨C his golden eye constricted as he saw a figure trailing him through the dense forest.


    Liam cursed and tore through the air with even faster speed.


    The figure''s presence was utterly silent, meaning they were capable of masking it from a Rank 2 Magus.


    Looking over his shoulder, the figure was closer, enough for Liam to assess her features.


    It was Janice!


    She had a grave expression on her face as she followed Liam. A mix of regret, anger, pity and thrill all at the same time.


    "You should have yed your cards right!" she shouted from behind, an inscribed spear clutched in her hands. "I could have trained you to be my equal!"


    Grimacing, Liam didn''t respond as he ran, but it was clear the professor was going to catch up soon.


    Not only that, Liam''s senses picked up on a distant group behind her, roughly a dozen who''s strength matched his.


    SWOOSH!


    A needle-thin bullet of liquid shot from behind and grazed Liam''s thigh, spraying blood over the ground.


    Before he could even grunt in pain, another barrage of them followed, but he managed to evade them by using the terrain to his advantage.


    ''Damn it! She''s aplete Rank 3 cultivator! I can''t do anything to her!''


    BHOOOSH!


    A giant stream of water broke through the treeline and smashed against Liam''s shoulder ¨C strengthened by Obsidian Skin and Cartge Brace ¨C as he attempted to evade.


    The speed that the spell was activated was too fast and too strong for Liam to properly dodge against, resulting in a chunk of missing flesh on his right shoulder.


    Having experienced that pain before, Liam managed to grit his teeth and continue running, but his strength was readily being sapped.


    Liam stilled his anxious thoughts and used everything at his disposal, conjuring a ball of chaos the size of his fist and hurling it precisely at Janice''s figure.


    BOOOOM!


    Liam looked over his shoulder as the st went off.


    The shockwave was followed by a short silence, followed by Janice cutting through the cloud of dust generated from the explosion.


    Liam unsheathed his des and struck them against her spear.


    CLING!


    Instantaneously, another barrage of attacks followed.


    There was a reason Janice was the battle professor.


    Each of her attacks precisely struck Liam''s weak points, taking advantage of the length of her spear and superior cultivation. Entire chunks of Liam''s flesh started to fly off his body.


    Having no choice, Liam activated the first form of his martial art.


    His des turned invisible as he weaved in and grazed Janice''s waist, but thetter brushed it off.


    Pressure mounted against Liam''s mind which forced him to use Thicken to defend against.


    Liam let loose every spell at his disposal, yet the mental attacks were simply pped away.


    Janice simply severed the Dark Chains from ensnaring her, but that allowed Liam to get close for the Surging Burst spell.


    BOOOM!


    Liam felt his fist smash against a thick membrane of water, absorbing the brunt of the attack and nullifying it.


    Janice blurred, turning into a thin streak that reappeared behind him. Strangely enough, her back was to him, yet she didn''t feel the need to turn around.


    Time slowed down.


    There was only silence.


    Liam''s eye slowly moved to his right arm, pangs of pain shooting through his body from it.


    There was no arm.


    Liam''s arm was severed clean off, twirling through the air.


    Only blood and split bone was visible on his shoulder, spraying endless amounts of red liquid.


    Liam had to stop running.


    A solemn emotion filled his eye as he felt death nearer than ever.


    Janice blurred again, reappearing below him and kicking his body upward in one fluid motion and sending it flying above.


    CRCK!


    Liam felt parts of his chest crack, his lungs devoid of any air.


    His consciousness was swaying left and right, dangling like a loose thread as he ascended through the air.


    ''So close. So damn close.''


    The regret that washed over him felt worse than any pain he was going through. It was like a knife stabbing his heart repeatedly, then twisting and digging further.


    "Such a small setback makes you despair¡­ to think I called you determined."

 Chapter 164 Worthy

    <h4>Chapter 164 Worthy</h4>


    Liam jolted upright, as though he had awoken from a horrible dream, breathing raggedly and sweating all over.


    He found himself amidst a shadowy domain, with umbral darkness neither his King''s Eye nor senses could pierce through.


    The floor beneath him was a viscous red liquid, rippling with the slightest movement.


    Liam looked at his right arm.


    It was gone¡­ but there was no pain or blood. Just a phantom limb that he couldn''t control or move.


    ''It was no dream.''


    Another assessing look over his marred body revealed the missing chunks of flesh. Liam was in a much worse state than he realized.


    "Would you have liked it to be a dream?"


    Raast''s mocking voice rang out amidst the darkness. It was still terrifying and deep as ever.


    Liam grimaced¡­ but any fear he might have had was drowned out by the bitter taste of defeat.


    He felt anger at himself ¡ª for embracing death ¡ª at the cards he was dealt with, and how he was merely inches away from getting away.


    "You sure talk big for someone hiding in my head. Is a voice all you have?" he countered, standing up and facing the voice.


    A gutturalugh.


    "No longer afraid¡­ good. This will be easier, then."


    Liam remained silent as a silhouette emerged from amidst the darkness.


    A frame grew visible, only he couldn''t properly assess it


    Drip, drip, drip.


    Each of the footsteps were wet and heavy, violently rippling the liquid floor.


    Liam watched as the figure took its time leaving the shadows and slowlying into view.


    As it did, Liam realized he was looking at a waist.


    A slightly tanned, muscr waist, decorated with countless ornate patterns that were etched into it like ancient armor.


    The lower body was covered by severalyers of loose red and ck cloth, covering it from view.


    Liam''s neck slowly creaked upwards, following the patterns up to the chest, where the same intricate designs continued and spread out, reaching the shoulders and continuing towards the arms.


    ¡­All six of them.


    The arms had an alloy sheen of their own, riddled with drawings and ancient writings. Gauntlets that radiated regality and power without looking bulky or unpleasing to the eye.


    Finally, Liam moved to the face.


    It was square shaped and sturdy, ornate designs connected to the tanned lips, cheekbones and scalp.


    Human-like, if one could call it that, except there were no irises within the glowing white eyes. The eyebrows were of a simr color, thin and saber shaped, paired with long and wild silver hair flowing behind his back.


    Overall, the Ashura was at least 3 meters tall.


    Liam didn''t know what emotion to express first. His mind spiraled into a chaotic mix of shock, confusion, and bewilderment, resulting in a dumbfounded expression.


    There was utter silence for a good few minutes.


    Liam couldn''t make heads and tails of the situation.


    Why was there an Ashura in his mind?


    Was it psychosis from nearing death?


    Or was he already dead?


    Raast stared amusingly at Liam''s shocked face. His ''lips'' curled to a smile, which revealed a precise row of sharp, palisade teeth, sharper than any de or knife Liam had wielded.


    Liam''s shock turned into a grimace.


    He suppressed any unstable emotion and steadied himself. There were a million questions to ask, but he remained silent until Raast eventually exined.


    "The rest could not handle the sight of me. That''s why I took my time with you. I couldn''t risk losing a potential heir."


    ¡­The rest? Heir?


    Everything was moving too fast.


    Liam''s mind spun.


    "You are not the first I have visited. What you''re seeing is simply a rendition of my consciousness and body, made by the original Raast and sent throughout the realms."


    "The original Raast is already dead."


    Raast''s face slowly morphed into quiet rage on thest line.


    The shadows surrounding Liam started to shake and churn. Harrowed shrieks rang out in the background. The air grew suffocatingly heavy.


    Suppressing his fear took much more effortpared to before, but Liam somehow managed.


    Slowly, those effects simmered down, and Liam could breathe again. His mouth opened to ask away, but the rendition''s words stopped him.


    "Any questions you have regarding the war, or how I got to you, save them. This rendition has forgotten nearly everything."


    "I spent millenia trying to find someone worthy, pulling them out of their realms with only this¡­ spirit intact."


    Liam''s eye widened. Realms? Raast pulled him into the world of cultivation?


    "Lower humans are fragile," Raast interrupted his line of thought. "I wouldn''t have chosen them if I had a choice."


    "None of them were hungry. They settled for lower forms of power and took the easy paths. Everyone I hosted died after a few years, forgotten by the world."


    "They were weak."


    Raast looked over at Liam with aplicated glimmer in his bright white eyes.


    "You are different. Driven. Hungry. Angry."


    Raast paused.


    "...Worthy."


    Liam remained silent.


    Aplimenting from an Ashura was a strange thing to experience, yet the questions left unanswered wed at the back of his mind.


    "Worthy of what?"


    Raast smiled cryptically.


    "My inheritance."


    Liam''s scowl slightly softened, yet inwardly, his brain was shooting in a hundred different directions.


    "What exactly can you give me?"


    "A chance to survive."


    Liam grumbled. He was stuck between a rock and a hard ce.


    "You want something in return?"


    Raast scoffed derisively.


    "Of course."


    The air got heavy again.


    "This power was the reason the war started, coveted by all the races. I can still remember that despite the holes in my memory."


    Liam frowned.


    Slowly, the air got back to normal.


    "Tell me how you can help first," Liam settled on asking.


    Raast grew stern.


    "The chaos in your body. Its true name is Primordial Essence, and your body will soon shatter under its power. It''s too strong for normal humans to wield."


    Liam''s face turned dark. He clicked his tongue.


    "And you can help me how, exactly?"


    "All I can give you is the chance to be an Ashura yourself. You will lose the ability to reproduce due to the Opposition''s influence, and there''s a slight chance it won''t work due to your human bloodline."


    "But if it seeds¡­ you will be limitless."


    Liam remained silent. He was going to be killed shortly. He was backed into a corner, and of all things, an Ashura came to his aid.


    "Tell me the condition."

 Chapter 165 Fear

    <h4>Chapter 165 Fear</h4>


    The reproduction aspect of the deal didn''t bother Liam much. Courting women hadn''t been in his ns, let alone having offspring.


    Raast''s glowing eyes stuck to his own. A hint of a smile appeared on his thin lips.


    "Find my people and help them."


    "You''ll find eptance from the Ashuras so long as they know you''re my heir¡­ but you might face a bit of difficulty at first."


    "Find them how?" Liam asked. "And what do you mean by ''difficulty''?"


    Raast''s rendition gave another smug smile.


    "That''s for you to find out, isn''t it?"


    Liam was getting pissed.


    Still, he had more questions. He opened his mouth to voice them, but tremors ran through the surroundings and stopped him.


    "I''ve spoken for too long," Raast grimaced, staring at the shadows. He shifted his attention to Liam. "The Opposition is realizing something''s wrong."


    "Your path will be infinitely more difficult now, even if you live through this by chance. Your abilities will be iplete, but it''s up to you to improve them."


    Raast''s tone was solemn.


    Liam was stunned still.


    The space was going to copse at any time now.


    "Liam Royce. Ie to you not as an Ashura, but as a forgotten race."


    Cracks spread across the air and started to weigh against Liam''s mind.


    "Be strong! Ravage this! Take what''s rightfully yours! Only through power can you seize glory from their grasp."


    On those words, the entire domain of shadows had shattered.


    Liam felt his consciousness yanked back inside his body. The pain returned, along with every other unpleasant sensation. He was still in the air with a swaying consciousness, only he was much more aware.


    An abrupt heat shot through his body, starting from his sr plexus. His entire body started to rise in temperature, while his core contents were spiraling uncontrobly.


    Chaotic energies ¨C now known as Primordial Essence ¨C burst forth from his core and ravaged his muscles. His organs, skin and any other body part wasn''t spared either.


    It felt as though his entire body was being restructured and reformed. Liam''s consciousness wanted to switch off to avoid feeling the cruel pain.


    Every time he felt like he would never experience a worse kind of agony, Liam ate his words.


    From having his insides scalded, yanking out his eyeballs, having his mental sphere boiled, having his blood forcibly purified, his current predicament took the cake.


    Worst of all, he could feel every individual piece of muscle, bone and organ in his body ¨C with the exception of the King''s Eye and core ¨C as it tore itself apart and began to reform, repeating the cycle over and over.


    Liam couldn''t even scream, as his throat and mouth were being restructured too.


    Even an eye began to fill in his empty eye-socket.


    Janice, along with everyone else that arrived at the scene, watched with horror as Liam''s body began to pulse with bright rays of crimson light.


    She felt the hair on her skin rise, warning her of the imminent danger.


    She attempted to end the boy''s life then and there, but as she barely got a step closer, the chaotic rays violently pulsed.


    BOOOM!


    Janice was instantly blown away by the shockwave, coating her body with a membrane of viscous water to avoid being turned to mush.


    Following the bright explosion, trees and surrounding terrain began to splinter and crack, eventually eviscerating.


    As Janice was hurled the distance, those arriving at the scene instantly recoiled and leaped back to avoid the abrupt attack.


    Unfortunately, a few were caught out, parts of them maimed due to the explosion''s power.


    From the above view, it looked as though a meteor smashed against the forest, forming a giant crater.


    In the center of it all, something continuously pulsed with chaotic red light, digging further into the ground.


    More booms rang out, consuming chunks of the earth.


    Janice managed to steady herself back on her feet at that point, watching with shock in horror at the scene ahead. Her cohort did the same, oblivious to what exactly was going on.


    Eventually, the thunderous booms came to an abrupt stop, but pieces of jagged rock shot out in all directions, forcing them to take cover.


    Immediately, the hair on Janice''s skin rose.


    There wasplete silence, but nobody dared to move.


    FEAR.


    Suddenly, it felt like they had be prey.


    Janice''s first instinct, along with everyone else''s, was to run away without looking back.


    And usually, her instincts were on point.


    But all there was to it was fear.


    There was nothing else holding her down.


    No pressure whatsoever.


    Slowly, the clouds of smoke settled.


    In the center of the distant crater, a figure grew visible.


    The source of that fear.


    Liam let out a long sigh that sounded more like a hiss.


    His voice had gotten deeper, raspier and louder.


    His face and eyes looked utterly apathetic as he let out all the air in his lungs.


    One of his eyes was golden, and the other a scarlet red, both emitting faint glows.


    The first thing Liam did was inspect his body. His new eye didn''t have any new abilities... that he knew of, of course.


    There were no clothes covering his figure, revealing his pale skin, now etched with the same ancient designs that Raast''s body came with.


    They ran across the bottom of his feet, all the way to his scalp. Funny enough, his male reproductive organ disappeared, leaving his groin featureless.


    His blonde hair was now pure white ¨C containing a regal silver sheen and silent luster ¨C almost touching the floor.


    Liam then moved his arms.


    ...All six of them.


    Each of his arms were coated in a dense alloy ¨C a mix of gold and copper ¨C that was built into his skin.


    Controlling them was instinctive. He clenched his fists, spread and waved his six arms in different directions.


    Within his body itself, there were new additions, with his bones strengthened exponentially, thickened and densened.


    His chaos felt more docile and controblepared to before, now attuned with his Ashura body.


    And best of all, the massive amount of physical strength churning within him was explosive.


    However, he couldn''tfortably assess the changes, sensing the pairs of eyes converging on his figure.


    Liam''s multi-colored eyes slowly shifted to dread-faced Janice standing a short distance away.


    With a lithe stomp, Liam''s foot tapped against the earth.


    The ground shattered like ss.

 Chapter 166 Ravenous

    <h4>Chapter 166 Ravenous</h4>


    Liam didn''t think he used much force to shoot forward.


    Still, the crater Liam was standing on a second ago was now covered with cracks, while his six-armed form blurred toward Janice incredibly fast.


    ¡­A little too fast.


    Liam had clenched three of his right arms and attempted to punch the battle professor, yet couldn''t ready them in time for a proper strike.


    Instead, he awkwardly shoulder mmed Janice away with just his body.


    Boom!


    The battle professor''s reaction waste, but Liam''sck of control over his speed allowed her to evade and react appropriately before suffering the full brunt.


    Still, her inscribed spear ¨C now broken in half ¨C did little against Liam''s incredibly hardened skin, sending her hurling across the treeline.


    As she bounced between the trees like a ping pong ball, Liam momentarily paused.


    Within his sr plexus, chaos rapidly churned around a pearl-like organ, heavily protected by Liam''s chest dense tes.


    Unlike the core, the walls of the pearl weren''t soft, and were made from the same material as Liam''s gauntlets.


    Thankfully, Liam''s core and mental sphere seemed to be intact, only all the chaos inside it had beenpletely transferred to the pearl.


    Still, his mind was still a bit groggy after experiencing so much pain and sudden changes in his body.


    He tried willing out some darkness, but found it a bit difficult to do so.


    Liam''s control over the pearl was a bit weak, but he felt as though he could strengthen parts of his body with the chaos. A feature he previously didn''t have.


    At the same time, Liam realized something else.


    The pearl was responsible for dividing chaos throughout his body.


    That was the source of all his physical strength, since it was constantly doing so to keep his six-armed form together.


    That meant he couldn''t hold his Ashura form together forever. Liam didn''t know how, but he could possibly revert to a semi-human state.


    This had its own advantages.


    Liam couldn''t go around looking like a demon, attracting attention and making enemies everywhere he went.


    Not to mention, he could never hide his identity.


    Although the golden and crimson eye would give it away, as long as he did a good job keeping a low profile, not many would recognize him.


    Thus, it was good that his six-armed form had a switch.


    However, this meant the physical strength churning throughout his body was not permanent.


    An eptable oue.


    It didn''t end there.


    Liam felt bestial.


    Bloodthirsty.


    Ravenous.


    Like he wanted to roar and rip into flesh. Those feelings tugged at hismon sense, but he suppressed them the best he could.


    ''I''m on a timer. I have to end them now!''


    Liam''s multi-colored eyes shifted between Janice and the rest.


    The battle professor had steadied her footing by then, but had no visible injuries. She had a Rank 4 body, after all, and countless spells to boot.


    The rest were on the opposite side of the crater, readily making their way closer to him.


    There were thirteen cultivators, with most having a Rank 2 sea of consciousness, Rank 3 bodies and varying cores.


    Their bravery of running straight into the battle wasmendable, but idiotic.


    ''Her first,'' Liam''s attention went back to Janice.


    Before they gained power through numbers ¡ª and he lost his Ashura form ¡ª Liam decided to eliminate the biggest threat.


    Liam coiled his knees. They slowly creaked and tightened. The sound produced was like hardened metal bending by force.


    Liam let loose.


    The ground below wasn''t strong enough to bear Liam''s stomp. It burst into fragments and sent him flying through the air like a loose bullet aiming straight for Janice.


    The professor was prepared ¡ª still suffering from shock and utter confusion ¡ª yet that did little against the sheer speed of Liam''s approach.


    She attempted to slow down Liam''sunch by shooting another condensed beam of liquid straight at him.


    Liam stretched his arms forward and began tearing through the stream of water. It slowed down his speed, but allowed him toe face-to-face with Janice.


    With a grin revealing his palisade-like teeth, Liam''s three fists clenched, surging with chaotic energy.


    A secondter, his gauntlets struck Janice''s cheek, rib and waist at the same time.


    The professor''s form started to liquidize, but before she could fully transform her bodily state, the attacksnded anyway.


    Parts of her slightly cracked.


    Cheekbones, ribs and hip, forcing her to wince in pain and cough a bit of blood. At the same time, her liver was crushed by the impact.


    Janice was sent flying once more, but Liam wasn''t kind enough to give her respite like before.


    He shot forward, following her trajectory and leaving behind shattered earth.


    As he got closer, Liam quickly sensed Janice''s attempt to pressure his mind with her superior consciousness.


    Although the mental waves weighing against his mental sphere were strong, it was bearable by his standards. He simply gritted his teeth.


    Although Janice was a Rank 3 Magus, the pressure was more simr to a Rank 2''s capability, albeit stronger.


    Liam didn''t wait for her to catch her footing ¨C he towered above her and swiftly smashed all six of his arms on her stomach.


    The force was just too much. Although her Rank 4 body held strong, the insides were severely damaged.


    Janice couldn''t effectively defend herself from the blow, and the fists smashed full force against her sr plexus, vacuuming the air from her lungs and cracking the weakened ribs.


    With a suppressed grunt of pain, she smashed limp against the rocky terrain, her body marred with bruises and damaged internals.


    Liam was upon her again.


    "What¡­ are you?" Janice wheezed with a drooping eye as Liam towered over her limp body. His gold and red irises emitted an inhuman coldness.


    Liam said nothing and picked Janice up by the neck with one arm.


    By then, the remaining cultivators had arrived at the scene, staring in horror as their strongest was utterly broken, held by a six-armed creature they thought went extinct.


    As they prepared their most destructive and powerful spells, Liam pulled at Janice''s neck with all of his arms.


    Her Rank 4 body was stubborn¡­ but weakened considerably.


    Paired with strengthening chaos, the skin on the professor''s neck slowly started to rip and tear apart. Layers of flesh started to separate.


    Like plucking a grape off its stem, Janice''s head was torn from her shoulders.

 Chapter 167 Carnage

    <h4>Chapter 167 Carnage</h4>


    Witnessing the grim scene, the cultivators surrounding Liam instantly fired every spell and technique they could muster.


    Showers of every element rained down upon Liam.


    Using Janice''s corpse as a shield, he blocked most of the direct attacks that would have damaged his body.


    Although Liam''s new physique defiedmon sense, he didn''t want to test his luck.


    In the first ce, he was rapidly running out of chaos, and the bloodthirsty emotions were starting to gnaw away at hismon sense.


    Entire chunks of earth mmed at him through Janice''s body. The force made him skitter backwards as he held his ground, his feet digging into the earth below.


    Bursts of liquid shot through Janice''s skin, butcked the power to pierce through the other side.


    Gusts of wind weakened Janice''s already desecrated corpse, hacking away at her flesh.


    Waves of fire burned away and cooked Janice''s skin, rendering her shielding capabilities null.


    The sound of ss breaking sounded beside Liam''s ears, and a mix of mes and fumes enshrouded him, entering through his nostrils and dulling his senses.


    Three entire minutes passed of constant spells and chemical weapons being used.


    Eventually, the cultivators stopped to see the result of their barrage. Smoke, fire, water and scattered shards of stone spread throughout the area.


    Silence ensued.


    ROAR!


    A guttural roar tore through the air and instantly cleared away the smoke.


    The sound waves directly popped some of the academic guards'' ears, unable to strengthen their consciousness in time.


    A few wounds marred Liam''s body. Slight burn marks that browned his hardened skin and small cuts that tore through his hardened skin.


    Instead of leaking red, however, Liam''s blood was pure white. Strange.


    What worried the cultivators the most was the wrath they saw on Liam''s face. He loudly panted like a wild animal, his teeth bared and dripping spit.


    Janice, on the other hand, looked like a lump of flesh with no distinctive feature linking to a human being, but her allies couldn''t care less about her anymore.


    "Call for reinforceme-"


    Liam blurred as he reappeared towards the cultivator speaking. His gauntlets pierced into the man''s chest and pulled it apart from the inside, spraying blood and bone.


    As the man was split into six sections, Liam''s bloodthirsty gaze shifted to the next. With another deafening roar, he leaped at the closest person and began tearing him apart.


    The humans rightfully panicked.


    Their most powerful spells took time to prepare, and their weapons didn''t do jack against the Ashura''s powerful body.


    Somehow, it focused down on those trying to run away, and others that tried using their Jades to call for support.


    Liam was ripping them apart one by one with his bare hands!


    Other times, he was biting away limbs with his powerful jaw!


    There was no humanity left inside that demon.


    Only carnage.


    ///


    A sliver of consciousness allowed Liam to pull himself back to his senses.


    When he opened his eyes, he was holding a corpse in his hands ¨C jaw broken and limbless, with their bulging eyes devoid of life.


    A look around made him realize simr bodies were strewn all around.


    Somecked heads, others lower halves, and vice versa.


    The battlefield looked grim, with pieces of flesh and viscera scattered throughout.


    Liam began coughing violently. His entire body began to ache painfully, causing him to tremble slightly. He even coughed a mouthful of blood.


    ''Bacsh?'' Liam cursed. ''When did I ck out?''


    He quickly realized he was no longer in his Ashura form. Four of his arms had disappeared, absorbed back into his body.


    Still trembling with a cruel migraine, Liam took a minute to inspect the state of his body.


    His pale skin wasn''t as hardened anymore, but he still retained some of that amazing strength. His hair went back to blonde, but now had a metallic sheen.


    The alloyed gauntlets weren''t there either, leaving his fists bare and stained with blood, but the etched designs remained, albeit less visible.


    However, the pearl within his sr plexus remained.


    It was empty of any chaos ¨C or Primordial Essence, to be precise ¨C but it was slowly and gradually filling up.


    Thankfully, the inside of his mouth had gone back to normal.


    "Aaah, aaah."


    Even his voice wasn''t as demonic, but definitely deeper.


    ''That idiot didn''t even give me an exnation of my abilities! Did using my Ashura form result in me going insane? I would never have killed these people so brutally.''


    Fast and concise was Liam''s killing method. Torture was an indulgence he saved for people he truly hated.


    Whatever emotions he might have had were intensified by a hundred when he transformed, though.


    Even his pride and greed¡­ although he didn''t feel like those emotions changed.


    ''So I''m a Half Ashura, then? That means I have the best of both worlds¡­ only I can ess one of them at a time.''


    Fair.


    Liam picked himself up. His space-rings held on, as they were covered by the gauntlets themselves.


    ''I need to leave. This ce looks like a warzone and I''m just a week away from the marker.''


    Liam was buck-naked. He grabbed a pair of bloodstained clothes ¨C those that fit him at least ¨C and put them on.


    At the same time, he made sure to loot every single ring he found, including Janice''s.


    As he ran, Liam found that his speed was much fasterpared to before. He also gained back the ability to use his darkness spells.


    ''So that''s it then. I''m half human and half Ashura.''


    Putting those thoughts in the back of his mind, Liam focused on getting away. His new abilities honestly made him excited for the future.


    There was also the strange fact of his blood being white, but he saved that forter.


    Much faster than he expected, Liam arrived at the marker''s location in three days.


    He was in a mountainous area, covered with caverns, tunnels, dens and dungeons at every corner.


    "Stop hiding. I''m here on the ount of Revel Or, your leader."


    Silence.


    "Who''re you?" a nasally voice echoed from one of the tunnels.


    Liam''s face was stern.


    "Your new leader."

 Chapter 168 Heir

    <h4>Chapter 168 Heir</h4>


    There was silence for a good few minutes.


    Eventually, groups of hooded men and women slowly exited the tunnels and surrounded Liam from all sides.


    ''They''re not the strongest,'' Liam thought, assessing their auras with the King''s Eye. ''They''ll do, though.''


    Bing an Ashura had no effect on his King''s Eye, but having another sensory organ restored his vision.


    Not to mention, the red iris looked horrifying, as it was both vertical and horizontal at the same time, but it took a closer inspection to see the faint difference.


    "Where''s master Revel?" a hooded man ahead, who Liam presumed was their leader, said.


    Liam gave him a hard look.


    "Dead."


    Gasps rang out from all sides, followed by murmurs and loud curses. Some already unsheathed their weapons.


    "W-what? You''re lying!" the man responded, taking out a longsword from his hood.


    Liam frowned and clicked his tongue.


    "His sickness grew in the final stages of his life. I''m what remains of him," Liam took out Revel''s token, then raised it in the air.


    "Proof."


    Silence ensued.


    The members of the organization, which Liam didn''t know the name of, didn''t know how to take the news.


    ''Revel must have taken care of these guys well for them to call him ''master''.''


    Liam could see the man''s face through the dark hood. His expression was a mix of grief and shock, pained by the news.


    To further prove his case, Liam took out Revel''s blood-red odachi, which caused another round of incredulous stares.


    "What are you to him?" the man asked with a threatening voice.


    Liam was getting annoyed by the venomous stares.


    "His heir."


    Liam supposed eptance would be better than a forceful takeover, but their reluctance to the news was making him impatient. He had ces to be!


    A tense minute passed, and the man finally spoke.


    "Then we ept his wishes," he said, uncovering his hood and revealing his scarred features. "I''m Jargon."


    Jargon looked a bit over the middle-age threshold, but face held a maturity beyond his years.


    His features were weary ¨C dark eyes that no doubt saw the pits of despair, short ck hair, with tanned skin and a long scar that ran horizontally across his forehead.


    The others followed suit, uncovering their hoods. They looked like the dregs of society, the forgotten and despised bunch.


    Liam slicked his hair back.


    "Good. Quickly show me how things are run here. I need safe passage to another country or continent, and I need it fast."


    Jargon nodded firmly.


    "Follow me, sir. Our passages lead to the ships."


    Jargon entered one of the tunnels leading downwards and Liam followed closely behind him.


    ''Revel really liked building hidden bases, didn''t he?'' Liam thought as he entered the mountain passage.


    It resembled Revel''s hideout back in Udd, only much grander and vibrant. The inner passages were lit by countless bright yellow lights, connecting one passage to another.


    Every corner bustled with people, staring at Liam with various emotions in their eyes.


    "We''re called the Blood Troupe, and we have roughly two thousand people with us," Jargon exined as they walked. "We''re all fugitives and criminals¡­ but master Revel didn''t see any defects in us. He gave us spells, techniques and a ce to live."


    Liam hummed in thought.


    ''So he acted as a gracious benefactor and slowly raised his force using his wealth. Smart.''


    "There aren''t any camouging formations around your base. How do you not get caught?" Liam asked.


    Jargon raised a brow.


    "Why would anyone want toe to a magical beast infested area? Besides yourself, of course."


    Fair point. The amount of magical beasts surrounding the base was much more than normal. Liam even had to kill a pack or two wolves to get through.


    "We travel by a single ship. Towards the borders, there''s a massive docking port where countless others like us travel between countries for trade and the like."


    "Any inspections?" Liam asked. "And how fast is your boat?"


    "Of course, any faster form of transportation requires money, which we don''t really have much of. Our boat has a few inscriptions on it made by Revel himself, but they''re¡­ not the best."


    "There are minor inspections with distant travel, and major if there''s anything suspicious," Jargon exined, rubbing the scar on his forehead. "And our documents for travel are official. Our leader made absolutely sure of it."


    Liam nodded to himself, satisfied.


    "We have to be quick. The entire country will be on the lookout for me if they aren''t already. What countries can you go to?"


    Jargon looked a bit worried at Liam''s first point, but scratched his head and looked away.


    "It depends on how much money you have, and if they choose to ept you. Abyssal ins and Korsan Lands are a no-go, but other countries are more lenient."


    Liam ran through the countries he learned about.


    First was li, containing the Martial Alliance towards the west. Their cultures were surreal and revolved around martial arts and sectors ¨C even theirnds were called the "gangho", roughly tranting to Land of Arts.


    Calligraphers and artists were venerated there, including those with high battle prowess.


    Liam weighed the other options.


    With the knowledge he gained through his time at the Academy, he knew a good amount about thendscape of his world.


    In the distant north, there was the Empire of Duality, ruled by both an Emperor and an Empress, both of whom were Rank 6 powerhouses.


    However, it was a known fact that the two were not on fair terms. The Emperor ruled one half, and the Empress ruled another.


    ''I''m not interested in a dictatorship. I want somece where I can freely practice my abilities without restriction.''


    Some countries weren''t dictated just by bloodline.


    There was the small country of Aiho towards the northwest, which consisted entirely of alchemy experts. However, they only allowed in individuals that had a simr specialization. Some countries followed the same route.


    Countries towards the south and east were basically impossible to arrive at due to the Blood Troupe''s location ¨C only the north, west, and the countries in between were open for travel.


    Weighing his options determining each factor, Liam heaved a sigh.


    ''li it is, then.''

 Chapter 169 Comfort

    <h4>Chapter 169 Comfort</h4>


    Liam''s reasons for wanting to head to li varied.


    Firstly, the concept of nobility didn''t exist within the Martial Alliance.


    Power was respected.


    That meant there would be no annoying nobles or royalty that would try to hinder or probe Liam''s cultivation.


    At the same time, the Sectors in that country could provide backing so long as Liam met their requirements.


    Not to mention, most Sects had their own jurisdiction over an appointed area, depending on their strength and resources.


    Also, it was the nearest from the surrounding countries, which would take roughly a month or two to arrive at.


    The other countries all had strict systems within their civilizations. There were even other kingdoms simr to Echoria, but what would be the point of that?


    ''li checks all the boxes. The only issue is finding a Sect that would be willing to ept me. From what I''ve heard, there are Unorthodox Sectors that ept anyone with no questions asked, but low level Sects often get bullied by those above.''


    Getting bullied by someone stronger was an issue no country would escape. It was the theme of the cultivation world.


    Liam shook his head. He was putting the cart before the horse.


    ''I need to get there first.''


    "Run there with me, I''m not patient enough to walk."


    Jargon looked taken aback, but nodded and ran with Liam in front of him.


    "Are your people trustable?" Liam asked in a low voice.


    "Yes," Jargon nodded firmly. "I can bet my life on it, sir. We would rather bite out our tongues than be rats."


    Letting out a low hum in response, Liam would hold them up to that.


    ///


    After an hour, Liam arrived at the passage''s ending.


    It was a natural opening within the mountain that allowed for a clear view of the ocean ahead.


    With the daylight gone, the seas shimmered with morous moonlight and stars.


    Near thends that connected the oceans to the seas, were a vast line of thousands of ships differing in size. Some resembled massive yachts that nobles entered through, others were kayak boats big enough for one person to fish.


    Besides that were small-sized establishments ¨C tents and bases that thousands of people rested in before setting out to sea.


    Among those, there were noble soldiers that guarded the borders surrounding the docking ports.


    Liam was given a fake ID he could use, a Blood Troupe member that had died in the past. Jargon was confused why he requested that, unaware of his illusionistic abilities.


    "Our ship is that one," Jargon pointed to a ship in the distance.


    Zooming in, Liam saw that it was a regr ship ¨C albeitrge enough to hold 2,000 people ¨C made from general wood and small writings on its bottom.


    "Gather everyone then. We''re leaving now."


    Jargon nodded, then turned to the surrounding Blood Troupe members and began to firmly instruct them.


    Liam expected more than a few rebels against his leadership, but to his pleasant surprise, the members didn''t do anything of the sort.


    They began to pack their provisions and stored all their items before lining up to the passage entrance, even puffing out the lights and removing any trace of their stay.


    ''They were taught well.''


    Meanwhile, Liam was given a loose ck cloak to hide his features with, and a cleaner set of covert clothes.


    Pretty soon, the tunnel was packed with the Blood Troupe members, looking at their new leader with gazes of quiet anticipation.


    "Divide yourselves into groups and enter in short intervals. Jargon has already exined everything, so I won''t repeat myself."


    As he said those words, Liam activated the King''s Eye, instantly switching his appearance to the ID he was given. He didn''t really feelfortable showing his ability, but he needed the Blood Troupe to recognize him forter.


    Those who saw the change felt their jaw loosen, but Liam didn''t give them any reprieve.


    At once, he leaped out of the passage, and the divided groups followed behind him.


    ///


    Before long, Liam arrived at the borders with his own group of people. He blended in behind Jargon who led the party, and was an expert in traveling in and out of Echoria.


    It took a while for the man to calm himself down after seeing Liam''s ability, but he managed.


    The borders were swarming with crowds of people, noble and peasant alike. Obviously, the potentates had their own gate, and Liam''s group had to wait in line with themoners.


    Perfect.


    Liam''s sh with Janice and the rest happened three days ago, the soldiers at the gates didn''t look vignt or on edge.


    ''Even if they found the bodies, they don''t know who could do such a thing. I''m still a weak student in their eyes, and the crater is bound to make them ask questions.''


    Jargon''s turn eventually came.


    He uncovered his hood and spoke respectfully to the noble guard in charge. He gave the man the number of travelers, their IDs, reason for travel and more.


    "I need to inspect your group and belongings," the guard said.


    Jargon nodded, and the tall, armored soldier began rummaging through the group and inspecting the space-rings, giving them probing gazes.


    His hard gaze lingered on Liam for a brief second, but didn''t see any rings on his fingers.


    With a dismissive look, he quickly waved his hand at the group and gestured for them to enter.


    Liam slightly smiled. A Rank 1 Magus couldn''t see through his illusion at all.


    Jargon led Liam to the boat and the members boarded it.


    Over time, more and more people entered the ship and began unloading their supplies within its cabins.


    Liam could not rest peacefully until the ship sailed, thus waited for everyone to gatherpletely.


    Half an hourter, the ship began to move, with Jargon at the helm steering it.


    Slowly, it disembarked from the docking port and joined the countless other ships that headed for li.


    Looking at Echoria, Liam heaved a sigh of relief.


    More than fourteen years he spent in such a ce ¨C creating countless memories ¨C but still felt no connection to.


    Only in the stars would he findfort in.

 Chapter 170 Slow

    <h4>Chapter 170 Slow</h4>


    After the ship safely began to sail, Liam found himself a room inside the ship''s cabin.


    The Blood Troupe members cleared up a way for him, leaving him the biggest and most spacious room to rest in.


    Truthfully, the organization was getting more and more useful in Liam''s eyes.


    They knew their ce and never spoke out of turn, like maids and butlers except infinitely more useful.


    ''Is this the power of influence? I can see why nobles cling to their status so much.''


    As a lone cultivator, Liam didn''t really recognize the benefits of having greater numbers.


    However, he still believed in increasing his own strength by himself.


    Relying so much on others would only make him more dependent on them.


    Dispelling those thoughts, Liam closed the door behind him and inspected the room.


    It was a cozy space lit by a single light hanging from the top, swaying left and right as the waves crashed against the ship.


    Besides that, there were random booksying around here and there, with a single bed facing the wall.


    Done with that, Liam sat cross-legged with a groan. Although he fought roughly 4 days ago, his body was still in severe pain.


    All his muscles ached with each movement, ringing with agony. Bacsh from using his Ashura form with chaos for too long.


    Liam thought back to the results of the fight. ''Why couldn''t she affect me with her mental waves? She was a Rank 3 Magus, wasn''t she?''


    It took a solid minute for Liam to understand why.


    To attack the mental sphere, one had to find it through the body and damage it from there. Mental waves had a limit of what they could pierce through.


    ''...That means my body is hard enough to block out mental waves¡­ I''m only at the third Rank too.''


    Smiling, the first thing Liam did was check if his cultivation worked the same.


    To his relief, it did.


    ''Ora'' gathered around his core and nourished its insides while expanding its walls. Yet even though Liam hadn''t cultivated in the months he was running, his organ naturally expanded itself.


    This was because Liam''s centers of power were of a much higher rank.


    With a Rank 3 body nearing the fourth, and a Rank 2 sea of consciousness, Liam''s body was rapidly nourishing itself to align the centers of power.


    ''A week or two should be enough for a breakthrough.''


    Liam smiled.


    His Half Ashura form allowed for normal cultivation.


    ''How do I cultivate this pearl thingie, though?'' Liam wondered as his sr plexus gathered chaos. ''It probably doesn''t require techniques¡­ if it does I won''t be able to do anything with it for a while. I''ll have to experiment with itter. I can''t use my chaos here.''


    Training with the Psionic Rune was the same.


    Just to be safe, Liam entered his sea of consciousness. There were no major differences¡­ but his mental energy was a bit darker than usual, a tinge of red mixed with the ck.


    Liam grimaced.


    ''This is why I cked out¡­ the transformation was bound to have an effect on my mind.''


    After practicing a bit with his mental energy, Liam realized the issue was deep rooted. He couldn''t get it to change by simply removing it.


    It was a part of him now.


    Liam sighed.


    A problem for another time.


    ''What about my blood?''


    Liam began willing out his crimson, forming a bent dagger in his hand that crystalized shortly after.


    Unlike in his Ashura form, where it was pure white, his blood was back to normal, albeit somewhat brighter than usual.


    ''Did its purity go up?''


    Using the dagger, Liam formed a cut on his arm.


    It pierced the skin and dug into the flesh, drawing blood.


    ''It did! It''s probably an upper-tier Rank 1 item on its own.''


    Incredible physical prowess, an entirely unique and destructive element, paired with higher blood purity than his own species.


    The loss of reproductive capabilities and bestial nature was a small sacrifice for someone like Liam. Not to mention, he had a sea of consciousness and a core too!


    While humans had three centers of power, Liam had four. He was in another realm of cultivation.


    Even thinking about his progress made his body tremble from excitement.


    Ashuras were too strong. Liam was too strong.


    It begged the question, howe the Opposition wasn''t suppressing him as of this moment?


    ''As if I can find the answer to that. Maybe I''m just too weak as of now¡­ there''s still time for everything to go wrong.''


    Leaving that for now, Liam shut his eyes and got to work. He took out any pills in the rings he looted which would strengthen his absorption of ''Ora''.


    Among those there were pills that were specific to a user''s element, which Liam couldn''t really use.


    There were tempering methods, cultivation techniques, ''Ora'' Stones and even Psionic Runes in the first and second Rank.


    ''Maybe I should spread these to the Blood Troupe. Most of them only have Rank 2 bodies andck cultivation techniques. They don''t have many Magi either.''


    He would hold off on that for the moment. A hungry dog woulde back for more, and his trust in the organization wasn''t solidified yet.


    Sitting cross-legged and closing his eyes, Liam began cultivating.


    ///


    Two weeks passed.


    Liam consumed all the usable pills for both his body and core.


    Despite that, his previous estimation of a week for a breakthrough was off the mark, even though he used pills to speed up his progress. A realization made him slightly grimace, but in truth, it was a reasonable penalty.


    Liam''s cultivation progress was slowed.


    Much slower than the norm.


    Liam thought it had something to do with how rigid and powerful his body was, making it difficult for his core to expand, but it was the same with his mental sphere.


    ''So much forck of suppression. I just had to jinx it didn''t I...''


    Though, it generally made sense. Liam had four centers of power, and alignment of them would take longer because of that exact reason.


    Doing his best not toment, Liam smiled broadly as he inspected his Rank 2 core.

 Chapter 171 Advancement

    <h4>Chapter 171 Advancement</h4>


    Breaking through to the second Rank of the core didn''t take much effort from his side.


    In the span of five minutes, Liam''s core churned with high amounts of world essence as it slowly shrank in size,pressing the solid state ''Ora''.


    The process required his constant focus and care, often to push back the walls of his core using his mental energy so it wouldn''t copse.


    His abdomen burned and chilled at the same time, but he was ustomed to those feelings.


    As it slowly condensed, Liam felt like his core would explode.


    To his relief, it didn''t. Instead, the solid-state ''Ora'' began to melt due to the pressure it faced.


    From solid it changed to liquid, and from liquid to gaseous.


    It was back to the starting point!


    However, the quality of gaseous ''Ora'' inside his core was brilliantly pure and dense.


    It easily trumped his Rank 1''s solid-stage.


    His new core walls were sturdier and thicker ¨C even though it was barely the size of a pinhead ¨C and naturally absorbed gaseous ''Ora'' that vitalized Liam''s body.


    ''My ''Ora'' reserves doubled!''


    Without a second of dy, he took out his Shadowfire cultivation technique and memorized it forter.


    When his core had filled up to a decent amount, Liam stopped absorbing ''Ora'' and prepared to test his darkness.


    PHOOF!


    At once, his hand burst into dark mes that surged around his palm.


    They were pure ck, letting no light pass through or escape.


    Liam''s control over his element was much more precise.


    He willed it again, and darkness exploded from his entire body, corroding the wooden nks he stood on and the ceiling above his head.


    Liam snuffed out the darkness before he identally wrecked the ship.


    He couldn''t help but let out an excited chuckle for the future.


    ''Forging should be much easier too. I can purify and cleanse magical beast parts without sacrificing their natural strength and endurance.''


    Realizing he didn''t have any of his own des remaining, that''s exactly what Liam did.


    He took out a preserved wolf type magical beast from his ring and began forging away.


    As he expected, he could easily shape the bones, teeth and nails without much difficulty.


    In fact, he made both a katana and wakizashi at once, then absorbed the Beast Will.


    Liam expected there to be a drastic effect when the Shadow Panther formed in his mental sphere, but thankfully, there wasn''t anything rming ¨C it was just a bit more vicious and enraged than normal.


    Liam''s goal was to find out what tier his des were on their own.


    Once settled in li, he could try his hand at selling weapons and armor for steady ie, even without the Beast Will imbued.


    Defeating the wolf that ravaged his mental sphere walls, Liam quickly padded it with mental energy and imbued the Beast Will within the des.


    Examining his des, Liam pursed his lips.


    Unfortunately, his expectations were too high.


    The elegant shortsword was close to the upper tier, due to being smaller and easier to imbue with the Beast Will, and the katana was at the low end of the middle-tier.


    ''If I let the Beast Will cook and used it on one de at a time, it probably would have pushed past to the second Rank.''


    ''I should start adding meanings to it.''


    ///


    Another month passed with Liam repeatedly forging, inscribing and cultivating the entire time.


    He hadn''t gone out from his room since, with Jargon giving him brief updates on their smooth journey.


    His attempts to add meanings into his forgings were moreplicated than he thought.


    Liam''s experience with Blood Weaving couldn''t be applied to Primordial Forging.


    They were different methods and functioned in different ways.


    One used blood, and the other used the remnants of a magical beast.


    Liam was aplete newbie in that regard, incapable of making anything usable, but he was quickly learning from his mistakes.


    Blood Weaving progressed much smoother.


    Due to Liam''s blood purity going up, he could inscribe des that neared the middle-tier of Rank 2.


    An amazing feat that waspletely unthinkable for someone his age.


    However, actually reaching the middle-tier was another hurdle Liam had a bit of difficulty with.


    He seemed to have reached a bottleneck.


    His understanding of the conceptsgged behind his Ink and Linking ability, which was understandable to say the least.


    The overall result of his seclusion gave him the freedom to practice other pieces of weaponry and armor.


    A Beast Will took whatever form was given to it.


    Liam tried his hand in making armor to absorb attacks with, throwing needles and knives, daggers and more.


    Obviously, his experience with those items werecking to say the least, and none went above the middle-tier of the first Rank.


    Nheless, they were usable, and the Blood Troupe could use them.


    On the other hand, the Shadowfire cultivation technique was something Liam was satisfied with.


    It made him feel like someone was sticking an acid-coated dagger in his abdomen each time he cultivated, but it was effective as it was painful.


    Concluding his forging and cultivation for the day, Liam decided to leave his room.


    The Blood Troupe members around his cabin were ying cards and insulting each other when Liam exited.


    Theirughs died down as they fumbled and hid the cards, respectfully greeting Liam with their heads lowered.


    Liam''s aura was chillingly cold due to the migraine he was going through, with his unkempt hair and bloodshot eyes making him look like a wild beast.


    With a snort that sounded more like a chuckle, Liam walked past them and entered the main deck.


    The Blood Troupe members were rowdy at first, but their voices dwindled down at Liam''s arrival.


    ''Did Revel torture these guys or something? Why are they so timid?''


    Seeing his leader finallye out, Jargon left the ship''s helm and came to Liam''s side with a smile.


    "Sir! You''ve finallye out of seclusion. I was just about to inform you..."


    Liam raised a brow. "Of what?"


    Jargon''s smile broadened as he pointed to the distance.


    The lian Lands hade into view.

 Chapter 172 Beautiful

    <h4>Chapter 172 Beautiful</h4>


    It was nighttime as the lian Lands came to view¡­ and it was just beautiful.


    All the others could see were silhouettes, but Liam zoomed in and saw the vast array of colors thatnds consisted of.


    Towering mountains stretching into gray clouds filled his vision. They were blocky in shape and weren''t sloped like normal, like square pirs connected to the skies gradually thinning out from the base.


    Lowering his gaze, Liam inspected the borders and docking ports that epted the iing ships, stretching as far as his eye could see.


    Scattered orbs of bright white light illuminated the space. Like pole lights, they were connected to the end of a tall, curved nt.


    On high towers, stern-faced, burly men wearingyered robes firmly directed the sailors on where to go.


    ''They''re strong. There are even Rank 3 Magi among them. Hiding my appearance won''t be as easy anymore.''


    The towers were made with colorful, arched, interwoven wood, glowing with a gentle light.


    Any structures Liam saw erected at the border looked naturally made, as though the colorful nt life willingly decided to shelter and take care of its inhabitants.


    Even the waters grew clearer as the ship approached, with glowing, koi-like fish creating faint ripples beneath its surface.


    The naturality of li was truly breathtaking for any normal person.


    Even Liam was amazed by its beauty. Learning about it through books and interactive pictures didn''t do it justice.


    "You''ve been here before?" Liam asked Jargon, who responded with a quick nod.


    "Once with Revel. He didn''t stay for long, though. For some reason, he looked offended and angry when we returned to Echoria."


    Liam hummed in thought.


    Nobles from Echoria were strictly barred from entering li.


    That was part of the reason Liam chose it as his destination.


    After several incidents of shing against other Sects and local folks, li just banned any noblemen or women froming to their country.


    A wise decision, Liam realized.


    li only epted migrants and Royalty, as well as any Zenith Ranked cultivator they couldn''t afford to offend.


    That said, Liam desperately needed a bath before making his first impressions.


    With his current state he didn''t doubt getting deported on arrival.


    Jargon promptly showed him a shower-room and gave Liam a set of new clothes. One of lian custom.


    It was a in inner robe, padded with a ck outer robe and loose martial art pants of a simr color.


    "I''ll go make the preparations, sir."


    ///


    As Liam bathed, the Blood Troupe members switched out their clothes to match with lian customs.


    The weaker ones resembled farmers and workers, while those with rtively strong centers of power wore various martial arts robes.


    Jargon directed the ship to the closest jetty, where an lian martial artist approached and gestured for them to exit.


    The tall, tanned, muscr middle-aged man wore ck and white robes, and radiated a powerful aura.


    Liam had finished bathing by then. His appearance wasn''t entirely switched this time, since the IDs were only required when exiting Echoria.


    The martial artists themselves were the inspectors/judges that determined entry into the country.


    Only Liam''s dark red and golden eyes were switched out with ck, with minor changes in his facial features and skin.


    Jargon was a capable man.


    He was well-versed in the liannguage and made a good impression on the martial artist, dubbing himself a rich vige leader that sought better living conditions and expansion of trade.


    Jargon even pointed to Liam and mentioned him as his son.


    That irked Liam for some reason, but he let it slide.


    The inspector looked convinced. He did a brief inspection and noted down everyone''s faces, names and even Ranks.


    Liam himself wasn''t an exception. Although he heavily suppressed his aura and resembled a Rank 1 Magus, it still made the lian shoot him a strange look.


    Coupled with Jargon''s story of investing most of the vige resources on his young son, the inspector eventually gave them a pass into the country after giving them a brief rundown on how thends operated.


    "Be careful not to venture into unnamed territories. Some Sects are not weing and are violent enough to kill on sight," the inspector said with a firm voice.


    "There are areas that no Sector has jurisdiction over, Safe Zones where duels or killings are not allowed. Most civilians live in those regions."


    "For your own safety, don''t venture too deeply into the forests or mountains. Not all Spirit Beasts are friendly."


    ''Spirit Beasts? Is that another term for magical beast?'' Liam wondered.


    With that, the group was finally allowed entry.


    "Well done," Liam voiced beside Jargon as the Troupe began unpacking their supplies and carrying them past the jetty.


    "T-thank you, my liege¡­ I apologize for calling you my son, but it was¡ª"


    Liam raised a hand. "It''s fine."


    Liam shifted his attention forward.


    Thendscape was straight out of a painting.


    Further ahead were small hills covered with lush trees, lined with orbs of light that illuminated the packed walkways.


    The grass below was a million shades of red, shimmering like metal and varying in length ¨C barley-like stalks and blossoming flowers protruding from its surface.


    Tents lined the vein-like walkways, where merchants wearing entric garments greeted the new migrants with happy faces and offered them paintings,rge canvases with calligraphy on them, including wearable trinkets.


    There was even a river of azure water that flowed past the hills, the source of which were gushing waterfalls from the blocky mountains.


    Liam noticed how the ''Ora'' surrounding them functioned way differentlypared to the norm. It was of a purer density, and came from every nook and cranny.


    ''This ce is much moreplicated than I thought. Are the magical beasts different, too?'' Liam wondered.


    A soft gust of wind fluttered Liam''s hair.


    "It''s... beautiful," a Troupe member couldn''t help but voice.


    Liam agreed.


    But that was that.


    A momentter, the group withdrew towards a more secluded side of the country entrance, where Liam had to give orders to the two thousand-some Blood Troupe members.

 Chapter 173 Seven Clans

    <h4>Chapter 173 Seven ns</h4>


    Liam began with giving the Troup the Jades he had in his possession.


    They were linked to Jargon''smunication device, but only Jargon''s Jade was connected to Liam''s.


    "We will part here," Liam spoke to Jargon, but his words were spread from one person to the other.


    "Split yourselves into groups and spread throughout thends. Those who are able, should join a Sect. If you cannot, then settle for work and familiarize yourself with how the regions function. Once a month, report to Jargon anything of importance."


    Taking out several space-rings from his pocket, Liam gave it to Jargon.


    "Those should have about 250 cubic meters of space total. I''ve added 45,000 ''Ora'' Stones for you to divide amongst the groups."


    Reluctantly epting them, Jargon looked concerned.


    The surrounding Blood Troupe members raised their brows in shock. That was no little sum.


    "My liege¡­ this is too much. Won''t you need them yourself? Where will you go?"


    Liam raised a brow at Jargon''s concern. Studying his mental waves, Liam realized the man was truthful in his worry.


    ''He''s trustable. I don''t know about the rest, but if they''re all like him, then I won''t have anything to worry about.''


    "Those rings aren''t just for storage and money. They''re filled with Rank 2 and 3 techniques, spells, pills, body tempering and cultivation methods, as well as Psionic Runes. I''ve separated them into different elements for you to distribute."


    At his words, Jargon began sweating profusely, and the Troupe members had wide-eyed expressions.


    Jargon stuttered as he tried to find words to say, but his tongue was tied to a knot.


    "I don''t need a thank you. Grow strong and be useful. Think of it as an investment that you''ll eventually pay me back with."


    Silence ensued.


    "...What''s an investment?" a scrawny member questioned, instantly suffering a silencing p to the back of the head.


    "If I have a need for you some time in the future, I''ll let you know."


    Liam shot Jargon a knowing look, who gulped and began to spread the rings among the twenty groups of people containing one-hundred? men each.


    After paying their deep respects to Liam, they dispersed in random directions.


    Jargon lingered. There was a solemn look on his face, and he couldn''t but slightly smile.


    "Thank you, my liege. I will never forget your generosity.''


    Taking out onest ring, Liam gave it to the man.


    "There''s a Rank 4 tempering method in that ring attuned to your element including a Rank 3 cultivation method."


    Jargon felt his heart-rate spike.


    The man was in luck. Only Janice had a Rank 4 tempering method in her ring, and her water element matched his.


    Liam raised a hand to stop the man from expressing gratitude. He had no need for techniques and spells he didn''t use. Although he could sell them, Liam decided to gamble a bit with Jargon.


    "Don''t disappoint me. Join the biggest Sect you can and report to me once a month in secret. I have high hopes."


    Jargon nodded firmly. He would feel more ufortable if Liam didn''t have a mission for him.


    After a few more words (Jargon repeatedly thanking him), the two parted ways, and Liam was alone again.


    The first thing he did was explore.


    Liam quietly changed his appearance and blended into the crowd of randoms.


    li was peaceful and serene.


    At least, for the time being.


    Liam was still in a Safe Zone, browsing through the items sold by the jolly merchants.


    He picked up a few items of his own.


    Simple wearables that helped him blend in ¨C ck wrappings around his hands and arms, hiding the faint etchings on his skin, and a silver, chinese-looking hairpin to tie up his long hair in a bun.


    Moving forward, Liam decided to ask around.


    "Can you point me to the nearest Sector, senior?" Liam asked a stern-faced, short, wrinkly old man sitting leisurely behind a clothing stall.


    Liam was familiar with the tradition of the lians.


    He cupped his right fist over his left palm, which was a gesture of respect.


    At the same time, he had to be careful not to do it the other way around¡­ since that would apparently initiate a duel to the death.


    "A thousand steps from here, past the hill, is the Soaring Rain Sect," the old man grumbled, scratching his goatee. "You look like an ambitious young buck, but unless you''re of water, ya can''t join."


    "They''re element exclusive?"


    The old man nodded, his dark eyes fixed to Liam''s.


    "It''smon ''round here. Most Sects have special martial arts that they refine and pass down over the generations, and more often than not it requires a specific element. The Seven ns are the same."


    Liam paused for a second.


    "Can you tell me more about them?"


    Although Liam knew about the Seven ns, it was of the general kind. He quietly slid 10 ''Ora'' Stones across the old man''s counter as he asked his question.


    Sighing, the old man pushed back the Stones, which made Liam raise a brow.


    "Kid, I know your people aren''t the best, but not everyone can be bribed. Be careful when doing things like that. I''ll tell you about them nheless."


    Taking back the ''Ora'' Stones, Liam nodded firmly.


    "They''re over at the Main Lands. The hotspot where all the powerful martial artists gather. Civilians are not allowed there due to its dangerous wildlife, but the men and women there are even more dangerous."


    Liam nodded, intrigued.


    "The Seven ns live there. My knowledge of them is little, but the most powerful of them all, is the Luminous Light Sect. They are few in number, but all of them are of the light element."


    Liam raised his brows, amazed. After lingering for a second, he pursed his lips and asked casually:


    "Are there any darkness exclusive Sects?"


    Instantly, the old man''s features twisted. A mix of fear, disgust and anger.


    "Look. If you want to go far in this country, don''t ask those kinds of questions. I''ve said enough, hurry along!"

 Chapter 174 History

    <h4>Chapter 174 History</h4>


    Liam was taken aback by the man''s change in demeanor.


    He was ushered and literally shooed away after asking his question.


    ''Now I definitely need to ask about that. Why was he so afraid?''


    Though, with the grave looks given to him by those who heard the conversation, Liam couldn''t ask the stall right next to him.


    ''I need a map. That should help me locate the more sketchy areas of this country so I can ask the right questions.''


    Liam set out once again, this time, muddling through the crowds and arriving at the hilltop.


    Once again, a beautiful scene met his eyes.


    From the somewhat high vantage point, Liam could see a vast night market, consisting ofrge, tall and loose tents with spacious walkways in between ¨C bustling with all kinds of colors, people and sounds.


    Here and there, towering white wisteria trees with purple, elephant ear-like leaves protruded from the ground and illuminated the regions with soft light.


    Thick ''Ora'' naturally oozed from those trees and spread a fragrant, rxing aroma.


    Multicolored orbs of light illuminated the countless walkways that spread like snakes in every direction, continuing up and down the hills.


    Thankfully, there were ces to stay. Spacious, natural-shaped inns made from the same wisterian wood.


    Changing his appearance once more, he merged with the crowd.


    ''I should stay inside for the rest of the night and train. I''ll pick up a ma¡ª am I being followed?''


    Liam cut his thoughts short as he felt a figure''s hidden gaze on his back.


    It was there ever since his talk with the old man, but he figured it was just the crowd.


    Just to be sure, he went thirty steps forward, then took a right, followed by a left.


    He was being followed.


    Liam''s gaze turned cold.


    This was a Safe Zone.


    He couldn''t kill anybody without the risk of getting killed or jailed himself, assuming there were jails and not outright execution.


    The figure in question wasn''t looking at him with any bloodlust or ill intent, and it didn''t even seem like the man was a cultivator, but Liam didn''t want to take any chances.


    As he was contemting where to kill the figure, a hiss rang out behind him.


    "Psst!"


    Turning his head to the source of the voice, Liam''s eyes narrowed as he sensed the man waving at him from a dark alley.


    ''Well, his grave.''


    Approaching the alley, Liam was prepared to unsheath his des when he realized his pursuer wasn''t even a cultivator.


    He was a scrawny, weasley looking man wearing arge cloak.


    "I heard you asking about any darkness exclusive Sects?" he asked with a mischievous grin.


    Frowning, Liam remained silent.


    "I can tell you about them for a price¡­ 30 Stones."


    With a sigh, Liam took out 30 ''Ora'' Stones and threw them to the man.


    He epted them with a smile, greedily storing them in his pockets before turning to Liam.


    "There is one," he whispered, anxiously checking his surroundings in case there was somebody listening.


    "Long ago, they were exiled due to the Forbidden Arts they practiced. They weren''t so much as a darkness only Sect¡­ but only those with a so-called "ck heart" could join."


    Leaning forward to Liam, he uttered a name:


    "The Temple of Shadow."


    Liam remained pensively silent, his gaze hard.


    "What Forbidden Arts? Where are they now?"


    The weasel shook his head.


    "I don''t know¡­ it was bad enough for them to get exiled by the Seven ns, though, so it was pretty damn forbidden."


    "Rambling old timers say they''re still out there, nning something in secret, but it''s been so long I doubt most of the new generation even cares anymore."


    Noticing the confused look on Liam''s face, the man continued, his tone lowering in volume.


    "See, our country has a long history with the Dual Empire and the Imperialists."


    "Way before my great-grandparents were born, they constantly attacked our Lands and tried to take over them."


    "With the birth of our powerhouse, we became stronger than ever and they stopped like the cowards they were."


    Liam wanted to ask who the powerhouse was, but the man shrugged. Locals only knew so much.


    "Some factions split and wanted revenge, others wished for order and peace. The Temple of Shadow was the former¡­ that''s all I know."


    With that, the weasel pulled his cloak over his head and scurried away.


    Liam hummed to himself in thought.


    He didn''t know if his best interest would be searching for an exiled n that may or may not exist anymore. If the locals didn''t find it, he sure as heck could not.


    Even if it did exist, there was no guarantee of them being strong enough to provide resources for Liam to cultivate, forge and train with.


    Though, the Forbidden Arts aspect certainly made him curious.


    Not to mention, if they were in hiding, it was all the better for Liam... if they were to ept him, of course.


    ''I should at least explore the other Sects and see if they suit my needs. If I can''t find anything, I''ll try and look for them.''


    Liam left the alley and looked for a map stall.


    Finding one, he quickly bought the biggest and most detailed map he saw, which named the regions of li and vaguely described the sects they belonged to.


    li wasn''t nearly as vast as Echoria was, but he was still at its front door. The Main Lands were more than two million steps away.


    Storing the map in his ring, Liam made his way to an inn with a changed appearance.


    The interior was lit by orbs of violet light, filled withughing, flush-faced men and women having a good time.


    "One room, please," Liam asked the plumpdy wearing a martial arts robe behind the counter.


    She smiled and asked for five Stones, which Liam quickly paid, receiving a glowing white token in response and directions to a room.


    The room itself wasn''t much, but everything was made from natural wood and nts. Even the bed and light hanging from above.


    Liamid out his parchments around him and began studying, cultivating and training until morning.

 Chapter 175 Display

    <h4>Chapter 175 Disy </h4>


    Hours passed.


    As Liam cultivated, he was simultaneously studying the Blood Arts and Revel''s attempts at creating spells with Blood Weaving.


    All the while, his core was repeatedly corroding away the impurities.


    At the same time, he had tried to inscribe and try his hand at creating a simple spell for his darkness.


    His understanding of it was so weak (by his standards) that Liam felt embarrassed as he made the Meanings and created the Links.


    It was like a legally-blind person attempting to describe colors.


    That''s how difficult creating a spell really was, partially due to Liam''s unorthodox method of inscribing.


    Liam''s motivation didn''t wane.


    Everyone had to start somewhere.


    Studying Revel''s parchments definitely gave him an edge over others, and the Blood Arts weren''t so difficult to understand anymore.


    After he concluded his cultivation session, Liam had a slight frown on his face.


    He was aplete Rank 2 cultivator¡­ by human standards.


    With a fourth center of power, his ranking system had changed, and so did his progression speed.


    However, Liam was sure he could easily kill any Rank 2 cultivator on the same level of strength as him.


    And with his Ashura form?


    He killed Janice. A Rank 3 battle professor with a Rank 4 body.


    Though that caused him to suffer for weeks on end and he couldn''t actively train due to the bacsh he suffered.


    Concluding his training session, Liam wore his clothes and exited when it was daytime.


    During the morning, the stall owners worked on resupplying their merchandise.


    Shouts and orders echoed around every corner, but the warm sunlight and the chirping of birds softened the atmosphere.


    Looking at the map in his hands, Liam scanned the regions.


    Most Sects were separated by naturalndscapes, like rivers,kes or mountains.


    Some Sects actually did live in mountains, and others above waterfalls.


    Not all Sects were big.


    Depending on their size, they spanned from having a few hundred disciples, up to ten thousands.


    This also determined how muchnd they possessed and were given control over.


    For a Sect to im morend, they would have to challenge another Sect for theirs.


    Some Sectors didn''t even havend.


    The Seven ns were different.


    Although their numbers weren''t the highest, especially the Luminous Light Sect, their disciples were all powerful experts.


    At the same time, they split the giant Main Lands into seven different sections, where thergest Sects lived under.


    Although the Safe Zones made it seem like everything was perfect, the real gangho was dog-eats-dog.


    As Liam continued exploring, he got to discover the wildlife of li.


    Spirit Beasts were indeed, a different kind of magical beast.


    On farnds, Liam saw truck-sized turtles that helped irrigate the crops, carrying farmers on their backs without tearing them apart.


    They were indeed magical beasts, only way friendlier and more docile. It was only like that in the Safe Zones, Liam presumed.


    ''Would forging with their parts produce a different effect? I need to exit this Safe Zone already!''


    Liam missed the grip on his des.


    ///


    Three days passed.


    Liam had finally exited from the Safe Zone, along with crowds of other people that did the same.


    Most were ambitious mercenaries nning to make it big.


    A regr warning sign informed the groups of the dangers ahead, but there wasn''t any abrupt attack waiting in ambush.


    In fact, civilization bustled just as much outside the Safe Zones as it did inside. There were small viges erected upon lush ins, in the crevices of mountains and atop rocky cliffs.


    Although he had nned to enter the wilderness first thing and hunt Spirit Beasts, Liam held off.


    ''The Soaring Rain Sect won''t ept me because of my element, but they can always point me in the right direction.''


    Between training and cultivation breaks, Liam took another three days to arrive at the Soaring Rain Sect, following the lines of people heading there.


    The Sector itself was a grand pavilion.


    Architecturally, it resembled ancient Chinese buildings, with curved tiled roofs and flying eaves. It was erected over a small area ofnd surrounded by gushing rivers.


    Azure-robeddies at the entrance gave directions to those willing to take their Sector''s test.


    After briefly asking them, Liam found out the bare minimum requirement to join was a Rank 1 sea of consciousness, a Rank 3 body, and a Rank 2 core.


    And of course, being attuned with water.


    Depending on age, they could even lower those standards and ept non-cultivators to train early on.


    ''The Soaring Rain Sect is a mid-sized n. Honestly, their system resembles Echorian politics¡­ only they''re less restrictive over resources.''


    Depending on one''s cultivation base and proficiency with the n''s unique martial art, they''d be given a specific rank within the Sector.


    More talented disciples would be given greater resources and techniques, while those weaker off had toplete missions and assignments in order to achieve the same results.


    ''They''re not bloodline based, which is a good thing. Hard work is rewarded.''


    "Would you like to see our martial arts, young man?" said the beautiful robeddy who exined everything to Liam.


    "Since you''re so inquisitive," she added with a dazzling smile.


    Curious of their abilities, Liam nodded.


    With his suppressed aura, thedy didn''t know Liam was of the same strength as her.


    The Soaring Rain disciple withdrew to the side and unsheathed her patterned de.


    It was smaller than Liam''s katana but longer than his shortsword, while the material it was made from didn''t have a metallic sheen.


    It glowed azure on its own, making Liam raise his brows.


    ''Is it made from a Spirit Beast?''


    Before he could ask, the disciple closed her eyes then flickered them open.


    With a series of lithe and delicate movements, she swung her de through the air as though performing a dance.


    To Liam''s surprise, mist gathered on her sword and formed tiny raindrops that radiated sharpness.


    With onest swing, all the raindrops tore through the air like bullets.


    THUCK.


    They smashed against a boulder and pierced through it!

 Chapter 176 Tester of Resolve

    <h4>Chapter 176 Tester of Resolve</h4>


    By then, a crowd had gathered around the woman and began cheering loudly at the disy of abilities.


    Even Liam was amazed at the woman''s martial arts.


    Echorian martial arts were entirely different.


    They were simple and had basic functions even until the third Rank, and none had as much power and ability as the one disyed by thedy.


    Liam noticed how her ''Ora'' patterns fluctuated with each light swing of her de.


    At the same time, she switched footing and stance constantly.


    Obviously, a martial arts country would haveplex martial arts!


    It only made Liam more curious in what the Seven ns themselves specialized in.


    But even more so, the Temple of Shadow.


    "How about it,d? Will you join? I know you''re hiding it, but you''re pretty strong yourself," thedy clicked her de into her scabbard and approached Liam with a smile.


    Liam cupped his fist.


    "Thank you, senior¡­ but I am not of the water element. Besides, I am much toocking with the de, and the movements you have disyed are too delicate for my two hands."


    Regretful, the woman sighed.


    Before Liam could shamelessly ask more questions, thedy was called back inside.


    Liam simply moved on.


    Not too far out were several Sects in close proximity to one another.


    Those were by far the weakest, as smaller ns didn''t have much jurisdiction, and they were tightly packed inrge areas.


    Another slow week passed.


    Moving from Sector to Sector and asking more questions, Liam eventually found one that caught his eye.


    It was the Piercing Sword Sect.


    As the name suggested, they were a sword-focused n that was slightly less renownedpared to the mid-size Sects, but a league above those below it.


    They weren''t element exclusive, and it didn''t matter anyway.


    The entrance to the Sector was packed like usual.


    The cultivators joining were much more powerfulpared to the Soaring Rain''s.


    As the martial artists looked towards Liam, they sneered and red at him from a distance, confusing his youth for weakness.


    Liam didn''t feel the need to respond or even acknowledge their existence.


    He felt superior in every way to them, and his pride as a half-Ashura wasn''t hurt due to how weak they were.


    Eventually, his turn came.


    Piercing Sword''s Sect colors were white and silver.


    Their buildings and robes matched it perfectly, and their disciples took care of their appearance.


    The instructor in charge of inspecting the tryouts nodded in approval when seeing Liam.


    "Young, dual-wielder, and already has a powerful cultivation base. You are a Rank 1 Magus, correct?"


    Liam nodded with cupped fists, a bit surprised the man guessed his choice of weapons.


    "Come with me," the horse-faced instructor said with a smile, leading Liam in.


    Meanwhile, Liam assessed the surroundings for any formations or inscriptions, and found the entire Sector grounds riddled with them.


    There was another long line of people waiting to get inside the building itself, but the man skipped past them and entered with Liam at his side.


    Within the ornately decorated rooms, ten men and women sat side by side on the carpeted floor with an older, tanned instructor in front.


    Coiled around his arm was a horned viper with iridescent scales. It poked its head through the man''s shoulder, softly hissing with a white forked tongue. On its head, there was a ck slit resembling a diamond.


    The horse-faced instructor gestured for Liam to sit down, which he quickly did.


    The two instructors exchanged a knowing look, before the man that led Liam in left and slid the door closed.


    Liam''s eyes were fixed to the snake. It was merely Rank 1, but there was something strange about it he couldn''t put his finger on.


    "Our Piercing Sword Sect doesn''t have any restrictive requirements. However, our n''s martial arts are quite demanding¡­ requiring a determined and resolved user."


    On his words, the snake on his arm dropped to the floor and began slithering over to the nearest tryout.


    "This is a Tester of Resolve, a Rank 1 Spirit Beast. It measures a cultivator''s determination, resolve and character. Don''t be afraid. It won''t bite unless provoked or threatened. ce your palm on its head, and it will do the rest."


    The burly, middle-aged man it slithered to nearly pped it away, but the instructor''s firm words stopped him.


    Hissing, the viper raised its head, and the man put his palm on it.


    Slowly, the snake automatically began absorbing the man''s ''Ora''. As it did so, the iridescent scales started to change color from top to bottom, turning faintly blue, green, red and yellow with ck marks in between.


    "I''m sorry," the instructor said with a stern look. "But you have low resolve andck character. We cannot ept you."


    The tryout snorted derisively and stomped the floor in anger as he left.


    Indifferently, the snake moved to the next tryout.


    Liam watched with curious eyes.


    To think there were animals that could test a person''s character¡­


    Wait.


    ¡­This was against him in every way!


    There was nobody that was worse in character than Liam himself.


    Still, he was curious enough to linger. He wanted to know how deep his resolve and determination went.


    There wasn''t much the Sect could do against him even if it implied his wicked personality.


    He was there as a guest, after all.


    After absorbing another tryout''s ''Ora'', it changed colors again. This time, the scales were a vibrant green, milk white and azure blue with no ck marks.


    "You pass! Hardworking,passionate and headstrong. The servants will take you inside and give you our Sect''s robes," the tanned instructor smiled as the tryout was taken into another room.


    One after the other, the tryouts were being tested for theirpatibility to the n.


    Three more men managed to be disciples, and the rest had failed.


    Before long, it was Liam''s turn.


    Putting his hand on the viper''s head, the snake slowly absorbed his ''Ora''.


    At once, the snake''s scales turned pitch ck, and it lunged at Liam with a loud hiss.

 Chapter 177 Threat

    <h4>Chapter 177 Threat</h4>


    HISS!


    The instructor saw the change in the snake''s behavior and attempted to stop it, but Liam already grabbed it by the neck.


    About to clench and turn the daring viper into mush, Liam noticed the instructor''s frown.


    He threw it away, and the snake instantly slithered back to the dumbfounded instructor, hiding in his robe sleeve.


    Instantly, the room''s atmosphere changed.


    The other tryouts yet to leave the room looked at him with frowns, while the instructor himself looked aghast.


    Before they could do or say anything, Liam cupped his fists.


    "I will take my leave, senior. I am clearly not fit for your n."


    As he left, the instructor had a dark look on his face.


    ''A ck heart devoid of remorse¡­ and from such a young age. That boy is a threat.''


    ///


    Liam managed to leave the Sect without trouble.


    The instructor apologized for the snake attacking him and offered him 100 ''Ora'' Stones forpensation, which he epted without qualms.


    It was a pity, really. The Piercing Sword Sect was ideal. Not too famous and not too weak¡­ but Liam didn''t worry too much.


    Liam could afford to hold off on finding a sect.


    He wasn''t too close to his breakthroughs and had the required techniques for the moment.


    His sea of consciousness wouldn''t advance for a long time. His body was closer than the rest, but still far.


    Not too long ago, he had just advanced to the second Rank of the core.


    Until then, he would work on finding the Temple of Shadow!


    ¡­Among other things, of course.


    Like finding out how to advance his chaos pearl thingie (he still hadn''t given it a name) and forge items from Spirit Beasts. Giving himself some seclusion in learning how to attune the Blood Arts to his body was also something to think about.


    Speaking of, that was Liam''s next goal ¨C living in the wilderness for a few months until he could find clues as to where the Shadow of Temple was.


    He hadn''tpletely given up on finding another Sect, but in truth, none really gave him thefort of being under.


    They were too public, and all Sects wanted to venture into the Main Lands at some point to expand their territories and make a name for themselves.


    It was a pointless desire, really, but who was Liam to judge?


    If anything, he agreed with the expansion of territory ¨C taking over morend and resources from Sectors.


    Looking at his map, Liam thought of where to go next.


    Past the north, there was a magical forest filled with various kinds of Spirit Beasts.


    To the east, there were blocky mountains and pirs connecting to the clouds.


    Waterfalls and deep canyons to the west.


    Here and there, there were small viges, but they were regr civilizations with a few martial artists as guards.


    Overall, li''s center consisted of the Main Lands, but surrounding them were contrasting biomes and ins.


    Surrounding them were different quadrants of thergest Sects under them.


    Cultivators of a stronger realm were allowed to enter those areas for a price, but Liam was in no rush to go there.


    However, Liam quickly noticed how past the main body ofnd, there were individual inds and Danger Zones separated by sea.


    Liam didn''t think they were Zenith ranked Danger Zones, but most likely contained one or two of them.


    The map didn''t give details to those areas, probably since it was too dangerous for normal people to venture towards.


    ''If there really is a Temple of Shadow, they wouldn''t risk living in the central regions. They''d most likely live on the edges or separate inds.''


    With a goal in mind, Liam began with making his way to the Rey''io Forest first, the nearest to him.


    Stretching across 130 kilometers, the forest was brimming with life. The trees there were giant, resembling willows with drooping, rainbow-like colors.


    Critters and small-sized creatures like squirrels skittered this way and that way, but Liam''s expression was grave.


    He was being followed.


    Again!


    ''Was it those Piercing Sword guys? So much for being righteous and virtuous.''


    They were skilled, he gave them that.


    They made sure to stay out the range of a Rank 1 Magus, not knowing Liam had sensed them ever since entering the forest. Their footsteps were also silent and they didn''t even breathe, and their presence was hidden.


    If Liam had to guess, they were roughly the same Rank as him, and were only three in number.


    Liam''s eyes turned cold, but he suppressed his aura from changing.


    ''I hope they have their n''s martial arts in their rings.''


    Acting as though he didn''t notice them, Liam casually strolled through the forest and admired the scene.


    Eventually, heid his back against a willow tree and closed his eyes, a peaceful expression on his face.


    Slowly, the Piercing Sword Sect disciples were gradually closing the distance.


    They hid atop the trees surrounding Liam''s resting ce and patiently waited until he fell asleep.


    Once they were absolutely sure he was sleeping, judging by the cartoonish snoring noises he made, they exchanged knowing looks.


    WHOOSH!


    At once, they erupted from their trees with their des drawn, a gust of wind violently blowing back the leaves.


    CLING! CLANG!


    Liam awoke with a nonchnt expression on his face and his des magically drawn, instantly intercepting the three that attacked him.


    His calm expression made the three grimace, but they quickly realized the swords he deflected with were riddled with cracks, oozing with dangerous ck smoke.


    Simultaneously, the three took a short step back before shooting forward again, their glowing white swords drilling through air as they focused on Liam''s des and weak spots.


    SHING!


    Theirbined attack managed to drill through Liam''s swords and body at once.


    However, their swords didn''t meet blood, but gaseous, liquid and solid darkness.


    "Wha¡ª!"


    As their expressions twisted to a grimace, a sharp pain invaded the back of one of the disciples, and ck needles flew towards the other two.

 Chapter 178 Desperation

    <h4>Chapter 178 Desperation </h4>


    Just as Liam threw the needles and stuck his katana into the disciple''s spine, he swiped horizontally with his shortsword and formed a nasty gash on the man''s neck.


    SHING! BOF!


    The Umbral Needles exploded into fumes, corroding the other two disciples'' Rank 3 bodies like acid.


    It had managed to pierce through their chest, then spread to their faces and marred them beyond recognition.


    After Liam''s advancement, the Umbral Needles were at the gaseous stage of the second Rank.


    The darkness that oozed from them melted awayyers of flesh with ease.


    They weren''t dead just yet.


    Only one was.


    The disciple with the neck wound desperately attempted to scurry away and run, but corrosive chains wrapped around his face and yanked him back.


    With another thrust of Liam''s sword, a hole formed in the man''s heart, killing him.


    Liam shifted his attention to the other two.


    They had dispelled the wisps of darkness remaining on their figures using their wind and water elements.


    Their robes and faces were heavily corroded, and they looked distraught, but pieces of their skin were starting to reform.


    To their credit, they managed to fix their bloodshot eyes at Liam and prepare their spells.


    Two mental attacks were shot his way but Corrosive Mind and Thicken brushed them off. They fixed the grip on their swords and assumed a defensive stance.


    Liam took slow steps towards them with his des lowered to his sides. Darkness tightened around his feet, then sprung him forward.


    Before they could even think of countering, Liam executed the first form of the Phantom''s Way while activating his Dark Wraith body.


    ''Endless Passage!''


    Liam turned into an ethereal, thin streak, while his des turned into wafer-like ck lines.


    WHOOSH!


    A soft gust of wind blew forth as Liam appeared between them.


    SPURT!


    Blood sprayed from their jugr veins like water, drenching the leaves below.


    They thumped lifelessly on the ground, leaking bodily liquids.


    ''I don''t understand. They stick their hand into a snake''s den and don''t expect to be bit.''


    Sheathing his des, Liam moved to their corpses before anyone else arrived.


    He took off their rings and put them in his robe pocket, before storing their bodies and putting them into preservation containers.


    ''There''s something I need to test out. It''s disturbing, but if it''s true, I''ve found a way to advance my Chaos Pearl.''


    Hisplexion had be slightly pale after using so many spells at once.


    Shadow Clone paired with the King''s Eye was incredibly useful, and his usage of both had gotten better as he practiced by himself. He even gave it swords, albeit weak ones.


    Though, he wasn''t skilled enough to manipte the clone''s face to replicate emotion, hence why it was expressionless.


    On the other hand, the des Liam used were the best forged item he managed to make during his time in seclusion.


    After his core advancement, he was finally able to make forged items that reached the Rank 2 middle-tier threshold.


    Blood Weaving only increased its sharpness and potential, but it was thanks to his Primordial Forging that it reached that level.


    Liam ventured further into the forest, eventuallying across his first Spirit Beast after two whole hours.


    It lived inside a hill cavity ¨C arge cave with an arched entrance veiled by pieces of leaves and vines.


    It was a Rank 3 bear-type Spirit Beast with vibrant blue and red fur, gently resting on its nozzle as it slept. Its cubs were there too, of a lower Rank.


    It was more than 4 meters in width and height, with dangerous looking ws and a maw bigger than Liam''s chest.


    Studying it for a few minutes, he realized it was a fire type Spirit Beast¡­ except its aura was blue instead of a fiery orange.


    ''So they''re just variants of what normal magical beasts can do.''


    It made him curious.


    What about darkness beasts?


    Having examined it enough, Liam unsheathed his des and burst through the entrance, hurling five needles at the beast''s mouth, chest and limbs followed by one at each of its cubs.


    The cave instantly filled up with ck smoke, but Liam purposefully didn''t use most of his spells. He wanted to see the Spirit Beast''s abilities first.


    ROAR!


    Enraged and pained, the giant beast burst into blue mes, blowing away Liam''s smoke with ease and coating its giant body with burning armor.


    The heat radiating from the beast was much hotter than normal, but didn''t actually smoke.


    Noticing its cubs dead, the bear let out another cry, then fixed its bloodthirsty eyes to Liam who gave it a nk look.


    It roared again, then charged with a ming swipe of its ws.


    Liam dodged with ease, yet purposely let some of the mes singe his skin.


    Instantly, he realized how much hotter it waspared to regr mes, leaving a ck burn mark on his semi-hardened arms.


    Within the next moment, the beast roared and spewed wild mes from its mouth like a dragon.


    Liam raised his brows in amazement as he instantly sidestepped.


    ''Are all Spirit Beasts like this?'' Liam thought.


    Although its abilities weren''t exactly the strongest, Liam was surprised by how the properties of their element was changed.


    Somehow, their innate fire abilities had managed to sacrifice its destructive properties for more heat.


    Liam questioned how deep those abilities could go.


    Changing the core properties of an ability was something Mortal Ranked cultivators couldn''t do.


    Presumably, Zenith and Celestial Ranks could do something like that. Even the academy didn''t provide much knowledge in those areas.


    Still, how a Rank 3 magical beast to have that skill was something Liam was going to study.


    Eventually, he had enough of the beast''s antics.


    Dodging another swipe and ducking under the beast, darkness surged around Liam''s fist andpressed.


    BOOM!


    The explosion made the beast recoil and blew away his me-made armor, creating an opening for Liam to thrust his des through and tear apart the bear from within.


    Eventually it lost enough blood and strength for Liam to kill it with onest sh.

 Chapter 179 Double-edged Sword

    <h4>Chapter 179 Double-edged Sword</h4>


    After killing the Spirit Beasts, Liam exited the forest and made his way to a distant vige.


    On the way there, he killed a few more Spirit Beasts.


    A pack of white wolves that had mental attacking capabilities, near-invisible snakes that blended into the surroundings, and a pack of small-sized elephants that ran faster than tigers.


    Although magical beasts were stronger in most aspects, Spirit Beasts were way more diverse.


    Nheless, all Liam could do was analyze them until he found a darkness attuned Spirit Beast to forge with.


    ''Primordial Forging''s main ability isn''t powerful on its own. It was when I was weaker and relied on my weapons, but I barely use its function anymore.''


    Although using a magical beast''s innate ability was amazing in its own right, he wasn''t skilled enough yet to bring out its full potential.


    Not to mention, Liam had gone through an endless amount of changes since learning how to forge from Rogan.


    With his six-armed form, Liam really didn''t imagine the need for swords. He had extreme physical prowess that could chip and shatter any weapon with ease.


    Unless he learned how to make special weapons simr to that level (or at least near it), Liam''s usage of des were more like a necessity for his half-Ashura form.


    After another week, Liam arrived at the vige.


    Changing his appearance and swapping to another set of clothes, he paid a small fee at the entrance to enter.


    The vige itself was nearly the size of the peasantry back in Udd, but with way better living conditions. A few buildings even sold inscribed weapons and spells.


    Liam found an insignificant dwelling ce and bought a small room for the day.


    The first thing he did was make sure the ce was secure enough and not spied upon.


    Concluding that it wasn''t, Liam took out the body of the disciples he killed. He inspected the contents of their rings first, and their n''s martial arts were indeed inside.


    Liam took them out and put them aside forter.


    His gaze shifted to the dead bodyying on the floor, then to his Chaos Pearl.


    ''If this works¡­''


    Liam willed out a minute piece of his chaos and spread it towards his mouth.


    As the chaos passed through his body, it reacted with his muscles and transformed bits of him into a full Ashura. He felt a threshold. If passed, he would transform fully.


    He felt a surge of strength¡­ but also felt like his ability to think straight and clear dimmed. Thankfully, it was still mild. A full transformation was way more drastic.


    As the chaos reached his mouth, Liam''s teeth sharpened and grew razor-sharp.


    Liam semi-transformed his body!


    Before he could lose himself any further than he did, Liam grabbed the disciple''s shoulder and ripped off a chunk, then threw it in his mouth!


    The taste wasn''t anything new.


    Liam''s palette had experienced a vast range of taste. From raw magical beast, to vampire Nexus'', to human flesh. All of them were disgusting and horrid, but for Liam, it was another Tuesday.


    Liam''s teeth ripped through the stubborn Rank 3 flesh. It had the consistency of rubber, but he made sure to reduce its size before he swallowed.


    As the flesh reached his stomach, Liam felt a change.


    The reason why Liam was eating another human was because cultivator''s had something called Lifeforce.


    Vampires consumed each other''s Lifeforce to grow stronger.


    Ever since Liam gained blood maniption abilities, he wondered how he could increase his blood purity and improve his control over it.


    At the same time, he wondered how his Chaos Pearl would expand and grow stronger.


    The answer was simpler than he thought.


    All he had to do was be a cannibal!


    Cultivators also had Lifeforce, and so did every other living creature. He hadn''t tested out his hypothesis on magical beasts or Spirit Beasts just yet, but he was sure it would yield the same results.


    The only drawback was that Liam had to eat them shortly after their death, and with their blood and raw parts intact.


    A small price!


    As the flesh melted in Liam''s stomach, he felt the Lifeforce spread and nourish his body. It wasn''t enough for a drastic change to take ce, but Liam continued chewing.


    Eventually, he ripped off the right side of the disciple''s arm, then began wolfing down his flesh.


    As he gulped down the entire limb, Liam wasn''t satisfied.


    He ripped off the left side and ate it right after.


    It still didn''t sate his hunger.


    Liam ripped off the disciple''s head with two of his arms and pulled out his eyes with two others.


    He threw the organs in his mouth as though they were a snack, then began gnawing away at the head. The taste had actually be quite nice as he continued to eat¡ª


    Wait¡­ four arms?


    It took Liam a full minute to realize what happened. He pulled himself out of the trance with a loud curse and swallowed what remained in his mouth.


    Liam quickly undid his semi-transformation before he became a full Ashura. His teeth receded and the two extra arms protruding from his waist withdrew into his body.


    ''When did I lose myself?!''


    Liam cursed again when he realized half the disciple''s body was missing, melted away in his stomach.


    All that remained was a lower body that looked cruelly torn apart, organs and viscera vomiting out from what was left.


    Liam quickly realized he needed to stop regarding the Ashura transformation as a blessing.


    It was a double-edged sword, and he could easily cut himself with it.


    ¡­That said, his Chaos Pearl was a tiny bit more expanded, and his blood purity had also gone up by a small amount.


    A double-edged sword indeed.


    As for how he knew his Chaos Pearl grew bigger by eating other humans, it was an instinctive piece of knowledge that came with his new race.


    Liam erased any trace of the body being in the same room as him using his darkness, including the blood and viscera, then began running towards the edges of li to find the Temple of Shadow.

 Chapter 180 Alter

    <h4>Chapter 180 Alter</h4>


    Two weeks passed, marking the one month point that Liam had arrived in li.


    By then, he had traveled more than 150 kilometers of distance, with breaks of cultivation, exploration of cities, and killing/studying Spirit Beasts.


    What Liam silently added to that list was eating humans and Spirit Beasts fresh¡­ and raw.


    Of course, just because there was a small chance of him going crazy didn''t stop him from purifying his blood and expanding his Chaos Pearl.


    And it was arduously slow, too.


    Especially the Chaos Pearl.


    It expanded an unnoticeable amount each time Liam ate a Spirit Beast or human flesh. His blood purity wasn''t any better.


    Liam was careful of who he chose to eat, avoiding most of the main Sects that governed the regions.


    Rogue martial artists were a problem in li. They were basically bandits that lived in the random corners of thend and formed gangs.


    Liam was just cleaning the streets like any good samaritan would!


    The higher ranked the human or beast was, the more effectively their Lifeforce added to his.


    Humans provided much more Lifeforcepared to mere beasts, since they had three centers of power instead of two.


    He also paired it with absorbing their blood using his vampiric nails, but its effectiveness was far less than simply devouring flesh.


    Of course, Liam couldn''t eat the sea of consciousness or the core.


    The former because it existed within the cultivator''s mind, and thetter because the contents inside it were poisonous to anyone else but the user.


    If that wasn''t the case, there would be mass killings of everyone attempting to tear each other''s cores apart.


    However, it still vitalized the body to an extent.


    On the other hand, Liam diligently studied Spirit Beasts. He found out the source of their diverse and amazing abilities belonged to their cores, which directly affected their bodies.


    It was a chaotic, mumbo-jumbo of foreign and colorful energies that somehow worked harmoniously within the core.


    Some beasts had exchanged their destructive abilities for more damage. Some sacrificed one of their senses to heighten another, and so on.


    Liam was genuinely intrigued.


    In theory, that shouldn''t be possible.


    To change the core properties of their bodies, senses and elements was something otherworldly.


    For example, wind couldpress into a de''s form and cut just like it, but it couldn''t actually solidify into one.


    The same thing with fire, except its burning properties couldn''t be altered.


    Earth couldn''t liquify, but mud attacks were also used.


    Unless water cultivators had wind as a spare element, they couldn''t harden it.


    Spirit Beasts denied all of that.


    Liam''s darkness was the exception to the rule, able to shift between gaseous, liquid and solid states at whim¡­ but the corrosive nature of it stayed the same.


    Even then, the states weren''t constant ¨C more like a continuous state of ''triple-point''.


    Not to mention, it wasn''t as rigid as earth, or free-flowing as water. And it didn''t burn like fire or cut like wind.


    Of course, he didn''t apply that reasoning for the Zenith and Celestial realms of strength, but the beasts he was studying were still in the Mortal Ranks.


    In truth, Liam imagined that could be a way for his physical abilities of the Ashura and his mental capabilities as a human to merge together and synergize.


    If a beast with no sea of consciousness could alter their body''sposition, why couldn''t he?


    He knew he wasn''t the only person to think that, and there were probably billions of cultivators that tried to harness the strength of Spirit Beasts.


    But he wasn''t among the billion.


    Only¡­ he had absolutely no idea where to begin!


    Somehow, it was the same problem he had with the corrupted magical beast parts back in the Korsan Lands.


    He still had the blood daggers and corrupted magical beast corpses, but he hadn''t been able to synergize his Blood Weaving with his forgings.


    ¡­But now that he could manipte blood, he would definitely revisit that topic.


    Once he was settled and set, of course. Until then, he made sure to note down any findings about the Spirit Beasts.


    ///


    Currently, Liam was inside arge prefecture governed by the Snow Moon Sect within the northern side of li.


    He wore a regr fur coat around his ck martial arts robe, his hair reaching knee-length.


    Meanwhile, the shift in weather was aplete 180, since the snow was so heavy it cast a white nket across the entire prefecture of the gangho.


    No daylight passed through the thick veils of cold mist, snow and fog that enshrouded the region.


    Men with lower ranked bodies shivered, and the northern side was known for its ruthless and frigid cold.


    Still, the streets were packed with fur-coated martial artists who spent their lives in such a ce.


    The buildings within the prefecture resembled towering Sects, but they served differing purposes ¨C gambling dens, dueling arenas, brothels and dwellings.


    In front, past the buildings and over a towering cliff, was a giant Sector that resembled more like a marble pce. The Snow Moon Sect ¨C a mid-tier n with powerful martial artists.


    ''From what I know, every n has various Elders, and above them, a Sect Leader,'' Liam thought over his findings as he walked through the streets. ''Between them are the disciples and their rtive rankings.''


    Although he wanted to ask around and see what he could buy, Liam held off and found a ce to stay.


    ''Jargon will call soon. I want to know if there was any visit from an Echorian Zenith to thesends in search of me. Evenmoners would know of an event that big.''


    Liam came face-to-face with a small, run-down building covered top to bottom with thick snow.


    He did the same old dance of changing his appearance and buying a room for a single night.


    It was a dull journey all things considered, but Liam still enjoyed the steady growth in his strength and knowledge.


    Entering his room and sitting cross-legged in cultivation, his Jade flickered.


    Liam answered it.


    "My liege. Are you well?"


    Jargon''s voice was a whisper, with the sound of wind gushing past him.


    "I am."


    Liam''s response was brief. But he was d his men hadn''t died straight away.


    Relieved and sensing Liam''s choice to skip the pleasantries, Jargon began exining.


    "More than one third of the Blood Troupe have been epted into Sects around the region. They''ve been training diligently and raising their strength. The remaining two thirds have divided themselves into working regr jobs and bing wandering martial artists. I myself have joined the Gushing River Sect, arge-sized n west of the Main Lands."

 Chapter 181 Ravenous

    <h4>Chapter 181 Ravenous</h4>


    Liam nodded in satisfaction.


    The Gushing Rivers Sect was even bigger than the Snow Moon Sect, and even thetter resembled a mid-sized noble family in terms of strength.


    His organization had been doing better than he thought.


    With one third of them working in Sects, Liam could ask for rtionships between the ns, their martial arts and secrets.


    Though that dependedrgely on whether or not the Blood Troupe could sessfully be high ranking disciples.


    "At the same time, there''s been a strange disappearance of a few Piercing Sword Sect disciples."


    Liam gave a nomittal hum in response.


    Jargon spent the next few minutes exining every bit of information he received from the other Troupe members.


    Not everything was useful, but it helped expand Liam''s knowledge of the territories.


    "That is all, my liege."


    Silence.


    "Good work," Liamplimented, before cutting the connection short after a terse farewell.


    Liampleted his cultivation and mental sphere expansion for the day, before taking out another rogue martial artist''s corpse and wolfing it down in his semi-transformed state.


    He was carefully alert the entire time. Drifting away into his bestial instincts was a slippery slope, and one that he could easily slip on.


    He devoured the corpse in an hour, then instantly transformed back.


    Then, he took out the corrupted magical beast parts and daggers he made from them, spending another two hours studying itsposition, its form and every intricate detail with his King''s Eye.


    In an instant, Liam cursed himself for not understanding something sooner¡­ but then again, he wasn''t a Rank 2 Magus back then.


    The properties of blood and bone were merged together.


    It was also why his Blood Weaving worked well with it.


    The properties of blood synchronized with one another despite them being from different species.


    That exact difference was also the reason the daggers shattered on impact.


    All of that led to a simple conclusion.


    Liam would have tobine his blood with the magical beast parts.


    He began with a straightforward method.


    Taking out his Rank 2 middle-tier katana, Liam willed out the crimson from his pores and coated it around his de.


    On its own, his ichor purity was roughly at the Rank 1 upper-tier level. It went up a level after he became an Ashura, and his maniption was stronger than ever.


    The thin coating of blood crystalized and sharpened.


    Liam formed a cut on his bicep.


    It didn''t work.


    Instead of the coating and the de cutting him at once, there was a shallow cut from the coagtion of blood, followed by a deeper cut from the de beneath.


    It was like padding sharp steel with blunt iron.


    Instead of the two merging together and increasing its overall sharpness, that was what it was like.


    Liam tried a few more methods of forcefully merging his blood with the magical beast parts.


    None produced satisfactory results.


    ''This is an issue about time,'' Liam thought. ''Rank 3 magical beasts have rigid and sturdy structures. There really isn''t a quick solution to this problem, since the blood needs to slowly absorb the blood on its own.''


    Liam took out a preservation container from his ring and ced it in the middle of the room. It was rectangr with several lines of inscriptions running across its ssy surface.


    Running the sharp sword across his arm, Liam allowed gobs of his blood to pour into the container, enough to submerge two des side by side.


    With that, Liam put the container with his des in them back into his ring, then simply waited until he saw changes.


    ''The inscriptions on its surface would probably fade away¡­ but that''s fine. I''ve gotten good enough with sharpness enhancements that I could recreate it after a few tries.''


    Until then, Liam moved to the Piercing Sword Sect''s martial arts.


    Martial arts in li were inscribed differently. Even the spells were. They were made through a special calligraphy, which made Liam realize why exactly they were so venerated.


    They were basically inscription masters!


    The techniques themselves served the same purpose like normal, but the martial arts themselves were way more detailed and precise.


    Through that, Liam began practicing a few moves he was confident enough to execute.


    He held out a disciple''s inscribed de horizontally, applied ''Ora'' to it, then lunged forward with a quick thrust.


    WHOOSH!


    The tip of the glowing de shot ance of air at the room''s wall, piercing a pinpoint hole straight through the brick wall.


    Liam was a bit taken aback. Half of that attack was possible due to his movements, and the rest, to the Spirit Beast-made sword in his hand.


    It was masterfully made, with a metal sheen despite being made from bones. It was an inscribed Rank 2 upper-tier item, and wereyers stronger than Liam''s des.


    Storing them, Liam spent the remaining night attempting to inscribe a simple spell for his darkness, studying the various Ranking spells in his possession.


    Alternating between studying Blood Arts and Spirit Beasts.


    ///


    Three months passed.


    Liam steadily raised his strength and knowledge as he traveled.


    The amount of sects and prefectures he had gone through were nauseating.


    Despite all that, his searches for the Temple of Shadow came up short.


    The north didn''t yield much except for frigid temperatures and rogue martial artists Liam killed and devoured.


    He wasn''t there for long.


    After the second month, Liam headed towards the western side.


    At the same time, the monthly reports from the Blood Troupe gave him faint directions on where to go.


    Jargon and the members were steadily growing stronger, receiving better positions within their Sects.


    Still, nothing came up.


    Finally, on the third month, Liam moved towards the eastern sidest.


    When asking around (interrogating more like), Liam heard rumors of random attacks happening throughout an offshore ind, ruled by the Ravenous Leash Sect.


    The Sector themselves were specialized in controlling Spirit Beasts. With his next goal in mind, Liam began running as fast as he could towards the ind''s location.

 Chapter 182 Intention, Emotion, Thought

    <h4>Chapter 182 Intention, Emotion, Thought</h4>


    Before he made his way over to the ind, Liam made sure to buy some pills and elixirs to bolster his progression speed.


    Although his cultivation speed was slightly slower than the norm, that weakness could be addressed with the usage of pills.


    Which was also why Liam was in desperate need of resources.


    Those items became more and more expensive as the centers of power progressed.


    Although Liam had a little more 250,000 ''Ora'' Stones, pills that helped his progression speed swallowed entire chunks of his money.


    ''I''m getting close to the upper-tier of the third Rank, as well. I''m probably a year or six months away from advancing,'' Liam thought as he ran, using Vanishing Steps and Fleeting Foot.


    Although he was happy at the prospect of attaining more power, he was also worried about what that entailed.


    ''I''ll need a Rank 5 body tempering method after I advance. Does the Shadow of Temple even have one? If they don''t, I''ll have to make my own.''


    Not to mention, there was the Struggle Tribtion he would have to face, leaving him in a near-death state unless he had protection.


    Eventually, Liam arrived at a cliff bordering the ocean. There was a dock there, but no ships or people.


    In the distance, arge, lush ind grew visible to Liam''s eye, fifty to sixty kilometers away.


    Zooming in, Liam spotted arge elevation, atop of which was a huge pavilion, even bigger than the Snow Moon Sect.


    A humongous, marble statue of a roaring lion was built in the middle of the Sector, with its front legs wing the clouds above it.


    Liam was amazed by the sheer size of it.


    ''That should be the Ravenous Leash Sect. That ind is infested with vicious Spirit Beasts, which is one of the reasons people don''t want to go there.''


    Instantly, Liam stored his robes into his ring, then dove into the water.


    ///


    It took him four hours to arrive at the ind''s shore.


    More than once, sea beasts and creatures tried to attack him, but found way into his stomach instead.


    Liam scanned the surroundings for any threat. Not finding any, he exited the water and dried himself off.


    Screeches, growls and roars entered his ears from every direction.


    In front was a forest with red-themed trees, filled with dense amounts of ''Ora''.


    Liam smiled.


    Even if there was no such thing as the Temple of Shadow, he would live on the ind due to its high ''Ora'' density.


    Not to mention, the Ravenous Leash Sect actually interested him.


    Spirit Beasts and magical beasts were right up his alley, and if they had any beast taming abilities, he would dly join.


    Spreading his senses, Liam realized there was a prefecture not too far from where he was. He quickly wore his robes and made his way there next.


    As he got near, he saw local men and women riding domestic Spirit Beasts on the main paths.


    Raising his head, there wererge cranes carrying robed martial artists on them, heading to their Sectors.


    Hiding his presence and avoiding the main paths, Liam kept a low profile as he entered the district.


    Compared to the other prefectures, it wasn''t as heavily guarded, and sneaking in through the back was easier than he thought.


    The buildings were identical to any other prefecture, but there were plenty of shops selling Rank 3 Spirit Beast corpses, weapons and paraphernalia.


    Liam avoided the main streets that bustled with people and found a bar on the outskirts.


    Entering it, the first thing Liam noticed was how strong the bartender was.


    His mental sphere was on the same Rank as Liam''s, and so was his core. The body was a bit harder to probe, but he assumed it was a Rank 3.


    Compared to him, the mean-looking men and women were much weaker. As Liam came in, they went silent and sent him piercing res.


    Thankfully, Liam didn''t bother hiding his aura, so they kept to themselves instead of attempting to push him out.


    Liam made his way to the bartender.


    His looks were in ¨C dark eyes, slicked back hair, a square face and short stature. He wore a dull robe, but Liam could see the frame of a de hidden underneath his sleeve.


    Liam''s eyes fixed with his.


    Although the expression on the bartender''s face was nonchnt and aloof, his mental waves indicated otherwise.


    "Would you like a drink, young man?" the man asked casually, his eyes devoid of emotion.


    Liam remained silent for a moment. His mental waves spread out and pressed against the man''s sea of consciousness.


    The cultivator''s eyes flickered with surprise for a split second, but he pushed away the pressure with his own waves.


    "I want to ask something in private, if that''s alright with you," Liam spoke in a low voice, hoping the bartender would read between the lines.


    A tense silence ensued, with the two looking at each other probingly.


    "You''re Echorian?"


    Liam nodded.


    The bartender''s gaze grew slightly colder, but his face didn''t change.


    A momentter, he waved his hand dismissively.


    Those present within the bar lingered momentarily, before leaving through the front door.


    Liam didn''t expect that.


    Initially, he imagined the bartender was some sort of martial artist with a dirty background, but having that kind of authority wasn''tmon.


    The bartender gave him a hard look, prompting him to exin.


    "The Temple of Shadow. Do you know where I can find them?"


    On his words, the bartender''s face didn''t change one bit¡­ but his mental waves instantly flickered wildly.


    Liam recognized what emotion it contained. Through studying mental waves with the King''s Eye, he ssified them into threeyers.


    Intention, emotion, and thought. Through battles and conversation, the first two were the easiest to deduce, while thought was way moreplex.


    From what Liam could deduce, the emotion the bartender was going through was panic and shock.


    Liam could also sense the man''s intention to attack him, but slowly reconsider. All the while, his facial expression didn''t change.


    "I want to join their cause. I''m a believer in vengeance, you see. And I''d love to support them."

 Chapter 183 Lies

    <h4>Chapter 183 Lies</h4>


    Hearing his words, the bartender''s mask of stoicism was slowly starting to crack apart.


    "If I report you to the Ravenous Leash Sect, you''ll be executed on the spot. Do you have a screw loose in your head? Don''t speak words you don''t know the meanings of."


    Liam''s gaze remained hard.


    "I know you won''t. Why else would you be hiding in the middle of nowhere? I spent a total of three and a half months looking for that Sect, and they''d be fools not to take me in."


    Silence.


    Liam could see the flickering of emotions that became tooplicated to understand ¨C a mix of anger, panic and slow intent to kill.


    He remained quiet until the man answered.


    Either the bartender was a Temple of Shadow member, or was afraid of someone from there.


    Nheless, where there is smoke, there is fire.


    After considering Liam''s words carefully, the so-called bartender shook his head.


    "You are a fool. Searching three and a half months for a lost Sect. The attacks that spread throughout these regions are at random, and most of the time are done by extremists wanting to imitate the Temple''s actions."


    A scowl found its way on Liam''s face. His Ashuran instincts told him to rip the man''s head apart and force the truth out of him, but his human senses calmed his violent thoughts down.


    Liam couldn''t tell if the man was lying or telling the truth. It was a mix of both, he was pretty sure, but he couldn''t tell what parts.


    "The Temple wasn''t the only Sect bent on taking revenge on the attacking countries. They were one among thousands that riddled li."


    Another truth.


    Liam clicked his tongue in annoyance.


    "At least point me in a direction. Where can I look for them?"


    The man pursed his lips and shrugged.


    "Maybe head towards th¡ª"


    Before the man couldplete his sentence, a group of red-robed martial artists barged through the front door, kicking it open.


    On their robe breast, was the embroidered emblem of a lion, the same as the Ravenous Leash Sect''s statue.


    Beside them were Rank 2 Spirit Beasts ¨C snakes, wolves and lions that looked vicious and battle-ready.


    Liam kept his head low as the four martial artists ¨C who were more or less the same Rank as him ¨C walked up to the bartender and gave the man piercing res.


    "Are you Zeth Ohm?" the broad-shouldered disciple in front asked.


    The bartender, who Liam now knew as Zeth, kept his face cold and emotionless.


    Tersely, he nodded.


    "Come with us."


    From the corner of his eye, Liam assessed Zeth''s mental waves.


    His intent to kill was higher than ever, and so was his worry.


    Abruptly, Zeth''s mental energies conjoined with Liam''s. A private transmission.


    [I lied,] Zeth transmitted after connecting with Liam, his gaze still towards the group. [Help me kill these guys, and I''ll tell you the truth.]


    Sighing, Liam shook his head at the man''s deceptive antics.


    One of the martial artists saw Liam shaking his head and frowned.


    "Youe too. I have a bad feeling about yo¡ª"


    Liam blurred at the same time as Zeth.


    Darkness tightened around Liam''s feet as a pair of des materialized in his hands.


    The closest man to him was too slow to react.


    A corrosive line formed on both his neck and the wolf beside him.


    At the same time, Umbral Needles shot towards the other three at once.


    SHING! POOF!


    As Liam attempted to decapitate another, the disciple was already ready, barely deflecting with his bare hands that looked to be hardened with dark metal.


    Liam''s shortsword found its mark on the man''s elbow, forming a deep gash and severing bone.


    "What are you fools doing?!" he bellowed, attempting to create space to avoid the fumes of smoke within the small bar.


    Meanwhile, Zeth managed to pierce his hand through one of the disciples'' neck, his hand coated with a strange ck substance.


    To the other, he hurled a throwing knife guided by wind, but a me-spewing snake managed to blow the dagger away.


    A needle pierced the snake''s head, killing it and exploding into gas.


    Liam''s smoke almost damaged him too, but Zeth managed to dodge backwards in the nick of time.


    Out of four, two remained.


    The two Ravenous Leash disciples grimaced in pain, their beastsy dead and motionless. In a panic, they attempted to use their spells and run away.


    Below their feet, the ground trembled and jagged spikes burst from every corner, followed by a wave of mes that surged forward and engulfed the space.


    Zeth jumped back as Liam jumped in. He couldn''t afford to let them get away.


    Liam activated the first form of Phantom''s Way and managed to pierce the sr plexus of one of them, then swiped upward to cleave the man in half.


    A spike impaled his leg and shoulder and the mes singed his skin, but he burst through the veil of fire and hurled as many needles as he could to the remaining disciple.


    He fell with a powerless grunt as corrosive gas ate away at his flesh and bones.


    Liam heaved a sigh. He didn''t doubt the entire city was going to look for them now.


    He quickly used his darkness to wipe away their bodies, took their rings, then made his way back to the "bartender".


    The man''s robe had been burnt off due to the mes churned out by the snake, revealing strange tattoos over his body.


    "The truth. Now," Liam said in an even voice.


    Zeth shot Liam an incredulous look.


    "You''re a darkness cultivator?" he asked with pure shock.


    Liam frowned.


    "Why do you think I''m looking for the Temple?"


    Liam didn''t fail to notice that ck substance that somehow strengthened Zeth''s body, but he saved those questions forter.


    Zeth chuckled with amazement under his breath.


    "If I knew you were a cultivator, I would''ve been d to bring you to the Sect. The Temple has been looking for a darkness cultivator for centuries!"

 Chapter 184 Meeting

    <h4>Chapter 184 Meeting</h4>


    "So you were a member after all."


    Liam didn''t bother hiding the annoyance in his tone.


    Despite Liam''s grave look, Zeth gave him a broad smile.


    "An acolyte, yes. Come with me, I''ll exin on the way."


    Zeth left through the backdoor and Liam followed.


    "What was that ck coating that enveloped your hand?" Liam asked as the two became blurry silhouettes exiting the district.


    Zeth made a cryptic smile.


    "Can''t say. You''ll have to be epted first."


    Liam frowned slightly, but kept his reservations.


    The dark-eyed man kept his smile as he dashed through the forested terrain.


    The same jet-ck substance coated his legs, somehow making him move faster.


    "I risk a bit saying this¡­ but whatever, it''s not like you''re going to back out now," Zeth added after a short pause.


    "The Temple is buying their time. What I said earlier was the truth. Some groups like to imitate what we''ve set out to do, but we''veid low for the past hundred or so years."


    Liam raised his brows.


    How was that possible?


    "I was born and raised by the Temple. Even my grandparents served as acolytes and disciples. The me of revenge never wanes, even after death, it only rages stronger."


    After Zeth''s little monologue, the pair arrived at a circr pit in the middle of a mountain crevice.


    The crack itself was barely big enough for him to fit in, but Zeth thinned his body and muddled through.


    ''A hidden base?''


    With a sigh, Liam followed him through the crevice. The gorge rubbed his back and front, but eventually, he squeezed through to the other end.


    Instantly, he noticed how dark the space was. The shadows there were unnatural.


    The King''s Eye could see night like day, yet there were still patches of unadulterated darkness within the passages built around them.


    In addition to that, there were lian inscriptions written on the uneven walls of the structure, made from the same shadowy material.


    Surrounding them were countless burrows, each one leading towards deeper sections of the inner mountain.


    At the same time, the floor below Liam was covered withplex writings and formations.


    ''With their level ofplexity, I''m pretty sure a Zenith made these.''


    Liam''s eyes emitted faint golden and scarlet light in the midst of all the darkness, which bewildered Zeth.


    He was about to ask how that was possible, but decided against it.


    "Come, I have to bring you to an Elder. To think there''s another darkness cultivator after so long¡­"


    Liam let out a brief grunt in response.


    "How strong are your forces?" he asked.


    Zeth ran a hand through his hair as he led Liam down one of the burrows.


    "We''re as strong as a mid-tier Sect¡­ but after hiding for so long, most of our experts haven''t been able to reap any resources to grow beyond that level."


    "We have five Elders at the Zenith Rank, and about three hundred Mortal Ranked cultivators."


    Liam paused.


    His n of getting a Rank 5 tempering method went up in mes.


    Unless he worked on making his own technique, he would probably stagnate at the fourth for months and maybe years.


    Still, he was being cynical. The fact that Zeniths existed meant they had techniques above the fourth level. Though, with so many Mortal cultivators, the amount of techniques and spells were most probably scarce.


    "And your Sect Patriarch? Tell me about him."


    Zeth gave him a side nce.


    "Only the Elders know of his current whereabouts, but everyone else is kept in the dark. It''s a known fact he''s been in seclusion for centuries."


    "And his name?" Liam asked.


    Only the crisp footstep sounds rang out within the cold passages.


    "Unforgiven Shadow. Currently the only darkness cultivator within the Sect¡­ besides you. Who knows, maybe he''ll even leave his seclusion to meet with you."


    Liam went pensively silent.


    The conversation died from thereon out, leaving Liam to silently contemte his situation.


    Overall, his circumstances were decent. The Temple was safe from any internal or external threat, and the Patriarch was at a higher level than the five Zeniths.


    Three hours passed.


    The two eventually came face to face to a shadowy, circr entrance imbued within the wall itself.


    ''Another formation?'' Liam wondered. The danger he sensed from that wall made the hair on his skin rise. ''I''m sure if I touch that, I''ll die instantly.''


    Zeth ced his ck coated palm on the entrance and the shadows dispersed, revealing a dimly lit hole to pass through.


    Zeth entered first, and Liam followed.


    Inside, revealed a vast, circr dungeon.


    The walls were covered with the same shadows as before, except they covered every small patch of stone.


    Liam''s mental waves couldn''t pass through those shadows.


    It was like an istion chamber, allowing no light or senses to pass through the enclosed space.


    ''No wonder they''ve been hidden for that long. This ce is basicallyyer afteryer of protection.''


    Liam shifted his gaze forward, to the vast, circr, dome-like area surrounding them.


    In the distance, a giant aztec-like temple made from ck stone stood tall, surrounded by smaller buildings of a simr structure.


    It wasn''t as big as the lion statue Liam saw, but it resembled the giant pyramids back on earth.


    The amount of ''Ora'' emitting from it wasn''t as dense as the House of Honor, but undoubtedly close.


    ''At least my core and body have a chance to advance at a faster rate,'' Liam thought.


    Tight, dark-robed men and women walked this way and that way, and some nearby gave Liam frowned looks.


    ''They''re all lower Ranked than me. Some don''t even have awakened mental spheres!''


    His early hypothesis of the Temple having lower ranking techniques proved true.


    Liam grimaced, then saw the same, dark blue tattoos inscribed across their bare forearms and skin.


    ''Are they inscriptions of some sort?'' Liam wondered as he took in the sights.


    "Come, the Elders are inside the Temple. We need to set a meeting."

 Chapter 185 Shadow

    <h4>Chapter 185 Shadow</h4>


    Liam was tense.


    The first time he had met with a Zenith was with Patriarch Edwin, and that meeting got his heart pumping nervously.


    Although he kept a calm face, he was worried if the Zenith was going to find out about his King''s Eye and chaos.


    The same thing applied in the present¡­ under even graver circumstances.


    Liam was from a different race altogether!


    He had apletely different center of power in his sr plexus, but thankfully, the chaos inside it wasn''t visible to even Zeniths.


    Edwin hadn''t seen it despite having a Rank 4 sea of consciousness to probe his mind and body with.


    However, the Chaos Pearl was still a physical organ. He couldn''t hide its appearance from them even if he tried.


    ''There''s no choice,'' Liam thought as he followed a short distance behind Zeth.


    ''The only issue is how they will react. Even if I transform into a full Ashura, I doubt I can even scratch their bodies.''


    Behind Zeth, a cold aura started to spread from Liam.


    "Zeth, you fool!"


    A deep voice rang out from one of the triangr houses, and a thick-bearded, burly, tall man exited, making a beeline towards Liam and Zeth.


    "What did you do to your outpost? You killed four members of the Leash Sect?!"


    His voice was unnaturally loud and powerful, and Liam had to brace his consciousness to withstand the pressure.


    Liam instantly realized the man''s mental capabilities as a Rank 3 sea of consciousness.


    "Krel, rx, it was for a good reason."


    Zeth tried to calm the menacing figure down as he got closer, but the enraged frown on his face wasn''t quelled in the least.


    BAM!


    A punchnded on Zeth''s face, sending him flying.


    When Krel''s green eyes fell on Liam, his grimace deepened. Pressure grew around him and enveloped Liam''s mental sphere.


    "Who''re you?"


    Liam used Thicken and took a wide jump backwards to distance himself.


    In his human form, the deep pressure pressing against his mental sphere was enough to riddle it with cracks.


    Frowning, he unsheathed des and prepared for a fight, when Zeth jumped in front of the man.


    "He''s of the darkness element!"


    Almost instantly, the pressure lessened, and Krel''s face flickered with surprise. He looked at Liam in a different light.


    "He wants to join the Temple. He helped kill those four and left no witnesses, too."


    Liam still kept his distance despite the lesser pressure.


    By then, a small crowd had gathered around themotion.


    They looked at Liam with hostility in their eyes, but they couldn''t do anything.


    The dangerous aura made them think twice about approaching.


    Liam''s cold eyes shifted left and right, the grip on his des tightening.


    A tense silence stilled the air. All the surrounding members were waiting on the strongest of them to grant permission for battle.


    "Let him pass."


    Krel broke the silence and dismissed the acolytes, who lingered momentarily before going back to their spaces.


    "Leave us," Krel asked Zeth and turned around, looking over his shoulder and gesturing for Liam to follow him.


    "Come with me. I can bring you to an Elder."


    Zeth nodded and exchanged a short look with Liam, before leaving himself.


    Reluctantly, Liam followed, keeping a safe distance away from the Rank 3 cultivator. He didn''t sheath his des, but Krel didn''t me him for it.


    "You better hide those des if you''re granted a meeting."


    Liam let out a nonmittal hum in response, his attention fixed on the countless writings riddling the Temple''s surface.


    A ramp ran through from the base to the peak of the pyramid, and brilliant inscriptions covered its surface.


    There was a small entrance at the base, and that''s where the pair entered through.


    Passing through a series of dark corridors, Liam was led to a small entrance. It was the same shadow-made formation radiating danger.


    Krel coated his hand in ck and ced his hand on the wall.


    SHHHHR.


    The entrance opened, revealing arge circr room filled with deep pressure, enough to force Liam to his knees as soon as the doors opened.


    He suppressed a curse and used Thicken to bear the pain.


    Krel entered with an enduring grimace and made a respectful gesture, putting his fist on his chest.


    In front and above, an entrically masked woman wearing an inscribed ck robe sat above an earth-made tower in cultivation.


    Only her pale nose and plump lips were visible, showing no difort despite the mountainous pressure in the room.


    Noticing the intrusion, the woman''s lips tightened to a frown, and with the wave of her hand, the weight on their minds disappeared.


    Liam began panting heavily as he sat crouched on one knee.


    "Elder Jane, forgive my intrusion, but I have crucial news."


    Krel began sweating under the Elder''s piercing gaze.


    That exact gaze shifted towards Liam, who felt no gentleness under her eyes.


    Despite that, he raised his head and looked at her with respect, imitating Krel''s gesture.


    Elder Jane''s mental waves invaded both his mind and body, thoroughly inspecting every corner of his body, including his Chaos Pearl.


    Her lips tightened even further as she had no idea what she was looking at.


    "What are you?" she eventually asked. Her voice was low and soothing, but the coldness in her tone overpowered everything else.


    "I can see you''re of darkness, but your body structure does not resemble a human''s."


    "You evenck a male apparatus."


    Krel raised his brows, aghast.


    ¡­What now?


    Elder Jane waved a hand and dismissed him before he could voice his concerns, closing the door behind him as he left.


    Liam sighed under his breath, giving the woman a wry smile.


    "It''s a long story."


    Elder Jane didn''t like his words.


    "I have time. Exin."


    Elder Jane''s figure suddenly turned into a silhouette of shadows that sunk into the tower.


    A momentter, she reappeared from the ground below Liam''s feet, emerging from a puddle of darkness as though she had just teleported from there.

 Chapter 186 Apparatus

    <h4>Chapter 186 Apparatus</h4>


    Liam was taken aback.


    The Zenith ranked Elder appeared from within the earth.


    As though one end of a tunnel had formed on the tower she was sitting upon and the other right below Liam''s feet.


    At the moment, she was giving Liam an impatient look, despite most of her facial features covered with the ornate mask. Her lips were tightened.


    "Well?"


    Liam gave a wry smile, cupping his hands respectfully.


    "You see, Elder Jane, I have a Binding Oath that stops me from divulging information about my body. I''m afraid there''s nothing I can tell you."


    Elder Jane frowned.


    "Lies."


    Liam''s smile slowly lessened.


    "I cannot sense any Binding Oath on any of your organs."


    Elder Jane flickered her right wrist.


    A ck de appeared in her grip, cutting through air despite being held perfectly still. It was barely the size of Liam''s hand, yet the edges radiated immense sharpness that prickled the hair on his skin.


    A Rank 4 inscribed item!


    Liam''s instincts screamed at him to run away, but he knew the Elder was way faster than him.


    Any tense movement could be regarded as an attempt to run or attack.


    Hence, he didn''t move a muscle, but inwardly prepared to defend.


    The next moment, the woman waved her hand.


    Liam''s altered appearance dissipated at once, revealing his real features.


    "I''ll ask onest time. What are you?"


    Liam remained silent with a hard gaze, sensing the woman''s growing frustration.


    He could tell she was suppressing the urge to pressure him, either due to his darkness element, or his mysterious body structure.


    Either way, that patience was running out.


    "I want reassurance that whatever I say won''t leave this room. You can say it to the other Elders and your Patriarch, but never beyond that," Liam voiced with a reluctant gaze.


    Elder Jane was intrigued, both at Liam''s personality and reluctance to answer. Not many Mortal Ranked cultivators had the nerve and audacity to demand something from a Zenith. Not to mention Liam''s young appearance.


    "You have my word."


    Noticing the unsatisfied look on Liam''s face, the Elder reassured him.


    "It''s not something I give lightly, nor often. Anymore than this and I will force the answers out from you."


    Liam''s eyes grew cold with defiance.


    Keeping his race a secret was ideal, of course, but that information itself didn''t matter too much.


    After all, the Ashuras had be merely a children''s story. The true knowledge regarding them belonged to the higher-ups of the surrounding countries.


    Millenia had passed since then.


    Not to mention, the Temple of Shadow was known only in li, and even then, their grudge was against the surrounding countries, not Liam''s forgotten race.


    He expected as much of a risk, but he was willing to take it. A gamble for privacy and special treatment as opposed to suppression andpetition.


    "I am human. Partly," he said.


    Elder Jane''s lips twitched.


    "And the other part?" she asked.


    Liam lingered, dragging out the silence as much as he could, before responding in an even voice:


    "Ashura."


    Silence.


    Elder Jane frowned.


    Her mental waves invaded Liam''s body again, way less gentlepared to before. She repeatedly inspected Liam''s sr plexus and embarrassingly, theck of features on his groin.


    The Elder didn''t know what to say.


    "My god¡­ you aren''t lying. How is that possible?" she voiced incredulously, her lips remaining parted.


    Liam didn''t feel the need to exin the details. He already answered once.


    "I don''t know."


    A blind man could see the lie in Liam''s words, and the Zenith''s lips pursed in anger.


    "I will speak to the others about this. You''ll be given a ce to stay until then."


    Liam remained silent.


    Elder Jane snapped her fingers, and Krel suddenly appeared at Liam''s side, through the same shadow-teleport thing.


    "Give him a room and make sure he doesn''t leave."


    With those stern words, Elder Jane turned into a shadow that became one with the ground, disappearing at once.


    Krel scratched the side of his head and gave Liam a strange look. With an reluctant and awkward tone, he questioned:


    "...So what''s this about a male apparatus?"


    Liam cursed to himself. He was definitely gonna find a way to get it back.


    ///


    Liam was given a small triangr shaped amodation to stay in, not too far away from the giant Temple.


    Inside, there wasn''t any furniture or even a bed ¨C just enough space for Liam to cultivate, inscribe, forge and train with.


    ''Perfect.''


    Truth be told, he was a bit anxious as to what the Elders would think about his predicament. Judging by her reaction, though, it wasn''t something too worrisome.


    Both Liam''s strength and element was useful for their needs.


    In the first ce, not having to hide his race and using all his strength gave him an exhrating feeling of freedom.


    Paired with the fact that he was well-hidden from outside eyes, he was satisfied with his current arrangement.


    Liam sat cross-legged first thing and began to cultivate as time passed.


    His body was rapidly nearing the upper-tier of the third Rank, but his core wasn''t nearing the liquid stage.


    The estimated time for each breakthrough towards the higher Ranks differed depended on several factors.


    Generally, for the Rank 2 core to advance to the liquid stage, it would roughly take a year or so.


    However, Liam consumed dozens of pills he reaped from the various rings he stole.


    From his estimation, it expedited his progress by a few months at most¡­ but Liam''s progression speed was slower than normal humans.


    ''Probably another six months until I advance.''


    Hours passed, and Liam concluded his core and bodily cultivation, expanding his mental sphere next. Sweat covered his figure top to bottom, and his mental energy was halved by then.


    Liam stopped there, then shifted his focus to the des in his ring.


    He carefully took out the inscribed container and took out the blood-drenched des from them.


    Liam inspected the weapons.


    The inscriptions on their surface hadpletely melted away, but what remained was a dark-red material that absorbed his blood.


    ''It worked.''

 Chapter 187 Interview

    <h4>Chapter 187 Interview</h4>


    Liam instantly noticed the differences on the blood-drenched weapons.


    The ck, magical beast-made des had absorbed part of his purified blood, merging the properties between the two materials.


    Liam didn''t waste a second and willed out a droplet of blood to absorb into his mental sphere.


    In truth, the moreplex and higher-ranked item Liam wanted to invent, the more amount of blood he had to absorb.


    Smaller droplets of blood were too difficult to stuff Meanings with, but had more potential as a whole to inscribe with, since efficiency was arge part of Liam''s Blood Weaving.


    However, it limited the amount of Links Liam could make.


    Larger amounts were the opposite.


    They allowed for more Meanings and Links, but had lesser potential.


    The only problem was¡­ it came with paralyzing pain.


    For this reason, Liam didn''t train to his full capacity with the Psionic Rune, making sure to keep at least half of his mental energy to inscribe with.


    Three hours passed as Liam went through the imbuing stage ¨C imbuing the meanings he conjured onto the droplet ¨C the absorption stage, and finally, the application stage.


    Liam desperately needed rest, and his mind throbbed every second with pangs of pain.


    Gritting his teeth, he scribbled away at the weapons with what remained of his strength.


    After a solid hour, he was done with everything.


    Liam''s des shimmered with the blood-red writings, the glow of which looked alive, breathing in and out.


    Having no strength to smile, Liam stored the des and put his abused head to sleep.


    ''Rank 2 upper-tier. Still not good enough to break through.''


    ///


    After barely an hour or two, Liam woke up.


    His head didn''t hurt as much as before, but he still didn''t feel safe inscribing for at least a week.


    He prioritized stability of his mental sphere first.


    ''If I let the droplet cook and pair it with blood infused magical beast parts, it should be good enough to break through¡­ but I''ll have to set aside some time for that project.''


    Still, Liam wasn''t too confident making that im.


    To forge something in a higher Rank required more than a simple increase in material and Ink.


    Liam needed to improve his Meanings and further his understanding.


    In other words, dip his hand into areas other than simple sharpness enhancements.


    For the next five hours, Liam was absorbed in his studies, mainly Spell Making and understanding body tempering methods.


    ''Each type of technique requires different kinds of Meanings,'' Liam remembered Richard''s teachings from the Royal academy.


    ''Body tempering methods often require the inscriber to understand anatomy and bodilyposition. The same goes for mental attacks, that require one to repeatedly stress and understand the sea of consciousness.''


    Liam''s goal was to make a body tempering method that allowed him to alter and change his form freely ¨Cbining both his physical and mental abilities from his human and Ashuran side.


    For that, he would begin with expanding his knowledge of Spirit Beasts, experimenting their ins and outs, alive and dead.


    Firstly, that required a darkness Spirit Beast, since Liam already had experience working with them.


    Two knocks surfaced on Liam''s door.


    He stored all the notebooks and parchments of paper lying around his space and quickly exited the pyramid.


    There, Krel quietly waited for him, saying nothing as he gestured to the Temple.


    "They''ve arranged another meeting¡­ all the Elders this time."


    Liam heaved a small breath, steeling his gaze as he prepared to meet five Zeniths.


    ///


    Liam was ushered into arge hallroom. Instantly, a natural pressure pushed against his mind.


    Six pirs made from dark stone held up the ceiling above, and in front were 5 chairs ced beside each other.


    Sitting upon each one, was an Elder of the Temple.


    Krel was kind enough to give Liam information about each Elder. He felt about Liam not having a male member, mistaking him to be a young man forced to castrate himself.


    The first was Elder Jane, on the far left chair. She was in charge of the Mortal Ranked cultivators within the Temple, and was pensively silent.


    "This is the boy?" the female Elder wearing a sleeveless robe and a ck mask asked in a derisive tone. Her mental waves were far less gentlepared to Jane''s. "I expected one of our own, at the very least."


    The one who spoke was Elder Orisa, a formation master that managed to construct the Istion Chamber surrounding the underground basement. Her skin was tanned, but covered with dark-blue tattoos.


    Sitting in the middle was Elder Verium, the only one who didn''t bother wearing a mask, revealing his skinny, pale face, enough that his cheekbones were poking through. His ck hair was long, with a few shades of gray here and there.


    Despite that, he was still the strongest and oldest Elder from amongst the five, his blue eyes piercing through Liam''s own.


    "What exactly am I looking at here?" he asked with a confused face. Not even he, despite his long age and expertise, could understand.


    "Can we pick him apart and find out?" an excited, childish voice sounded next to Verium''s, belonging to a petite woman jumping in her chair. "I wanna pick him apart so badly!"


    Had her Zenith aura not been there, Liam would''ve confused Elder Aki for a sassy young child.


    She was even shorter than Liam was. The ornate ck mask covered her face, leaving only her wild, dark-red hair visible from behind her.


    "Obviously not, moron. We''ve finally found one that fits the criteria," Elder Jax denied with a firm tone. His stature was slim andcked muscle, but his voice was aged and knowledgeable. "If he''s worthy of it, of course."


    Jax was the remaining male Elder, and also an inscription master.


    Liam remained silent all throughout, silently suffering through the five different mental waves that had little regard for his safety.


    Their gazes pierced into Liam''s soul. He felt like cornered prey, but he didn''t dare show weakness.


    "Tell us, boy. Why do you want to join our Temple?" Verium questioned sharply.


    Liam inwardly cursed.


    Was he really being interviewed?

 Chapter 188 Masterpiece

    <h4>Chapter 188 Masterpiece</h4>


    Liam questioned whether or not his answers would affect his chances of joining the group.


    The Zeniths could definitely tell if he lied or not¡­ but being truthful worked against him.


    In reality, Liam''s intention for joining was just to reap the benefits that came with the Temple of Shadow.


    He wanted to keep away from the public view and steadily grow his strength.


    Even sacrificing plentiful resources that other Sects might provide in exchange for safety.


    He didn''t care about their goals and missions of vengeance.


    Unless of course, his own revenge against the Royce family, which he wholeheartedly intended to carry out.


    In the end, truth was the only option.


    Something told him an old man like Verium valued honesty over strength, and a low-ranking foreigner lying to his face would just be disrespectful.


    "I have secrets I''d rather die than speak of. I don''t have any grudge against the Imperialists or the Dual Empire, but that doesn''t mean I can''t help you in your cause."


    Liam''s words were firm, and the Zeniths read between the lines ¨C he wasn''t going to reveal any more than he already did.


    "Oh? What can you help us with, child?" said Elder Orisa, her derisive tone filled with mockery.


    Liam suppressed a scowl.


    "I can regrly forge Rank 2 des through magical beasts and Spirit Beasts. I''m also proficient in inscriptions rting to blood, specifically sharpness enhancements."


    Silence.


    Elder Orisa was shocked. She could tell Liam was telling the truth.


    Pleasantly surprised, Elder Jane shot Orisa and the rest a smirk from the side then looked towards Liam with an approving gaze behind the mask.


    "He has natural talent and doesn''t fear five Zeniths pressuring him. We''d be foolish not to let him in with so much potential," Jane mentioned.


    "Not to mention, the boy is already a Rank 2 Magus close to a Rank 4 body, and he''s already a Rank 2 cultivator."


    Another contemtive silence ensued.


    Everyone had their own way of digesting that information.


    Elder Verium kept quiet with his powerful gaze still on Liam.


    Orisa was the same, except she really questioned the validity of Liam''s im.


    Even the childish Elder Aki grew serious, her sassy demeanors disappearing.


    Having an outsider enter their Temple was against the established rules¡­ but Liam''s abilities were too amazing for them not to consider.


    Even if he was from another race.


    Although Liam didn''t really understand how Zeniths thought, he was pretty sure Jax and Jane already epted him.


    Orisa turned into a shadow that sunk into the ground then reformed in front of Liam in the blink of an eye. "Show me the des you''ve made."


    Liam didn''t argue and took out a Rank 2 lower-tier pair of des, handing them to her.


    He purposely didn''t give her the upper-tier des he made earlier.


    After all, he didn''t want to oversell himself and be a ve to the Temple, repeatedly forging and inscribing weapons for them to use.


    Orisa examined the des with keen eyes, rubbing the edges with the tips of her slender fingers. It formed a tiny wound that healed not a second after, barely drawing any blood.


    ''Even a Rank 2 item barely cuts through a Rank 4 body¡­''


    "Your name," she asked abruptly, her gaze still on the de.


    Liam contemted whether or not using his real name mattered.


    It really didn''t, and he was pretty sure they could tell his lies.


    "Liam."


    Orisa gave him a terse nod and handed him the de.


    "I approve," she said, turning into a shadow and reappearing back in her chair as though she never left.


    "I don''t care about a Mortal''s secrets. If he''s able to make weapons like that for the lower ranked acolytes to use, I don''t see a problem with him joining. Aki''s forging methods require Vicirim metal, which takes time to make and the disciples can''t even wield them."


    With her words, Orisa raised her hand.


    ''So she''s a forgemaster?'' Liam wondered as he sneaked a nce at the child-like Elder.


    Elder Jane raised her hand as well, shortly followed by Jax.


    Aki was a bit more reserved, but eventually raised her hand.


    "You better hold your own weight, or I''ll pick you apart myself! Nobody will give you free techniques!" she added with her child-like voice.


    After a silence that was much longer than it seemed, Verium spoke.


    "It is decided. You''ll be an acolyte first. You won''t be given special treatment¡­ but that could change if you hold any talent with the Shadows."


    "We will put our lives on the line for your protection, and we expect you to do the same for the Temple."


    After a short pause, Liam gave a firm nod in response.


    With a lower voice, meant for the Elders but not limited to them, Verium added:


    "I will inform the Patriarch of the decision. Jaxon, you can personally show him the attunement procedure. We can''t let the others make any mistake with him."


    Liam remained quiet as the Zeniths exchanged nods with one another. He was relieved and worried at the same time.


    In the next moment, three of the five sitting in the hallroom turned into shadows that scattered in different directions.


    Jane lingered.


    "With you, I''m sure we can restore the Temple to its former glory," the Elder gave Liam aplicated smile before leaving herself.


    With that, only Elder Jax remained.


    Saying nothing, the Elder took off his mask and robe a momentter, revealing his pale and lean body which was riddled with intricate, ck tattoos covering his skin.


    His piercing, deep-set blue eyes held a dark light in them, but flickered with brilliance and maturity. Short blue hair covered his head, and a sharp scar ran across the bridge of his nose.


    Elder Jax smiled lightly.


    "As the name of our Temple suggests, we bring out the hidden power of Shadows," he said, running his hand across the tattoos on his chest. "Using a body-inscription method developed by the Patriarch."


    "Unfortunately for us, we''re not of the darkness element, and we cannot bring out its true potential."


    Stretching out his arms, the tattoos on his body flickered ck and shrouded his entire figure, leaving only his eyes visible. The danger radiating from him intensified enough to make Liam''s instincts scream.


    "But you¡­" a dangerous smile formed on Jax''s thin lips, his voice deeper and muffled. "You will be my greatest masterpiece."

 Chapter 189 Respect

    <h4>Chapter 189 Respect</h4>


    Shocked and amazed at the same time, Liam''s eyes widened as the Elder''s shadow wrapped around him and strengthened his aura.


    The room itself darkened by a noticeable amount as Jax''s body absorbed the light.


    In a split second, Jax''s form disappeared with a blink, reappearing behind Liam.


    Frowning, Liam''s body reflexively moved on its own, jolting around and taking a wide jump back.


    However, Jax disappeared again, standing vertically on the ceiling and defying thews of gravity.


    For the final time, the Elder merged with the room then reformed in front of Liam.


    "This is nothing. My level with this Art isughable considering how long I''ve practiced in it."


    A momentter, the ck coating regressed and gathered on Jax''s right arm.


    Even without the King''s Eye supporting his vision, Liam could see just how devastating that arm would be if it struck something.


    Even Liam''splete Ashura form wouldn''t survive.


    Before he could use it, though, the Elder''s shadows sucked back into the tattoos on his skin and reverted to the static blue color.


    Hisplexion visibly paled after that demonstration, with cold sweat dripping down his face.


    "Art of the Ten Thousand Shadows - that''s the name of this body-inscription method," Jax said as he wore his robe and cleared his throat.


    "The Ink for the tattoos are made through the ichor of a special nt called the Dark Star. They''re rare and delicate, only growing under specific conditions and have certain side-effects."


    "The inscriptions help you absorb the essence of Shadows and strengthen your body with it. The tattoos work as a conduit, a medium, to give you control over it. As you can tell, contrasting elements have limits."


    The Elder exited the hall and Liam naturally followed.


    "Only darkness users can bring out its true potential. Shadows are a byproduct of it, after all."


    "You may ask," Jax granted, seeing the eager look in Liam''s eyes.


    Liam had several questions, but one of them was much more important than the rest.


    "What side-effects?"


    The Elder paused for a moment, then continued.


    "The nt corrupts the mind. It brings out cruelty and intensifies negative emotions. Some even start to hallucinate and go insane."


    "It''s why we were exiled."


    There was anger and solemnity in the Elder''s words.


    Liam saw how the higher ranking acolytes had more tattoospared to those below them.


    He couldn''t imagine how many people lost their minds due to pushing themselves over the limit.


    Liam''s mental resilience was way above average.


    But if even a Zenith didn''t underestimate the Dark Star''s corruption, neither did he.


    Transforming into an Ashura had a simr effect, but it was still temporary, disappearing after Liam reverted back to a human.


    "Enough minor details. There''s currently not enough material for the treatment to begin, but I''ll have to run some tests to see what your limits are."


    As he said that, the pair arrived at a small room.


    A torture room¡­ judging by the unsettling tools differing in sharpness and shapeying around the space.


    In the center was a ck metal table, fixed with tight chains and thick braces meant to hold the victim still no matter what.


    Liam heaved a slight sigh and quietly made his way on the chair, strapping himself in.


    The material it was made out of wasn''t normal, as even his Rank 3 body didn''t cause it to bend.


    Elder Jax looked at him approvingly.


    ''I wonder what kind of life this young man lived until now,'' the Elder thought before steeling his gaze.


    ///


    Three torturous hours passed.


    Liam''s figure was covered with blood and bits of flesh. Parts of him were bent in unnatural directions, and his breathing was ragged and cold.


    The beginning tortures didn''t faze him at all.


    They were mild and consisted of a few cuts here and there, which Liam''s regeneration took care of not long after.


    Elder Jax ramped up in intensity once he realized Liam''s tolerance for pain was much higher than normal.


    Liam had spiked needles lodged in between his limbs, his nails pulled, chunks of his tongue cut and bits of his human organs pierced.


    Other than panting heavily and grunting loudly now and again, Liam kept quiet and didn''tin.


    Of course, the Elder wouldn''t inflict the pain without having a way to heal it back to normal.


    He simply gave Liam a strong pill to swallow and the torture session started once more.


    As it continued, Jax became more and more amazed.


    How could a Mortal ranked cultivator have so much tolerance for pain?


    It was out of this world!


    Even as he cracked Liam''s bones and shattered his fingers, all Liam did was tense his body and suppress his shouts.


    Jax moved to mental torture.


    He roughened up Liam''s sea of consciousness as much as he could without directly killing him.


    Despite that, Liam gritted his teeth and resisted the urge to use Thicken or Corrosive Mind.


    Eventually, the spare drugs that Jax had ran out, and the torture session had to be stopped.


    The Elder had to admit that even he didn''t have that sort of endurance and resolve as a Mortal cultivator.


    Although the Struggle Tribtion was way more difficultpared to regr torture, Liam was still not at that stage.


    Not to mention, Jax was more than a hundred and fifty years old.


    "You have my respect," said the Elder with a slight smile, unstrapping Liam from the table and washing away the blood from his body using a soft stream of water.


    "I''ll prioritize finding the Dark Stars. Your mental and physical fortitude is just excellent for the Ten Thousand Shadows. I''m even excited to apply the inscriptions on you."


    Liam managed a respectful gesture ¨C the same Krel did ¨C despite all his cells screaming in pain. "Thank you, Elder Jax."


    "Rest, now. It will probably take a month or two to find enough materials for the process, so you can steadily raise your strength until then."

 Chapter 190 Hunt

    <h4>Chapter 190 Hunt</h4>


    Liam exited the torture chamber, eyes drooping and breathing weak, then made his way through a series of corridors to leave the pyramid.


    As soon as he left the giant Temple, Zeth, Krel, and more faces that he couldn''t recognize were standing there.


    Three women and one man that were the same level of strength as Krel, with lower ranked acolytes huddled behind them.


    Before they could strike up a conversation, Liam shook his head with a scowl.


    They watched as he moved past them and headed towards his private pyramid, fully intent to sleep away the rest of the day.


    "H-how many hours did he stay inside the despair room?"


    Zeth spoke with wide eyes, and the others had the same looks on their faces.


    They all had experienced the despair room.


    Everyone has to in order to get their Shadow tattoos.


    Elder Jax had a knack for torturing and testing the limits of the human body and mind. Zeth himselfsted thirty minutes before crying for his mother and passing out.


    Thankfully, the Elder was kind enough to stop the torture if they lost consciousness.


    Out of all the squadron leaders, Krel hadsted the longest ¨C two & a half hours by the skin of his teeth.


    "He''s not normal," said Krel as he watched Liam''s back grow distant, respect evident in his dark eyes.


    "We''ll see a few changes around here with his presence."


    ///


    Liam woke up after sleeping for who knows how long.


    His headache was significantly lesser than before, but the remnants of the torture still lingered in his mind and body.


    Putting on his robe, Liam took out a Spirit Beast corpse and began wolfing it down raw.


    Some of his energy returned, but eating two more Spirit Beasts managed to bring him back to a stable condition.


    ''Eating cultivators is way more beneficial for my body instead of Spirit Beasts. Just one would have sufficed to bring me back to peak condition.''


    The problem was, Liam didn''t have any more bodies remaining to devour. He needed to restock soon, but staying underground wouldn''t aplish anything.


    ''Come to think of it, I still haven''t explored the underground and its establishments. I''m supposed to meet Krel and receive my duties as an acolyte as well,'' Liam thought with a grimace as he activated the Shadowfire cultivation technique.


    As he was in thought, half an hour passed, and he subconsciously moved to the Psionic Rune.


    ''The Ten Thousand Shadows are amazing to say the least. I''ve gained so many abilities during the past two years that nobody cane close to the same prowess as me.''


    The King''s Eye, the Ashura body, Chaos ¨C or Primordial Essence ¨C blood maniption, Shadow Clone and the vast arsenal of spells in his possession gave Liam unbridled potential.


    Adding a body-inscription method would bring him to a new realm of power entirely.


    A broad grin formed on Liam''s face.


    Finally, he concluded his training with the Rune.


    Before he left, Liam took out the inscribed preservation container and filled it with his blood.


    Then, he ced two spare des in them that he didn''t imbue with a Beast Will.


    He didn''t really n on making another pair of des so soon, since it wouldpletely take him out ofmission, but being prepared and making use of his time didn''t hurt.


    ''I should reabsorb the Beast Wills during my free time. It should help speed up my expansion again.''


    With that, Liam left the pyramid, only to see Krel waiting for him outside with a friendly smile.


    "You''re finally out."


    Liam raised a brow at how friendlier Krel waspared to before.


    "Come, I''ll give you a tour of the underground. You''d be happy to know there''s a better ce for you to live in, nearer to the Temple," Krel said as he and Liam walked side by side through the streets.


    Krel was a squadron leader.


    Usually, no one would dare walk in front or beside him except those of a simr or stronger Rank.


    Still, the Rank 3 cultivator didn''t take any offense as Liam did exactly that.


    "Your duties aren''t that special. The Temple isying low as of now, so the missions vary from bringing back special resources to, very rarely, quietly assassinating someone. Our goal is to silently expand our territories and gain more control over the ind."


    Liam nodded in understanding. It would be weird if a n specialized in shadows weren''t good at assassination.


    "That goal is a bit difficult considering how many sects share this ce with the Ravenous Leash dogs. They also use investigative Spirit Beasts to search for traces of our presence," Krel cursed angrily.


    Liam hummed to himself in response, silently taking in the knowledge.


    As the pair continued, they passed by a rowdy area where no housing pyramids were visible - instead, there were t fields that consisted of a forgery, a small-sized tavern, and other spots where the members could entertain themselves.


    Liam was confused as to why the Temple allowed for such areas, but a realization made him chuckle wryly under his breath.


    Normal people naturally require socialization.


    Without those facilities, Liam was sure that the members of the Temple would slowly be deranged, only intensified by the corruption effects of the Dark Star.


    "Although acolytes are the lowest rank of the Temple, you''re already a Rank 2 cultivator. You''ll be given lodging suited for one. Oh, and the rankings for the n go from Acolyte, Disciple, Shadow and finally, Elder."


    Eventually, Liam and Krel arrived at what looked like a circr space with small-sized pyramids covering its surface - paved with small walkways for people to pass through.


    The cultivators there were much strongerpared to those on the outside.


    A few middle-aged men among them even had Rank 2 mental spheres and Rank 3 bodies, many of them already in the liquid stage.


    Krel pointed towards a specific pyramid.


    "That''s yours," he said, giving Liam a jet-ck token. "And that''s the key."


    With that, the pair continued forward.


    "Bing a Rank 3 cultivator gives you the authority tomand a squadron. If a group assignment calls for it, I might even lead you into a hunt or battle."


    Krel puffed his chest as he said thest sentence.


    "What do you guys hunt?" Liam asked.


    Krel smirked proudly.


    "Rank 4 Spirit Beasts."

 Chapter 191 Stock

    <h4>Chapter 191 Stock</h4>


    Liam''s eyes widened at Krel''s statement.


    "You can do that?"


    Krel nodded casually.


    "Only as a group. Rarely do we hunt, and it''s out of necessity. The Rank 4 parts provide a steady source of ie for the biggest hideout of the Temple. It''s a ck-market proxy through which we receive resources and techniques from the outside, otherwise we would have died out a long time ago."


    Liam was immediately interested.


    ''Elder Aki used something called Vicirum metal, so there wouldn''t be any reason for them to withhold the materials. Unlucky.''


    Rank 4 magical beast parts were incredibly valuable, and coveted by inscription masters, alchemists and forgemasters alike.


    Even in the academy, he didn''t have the chance to forge or practice with them.


    That privilege was strictly avable to year three students.


    "Can Ie too?" Liam asked. "I''m sure I won''t weigh down your group."


    Liam wanted to see how his abilities fared against Rank 4 beasts.


    At the very least, a Rank 4 center of power was required to fight a Zenith ranked magical beast on even grounds.


    However, it wasn''t an exaggeration to say that Liam had several advantages.


    Krel chuckled amusingly.


    "Those hunts are only done between the squadron leaders¡­ but if an Elder vouches for you, I''m sure you can break that rule."


    Liam nodded, inwardly happy.


    Elder Jax gave him his respect.


    That had to be worth something.


    Krel showed him a few more ces after that.


    An Armory selling shabby armor and weapons ¨C barely at the peak of Rank 1 ¨C and techniques that weren''t really usable for Liam''s standards, in addition to a dueling arena and a pill store.


    It turned out, the Temple worked with the same merit point system as the academy and every other work-based organization.


    The system ensured the acolytes and disciples worked hard to achieve a higher status within the underground.


    Fortunately, the pills would greatly help Liam''s progress.


    They were a collection of the items the Temple stole from minor Sects above ground.


    Simr to the hunts for Rank 4 beasts, small, mid orrge-scale raids like those happened only with the high ranking members ¨C the Shadows and stronger Disciples ¨C and it only urred when any suspicion of them was minimal.


    "What are the Elders doing right now?" Liam asked as his gaze swept the surroundings. "I don''t see why they can''t personally hunt the Rank 4 magical beasts or take care of the lower-ranking ns above."


    Shaking his head, Krel grew stern.


    "They''re in charge of much more important matters. Besides, if a mysterious Zenith came and decimated a Sect, it would attract attention from the Main Lands."


    Krel didn''t add more, leaving Liam to guess as to what those matters were.


    ''They''re probably figuring out ways to strengthen themselves until the Patriarch''s return from seclusion. The pressure from Elder Jane''s hall was enough to shatter my mental sphere if I didn''t use Thicken.''


    Eventually, Liam and Krel arrived at arge base with inscribed mission boards all over them, filled with groups of acolytes and disciples going through the missions.


    In the middle, was arge table set with an ethereal ck map of the entire ind.


    Amazed momentarily, Liam briefly sifted through the missions and the rewards given uponpletion.


    Most of them were resource gathering quests, but here and there, an assassination mission with stern requirements were avable.


    With his level and expertise, they were rtively easy to do.


    "That''s everything. Oh, and before I forget," Krel fumbled around with his ring and took out a parchment paper which he handed to Liam.


    "You''ve been tasked with making three shortswords around the second Rank by the end of this month. They don''t have to be inscribed, but if they are, you''ll be rewarded greater."


    Liam let out a grunt in response.


    The Elders already wanted to make use of him¡­ but he expected just as much.


    He took a look at the parchment, which had a crude drawing of the required shortswords and the merit rewards it came with.


    Since Liam''s specialization was with darkness Spirit Beasts, they gave him more leeway with the weapons'' rankings.


    ''At least it gives me more meritspared to most missions they offer. They were considerate enough not to force me to inscribe for them.''


    Though, finding the Spirit Beasts still depended on him.


    Liam stored the parchment and gave Krel an understanding nod.


    "Good luck."


    Before leaving, Krel gave Liam the date for the next hunt - two and a half weeks.


    ''I better prepare until that time. I''ll ask Elder Jax for permission a few days before the hunt.''


    Liam shifted his gaze to the missions again.


    The first thing Liam wanted to do was get the tasks over and done with.


    ''I''ll kill two birds with one stone. I can find the Spirit Beasts and use them to make the three shortswords.''


    Though, he wasn''t sure if Spirit Beasts functioned the same way as magical beasts did with the Primordial Forging method.


    Shifting through the various missions, Liam settled on one and epted it.


    It simply required him to bring back three Rank 3 Spirit Beasts of any element or type, which fit like a glove for his needs.


    Scanning the ethereal map in the center of the room, Liam memorized theyout and arduously made his way out of the underground.


    ''Damn it, this walk is too long. The Shadow users have it easy when they can just blend into the ground and teleportrge distances.''


    When he finally arrived the crevice, Liam grimaced as he saw the same shadow formation that radiated danger.


    ''Wait, does my token work too?''


    Liam gripped his token by the edges and slowly slid it over to the mass of shadows.


    As the token made contact, the formation momentarily dissipated.


    Liam instantly left through the narrow gorge and ran towards the wilderness, using Vanishing Steps and Fleeting Foot to increase his speed.


    Higher ranked Spirit Beasts weren''t that rare where the Temple''s main base was, so Liam didn''t have to walk far.


    ''I should stock up on human bodies while I''m at it.''

 Chapter 192 Hideout

    <h4>Chapter 192 Hideout</h4>


    Liam didn''t think the Temple would be sox with the fact that he casually ate human beings.


    Who was to say the acolytes were safe from his savage cravings?


    Coupled with how he was a foreigner with a mysterious background and new to li, letting out that secret was bound to stir trouble for him.


    ''The Temple may hate the current governors of li, but they still love the people and itsnds.''


    That was the exact reason why the Temple wanted revenge ¨C too many lives were lost during the Imperialists and Dual Empire''s attacks, and the Unforgiven Shadow was out for blood.


    ''As long as I don''t overeat and target rogue criminals, the secret should be safe¡­ but these petty thieves and murderers aren''t enough to fully nourish my body.''


    Liam shrugged.


    Beggars couldn''t be choosers.


    ''Maybe once they trust me enough, I can request the bodies of lesser ranked cultivators to eat. Their enemies, of course.''


    Pulling himself out of his musings, Liam finally arrived at a Rank 3 Spirit Beast den.


    It was a group of Spiked-fur Hounds in the third Rank.


    Like their name suggested, their tufts of bone-white hair were spiked and razor-sharp.


    They looked like a mix of porcupine and wolf, with their growls subtly vibrating the air around them ¨Cying around a patch of green shrubbery surrounded by thick nts.


    The entire ce smelled like piss.


    At this point, Liam took just a minute to analyze the swiftest way to exterminate the pack of beasts.


    Although the top-side of the wolves were armored with the spikes, their maws and undersides were left unprotected.


    Liam hid his presence the best he could.


    Although his smell was maskable to cultivators of a lower or simr Rank, magical beasts and Spirit Beasts had powerful senses of smell.


    Liam unsheathed his des and decided to take the wolves by surprise.


    Slowly, Liam crouched and cocked his knees.


    As darkness tightened against the soles of his feet, Liam let go andunched himself ten meters in the air.


    WHOOSH!


    As he fluttered over the wolves like a kite, eight needles appeared in between each of Liam''s fingers.


    In one swift motion, he flicked the needles towards the weak maws of each wolf, raining down a barrage of death.


    As the needles pierced through the jaws of the beasts and exploded, Liam lithelynded in the center of the pack, his de finding its mark on the group''s alpha.


    Specifically, cleaving its maw in one instantaneous sh with his katana.


    ''So sharp!'' Liam thought as he inspected the upper-tier Rank 2 de. ''It severed through a Rank 3''s Spirit beast''s body like butter.''


    It didn''t really matter if Liam cut the beast''s jaw off.


    He would make the weapons from their hardened fur anyways.


    Low-pitched whimpers rang out from the other beasts as dark smoke filled the area.


    Their mouths were pierced and corroded with darkness, taking away their ability to roar.


    Enraged, the wolves turned around and did their best to aim their backs at Liam.


    As wafer-thin furs shot through the air, Liam already began blurring, activating the first forms of his martial art and severing the wounded muzzles of the beast''s.


    A few spikes smashed against his body, but barely pierced through Obsidian Skin.


    In less than ten minutes, Liam cleared a pack of Rank 3 Spirit Beasts.


    Storing them in his ring, Liam continued moving forward.


    ///


    Another hour passed, and Liam was done with gathering the necessary materials to forge with.


    ''It should be enough to make three shortswords or more. I''ll try to look for Spirit Beasts of the darkness element as well.''


    Liam felt his hunger growing stronger.


    ''I''ll take care of this first.''


    After memorizing the map, Liam could instantly spot the ghetto regions of li.


    Little nooks and crannies that were suitable for fugitives and wanted individuals to hide in without attracting attention.


    Liam would know where to look. After all, he slept more on the floors of random caves and dungeons than a soft bed.


    It didn''t take long for Liam to find a gushing waterfall that led to a ravine downstream.


    Water-type Spirit Beasts and magical beasts inhabited the area, but Liam saw how their numbers dwindled near the waterfall.


    Liam smiled.


    Silently, he began climbing the rocky edges that led horizontally to therge waterfall, intent on making his way to the center.


    The stream of cold water surged over his body, drenching his lengthy hair and shredded clothes.


    As he reached for another handhold, Liam''s hand went through the wall.


    ''There it is.''


    Smiling, Liam swung his body through the veil of water andnded on solid ground, rolling as he steadied his footing.


    Right ahead were a series ofrge tents that were covered by a steep concave, lit by the orbs of natural light ¨C a hideout with enough space to fit a total of 100 people.


    Voices andughter entered his ears. Ragged-robed martial artists walked this way and that way, but nobody had seen him enter.


    From what Liam heard, the group had just attacked a small-sized vige and gotten away with it.


    Most of the men were drunk out of their minds and were boasting of their ''grand'' aplishment.


    ''26 cultivators,'' Liam thought with a broad grin as his mental waves spread through the air. ''Their strongest isn''t even a Rank 2 Magus. They have women as hostages as well.''


    Slowly, Liam''s body split with three states of darkness and formed an identical clone.


    There was too much to clear on his own, and he reckoned it was good practice for his control over the Shadow Clone.


    Liam gave his body-double a pair of des and got to work, activating his Dark Wraith body and increasing his speed as he ran.


    A group of men sitting around arge table ¨C guffawing with drinks in their hands ¨C saw a blurry, smoky, jet-ck figure blink past them with a gust of wind.


    A momentter, their heads flew in the air dramatically with a spurt of blood before finding space in Liam''s rings.

 Chapter 193 Smile

    <h4>Chapter 193 Smile</h4>


    Slowly, theughter echoing throughout the concave was dwindling in volume.


    In truth, the volume didn''t change, just that the people lessened in number.


    In the span of twenty minutes, Liam had killed over 32 men and women that died without knowing how or why.


    There wasn''t any need for him to use his darkness.


    His element would only erase their flesh and blood, leaving no trace whatsoever and lessening his provisions.


    Liam limited himself to using a spell only when one of them was going to shout for help.


    The Shadow Clone was doing well on its own.


    Liam had to keep it close to him as he moved further in, deliberately slowing himself down so he didn''t lose control over it.


    The clone''s de wasn''t as sharp as Liam''s, but it was enough to kill those with Rank 1 bodies.


    Eventually, the strange silence was noticed by the stronger cultivators who exited their tents, half-naked and confused.


    As their horrified eyes swept through their base, the once lively hideout was now covered with streaks of blood but no bodies.


    ¡­Except two figures ¨C one of which was pure ck with a nk expression, and the other radiating pure danger ¨C making a beeline straight towards the group.


    Before they could even take out their weapons, Liam used the first form of his martial art and decapitated the group of four in one sh - storing their bodies just as fast.


    Liam heaved a sigh, cold sweat dripping from his pale face.


    Using spell after spell and controlling the Shadow Clone stressed his mind by a lot.


    ''That should be everyone. Only the hostages are left.''


    Liam''s hard gaze shifted to the tent that the four leaders came out of.


    He entered inside, and a group of women ¨C covered with bruises and wearing tattered clothing ¨C looked at him with fear in their eyes.


    They trembled at Liam''s blood covered figure, holding each other for support.


    "W-will you let us live?" one of them managed to blurt out.


    Liam remained silent.


    Regr humans would barely provide him any nourishment.


    Their Lifeforce was incredibly weak since they never absorbed ''Ora'' in their lives.


    ''...But they saw my abilities.''


    Liam said nothing and smiled warmly in response¡­ but the grip on his des subtly tightened.


    Giving them a painless death was the least he could do.


    ///


    Since the hideout was an effective cover, Liam simply chose to devour all the bodies there.


    There were a total of 51 bodies!


    Only 26 of them were fully cultivators ¨C the rest had Rank 1 or Rank 2 bodies with varying cores, minus the human hostages.


    Liam semi-transformed his teeth and began wolfing away at the human flesh, careful not to lose himself in the process.


    With each limb, organ and heart devoured, his Chaos Pearl, blood, body and core expanded and strengthened.


    It took him four hours to devour all of the bodies.


    Granted, he took pauses and waited for most of the bodies to digest in order not to lose himself, spending those breaks in cultivation.


    As Liam''s stomach ingested thest corpse, his body experienced a change.


    It entered the upper-tier of Rank 3!


    He could feel a noticeable change in his physical strength.


    Liam''s physique didn''t change much. He was still lean but a tiny bit more muscr.


    ''I''ll only see a major change once I enter the fourth Rank. Until then, I''ll have to eat, cultivate and use pills to quicken the process.''


    The average age for a Rank 4 body was about 25 to 26 years of age, not considering the usage of elixirs and pills.


    Liam was a few months away from bing fifteen!


    He had cut so many corners due to his favorable circumstances and unorthodox techniques, giving him an unbelievable edge.


    ''The gap between the upper tier and the fourth Rank is massive. Unless I work hard enough, it might even take me a full year to advance.''


    Liam cleaned away any traces of his stay, including the blood from those he killed.


    He mentally took note of the waterfall.


    It was well hidden. Enough for him to consume other humans in privacy.


    ''I''ve done enough. It''s time to return.''


    With that, Liam made his way back to the Temple.


    ///


    Squeezing through the tight crevice andpleting the boring run back inside, Liam finally arrived in the underground.


    The first thing he did was head to the Mission Hall and report the missionpleted.


    Receiving his merits, he went to the pill store next.


    Although the merits themselves were not enough to buy items that significantly bolstered his progress, they were still buyable through ''Ora'' Stones.


    A stern, scar-faceddy helped direct the surrounding acolytes on what pill to buy.


    There was arge inscribed board built atop a pir in the center, fixed with all the names, Ranks and uses of the pills avable.


    Liam briefly sifted through them.


    ''Raven Tongue potion, me Spider pill, Bone Boiling elixir¡­ the first one helps with the prolonging of mental energy, the other with the protection of the core, and the third softens the bones for faster cultivation.''


    In truth, the Shadowfire cultivation technique was much deadlierpared to other methods of expansion.


    If used for long periods of time, the corroding effect would potentially remain permanent, maiming the organ.


    For that exact reason, Liam used it for a total of thirty minutes every day, even though he could use it for far longer.


    Liam bought all three items, costing him a total of five thousand ''Ora'' Stones, then made his way back to his new amodation.


    Some female acolytes his age and older looked at him with blushes, to which he frowned and red in response.


    ''Why did that make them blush even more?''


    Liam scowled, forgetting the corruption effects given by the Dark Star.


    Shaking his head, he entered his amodation and made sure to lock the door.


    The ''Ora'' density in his home was far better than before, raising his chances of entering the liquid stage of the core before the one year mark.


    Without dy, he prepared for theing months.

 Chapter 194 Stages

    <h4>Chapter 194 Stages</h4>


    The Visionary Sect within the Main Lands was special one.


    Unlike other renowned ns that lived within the Main Lands, venerated for their destructive and amazing martial arts, spells and techniques, the Visionary Sect didn''t even fight.


    They were a small-sized Sect consisting only of Oracles.


    This made them incredibly valuable to the Seven ns that governed li, giving them insight on any major event of their country or, rarely, the world.


    It helped that the Visionary Sect was neutral with all of the ns, and their services were avable for all to use. For a price, of course.


    Exactly five months ago, the female Zenith Patriarch of the Visionary n, Raijen Shi, had a vision before sumbing to aa:


    She opened her eyes to a world of pure light.


    Star-like adornments flickered endlessly from above.


    Radiance was endless, the source of which was a giant, majestic, thick tree in the center that connected the sky and ground together like a sturdy pir.


    Everything was tranquil.


    ¡­Then a bud of darkness grew in the depths of the earth.


    It was tiny at first, barely noticeable and insignificant.


    But then it blossomed into a thorny, cruel tree, its roots sprawling from the ground and spreading into the light around it.


    It consumed the light, starting with the earth.


    Like a cancer, it grew and grew, its sinister aura making its way to the majestic tree.


    Raijen had to pull herself out of the vision.


    Every second she spent watching and observing was pressure that tightened around her mind - pressure that would burst as soon as she opened her eyes.


    But she continued watching.


    She had to see where it led.


    More buds of darkness grew around the majestic pir, bing thorny trees, which eventually began merging towards the center!


    Just as the two forces of light and dark were to meet¡­ Raijen was forcefully yanked away from the dream.


    Countless cracks surfaced on her Rank 4 sea of consciousness, making her grimace and cough a mouthful of blood.


    She was in a small room filled with runes and energies, circting around her mental sphere and body.


    The floor itself was riddled with arrays, yet none of them seemed to lessen the damage on her centers of power.


    Raijen cursed weakly.


    Twice she had a vision that made her knees weak.


    The first was many years ago, but it was brief and extremely vague, like the rapid shing of horrid images she half-remembered.


    "...Has the Temple of Shadow returned?" she whispered under her shivering breath, devoid of strength to lift her arms.


    Her eyes drooped as her body regressed into a malnourished state.


    ''I¡­ I must¡­ inform the ns.''


    That was Raijen''sst thought as her vision grew dark, and her consciousness faded to ck.


    ///


    Liam finished up forging the three shortswords for the Temple.


    Only one of them was Rank 2, with the other two des at the low and high ends of the upper-tier of Rank 1.


    There wasn''t much he could do there, and it wasn''t really his fault.


    Spirit Beasts functioned the same in his mental sphere as their counterpart, which was a relief to say the least.


    Beasts of varying elements had body parts that differed in property, and Liam''s expertise rested with darkness elementals.


    ''It should be good enough for their standards.''


    Liam didn''t really feel the need to inscribe them.


    The back-to-back forgings took a full day away from his schedule, and the inscriptions would take another week.


    He stored the weapons forter and began to consume the pills he bought the day earlier.


    A week quickly passed.


    Liam''s schedule was jam-packed.


    Between studying Spirit Beasts, learning how to make a spell, memorizing Blood Arts and cultivating, Liam couldn''t afford to waste a second.


    Making a spell, body-tempering method or any technique in general had its own stages.


    The first was the Visualization/Conceptualization stage.


    This was the most important and simultaneously difficult part of making a spell.


    If Liam wanted to make a body-tempering method thatbined both of his forms, he would have to incorporate his Ashuran strength and physicality with his human intellect and mental energy.


    To do that, Liam would have to understand his Ashuran state down to the very nerve, and the connections it had to his human side when he transformed.


    Honestly speaking, Liam didn''t think that was possible for his current level of strength.


    ''Techniques thatplicated can''t be made with a Rank 2 sea of consciousness. I''m not even sure a Rank 3 mental sphere can make that possible¡­''


    ''But if the King''s Eye improves, I can get a better understanding of the spells I already have.''


    This wasn''t considering the amount of issues something like that entailed.


    It definitely wasn''t safe, nor was it going to be painless.


    After that was the Testing/Polishing stage.


    Hypothetically, if Liam were to inscribe that body-tempering method, there was no chance whatsoever it was going to work on the first try.


    Any spell or technique was the same.


    Even back on Earth, things had to be tested out countless times before being approved.


    Liam''s technique had to be rigorously tested and polished before he could even think of cultivating it.


    ''How I can test something of this caliber is beyond me, though.''


    Only after he could pluck out the countless issues with the technique, was when Liam could move to thest stage.


    Thest and final phase was the Utilization stage, which simply meant that the technique could be used without issue, and only required Liam to iron out and perfect it.


    Liam lowered his sights and chose to work on a simple spell for his chaos instead.


    However, he finally figured out part of the Blood Arts!


    After a solid two weeks had passed, Liam grew confident enough to change some of the Links connected to the Rank 2 Blood Arts.


    Sitting cross-legged and bare, the tips of Liam''s fingers had a blood-red tattoo on them, running from the tip to the base.


    Tensing his slender fingers, wafer-thin strings of blood shot out from the tip and flew across the room!


    Liam smiled broadly.


    It worked!


    ¡­Only, theycked any power or tensile strength, weightlesslynding on the ground like confetti and melting back to liquid.

 Chapter 195 Generosity

    <h4>Chapter 195 Generosity </h4>


    Despite that failure of an attack, Liam kept his smile, just less wider than before.


    Over the course of two weeks of working himself down to the bone, he was confident enough in tweaking the vampiric writings of Niveh''s Blood Arts.


    Before that, he made absolutely sure to heavily practice the same Meanings on his own, just to gain a steady hand.


    To start with, he isted the writings that were specific only to vampires.


    The art worked just fine for him without those parts.


    Making a few minor adjustments on the Links, Liam finally managed to attune the technique to his body.


    ''The only problem is how weak it became. To make it stronger, I''ll have to add my own Meanings.''


    ''Only when I fully master the String Arts, I''ll move on to the Blooder''s.''


    Before Liam could throw himself back into his studies and cultivation, his Jade began blinking.


    ''Ah, is one month already over?''


    "I hope you are well, my liege," Jargon''s deep voice rang out from the other side as Liam answered themunication device.


    Over the course of five to six months, Jargon had already be an inner disciple of the Gushing River Sect, and he had advanced to the liquid-stage of Rank 2.


    His martial arts had grown to a decent level, enough to catch his Elders'' attention.


    Not all Blood Troupe members had reached simr heights, but they were doing well in their own regard.


    Even the regr workers had made thriving businesses, while those who became disciples were steadily growing their strength.


    "I''ll start with the most important news," said Jargon. Liam appreciated that about the man. How he cut straight in and wasted no time.


    "There was recently a Royal envoy from Echoria spotted heading towards the Main Lands."


    Liam snorted derisively.


    Took them long enough.


    Thankfully, Liam had already sorted out his circumstances with the Temple.


    If the Seven ns couldn''t find the Temple for centuries, neither could the Royals.


    Still, Liam decided to cut back on leaving the underground.


    "Other than that, rumors say the Patriarch of the Visionary n had entered aa after hertest vision."


    Liam shrugged at that bit of news, albeit he was intrigued at what exactly could do that to a Zenith.


    His experience with Oracles made him dislike the profession. Liam wished for the same thing to befall her followers.


    After giving Liam the rest of the news, he quickly hung up.


    ''The abrupt arrival of the Royal and the Oracle''sa had stirred up superstitious rumors. Are they connected somehow?''


    Liam shrugged. It didn''t concern him too much.


    ///


    After a few more days of cultivation and studies, the day for hunting a Rank 4 magical beast finally arrived.


    Liam had left towards the Temple early morning after lightly training his centers of power.


    He made sure to rest well the night before.


    His opponent was going to be a Rank 4 magical beast. He wasn''t taking any chances.


    Although the Temple wasn''t sternly guarded, Liam had to go to the higher Ranking Shadows if he wanted to meet with the Elders.


    He entered a more exclusive-looking area consisting ofrger versions of his pyramid.


    There were only fifteen or so buildings there, but the density of ''Ora'' there was thick.


    Liam met with Krel at hisrge pyramid first. The man''s expression was steeled with a battle-ready aura.


    After all, a Zenith was a Zenith.


    Human or beast, they were all monsters.


    "Elder Jax has already given you permission," Krel said as he noticed Liam creeping up behind him, gesturing him to enter his house.


    "I knew you''d ask him, so I went ahead and saved you the time. Oh, and the materials for your tattoos are halfway done."


    Liam gave Krel a thankful nod as he entered the space, not bothering to look at the decorations or furniture.


    "I hope you don''t mind me using your space, senior. Your generosity is appreciated."


    Instantly, Liam sat cross-legged to absorb ''Ora'' into his bones.


    The higher ranking Shadows were going to gather shortly, and he had a few minutes to cultivate.


    Krel was shocked at Liam''sck of hesitation. Merely a wink and the kid was already on the floor.


    Shaking his head and chuckling under his breath, Krel got ready himself.


    It wasn''t long before Liam sensed arge group of people approaching the building.


    Krel left the room and Liam followed him outside, where five people were waiting for them.


    "From left to right, Maeve, Ruth, Iris, Aiden and Oro," Krel told Liam their names as they approached, before whispering thest part:


    "Don''t focus on their words too much. They''ll make you go crazy if you do."


    Liam raised his brows.


    "Is this the kid?" a tall woman with raven-ck hair andrge dark eyes asked. She tilted her head curiously. "He''s not what I had in mind. I expected someone uglier."


    "Lucky bastard is what he is," another woman cursed with a frown.? Her hooded eyes were dark red and her wild hair a simr shade. She was the tallest from the group.


    "An Echorian of all people receiving darkness just pisses me off!"


    "Ruth! Don''t curse the boy¡­ he''s also an acolyte," a shorter, kinder-looking woman with curly blonde hair said. Her irises were azure and a kind smile was on her face. "I''m Iris."


    "Why are we babysitting him? He''s gonna get himself killed," a tanned, thick-bearded and muscr man gave Liam a stern re. "Don''t expect me to look out for you."


    "Look at his eyes¡­ he''s probing you all as of this moment!" a slim, middle-aged man with short, dark-green hairughed loudly. "You''re good in my book,d. Name''s Oro."


    Several res shot Liam''s way at Oro''s words, but he smiled awkwardly and made a respectful gesture in response.


    "Don''t forget why we''re gathered today," Krel said with a stern voice.


    "Liam wille along as support. He can pull his own weight, don''t try to defend him. We''ll be entering the Deep Ends, so make sure you''re all prepared."


    Despite their initial quips and teases, their expressions instantly grew stern and focused.


    Liam was no exception.

 Chapter 196 Poison Lizards

    <h4>Chapter 196 Poison Lizards</h4>


    Three hours passed since the group left the underground.


    They all worerge ck cloaks that shrouded their bodies and hid the tattoos on their skin.


    They chose to leave during the night. The silver moon strung high above, and the air carried a cold gust of wind.


    That meant that there were more Spirit Beastspared to before, but lesser martial artists and surveince surrounding them.


    Despite the earlier seriousness that radiated from the group, Liam quickly figured out their personalities.


    Oro was the jokey type.


    His jokes were cringe, but they helped relieve the invisible tension hanging in the air.


    Ruth, the red-haired woman envious of Liam''s element, cursed as much as she breathed.


    Iris was silent most of the time, her hardened gaze sweeping the surroundings.


    Krel and Adrian were the same. They were the real ''adults'' of the bunch.


    Maeve, on the other hand, made constant small talk with Liam.


    Instantly, Liam realized how perverted of a person she was.


    Most of her questions were rted to women, and at one point, Liam wanted to cut her tongue off.


    Liam was close to fifteen, the average adult age in Echoria.


    The same standards applied in li and basically every other region of the world.


    Although Maeve had a rtively youthful and beautiful appearance, she was a lecherous old hag in reality.


    ''I should just transform and rip her apart right now.''


    Liam heaved a sigh to calm himself, shifting his attention forward.


    The deeper they went into the wilderness, the more Rank 3 Spirit Beasts grew in number.


    Worn down but severe signs here and there warned them of entering a Danger Zone, but that did little to deter them.


    Passing by different magical terrains and habitats, arge, dark dungeon entrance at the foot of a towering ck mountain eventually grew visible.


    Instantly, Liam''s instincts warned him of the danger ahead.


    Liam''s constricted eye scanned the closest beast thoroughly, even before the group arrived.


    It was a 4 meter long lizard, lined with sharp, green, blue and yellow scales that ran from the tip of its long, spikey tail, all the way to the crown of its triangr head.


    It had muscr, w-like protrusions on their limbs, and yellow, vertical eyes that were as still as stone.


    Not only was there a Rank 4 beast deeper inside the dungeon, hundreds of peak Rank 3''s skittered this way and that way, running over and across each other within the enclosed space. Tapping and hissing noises echoed inside.


    Their forked tongues were almost always licking the ground or the walls of the dungeon. Even each other at times.


    Liam recognized that trait in another species of magical beast.


    Tongue Lizards could monitor their prey by using their sensitive tongues to sense the slightest vibrations on the ground.


    However, unlike those Tongue Lizards who were of the earth, the species in front of Liam was of the water element.


    Liam passed that information onto Krel, who raised a brow in response.


    "What makes you so sure?"


    "I study them," Liam responded casually. "It''ll be safer if we move above the treeline and spread further apart. They''ll be less wary of us, since they can''t sense anything in the air."


    Krel paused for a moment, then nodded firmly.


    He gave out the order and gaps were created between each of the Shadows, and they began jumping between the tall trees.


    Eventually, they arrived a short distance away from the dungeon entrance.


    Usually, the higher ranked a magical/spirit beast was, the stronger andrger its pack was.


    Naturally, they resided in areas that held the highest density of ''Ora'', and they bred rapidly to raise their numbers. Most of the time, it was by order of the pack alpha.


    The group unsheathed their weapons.


    Krel dual-wielded sickles. Inscribed and crescent-shaped, they were coated in an acidic mixture that gave it a green sheen.


    Ruth took out a giant hammer from her ring, nearly twice the length she was. The head was rectangr shaped, and made from a mixture of ck and white metals.


    Adrian wielded a triangr, spiked mace, the chain of which wrapped tightly around his right arm.


    It was an upper-tier Rank 2 item, covered with enhancing inscriptions that bolstered its durability and destructive qualities.


    Iris held an inscribed bow, Maeve a longsword and Oro a ive.


    Liam himself took out the Rank 2 upper-tier katana he made, with a mid-tier wakizashi to pair it with.


    That garnered him a few strange looks, as they didn''t know of his inscribing or forging abilities, but it wasn''t the time to ask.


    "We''ll take care of the lower ranked lizards first. It should be okay to split and cover more ground, but if the Rank 4es out, instantly regroup. Ration your mental energy and save your most destructive spells. They''re poisonous, so be careful not to get hit or scratched."


    Krel gave stern orders for the group to abide by. Liam was to attack from a distance using his spells, and only when he was signaled to.


    Everyone exchanged a knowing nod.


    There was no way the pack leader wouldn''t know if its underlings were dying.


    Though, in some cases, the Rank 4 beast wouldn''te out unless the threat was severe enough to need its presence.


    Their pride of facing animals of their own strength level was just unmatched.


    With narrowed eyes, Krel tightened the grip on his des and spoke firmly:


    "Let''s begin."


    On his mark, the Rank 3 cultivators had activated their Shadow abilities.


    They semi-blended in with the darkness and shot towards the dungeon cave with enhanced speed.


    ''It looks like not even they can fully immerse themselves into the shadows.''


    Liam couldn''t help but feel momentary jealousy, but he quickly shook his head and began running in.


    He was given the far right side of the dungeon entrance to clear.


    There were dozens of Rank 3 Poison Lizards littering the grounds, though they were unmoving like statues.


    Activating his Dark Wraith body paired with his first martial art form, Liam used Vanishing Steps and blinked from one side to another, hurling an Umbral Needle between each swing of his des.


    In the span of a breath, more than eight lizards had been killed.

 Chapter 197 Dead

    <h4>Chapter 197 Dead</h4>


    Steadily, the group pushed forward.


    Ruth''s hammer and Adrian''s mace made the ground tremble and shake at times, crushing the poisonous lizards like they were grapes.


    Iris'' bow gave her the ability to control the arrows she shot.


    Paired with her wind, the arrows were like bullets that pierced through the lizards'' brains in an instant.


    Maeve''s longsword cut through the air with a burst of mes, burning groups of lizard''s alive.


    Krel and Oro''s attacks were speed oriented, and their shadows were like another hand to fight with.


    The former''s sickles always lined up against a lizard''s neck, decapitating them in one swing, and thetter''s ive easily tore apart the lizards.


    By then, the lizards stopped being stationary and fought back.


    Hisses apanied with streams of green liquid flew through the air, melting through the terrain and ntlife it came in contact with.


    To Liam''s eyes, those attacks weren''t anything special. He dodged left and right while ducking in between the shots of liquid, then swung his de and hurled a needle in response.


    In the next few moments, another eight lizards were severed in half and corroded.


    Flicking the blood off his des, Liam shifted his attention to the others.


    The entrance was pretty much cleared.


    In their wake, were squished, burned, decapitated lizards that stank with a nauseating stench.


    Maeve whistled in approval seeing Liam''s handiwork, but thankfully didn''t add anyment.


    Giving a forward gesture, Krel was the first to start running in the giant mass of lizards, with Adrian and Ruth to his sides.


    Iris and Oro followed behind, with Liam at the group''s rear.


    Lizards surged forward like a tidal wave, stacked atop each other.


    BOOM! CRACK! SHING! BOF!


    Ruth and Adrian let loose their destructive weapons followed by supportive attacks from the rest of the group.


    The ground shattered like a pane of ss, and bloody pieces of flesh and viscera flew in every direction. Liquid poison fell on Liam''s skin, but he was too focused to pay attention to it.


    ''It''s like they want the pack leader toe out!'' Liam cursed as he hurled his needles between every opening he could find.


    The Rank 3 cultivators were incredibly fast paced in their approach.


    Unstoppable arrows, raging arcs of red fire, devastating strikes of earth and destructive spells tore through the dungeon floor.


    Liam barely managed to match their tempo, but considering his inferior Rank, he was doing just fine.


    SKREEE!


    With a cacophony of screeches, the remaining lizards desperately scurried deeper into the dungeon.


    Running down a slope that led to arger clearing and a bigger area.


    "Look at ''em, they''re running to mommy!" Oro joked, shooting a condensed orb of water from his hand that exploded and blew apart the lizards.


    Iris and Maeve picked off a good number of them before they all abandoned their dungeon space.


    Only a few survived the offensive, and even those were maimed and in no condition to fight.


    "The real fight starts now," Adrian said sternly, looking at Liam in a new light after seeing him battle.


    Even Ruth wasn''t as cold towards him as before. "Don''t try anything valiant," she added.


    Liam responded with a terse nod. Tired of their scrutiny, he followed behind Krel as the party traversed the passage leading to the ''boss'' room.


    And there it was.


    The ''boss'' ¨C a Rank 4 Poison Lizard was in the center of the spacious underground dungeon.


    It looked at Liam''s group with no particr emotion in its eyes, but its hostile aura couldn''t be hidden.


    Behind it were small-sized ''Ora'' crystals studded into the jagged and rocky terrain, oozing world essence.


    It was nowhere near the size of even a small-sized ''Ora'' Mine, but good enough to expedite the evolving of a magical/spirit beast.


    ''That exins why the lower ranked beasts were above while it remained below. It was hogging all the ''Ora'' for itself,'' Liam realized.


    There was a tense silence in the air as man and beast entered a staring contest.


    Slowly, the Shadows spread apart, encircling the Zenith beast.


    Since they were seven, Liam had to pair with someone due to his lower Rank.


    He chose Krel as a duo due to his superior strength.


    The silence was a bit unnerving.


    Usually, magical beasts attacked straight away.


    Spirit beasts were presumably no different.


    Yet the one in front didn''t move a muscle, even as the Shadows encircled it from all sides.


    "Something''s wrong¡­ this isn''t supposed to happen," Liam uttered to Krel with narrowed eyes.


    Perhaps he was thinking too deeply about it since it was his first time attempting to hunt a Rank 4 beast, but his instincts were usually on point.


    "Whatever it is, it works in our favor," Krel dismissed the notion, tightening the grip on his des.


    Making a countdown gesture with his hand, Krel began casting his most destructive spell.


    The others did the same, ''Ora'' gaining around their figures, hands and weapons.


    Wind churned, fire raged, earth trembled and water grew.


    Only Liam was on the edge.


    ''Why isn''t it attacking? Can''t it sense the threat it''s under?''


    Although paranoid, Liam didn''t disobey Krel''s orders to cast any long-range spells he could.


    Five needles formed between his fingers. Liam purposely didn''t form more needles for one single reason.


    Why wasn''t the lizard attacking?


    As the spells were ready to cast, Krel gave a single nod.


    WHOOSH! RUMBLE! CHOOM!


    Liam waited for the cluster of powerful spells to lessen in effect before throwing in his needles.


    If he used them instantly, it would have been blown away or doused by the destructive streams of water.


    Nheless, he threw them in the mix.


    Plumes of fire and dust began to cloud the space.


    The next moment, wind helped blow the smoke away, revealing a shocking scene.


    The Rank 4 Poison Lizard was dead.


    Its eyes were shed, blinding it. Most of the spells were focused on one spot, which helped pierce through small openings in its scales. The more destructive attacks revealed the grimy muscle and viscera underneath.


    A Rank 4 magical beast''s body was incredibly rigid and powerful, but not even they could withstand so many spells one after the other targeting one point.


    It wasn''t brutalized beyond recognition by any means, but definitely dead.


    It had died without even casting a single attack.


    Pale smiles formed on the group''s faces, except Liam, who still fell unsettled.


    Slowly, the smiles died down on their faces as something began to separate from the furthest wall of the dungeon.

 Chapter 198 Shifter

    <h4>Chapter 198 Shifter</h4>


    Liam watched with grave eyes, his senses screaming danger.


    Everyone shared his expression and panic as the entity stuck to the wall slowly separated itself.


    In reality, it was always there¡­ but it intelligently bided its time and watched keenly.


    Liam couldn''t even sense it for some reason, neither with his consciousness nor the King''s Eye.


    Its Rank 4 aura had been static throughout the entire raid on the dungeon, like it was one with the shadows.


    A look of realization and shock fell on Liam''s face.


    ''Was its presence the reason why the lizard couldn''t do anything?''


    Liam''s mind raced as he quietly cursed under his breath.


    Obviously, the first thought of action in everyone''s minds was to run towards the exit and never look back.


    ¡­But the slope was plugged with a series of giant boulders that fell from the ceiling during the barrage of spells.


    They were stuck!


    Slowly, the mass of ckish substances surged forward and took a form.


    Loud cracking of bones, sloshing of liquid and wet squirming noises rang through the cave.


    Arge central piece of it was parallel to the ground, growing in size and lengthening horizontally.


    From the main body, four limbs were starting to grow from its sides.


    The ends of the muscr limbs became vicious ws.


    A momentter, a long, spikey tail sprouted from its back end. Adorned with colorful scales from rear to end.


    It took the same form as the lizard the group had just killed!


    Darkness.


    It was of the darkness element, Liam realized.


    It remained unnervingly still, just like the lizard before it.


    However, this time, a growling noise echoed from its vibrating throat, and its vertical eyes swept over the group with a hostile gaze.


    Liam looked to Krel from the side.


    The man''s expression was of hardened calm, but still severe.


    The other Shadows mirrored his look.


    However, it wasn''t like they intended to hunt a Zenith without getting into a fight.


    Still, they remained where they were.


    Any attempt at regrouping from that distance would cause the beast to attack, but they weren''t too worried.


    "Shifter," Krel muttered with a frown and a soft voice, his gaze still at the ''lizard'' in front. "It''s a bloody Shifter."


    Liam narrowed his gaze. "A what?"


    "A shifter," Krel repeated. "can change its form freely into whatever it consumes. It can even take over their special abilities¡­ probably."


    "It''s so damn rare that it''s been reduced to a myth. It must have consumed the lizard''s partner andmanded the pack behind the scenes."


    Liam''s eyes visibly widened with amazement and shock, his incredulous gaze shifting back to the lizard in front.


    He didn''t believe Krel''s words.


    For something like that to exist, severalws of cultivation were broken. The Opposition clearly wasn''t doing its job as the bncing force.


    ''No. There has to be a drawback with each of its transformations. It can''t be so tantly overpowered.''


    Liam had a rtively decent understanding of the Opposition ever since his transformation into an Ashura.


    Having another center of power slowed down his progress rate.


    If a magical/spirit beast had an amazing defensive ability, it would usuallyck speed or vitality.


    Incredible vision would often lead to weakness in another sense, and so on.


    Still, the King''s Eye didn''t lie to him.


    At first, the Shifter''s aura was pure ck, which slowly changed into a dark shade of green.


    ''It really did take over the Poison Lizard''s powers.''


    However, it wasn''t nearly as potent and powerful as the regr Poison Lizard.


    It was more of an imitation of its strength.


    Strangely, smiles appeared on the groups'' faces.


    They had heard stories of the great Shifter that consumed children at night and walked among the humans during the day.


    Something like that had to sell for a high price!


    Only Liam remained stern.


    "I''m buying myself a better hammer if we live through this," Ruth said with a maniacal smile.


    "If," Maeve reiterated with a soft chuckle. "Just try not to die."


    "All you care about is that damn hammer," Oroughed, uncaring of the Shifter''s severe gaze.


    Meanwhile, Liam had a different train of thought, a dark glimmer in his multi-colored eyes.


    ''I need to study it.''


    Suddenly, the long silence was broken by a piercing shriek and hiss.


    BLERGH!


    Abruptly, the lizard lurched forward at Oro, the closest person to it, and spewed wild vomit from its mouth.


    Grimacing, Oro''s body flickered with his shadow tattoos and churned with wind, giving him just enough time to dodge the pounce and poisonous vomit.


    The dark-green liquid melted through the solid rock Oro was just standing on, making the manugh.


    ''They''re all crazy.''


    Krel suddenly leapt forward and Liam had to match his movements, des tightening in his grip.


    The other Shadows didn''t sit still either.


    It wasn''t their first time hunting, and they''d been through life and death situations before.


    Iris began shooting wind-powered arrows that tore through the air with a whistle.


    Maeve enhanced those attacks by giving them a re of fire, exploding upon contact with the beast.


    Oro himself threw orbs of condensed wind that sent little shockwaves rippling across the Shifter''s scaled body.


    SKREEE!


    Ruth, Adrian, Liam, Krel ¨C the physical side of the group ¨C had to get close to tear apart the Shifter''s defenses.


    Four were up close, three provided support from behind.


    BONK!


    Adrian''s mace brutally smashed against the Shifter''s scaled head.


    The lizard recoiled in pain but trashed its body and tail in response.


    WHOOSH!


    Liam felt a powerful gust of wind as the scaled tail whizzed by an inch away from his body, causing his hair and clothing to flutter violently.


    Krel managed to sh away at the reptile''s tail with his sickles, but it barely left a mark on the hardened scales.


    Momentarily, the group fell back to avoid being smashed away by the thrashing beast, Krel shouted orders nonstop and the group abided.


    Pieces of rubble fell down from the dungeon ceiling, the structure threatening to copse.


    As the thrashing came to a stop, Ruth made a wide leap into the air and raised her hammer above her head.


    Earth gathered around the hammer''s face to form a sharp spike, which she attempted to bring down on the Shifter''s head.


    BOOOM!


    ...However, her devastating attack struck the ground instead as the Shifter''s form morphed into a giant white wolf that swiped its paw against her body.

 Chapter 199 Plan

    <h4>Chapter 199 n</h4>


    Ruth''s reckless attack had made the dungeon''s structure even more unstable than it already was. The ground was a chaotic mess of jutting rock, and the ceiling was starting to chip and shatter.


    Just before Ruth''s body smashed against the dungeon wall, Liam''s chains shot from his wrist and wrapped tightly around her waist.


    Liam felt himself getting pulled ¨C and the chain nearly snapped ¨C but Krel''s firm hand on his shoulder gave him the strength to yank Ruth back.


    The red-haired woman had a broken right arm and a pained grimace on her face, partly due to Liam''s corrosive chains tightly wrapped around her body.


    After she was safely pulled to him and Krel, Liam released the chains and shifted his attention forward.


    The Shifter had now be a towering wolf with lush white fur, but its body had been marred with countless cuts and bruises. The umted damage from it''s lizard form had carried on over.


    In fact, parts of the Shifter''s aura dulled ever so slightly in Liam''s eyes. Not to mention, there were no longer any powerful scales armoring the wolf''s body.


    "It has a limited number of times it can switch!" Liam shouted that bit of information to the group. "It doesn''t have its scales anymore, target its weak spots!"


    The other Shadows took wide strides backwards as they heard Liam''s words, hurling every inscribed item they can at the beast while casting minor spells in between.


    ROAR!


    With the Shifter''s thunderous roar, liquid rapidly gathered around its throat and condensed, creating a loud whirring noise.


    Fifteen needles formed in between Liam''s hands, which he instantly shot at the beast''s mouth. Iris did the same with her arrows, with Maeve and Oro helping with their own.


    Liam cursed. Although the best course of action would be to dodge and avoid the sphere altogether, but Ruth was injured, pinning them in one spot.


    The attacks on the Shifter''s mouth helped reduce the effect and take away its ¡­ but not enough to stop the attack from taking ce.


    Pointing its maw towards the group, the basketball-sized sphere of liquid shot at them at the speed of a bullet.


    In a desperate attempt, Adrian and Krel activated a defensive spell. Ayered dome of solid rock formed around the group just in time to collide with the liquid.


    BOOOOOM!


    As soon as the two forces met, the wall was blown apart like a wooden door, sending rock-made shrapnel flying in every direction.


    Pieces of it ripped into Liam''s pale and bruised flesh, piercing through the Obsidian Skin and Cartge Brace defenses.


    The Dark Wraith body helped avoid most of the bigger rocks, but Liam still couldn''t turn his entire figure into mist.


    Thankfully, the others were doing much better than he was. Ruth''s condition was getting better, but she stillcked the strength to carry her hammer with the usual amount of strength.


    "Dodge!" Krel shouted as the wolf roared again, running at the group with murder in its blood-red eyes.


    Curses flew through the air.


    Liam activated Vanishing Steps and flung himself away from the wolf''s trajectory.


    It was absolute chaos, and they had to face it head on.


    With one of them injured, their chances of winning the sh against the Shifter lessened significantly.


    Large pieces of rubble fell down from the roof as the Shadows were constantly dodging the wolf''s pounces and swipes, sneaking in a heavy attack now and again.


    It was a battle of attrition.


    The Shifter was losing its strength as it used more of its water beams, but the Shadows were starting to feel their mental energies lessen.


    RUMBLE. CRKH. BOOM.


    Liam grimaced.


    ''Enough of this!''


    "Oi! I have a n!" Liam shouted with a deeper voice that didn''t match his quiet personality. That attracted the wolf''s attention, making him the Shifter''s target.


    "You two oafs take care of the rubble plugging the entrance!" he ordered Adrian and Ruth.


    Despite Liam''s inferior Rank, age and status within the Temple, the two didn''t feel any disrespect from his words.


    In fact, they felt absolutelypelled toply with his orders, not knowing why.


    "Make sure to use every remaining spell you have on its underside!" he ordered the rest with a domineering tone.


    As Ruth and Adrian rushed towards the slope, Liam''s body multiplied.


    He used the King''s Eye and quickly made the Shadow Clone look as simr as possible to himself, before running like the wind, spamming Vanishing Steps and his Dark Wraith abilities.


    Krel and the rest watching were shocked at that sight, but it wasn''t the time to stare nkly.


    They began to charge and use every single spell in their disposal, while Ruth and Adrian began to smash away a clearing to the surface.


    Liam was leading the beast towards the furthest wall of the dungeon, into the makeshift ''Ora'' Mine.


    Obviously, his speedpared to a Rank 4 wolf-type beast was like a toddler running away from an adult, but that wasn''t his n.


    The Shadow Clone was obviously slower than him, and the wolf didn''t know the difference between the two figures it ran after.


    Eventually, the Shifter had enough and pounced on the closer version of the two.


    It mped its giant mouth over the Shadow Clone and bit into it with onerge bite.


    Instantly, the Shifter looked like it regretted that decision.


    It whimpered in pain and tried to spit away the darkness-made human, but the mangled clone had clung to the wolf''s corroded tongue with all its strength.


    At the same time, the Shifter was too distraught to realize a short figure had slid under its body.


    Liam felt like time slowed down.


    His back slid across the jagged floor and his vision was filled with the wolf''s exposed, weakened underside. It was still thrashing around, oblivious of Liam''s presence.


    Liam pushed himself off the ground in one swift motion,unching himself at the wolf''s underside as he pulled back his fists and swung.


    Liam''s chest began to heat up as chaos churned from his pearl, spreading evenly across his now hardened body.


    Liam''s hair lengthened and turned white, another two pairs of muscr arms forming on his hip and waist, his teeth sharpening.


    Chaos gathered on his fists, and all six of them formed when he struck dead center at the wolf''s chest.


    A bang louder than any of the crashing rubble sounded through the dungeon, and the Shifter''s giant body collided with the ceiling.

 Chapter 200 Octopus

    <h4>Chapter 200 Octopus</h4>


    The wounded Shifter that initially looked so mighty and powerful wasunched in the air.


    It smashed against the ceiling and rained shattered chunks of rock as it fell down semi-unconscious.


    In truth, Liam didn''t blow away the Shifter''s body an incredible distance away. He had arrived in a section of the dungeon where the ceiling was much lowerpared to the rest.


    The underside of the beast''s mangled flesh still had the firm imprint of six fists on it.


    Liam couldn''t tear into the Shifter''s flesh, even with his full Ashura body.


    Instead, his target was the beast''s internal organs.


    Fighting against Janice gave him insight on how to effectively damage a Rank 4 body.


    The skin and muscle was too rigid and powerful.


    The internal organs, however, were much softerpared to the rest of the body.


    Spirit/magical beasts were the same.


    Their muscles, scales, hides were much stronger than a human''s, even if they were the same Rank.


    However, the same problem applied to them.


    As long as Liam sent a powerful enough shockwave that traveled through their figures, it would dibobte and stun them.


    Obviously, the beast in front of Liam wasn''t killed, merely wounded.


    "Oi! The path is cleared,e back before you get cru¡ª" Krel''s voice was overpowered by the cracking and crushing of stone.


    Liam was too focused on the Shifter to pay attention to his words.


    As the wolf fell down, the Shifter began to rapidly reform again!


    Grimacing, Liam was afraid it was going to morph into another beast¡­ but instead, it shrank down to a Rank 3 beast''s size.


    Just one or three meters bigger than the norm.


    What was left of the Shifter was arge¡­ sea creature?


    It was a bloody octopus!


    Roughly twentyrge tentacles lined with sharp, ck spikes protruded from its lower-half, and its egg-shaped head was covered with six eyes on each side. Its patterned ck skin was bumpy, slimy, dripping with ck ink.


    It was liquid darkness, Liam realized¡­ a different kind.


    Unlike Liam''s darkness that erased things, the Shifter''s darkness had imitation properties, losing its ability to corrode.


    No wonder it was so smart.


    Octopuses had nine brains!


    Though, Liam was sure that the Shifter was affected by whatever form it took. Otherwise, it wouldn''t have been so easily fooled by Liam''s Shadow Clone abilities.


    His multi-colored eyes were filled with shock and amazement as he saw the creature falling down.


    RUMBLE.


    Meanwhile, the dungeon''s entire structure was going to tumble down any second.


    However, Liam would be a fool to let something so valuable slip from his grasp, especially since it was so weakened and easy to grab.


    He was still in his Ashuran form, and Liam could grab it even with his human body. Still, he needed the speed and strength of the former when dealing with a Zenith.


    Before he lost himself to his bestial instincts ¨C which steadily grew and began to fill his mind with violent thoughts ¨C Liam cocked his knees and shot upwards at the Shifter.


    The ground below him shattered as it sent him flying.


    Midair, Liam''s six hands mped firmly on each of the Shifter''s countless tentacles, which were incredibly squishy and soft.


    It almost slipped past his grip, but the sharp teeth on the surface of its tentacles helped hook into his hardened skin.


    It was still alive, squirming as its mouth released wet, slimy sounds. Its six, jet-ck, fish-like eyes converged on Liam''s unamused face.


    Four of its tentacles rose and shot towards Liam''s body in an attempt to pierce it, but in the next second, a series of quick and powerful jabsnded on its oval head.


    ''It''s so weak!'' Liam thought with a smile as his punchesnded on the Shifter''s slimy skin, making it ripple and bounce like jelly.


    With each strike, small amounts of blue blood spurted from its mouth.


    Liam vaguely figured out the drawback to its insane abilities.


    In its most basic form, the Shifter''s defenses were incredibly weak against sharp weapons. Enough that even a Rank 2 weapon could cut and severely wound it.


    However, to weapons utilizing sheer force ¨C like Liam''s gauntlets ¨C it absorbed most of the shockwaves his fists carried.


    But if it consumed another beast ¨C using its intellect to set a trap or take it by surprise ¨C it would take their strengths, abilities, and possibly instincts, which was amazing in its own right.


    He didn''t deign thinking about the topic in his Ashuran state more than he already did, since his thoughts were bing murkier by the second.


    With one more punch to subdue the Shifter for good, he shot back towards the entrance he entered through.


    Falling boulders andrge pieces of rubble blocked his trajectory.


    Liam''s shoulder mmed into the pieces of rock that threatened to crush him while briskly avoiding the giant chunks of earth that continued to fall.


    As he got close, Liam realized the Shadows had already left through a narrow opening made by Adrian and Ruth''s mace and hammer.


    Liam didn''t me them for leaving.


    With them gone, he didn''t have to suppress his power.


    Chaos gathered around Liam''s legs.


    He nted his two feet firmly on a boulder midair, then kicked as hard as he could.


    CRKH! WHOOSH!


    The boulder exploded, and Liam was sent flying at incredible speed towards the narrow passage.


    A momentter, a rumbling louder than any other so far thundered from above.


    The dungeon''s ceiling was crashing down as a whole.


    As it slowly lowered itself to the floor, Liam turned into a streak that tried to reach the wall opposite him.


    Just like it seemed that he would be crushed like an ant, Liamnded on the tunnel''s entrance and kicked the ground again, beaming through the passage and reaching the other side.


    Liam survived by the skin of his teeth. He undid his transformation mid-flight, bumping into wall after wall like aid piece of flesh.


    With his physique weakened, the limp tentacles flopped freely and curled around his body like a coil.


    He felt the spikes dig into his bruised flesh and touch parts of his bone, his body rolling, tumbling and eventually crashing limp against another Shadow.

 Chapter 201 Interrogation

    <h4>Chapter 201 Interrogation</h4>


    Liam felt incredibly dizzy, but conscious nheless.


    Pieces of him broke as he smashed from one spot to the next, and his skin changed into several shades of purple, covered with a coating of blood.


    He crashed against Krel, who managed to grab him midair before Liam bluntly collided with the wall.


    Krel grabbed at the octopus at first. His hand almost slipped with the slimy surface of the octopus'' skin, but he strengthened his grip and pulled Liam back.


    Sqwelsh.


    Liam''s back fell on the stone floor,nding on the jelly-like octopus.


    His breath was ragged, his limbs quivered uncontrobly, and his clothes were shredded to pieces.


    He had pushed himself to the brink with his usage of chaos, and its bacsh made him hurl in pain.


    As he advanced to the upper-tier of the third Rank, Liam''s Ashura form had also gotten stronger.


    Naturally, so would its bacsh when he used it for too long and too heavily.


    Krel and Ruth instantly ¨C carefully ¨C picked the sea creature off his battered and bruised body.


    To their amazement, it no longer resembled a Rank 4 creature. Quite frankly, it looked pathetic and cutepared to before.


    The Shadows looked at Liam withplicated emotions.


    "Boy!" Iris eximed as she took out a bright green pill from her ring and put it in Liam''s mouth.


    A bit of strength returned to him, but Liam needed rest.


    The deepest wounds were slowly starting to heal, but hisplexion only grew paler.


    "J-just how did he survive? And is that the Shifter?" said Adrian, his usually stoic voice now docile. "Why is it like that?"


    "A chunk of rock probably smashed against its head and made it revert to¡­ whatever that is," Oro voiced, respect evident in his eyes. He chuckled like a madman. "This kid is just something else!"


    Maeve looked regretful, caressing Liam''s face, but that only made Liam ufortable and strangely weirded out.


    "We left an acolyte to die, dammit. We should be ashamed to call ourselves Shadows," Ruth said with a frown. To add salt to the wound, Liam had saved her.


    The Shadows were silent after that.


    Grunting awake, Liam slowly sat upright. The pain that throbbed with every corner of his body helped him stay on edge.


    Liam''s eyes instantly fixed to the octopus.


    It squirmed its tentacles on the ground in an attempt to escape, but Adrian and Ruth''s foot pressed tightly against its squishy head.


    "You good?" Krel asked with his hand on Liam''s shoulder.


    No.


    "Yes."


    Liam nodded after a short pause.


    Everything hurt.


    "We''ll have to run back to base then. Tonight was special. Two Rank 4 specimens hunted sessfully, one of which was a bloody Shifter. Alive too!" Krel smiled broadly. During the fight, he sneakily stored the dead Poison Lizard in his ring.


    "We''ll tell the Elders of what you''ve done tonight. You can expect to be rewarded. Now let''s get out of here before the Sectors investigate."


    Coughing a bit of blood on his fist, Liam mustered his strength and got up.


    The Shadows left the dungeon one by one.


    Krel held onto the Shifter, which absentmindedly coiled around his arm, dazed and limp.


    Both Ruth and Maeve offered Liam a piggyback ride (for different reasons Liam assumed) to the Temple, but he respectfully declined.


    ''I probably won''t be able to forge or inscribe for a good amount of time. The Elders better let me study the octopus, or else I''ve risked my life for nothing.''


    It took them a couple of hours to arrive back underground.


    Liam entered his home as the Shadows went to report their hunt details to Elder June.


    Liam had mentioned his desire to study the specimen to Krel, who promised to mention that fact to the Elders.


    With that, Liam put his head to sleep after a short session of cultivation.


    ''That Shifter might be the key tobining my Ashura and Human side together. It might be a long shot, but worth a try to find out.''


    Liam didn''t think the answer woulde that easy. In fact, it made things even moreplicated.


    Combining an Ashura and a Human was one thing.


    Mixing an Ashura, a Human, and a damn Octopus was something else entirely. An ambitious n to say the least.


    Liam shook his head and sighed.


    The things he''d do for power.


    ///


    The next day, Liam woke up with a loud grunt of pain that stemmed from every muscle of his body.


    Sore.


    Everything was sore.


    He got dressed with a new pair of ck-d clothes. He didn''t train, amazingly, despite every urge to.


    In his current state, that would only cause more harm.


    Liam intended to leave his quarters and head towards Krel''s, but as soon as he stepped foot outside, he was greeted with Elder Jane''s sight.


    She was practically invisible to his senses and mental energy.


    Liam made a respectful gesture upon her arrival.


    Elder Jane smiled lightly.


    "Well done. You simply break every expectation we have of you."


    She said nothing else and entered his amodation as though it was her own.


    Liam limited himself to a "thank you" and kept quiet.


    "I''ve got a few questions I need answering," Elder Jane casually said.


    Liam suppressed a frown.


    "Don''t consider it an interrogation. You''re a valuable acolyte, and I wouldn''t want to break the trust we''ve built up till now."


    "With this out of the way, you can have your time with the Shifter. I''ve already sent you a good amount of merits to buy resources with, too."


    Silence ensued.


    The Elder meant it.


    It wasn''t a hostile questioning, and she was direct with her words.


    Besides, she was basically bribing Liam for his trust.


    Not to mention, he would have some alone time with the Shifter Octopus.


    Firmly, Liam nodded after a short pause.


    "Why do you want to study the Shifter? How did you survive when the dungeon ceiling was crashing down on you? And¡­ who exactly are you? The Royals of Echoria were looking for a Liam Royce."

 Chapter 202 Secrets

    <h4>Chapter 202 Secrets</h4>


    Liam raised his brows.


    Elder Jane''sst question didn''t surprise him as much as it should have.


    The Temple of Shadow had people situated in different parts of li.


    If Liam of all people owned awork of information, their spies were perhaps much, much more skilled at their work.


    Still, Liam had to answer the three questions.


    "I study everything. It''s not just spirit beasts and magical beasts. I''d even study you if you''d let me."


    Elder Jane''s lips twitched.


    Was it a positive sign?


    Liam couldn''t really tell.


    He continued nevertheless.


    For the second question, Liam was a bit reserved.


    "I was lucky. It was weakened with so many spells and boulders that fell on it, and I have several techniques that enhance my strength and speed."


    That answer didn''t satisfy Jane as much as it should have, but Liam moved on.


    "I''m a fugitive. The Royals and nobles of Echoria want my head."


    After Liam answered thest question, Elder Jane couldn''t hide her exmation of shock in the form of a loud curse.


    Liam almost smiled.


    Liam was like a piece of hot coal.


    An infamous coal that an entire country wanted to destroy.


    A burning coal that the Temple now had to hold on to.


    They couldn''t throw him away or kill him¡­ probably.


    Liam was too valuable of an asset, and in the short time that he stayed with the Temple of Shadow, he''d already gained the trust of an Elder, and the respect of the Shadows.


    Elder Jane looked at Liam with a hidden gaze.


    Liam couldn''t tell what she was thinking. Her aura stayed the same throughout, and her mental energy was tooplicated to know her intention or emotion.


    "If there are any secrets as big as those, you need to tell me. Now."


    Liam remained silent.


    "Not as big."


    There was a short pause as Elder Jane didn''t say anything, then let out a long sigh.


    "Just don''t make us regret taking you in."


    ///


    Liam was brought to arge circr room within the Temple. In the center, was arge inscribed cage that Elder Jane had shoved the Rank 4 Shifter into.


    As soon as Liam entered, the Shifter trashed around and squealed.


    Its tentacles shot out towards Liam through the thin bar gaps, but stopped just before the sharp tips of it pierced through his face. It had reached the end of its length.


    Liam didn''t flinch.


    Elder Jane stood beside him as they both approached the cage. Her aura was dangerous enough to make Liam''s senses scream, even though it wasn''t directed to Liam.


    Sensing the approaching threat, the Shifter squeezed itself to the opposite side of the tight enclosure.


    "I remember chaining it down," the Elder frowned.


    Liam didn''t say anything and got close.


    "Can you take it out and subdue it for me? It''s still a Zenith," Liam requested.


    "Now it''s a Zenith? What about when you carried it through a copsing dungeon?" the Elder asked mockingly.


    Liam remained silent.


    The Elder opened up the cage through a slot in the middle.


    The Octopus let out a hostile squeak as it sensed the two figures so close to it.


    Abruptly, it let out a shrieking squeal and lurched at Liam in ast attempt to save itself, but Elder Jane pped it once across the head.


    TISH!


    It flopped to the floor, dazed and limp.


    Liam was worried that the Elder''s attack killed the beast, but during the one day of rest it had, the Octopus was in a much better condition.


    In fact, the p across its head didn''t wound it significantly. It merely stunned it.


    ''Transforming so many times must have weakened its body a lot. So that''s another weakness it has.''


    Liam crouched beside the limp octopus and began toy his hands on it.


    He began examining its body first.


    Liam squeezed its head as hard as he could.


    Sqlish.


    The Shifter''s face crumpled into Liam''s hand like the softest jelly in the world.


    Then, with both hands, Liam pulled the Shifter''s head.


    Bo~ing.


    The Shifter elongated as much as Liam''s arms stretched. Its sticity was unbelievable.


    Liam pressed, twisted, pulled, bent, and folded the Octopus in countless ways.


    From an outside perspective, it may look like Liam was just having fun.


    But in reality, he was testing how the Octopus reacted to stress and force, as well as its connection to the liquid darkness.


    Liam could sense that its skin instantly reacted to touch, turning softer.


    And underneath, the organs changed shape in real-time to match whatever form Liam pressed it to.


    ''Its body automatically secretes the liquid darkness to manipte its body in that way.''


    Liam wanted to study the core as well, but he''d have to kill and extract it from the beast first.


    ''I probably won''t find another Shifter in a long time. I have to keep this one alive for as long as possible.''


    "Are you done?" Elder Jane said with a hint of impatience in her voice. "I''ll have to sell it anyway. A Shifter alive will fetch a massive price, enough to buy new spells and techniques for the low ranking acolytes."


    No!


    Liam couldn''t let that happen.


    But he''d have to offer something in exchange.


    "Please don''t sell it. I can forge and inscribe more weapons for you."


    Elder Jane pursed her lips in thought.


    "Your weapons won''t make them stronger, Liam. I can''t tantly give you special treatment. At least, for now. Only once you get your tattoos, you''ll be a true member of the Temple."


    Liam almost clicked his tongue, but he stopped himself.


    What else could he give?


    "Then I can give you secrets of the Royal Academy. I used to be a student there."


    It wasn''t visible due to the mask, but Liam could tell the Elder raised her brows.


    "What secrets?"


    Liam didn''t respond instantly.


    "Will you let me keep the Shifter?"


    Silence.


    Elder Jane let out another sigh.


    "Fine. Tell me everything."

 Chapter 203 Pet

    <h4>Chapter 203 Pet</h4>


    Liam began with telling the Elder where the Royal academy was, their transportation methods, their protections and numbers, as well as the teachings he learned from his sses.


    The Binding Oath no longer bound Liam.


    He was free to divulge any information about the academy. He went as far as giving the names of his teachers, starting with the Headmaster.


    All the while, he was fondling the giant Octopus and manipting its body in different ways.


    A solid hour passed.


    Now and again, the Octopus would jolt awake and attempt to ensnare Liam''s body, but a p by the Elder put it to sleep again.


    Eventually, Elder Jane raised a hand.


    "You can stop. I can''t use most of the information you gave me¡­ but the knowledge you have from your sses can prove useful."


    "The Disciples and Shadows have forging and inscribing methods that can benefit from that. Write down anything that pertains to that and give it to me."


    "With that, you can keep the Shifter."


    Liam suppressed a smile and nodded.


    A Rank 4 beast!


    All his!


    Liam felt excitement bubbling up.


    "Don''t get ahead of yourself. You still need to feed and take care of it. Usually, Rank 4''s eat up to four to five Rank 3''s. And I won''t always be avable to subdue it for you."


    Although Elder Jane meant to mock Liam for his decision, it was barely an inconvenience for what he gained in return.


    Besides, having an Elder there was not necessary. Even Krel and Ruth were sufficient enough for a backup, though he didn''t feelfortable with them spying on his work.


    ''The Octopus is smart. Maybe it can recognize me as its caretaker once I feed it enough.''


    The chances of something like that were slim.


    Magical/Spiritual beasts were prideful creatures, and their pride only grew with their Rank.


    Though, none of them came close to the Octopus'' intellect.


    Liam did a few more experiments with the creature.


    He took out a de and cut off a small portion of it.


    It awoke from its sleep, thinking it was under attack, but another firm p from Elder Jane sent the Shifter back into the void.


    Liam stored the cut off piece of flesh, and Elder Jane put the Octopus back into the inscribed cage.


    "I''ll start feeding him after roughly a month. My body suffered too much during the hunt."


    Sighing, Elder Jane nodded after a short pause.


    ///


    After buying a set of nourishing pills with his new merits, Liam went back to his room, a pensive expression on his face.


    He took out the piece of flesh he cut off the octopus, dripping with liquid darkness. It was pure ck, and still pulsing with movement.


    However, if Liam applied force to a part of it, it would flicker with countless different colors.


    Also, its surface would also change shape. Hardening into a scale-like material, or growing fur and spikes.


    All octopuses had the ability to change their color.


    Yet the Shifter took it to the absolute extreme.


    Liam fell into thought.


    He had a few theories of how he could make a body tempering method.


    The Octopus could act like a vessel for his Ashura and Human side.


    A mold of sorts.


    The Shifter moved in any and every direction possible, and had no fixed structure, making it the perfect body to attack and defend with.


    However, its base form was incredibly weak, enough to be pped around and humiliated by lower Ranking beings.


    However, that could be fixed if his Ashura strength was transferred to it.


    Liam imagined how powerful something like that could be.


    He would practically be invincible.


    ''I could change the shape of my gauntlets to form swords. I can raise my height or grow in size. The possibilities only depend on my imagination.''


    The absorption abilities of the octopus paired with the hardened muscle of an Ashura was bound to create something beyond imagination.


    Andstly, Liam only needed to transfer his core and sea of consciousness over to the vessel.


    ¡­Only, he knew how to do exactly none of those things!


    ''It sounds too perfect to be true,'' Liam thought. ''But not impossible. Probably.''


    His greed and hunger for power churned at the thought of it.


    Liam knew he was in over his head.


    ''But I have to find a way to do that anyways. I still have my deal with the Kitsune to take care of.''


    Although he was absolutely sure making a body-tempering method like that at his current level wasn''t possible, he couldn''t say the same once he advanced to a higher Rank.


    Learning how to transfer the sea of consciousness early on would probably do wonders once Liam had to find a way to resuscitate the Kitsune.


    He studied the piece of flesh for a few more hours, before taking out arge parchment of paper and writing down any useful knowledge he had about inscribing or forging.


    The next day, Krel came and took the parchment, before giving it back to Elder Jane.


    Liam still wasn''t in a condition to cultivate.


    The drawbacks from transforming still weighed heavily against his body. It was through sheer will alone (and the asional drug) that he was able to stand.


    He only lightly trained his mental sphere and absorbed ''Ora'' into his bones, before putting his head to sleep.


    In theing weeks, Liam took on a different project.


    Attempting to make a low ranking spell.


    Liam would pause every other project and work solely towards making an effective spell.


    ''I''ve already gotten good enough with the Blood Arts to start. I''ll never improve if I don''t start somewhere.''


    With that, Liam brainstormed on what spell he should working on inscribing.


    He already had enough spells for darkness¡­ but none for chaos.


    In the first ce, was chaos something he could make into a spell?


    That''s exactly what Liam began to work on throughout the month.


    At a point, he started to cultivate normally, and all his centers of power grew in strength. He gave the Shifter a visit now and again, but the creature still hated Liam with a burning passion.


    Then, on the second day of the third week, Liam had seeded in making a spell for his chaos.

 Chapter 204 Delay

    <h4>Chapter 204 Dy</h4>


    Making a spell for his chaos was much harder than Liam imagined.


    It was a mere Rank 0 spell, yet it took Liam nearly a month toplete.


    In reality, Liam was being extremely arrogant with his expectations.


    On average, even Rank 0 spells took several months to make.


    Of course, this wasn''t considering the experience an inscription master was supposed to have to even attempt making one.


    For someone who had been inscribing for more than two to three years, Liam''s aplishment was important. Grand.


    He had broken world records, and he waspletely oblivious. Only discontent with his progress.


    Liam hadn''t forged anything during the one month period.


    He put all his efforts into spellmaking. Only cultivating, training and studying in between.


    Throughout the whole month, booms and bangs of every kind rang out from his quarters.


    It got bad enough that Elder Jane had to investigate and ask him what it was.


    Liam simply told her he was working on his forging abilities, and the Elder shook his head before flying away.


    Liam rigorously had to practice his chaos in order to understand just how it worked.


    That involved repeatedly using it in varying ways, and testing it on various subjects.


    Liam was already done with the Conceptualization/Visualization stage. He knew what he wanted, and he worked on making it a reality.


    Even after his chaos transferred to the pearl from his core, Liam could take it out and use it with his Half-Human form.


    Just as he was half a human, he was half an Ashura.


    Both of those abilities coincided with one another.


    In fact, his control over the element had be stronger.


    As Liam had consumed humans and Spirit Beasts alike, his chaos had gotten much more destructive and unstable.


    As long as the Chaos Pearl continued to expand, Liam''s chaos would also grow more powerful.


    ''Controlled Chaos'' was what Liam named his Rank 0 spell.


    Of course, Liam''s chaos wasn''t controble in the least.


    It was destructive and wild, and any attempt to hold it down resulted in a loud boom that made his ears ring momentarily.


    Liam merely found a way to dy the exploding effect.


    Currently, Liam was standing in his room without a shirt covering his pale, muscr body.


    Both his eyes were bloodshot, and his hair was unkempt and filthy.


    There was arge crater on the wall furthest to him, and simr dents covered his floor and ceiling.


    In his hands, was arge parchment paper that was as big as his chest. Its surface was riddled with glowing, blood-red writings.


    Liam heaved a short sigh.


    Making a spell was no easy task.


    Liam had to absorb more blood than normal to make up for hisck ofprehension, which was why the parchment paper was so big.


    ''This better damn work.''


    Heaving another sigh, chaos gathered around the tip of Liam''s index finger, creating a churning noise like that of condensing wind.


    The space around Liam''s fervent chaos bent outward.


    Like a reverse ck hole that pushed away the light instead of absorbing it.


    That effect was due to the sheer density and weight of Liam''s bright-red chaos.


    ¡­Probably.


    Obviously, there were elements of his Primordial Essence that Liam really didn''t know much about.


    After all, Raast mentioned something about the whole world wanting it.


    All Liam did was make it explode on things.


    He wasn''t able to bring out its true potential. Not unless he understood it on a deeper level.


    Before the chaos exploded on his finger tip, Liam flicked it forward against the wall.


    One second passed.


    Two seconds passed.


    BOOM!


    On the third second, the small mass of chaos imploded, sending a shockwave throughout the space that made Liam''s long hair and leggings flutter.


    Liam nodded to himself in satisfaction.


    All Chaos Control really did was dy the explosion of Liam''s element for a few seconds. The more more chaos Liam used, the weaker the dying effect would be.


    That was the limit of Rank 0 spells. They only provided a bit of support or utility to the cultivator.


    ''Dying my chaos'' explosion by three seconds might seem like less, but it''s quite useful during battles. With it, I can throw it further distances and take people by surprise.''


    ''I won''t have to get closer to Rank 4 beasts in order to damage them, either.''


    The way Liam inscribed the spell was bybining aspects of other techniques.


    With the King''s Eye, he could see the meanings through the diagrams of other techniques and spells.


    However, that didn''t mean Liam could instantly copy every spell he wanted and make it his own.


    The Meanings, Links and Ink were separate parts, yet all threeponents were crucial for a technique to function properly.


    Liam could only vaguely sense the Meaning. The rest dependedrgely on him and his blood.


    ''Of all the spells I have, Surging Burst has the most potential to help me make a spell. It has destructive qualities simr to chaos.''


    At first, Liam tried to condense his chaos and give it a sharpness or piercing quality, taking inspiration from Lethality Mantle and Umbral Needles.


    He wasn''t able to do so.


    His element was just so abrupt and unstable, that Liam simply gave up on making something like that at his current level.


    ''Only, Surging Burst is a Rank 4 spell. I''ll take inspiration from lower spells for now.''


    Liam felt like an entire world of possibilities had opened up for him after sessfully making a spell.


    ''Nothing is impossible,'' Liam smiled. ''But I can''t afford to be tunnel visioned. I''ll work on making an enhancement inscription in the third Rank next.''


    ''That way, I''ll be ready for the Temple''s assault.''


    The Temple was nning an attack on a small-size Sect towards the borders of the ind.


    It was the Verdant Warrior Sect, consisting of nothing but brutish martial artists that fought with their bare bodies.


    They didn''t believe in using external martial arts to fight.


    For this reason, they had cut off allmunications with the surrounding Sects and became enemies with them, isting themselves from the rest of the gangho.


    This meant that, even if they were under attack, they would have no one to call for support.


    That made them the perfect target for the Temple.


    Another week passed, and it was time for Liam to apply his Shadow Tattoos.

 Chapter 205 Pain

    <h4>Chapter 205 Pain</h4>


    Liam entered the Temple after taking a well needed bath and rest.


    Elder Jax had already gathered the Dark Stars required for the tattooing process.


    He had given Liam a day to rest and regain his strength for the procedure.


    Acolytes, Disciples and Shadows had gathered around the Temple to see Liam enter the building.


    The Acolytes looked at Liam with a bit of envy in their eyes.


    Most of them were olderpared to Liam, but way weaker in contrast.


    It didn''t help that Liam had so much attention from the Elders and Shadows, and already lived in better quarters than them.


    The Disciples and Shadows, on the other hand, looked at Liam with respect.


    Something special about the Temple was the brotherhood they naturally felt to one another.


    They saw Liam as a junior brother that waspleting his rite of passage into adulthood.


    Even the Acolytes, despite their envy, were proud of Liam.


    Liam, however, was pissed off.


    He felt like an animal in a zoo.


    Hastening his steps, he made his way through the long and dark corridors.


    This time, he descended down arge slope, the end of which were tworge doors.


    Liam opened the doors, and a faint blue light shone on his face.


    Inside, there was arge, circr pit flowing with iridescent ck liquid.


    Inscribed lines ran across the sides of the pit and all around the room.


    There were also formations on the ground, which gave Liam a feeling of vitality and durability.


    Straight ahead was a chair designed for Liam''s stature. It had the same braces as the one from the torture room.


    Above, the space was lit by a flickering blue me. Strangely, the fire released a rxing aroma, numbing Liam''s skin and feeling.


    ''They sure went all out for this.''


    Elder Jax was standing beside the pit with a slight smile on his face.


    He wore a different kind of clothing this time.


    A sleeveless ck vest that clung to his lean body, with simr pants wrapping his legs.


    Covering his hands were jet-ck gloves, the fingertips of which were incredibly wafer-thin and sharp.


    To his side was a table. On it was arge bowl with a pure ck liquid inside.


    Liam could see that there was something wrong with that liquid.


    He felt as though something was pulling him towards it.


    Whispering in his ear to rush and drink it all in one gulp.


    In fact, Liam unknowingly took a step towards it.


    "Careful. You''re being affected," Elder Jax voiced.


    Liam blinked, then frowned.


    Instantly, he used Thicken.


    Unbeknownst to him, something was weighing against his mental sphere and clouding his thoughts.


    As soon as he activated the mental barrier, Liam''s mind cleared.


    "Come sit. If we finish quickly, you might even have some energy to walk," said Elder Jax, a cryptic smile on his lips.


    Liam heaved a sigh and made his way over to the chair, taking off his upper clothing.


    "I''ll tell you how this works."


    Elder Jax tightened the glove around his hands.


    "First, I''ll apply the Inkshadow."


    Inkshadow.


    That was the technical term for the tattoos given to members of the Temple of Shadow.


    "To do that, I have to rip out chunks of your flesh and quickly rece them with the hardened Dark Star."


    Liam casually nodded in understanding.


    As if ripping out chunks of flesh was the most normal thing in the world.


    "Once that''s done, I''ll have to submerge your body into the pit. You''ll have to hold your breath for at least twenty minutes. It''s best if you can go over that, but don''t push yourself."


    Liam nodded again.


    Holding his breath for that long wasn''t a problem. Rank 3 bodies could go at least an hour without air.


    Elder Jax gave him arge pill that helped numb most of his remaining senses.


    Even his taste went mute, and his muscles rxed.


    "Since this is my first time applying these inscriptions to a darkness cultivator, I had to go all out," Elder Jax said, a hint of excitement in his voice.


    "With your level of resistance to torture and pain, this will go without a hitch. Though¡­ I might have gone overboard with how much I had nned."


    Liam gave him a nk stare.


    He was already strapped in.


    But at this moment, he no longer feltfortable.


    "Just grit your teeth."


    Elder Jax''s words held nofort or warmth.


    Liam had be a guinea pig. A material for the Elder to y around with.


    Liam let out another sigh.


    A few minutes passed with Elder Jax making small preparations.


    The atmosphere slowly changed in the room.


    In the next moment, Elder Jax tensed his gloves.


    Sharp, tendril-like needles exited his fingertips and lined up against Liam''s chest, forming a pattern of red lines that leaked blood.


    They were wafer-thin, and at first, Liam didn''t even feel them cutting into his body.


    Then, Elder Jax pulled back his glove.


    SHPLURT!


    A precise pound of flesh left Liam''s chest.


    Before any blood could drip on his figure or the floor, Elder Jax used his ''Ora'' to stop the liquid midair.


    Instantly, the Elder used his left hand to manipte the Dark Star liquid from the basin.


    It rose up as a blob, then solidified into the exact shape of Liam''s gaping wound.


    Due to the drugs, the formation below, and the fire above, Liam didn''t feel too much pain.


    Still, he felt the numbing effects of the drugs slightly wear off.


    Like connecting a puzzle piece together, the hardened Dark Star material entered Liam''s wound.


    Then it hit him.


    As Liam''s flesh slowly reformed, itbined with the Dark Star.


    It was like liquid cyanide hadbined with his muscles.


    Pangs of agony spread throughout his body and somehow reached his mind.


    Liam''s rapid heartbeat echoed in his ears, his breathing grew unstable, his ears started ringing.


    Liam was given no reprieve.


    The needles dug into him again.


    Another chunk of flesh was torn off.


    Solid Dark Star filled it.


    The process repeated until Liam had to be flipped around, and the same thing continued on his back.


    Needles.


    Chunk.


    Dark Star.


    Pain.

 Chapter 206 Excitement

    <h4>Chapter 206 Excitement</h4>


    Roughly an hour passed.


    Or didn''t.


    Liam lost track of time.


    Liam resembled a grim, living piece of art.


    Symmetrical, rectangr ck lines ran across his body, starting from his abdomen, reaching his chest and spreading out towards his spine, hip and deltoids in harmonious, mesmerizing patterns.


    Some tattoos were squarish, some were linear and sharp, and the others werepletely cked out with Inkshadow.


    A single, ck line ran from the back of his upper arm, down his elbow, across his forearm and to the side of his hand.


    It didn''t conflict with his natural etchings that faintly ran across his skin.


    In fact, Elder Jax hadbined the two.


    At this point, Liam really questioned how much pain a human being can experience before losing his mind.


    The biggest problem wasn''t his physical pain.


    Liam could handle that.


    Perhaps better than anyone else his age and above.


    It was his sea of consciousness that was suffering the most.


    Compared to Elder Jax''s roughening up of his mental sphere, the Dark Star was making Liam''s thoughts re and quicken.


    And every thought was like a Bullet Ant''s sting on his brain.


    Liam''s attempt to suppress his thoughts only resulted in more thoughts.


    All Liam could do was let his mind flow naturally, which was the lesser of the two evils.


    Eventually, Elder Jax had stopped ripping Liam apart.


    All the pieces of flesh, bone and muscle the Elder had torn off Liam wasying beside him on a tray, oozing blood.


    "You in there?" said Elder Jax with a slight scowl, hearing Liam''s faint breath.


    There was a focused expression on Jax''s face throughout the procedure. Now, he was concerned he might have gone too far.


    Liam weakly and silently nodded.


    The Elder smiled broadly.


    "I''m gonna put you under now. Remember, ten minutes at minimum, but more if you can."


    "The longer you stay inside, the more you''re attuned to the Dark Star''s power."


    "I''ll begin."


    Elder Jax had carried Liam''s limp body and slowly submerged him within the iridescent ck water.


    Coldness invaded Liam''s flesh, giving him a freezing sensation that stiffened his senses.


    It was like he was ced inside a chilling freezer, piercing his pale skin.


    Slowly, however, Liam''s strength returned to him.


    Before, he was utterly limp and unable to lift an arm.


    But now, he had enough energy and self-awareness to know what was happening to his body.


    Instantly, he realized his tattoos were absorbing the ck liquid.


    That was the source of his strengthing back.


    Which was also the source of heat that was gradually growing in intensity throughout his entire figure.


    Liam was literally being burned alive.


    Two minutes.


    Five minutes.


    Seven minutes.


    Ten minutes.


    While the surface of Liam''s skin was freezingly cold, his insides were being scalded and burned.


    He was both in a freezer, and a furnace.


    In reality, those sensations were his mind ying tricks on him.


    It was the effect the Dark Star mentally had on him.


    Thus, it wasn''t real.


    Yet, the pain wasn''t fake.


    Liam sought refuge in his thoughts, which still bit at his brain.


    He would simply think about how much stronger he would be at the end of it.


    Even as he passed the ten minute mark, he pushed himself.


    He had to see where his greed and ambition took him.


    ''Pain is just weakness leaving the body.''


    ''Think about the stars.''


    ''If a little temperature takes away your resolve, you deserve to die.''


    ''Break through your limitations.''


    Liam''s entire body quivered uncontrobly due to the mental and physical stress he was going through.


    Unknown to him, more than an hour passed.


    A firm grip seized his shoulder and forcefully yanked him out of the water.


    Ssh!


    Air filled Liam''s lungs at once.


    His skin was no longer freezing!


    He was no longer being burned alive!


    His thoughts no longer hurt!


    "Are you crazy?" Elder Jax uttered with wide eyes. "No one told you to stay down for so long!"


    Liam barely heard him. His eyes were half drooping, but his attention was elsewhere.


    Liam''s body went through several changes that he began to examine with his remaining energy.


    The Inkshadow Tattoos were now a dark bluish color, and they made him look like an expensive work of art.


    He was focused on a foreign sensation that he felt with his surroundings.


    It was like he had tapped into a sixth sense, giving him an ethereal awareness he didn''t know he possessed.


    The Shadows!


    Liam could sense the Shadows.


    A weak smile formed on Liam''s weak face.


    It visibly shocked Jax.


    A Zenith specialized in inscriptions, a veteran in torture, an Elder of the Temple of Shadow was aghast.


    How could Liam smile despite all this?


    "You need rest. I fear that your mind has already been corrupted."


    Elder Jax, carrying Liam, flew out of the Temple.


    From below, the Acolytes, Shadows and Disciples watched with wide eyes at the scene.


    Liam''s body was covered in tattoos!


    Way more than any of them had.


    The more tattoos an acolyte had, the more control he had over the Shadows.


    With those many tattoos, how much control did Liam have?


    They whispered among themselves.


    Elder Jax brought Liam back to his quarters and entered unkempt space.


    ''Why are there holes in the wall?'' Elder Jax wondered with a slight frown, then ced Liam down.


    Rest was necessary when concluding a procedure as demanding and difficult as Liam''s own. Even Elder Jax required a break.


    "Don''t stress yourself too much. I''ll check up on you after tomorrow and teach you how to use your tattoos. Until then, just rest. I''ll put these pills here for you. They''ll bring back some of your strength."


    Elder Jax flew away after that, but for some reason, felt unnerved.


    ''I should have shackled the boy. I have a feeling he might wake up and start cultivating,'' he thought, before shaking his head and snorting amusingly.


    ''Surely not, right?''


    ///


    There was silence inside Liam''s room.


    For a few minutes, he had his gaze fixed to the ceiling of the space, sensing Elder Jax flying back to the Temple.


    Liam waited a few more minutes just to be safe.


    A mischievous grin on his face, Liam chuckled under his breath.


    How could he rest with so much excitement pumping through his veins?

 Chapter 207 Price

    <h4>Chapter 207 Price</h4>


    As soon as Elder Jax left, Liam mustered enough strength in his body to sit upright


    He struggled for a minute, beforeying his back against the wall.


    He took the pills the Elder put beside him and swallowed them.


    His mental energy and strength returned to a good enough amount.


    Slowly, Liam ran his fingertips across the surface of his bare, tattooed body.


    ''At least it doesn''t look bad. It''s to my taste even. But would it remain even with my Ashura form?''


    Liam could only hope it would, otherwise he wasted both time and his mental health.


    Then, Liam shifted his perception to the Shadows.


    He could feel them, albeit faint and vaguely.


    The Shadows further away were out of his perception, and their connection faded due to the distance.


    But those near him were much more noticeable.


    It was like another organ.


    Not a center of power, of course, since that would make Liam a monster with five organs capable of gaining strength.


    The strongest connection of all was his own Shadow.


    He could feel its presence in real time, as though it was breathing together with him.


    It was no surprise, since all the Ten Thousand Shadows Art did was form a connection between its user and the darkness.


    Liam could also feel depth in the Shadows.


    They were like a hidden sea that rippled with every movement.


    As of now, his own Shadow felt incredibly thin and shallowpared to the surrounding darkness.


    ''Let''s see.''


    Liam began to explore the sensation and attempted to move the Shadow.


    A few minutes passed with him fiddling around with it.


    The Shadow didn''t move at all.


    ''Is it because the Inkshadow Tattoos aren''t working yet?''


    Liam closed his eyes and focused.


    He felt the rhythmic beating of his sensitive heart, the flowing of blood through his veins, the feeling of light air against his pale skin.


    Liam brushed past all the unnecessary senses and discarded them, like picking apart the petals of a flower.


    After a few minutes passed, Liam no longer felt anything, leaving only the Shadow in his perception.


    Now, Liam could slightly control it, like he''d grown an ethereal third hand, mendable to any shape.


    The Inkshadow Tattoos on Liam''s body were starting to flicker from blue to jet-ck, signaling the activation of his abilities.


    Liam willed it, and the Shadow slowly crawled on his body.


    What was Shadow made of?


    It was simply the absence of light.


    They were neither gaseous, liquid or solid.


    Yet, as the Shadows wrapped around Liam''s figure, he felt a weightless material enshroud him, neither cold nor warm.


    Wherever it covered, Liam felt a tiny bit stronger.


    He also slightly blended in with the darkness of the room.


    When the lower half of his body was coated by his Shadow, he couldn''t stretch further to cover more of his body.


    Liam gathered all the Shadow in his body and wrapped it around his clenched fist.


    Liam smiled.


    Liam took out a Rank 3 Spirit Beast part from his ring.


    With his uncoated hand, he attempted to snap the rigid, white bone in half.


    A few cracks formed on the bone''s surface, but Liam was unable to break it.


    Then, Liam tried to do the same thing with his Shadow infused hand.


    CRACK!


    The bone snapped!


    Elder Jax had exined the process to Liam a few days before he did the procedure.


    The Dark Star had absorption abilities.


    The more Shadows and light Liam had absorbed, the deeper, longer, and powerful his Shadows would grow.


    And so would their capabilities.


    At one point, even weapons could be coated with Shadow.


    However, none of the Acolytes, Disciples or Shadows had this ability.


    Only a darkness user like Liam could aplish such a feat.


    Unlike others'' Shadow abilities that were expendable¡­ Liam''s Shadow was not!


    It was a fixed amount he could manipte however he wanted.


    Shadows enhanced, strengthened and even heightened perception.


    If Liam could understand the sea of Shadows surrounding him, he could pinpoint the exact movement, weight and size of an individual from long distances away.


    Was this the same as mental energy?


    No.


    If someone used their mental energy to sense or watch someone, the cultivator being sensed would instantly know.


    Even regr humans could sometimes feel like they were being watched if they felt a gaze on them.


    Although there were exceptions to the rule, mental energy in general could not be hidden, except to mask one''s own presence.


    However, the Shadows were different.


    Shadows were everywhere and anywhere, a product of darkness.


    It co-existed with light, like two sides of the same coin.


    No matter how bright or luminous an area was, there was bound to be darkness there.


    Liam continued to practice with the Shadows, attempting to absorb it into his Inkshadow Tattoos.


    However, without Elder Jax teaching him how to do so, he couldn''t figure out how.


    ''Until tomorrow then. I''ll practice with it in the meantime.''


    At the same time, Liam quickly realized the effects of the Dark Star on his mind.


    Little whispers that scratched the back of his head.


    Liam blinked.


    And for a second, Eve appeared in the room, skin purple, skull devoid of eyes, a vicious bruise on her lithe neck.


    Liam blinked again in shock.


    Eve was gone.


    As his shock settled down, Liam grimaced deeply.


    ''Is this what the Dark Star does?''


    In truth, hallucinations were rare with the Dark Star''s effects.


    Itrgely depended on the user''s mental fortitude to resist them.


    However, with so many tattoos on his body, even someone with Liam''s endurance couldn''t resist those effects.


    Liam had already mourned his mother''s death, yet he couldn''t help but feel momentary regret at her sight.


    The path of cultivation was incredibly isting and lonely.


    Liam had lost his mother due to his weakness.


    He had migrated to a foreignnd in order to escape from higher powers.


    His teachers were no longer with him.


    Lloyd. Rogan. Revel.


    Revel had already died, but Liam didn''t know of Lloyd and Rogan''s fates.


    Yet, even if they were alive, he couldn''t meet with them.


    This was the price of power.


    But Liam was resolved to pay.

 Chapter 208 Shadow

    <h4>Chapter 208 Shadow</h4>


    Until morning, Liam practiced with his Shadows.


    At least, what he thought was morning.


    Time wasn''t really discernible when there wasn''t any light.


    Soon, Elder Jax arrived at Liam''s quarters.


    Liam wanted to sense himing with his Shadows, but the Elder was flying.


    Perhaps that was one of the weaknesses of his Shadow powers.


    Although Elder Jax casted a shadow, it was above ground, making it hazier and weaker in density.


    Not to mention, he didn''t apply any weight to the floor.


    It was basically a lithe gust of wind that blew over the sea of Shadows.


    As soon as the Elder touched the ground of Liam''s doorstep, Liam felt an abrupt ripple beneath the sea of Shadows.


    After practicing for a full night with the powers, Liam''s perception of it was significantly better.


    He quickly opened his eyes and made it seem like he was lying over the floor.


    "Do you think I wouldn''t know you were training?" Elder Jax gave Liam a stern frown.


    Liam coughed into his fist and acted like he was in severe pain, making groaning noises as he got up.


    Elder Jax shook his head. "Damn rascal," he uttered under his breath.


    "How is it?" he asked. "You haven''t had any severe bacsh, right? Show me how much you can manipte."


    "It works fine," Liam responded casually. "There''s no bacsh, except I see a dead family member now and again."


    Elder Jax gave Liam a silent stare, then a slow nod.


    He didn''t pry into Liam''s personal life any further.


    They all had their trauma and losses. Talking about them could only tear open healed scars.


    A momentter, Liam disyed to Elder Jax how much of his Shadow he could manipte.


    Liam''s Shadow split into two halves and wrapped around both his arms.


    When he divided them up like so, their strength weakened, but they covered more of his body.


    Back when Liam coated his katana with his Shadow, it enveloped and sharpened the de sessfully!


    It gave his inscribed weapon a slight boost that almost pushed it to the peak of Rank 2.


    However, there was a problem.


    Liam couldn''t maintain that effect constantly.


    It required most of his concentration to wrap his Shadows around his de and enhance its qualities.


    With Liam''s mental and physical capabilities, that wouldn''t be difficult at all to do.


    However, Liam''s Shadows were different.


    They didn''t use mental energy, and they didn''t use physical strength.


    They were immaterial, and material at the same time.


    It also required his utmost concentration to control and bend.


    Despite that, Elder Jax had an approving look in his face throughout the demonstration.


    Even a smile appeared on his thin lips.


    "After spending so long under the purifying liquid, you''ve been given a head startpared to your peers."


    "But your control is still stiff. Unless you learn how to envelop your de, you won''t maintain its sharpening effect.


    "It''s still in its raw form, and you haven''t given your Shadow properties, either."


    Liam raised a brow at Elder Jax''s words.


    Properties?


    Raw form?


    Elder Jax entered his quarters and sat him down, then sat opposite to Liam.


    "To erge and deepen your Shadow, you must absorb the darkness surrounding you. Once it gets enough depth, you can eventually absorb light, too."


    For the two hours, Elder Jax instructed Liam on how to better use his Inkshadow Tattoos to erge his Shadow.


    There were two methods of ''Erging'' a Shadow, and ''Darkening'' a Shadow.


    Firstly, the process of erging his Shadow was very arduous.


    It consisted of spreading one''s own Shadow into the so-called "Sea of Darkness," then absorbing some of that essence into it, before pulling it back and letting it assimte on its own.


    For him to do that, it required him to stretch his Shadow for extended periods of time.


    All the while, his body would be under heavy strain, depending on how long he did that process.


    Lengthening your Shadow was akin to stuffing your lungs with excess air. It was suffocating and hard on his organs.


    On the other hand, to ''Darken'' his Shadow, Liam needed to absorb light.


    The Dark Star nt already had that ability, and it didn''t take long for Liam to figure out how it works.


    This process was actually nourishing, which was a nice change of pace.


    However, like always, too much of it had severe effects on Liam''s mind.


    It was basically cultivation!


    Another form of cultivation!


    Liam almostughed out loud.


    How many types of cultivation did Liam regrly go through?


    Mind.


    Body.


    Blood.


    Core.


    And now?


    Shadow too.


    It wasughable, but Liam was truly excited.


    Just like how Shadows were mendable in shape, they were mendable in property.


    They could strengthen, blend, pierce, harden, condense, envelop, connect, transform and manifest.


    Elder Jax had given him a lot of uses for it that were utterly broken, and Liam had trouble believing him.


    For one, Liam could use a person''s Shadow to ensnare and control them like a puppet.


    That''s exactly what Elder Jax did with Liam.


    Momentarily, Liam couldn''t move at all.


    It was as though his body was tied to an anchor. He could only struggle and try to break free.


    That effectsted for merely thirty seconds, before Liam regained control over his body.


    Elder Jax gave Liam a wry smile, and Liam suppressed a cold look towards him.


    At some point, Liam could also manifest his senses together with his Shadow.


    ''My n of the free flowing body-tempering method isn''t so far-fetched anymore.''


    ''Perhaps the Shadows could act as a substitute for the Shifter''s liquid darkness.''


    ''Even inventing weapons and techniques have gotten a whole lot more flexible.''


    At the same time, Elder Jax had taught Liam how the requirements of blending into the ground.


    "Your Shadow has to berge, and dark enough to cover your entire body."


    "Its darkness depends on how illuminated and unilluminated an area is, but for brighter ces, it won''t work unless it''s Darkened enough."


    "Always remember, you have to use your Shadow as an anchor to hold you down, unless you want to die from suffocation from being stuck underground."


    Elder Jax left Liam with his parting words.


    "The attack on the Verdant Warrior Sect is in one week. Prepare well."

 Chapter 209 Raid

    <h4>Chapter 209 Raid</h4>


    The Temple of Shadow spent one week preparing immensely for the attack on the Verdant Warrior Sect.


    Weapons were given out. Spells, techniques, pills of every kind.


    They didn''t underestimate their opponents.


    Even two Elders were going to fight!


    They were up against the entire Sect, including their Patriarch.


    Although it was a small-sized n, their Patriarch was a powerful Rank 4, a master of their Sector''s martial arts.


    For that, Elder Verium and Elder Jane, the strongest of the Temple, were going to be there to face him.


    However, it wasn''t like they were fighting alone.


    Elder Orisa was in charge of formations around the Sector.


    Although they were isted from the rest of the region, that didn''t mean lower ranking members of the Sect couldn''t contact other ns.


    Orisa''s presence would ensure there was no outside interference.


    No one was to be a witness to the massacre.


    Not even their Spirit Beasts and younger disciples.


    Orisa''s Shadows were designed for that purpose, after all.


    Elder Aki would forge the weapon Verium would use against the Patriarch, and Jax would inscribe it for him.


    Elder Jane was there as a supporting hand, and her responsibilities were organizing the attack.


    Althoughbining all hands and striking the Verdant Warrior Sect as five was the most ideal n, not all of the Temple were participating in the attack.


    They couldn''t just leave the base vulnerable as they attempted a raid.


    Some were alchemists. Others were forgemasters and inscribers.


    Their goal was to help with the raid by supplying weapons and inscribed items.


    Meanwhile, Liam was excited to the bone.


    There was only one instance in his life that he saw a Zenith fight another Zenith.


    It was when Liam''s grandfather and Patriarch of the Royce family punched a Lava Lion Zenith once in the head.


    And killed him with one attack!


    What could two monsters in the fourth Rank aplish?


    Liam was just itching to find out.


    Anytime he saw something in the higher Ranks, Liam''s ambition and greed for strength grew to new heights.


    Like adding fuel to a me.


    Still, usually, he would never be excited for such an event.


    It was risky.


    It was dangerous.


    Death was a possibility.


    Yet Liam still smiled!


    ''It''s the Dark Star,'' Liam realized, then frowned. ''It''s intensifying my emotions again.''


    Liam was in his quarters, in the midst of forging a special item he thought of throughout the past two months.


    From the corner of his eye, Liam nced to the left.


    Eve looked back with demanding, dark, empty eyes.


    "You killed me."


    Liam nced back to his item and continued forging.


    "You valued power over me."


    Liam continued forging, a slight scowl growing on his face.


    "What kind of son are you?"


    Liam''s frown deepened, but he hadn''t stopped forging.


    "You let me die!"


    Just as his fist clenched, Eve''s voice disappeared together with her presence.


    Realizing she was gone, Liam let out a soft breath.


    It was ufortable, having your dead mother talk to you and guilt trip you.


    But that''s exactly what happened to Liam ever since he applied his tattoos.


    All he could do was ignore it.


    In the meantime, Liam visited the Shifter again.


    When the Octopus saw Liam arriving, it squealed again, but didn''t attack likest time.


    Liam smiled lightly.


    He took out Rank 3 Spirit Beast meat and threw it at the cage, slowly taking a few steps forward.


    The Shifter let out another loud squeal, before its tentacles curled and wrapped around the pieces of food.


    In an instant, the Octopus consumed them.


    Liam threw another, and another, until he had gone through three Spirit Beast corpses for the Shifter to eat.


    By then, Liam was a step away from the cage, his two multi-colored eyes fixed with the Octopus'' inky six.


    It didn''t attack, but Liam could sense that it was contemting whether or not to.


    Liam gave the Shifter a piercing re.


    "Behave. And I won''t turn you into food."


    The Octopus didn''t understand Liam''s words.


    But with its intelligence, and Liam''s hostile gaze, it could deduce a vague threat.


    ''Now that I think about it, I haven''t named it anything.''


    Liam pursed his lips in thought, then gave it another piece of meat.


    A few names surfaced in his mind that were too grand and didn''t fit for a creature so pathetic and weak.


    "Egg. A description should suit you better."


    Thankfully, Egg didn''t understand.


    Otherwise it would have attacked Liam instantly.


    ///


    Arge group of Acolytes, Disciples and Shadows gathered outside the Temple''s halls.


    Flying above ground was Elder Jane. Her ebony hair fluttering with an invisible wind.


    Beside her were the four other Elders.


    In front of them were the small number of Shadows, with Krel in their lead.


    Behind them were the Disciples, with Zeth leading them.


    And behind them, were the Acolytes.


    A total of 250 members.


    Liam had been promoted to a Disciple after receiving his tattoos.


    He wore a tight ck wrapping made from a special Spirit Beast, showing his defined muscles.


    His lustrous hair was hung tightly in a bun.


    Using the King''s Eye, his eye colors had reverted to ck.


    Now that Liam had begun practicing the Ten Thousand Shadows Art, the Elders could give him special treatment.


    Elder Jane already gave Liam pills bolstering his core and bodily progress.


    ''I''m still not at the liquid stage. I''m close, though. Maybe a week or two away.''


    "I will reiterate the n of attack," said Elder Jane, her voice reaching all.


    Arge, 3D ethereal map made out of Shadow flickered in the air.


    It depicted arge, jagged, cone-like mountain that stretched to a cloud-piercing height.


    Atop of the mountain was a teau, where the Verdant Warrior Sect had made their training grounds.


    "You all will be split into groups, led by one Shadow each."


    "Once the Istion Formation is activated, we will move quickly by disabling the outer forces of their Sect."


    "After the first wave of enemies is cleared, we will move deeper in."


    "When their Patriarches out, Elder Verium and I will take care of him."


    "Kill them all. Let none survive."

 Chapter 210 Signal

    <h4>Chapter 210 Signal</h4>


    The teau atop the mighty mountain was covered with a circr set of buildings owned by the Verdant Warriors Sect.


    They were dull colors, simple shades of ck, gray and dark red.


    Clearly, the constructor of such buildings didn''t care much about appearance, and focused on functionality instead.


    However, those practicing their martial arts within the vast training grounds of the Sect were anything but dull.


    Their punches crackled like thunder and sent shockwaves that could pop a normal man''s ears.


    Their physique was of a destructive and destroying quality. Ripped muscles that adorned their tanned bodies, taller than the average man by several feet.


    Their punches cracked the hardest of metals. Their stomps shattered mountains. Their rhythmic shouts shook the air.


    Even as day rose and night fell, the disciples of the Verdant Warrior Sect were unmoving and tenacious in their pursuit for strength, staying awake in the most arduous of conditions.


    Sleep was for the weak!


    And the Verdant Warriors never slept!


    Also hair!


    Hair was for the weak!


    And the Verdant Warriors had no hair!


    To join the Sect, one had to be of the earth element, and have a Rank 3 body.


    Liam knew all of this beforehand.


    Currently, he was on the foot of the giant mountain that housed the Verdant Warrior Sect.


    In front was Krel, and all around him, Disciples and Acolytes.


    Just like the map that Elder Jane disyed back at the Temple, it was made of gray rock, jagged, cone-shaped and was overrun by beasts surrounding its perimeters.


    Narrow paths circled around the mountain and led to the teau at the top.


    And the mountain stretched to the clouds.


    Elder Orisa had alreadyid her traps.


    Little arrays covered every nook and cranny of the mountain walls.


    They were noticeable to the naked eye, and anyone with a sound intellect could tell they were dangerous.


    However, the Verdant Warriors came out from their Sect once every six months.


    And thest day they had left the mountain was 5 months, and 28 days ago.


    Exactly six months ago, Elder Orisa had begun making her Istion Formations around the mountain.


    Arduously, she always had to clear the surrounding beasts in order to make sure her formations weren''t ruined by external factors.


    And just two days before the Warriors left the mountain, the Temple was to execute their orchestrated n.


    The amount of intricate details that went into such a n made Liam raise a brow in amazement.


    Even theyout of their buildings were memorized and given out to the acolytes as a whole.


    ''There are Border Guards, an Outer Ring, an Inner Ring, and a Grand Pavilion,'' Liam reiterated theyout with distant eyes.


    ''The Border Guards are Rank 3 cultivators and among the strongest the Warrior Sect has.''


    ''The Outer Ring has lower ranked disciples. Those still learning and attempting to master the n''s martial arts.''


    ''The Inner Ring includes those with talent and higher mastery of the Arts.''


    ''And the Grand Pavilion is where the Sect Patriarch and his Elders reside.''


    For a small-sized n like the Verdant Warriors, their Elder''s were not Zeniths.


    Mostmonly, they would have a Rank 4 body, but their other centers of power would be Rank 3.


    Usually, they had a specialization that gave them an edge over the normal disciples of the Sect.


    That was what allowed them to receive the ''Elder'' status.


    Liam raised his head to the sky.


    It was midnight.


    Clouds covered the sky above, churning with aing rainstorm. Brief shes of blue lightning threaded them.


    With their n in motion, Krel silently gestured forward with a stern expression, and the group began to move up the rocky paths leading to the sky.


    Three hours.


    It took three hours for the teau to be visible.


    As they climbed up the mountain, they looked like little ants crawling over a giant, rocky finger.


    Faint shouts grew louder in their ears as the unrelenting Warriors trained.


    Meanwhile, some of the lower ranking Acolytes were already out of breath.


    At one point, the paths simply broke off to an empty cliff, forcing them to climb up with their bare hands and feet.


    There was a main path, of course, but the risk of being spotted was higher from using that road.


    Obviously, this wasn''t any trouble at all by itself.


    Even a Rank 2 body didn''t run out of stamina unless pushed to severe limits.


    Yet the air above the mountain was unnaturally thin, almost to a hair''s width, making it difficult to breathe.


    ''Is it a training method of some sort?'' Liam thought, his King''s Eye constricting to find the best handhold to go upward with.


    His hands were strengthened with his Shadows, and he was pinned to the rock like a nail.


    ''It has to be. There''s probably a Formation that allows them to do that. Most martial arts have special breathing patterns to them, after all.''


    ''The Elders probably used their Shadows to deduce theiryout, but not the Formation.''


    For Liam, it wasn''t any trouble. He simply took a deep breath in and held it for as long as he could.


    Liam noticed an acolyte struggling below his feet.


    He held out a leg for her to hang onto.


    The acolyte smiled and gripped Liam''s foot.


    Liam quickly pulled her up to another handhold, before shifting his attention upward again.


    Now that Liam had be a Disciple, he had a responsibility over the Acolytes under him, even if they were weak and undeserving.


    Finally, the edge of the teau was just a few meters away.


    Liam sensed three Border Guards atop a small tower made from rock. They were in silent cultivation.


    [We will wait for the signal,] Krel transmitted telepathically to his group, covering himself with his Shadow. [Until then, stay put.]


    Thanks to Liam, nearly the entire Temple of Shadow learned how to speak through their mental spheres. They also learned how to better hide their presences.


    They all exchanged terse nods and waited for the so-called ''signal''.


    Ten minutes passed.


    At the mountain''s foot, the shadowy writings suddenly started to flicker.


    All of a sudden, from all four sides of the mountain, the writings exploded into tendrils of darkness that rapidly swirled through the air in a circr fashion, like a bubble.


    A few minutes passed as it continuously grew in size.


    From an outside view, a ck, cone-shaped dome made from Shadows had enclosed the entire mountain!

 Chapter 211 Execution

    <h4>Chapter 211 Execution</h4>


    Liam had a second to admire the view from within the Istion Barrier.


    Not even his King''s Eye or his mental energy could see through that dome.


    It even dimmed out the faint rumbling noises and blocked out the falling rain.


    At the same time, only those who practiced the Ten Thousand Shadows could see it!


    To others, it would be like peering through a ss mirror.


    ''Is this what Shadows can be?''


    Liam didn''t underestimate the capability of a Zenith with six months of free time toplete her work.


    However, they were on a strict timer.


    After two to three hours, the Istion Barrier would naturally dissipate.


    Also, there was a high chance the Warriors would notice the peculiar shift of ambience over the teau.


    Still, Liam''s fire of ambition grew to new heights.


    But his admiration ended there.


    [The Acolytes will stay back until me and the Disciples take care of the Border Guards,] Krelmanded as he looked to his left and right.


    Liam had already been briefed of Krel''s n before the raid happened.


    There were 8 Disciples in his group including him, and about 20 different Acolytes. The same went for the groups that encircled the mountain.


    Within the Verdant Warrior Sect, there were roughly 230 total disciples, 28 of which were Border Guards.


    Each group would have to face at least three Border Guards.


    There was a small gap between the Border Guard''s outposts, 20 meters each.


    From the teau cliff ¨C where Liam and the rest was ¨C to their towers were roughly 10 meters of t ground.


    The space in between waspletely t, with just a few shrubs and uneven pieces of rock jutting out.


    After the Border Guards, there was roughly 40 meters until the Outer Ring of the Sect, and another 40 until the Inner Ring.


    For their n to seed, all three Border Guards would have to die at the very same time.


    Not a second before, not a second after.


    If the timing went wrong, a Border Guard could simply shout and alert the entire Sect of the raid.


    And a Verdant Warrior''s thunderous shout could be heard from several miles away.


    Krel would take the middle Guard, four disciples would take the left, and Liam with three others would take the right.


    A cultivator with a Rank 3 sea of consciousness would easily be able to sense a person''s presence, even from a long distance away.


    Which is why Liam took out a ck elixir from his ring.


    Krel and the Disciples did the same. Their expressions instantly grew sterner.


    Even with its top sealed with a cork, Liam sensed danger from the liquid within.


    What Liam had taken out was a Temporary Shadow Strengthening potion, something that Elder Jane had made for this specific asion.


    The name was self-exnatory.


    It both erged and darkened a Shadow for a short period of time.


    With one hand stuck to the cliff, Liam used his mr teeth to pull out the cork.


    POP!


    Before thinking twice, Liam gulped down the entire bottle of ck liquid, then threw away the empty remainder into the abyss below.


    The others did the same.


    Their stomachs boiled as their Shadows darkened and stretched, and theirplexion paled.


    As their suffering dwindled, they cloaked themselves with their Shadows, then semi-merged with the darkness provided by the Istion Barrier.


    Liam himself felt a surge of energy and power as his Shadow enveloped every corner of his body.


    He was nowhere near the level needed to dive into the Sea of Shadows.


    But with the elixir he consumed, there was no need for that.


    Liam''s presence had basically disappeared. It was reduced to insignificant and ignorable.


    As ignorable as a Shadow.


    With the added boost, the group made their move.


    Liam and the three Disciples went to the right, their cloaked bodies parallel to the ground.


    Another four went to the left.


    Krel, with his strengthened potion, now had the ability to submerge his body into the ground and swim through the ''Sea of Shadows''.


    He deliberately slowed himself down to match the pace of the Disciples to his left and right.


    Like sharks, they neared their victims.


    There wasplete silence on the teau, aside from the usual sounds of shouting and distant shockwaves.


    But a closer look would reveal hundreds of slug-like Shadows inching closer to the earth-made towers.


    The Border Guard to the right outpost was still in cultivation.


    He had no clothes on his tanned and scarred body, like every other disciple of the Sect.


    A thick beard sat on his chin, and a natural frown stered his square face.


    Heaving a slight breath, the Warrior suddenly opened his dark eyes.


    He stretched to the left and right, cracking his knuckles and yawning loudly.


    Eventually, a joyous smile appeared on his face.


    "I''m finally gonna meet my wife after so long!"


    During their seclusion in the mountains, Verdant Warriors were not allowed to meet their wives or marital partners at all.


    It was to build and forge discipline into them, to separate them from worldly enjoyments.


    But the Border Guard was going a little insane!


    He loved his wife more than anything!


    Although he would never say it out loud¡­ he loved her more than the n''s martial arts!


    "I can''t wait to eat her cooking again¡­" the man said solemnly under his breath. "It''s been so long. I wonder how tall my little boys have grown."


    His words faintly echoed through the air.


    The Warrior peered into the distance longingly.


    His dark eyes gained ayer of confusion when he saw how rain fell in the distance, but not on him.


    Confused, the man raised his head to the sky.


    Rain pattered against a nigh-invisible, ss-like barrier.


    Slowly, the man''s eyes widened with realization as he took in a deep breath.


    Just then, a Shadow flickered under him and pierced his stomach.


    The Warrior grimaced as he prepared a counter, but another de pierced him from the nk, and another from the rear.


    Blood and air gathered in his mouth as he prepared a desperate shout.


    Liam saw the Warrior''s action and stuck his wakizashi down his throat.


    SPURT!


    28 Border Guards had been executed at the same time.

 Chapter 212 Reaper

    <h4>Chapter 212 Reaper</h4>


    Liam tilted his head as he watched the light drain from the Border Guard''s eyes.


    Blood foamed in the man''s mouth, sliding down Liam''s wet de and slumping limp on the tower.


    Liam pulled back his de, flicked it, and shifted his attention to the other towers.


    All of the Border Guards had been killed, slumped limp on the earth-made towers or grimly decapitated.


    Meanwhile, the three disciples gave Liam a sneaky side nce.


    They noticed a dark glimmer in Liam''s multi-colored eyes when he killed the Border Guard.


    Was it intrigue?


    Or enjoyment?


    They couldn''t tell, and they didn''t dwell on the morbid idea any further.


    Liam stored the man''s body in his ring, taking out the man''s space ring and storing it.


    ''If I give them the ring, they probably won''t care about the bodies,'' Liam thought, feeling a bit hopeful to eat more than 28 Rank 3 cultivators.


    Krel looked at Liam from the distance, sending him a knowing nod.


    Liam responded with a simr gesture, then looked towards the Outer Ring of the Sect.


    Like the name suggested, a circr, ring-shaped building surrounded the inneryers of the Sect.


    It was illuminated by a series of small white lights.


    That would naturally weaken the Acolytes'' Shadows, but not enough to incapacitate or ruin the n.


    Further ahead the Grand Pavilion was clearly visible from a distance.


    Although the name made it seem like it was a majestic castle fit for a king, in reality, it was a dull, dome-shaped building made from a sturdy metallic material.


    The only thing ''grand'' about it was the size, which span across 65 meters of the centralnd.


    Since the Border Guards were now dead, the Acolytes no longer needed to hide.


    They climbed over and cloaked themselves with Shadow, before hiding behind their respective group leaders.


    Their n had entered a new stage.


    Now, they needed to kill the Outer Ring disciples.


    It was much easier said than done.


    But never impossible.


    With how the Outer Ring was shaped, clearing it was much faster, since the acolytes could simply split towards the left and right sides, butchering the disciples in between.


    If the Border Guards were alive, that would be utterly impossible.


    But they were not alive.


    Liam''s right eye constricted towards the easiest section of the Outer Ring to attack.


    Those living in the Outer Ring were merely Rank 2 cultivators, with the highest ranking member close to Rank 3.


    Even if they didn''te prepared or well-nned, assassinating those disciples wouldn''t require much effort.


    A few minutes passed as the Acolytes caught up with their groups.


    Krel made another forward gesture as his body semi-merged into the Shadows, and the Disciples silently ran forward with their weapons unsheathed.


    Liam gripped his shortsword close to his chest.


    He only held one de, and not his katana. Assassination was much smoother when he used just one weapon for the kill.


    ''There''s no way a direct battle doesn''t start soon.''


    ''The Inner Ring disciples will probably notice us soon.''


    ''Once they do, the Patriarch will be alerted, and Verium and Jane will have to deal with him.''


    As he was caught in his thoughts, Liam arrived at the Outer Ring''s buildings.


    He climbed over the roof of a Sector building, and all around him, simr Disciples and Acolytes were perched atop the countless structures in the shape of a ring.


    Further ahead and below were the training grounds, and the shouts they released with each punch and kick were starting to get annoying.


    Spreading his senses, Liam noticed that 24 people lived right under therge tower he was in.


    They all had their specific rooms and areas that they could train, cultivate and practice their specializations in.


    It was a building with six floors, and 4 disciples lived on each floor.


    Liam shrouded himself with his Shadow, then gripped his des tighter.


    His eyes grew colder as he entered through arge window of the top floor.


    A Warrior met his gaze.


    The man was dumbfounded for just a second as to where Liam came from.


    But that one second was fatal.


    Liam''s shortsword entered the Warrior''s throat.


    Strengthened with his Shadow, Dark Wraith body, and Phantom''s Way martial arts, Liam was too fast for a mere Rank 1 Magus.


    Liam swiped upwards, and the man''s face opened apart like a gory, tender fruit.


    Blood painted the room.


    Liam moved under the dark interior of the tower, puffing out any light source on his path.


    He took his time, his steps silent, his de lightly gripped with no particr expression on his face.


    He felt like a reaper ticking names off a list.


    ¡­


    It was exhrating.


    Liam came across another Warrior.


    He was practicing a series of tai-chi looking movements that were gentle and unlike the constant screaming Liam was used to.


    If Liam had to guess, the man was probably a spy.


    His body matched a Verdant Warrior.


    Strong, tanned, broad-shouldered.


    But his martial arts were nothing like that.


    It was gentle, calm and flowed like water.


    Nevertheless, Liam stuck his de in the man''s mouth, stored his ring and body, then moved onto the next.


    And the next, and the next, until the entire tower was devoid of martial artists.


    Only dripping stains of red sprayed the various rooms.


    Half an hour had passed since then, and most of the Outer Ring had been exterminated.


    They were still unnoticed by the Inner Ring members, and an eerie silence hung above the atmosphere.


    After all, the Border Guards were the main line of defense against a foreign attack.


    Who would want to invade a small-sized Sect living on a mountain in the middle of nowhere?


    It just didn''t make sense, and it wasn''t worth the trouble.


    Another half an hour passed, and the entire Outer Ring had been wiped out, even those within the Training Grounds.


    By the end of it, Liam noticed how most of the Acolytes and even some of the Disciples were out of breath.


    Apparently, the further the groups went, the stronger effect the Array had on them.


    ''There''s a reason they''re split up into an Outer Ring and an Inner. Even my body won''t be able to breathe properly.''

 Chapter 213 Weakness

    <h4>Chapter 213 Weakness</h4>


    ?


    As Liam made the grim realization, the other acolytes seemed to figure it out as well.


    ''We can''t even disable the Array,'' Liam thought as he scanned the ground.


    Faint white lines were drawn beneath Liam''s feet, which grew in number andplexity as it neared the Inner Ring, then eventually converged towards the Patriarch''s Grand Pavilion.


    That fact meant that most of the Temple''s forces were no longer able to provide any support.


    Most Acolytes had Rank 2 bodies, and they already had difficulty breathing within the Outer Ring.


    Disciples were a Rank higher than them, but without the special training methods of the Verdant Warrior Sect, even they suffered the Array''s effect.


    Only the Shadows and Liam were doing fine.


    Most Shadows had Rank 4 bodies, or cultivating them.


    Liam''s Rank 3 body was in the upper-stage, and he was even nearing the peak. Not to mention, he had a superior Ashura physique.


    Liam left the tower and ran to Krel''s side.


    Ruth and Maeve appeared too, conflicted looks on their focused faces. The former didn''t use a hammer for the raid, limiting herself to a sharp dagger.


    "Change of ns," Krel said sternly. "The Acolytes can''te. We have to do this ourselves."


    Krel didn''t need to speak mentally.


    There was no one remaining to hear his words.


    Liam pursed his lips as his right eye constricted.


    The Inner Ring had certain areas that contained privacy and istion inscriptions.


    They were personal areas for the Warriors to train without disturbing anybody else.


    Inner Disciples had certain privileges, after all.


    If Liam could get into those areas ¨C even if they fought using all their abilities ¨C unless the inscriptions were disabled, no one could hear their battles.


    Liam conveyed that knowledge to the three Shadows.


    They gave him a strange look.


    "How do you know?" Ruth asked with a raised brow, but without an iota of rudeness in her tone.


    Maeve and Krel took Liam''s words seriously, but gave him a questioning nce.


    "I can tell from how they''re built," Liam lied through his teeth. They didn''t need to know about his eye.


    "The buildings are built low to the ground, but they''re spread out and vastpared to the rest. As long as you enter without being noticed, you can kill them using all your strength."


    A smile grew on Ruth''s face, but Liam cut it down.


    "As long as it doesn''t break the entire structure down. You can''t use explosives or your hammer."


    A faint pout reced Ruth''s smile.


    "If anything goes wrong, the Elders could finally intervene."


    There was a short silence as the three Shadows took in Liam''s words.


    From an outside perspective, a Rank 2 cultivator telling a group of Rank 3''s how to n an attack would be taken as utter disrespect.


    But the Shadows were past such formalities.


    In fact, Liam''s rtionship with the Temple had strengthened considerably ever since he helped with the Rank 4 hunt.


    Eventually, they nodded and split up to convey the n to the rest of the Shadows.


    Time was quickly running out.


    Liam shifted his gaze to the Istion Barrier.


    It wouldst roughly two hours more, Liam deduced, but the task ahead wasn''t easy.


    ''There are currently 13 Shadows with us, and 104 Disciples, while the Inner Ring has around 145 cultivators.''


    Some of the Shadows could definitely kill the stronger Warriors, but there was still a slight numerical advantage their enemies had.


    Deducing the Inner Warriors'' strength was easy.


    Those withrger and sturdier amodations were higher ranked, while the opposite applied to those with smaller lodges.


    Eventually, an improvised n was spread to all the acolytes.


    Lower ranked Acolytes would stay behind.


    Shadows would find Warriors of their own strength level and fight them in one on one battles, while Disciples would work in groups against stronger enemies.


    "Have you found a group yet?" a female Disciple of a few years Liam''s senior appeared beside him and asked.


    She gestured to a group of Disciples atop a small building behind her. "We can use a fifth," she added with a smile.


    Liam subtly shook his head with his gaze forward.


    "I don''t need one."


    The Disciple frowned slightly.


    "Have you told Krel about this? You''re being reckless. All the Disciples have found a group to make up for our weaknesses."


    Liam gave the woman a cold side nce, which made a shiver run down her spine.


    "I have no weaknesses."


    Although his words sounded pretentious and extremely arrogant, Liam''s intention was something else.


    ''I need to test out my limits and new inscribed items. My prowess will be affected if I have support.''


    Liam still needed to incorporate his Shadow with his fighting style, and there was still his Controlled Chaos spell he hadn''t used yet.


    Shaking her head, the senior Disciple said nothing else and left to join her group.


    With the n in ce, a steady but silent marchmenced towards the Inner Ring.


    As Liam left the Outer Ring''s perimeters, he instantly felt the effects of the Array strengthen on his body.


    His lungs felt squeezed and his muscles were tightly pressed together by a foreign pressure.


    Liam used ''Ora'' to strengthen his lungs before taking a deep breath. The Array still squeezed out his breath, but less than before.


    Liam''s gaze swept the Inner Ring.


    He had already chosen a specific amodation to attack.


    It wasn''t too big or small, but right in between.


    Still, he couldn''t tell the Warrior''s strength since his mental energy couldn''t go through his lodging.


    Liam made his way past several spacious courtyards and establishments to near his victim, using the back alleys and dark corners to traverse.


    There were several Training Grounds that also had Warriors in them, but in the open, attacking them was risky. That would be forter.


    Liam reached the Warrior''s building.


    It was covered with protective inscriptions, and even the ss windows were covered with them.


    Not exactly difficult to enter through.


    Liam formed an Umbral Needle in his hand and threw it on the second story window.


    The inscriptions on its surface flickered and rippled violently due to the corrosive gas, before eventually losing their light.


    Click!


    With nothing stopping him, Liam silently entered through the window, ck-d in his Shadow.

 Chapter 214 Incident

    <h4>Chapter 214 Incident</h4>


    Liam silently shut the window behind him.


    Although the protective inscriptions on the outside were ruined, the privacy inscriptions within were perfectly usable.


    As soon as he entered, Liam closed his eyes and sensed the Warrior in the basement.


    Liam didn''t use his mental energy.


    Only his ''Shadow Sense,'' as he named it.


    Despite that, Liam couldn''t really discern too much of what the Warrior did.


    Shadow Sense grew weak and vague in high-luminosity areas, and Liam''s Shadow wasn''t that powerful in the first ce.


    ''He still hasn''t noticed me entering,'' Liam thought.


    Liam quickly inspected the second story with keen eyes.


    There was nothing of valueying around.


    Usually, there would be inscribed weapons and misceneous items such as pills stored in such arge room.


    But Verdant Warriors fought with just their bodies and bare fists.


    Finding nothing, Liam moved to the first floor, passing by a staircase and several corridors.


    Within the room, there were a few spells in the form of calligraphy hung on the wall, along with paintings of meaty, dramatically posing martial artists flexing their ripped muscles.


    Within the Inner Ring, there was a natural influx of high purity ''Ora''.


    But other than that, there wasn''t anything extraordinary about the living quarters.


    Verdant Warriors really lived like stoics, and Liam truthfully respected them for it.


    In a way, Liam''s lifestyle was simr to theirs.


    Never indulging in women, uncaring of what people thought or said about him, keeping his emotions in check and doing whatever brought him closer to his goals.


    He was practically empty of any worldly desires.


    Aside from power, of course.


    As he neared the entrance to the basement, Liam grew serious.


    Only a direct approach was possible.


    Firstly, his Shadow wouldn''t provide much concealment due to the amount of light in the basement.


    Secondly, since there wasn''t any indirect entrance, Liam couldn''t execute a proper assassination attempt.


    Thirdly, the Verdant Warrior was bound to be an experienced fighter and martial artist.


    Liam was giving himself too much credit if he thought he could kill a cultivator at the same level as him without any effort.


    However, Liam stored his des.


    Also, he still kept his special forged item within his ring.


    It took him time and effort to make that thing, and he wouldn''t use it so haphazardly unless he was forced to.


    Strangely, he took off his upper clothes.


    His mental energy coated his body.


    Then, the King''s Eye''s illusionistic abilities activated.


    Liam no longer resembled himself.


    Instead, he looked like a spitting image of the Border Guard he had killed earlier.


    As Liam''s mental sphere expanded, the King''s Eye naturally grew stronger.


    Even his height appeared taller, but still not as tall as the Border Guard.


    ''I should still attempt a surprise attack just to probe his strength.''


    ''Hopefully he won''t notice how the Border Guard is a few inches shorter than normal.''


    Liam pushed the doors open and walked in, imitating the mannerisms that mighte with a stoic warrior.


    The sound of air crackling brushed past Liam''s ears, along with fierce gales of wind.


    As Liam didn''t bother hiding his presence, the Warrior instantly stopped his training and looked at Liam with surprise, giving him a respectful gesture.


    Every Warrior basically looked the same, except for minor differences in stature and beard styles.


    This one in particr had less tanned skinpared to the rest, but a discolored scar ran diagonally from his chin to right brow.


    Sweat covered the man''s burly figure, and his giant, muscr fists had a metallic sheen to them.


    Apparently, Liam had interrupted him in his training.


    ''Rank 2 Magus with a Rank 3 gaseous stage core.''


    Liam instantly figured out the Warrior''s aura and hid a smile.


    It was perfect!


    In his Half-Ashura form, a higher ranked sea of consciousness was too much for Liam to deal with.


    His strengthened physique didn''t protect his mind except when he transformed into a full Ashura.


    The sea of consciousness was the most difficult center of power to progress, after all, and offered a massive leap of power with each advancement.


    It wasn''t like a Rank 3 core was a small matter, either.


    But Liam was much more confident in dealing with that as opposed to the former.


    "Senior brother, I didn''t expect you at this time. Is anything wrong? It''s not like you to leave your post."


    Liam held his hands behind his back.


    He was stern as ever¡­and silent.


    Liam couldn''t imitate the Border Guard''s deep voice.


    If he spoke, it wouldn''t suit his image at all.


    It would be like a woman speaking in a man''s body.


    Thus, he just gave the Warrior a severe stare.


    The Warrior grew confused¡­and scared.


    Right now, his mind raced as he wondered what he did wrong.


    Sweat dripped from his square chin.


    "Senior Brother¡­is this about the incident that happened a week ago?"


    Liam remained silent, but his gaze grew heavier.


    "S-Senior Brother¡­I swear, all I did was peek into the Alluring Fairy Sect from the mountain path, nothing else! I barely saw anything!"


    Liam''s scowl only grew deeper as the Warrior spoke.


    With slow, sadistic steps, Liam neared the man.


    "I-if I''m to confess, then it wasn''t just me!" the Warrior shouted as he fell to his knees. "There was also Hwang, Luci and Nin there! It was Hwang''s idea!"


    Liam had to suppress hisughter as he got closer.


    "P-please¡­don''t revoke my amodation. I only spent a month here," the Warrior begged with his head lowered.


    By then, Liam was only a few steps away from him.


    Clenching his hand as hard as he could, Liam''s fist churned with unstable chaos.


    It created a whooshing noise as it repelled the air, space and illusions around it.


    The Warrior raised his head and looked at Liam''s red fist with a dumbfounded look.


    His instincts screamed danger, and his eyes widened with realization.


    That pale, lithe, slender hand coated with that strange red energy did not belong to his Senior Brother!


    But as the Warrior attempted to leap backwards, the fist struck him square in the chin.


    BOOOM!

 Chapter 215 Eel

    <h4>Chapter 215 Eel</h4>


    The lecherous Warrior was sent flying towards the furthest wall, which he crashed into.


    CRACK!


    A weak cracking noise left the man''s face, but the walls were without a scratch.


    Protective inscriptions made him bounce back and fall to the floor, but he raised his head at Liam with a pissed off look.


    The skin on the Warrior''s right cheek was shredded off, and his jaw looked a bit cked.


    His cheekbone was broken too, but other than that, the Warrior simply looked annoyed.


    In fact, it was Liam''s hand that was a bit sprained.


    As the punch connected, Liam realized the man had a peak Rank 3 body.


    It definitely wasn''t as strong as a Rank 4.


    But since Verdant Warriors fought with their bodies, their physicality was much more powerfulpared to normal.


    Martial arts brought out certain qualities of a cultivator''s strength, after all, and even a peak Rank 3 body could take on a semi Rank 4 state.


    Liam half-expected the man to shout "You dare?!" and lunge at him.


    But to his surprise, that didn''t happen.


    Instead, the Warrior calmly fixed his footing.


    He cracked his jaw in ce and grimaced in sharp pain, then looked at Liam with a hostile gaze.


    His mental waves shot out to pressure Liam, but thetter pushed them away with some effort.


    "Who are you? I''ve never seen that red energy," the Warrior asked in a hard tone, his brows furrowed when Liam defended himself. "And how did you get past the Border Guards?"


    Liam made the illusion dissipate and revealed his true form, which made the Warrior''s eyes widen in shock.


    Especially once he saw the tattoos on Liam''s arms.


    Liam couldn''t hide those tattoos since the Warrior''s mental waves pushed them away.


    "The Temple of Shadow¡­" he said under his breath, incredulous.


    A momentter, he was stern again.


    The atmosphere within the underground grew tense and battle hardened.


    The Warrior clenched his metallic fists and Liam unsheathed his des.


    There was a fragile silence and neither of them attacked first.


    Then, both their forms blurred.


    CLING!


    Liam''s katana and wakizashi smashed against the Warrior''s left and right metallic fist.


    A loud shockwave spread throughout the basement that made Liam''s hair flutter wildly.


    The strength in the Warrior''s body waspletely unnatural!


    Liam felt his wrists sprain under the weight of the Warrior''s attack.


    Even his peak Rank 2 katana cracked a bit.


    Liam pulled back and evaded to the left, watching as the Warrior''s metal punch brushed past his face by half an inch.


    BOOM!


    Another cone of force burst from the Warrior''s fist, sending a shockwave that made Liam''s ears ring for a split second.


    Liam jumped back again, but the Warrior followed.


    BOOM! BOOOM! BOOOOM!


    With the tenacity of a crazed beast, the Warrior punched and kicked with all his strength.


    With his terrifying stature, he towered over Liam with ease.


    With each attack, shockwaves and cones of sheer force burst from his hands and legs, sending gales of wind in every direction.


    Liam was forced to dodge, but now and again, he had to use either Obsidian Skin, his Dark Wraith capabilities, or Cartge Brace to deflect a direct strike with his weapons.


    A blunt mental attack would try to pressure his mental sphere now and again, but Liam responded with Corrosive Mind and Piercing de.


    CLING!


    CLANG!


    BOOM!


    WHOOSH!


    SHING!


    Such were the deafening sounds ringing out from the basement.


    It was rhythmic and musical almost.


    At the same time, Liam narrowly studied the attacks as he evaded.


    As the Warrior began his punch or kick, high amounts of ''Ora'' would gather from his core and spread to his limbs.


    As that happened, the metallic sheen on the Warrior''s body would glow brighter.


    When the attack reached its climax, the gathered ''Ora'' would explode wildly, hence the shockwave and burst of strength.


    The Warrior didn''t realize his martial art was being studied.


    He also didn''t realize that nearly all his basement lights were broken, since his reckless rampage wrecked his surroundings.


    There was darkness now.


    An arrogant smile appeared on the Warrior''s face as he saw Liam constantly evading like a coward.


    His assault was relentless, after all.


    He didn''t give Liam a chance to use that strange red energy or any attack for that matter.


    Still, he was getting annoyed.


    Liam was like a slimy eel.


    He slipped between his strikes and evaded by the skin of his teeth.


    Since the beginning of the fight, the Warrior hadnded exactly six hits!


    He had enough!


    In the next moment ¨C as Liam dashed away to safety for the umpteenth time ¨C the Warrior stomped both of his feet into the ground.


    His legs gathered high amounts of ''Ora''.


    BOOM!


    The ground below him shattered as it sent him flying to Liam''s figure.


    He was too fast, even for Liam.


    However, Liam didn''t even n to dodge.


    Even before the Warrior did his charge, Liam prepared himself behind a screen of illusionistic mental energy.


    First, he split into two with the Shadow Clone spell and positioned himself behind it.


    Then, in his right, darkness concentrated in his palm and tightened.


    It was the Surging Burst spell.


    In his left hand, chaos churned and grew in size with each pulse.


    It was the Controlled Chaos spell.


    At the same time, Liam coated himself with his Shadow.


    Now that the basement was much darker, Liam''s Shadow was way stronger.


    Finally, Liam activated the thin membrane underneath his skin that contained all his umted wounds.


    As the burly martial artist exploded forward, Liam first threw his chaos forward.


    The red essence freely lingered in the air, giving enough time for the Warrior to change his trajectory¡­


    But it didn''t explode when he expected it.


    The result was a sequence of quick attacks that happened back-to-back.


    First, arge mass of chaos blew up on the Warrior''s head.


    It dibobted the man''s senses, but he was still conscious.


    Then, the Warrior collided with Liam''s Shadow Clone and softened his charge.


    Darkness surged against the Warrior''s metallic body and slightly corroded his skin, but not enough to be fatal.


    But right after, Liam ducked under the Warrior, then clenched his fist as he smashed it over the man''s cheekbone as hard as he could.


    Liam''s Shadow, Surging Burst, and the boost from Throes of Anguish, allowed him to crack the man''s skull in one attack.


    The Warrior was dead.

 Chapter 216 Jumbo

    <h4>Chapter 216 Jumbo</h4>


    Liam inspected the Warrior''s corpse with astute eyes.


    He was lying limp on the ground, his right temple caved in, his body twitching now and again.


    Brain juice mixed with blood leaked from the grievous wound, and the man''s dark eyes were devoid of life.


    In the end, Liam didn''t need to use his forged item to kill the Warrior.


    In the first ce, his opponent''s right cheekbone was partly broken and weakened.


    All it took was a powerful strike to shatter itpletely.


    Despite his victory, Liam''splexion paled significantly, his body covered with shades of purple and green bruises.


    But his worst wound stemmed from his right hand fingers.


    They were utterlyid and limp, broken from the base. Even his knuckles were cracked, and half of his hand wasn''t movable.


    ''I''ll have to get that fixed,'' Liam thought with a slight scowl.


    It definitely was heble, but Liam wouldn''t be able to wield his katana for some time.


    A partial transformation to his Ashura form didn''t fix it either, since the damage was already on his body.


    Liam quickly stored the man''s body after taking his space ring, then left and climbed the building''s roof.


    Thanks to the protective inscriptions, the umted damage that happened underground didn''t bleed into the surrounding structures.


    Although the basement looked utterly ravaged, when Liam left, it was like nothing happened at all.


    Instantly, Liam used his Shadow Sense again.


    The Shadow Strengthening elixir''s effects were slowly running out, but it still gave him heightened perception.


    The Sea of Darkness was rippling with violent wavesing from all sides.


    To thergest building closest to him, Liam sensed a group of Disciples fighting against a Warrior.


    From what Liam deduced, they were having difficulty dealing with him.


    ''Should be a good ce to test it out.''


    Liam arrived at therger amodation and made his way into the basement.


    As soon as he entered, gutturalughter apanied by loud booms and shockwaves entered Liam''s ears.


    The vast, dimly lit basement was jutting with sharp pieces of charred rock, along with puddles of water here and there.


    A Warrior ¨C with fully metallic limbs and a Rank 3 sea of consciousness ¨C was battling six Temple Disciples at the same time.


    ¡­And judging by their wounded bodies and cracked limbs, he was winning. Still, the Warrior wasn''t looking too good either.


    Parts of his iron skin were cracked andcking sheen. His lower robes had been shredded, and only a charred piece of cloth covered his groin.


    As Liam entered, everyone''s attention converged on him, and the battle suffered an abrupt stop.


    "Another rat enters the wolf''s den?" said the Warrior. His eyes were piercingly cerulean, and a vicious smile was on his blood-covered lips.


    "You a cripple or something?" he added with a loudugh, pointing at Liam''sid hand. "You''re brave, I''ll give you that."


    Liam pursed his lips on thought, which then curved to a mocking smile.


    "You should see your fellow Disciple. The right side of his skull doesn''t exist anymore. I''d call him a cripple, but the correct term is ''corpse''."


    Instantly, the blue-eyed Warrior''s face twisted in anger.


    Even Liam''s fellow Disciples shot him a knowing frown as they rushed to his side.


    A light silence ensued, with both sides slowly regaining their strength.


    [Why are you pissing him off?] the same senior Disciple from before asked Liam.


    They were obviously in a losing situation, and their opponent was a Rank 3 Magus.


    The only reason they hadn''t been killed yet was due to their numbers, and the fact that they were all Rank 2 Magi.


    But that only allowed them to fight in a somewhat even ying field.


    Even with Liam''s presence, he couldn''t add much¡­ but he had no need to.


    [Does he have a Rank 4 body?] Liam ignored the woman''s question and fixed his cold gaze with the Warriors.


    [...Yes,] the woman responded with a dark grimace. [We need someone to bring back Krel. You can''t do anything with that hand.]


    Liam gave her a disapproving side nce.


    Their situation was understandable¡­ but they were underestimating themselves. How could they improve without a challenge?


    Even with a broken right hand and dwindling mental energy, Liam was resolved to kill a Rank 3 cultivator.


    A weakened and tired cultivator, sure, but Rank 3 nheless.


    ¡­And, well, he could always just transform into a six-armed demon and rip the man apart if they were gonna lose.


    [I''ll need your help pressuring him. Just help me create an opening near his chest area, and I''ll do the rest.]


    Liam''s mental message reached all six Disciples, who reluctantly nodded after a short pause.


    Liam formed two Umbral Needles and shot it towards the Warrior, interrupting his healing session.


    The man attempted to smack it away at first, but realized what element it was, ducking his head instead.


    "Darkness?"


    Instead of an answer, what he got was seven Rank 2 cultivators rushing him from different sides, each casting a spell of their own.


    A Rank 3 Magus had exceptional reflexes and instincts.


    Their abilities to manipte and ration their mental energies, senses and perception of time was a huge cut above the rest.


    Thus, the Warrior''s mind raced, and he dodged seven different spells in the short span of ten seconds.


    Even something as small as a water bullet and thin as Liam''s needles, simply whiffed by his body by just a precise number of inches.


    As soon as he dodged, the Warrior''s iron grip mped down on two different Disciples'' arms.


    With a wicked grin, he clenched and yanked.


    CRKH!


    Two different screams rang out from within the basement.


    Just then, Liam used Vanishing Steps and reappeared in front of the Rank 3 Magus.


    In his hand, was a blunt, cylinder, baseball bat-shaped object, except the tip was sharper than normal.


    It was longer than Liam''s katana, and had blood-red writings riddling its surface.


    The Warrior''s blue eyes flickered with surprise at Liam''s arrival, but his chest was exposed, and his arms upied.


    Liam lined the sharp tip of the weapon into a crack on the man''s tinum chest, then imbued it with a massive amount of ''Ora''.


    The tip of the bat-shaped weapon hissed, popped, then imploded.


    A jumbo-sized needle shot through the tip and entered a few inches into the man''s chest¡­


    Before violently exploding into arge mass of dark mes!

 Chapter 217 Abyssal Needle

    <h4>Chapter 217 Abyssal Needle</h4>


    A giant needle.


    Liam had made a giant needle as a weapon.


    It was the result of some ambitious nning and an unreasonable line of thought.


    Umbral Needles were a crucial part of Liam''s fighting style.


    It was the only thing that gave him long-ranged capabilities.


    So why not make it a forged item?


    That reasoning was what ushered Liam into forging something so unreasonable and strange.


    It was his chance to finally add Meanings into a Beast Will itself.


    The item''s structure wasn''t easy to make, but Liam had diversified his inventions during his time at the Temple.


    Making bows, des, hammers and armor certainly helped expand his experience.


    Armed with that knowledge, he meticulously began mapping out the weapon from top to bottom.


    First, there had to be something to hold the weapon together.


    A casing that could catapult the needle like a rocketuncher.


    In fact, that''s what Liam took inspiration from.


    On its own, something like that was not possible with Liam''s capabilities.


    But the vampiric inscriptions on its surface were for that exact purpose.


    The writings created an abrupt discharge of ''Ora'' that burst at the weapon''s base.


    It would ruin the entire apparatus in an instant, save for the needle as it shot out, but it was a one-time use item in the first ce.


    Then, there was the needle itself.


    Sharpness was a favorable quality, but not a necessity.


    After all, the core strength of the Umbral Needles rested with what happened right after their detonation.


    Surprisingly, that part was the easiest to make.


    After all, his chaos was even more explosive than his Surging Burst spell, which he also took inspiration from.


    The Meanings that went into the item were the most difficult to do, but he practiced on small-sized weapons before proceeding to the real thing.


    All in all, it took more than two months to n, and three slow weeks to execute.


    All those effortsbined gave birth to a Rank 2 upper-tier item.


    As soon as the giant needle exploded in the center of the Magus'' chest, shards of iron skin flew in all directions.


    Dark mes quickly followed, surging around the man''s figure and enveloping his body.


    Letting out a brief shout of pain in the form of a curse, he dispelled the metallic skin and coated his body with rock-like skin.


    But Liam and the rest didn''t give him reprieve.


    As soon as the needle pierced into the Warrior''s chest, Liam mentally ordered one of the Disciples to charge his strongest spell.


    By the time the Warrior finished clearing the darkness on his body, a single, jagged spike burst from beneath the man''s feet and impaled him right between the legs.


    The Warrior''s face ¨C grimly corroded and mangled ¨C twisted to a grave wince, and from seven different angles, seven different des entered his throat.


    With a final cough of blood (and several stabbings in his unprotected skin) the Warrior slowly tipped over limp, his bum still painfully skewed to the spike.


    Some Disciples continued stabbing him in the neck just a few more times to make sure he was dead, and a couple more for revenge.


    Almost everyone was out of breath at that point, Liam included. Everyone fought under the effects of the Array, and their bodies ached constantly.


    ''The Shadows should have taken care of the stronger disciples by now. We''ve done pretty much all we could.''


    Meanwhile, Liam''s fellow Disciples gave him incredulous looks.


    "Just what was that weapon?" a scrawny, pale-faced disciple asked. "I''ve never seen something like that before¡­"


    Liam didn''t deign him an exnation, limiting himself to two words:


    "Abyssal Needle."


    Liam quickly took the Warrior''s space ring and stored his body, then left the building.


    As he thought, the majority of the Inner Ring had been killed.


    Liam wasn''t required to help anyone out anymore, and he wasn''t nning to.


    ''It should be about time.''


    Liam made himselffortable.


    He reclined his back on a roof and began cultivating, his gaze stuck to the Patriarch''s dome-like quarters.


    Slowly, the eerie silence was receding, reced by a growing rowdiness.


    Most of the Warriors within the Training Grounds noticed the invisible barrier surrounding their Sect.


    At the same time, Disciples that did a bad job at assassinating their targets had been killed, and their victims left their amodations to report the attack.


    Shouts of rage and confusion were starting to grow in volume.


    From then on, both the Temple of Shadow and the Verdant Warriors began to fight publicly.


    Booms and bangs echoed throughout the mountain peak.


    The Warriors tried to regroup and fight back, but they were being picked off one by one without the chance to counter.


    The remaining Verdant Warriors began retreating into their Patriarch''s quarters.


    Liam took in the chaotic atmosphere.


    From the high vantage point, his eyes reflected everything.


    Liam heard Ruth''s maniacalughter from a distance followed by the loud banging of her hammer.


    Liam saw Maeve slitting the throat of a Warrior with a smile on her face, and Iris'' arrow piercing the neck of a retreating enemy.


    As the minutes passed, Liam''s anticipation only grew.


    ''Any time now¡­''


    Another few minutes passed as the Verdant Warriors were being butchered one by one.


    ''Come out already!''


    Then, it finally happened.


    A distant rumbling noise grew louder from within the Patriarch''s quarters, followed by a¡ª


    BOOOOOOM!


    A figure burst through the giant dome and flew above the air.


    Everyone''s attention converged on him.


    It seemed like this man was the progenitor of all the Verdant Warriors, judging by his fiery and dominating aura.


    The only thing that distinguished him from the rest in terms of appearance, was the fact that he was roughly 3 meters tall, adorned by muscles all the way.


    And that enraged expression made even Liam raise a brow.


    He was a freaking giant!


    An angry, angry giant.


    That giant''s bloodthirsty gaze swept the teau grounds.


    Despite the distance between them, Liam felt the man''s dense killing intent.


    Thankfully, Elder Verium and Elder Jane appeared opposite to him.


    And now, Liam would only watch, stoking the me of his ambition.

 Chapter 218 Spear

    <h4>Chapter 218 Spear</h4>


    The reason why the two Elders didn''t perform a sneak attack was because the Patriarch already noticed them.


    They were silently killing the Elder Warriors, after all.


    Liam watched with a curious and anticipating glimmer in his eyes.


    It was like he couldn''t wait for them to fight to the death.


    Meanwhile, the giant gave the two Elders opposite him a deathly stare.


    His aura alone had caused the Shadows and Disciples near the dome to scatter and retreat.


    He probably would have killed them then and there, but the two Elders opposite him wouldn''t allow it.


    Even Liam realized he was a bit too close to the three Zeniths¡­


    But he wouldn''t miss that spectacle for anything.


    Meanwhile, the Iron Giant ¨C which was the Patriarch''s moniker ¨C growled in anger to keep his rage from exploding.


    Liam noticed the man''s hands twitch in fragile restraint.


    "I heard the Unforgiven Shadow had died long ago," said Iron Giant. His tone was low and guttural butced with held back wrath. "To think you were hiding right beneath our feet like the rats you are."


    Elder Verium didn''t respond, and neither did Jane.


    Masks hid their faces, which strengthened the Shadows wrapped around their bodies. They looked like jet-ck silhouettes, devoid of features except what their form showed.


    The former had a long spear in his hands.


    Its shape was simple and narrow, 1.5 meters in length, while it glistened with a ck sheen.


    It had a sharp, arrow-like tip made from a jet-ck metal paired with shadowy writings on its body.


    Elder Jane had the same dagger Liam had been faced with during their first encounter.


    Both were Rank 4 inscribed weapons!


    Liam realized how difficult making items at that Rank really was.


    After all, it was through thebined effort of two Zenith Elders, Jax and Aki, that a Zenith weapon could be made.


    And they were at the lowest tier!


    Liam pulled himself out of his thoughts and focused ahead.


    Both parties remained a short distance away from each other.


    They were sizing each other down.


    Two Zeniths versus just one.


    However, the Elders didn''t attack first.


    In fact, they were vignt and cautiouspared to the firm-faced Patriarch.


    Why?


    Because the Iron Giant was in the liquid-stage, while they were in the gaseous-stage.


    Although this didn''t seem like a big deal, it very much was.


    A substage advancement in one''s core resulted in a dramatic increase in battle prowess and natural strength.


    This was especially true for the Zenith Ranks, since it would take years upon years to just progress to another substage.


    At the same time, the Temple of Shadow Elders had been in hiding for a very, very long time.


    They couldn''t reap good enough resources to advance to higher levels, even though they were older and more experienced than the Iron Giant.


    However, it was still two against one.


    "You won''t talk," Iron Giant shifted his gaze to the dead disciples of his Sect.


    Their bodies were utterly desecrated.


    Some had their throats slit.


    Others were crushed by a giant hammer or were riddled with holes.


    A few were burned alive.


    Streams of blood and viscera formed rings around the teau.


    Iron Giant raised his head to the sky.


    Heavy rain poured against the Istion Barrier.


    When the Giant lowered his head, there was no emotion in his expression.


    It was like he was empty.


    Suddenly, a carnivorous, bestial look twisted face.


    High amounts of ''Ora'' rapidly surged around the Warrior''s body, churning and hissing.


    It was like his skin had be a ma for world essence, slowly transforming it into pure metal.


    The two Elders immediately readied their weapons and tensed, their auras spreading to¡ª


    Just then, the Iron Giant disappeared.


    With an unreal amount of speed, the Giant had reappeared behind Elder Verium and swung once across his waist.


    BOOOOOOM!


    He was too fast, even for a Zenith.


    Verium barely managed to use his spear hilt to block the blow, but a building-sized cone of force blew him away like a weightless ragdoll, making him crash into the Sect buildings.


    To counter, Elder Jane swung across the Giant''s arm, but was met with a ground-shattering punch to the abdomen.


    She was sent flying in an opposite direction, but the Iron Giant didn''t stop there.


    The Giant kicked the air below him. Another deafening boom echoed across the region, and the Patriarch was sent flying in the Elder''s direction.


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    Everything happened way too fast!


    In the blink of an eye, several attacks were performed.


    A dark feeling rose in Liam''s chest.


    ¡­Were they going to lose?


    Suddenly, a ck streak shot from where Verium had been hurled a second earlier.


    It was the Rank 4 spear!


    With the speed of a bullet, the spear tore through the air with a screech, reaching the Iron Giant''s back in an instant.


    Then, a Shadow started to blur from the weapon, taking the form of a¡­ human?


    It was Elder Verium!


    The Elder oozed out from the weapon, tightly gripped the spear, then stuck the Giant''s back with it, all in one motion.


    The spear managed to enter through the Giant''s iron skin, but not far enough to pierce any vital organ.


    The Giant swung around together with his wild fists, but Verium was prepared then, countering with his weapon.


    Elder Jane was back on her feet at that point, and she entered the fray as well.


    Violent gusts of wind flew in every direction as more exchanges followed.


    Everything was too fast for Liam to urately follow.


    It was like watching a fight between three flies in the middle of a zoo. Three very, very powerful flies.


    By then, the Zeniths were lower to the ground, fighting near the eastern side of the Inner Ring.


    From how the fight looked, it was as though titans were wreaking havoc throughout the world. Their attacks were on a scale Liam had never seen before.


    Deafening noises created shockwaves that weakened even the Istion Barrier.


    Entire buildings and chunks of the teau were being chipped off.


    Beams of concentrated azure liquid sprayed likesers at the Giant Fist''s body.


    Colorful explosions sent heat waves that burnt the skins of Acolytes hundreds of meters away.


    Cones of force boomed through the air.


    Abruptly, massive amounts of azure liquid started to gather above the battlefield, shaping into something eight stories tall.


    All of that water condensed and tightened, taking the form of a spear.

 Chapter 219 Conquer

    <h4>Chapter 219 Conquer</h4>


    A Rank 5 spell.


    What those above the teau were witnessing, was a Rank 5 spell of the water element.


    Nobody moved throughout the battle.


    Acolytes, Disciples, Shadows, Liam, the few Verdant Warriors that were still alive.


    Most of the weaker cultivators had to retreat down the mountainside due to how devastating their fight was.


    All those present watched incredulously, their eyes reflecting the enormous spear that continued to form.


    At the fight''s climax, the three Zeniths were visible again.


    There was nothing covering them, after all.


    All the buildings had been leveled.


    Iron Giant had gory shes and holes in his massive, metallic body.


    Blood poured from his serious wounds, but the anger on his face didn''t express pain.


    Jane and Verium looked worse off.


    Elder Jane''s mask had cracked, revealing her facial features.


    She had baster skin, emerald eyes and long silver hair.


    Blood dripped from her face, and patches of her robe were torn off, but her biggest injury was on her right arm.


    It wasid, sort of like Liam''s fingers.


    Despite that, she was casting a spell, sparks of fire sputtering around her to condense into a ball of fire in her left hand.


    Verium was better off, but his wrapped clothes were shredded, and his body housed several wounds.


    Verium had his right hand aimed towards the sky.


    More precisely, the colossal, water-made spear.


    As it formed, the Giant obviously didn''t remain still.


    Instead, his aura burst and grew heavier as his body circted with dense amounts of ''Ora'', shouting all the while that happened.


    Also, as if his towering height wasn''t enough, he grew another 3 feet.


    Then, he kicked the air and exploded towards Verium.


    Just then, the fireball Elder Jane had conjured intersected his flight.


    It exploded with a sh of light, deepening the cracks on the Patriarch''s body.


    But even that wasn''t enough to stop the Giant''s trajectory.


    However, hidden within the fireball was a small weapon.


    In reality, the Rank 4 item Elder Jane wielded wasn''t a dagger.


    It was a one-time use item.


    It was a bomb!


    Another sh of light followed by a blinding explosion filled everyone''s vision.


    Momentarily, it was like another sun had formed beneath the Istion Barrier ¨C which, due to the brunt of so many attacks, was on the cusp of shattering.


    At that point, everyone expected the Warrior to die then and there.


    How could he not?


    But he didn''t.


    In fact, he was screaming his lungs out in anger as he continued on his flight to Verium''s figure.


    Just as both his fists were about tond t against Verium''s chest, the Elder gestured downwards.


    WhooOOSH!


    Just then, the spear began descending.


    Due to its giant size, it wasn''t exactly the fastest attack in the world.


    But the Iron Giant had suffered the brunt of a Rank 4 item, and countless Rank 4 spells.


    The spear came down on his body like a hammer to a nail, then continued pressing down on him until he reached the teau floor.


    SSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!


    The attack didn''t stop there.


    It continued like a drill piercing the earth, shaking the very foundations of the mountain they were on.


    Eventually, those sounds trailed off into an eerie silence.


    After what seemed like an eternity, the hectic sounds of battle had finally stopped.


    Calling it a battle was an absolute understatement.


    War would be more precise.


    Meanwhile, Liam, who watched from a distance, was utterly enamored and entranced.


    So entranced, he nearly died!


    Several times, the giant pieces of debris from the battle nearly crushed him like an ant.


    More than a few times, he changed his seat, but even as he ran, his gaze never shifted from the war ahead.


    By the time it was over, his skin was charred and sizzling, while deep cuts marred his skin.


    But his expression wasn''t one of pain.


    It was of joy!


    ///


    The two Elders were still in the air, slowly lowering themselves.


    They hadn''t confirmed the Patriarch''s death, but they were a bit reluctant to.


    After using a Rank 5 spell, Elder Verium was officially out of the fight.


    His body, core and mental sphere were devoid of energy, and he wheezed with every breath.


    Elder Jane couldn''t do much either, but her body was steadily regenerating.


    Still, there might have been a defensive measure the Warrior might have taken to ensure his survival.


    The two finally lowered themselves.


    Where the spear had pierced, was a massive crater.


    Their mental waves reached further in, and to their relief, the Giant had a gaping hole in the center of his chest.


    He was still alive, but even a Mortal Ranked cultivator could kill him at that point.


    His skin was no longer metallic, either.


    There was no longer any anger on the man''s blood covered face, his eyes pointed to the sky.


    His expression was empty again. Regretful.


    "It wasn''t personal," said Verium as he neared the Warrior, his tone raspy and weak. "The Seven ns have made thesends suffer enough."


    Light left the Patriarch''s eyes, and his aura steadily dimmed.


    Just before he died, he managed to sneak in a curse aimed for both the Elders.


    "Should have known he would say that as hisst words," Elder Jane spat to her side, before sitting cross-legged on the spot.


    Verium shook his head, then started to fly over to the acolytes'' side.


    The Temple wasn''t without their losses.


    Some of the weaker Acolytes had actually died during the raid.


    But victory wasn''t achieved without sacrifice.


    All the Temple members had gathered around the Outer Ring.


    As soon as Elder Verium arrived¡ª


    CRACK!


    The Istion Barrier had dissipated.


    It simply blinked out of existence, allowing rain to pour through and wash away the stench of blood and grime littered over the teau.


    "We will remember those who died in the cause. Through their sacrifice, the Temple is stronger than ever before!"


    Cries of war rang out from the group of acolytes.


    "And eventually," Verium shifted his attention towards the distance east, where a vague silhouette of a lion statue was. "We will conquer them all."

 Chapter 220 Struggle

    <h4>Chapter 220 Struggle</h4>


    The Temple spent the next few weeks cleaning up the aftermath of the raid.


    The Array was obviously disabled by then, and the Temple divided their forces into reconstructing the teau.


    It was their new territory, after all.


    With it, the Temple could gradually expand their influence over the ind.


    Although the Verdant Warrior Sect was a small-sized n, they still held jurisdiction over a rtivelyrge plot ofnd within the western ind.


    Everything was perfect.


    As a cover, location, situation, everything fit right in with the Temple''s needs.


    Obviously, it wasn''t like the Temple officially had control over the Sect.


    But with the right connections and means, that could change.


    Jurisdiction could be transferred, after all.


    Right after the raid had concluded, Liam met with Elder Jane.


    "I need their corpses."


    That was what Liam had begun the conversation with.


    "If you''re not doing anything with them, I''d like to experiment with them."


    Was what Liam added when he saw her raise a brow.


    "It''s something important rting to my forging method. It has to do with blood."


    Was the reassurance Liam gave her right after.


    "How many bodies?" Elder Jane asked.


    She knew Liam''s forging method pertained to blood, and the weapons he made helped the Temple''s lower ranking acolytes by a lot.


    There was no reason not toply.


    Him improving would be the Temple''s improvement.


    "All of them? There''s no reason you need them, right?" Liam asked.


    Elder Jane remained silent.


    "You''re telling me you need more than 200 corpses for a forging method?"


    This time, Liam was silent.


    "Fine. Just give me the Rank 3''s. Is there any way I can have the Patriarch''s body, too?"


    Elder Jane slightly scowled, but didn''t rebuke him for hisck of respect.


    "There are some pills that might require a Rank 4 core as an ingredient."


    "I myself need to use parts of him to make elixirs and whatnot, so no."


    "But you can have the Rank 3''s. They''re pretty much useless to me."


    Liam hid a smile and thanked her, before spending the next few days gathering all the bodies.


    Obviously, Liam didn''t n on using them for forging.


    Not one bit.


    Instead¡­ he wanted to devour them all to quicken his advancement to the fourth Rank.


    So many bodies could most definitely purify his blood, too.


    It would expand his Chaos Pearl at the same time, strengthening his chaos.


    And so, Liam began his meals.


    But not before putting two Rank 3 Beast Wills in his mental sphere.


    Since devouring too many bodies would take a lot of time, he would speed up his training.


    And there were a lot of them.


    More than 34 cultivators in the third Rank!


    A few here and there even had Rank 4 bodies, which made them an even greater source of nourishment.


    Currently, Liam was in his quarters.


    Most of the Disciples and Shadows had relocated to the Mountain, but Liam preferred the peace and quiet.


    Especially the privacy.


    Liam motioned it, and a Warrior''s corpse materialized in front of him.


    Liam got to wolfing away.


    Two entire weeks.


    That''s how long it took Liam topletely finish eating the 34 bodies.


    He didn''t even forge or inscribe during that time, except maybe feed the Shifter and cultivate five hours a day.


    With the added Shadow, Liam had to spend a good few hours Darkening and Erging his lightless friend.


    Liam needed to be careful not to over consume too much Lifeforce.


    Too much of anything has its drawbacks.


    If he didn''t cultivate the nutrients and continued to stack so much energy within, Liam would suffer in drastic ways.


    Mainly, by clogging up his blood and exploding.


    Since purified blood worked differently from the norm, it also had the Opposition''s natural drawbacks.


    When he finished, Liam''s blood and body had gotten to an amazing point.


    Liam could now crystalize his blood in an instant.


    It was stronger, purer, denser, and helped naturally invigorate his body while quickening his regeneration.


    Also, his heart naturally pumped out more blood to ount for heavier usage.


    Honestly speaking, Liam didn''t think he could bleed out unless he absolutely tried to.


    Also, his inscriptions were obviously gonna be strengthened, but so was the weight on his mental sphere.


    It was a double-edged de, but something Liam foresaw and epted.


    By the end of it, Liam''s body reached the peak of the third Rank.


    There was no way he could hold off on advancing.


    Liam spent another two weeks consuming expensive pills, elixirs and training his body to the bone.


    And finally, the day came to bring a center of power into the Zenith Ranks.


    Liam gave notice to the Elders before he undertook the Struggle Tribtion.


    They helped him prepare.


    Mainly, by giving advice and handing Liam pills to fully nourish himself to peak condition.


    Support from them during the Tribtion was out of the question.


    Outside interference would result in a weakened, or even apletely ruined advancement attempt.


    Liam could only bring his natural strength and abilities.


    Another week passed as he prepared. He was given a special safe space to take the Tribtion under.


    It was sealed from any outside view, and the interior was spacious enough for any irregrities that might ur.


    At the same time, Elder Jane was there as supervision.


    "You don''t have toe. There''s nothing you can do anyways," Liam said, taking off all his clothes.


    Pants were no exception. He didn''t want any hindrance to his process.


    Elder Jane didn''t look ufortable at the sight of his body.


    He had nothing to hide, after all.


    "It''s just in case something unexpected happens. I won''t intervene unless I''m absolutely sure you''re going to die," the Elder said.


    Liam shrugged.


    "I won''t. Just don''t interfere no matter what you see," Liam said, ignoring the slight frown on Jane''s face.


    Liam felt incredibly strong at the moment.


    There was just one more step to take, an inch more to cultivate, and he would dip his hand into the Zenith Ranks.


    Remembering the best way to take the Tribtion under, Liamid on his back on a wall, with his neck slightly creaked forward, then began filling thest of his bones with ''Ora''.


    Liam felt the gap to the fourth Rank close as his bone filled to the brim with ''Ora''.


    A momentter, a numbness slowly spread throughout his body.


    It had begun.

 Chapter 221 Predator

    <h4>Chapter 221 Predator</h4>


    It was like being administered anesthesia at first.


    There was no pain, just empty numbness.


    Then, Liam felt his senses being dimmed like light receding into darkness.


    His hearing turned to silence, his feeling, taste, smell and even his left eye had puffed out.


    ¡­Except, the King''s Eye still functioned, meaning he could see what his body went through.


    Then, it happened.


    All the numbness in his body burst with abrupt pain, like fireworks going off one by one.


    Liam would have grunted, tensed or clenched his fists to suppress the feeling.


    But he had no sensation in his body, making him experience everything in its raw form.


    Even his heart slowly stopped drumming, and his muscles felt formless like a dense oil.


    Right after, everything started to rapidly burn.


    Immediately after, everything started to freeze.


    Liam was used to being burned alive, freezed, cut, broken, stabbed, bruised and tortured.


    But right now, all those feelingsbined into one grim sensation that spread evenly across his agonized body.


    Cracking, squirming and wet noises left his limp figure.


    Bones were being cracked and reconstructed, muscles were being torn apart and reformed, veins were being ripped and recircted.


    Blood oozed from every orifice. The nails on his hands and toes shot out like bullets in every direction.


    Even Elder Jane, who watched silently from afar, never experienced such a thing during her own Struggle Tribtion.


    Liam was literally falling apart.


    Even his skin was slowly melting away in chunks.


    ''Is it because he''s an ''Ashura''?'' she wondered with furrowed brows, a bit disturbed at the grisly sight. ''I can''t imagine what he''s going through.''


    ¡­But there was a silver lining.


    However difficult a person''s test was, the more rewarding it would be once they sessfully passed.


    A Struggle Tribtion would usuallyst 2 to 4 minutes.


    Exactly 10 minutes passed.


    Liam''s form only grew worse and worse.


    He looked like a rotting corpse.


    ''Where''s the purifying ''Ora''?!'' Elder Jane screamed in Liam''s ce. ''He''s gonna die!''


    Liam cursed inwardly, his bloody face disying neither pain nor anger.


    Usually, it wouldn''t take long for the purifying ''Ora'' to appear within the cultivator''s body.


    Yet, he suffered continuously with no such ''Ora'' appearing.


    Until finally, a tiny wisp of dense energy sputtered in the center of Liam''s chest!


    Despite all of the excruciating sensations, his mental waves were steady and unwavering, and he enveloped the world essence with his mind.


    It would be strange if his pain tolerance didn''te in handy during something like this.


    A momentter, Liam began to spread the essence evenly.


    Wherever it touched, the pain searing through him slightly lessened.


    But Liam was dying.


    His heart had practically stopped for more than 10 minutes!


    There was no air in his lungs.


    His organs were failing, melting into energy as they met the Rank 4 essence.


    His ribcage squeezed his chest, jagged pieces of it poking against his liquid liver, spleen and abdomen.


    His entire body looked like an inted balloon.


    A convulsing, gurgling and melting balloon.


    Only his centers of power remained solid, since they weren''t a part of the Tribtion.


    A Zenith''s body functioned differently to a Mortal''s.


    Organs that a normal human couldn''t live without, were simply unnecessary to a Zenith''s bodily structure.


    Liam used the Rank 4 ''Ora'' appropriately.


    First, he directed it to his heart, vitalizing it and making it weakly beat again.


    thump¡­thump¡­thump¡­


    A few excruciating seconds passed as the burning organ transformed into something different, upon which he moved to his lungs.


    Raspy, shrill air entered his sensitive lungs once more.


    After that, Liam needed to reconstruct the structure of his bones.


    Wherever the Rank 4 ''Ora'' enveloped, the bones straightened and snapped into ce with a loud crack.


    They were thicker, stronger, sturdier.


    However, they were much slimmer and streamlinedpared to before.


    After all, every Tribtion acted depending on what technique was used to arrive at it.


    For the Dark Wraith body, Liam''s skeleton had grown slender and narrow.


    Even his fingers, and especially his spine, grew bonier and thin, sharp at the ends.


    That transformation process took a few minutes, but with his heart and lungs working, the pain was bearable.


    His ribcage and skeleton was now in one piece, and he no longer appeared like a flimsy noodle.


    Shortly after, Liam focused on his caved-in muscles.


    The Rank 4 essence washed over it like a fierce wave, seeping in between his striations and tightening into a superior form.


    As specific parts of his muscles formed entirely, it made a boom noise and sent a minute shockwave throughout the space, like popping a dent back into ce.


    Several ''booms''ter, and Liam''s body was now semiplete.


    Still, the Tribtion wasn''t done yet.


    There was still some of the Rank 4 essence left, and Liam spent the next few minutes absorbing all of it.


    Slowly, he regained a resplendent human appearance.


    Liam''s skin had a silky sheen of its own, and the etchings that came with his Ashura form deepened enough to be noticeable. His tattoos didn''t disappear, but were brighter than normal.


    A few ornate lines grew more noticeable on the sides of his head and face.


    His long hair grew a few shades of silver white among the lustrous blonde.


    His eyes had gained a brighter glow, amplifying the red and golden colors.


    But everything was covered by a filthy veil of viscera and a bright coating of crimson.


    ¡­Finally, it was over!


    Only a twentieth of Liam''s mental energy reserves remained, and heavy drowsiness made his eyes droop.


    Still, immense power surged through him. Flowing through every fiber of his being.


    Liam let out a soft, warm sigh.


    In that half-aware, sleep-sumbing state, Liam briefly inspected his new body.


    His nails were jet-ck, but his fingers were unnaturally sharp and pointy.


    However, most of the changes were within.


    Dense muscles reced his old ones.


    A vasterwork of veins threaded his body.


    Liam''s liver, spleen, kidneys, and every other supportive organ had been reced with sturdy flesh.


    Only his most crucial organs remained, like the heart, lungs, and stomach.


    From the corner of his eyes, Liam shot Elder Jane a probing gaze.


    The Elder, who was watching the whole time with an awed, horrified and amazed gaze, suddenly felt her senses scream with danger.


    Like being sized up and down by a predator.


    Jane slightly flinched, but as she responded with a frown, the dangerous sensation disappeared.


    Liam had fallen asleep.

 Chapter 222 Revenant

    <h4>Chapter 222 Revenant</h4>


    Elder Jane took in a deep breath as soon as Liam fell asleep.


    Several things went through her mind, while her gaze fixed to Liam as he calmly slept.


    ''How did a Mortal Ranked cultivator make me feel danger?''


    ''Was he hiding his strength this whole time?''


    Realizing how tense she had be, Elder Jane let out a wry chuckle under her breath, then shook her head.


    ''If he can make me feel fear, then those at the same level as him can''t evenpare.''


    Meanwhile, the walls were dripping with blood and grime, slopping on the ground with a wet noise.


    Jane was an Elder.


    She was an esteemed cultivator that managed to defeat all three Tribtions to achieve the status of a Zenith!


    ¡­But now she had to take care of an unconscious Disciple because she epted responsibility for him.


    Oh, how the great fall.


    ///


    It took Liam an entire week to open his eyes from his deep slumber.


    As soon as he awoke, Liam slowly sat upright and heaved a long breath.


    He was in the same room, except it was fully cleaned out from bits of his flesh and blood.


    Still, he wasn''t clothed.


    A broad smile formed on his face as he took another look at his body.


    ''I feel powerful.''


    Liam examined his body.


    ''My fingers are¡­ sharp,'' Liam thought, holding out his palm. ''And my nails are ck¡­''


    ''My hair is half white now¡­'' Liam raised a brow, twirling his lengthy hair. It felt like silk. ''Maybe now the Royals won''t notice me so fast.''


    Using his fingers, he scraped the surface of his tight skin.


    Ssssssssss.


    It made a slight screeching noise, like metal against metal.


    ''I''ve be a Wraith¡­''


    ''Did the nobles who gave me the technique know this beforehand? Other tempering methods usually don''t have such drastic changes.''


    Liam shrugged. He didn''t really care or mind.


    It gave him an intimidation factor of sorts, which was always a good thing.


    ''Though, now that I''ve advanced, I won''t be able to go any further to the fifth Rank.''


    Naturally, if Liam''s other centers of power were raised to a higher level, his body would be nourished as a consequence.


    Plus, it wasn''t like there weren''t other ways to advance.


    There was always the devouring option.


    Instantly, he noticed how his body housed unnatural reserves of strength and energy.


    If Liam''s physical power before was arge pond, it was now an ocean.


    Liam chuckled slightly under his breath again.


    ''I can finally fight a Rank 4 beast without worrying about death,'' he thought with another smile.


    Naturally, his senses gained a massive boost.


    Although the five bodily senses grew with the mental sphere, they were merely enhanced through the sea of consciousness.


    The actual senses belonged to the body, except for his Shadow Sense and mental energy.


    ''What''s that skittering noise?'' Liam furrowed his brows as he looked around.


    His eyes slightly widened once he realized the source of what it was.


    Liam could now hear ants skittering on the stone floor.


    Rising to his feet, Liam stretched his body in various ways.


    Instantly, he noticed how light and weightless he now was.


    It was as though gravity didn''t apply to him.


    That fact didn''t take away from his strength in the least.


    ''I''m not being spied on. Elder Jane probably put me here, and I can see her mental waves with my eye.''


    ''It should be safe to experiment.''


    There were several things that Liam needed to test first.


    Mainly, the special Wraith form that he could take on momentarily.


    Also, did his blood maniption work the same?


    At what speed did he regenerate?


    What about his Shadow maniption abilities?


    And most important of all¡­


    Did his Ashura form evolve?


    He began with the first question.


    Liam held his hand forward.


    Coagtions of blood sloshed around his arm and took the form of a katana.


    Shing!


    In the next instant, it crystalized with a crackling noise, glistening like ruby.


    Liam pursed his lips.


    The edge of the de was incredibly sharp.


    Level wise, it was Rank 2 on its own!


    On average, most inscribed weapons were naturally around this Rank.


    What did this mean?


    Liam could simply crystalize his own blood and use them as weapons instead of taking out his strongest des.


    That alone would suffice!


    Not to mention the countless other ways he could use them.


    Now, he even gained more long-range capabilities.


    No human at his level, or perhaps above, would think of something like that being possible.


    It seemed unreal in a sense. Liam''s blood had gained wondrous qualities.


    Liam couldn''t wait to inscribe.


    ''I can definitely try and make a Rank 3 weapon now. Both my understanding of the concepts, Links and Meanings have gotten better.''


    Making a Rank 3 inscribed item was something else entirely.


    Even until now, Liam had only made two items at the upper-tier ¨C the inscribed katana, and the Abyssal Needle.


    Both made him suffer immensely afterwards due to how difficult they were to make.


    In general, inscribing and forging both took a very long time when attempting something new.


    And now that Liam''s blood had purified to a massive sense, the drawbacks would naturally grow bigger.


    Thus, Liam decided to dedicate a specific time for that projectter.


    Liam focused on his body''s special ability.


    Infernal Breathing gave Liam heat resistance.


    Throes of Anguish gave him regeneration and a strength enhancing ability.


    And now?


    Liam closed his eyes and heaved a breath.


    There was silence for a few seconds.


    Whoosh!


    A momentter, it was like a switch had gone off, and an eldritch revenant took over Liam''s human form.


    Two starry lights, red and yellow, acted as eyes.


    Everything else had turned ethereal, reced by corrosive gas that gushed from his entire being.


    Not even Liam''s hair remained solid, turning into wide flowing strands of noxious mist that floated on their own.


    This wasn''t normal darkness.


    It was beyond the current capabilities of Liam''s core.


    This darkness slowly ate away at the ground itself.


    Overall, his Wraith form was utterly terrifying.


    It was something one would expect to attack in the middle of the night, a harrowing creature birthed from nightmares.


    Fwoof!


    Shortly after, the switch was flipped off, and Liam was back to being a human.

 Chapter 223 Tone

    <h4>Chapter 223 Tone</h4>


    The Wraith Form made Liam feel incredibly cold and chilly.


    It was like ice had reced his insides for as long as he kept it active.


    Although the Wraith Form made everything in Liam immaterial, he could still wield his weapons freely.


    Only, he couldn''t use his blood attacks, since that would require him to remain physical.


    Still, Liam was just itching to use it on a real target.


    For the third time, he couldn''t help but chuckle under his breath.


    It was due to moments like these that he was on this cultivation journey, after all.


    Liam would rarely smile or genuinelyugh any other time.


    Liam moved on to his Shadow Sense.


    Now that he gave it a closer look, his Shadow did seem darker andrger, and that wasn''t just him growing his strength.


    After all, the Shadow was anchored to the body.


    It wasn''t connected to ''Ora'', mental energy or anything else.


    Liam closed his eyes and focused on sensing the Sea of Darkness.


    ''It''s clearer now. I can sense more of my surroundings without feeling overwhelmed.''


    Liam then wrapped his right fist with all of his Shadow.


    It wasn''t an overwhelming increase in strength, but definitely noticeable.


    He could also cover more of his body. More than two-thirds.


    ''I haven''t been able to manifest and transform my Shadow, but Jax told me it takes time to learn.''


    ''Only the Patriarch could teach me effectively. He''s the only one with darkness, after all.''


    With his right index wrapped in Shadow, Liam used the sharp tip of his nail to incise his left arm.


    It entered merely an inch deep, but cut smoothly enough to form a shallow sh that drew a few drops of blood.


    Not even two seconds passed, and the wound immediately healed.


    Liam raised his brows in amazement, then smiled.


    ''I guess I''m unkible now. My body''s natural strength far outweighs those at the same level as me.


    ''After suffering that much, it better.''


    ''...All that''s left is my full Ashura form.''


    Liam practiced caution.


    It goes without saying that his transformation into an Ashura was his strongest ability.


    But it wasn''t something he could use lightly.


    Liam heaved a sigh.


    All he could do was grit his teeth and hope for the best.


    Just as Liam was about to spread the chaos from his Pearl and transition into something presumably mortifying, Elder Jane''s mental waves appeared in the room.


    Instantly, Liam stopped in his tracks.


    Still, the mental waves silently lingered.


    Had it not been for the eye, Liam wouldn''t have seen or felt them.


    It was a Zenith''s mental energy, after all.


    If they wanted to stay hidden to lower Ranked cultivators, they would.


    A few minutes passed in silence.


    Liam inwardly scoffed and began to cultivate under Elder Jane''s spying.


    A few more minutester, Elder Jane entered through the circr entrance to therge room Liam was in.


    She didn''t wear her mask, revealing her emerald eyes and flowing silver hair.


    "You''re finally awake," she said.


    Liam gave her a terse nod and thanked her.


    "Sorry for the mess," Liam apologized and made a respectful gesture. "I had no idea it''d be that gory."


    Elder Jane waved a hand. "It''s fine. I didn''t either."


    Liam wanted to leave then, but Elder Jane spoke first.


    "I''ll need to examine your body for any issues. Not every Tribtion is sessful. Even those that seemingly are."


    Liam suppressed a frown as the Elder circled him and started to examine specific parts of his body.


    "You look a bit like the Patriarch with that white hair," Elder Jane said with a bit of emotion in her voice.


    Liam remained silent.


    She ran her hands across his skin, hair and muscles, pressing down on certain parts.


    "How old are you now?" she asked.


    Liam thought about it for a minute.


    He honestly didn''t keep track.


    Usually, it was Eve''s pumpkin pies that helped remind Liam of his new age.


    But she was gone, only a fragment of his imagination was left of her.


    Even now, Liam stared at her out of the corner of his eye.


    Eve stared back.


    "Probably sixteen or something," Liam eventually said, his voicecking a tone.


    Elder Jane held down her expression, but shock ended up showing.


    She expected Liam to be at least eighteen or neen.


    His height, build and maturity certainly made him seem so.


    Even those ages would be absolutely crazy to advance into the fourth Rank with.


    And Liam was only sixteen!


    "You''ve done splendidly."


    "Now that we''ve taken over the Verdant Warrior Sect, your strength shoulde in use as we expand our territories."


    "You should familiarize yourself with your body. Feel free to leave."


    "Thank you," Liam responded.


    With that, Liam was allowed to leave.


    ¡­But as soon as he reached the circr door, Liam abruptly stopped.


    "Hmm?" Elder Jane hummed and raised a brow as she saw him freeze. "What''s wrong?"


    Liam got an idea.


    It was bad.


    Very bad.


    Reckless.


    Disrespectful.


    Liam asked anyway.


    "Can you let me attack you once?"


    Silence.


    Elder Jane was in shock.


    Maybe she didn''t hear him right¡­


    "Just one attack. I need to see the limits of my new body," Liam reiterated.


    She heard him right the first time!


    How dare he ask such a thing?!


    It was rude and downright unbelievable.


    Elder Jane didn''t hide the scowl on her face.


    Any other acolyte she would have disciplined thoroughly.


    Break a few bones, tear away a few muscles but eventually heal them up.


    But Liam was a bit different.


    He''d already gone through every kind of pain and torture avable, especially the terrible Struggle Tribtion.


    What difference would her efforts make?


    She remained silent with a stern frown.


    "I can?" Liam asked, confused.


    The Elder just grumbled in response.


    "Thank you," Liam said. "Strengthen yourself as much as you can. I only want to see how far you can be pushed."


    The Elder raised her brows, but the corners of her lips slowly curled to an evil grin.


    A halo of hot air suddenly enveloped Elder Jane''s body. Her silver hair naturally rose on its own, radiating warm mist.


    A spark sputtered, and her entire body burst with boiling red mes that made the room temperature rise several degrees.


    Liam heaved a sigh.


    ''I need to watch my tone sometimes.''

 Chapter 224 Forms

    <h4>Chapter 224 Forms</h4>


    Looking at Elder Jane''s ming body, Liam could only shake his head.


    ''Doesn''t she feel shame? She has a Rank 4 core...''


    Nevertheless, Liam wasn''t afraid.


    Not since he was one-fourth Zenith.


    Liam could tell the Elder was holding back with her mes.


    ¡­Mostly.


    Otherwise, a single spell with the power of a Rank 4 core behind it could maim Liam for an annoying amount of time.


    But not permanently.


    ¡­Probably.


    Slowly, Liam cocked his right fist and pivoted his body sideways, sliding his foot across the ground.


    Then, he wrapped his hand with Shadow.


    Right after, he activated both Cartge Brace and Obsidian Skin, then enhanced his fist with ''Ora''.


    A momentter, Liam used Vanishing Steps and blurred, breaking the stone beneath his feet.


    Whoosh!


    BOOM!


    The punchnded square against the Elder''s stomach.


    Red mes wildly flew in every direction and charred Liam''s fist as it struck.


    But the armor of fire was blown away and his attack hit full force!


    It connected with the Zenith''s body!


    The Elder skittered ten inches back, her firm feet dragged against the ground but didn''t lose contact with it.


    Her back almost touched the furthest wall, but she just stopped before then.


    A momentter, the mes dispersed, and Jane had her brows arched.


    On the Elder''s ck-d clothes, Liam''s punch had torn through and left a red fist mark on the skin beneath.


    Liam''s punch had torn through the skin of a fully Rank 4 cultivator!


    Although it may seem like a grand aplishment, Liam had just advanced to the fourth.


    Meanwhile, the Elder had spent years in that realm.


    She was probably around the middle-tier due to her Zenith centers of power naturally raising her progress.


    A secondter, the torn skin healed.


    "I didn''t expect that," she said with slightly furrowed brows, her gaze fixed to where the wound was.


    Elder Jane had only used her mes to humble Liam''s pompous attitude.


    It was supposed topletely block his attack, even absorbing the force behind his punch.


    ''To think it still went through and I was pushed this far¡­'' she thought, hiding a grimace.


    To save any face she had left, the Elder gave Liam an approving look.


    "Well done."


    Liam thanked her.


    "Now move along before I punch back."


    Satisfied, Liam nodded and promptly exited.


    ///


    First, Liam made his way to the Shifter''s enclosed room.


    The Octopus gave out the usual loud squeal as it saw Liam approach.


    Liam''s rtionship with the Egg hadn''t gotten much better than it was.


    It didn''t attack him straight away as usual, but it didn''t trust Liam in the least.


    Understandable, seeing as every time they met, it was sent unconscious.


    "You''re bing a headache," Liam said as he threw a few Rank 3 corpses to the inscribed cage.


    The Egg promptly pulled those beasts through a specially designed chute on the cage.


    When it finally finished its food, Liam clicked the inscribed cage open.


    Instantly, the beast lurched at him, but Liam gave it a backhanded p.


    TISH!


    It fell back and pped against the floor, jiggling like jelly, knocked out for umpteenth time.


    ''I can knock it out myself now,'' Liam smiled.


    ///


    After roughly an hour of studying the creature in detail, Liam fed it another corpse and left towards the mission hall.


    Everyday, he learned something new about the Shifter.


    Mainly, the specifics of how its liquid darkness transformed.


    That material stemmed from its core, which Liam actually took a peek at.


    It was on its underside, beneath its reproductive organ and beak, which was arduous to reach through normally.


    As he briefly studied the organ, Liam faced a hurdle.


    What the core of a Shifter produced, couldn''t be found in any human or beast besides it.


    It was a special type of ''Ora'' mixed between its unique darkness and natural world essence.


    ''My Shadow could probably act as a substitute for that, but that alone won''t do anything.''


    ''It''s not like I''m terribly good at manipting it, either.''


    Liam decided to hold on the specifics for another time, but made sure to note down any solution to the issue.


    Eventually, Liam arrived at the mission hall.


    A few Acolytes and Disciples gave him looks of respect.


    Some even made gestures one would make to a senior as he passed by.


    Those of the opposite gender were a bit more direct than that, giving him looks that he didn''t respond to.


    More than once, Liam had to suffer through confessions of love by his fellow Disciples.


    All were coldly rejected.


    But none were deterred.


    Shaking his head to avoid thinking of such horrible memories, Liam browsed the avable missions.


    Ever since the Verdant Warrior Sect was overtaken, the Temple offered greater missions with higher rewards.


    Their resources had doubled, after all.


    They could afford to move into areas they previously could not, and take greater risks against stronger enemies.


    ''I need something to test my Ashura Form and Wraith Form on.''


    For the first, a Zenith ranked beast sounded the most usible.


    Liam didn''t really believe he could kill a Rank 4 beast.


    An entire squadron of cultivators was required for that feat.


    But his intention wasn''t really to kill one. He wasn''t that arrogant.


    It was to fight one¡­


    Alone.


    Anyone normal would point out how both were the same thing.


    ''With how my strength is now, I already feel like I can fight one.''


    ''My Ashura Form usually triples my power. It''s not impossible.''


    And so, Liam marked a mission for a Rank 4 beast towards the southeast area.


    For the second Form, Liam picked out a near-abandoned Sect to attack.


    There were no Zeniths in their midst.


    Not even a Rank 3 Magus.


    Most of the n had been annihted from a Rank 5 beast directly attacking their misced Sect base (which they smartly made next to a dragon''s den), leaving only a small portion of cultivators remaining.


    Its second location wasn''t much wiser either.


    It was built between heavy streams gushing at its sides, keeping away Spirit Beasts and daring foes.


    If they died, it probably wouldn''t even be remarked, which is why the mission was avable in the first ce.


    ''Perfect.''


    ''Oh, and I better buy some Rank 4 materials for the project.''

 Chapter 225 Wonderous and Terrifying

    <h4>Chapter 225 Wonderous and Terrifying</h4>


    epting the two missions, Liam didn''t waste a second and left the underground.


    Liam intended to go all out for his forging of Rank 3 weapons.


    Usually, inscribed items at the third Ranksted for a very long time, as long as they weren''t one-time use items.


    If made masterfully enough, they wouldn''t break unless faced with a higher ranked item.


    And even then, they would put up a decent fight.


    They had special functions too.


    Not as amazing as teleporting to the weapon itself, as seen from Elder Verium''s spear, but of a milder effect.


    ''There are several prefectures around this ind that sell Rank 4 materials. It''s prettymon on this ind, too.''


    ''I''ll let them soak in blood for two weeks at the very least. Rank 4 materials are way more rigidpared to what I''m used to.''


    ''I''ll be in the liquid stage by then as well.''


    ''If my body didn''t advance, I probably wouldn''t be able to make anything with them.''


    ''There''s also the String Blood Art I could improve next.''


    At the same time, Liam was undoubtedly close to breaking through the gaseous stage.


    It was a long timeing, all things considered.


    Roughly one or two weeks would allow him to advance.


    With that, Liam''s Primordial Forging would gain another boost in all aspects, and his prowess would naturally grow.


    ''I should ask Elder Aki for advice before making it, too.''


    Specializations were vastly different from each other, even in categories that might seem rted.


    For Liam to ask Elder Aki for advice, would be like a carpenter asking an electrician advice on how to do his job.


    It didn''t make sense.


    However, they could share the minute simrities between their work.


    In this case, Elder Aki was a Zenith forgemaster.


    Despite the conflicting specialization, she could give massive pointers for Liam on how to improve his work.


    ''The only issue is the type of person she is.''


    As Liam was absorbed in his thoughts, he entered through a vast jungle, infested by all kinds of critters and creatures.


    Giant trees ¨C lined with bright, see-through amber leaves ¨C formed arge canopy that didn''t actually block the sunlight.


    A faint but moist fog oozed through the air, which Liam recognized as unnatural.


    Liam was entering a danger zone, where several Rank 4 specimens lived.


    There were several trails of denser than usual ''Ora'' all around him.


    To find a Rank 4 beast, he simply had to follow the purest one until the end.


    What Liam chose to hunt was a lone-hunting species.


    Meaning it would usually prefer to stay alone despite having a high Rank tomand a pack with.


    It was an Acrid Skunk.


    Liam didn''t want to try his luck with the stronger species out there, even though they were avable.


    At least the Skunk wouldn''t give him too much troublepared to an Azure Tiger or a Six Tongued Gori.


    As he went further in, a foul smell entered Liam''s nostrils and singed his lungs.


    It was disgusting and nauseating, and even after closing his nose by force, it managed to sting at his eyes.


    If Liam was still a Rank 3, his entire body would be affected by that stench as he inhaled it.


    The surrounding trees were covered with a dark green ooze, which were signs of Liam entering the Skunk''s territory.


    From what Liam learned about the Spirit Beast, the Acrid Skunk was peculiar in its methods of hunting for prey.


    Puddles of pure acid surrounded the Skunk''s territory, which bubbled and gurgled on their own.


    On average, the Rank 3 body wouldst exactly 1 minute against that liquid before melting away entirely.


    Although it wasn''t as lethal as a wolf or strong as a bear, the skunk was not to be underestimated.


    Liam''s senses had already picked up on the beast below a small depression.


    The Acrid Skunk had greasy, dark green fur, with a single ck stripe running across its filthy back.


    It dripped with thick liquid that sizzled as it fell on the dirt below.


    It was on the bigger scale of Zenith beasts, 6.3 meters in width and height.


    There wasn''t anything special about its maw or ws, but its deadliest weapon was indeed, its natural stench and deadly spray from its underside.


    As of now, it slept peacefully, a gentle snore reverberating the air.


    Liam didn''t resort to any trickery.


    He didn''t want to test his luck, which he learned early on not to rely upon.


    Especially considering what his opponent was.


    Liam''s Chaos Pearl churned, spreading across his flesh and muscles, transforming them into something superior.


    As it hardened, Liam''s skin gained an aureate sheen.


    The ornate engravings on its surface grew deeper and more pronounced.


    Liam''s hair turned fully white.


    Every strand was brighter, glimmering like the edge of a sharp sword.


    A liquid, brass alloy slowly grew around Liam''s hands.


    Liam expected it to stop there, but it continued enveloping his limbs.


    Eventually, it solidified and covered his entire arms!


    All six of his arms were now covered by the gauntlets, which ended in ostentatious, crescent-shaped shoulder pads.


    The gauntlets were sleeker, brighter and lighter.


    But way denser than before.


    His teeth were smaller, but sharper. Human-like, almost, but not quite.


    Both his eyes glowed brighter, emitting light.


    He grew a few more inches in height, but his muscr body didn''t seem meaty or thick.


    Liam resembled a ferocious warrior from ancient times, but there was something eerie and unnerving about his ornate appearance.


    It was both wondrous and terrifying.


    If Liam''s strength was an ocean before, it was now a raging sea violently surging with waves of power.


    At the same time, Liam''s thoughts were being corroded by violence.


    ''The side-effects of transformation have gotten worse.''


    But he smiled nevertheless.


    As he thought that, the Acrid Skunk woke up with an abrupt screech.


    It sensed something dangerous.


    Very, very dangerous!


    It jolted out of its slumber and hectically looked around, its two ck, dotted eyes scanning the treeline.


    In the distance, something with six arms and multi-colored eyes was looking in its direction.


    It expected another beast.


    ¡­But whatever that was, was way worse.


    In the next moment, the six-armed creature kicked the ground¡ª


    BANG!


    And reappeared in front of it.

 Chapter 226 Minutes

    <h4>Chapter 226 Minutes</h4>


    Liam was too fast for the Skunk to react.


    His upper-right fist ¨C strengthened with churning chaos ¨C collided right across its pointy snout.


    BANG!


    Letting out a screeching cry of pain, the Skunk''s entire body jolted to the side due to the sheer weight behind Liam''s punch.


    Tufts of its fur began to secrete acidic goo, smoke and mist that tainted the air.


    Holding his breath, Liam used all his arms to smash downward against the Skunk''s head.


    Ayer of acidic, mud-like armor softened his blow, but his six arms struck like loaded hammers.


    BOOOM!


    A heavy shockwave rang out as the beast''s head met Liam''s knuckles.


    The Skunk''s head was forced downwards, but it let out another screech.


    ''Ora'' gathered at its underside, condensed, then ¨C as it whipped around with its tail rising ¨C made a shrill hiss as it released.


    WISSSSS!


    Liam leapt back with a strained scowl, dodging past a flurry of disgusting dark ooze intending to melt him.


    Parts of his skin, and especially his hands, sizzled with burning liquid.


    The gauntlets weren''t invincible.


    Skunk acid ate through the glimmering surface, but only half a nail''s length.


    They were still perfectly usable, and would reform once Liam had transformed again, but further damage could take away their strength.


    Evidently, even Liam''s Ashura Form wasn''t strong enough to suffer through the brunt of a Rank 4 Zenith.


    Especially when it came to the beast''s specialty.


    Despite that fact, Liam decided to test the limits of his prowess.


    Cocking his knees, he jumped in, fists zing with chaos as he uppercutted the Skunk''s acid-protected chin.


    BANG!


    Again, a series of loud booms and bangs rang out within the amber forest.


    Liam was giving the Skunk a hard time.


    There were only two things the Skunk was good at.


    Defense, and spewing acid.


    Its fur was exceptionally dense and thick.


    Despite that, Liam''s punches sent shockwaves shooting through its organs, stunning it at times.


    At the same time, Liam would just dodge the acidic attacks due to how fast and small he was.


    Blood started to spill from the Skunk''s snout and certain patches of its fur.


    If the fight went on, Liam could actually defeat a Zenith ranked beast on his own!


    ¡­But Liam was also wounded.


    His gauntlets and skin were singed by the acidic mist.


    His silver hair was riddled with pieces of green gunk, no longer glimmering.


    A piece of his ornate shoulder pad was missing.


    And as he fought, a vicious, bloodthirsty expression grew on his face.


    ROAR!


    Eventually, Liam''s bestial instincts had grown to its peak, forcing him to express his anger in the form of a long roar.


    The Acrid Skunk flinched and screeched in response, more ''Ora'' gathering around its body, creating a denser version of its armor.


    It now prioritized defense.


    At that point, Liam''s senses returned to him for a split second.


    That was enough for him to call it quits and turn around.


    The Skunk didn''t chase.


    It watched Liam growing distant with a cautious gaze, then skittered around and ran the opposite direction.


    Dashing away, Liam undid his transformation and gritted his teeth as a wave of burning pain washed over him.


    Bing an Ashura came with higher pain resistance, but his human side didn''t have such privileges.


    At first, Liam''s consciousness wasn''t consumed by the violent thoughts.


    Liam had absorbed two Rank 3 Beast Wills at a time for an entire month to expand his mind, after all.


    Increasing his mental energy countered the murking effects of his Ashura side.


    Still, it grew difficult to remain focused as the battle raged on.


    It was like Liam had to prove he was the victor.


    That he was superior to a beast.


    ''For me to go toe to toe against a Zenith is a good enough milestone.''


    Liam had actually tried using his Shadow with his Ashura Form.


    Unfortunately, he couldn''t make it work.


    Liam was only used to one kind of Shadow, after all.


    The Shadow of an Ashura had four more arms, and was much bigger than normal.


    By extension, it was much more difficult to control.


    After an hour or so, Liam found himself a safe cave to cultivate and heal his wounds in.


    He threw a pill in his mouth and regained a bit of energy, then waited for night to fall.


    He smelled horrible, and taking a bath was his next course of action.


    Thankfully, where his next victims were, there was plenty of water.


    ///


    The sound of gushing rivers surged beside arge boulder, resisting the fierce tides.


    Atop the boulder, were a few Sect buildings that looked newly made.


    Blue robed martial artists went this way and that, carryingrge boxes of various materials and tools in their hands.


    Somber looks were on their faces, but with it, resolve.


    What was once the mighty Endless Tide Sect, was now a relic of the past.


    Their Patriarch had died defending his disciples against a Rank 5 Dragon, and they were without his leadership.


    There were only a measly 43 disciples remaining.


    But they were still in the process of rebuilding their n, and with it, their name!


    ¡­Just then, a pale, gothic figure drenched with water appeared at their open gates.


    He was wearing full ck, wielded two des, and had witch-like nails and fingers.


    The Endless Tide disciples didn''t sense him.


    He was like a ghost wrapped in Shadow.


    A Wraith.


    A Revenant.


    A Phantom.


    In an instant, the figure burst into dark mes.


    Red and yellow stars acted as eyes.


    In the next moment, the Wraith turned into a thin streak of dark light that shot through the Sect perimeters.


    WHOOSH!


    SHING!


    SPURT!


    For a good two minutes, the figure went unnoticed.


    Every disciple the misty Wraith passed by, a red line appeared on their neck, followed by a spurt of blood and a rolling head.


    It helped that their screams were drowned out by the gushing waves of water.


    23 had died.


    Another two minutes passed.


    Another 14 followed.


    One more minute passed.


    A total of 43 disciples had been killed in just five minutes.

 Chapter 227 Light

    <h4>Chapter 227 Light</h4>


    Liam had dispelled his Wraith Form, breathing raggedly with a pale face.


    Liam pushed his body to the utmost limit.


    Although five minutes didn''t seem like much, it consumed massive amounts of Liam''s mental energy and bodily ''Ora''.


    Liam took a deep breath and slowly turned around.


    From the Sect gate to where he stood, were a trail of headless bodies.


    Liam was incredibly fast!


    If looked at from a distance, he probably resembled a panther chasing prey.


    Those poor Endless Tide disciples hadn''t even realized they were being picked off. Not until muchter.


    The Wraith Form provided unreal swiftness at a decent cost.


    ''This settles it. I''ll need to buy some Rank 4 materials now,'' Liam thought casually.


    Liam looted the space rings.


    He spent two days devouring the disciples to get back to full health.


    Eating people was much easier now.


    Liam''s semi-transformed teeth just ripped through a Rank 3 body like regr meat.


    Though, now that he had a Zenith body, the amount of nourishment required to progress was much higher.


    Way higher.


    Finishing up, Liam made his way towards the nearest prefecture.


    ''It seems like a period of peace will follow,'' Liam thought.


    ''Jargon hasn''t mentioned anything new within the Main Lands for a while now, other than that Matriarch''sa.''


    Periods of peace were most appreciated by Liam, but with how the Temple wanted to expand their territories, there was bound to be subsequent raids on nearby Sects.


    As of now, they were merely biding their time.


    Soon enough, Liam spotted a massive city that bustled with different sounds, buildings and martial artists.


    Truthfully, it had been some time since Liam entered a proper civilization.


    Living like a caveman didn''t bother him at all.


    Liam changed into a set of in robes.


    Using the King''s Eye, he hid away most of his defining features and tattoos, but didn''t mask his aura.


    Establishments that sold Rank 4 materials probably wouldn''t allow weaker cultivators to enter.


    Liam made his way through the gates, paying a small fee to the martial artist in front, then entered the city.


    Large, calligraphed signs pointed him in several directions.


    He made his way deeper in, where the stores grew continuously grander and sold more expensive items.


    ''Rare metals, pills, weapons¡­ there it is,'' Liam thought, making a beeline towards arge store with the insignia of a roaring lion on it.


    The vast interior, packed with hundreds of martial artists, resembled more of a museum than a store.


    All kinds of preserved Spirit Beasts and magical beasts were on disy behindrge ss containers.


    Most of them were alive, held together by impervious chains.


    A small, inscribed marble board underneath provided a description along with the price.


    However, there were only Rank 3 beasts and those below on disy.


    "Can I help you, young master?" a young store attendant appeared at Liam''s side.


    She was older, but far weaker than Liam, hence the respectful term.


    "Zenith beasts. Do you offer them?" Liam asked.


    After a short pause, she nodded.


    "Deeper in. 200 Stones if you want to examine them."


    Liam gave her the amount.


    A momentter, Liam was taken into a deeper section of the building, an underground segment.


    Down there, there weren''t any live Rank 4''s, but merely preserved containers of them.


    To suppress something like that required a chain at a simr Rank as them, but such an item was only made by an exclusive handful of Zeniths.


    Mainly, members of the Ravenous Leash Sect.


    Nevertheless, Liam took a look around.


    Not a lot of people lingered in such a ce, and they all looked like important members ofrger Sects. Attendants were held closely to their sides.


    A few of them belonged to the ruling Leash Sect, even.


    "Leave. I''ll look on my own," Liam told the attendant, who promptly left.


    The Rank 4 corpses were preserved so well, Liam felt like he was silently being tracked by their eerie, hateful eyes.


    They were so big that Liam had to creak his neck upwards to properly examine them.


    The creatures were separated by element.


    Arge portion of the space belonged to themon elements, while further up, a handful of darkness and light beasts were under a golden spotlight.


    Richer groups hung around that spot. Particrly around the light beasts.


    Even Liam was curious about those species.


    Due to his living circumstances always being centered around dark regions, light elemental beasts weren''t something he''d ever fought against.


    Atop a series ofrge podiums, was a Beam Snake with bright iridescent scales, a Reaper Wolf with white eyes, along with a Ten-legged Rabbit.


    They still radiated light due to how well they were preserved.


    Buying a normal Rank 4 beast with its body intact cost roughly 23,000 ''Ora'' Stones, which was a small fortune to say the least.


    Light beasts, however, cost a whopping 55,000, due to their rarity and magnificence.


    Darkness beasts were of a simr price, but slightly less, since they were a lot uglier appearance wise.


    Liam lost interest in those beasts and moved towards the darkness area.


    His eyes browsed through the avable selection.


    Liam had a few ideas of what to make for a higher ranked weapon, but theponents that went into it would significantly affect the end product.


    Obviously, the Beast Will would belong to a Rank 3.


    But if a few qualities coincided, it could make the imbuing stage, and several other processes, much easier.


    ''Should I go for sharpness?''


    ''No¡­ my enhancement inscriptions are already good enough. There''s no need to overuse that quality.''


    ''Something flexible?''


    Liam pursed his lips, then slowly shook his head.


    ''Probably not.''


    Liam''s fighting style was snappy and quick already. Phantom''s Way helped him maneuver his de in multi-directional ways.


    ''Rigidity, then?''


    Liam hummed to himself in thought.


    ''That... could work. I need something that couldst anyways.''


    Looking at the avable weapons, Liam chose to buy a Dusk Rhino''s horn, tusks and hide, costing him a lovely 29,000 ''Ora'' Stones.


    What Liam nned to make was a de that could hold his chaos.

 Chapter 228 Rhino

    <h4>Chapter 228 Rhino</h4>


    Covertly buying the necessary materials for his project, Liam returned to the Temple.


    A few people there gave him strange looks now and again, and Liam made sure he wasn''t followed on the way back.


    Entering his quarters, he took out the bought materials and made the necessary preparations.


    The Dusk Rhino had extraordinary defense.


    In fact, it had a unique way of fighting that wasn''t found in any other beast.


    Or was¡­ Liam''s knowledge of magical creatures wasn''t infinite.


    Simply put, the Dusk Rhino''s thick hide simply absorbed attacks and stored them, simr to Liams'' Throes of Anguish technique.


    Then, once it reached the maximum capacity, it discharged all the damage umted in its body through its horn.


    That one, overcharged attack could ruthlessly obliterate a Rank 4 body in a single instant.


    That was pretty much the only thing it was good at, though.


    The Rhino was irreparably slow, and its charges were easily counterable.


    Still, it was no wonder Liam wanted to imitate its special ability.


    The only issue that might surface from that would be his exnation of where his chaos woulde from, if Liam could make such a thing.


    ''It''s not like I can keep it hidden for long. If not for the Temple''s backing, I wouldn''t be able to make most of my inventions in peace anyway.''


    ''I doubt they could throw me away at this point.''


    All Liam could do was make the most out of his circumstances.


    Taking out his preservation containers, Liam took off his upper clothing.


    With his Rank 2 upper-tier katana, he stabbed right between his shoulder and chest, then leaned over his vessel.


    Blood poured into the container, but as the wound prepared to regenerate, Liam twisted the de to the sides, refreshing the gruesome cut over and over.


    For half an hour, there was a gentle pouring noise in his quarters.


    After three containers were filled to the brim with pure crimson, Liam divided his Rhino horn, tusks and skin between them.


    Hisplexion hadn''t paled except an unnoticeable amount despite bleeding so much in such a short time.


    ''And now, we wait.''


    With so much to do, Liam began to cultivate his core, Shadow and mental sphere, before working on the String Blood Art.


    Now that he didn''t need to nourish his body, it freed up several hours of his day that he put into strengthening his Shadow specifically.


    It was the most versatile power he currently had, after all.


    ///


    Months passed.


    Like Liam thought, there were several raids nned on the small-sized Sects near the newly imed mountain.


    Obviously, Liam nned to join them on those invasions, since there were massive rewards that came with it.


    To him, the bodies of fully Rank 3 cultivators were the biggest motivator.


    There was no other way for Liam to advance his body, after all, besides raising his other centers of power, which he did anyway.


    Liam checked up on the Rhino parts now and again.


    They were slowly gaining a red hue.


    But it did so at a snail''s pace.


    It would be at least a month or maybe two at least for it to fully soak.


    The Shifter was a gluttonous creature as usual, but now that Liam could suppress it to an extent, it was much more docile.


    Under the Temple''smand, Liam also made several weapons.


    Axes, bows, spears and daos.


    Liam was getting better at inventing.


    Having hours free out of his schedule allowed him to focus in areas that mattered the most.


    Some of the weapons he made were barely an inch away from the second Rank.


    Even his understanding of how to stack the Meanings atop each other was steadily improving.


    Liam was practicing for the forging of a Rank 3 weapon.


    Meanings that went into something like that weren''t simple in the least, and Liam didn''t overestimate himself.


    ''I could probably improve the Abyssal Needle too¡­ but that''s a separate project.''


    Making a Rank 3 weapon capable of containing his chaos was bing more and more usible.


    But only if Liam continued to refine his knowledge of the process.


    Eventually, the raids took ce.


    The Temple''s targets were, as usual, rundown, small-sized Sects that nobody would really care too much about.


    They didn''t ownrge plots ofnd, were isted from other ns, and had too many enemies to boot.


    At the end of every raid, Liam was tasked with taking care of the bodies.


    Liam did exactly that, by way of consumption.


    Nevertheless, the Temple had to ration their invasions carefully.


    Too many raids could cause the Ravenous Leash to grow restless, increase surveince, and send hunting parties to sniff out the issue.


    No one needed that.


    Eventually, after nearly a month, Liam made his advance to the liquid stage.


    The usual process ensued, where his gaseous core contents were transformed into liquid.


    As was the case when he advanced, Liam felt his body swirling with energy and new power.


    His darkness grew a leap more deadly.


    Enough to now corrode the sturdy bones of a Rank 3 beast.


    However, the gap between the liquid stage and solid stage had now grown as deep as a year.


    And for Liam, it was higher, since his cultivation was slower than most.


    At the same time, Liam took another jab at Niveh''s Blood Arts, tinkering with its Links.


    It was like trying to form a sentence in a foreignnguage, using only vague cognates to rearrange the jumbled pieces.


    Nheless, Liam carefully added a few Links of his own without changing the overall Meanings that came with the Blood Art.


    It took him another two weeks.


    And it was a semi-sess!


    Liam could now manipte the strings that came out of the blood-red tattoos on his fingertips.


    The strings could tense, shift and multiply on hismand.


    Their sharpness matched a Rank 2 weapon.


    It was his crystalized blood, after all.


    The only reason it was a semi-sess, was because of how long it took Liam to multiply the strings.


    In a real battle, nobody would be insane enough to wait until their opponent prepares an attack.


    Currently, all Liam could do was form two to three quick Strings that could take someone by surprise.


    Soon enough, though, he would be able tobine both speed and sharpness.


    After all of that, Liam checked in on the Rhino parts again.


    There weren''t any grey or ck spots remaining.


    They were fully crimson.


    It was time to start the project.

 Chapter 229 Horn

    <h4>Chapter 229 Horn</h4>


    There was still Elder Aki''s advice to take.


    Out of all the Elders, she was perhaps the busiest and most difficult to set a meeting with.


    Liam didn''t really me her.


    Forgemastery was a tiresome process that swallowed entire days in the blink of an eye, simr to Blood Weaving.


    And with the newly imednds, every Elder had a new responsibility to attend to.


    Eventually, though, a proper meet was arranged between them.


    They met in her forge room, an unnaturally hot space with air that was on the brink of singing Liam''s lungs.


    Gurgling and nging noises made Liam think he was entering a witch''s den.


    Shadowy inscriptions were riddled all over the walls and floor, converging to the Elder''s forging station in the center.


    "You''ve been growing fasttely," the Elder Aki said with a child-like voice, her gaze on a naked, ck de hung above a cauldron of bubbling chemicals.


    "You''ve already outgrown your peers," she added. "Well done."


    Elder Aki hadn''t worn her mask when forging, letting her silky, long red hair fall behind her back.


    Her menacing, crimson eyes didn''t match her child-like stature in the least, donned in the ck wrappings of the Temple.


    She had baster skin like most of the other acolytes, but a few cuts ran across her chin and forehead.


    Liam began with a respectful gesture.


    "I wanted to ask for your advice," Liam said.


    "I''m sure you know the difference in specializations," the Elder responded tersely. "No two processes are the same."


    Liam wasn''t discouraged.


    "I know. I''d still like an outside view."


    Elder Aki sighed.


    "Go on then."


    Liam nodded.


    "I''m making a Rank 3 weapon."


    There was silence.


    Elder Aki made her first Rank 3 weapon at the age of 20 as a Mortal ranked cultivator.


    She was called a genius for that feat.


    "Forging alone?" she asked with a raised brow.


    "With inscriptions," Liam answered.


    Liam always used his specializations together.


    This was what separated him from other experts.


    Liam was both a forgemaster and an inscription master, which was rare among most cultivators.


    Only throughbining the two could he make weapons far stronger than the norm.


    Still, that didn''t take away from his achievements one bit.


    Hearing his words, the Elder nodded. Her Rank 3 was made through forging alone, which made it seem grander in her eyes.


    For the next few minutes, Liam exined the processes of Primordial Forging by the Elder''s request.


    Aki''s expression remained uncharacteristically focused, but now and again, she would express surprise at how the forging method functioned.


    By the end of it, the Elder had just a few words of advice.


    "You''re thinking of the Meanings to rigidly! Instead of just trying to stack them atop one another, you should find ways to connect them, line them together, even diagonally for all I know."


    And that was it.


    That was literally all the Elder could give him before he was ushered out of her forge room.


    Nevertheless, it was useful.


    She pointed out a crucial w in his methods in just a few minutes, which Liam had been too tunnel-visioned to see.


    Liam hurried back to his quarters with a bit of excitement welling in his chest.


    He quickly took out the Rank 4 materials, as well as the core of a Rank 3 spirit beast.


    The closest species bearing simrity to the Dusk Rhino was the ck Armadillo, and that''s what Liam used as a Beast Will.


    First, he took to shaping and preparing the weapons.


    With how dense and rigid the skin, horn and tusks of a Dusk Rhino were, Liam couldn''t resort to making a katana or a wakizashi.


    In the first ce, those two were lithe weapons designed for sharpness, speed and lethality.


    As such, Liam couldn''t really resort to making his Rank 3 item in that shape.


    But Liam didn''t want to lose the true purpose of his project.


    des that could hold chaos.


    That was the goal.


    And that''s exactly what was nned.


    Since something capable of containing chaos would naturally be heavy-duty, Liam''s designs were centered around something with a sharp edge, but with arge body.


    Suddenly, something clicked in him.


    Liam had some proficiency in wielding chained weapons.


    It was a fighting style he learned practicing with his Dark Chains.


    Why not make something with both far-range and close-range capabilities?


    Liam got to work.


    First was the shaping.


    Rank 4 materials were hard to manipte.


    Liam started with the secondary parts first.


    The hilt, chains and pommel.


    Using his dense ''Ora'', he began to mellow out the sturdiness of a Rank 4ponent.


    It took time.


    Eventually, he shaped two sets of chains.


    Right after, he inscribed them.


    The chains would be the "charger" to absorb his chaos.


    After a week of trial and error, Liam managed to inscribe writings that withheld his chaos for barely two seconds.


    However, it would explode on its own just a momentter.


    But that was normal.


    There was no "discharger", after all.


    Liam moved towards the des.


    Obviously, he would make that from the Rhino''s horn ¨C the ck, lusterless, dense material.


    That took even more time.


    One week passed.


    A pool of sweat was gathering on the floor of Liam''s amodation.


    Throughout the entire week, Liam hadn''t eaten or drank anything. His brows were furrowed in concentration.


    He was purifying and shaping the horn nonstop.


    If he wavered for a split second, the horn would instantly harden or even break.


    Eventually, the horn took the shape of a slightly curved, gothic de.


    The weapon was as long as Liam''s forearm. It was thin, but had a wide breadth, roughly seven inches, and was single-edged.


    However, it had four teeth on its edges.


    Three small teeth lined the lower half of the de, with arger, deadlier, curved edge at the tip.


    Liam took a short break to replenish his energy.


    Then, he connected the chain, hilt, and de together.


    Some timeter, Liam conjured the Meanings to the Beast Will and applied them.


    Of course, he let them cook in his mind for at least another two weeks.


    Finally, he imbued it to the weapon.


    It was like trying to push the world down with a pushup.


    That was how difficult it was to insert a Beast Will into a Rank 4 material.


    Nheless, with how Liam purified and softened the material, he inserted 65% of Beast Will inside.


    The Dusk de buzzed uncontrobly, then abruptly stopped.


    A sess.

 Chapter 230 Dusk Blades

    <h4>Chapter 230 Dusk des</h4>


    Liam inspected the naked de.


    It looked terrifying and simultaneously beautiful.


    Sort of like Liam''s Ashura Form.


    Liam didn''t put the cart before the horse.


    There was still the matter of inscribing it.


    On its own, it was a Rank 2 upper-tier item!


    And it was just one de.


    There was one more that he needed to make with the remaining tusks¡­ but it was still a hard-earned sess.


    A tired smile appeared on Liam''s pale, bloodshot face.


    In the next instant, drowsiness washed over him like a gentle wave, forcing him to sleep.


    A full day of restter, Liam woke up and resumed his work.


    He absorbed blood equal to the size of a small child''s fist.


    He let it ravage his mental sphere for hours, since the cook method also worked with blood.


    Now that Liam''s ichor was purer, it naturally put a greater pressure on him.


    There wasn''t much Liam could do in the meantime besides grit his teeth and erge his core and Shadow.


    Eventually, Liam began conjuring the meanings.


    ''Charge, hold, discharge.''


    Liam repeated the same three words over and over in his head.


    The de had to do exactly that.


    Charge his chaos, hold it, then discharge it in one continuous process.


    It was difficult.


    Very difficult.


    But thanks to the width of the de, Liam could add supporting Links that could pin down his destructive Primordial Essence.


    For charging, Liam imagined a firework rocket being lit, then shooting into the sky.


    For holding, Liam imagined a boat being tethered by a heavy anchor.


    For discharging, Liam imagined an atom bomb exploding.


    With that, Liam carefully began putting down his Links on the vicious looking de.


    With each character written, Liam made several revisions of the entire edifice, checking for any errors he might have made.


    Blood-red characters now covered the Dusk de, which just so happened to be what Liam named the brutal weapon.


    After so much blood, sweat and pain, Liam picked up the Dusk de and gripped it in his hand, tightly coiling the ck chains around his arm.


    It felt just right in his hand.


    The chains themselves could extend a full 9 meters, which was more than enough for a long-ranged weapon.


    Now that it contained a Beast Will, the Dusk de oozed with a threatening aura.


    Everything from tip to hilt ¨C except the blood-made Links on its surface ¨C was a deep, umbral shade of ck.


    Liam took a deep breath, then heaved.


    Chaos churned at the base of the Dusk de.


    The chains, which were a deep shade of ck before, slowly intensified with a bright red glow, transferring from one link to another.


    Liam half-expected them to suddenly explode, but as he continued charging it with chaos, the crimson energies ran from the pummel then spread to the writings on the de.


    VVVMMM.


    The Dusk de buzzed as it surged with violent chaos.


    It was as though the red energies wanted to escape, but the writings kept a loose rein on them.


    But those reins wereing loose as Liam continuously supplied the weapon with chaos.


    Just as it was about to explode, Liam hurled the Dusk de towards the furthest wall.


    The chains rattled with a clinking noise as each section collided with the other, before the entire de pierced through the stone wall.


    BOOM!


    Stone shrapnel flew in every direction, but failed to cut through Liam''s skin or bruise him as it shot past.


    Liam yanked back the chains and inspected the Dusk de with the King''s Eye.


    The writings remained sturdy, and the de was unscathed.


    ''Rank 3. Around the middle of the lower-tier,'' Liam assessed with a growing smile.


    Finally, Liam had made a Rank 3 item!


    Whether or not it was something he had originally nned didn''t really matter.


    Once he dipped his toe into the pool of inventing higher Ranked items, it wouldn''t be long before better and improved ideas naturally came to him.


    That said¡­ there was still another de to make.


    Liam cursed, sighed, then started from scratch.


    ///


    Liam was done with making yet another Dusk de.


    It was slightly faster than before, since he had the added experience, but it still swallowed weeks of his time.


    It took him a total of 4 months.


    Liam practiced a bit with the new weapons.


    They were devastating.


    With each swing, entire pieces of his spacious triangr amodation were ripped and chipped.


    It retained both sharpness and durability, and would probablyst years even if Liam used them heavily.


    After everything was over and done with, Liam left his quarters.


    Liam exhaled a heavy breath as soon as he left.


    Both his eyes had been tainted by heavy shades of red, but his skin was dangerously pale.


    He hadn''t left for a long time.


    But he still didn''t n to rest.


    After all, one month earlier, more Royals had been spotteding to li.


    By now, most of the Main Lands were aware of a fugitive darkness cultivator in hiding.


    That, and a giant bounty of three million ''Ora'' Stones for whoever took his head.


    They weren''t given a name, but a general description.


    Name and appearance could easily be hidden.


    But not abilities and personalities.


    Liam''s bounty had described him well.


    ''Extremely dangerous, self-serving individual capable of mass murder. Short to average stature. Sword duel-wielder. Has illusionistic abilities. Has one golden eye. Rank 2 cultivator, presumably higher. Soft-spoken, but no words of his can be trusted.''


    And that was just the excerpt.


    Liam could only curse at the Royals for their annoying persistence.


    When the bounty was released, the Ravenous Leash Sect began to organize hunting groups.


    There were even talks of Zenith ranked cultivatorsbing the giant ind, but as of now, there was no such thing.


    Three million wasn''t a small number by any means, and could easily raise a small-sized Sect into a big one.


    For that reason, the Elders of the Temple of Shadow had contacted the Patriarch ¨C Unforgiven Shadow.


    Liam was a bit on edge on what the man would say.


    Despite all the months that he''d spent under the Temple''s rule, he didn''t even know what Rank he was.


    Eventually, his response came.


    "Make the necessary preparations."


    "Attackrger Sects."


    "The Temple will soon im the Leashes."

 Chapter 231 Disappointment

    <h4>Chapter 231 Disappointment</h4>


    Hearing Unforgiven Shadow''s response, Liam couldn''t help but feel a mix of emotions.


    A scowl formed on his face anyways.


    The Ravenous Leash Sect was arge-size Sect.


    They were the controllers and dominators of the entire bloody ind.


    And this maniac wanted to fight them?


    Though, Liam could read between the lines.


    The Patriarch was going to leave his seclusion.


    How long until then, the man didn''t really specify.


    Nevertheless, Liam wasn''t prepared for something of that caliber.


    Usually, therger Sects living in the Main Lands would have more than twenty to thirty Elders.


    Although the Ravenous Leash Sect was indeed arge-sized n, they weren''t as massive, otherwise they''d just live in the Main Lands themselves.


    However, they most definitely had around 10 to 15 Zenith cultivators in their midst.


    Not to mention, if the Temple were to attack them, they would obviously have to fight on their turf.


    Unless, of course, a trap of sorts were set in ce.


    Mid-size Sects were another headache, but they were somewhat manageable with the Temple''s forces.


    But before all of that, the Temple controlled a very small portion of the ind.


    Maybe 7%.


    Just 7%.


    This was after the raids on several small-size Sects like the Verdant Warrior Sect.


    On average, a mid-size Sect ruled roughly 7% of the ind.


    If the Temple made a sessful attack on them, they would almost double theirnds.


    But still, that would amount to 14%.


    And the Ravenous Leash Sect?


    They ruled over 46% of the ind!


    This meant that in order for the Temple to take over the entire ind, they had to defeat 7 mid-size Sects ¨C im their resources and martial arts ¨C just to stand a chance.


    ¡­It was suicidal!


    But the Temple was stubborn.


    Their Patriarch''s words were set in stone.


    At the same time, this n of action also meant that the Patriarch was a shield against the country-wide bounty on his head.


    Thus, Liam was pulled along into their reckless n.


    In fact, Liam decided to contribute in a massive way in order to raise their chances of survival.


    He met with Elder Jax first and asked how many operations he could do with the Dark Star.


    There were only twenty operations possible with the avable materials.


    "Why are you asking?" the Elder questioned.


    Liam gave him a deep look.


    "I have 2,000 people scattered around li. I want them to join the Temple."


    Slowly, the Elder''s eyes widened with shock.


    With newfound excitement, the Zenith instantly gave Liam the thumbs up.


    Thus, Liam called Jargon and ordered him to bring all the Blood Troupe members into the Sect.


    All around li, from market ces, gambling dens, dueling arenas, small-sized Sects all the way torge-size Sects, were individuals who migrated to the Ravenous Leash ind.


    Obviously, they were inconspicuous as they did so ¨C only traveling in groups of ten and through different methods.


    There was a confused outrage as talented disciples deserted their Sects and simply left without another word.


    Jargon himself was gaining a steady reputation as an up anding celebrity of the gangho.


    But he simply vanished one day.


    Simr to countless others.


    By the time they all gathered and arrived, Liam had met and briefed them on the current events.


    Jargon was relieved to see his liege stronger than ever.


    The entire Temple was shocked to see the huge following Liam had under his wing, especially how respectful they were to him.


    It didn''t take long for the two parties to hit it off.


    The highest ranking members of the Blood Troupe were under Elder Jax''s care.


    They mistook his wicked grin as a smile, unaware of the tortureying in wait.


    With the added force, the Temple was basically on the edge of bing arge-size Sect.


    There was nock of resources now that there was a surge of new wealth, techniques and manpower.


    As such, appropriate raiding squads were formed.


    The smallest Sectscking Zeniths now stood no chance whatsoever against the unstoppable onught.


    Slowly, the percentage ofnd owned by the Temple rose.


    Four months passed.


    From 7% to 12% in just four months.


    And that was only through exterminating Sects without any Rank 4 cultivators on their side.


    The Ravenous Leash was on the east.


    The Shadow of Temple was on the west.


    Slow and silent, the Temple''s reach was stretching over the western edges and epassing those in between.


    There weren''t any major attacks just yet, since the Elders had to prepare first ¨C which was what they were doing.


    Some Ravenous Leash Sect members were kidnapped and tortured for valuable info.


    Unfortunately, their martial arts were not kept on their person.


    An honest shame, since Liam actually had an interest in that sort of thing.


    From what Liam saw, it was a special Art that allowed them tomand a Spirit Beast, somehow connecting them to their core.


    Sort of like apanion.


    Nevertheless, they provided a small but valuable amount of info regarding theirworks and numbers.


    It was just a few low ranking members of the Sect, after all. They couldn''t afford to kill someone important.


    Another three months passed.


    Meanwhile, Liam made steady progress on most of his projects and evenpleted a few.


    The Shifter study had achieved a breakthrough.


    Liam realized the substitutes to the liquid darkness and ''Ora'' he was going to use.


    It was his Shadow and his blood.


    Both had alterable qualities.


    Beside that, all Liam did was really perfect his String Blood Arts and train his centers of power.


    At the same, Liam''s Shadow maniption had gotten much better.


    Over time, he learned how to envelop his Dusk des and merge shin-deep into the Sea of Darkness with his Shadows.


    And finally, a mid-size n ¨C the Alluring Fairy Sect ¨C was going to be attacked after months of preparations.


    It was a female only Sect.


    They fought using aphrodisiacs and mental spells, including a martial art that incited powerful desire.


    However, direct battles weren''t their strong suit.


    The entire Temple fought that battle, including all five Elders.


    Liam''s anticipation had reached its peak when he realized that fact.


    Though, once the raidmenced, he was pretty disappointed with how fast it was over.

 Chapter 232 Boring

    <h4>Chapter 232 Boring</h4>


    The raid on the Alluring Fairy Sect was very boring to say the least.


    Their fighting style was simr to the Will-breaker Wraith''s Liam met with in the Korsannds.


    Except, Liam didn''t have a reproductive organ.


    He couldn''t feel that kind of desire even if he wanted to.


    And he certainly didn''t.


    But that didn''t mean Liam didn''t n to get it back.


    He was a man at birth, and he certainly wasn''t interested in a gender change.


    The same couldn''t be said to his fellow female disciples, who deviously lurched at him, attempting to tear apart his clothes.


    Knocking them out was fairly easy, but Liam almost used his vicious Dusk des out of instinct.


    Those with greater willpower and mental capabilities easily overpowered the seduction effect of the Sect.


    For one, there was a simple Formation that rxed one''s senses and nerves as they went deeper in.


    Even Liam was affected somewhat, but there was always the good ol'' stab yourself trick that helped him regain his senses.


    And from thereon out, it was a brutal ughter.


    With the new forces, the number of shadowy assassins had increased by more than twenty.


    However, they weren''t weak like acolytes.


    Most of them were Shadows, and the rest were Disciples.


    Jargon, the most powerful among them, led an entire squadron after getting his Tattoos and gaining the Temple''s trust.


    After the Outer Ring of the Sect had been effortlessly ughtered, they moved inside.


    The Temple of Shadow stumbling on the Alluring Fairy Sect was like a bloodhound finding a kitty.


    They just didn''t stand a chance.


    The fight between the Elders was also disappointing.


    There was no grand sh that toppled buildings or crushed massive structures.


    The Alluring Fairy Sect had 4 Zenith Elders.


    Elder Jax, Orisa, Verium, Aki, and Jane allbined their strengths to silently kill them off one by one.


    Once a name was ticked off, they moved to the next, and so on.


    Even the Matriarch didn''t stand a chance. In the first ce, their fighting style - if it could be called that - required preparation, which they didn''t have.


    Through that slow but effective strategy, their minds were also not affected, since they could look for each others'' backs.


    Like so, the Alluring Fairy Sect had been killed off, and theirnds/resources/martial-arts were all imed.


    All they really had were spells and Arts that could enhance beauty and change facial and bodily structures for women only.


    This was the product of relying on weakness, Liam realized.


    If the Fairies were a little more proficient in killing and battle, they wouldn''t have met such a disappointing and boring death.


    Nevertheless, the Temple of Shadows'' territories had grown to 16%.


    Mid-size Sects were mighty.


    And this assault was merely a lucky dud.


    Any other raid would give them massive amounts of trouble.


    But now that they gained the resources of a mid-size Sect, that trouble was lessened.


    It was a paradoxical situation, but it worked in the Temple''s favor.


    The Temple spread their resources and stabilized all their territories.


    It wasn''t like they were infallible ¨C the Ravenous Leash Sect made regr deals with the various Sects around them.


    In fact, this was the case with nearly all the Sects the Temple took over.


    They naturally had connections with other ns.


    Some alliances, some enemies, and some neutral.


    All the Temple really did was switch their appearances, then ''respectfully'' cut them off.


    This included the Alluring Fairy Sect.


    So what did the Temple do?


    They simply took the Fairies'' ce and cut all contact with the Ravenous Leash Sect.


    Obviously, this would raise more than a few brows.


    But this was the Alluring Fairy Sect.


    Everyone knew them to be unpredictable and strange.


    In the first ce, it wasn''t strange for a woman to suddenly cut all contact with a suitor.


    Wasn''t there something like that back on Earth?


    ''Ghosting'', it was called.


    That''s exactly what the Temple did in the Fairies'' ce.


    And it worked!


    A few high ranking disciples of the Leash Sect came to visit.


    Usually, they would be allowed through the front gates of thevish Sect.


    However, even as they dered their arrival and asked to be let in¡­


    Nobody responded.


    Not a sound.


    The Leash members called out in a louder voice than before, a desperate cry that did its best to sound dignified.


    ...No response.


    With their faces slightly getting redder, they called out for a third and final time.


    Still nothing.


    And so, they left, faces red with humiliation and anger.


    When they left, a few snickers resounded within the quarters of the Sect.


    Theyughed like children who''d done something naughty and didn''t get caught.


    From that point on, there was no longer any contact between the Ravenous Leash Sect and the Alluring Fairies.


    ''I''m dumbfounded how that worked,'' Liam thought with a taken-aback look after the whole charade was over with. ''This world is strange.''


    And it was Maeve who came up with the idea of all people.


    Nheless, the Temple grew, and they were a few steps closer to their goal.


    Defeating arge-size Sect didn''t seem like such a far-fetched idea anymore.


    Obviously, there was a lot of time left before their next attack on a mid-size Sect.


    Now, they would focus on the smaller ns and utterly cleanse the western side of any difficult adversaries.


    With their new prowess and abilities, that went without a hitch.


    Meanwhile, Liam didn''t spend a single day without something important to do.


    More than a year had passed with him overworking himself with no rest.


    Liam made improvements to the Abyssal Needle, the String Blood Arts, and even began working with the Blooder''s Blood Arts.


    Liam''s facial and physical features had maturedpared in that time span.


    He had shortened his hair to shoulder length, since it would''ve dragged behind his feet if he let it grow.


    His eyes had gained a distant but brilliant quality.


    It was the effect of expanding his mental sphere nearly twice the speed of a normal cultivator.


    The Rank 3 Beast Wills, Psionic Rune, and his Rank 2 blood that he constantly absorbed for inscriptions.


    Liam''s mind naturally worked at a higher pace than usual, giving him a schrly air.


    It looked like he was always in deep thought.


    The opposite was true when Liam''s coldness seeped.


    When that happened, even Liam''s strongest allies didn''t feel safe around him.

 Chapter 233 Black Hole

    <h4>Chapter 233 ck Hole</h4>


    The improvements done to the Abyssal Needle weren''t enough to bring it to the third Rank.


    There were several reasons for this.


    One, Liam couldn''t make something so intricate with Rank 4 materials.


    Without a stronger core, manipting, purifying and shaping Rank 4 materials was extremely difficult.


    It had taken Liam 4 months to make the Dusk des, after all.


    And even then, he had to center it around the Rhino tusk and horn''s curved shape.


    Meanwhile, the Abyssal Needle consisted ofplicated, small-sized parts.


    It was no wonder Liam had to resort to weaker materials.


    Secondly, the Abyssal Needle was a fairly new item.


    The only reason Liam could make the Rank 3 Dusk des was because he had years of experience working with des, daggers and swords.


    And thirdly, Liam hadn''t advanced to the solid stage yet.


    There was just so much work!


    Shadow darkening and erging, Shifter studying, inscribing, forging, Blood Arts tinkering, raids, body devouring, and general cultivation.


    Liam had to alternate between these responsibilities.


    There was not even a second that was wasted.


    With how umbral his Shadow had be over the past year, Liam understood its properties much better.


    A Shadow was mercurial in nature.


    Just like how its shape could change, so could its properties.


    Liam could now submerge his entire body into the Sea of Shadows.


    But that was the extent of his control.


    Teleporting or swimming beneath the ground was still not possible, but he was getting close.


    Liam had been practicing adding his blood into the Shadows.


    For that, he needed to change the properties of his Shadow into a pulling, absorbing force.


    That was extremely difficult.


    When Liam added blood to his Shadow ¨C or attempted to envelop the liquid ¨C it simply fell through it and stained the floor.


    Liam tried adding absorption Meanings to the droplet of blood, then attempting it again.


    Unlike before where it went straight through, there was a reaction.


    Momentarily, the droplet of blood gained a shadowyyer, enshrouding it, before dripping to the ground anyway.


    Liam made a realization.


    Both the Shadow and blood came from the body.


    Only, they werepletely different in source.


    The blood was internal, the Shadow was external.


    Liam had to bridge the gap between them if he wanted tobine the two.


    And the key was probably his mental energy, since it gave his ichor special properties.


    If anything, Liam now needed to think of something with a powerful absorption to add to his Meanings.


    There was one thing that came to Liam''s mind when he thought that.


    A ck hole.


    If Liam managed to ''form'' a ck hole¡­


    Then there was a high chance both properties wouldbine.


    Obviously, he couldn''t actually make a ck hole.


    To do so, for example, he''d basically have to condense the Earth to the size of a penny.


    Instead, he''d just imitate the absorption abilities.


    Even then, his mind wasn''t at a strong enough level for that.


    All he could do as of now was practice, train and study.


    Meanwhile, the Temple stabilized their gains.


    And there were a lot of resources they could spread around the Sect.


    Even the Elders had gained the necessary supplies to grow.


    Also, the martial arts from every Sect didn''t actually go to waste.


    In fact, the acolytes regrly picked out whatever they fancied from the annihted ns.


    Some had even learned the Verdant Warrior Arts and Alluring Fairy Arts, among countless others.


    There wasn''t anything that impressed Liam, so he opted out of those choosings.


    The only thing Liam had his eye on was the Ravenous Leash martial arts.


    Now, the amount of territory the Temple owned was 19%.


    Almost a quarter of the western side of the ind was owned by them.


    Not all Sects were annihted.


    Some were just trade-centered Sects, which were a source of wealth for the Leashes.


    If they were attacked, it would definitely raise suspicion.


    Obviously, it wasn''t like the Leashes were stupid.


    They were aware of something strange taking ce within the ind.


    Specifically, how most of the western Sects had gone rtively quiet.


    They still paid their yearly fee, which every Sect under the Leash''s rule did, but it was still a bit weird.


    Naturally, they investigated.


    They didn''t find anything wrong, other than a few irregrities that were too far-fetched to reach a conclusion with.


    There didn''t seem to be any attacks or invasion, but there was still an eerie aura on the western side of the ind.


    First the Oracle''sa-inducing vision, then the disappearance of so many disciples, and now this¡­


    There were too many strange events taking ce!


    Nevertheless, with the arrival of Royals, there were meetings the higher ranking members of the Sect needed to attend to.


    Everyrge-sized Sect had responsibilities to the Seven Great ns.


    Not to mention, there were several tournaments and events happening within the Main Lands.


    Any time a Sect challenged another Sect for their wealth andnd, it would be in public for the gangho to see.


    Because of that, most of their investigations weren''t given a second look.


    All the while, the Temple was slowly but steadily raising their kill count.


    More months passed.


    More attacks happened.


    More martial artists were killed.


    More resources were reaped.


    Morend was imed.


    22% exactly.


    The dark, shadowy roots of the Temple were spreading in every direction.


    Liam reveled in the period of peace, since he was able to grow his strength without anyone restricting him.


    During that time, he was even taught a few tips and tricks by all the Elders.


    Liam had given them more than two thousand acolytes, after all.


    Even the stern-faced Elder Verium cracked a smile at him now and again.


    Eventually, another attack on a mid-size Sect took ce.


    They had challenged a stronger Sect this time.


    The Ravaging me Sect, the base of which was in a danger zone where Rank 4 fire beasts resided.


    If they could im this Sect, the Temple''s strength would grow to around 30%.


    The battle between the Temple and Ravenous Leash Sect wasing close.

 Chapter 234 Victors

    <h4>Chapter 234 Victors</h4>


    ?


    The Ravaging me Sect.


    Their entire base was basically an impregnable red fortress built to resist the tides of Rank 4 fire beasts.


    Its surroundings were a fiery forest withrge leaves that naturally burned on their own.


    Paired with soaring temperatures that no sane person would dare enter normally.


    Because of that, the Temple had to resort to something different.


    In preparation, every acolyte wore special heat-resistant clothes.


    Liam himself didn''t feel too bothered.


    The Infernal tempering method''s heat resistance abilities were strengthened to a Rank 4 level.


    He merely felt a gentle warmth.


    To begin the assault, the Elders began provoking the Rank 4 beasts around the Sect.


    A lot of them.


    Way more than what was ssified as a tide.


    Since Zeniths could fly, attacking and fleeing from a Rank 4 beast wasn''t difficult at all.


    All five of the Elders circled around different habitats, poking a beast, then flying away as they were angrily chased.


    Rinse and repeat.


    Slowly, an avnche of Rank 4 Spirit Beasts were forming.


    A rumbling noise spread through the air and trembled the ground.


    A Rank 3 Ravaging me disciple ¨C wearing an orange robe and styled with short red hair ¨C furrowed his brows as he stood over the Sect''s borders.


    "What is¡­"


    The disciple stuttered with a curse.


    His senses screamed danger from all sides, roars, explosions and howling sounds mixed among the cacophony of noises steadily growing nearer.


    However, the man wasn''t extremely worried.


    Stuff like this happened more than once during their lives.


    They didn''t build their base in the middle of such a dangerous area without having the necessary preparations.


    The disciple ¨C and several others stationed around the border ¨C was in charge of the Defensive Formation.


    As the tides of Rank 4 beasts came closer, the disciple oozed confidence and snarky arrogance.


    Dramatically, he imbued the token with ''Ora'', at the same time as all the other Border Guards.


    ¡­


    Nothing happened.


    No wall of force or me grew around the border.


    And the tide of Rank 4 wolves were dangerously closing the distance.


    The man''s snarky and dumbfounded expression was slowly reced with despair.


    Someone had disabled the Defensive Formation!


    Why?!


    Dark tufts of a massive Razing Wolf''s fur started to burn, starting from its tail, then spreading across its body and reaching its maw.


    By the end of it¡ª


    BOOOOOM!


    A beam of wild mes burst from its mouth, shooting towards the Rank 3 disciple and several others at once.


    They died instantly.


    Dozens of Rank 4 beasts barged into the Sect.


    It was havoc.


    Often, the weakest disciples lived within the outeryers of a Sector.


    They were free meals.


    After them, were the stronger, talented disciples.


    They were also free meals.


    However, before the Zenith beasts could fully devour them, the Ravaging me Elders shot out of their quarters to deal with the threat.


    With how far apart the Sect grounds were, and the unexpectedness of the attack, the Elders couldn''t save the outer disciples.


    After all, the Defensive Formation was there for a reason!


    A sh ensued between man and beast.


    Usually, Zenith cultivators didn''t have any issue with fighting Zenith beasts.


    It was three centers of power versus two, after all.


    Intellect versus bestial instinct.


    But there were only 6 Elders against more than 34 beasts.


    As the sh continued, the Elders were actually losing!


    They were forced to use all their strongest and most devastating spells, leaving them exhausted.


    Slowly, the Elders were losing their ground.


    They were readily being pushed back from all sides.


    Fear grew on their faces.


    Suddenly, a thundering boom rang out from the center of the Sect.


    The Patriarch hade out to support his Elders against the tide!


    He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with long red hair and ming orange eyes.


    He had an aged appearance, but that didn''t take away from his strength.


    He wore a red robe with embroidered mes.


    A disdainful look was on his face.


    With a wave of his hand, raging crimson mes burst forth and roared back at the Zenith beasts.


    Pained howls and roars rang out from all sides.


    Another titanic battle ensued!


    With the help from a solid-stage cultivator, the beasts were all swiftly dealt with.


    All of them heaved exhausted but relieved sighs.


    Their robes were shredded and their skin burnt.


    They had won in the end, but lost at the same time.


    There were massive beast bodies littering the Sect grounds.


    ¡­But also the remains of their disciples.


    More than a quarter of their people were lost.


    Old me, the Sect''s Patriarch, shook his head in pity and sorrow.


    He looked a bit tired, using his strongest spells to deal with the threat as fast as possible.


    "Who turned the Defensive Matrix off?!" his angered, aged voice spread across the region.


    A response came in the form of a ck spear tearing through the air.


    WHISH!


    The spear was so fast, it pierced Old me''s sr plexus in an instant.


    As Old me coughed blood, a human Shadow separated from the spear.


    Before the Zeniths of the Ravaging me Sect coulde to their leader''s defense, four shadows shot at them from different directions.


    Verium held a sharp-looking dagger of condensed liquid in one hand, and the ck spear in the other.


    Twisting the spear deeper, Verium stabbed the Patriarch''s neck with the dagger.


    BOOM!


    As soon as it entered Old me''s neck, it hissed and exploded.


    Obviously, the liquid weapon was a Rank 4 spell.


    The Patriarch''s neck folded due to the force, but he wasn''t dead.


    Wild mes burst from his body and enshrouded him, blowing Verium away and charring a patch of the Elder''s skin.


    WHOOOSH! BOOOOM! KRSH!


    Liam watched the battle from afar.


    Due to how exhausted the Ravaging me disciples, they couldn''t take advantage of their higher numbers.


    In contrast, all of the Temples'' Elders were in peak condition, and they had prepared extensive countermeasures against the Ravaging me Sect.


    With so many injuries on his body, Old me''s fire slowly died down as the battle continued, and with a spear tip to the neck, he died after.


    After an hour-long, razing battle, the Temple emerged victorious.

 Chapter 235 Advancement

    <h4>Chapter 235 Advancement</h4>


    It was finally over.


    The battlefield had be utterly deste.


    Most of the fortress had been razed to the ground, but only the Pavilion in the middle stood erect.


    Usually, this would be a ring evidence of the Temple''s existence.


    But this was a danger zone.


    The Leashes wouldn''t bother entering unless there was a major issue regarding the yearly fee.


    Meanwhile, the Temple Elders weren''t in good shape.


    Especially Verium, who''s entire right side was burnt to a dark crisp.


    All around, beast and human corpsesy.


    Specifically, 36 Spirit Beasts in the fourth Rank.


    Liam''s eyes were filled with avarice and hunger.


    Liam''s body was in the middle of the lower-tier, even though more than a year had passed.


    Unfortunately, the devouring method wasn''t really the fastest way for him to progress.


    Anytime Liam devoured a beast or human, the nourishment spread evenly between his core, body and Chaos Pearl. And the Lifeforce would enhance his blood.


    He also had to take pauses in order to digest the meals.


    If it was just his body, Liam would have pushed past the lower-tier already.


    But now, with so many Zenith beast bodies, Liam was entitled to several corpses.


    It wouldn''t help him advance, but it would sure bring him closer.


    Liam could probably hunt Rank 4 beasts himself. His mental faculties were much strongerpared to before.


    Liam could probably control his Ashura Form much better now.


    Though, he hadn''t tried since his first attempt, due to the constant stream of raids he took part in.


    ''I didn''t get a chance to use my Dusk des either...''


    Liam used the Dusk des only once since its invention.


    The martial artist he used it against only had a peak Rank 3 body.


    With just one swing across the man''s body, his body had been cleaved from shoulder to hip.


    And that was from sharpness alone!


    Liam had hid the des from sight ever since.


    He had hoped to use them against the Ravaging me, but the beasts and Elders did everything.


    "Those of the fire element will learn their martial arts," Elder Verium said with a strained tone, flying above the acolytes.


    The remaining Elders were already flying back to the Temple''s main underground base, tending to their wounds.


    "Until then, we will stabilize and recruit new forces."


    "Only two more attacks remain!"


    That was all the Elder said before leaving the Shadows to guide the remaining acolytes.


    Now, the Temple controlled over 30% of the ind!


    The only issue was¡­ theycked numbers.


    There was so muchnd and territory that there weren''t enough people to control them.


    There were only 2,531 Temple members in total.


    But 30% of the ind could house up to ten thousand and more.


    It was clear that the Temple needed to recruit more forces.


    They were already in the process of doing so.


    Some Sects held extremists like themselves. Those that imitated the Temple''s cause and whatnot.


    Meanwhile, Liam helped the Shadows in salvaging the remains of the Ravaging me Sect.


    Shock fell on their faces as they saw him carrying a Rank 4 Spirit Beast on his back and piling them atop one another.


    There were at least eight on that pile.


    They were injured and bloody, but Liam chose them on purpose.


    He picked quantity over quality, since it was much more effective to grow his body.


    "I can have these, right?" Liam asked Krel, who looked at him nkly. The other Shadows and Disciples were there too.


    Everyone knew of Liam''s personality.


    He rarely came out of his den, but when he did, his threatening aura was imposed on everything.


    Thankfully, he didn''t stay out for too long.


    "Uh¡­ did you tell the Elders?" Krel asked.


    Liam nodded firmly.


    ''Not this time,'' he conveniently forgot to add. ''But they won''t mind.''


    "Then, uh¡­ yeah, okay. It''s not really my authority to say otherwise."


    Liam gave a curt nod before packing everything together with a sturdy inscribed rope, the thick end of which was tied around his waist.


    Then, he dragged the beasts away.


    Sometimeter, he secluded himself for weeks and ate everything, but still didn''t enter the middle-tier.


    ''So slow,'' Liam scowled a bit. He was inside the bandits'' hideout, hidden behind the waterfall.


    ''At least my blood and core are improving. I''ll probably advance to the solid-stage in two more months.''


    ¡­But a secondter, something strange started to take ce within his Chaos Pearl.


    Liam''s brows furrowed.


    It was changing!


    Scalding heat exploded in Liam''s sr plexus, forcing him to grunt suppressively.


    VVVVVMMMM.


    Liam''s entire body shook uncontrobly.


    Chaos surged through Liam''s Pearl and seeped through his skin, but strangely, it didn''t explode.


    It was condensing.


    At the same time, the dense alloy walls of his Pearl were starting to tighten and shrink to the size of a pinhead.


    Liam felt as though his heart was getting squeezed.


    Although the Chaos Pearl was a center of power, it was just like any other organ.


    He could very much feel pain from it.


    A few minutes passed as Liam''s crimson chaos continued to burst and surge wildly.


    Finally, it stopped.


    Liam heaved a sigh of relief, then took a deep breath.


    As his surprise died down, it was reced with a broad smile.


    He examined the Pearl with mental energy.


    Instantly, he realized how denser his Primordial Essence was.


    ''So this could advance too¡­ of course it can.''


    ''It took more than 3 years, though, just to get to the second Rank.''


    Three years had passed since Liam had be an Ashura.


    During that time, he''d devoured countless corpses, not to mention, high ranking Zenith beasts.


    ''Out of all my centers of power, this has to be the most difficult to advance.''


    Three years just to advance to the second Rank!


    Even the sea of consciousness, arguably the most important center of power, took Liam almost two years to advance to.


    ''No wonder my progress is so slow.''


    ''...But it has to be equally strong, right?''

 Chapter 236 Nine

    <h4>Chapter 236 Nine</h4>


    Suddenly excited, Liam decided to test out his newly advanced chaos.


    He heaved a breath.


    Slowly, he willed it out of his right palm.


    Unlike before, where it would take a second or two for the chaos to leave his hand, it was almost instantaneous now.


    Chaos condensed into Liam''s cupped hand, slowly growing until it took the form of a small, glowing crimson sphere.


    It threatened to burst¡­ but didn''t.


    SHHHHHHHH!


    It violently sent gales in every direction, causing Liam''s hair and clothes to flutter restlessly.


    The repulsion effect was incredibly strong, bending space and air much stronger than before.


    Liam had never gathered so much chaos in one spot.


    Before, it''d be the volume of four fingers, no more.


    If he exceeded it, it would instantly explode.


    The chaos itself was brighter, illuminating a decent portion of the dark cave with a red glow. Streaks of red would crackle on its surface like lightning.


    Liam stopped adding more chaos.


    His newly advanced Pearl wasn''t full, and the chaotic sphere already emptied it.


    Also, any more would most definitely cause it to explode.


    Still, he held onto it.


    Liam wanted to see how long it wouldst before exploding on its own.


    Four seconds passed.


    Liam suddenly felt a high amount of danger radiating from the growing mass of Primordial Essence.


    One''s own element could not hurt oneself.


    However, chaos was unpredictable.


    Who was to say Liam wasn''t hurt by his own hand?


    Other than the intentional times, of course.


    ''Best not test my luck.''


    With that, Liam casually hurled it at the distant wall.


    SSHHHHHHHH!


    As it left his grip, the sphere of chaos took its time soaring through the air.


    It repelled air, space and matter until eventually colliding with the concave wall.


    For a split second, blinding red light filled Liam''s vision, before condensing back to the sphere''s size.


    BOOOOOOOM!


    A deafening shockwave rang out within the cave, even momentarily blowing away the waterfall to Liam''s left.


    Where the sphere of chaos had hit, there was no longer any stone.


    A massive crater nearly 6 meters in diameter and 4 meters in depth was what remained.


    Shrapnel flew in every direction.


    Liam''s eyes were wide with shock.


    He quickly realized why it took so long for the Pearl to advance.


    It was insanely devastating!


    In his stupor, Liam assessed the amount of chaos his Pearl could hold.


    Specifically, how many chaotic spheres he could hurl just like this one.


    Nine.


    Nine, devastating bombs he could hurl with no required technique or spell.


    Over time, this number could increase.


    The pouring of the waterfall returned, and the cave was filled with silence.


    Liam couldn''t help but chuckle under his breath.


    This was massive.


    It wasn''t even considering how much stronger his applications of chaos could be.


    The Dusk des, his Ashura Form, his spells, etcetera.


    In truth, Liam couldn''t keep his Ashura Form active forever.


    It ran on fuel.


    Chaos, precisely.


    If the chaos ran out, Liam would be pulled back to his Half-Human, Half-Ashura Form.


    But now, he could afford to stay as an Ashura for longer periods of time.


    ''I need to make a higher ranked spell now that it''s stronger.''


    One of the issues with spellmaking, was the failed uracy between the Meanings, and the actual output of the cultivator.


    For example, if Liam imagined his chaos as an atomic bomb going off, that didn''t mean it suddenly became an atomic bomb.


    However¡­ it would be a different story altogether if his chaos actually had the destructiveness required for a spell like that.


    And, well, if his mind was strong enough to conjure meanings like that, which it obviously wasn''t.


    Eh¡­ maybe one day.


    Nevertheless, Liam now wanted to make a stronger spell.


    Something capable of expressing the might of his Rank 2 Chaos Pearl.


    His sea of consciousness was certainly up to the task.


    A Rank 2 Magus could make Rank 2 spells at maximum.


    Making a Rank 3 spell with a Rank 2 mind was also possible.


    However, it massively depended on theprehension of a cultivator, his Ink, and his Linking ability.


    The Meanings would essentially hit a roadblock when trying for a Rank 3 spell, held back by the lower ranking mental sphere.


    ''It shouldn''t be impossible. I can make something that just builds upon the Controlling Chaos spell.''


    ''I should make one for my darkness as well.''


    Done with his musings, Liam cloaked himself with his Shadows, then burst out of the waterfall.


    Liam''s speed was explosive.


    With his Shadow deepened and erged, Liam could envelop 95% of his body.


    When he focused it down only to his legs, he could run at a total speed of 130/km per hour.


    Paired with Vanishing Steps, Liam could close gaps in basically a blink of an eye.


    ''Pretty soon, I can submerge myself in the Sea of Darkness,'' Liam smiled


    It didn''t take long for Liam to arrive at the Temple''s underground.


    Since his standing was a bit special with the Elders, he was given a Shadow''s amodation.


    That, and the fact that Liam destroyed three of his previous amodations due to his experiments.


    The Elders pretty much gave them a new house out of annoyance.


    Liam entered his quarters and didn''t leave for the next few months.


    The Temple Shadows, Disciples and Acolytes started making bets on when he''d leave.


    "Before or after the next major attack?" Oro announced with a smile, the organizer of such a betting ring.


    "Before!" said one acolyte, waving ''Ora'' Stones in the air.


    "After!" said another, searching his pockets for money.


    "Probably a month or two. Who knows what that maniac is doing now," said Ruth with a knowing smile.


    "My liege is most talented and sane. Please refrain frombeling him a maniac," Jargon sent Ruth a sharp re, which she met with one of her own.


    "Liege this, liege that. Go liege yourself some maidens," Ruth responded in disdain.


    As the two bickered endlessly, more prediction bets poured in.


    Of course, all of this had to be hidden from the Elders'' gaze, unless¡ª


    "OI! Didn''t I tell you not to gamble and waste time?!"


    Elder Verium''s angry voice rang out from behind, and everyone instantly dispersed like the shadows they were.

 Chapter 237 Spells

    <h4>Chapter 237 Spells</h4>


    Liam had two ideas for both darkness and chaos.


    For the former, he wanted it to synergize with his Shadow.


    Something that could remove the illumination of a small area in order for his Shadow to work at full strength.


    A smoke bomb, to be exact.


    Something like that required gaseous darkness, held together by a solid, darkness-made container.


    It had to be big enough to envelop Liam''s fighting range, andst at least 30 seconds.


    And for thetter, he would just build upon the Controlling Chaos spell.


    Harnessing the power of his chaos required Liam to dy its destructive power.


    Otherwise, it would just be a one-dimensional energy that could only destroy.


    There had to be more to it than that.


    Obviously, Liam didn''t have any problem with the explosiveness of his chaos.


    But if he could decide when it exploded¡­ that would be massively different.


    Overall, the former would be a Rank 2 spell, while thetter a Rank 1.


    Since darkness was so much more malleable and easy to manipte, Liam could definitely make something like that.


    He had already made several Rank 0, and even Rank 1 spells with simple functions.


    They didn''t really help his battle prowess at all, but they were good practice.


    Not having it explode in his face (like a certain red energy) was always nice.


    ///


    It took roughly three weeks for Liam to make the spell, which he subsequently named Shadow Bomb.


    To extend the Shadow Bomb''s lifespan, Liam added a bit of liquid darkness to moisten the noxious gas.


    By the end of it, he had seeded.


    In his amodation, Liam ced several torches all around.


    Then, Liam activated the spell.


    Tendrils of darkness gushed from his right hand, swirling over his palm to form a in, ck sphere.


    It was small, barely the size of a baseball.


    Liam shook the sphere, which let out a muffled slosh with every shake.


    Liam then cloaked himself with his Shadow, which was weakened by the illumination.


    A momentter, Liam forcefully threw the ball on the floor.


    BOOF!


    Dark gas instantly filled Liam''s entire amodation, oozing through the cracks of his ceiling.


    The fire torches were instantly extinguished, and Liam''s Shadow reverted back to full strength.


    Its effect lingered for exactly thirty seconds, before slowly dissipating into little wisps of fading smoke.


    Liam took a deep breath and heaved, his bloody eyes drooping with exhaustion.


    That took time.


    But it was an astounding sess.


    At the age of 17 and a half, Liam had finally made a Rank 2 spell!


    ''I just know making something with chaos is going to be even more of a pain.''


    Liam shook his head.


    ''At least I''m close to advancing. It should be another week at most.''


    ///


    Another three weeks passed.


    That was the amount of time Liam took to make a Rank 2 darkness spell.


    The Shadow Bomb.


    And it took him the same amount of time to make a Rank 1 chaos spell.


    Oh, and during that time, Liam also advanced to the solid-stage.


    His darkness had grown unadulteratedly ck and lethal, but Liam didn''t get a chance to test out its power.


    He was too focused on making a chaos spell.


    Liam quickly realized how hard it was to dy the explosion of his newly advanced chaos.


    It was extremely difficult.


    So much so, Liam changed his line of thought.


    ''I''ll try something with thatter. My inscriptions just can''t hold down the chaos anymore.''


    Instead of dying his explosive energy, he wanted to make it focused on a single point.


    It would still have its destructive powers, but honed instead of wild.


    That would strengthen it considerably, but it would only affect a small area.


    And after three weeks...


    In his quarters again, Liam raised his right leg above his head.


    On the ground of his amodation, there were countless craters and pieces of cracked ground.


    Chaos gathered at the back of Liam''s heel, but unlike before where it would surge wildly without any particr shape¡­


    It now vaguely resembled a small spike.


    A momentter, Liam struck the ground with his backfoot.


    CRRKH!


    There wasn''t any massive explosion, and the floor didn''tpletely shatter with the force of his strike.


    But when Liam lifted his foot, there was a precise, 5 meter hole in the ground, 4 inches in diameter.


    Liamughed weakly.


    The destructiveness wasn''t lost.


    It was simply honed.


    Focused Havoc.


    That was the name of Liam''s Rank 1 chaos spell.


    With all his responsibilities done, Liam thudded to the ground unconscious.


    ///


    As Liam worked on making a spell for his chaos and darkness, unaware of the audience outside his home, several events happened within the following months.


    More and more Royals were seen entering the lian Main Lands.


    The Temple wasn''t aware of the nature of their discussions, but it was obvious what they were doing there.


    More hunting parties left the Main Lands, and nearly every prefecture surrounding it.


    The bounty on Liam''s was up for all to grab.


    Even those living in Safe Zones had joined the hunts in their greedy pursuit for that alluring 3 million.


    This put pressure on the Temple.


    Other inds were also being explored.


    By extension, the Ravenous Leash Sect also sent out several hunting parties that scattered across the ind.


    They would naturally explore the northern, southern and western side of the ind.


    However, before they could do so, the Temple employed a countermeasure.


    Some of their spies would join the hunts and give false information to the bounty hunters.


    They''d spread rumors of Liam''s description in distant prefectures within the Main Lands.


    It was effective as a dying tactic.


    The Leashes had left the ind and headed towards the Main Land prefectures first.


    The frustrated parties would spend weeks trailing from one dead-end to another.


    But it merely dyed the inevitable.


    Hiding within the Istion Chamber until the whole thing blew over was a possibility.


    Yet, if the Leashes found out about the emptiness of the western ind, it would be obvious of an invasive, hostile force.


    Sooner orter, Liam, and subsequently the Temple, would be found.


    For this, the Temple had to get a bit reckless.


    They sent parties to recruit weak, small-size Sects in their cause.


    And the attacks on the two mid-size Sects were set for the next week.

 Chapter 238 Jenga

    <h4>Chapter 238 Jenga</h4>


    Although a secluded Sect, the Temple still had their connections.


    Before their exile, they had several allies.


    Their spies littered every corner of the Main Lands.


    Each of those spies kept tabs and notes on the Sects that surrounded them.


    Especially those that didn''t like the submission of the Seven ns to the Dual Empire and the Imperialists.


    Just like they chose their enemies, the Temple chose its allies carefully.


    It was as though they were ying Jenga, carefully flicking away their opponents'' pieces and adding their own.


    But if they weren''t cautious, everything would tumble down.


    ///


    As soon as he awoke, Liam left his amodation.


    He wore his usual, ck-d wrappings, leaving only his tattooed arms bare from the shoulder.


    Outside, Acolytes, Disciples and Shadows burst into loud cheers while some groaned and cussed.


    "I told you, exactly one month and a half! I got the Pinpoint prize!" a tall but scrawny acolyte leaped into the air.


    "Ugh, if he just stayed inside for two more weeks!" another cursed.


    "Count your earnings! Remember, I get a ten percent fee!" Oro said with a loudugh.


    Liam grimaced.


    Why did he feel like a racing horse?


    Just then, Krel approached him with a wry smile.


    Liam didn''t fail to see him pocketing arge sum of ''Ora'' Stones a second earlier.


    "You heard about the uing attacks?" Krel asked. "They''re only two weeks away."


    Liam raised his brows.


    Krel filled Liam in on what the past few months entailed.


    ''They''re getting a bit desperate.''


    ''Then again, all of this did start because of me.''


    Liam wasn''t naive.


    He knew the Temple didn''t shelter him out of kindness.


    They wanted his expertise, talent, strength, capabilities, and potential.


    Housing perhaps one of the youngest prodigies in the current cultivation world wasn''t a light responsibility.


    And it wasn''t like Liam hadn''t done his half either.


    He had made weapons.


    He merged the Blood Troupe with the Temple.


    He underwent the Inkshadow procedure.


    He spread knowledge of the Royal academy.


    Both parties were in a symbiotic rtionship.


    However, it was time for Liam to put in a better effort.


    Honestly speaking, he hadn''t gone above and beyond.


    He didn''t feel obliged to.


    Now, however, Liam''s fate rested with the Temples'' hand.


    ''It should be time for me to make a Rank 3 Abyssal Needle.''


    ''Now that I''ve advanced to the solid-stage, I can probably make them without relying on Rank 4 materials.''


    Usually, the average age of advancing to the solid-stage of the core''s second Rank would be 25 to 26.


    This was not counting pills, elixirs and living conditions.


    From what Liam remembered, most nobles at the academy advanced to this stage at around 20.


    At most, so-called "peerless geniuses", like that ice guy that Liam forgot the name of (with the half-corroded face) advanced at the age of 19.


    But Liam was 17 and a half.


    Advancing to the third Rank was obviously higher than that, usually 5 years.


    Still, Liam could instantly feel how far away his advancement to the third Rank was.


    It would definitely take him years, but he had a ridiculous advantagepared to others.


    Liam bid Krel adieu, then headed to Temple''s storage to take out several Rank 4 materials.


    Now that the Temple was so rich, they kept a stock of Rank 4 Spirit Beasts at Liam''s request.


    And with his standing with the Temple, he could waltz in there and take whatever he wanted.


    Although Liam could make the Abyssal Needles without Rank 4 materials, he opted for them anyway.


    ''I''ll make the rest with Rank 3 parts. There''s not enough darkness Spirit Beasts in my stash for too many.''


    After taking the required materials, Liam had secluded himself again.


    More than a week passed.


    Those living within the Main Lands were unhealthily obsessed with the name Liam Royce.


    His infamous notoriety had swept the Main Lands like a raging wildfire.


    Still, there wasn''t an official announcement from the Seven ns.


    They had allowed the bounties, but they themselves didn''t care enough to join them on those endeavors.


    Meanwhile, the Temple was growing restless about the two mid-size Sects they needed to take over.


    No new forces had joined their ranks yet.


    And if there was still no more added manpower, they would have to fight with their current condition.


    Just as the second week passed, two things happened at once.


    The Raging Wolf n, a small-size Sector, joined the Temple!


    Their Patriarch had already covertly met with the five Elders on their terms.


    After the Elders deemed him trustworthy, their forces had entered the underground.


    The Temple was an old ally to the previous generation Patriarch of their n, thus, there was already a friendliness between them.


    Now, the Temple had 3,156 members.


    Among the new forces, there were at least 37 Rank 3 cultivators.


    But most important of all, there was another Zenith!


    Berserker Hound.


    That was the Raging Wolf''s Patriarch.


    Someone with that name was hardly trustworthy.


    With his hulking, nearly 3 meter tall stature lined with bulky muscles, the man looked like a literal wild beast that came in human form.


    His brown hair was shin-length and unkempt.


    His hairy upper-body was almost always bare.


    Only a pelt-made tunic covered his legs.


    His dark ck eyes were iron-hard.


    But all of that was external.


    In reality, the Berserker was kind to even the weakest of acolytes.


    "Ah, my moniker? Haha¡­ it''s a bit embarrassing, but I get a bit reckless in times of battle. My real name is just Ryu."


    With that, he humbly joined the Temple as the sixth Elder, on the condition that his martial arts were still practiced and spread.


    With him there, taking down a mid-size Sect was significantly easier.


    They couldn''t undergo the Dark Star procedures due to theck of materials and time,


    ¡­And the second event was that Liam left his seclusion on the day of the attacks.


    In his ring were four different items.


    Inscribed items in the third Rank.


    They were roughly 2.3 meters in length, and just five inches in diameter.


    The tips of the items were sharp and linear. Bullet-like, almost.


    They resembledyered, ck javelins but without any hilt or grip. The weapons buzzed slightly on their own, brimming with power.


    Blood-red writings covered them, and one of them was much stronger than the rest.

 Chapter 239 Arm Wrestle

    <h4>Chapter 239 Arm Wrestle</h4>


    Making one-use items in the third Rank wasrgely easier than making a longsting weapon.


    After all, they were built to be destroyed upon usage.


    Liam didn''t need to make it stable at all.


    Instead, all aspects of the Abyssal Needle were improved.


    Even the sharpness was significantly better than before.


    It could cut through a Rank 3 body with ease, and implode through it right after.


    And the explosion aspect was the most terrifying thing about Liam''s invention.


    A Rank 3 inscribed item was no joke.


    And the enhanced Abyssal Needle was truly one of its kind.


    It had a wide radius of attack, and its initial explosion could kill dozens of strong cultivators if used correctly.


    But that was just the initial explosion.


    Longsting plumes of corrosive gas were next, which could cover a range of 35 meters andst a solid two minutes.


    35 meters!


    For scale, that was the size of a baseball pitch.


    Why Liam was allowed to make such an item was due to his solid-stage core.


    It just swirled with massive amounts of pure ''Ora'' and power.


    Through that, Liam just made the Needles act as a conduit for that power.


    Everytime Liam finishedpleting a Needle, he simply poured everything in his core into it.


    And that was it.


    That was a Rank 3 item.


    Of course, that was an oversimplification, but the niche of what the Abyssal Needle was.


    When Liam left his quarters, he saw a few new faces in the underground.


    Large groups of acolytes were preparing at the entrance of the Chamber, their expressions honed with intent to battle.


    Since Jargon was Liam''s neighbor (by his own request), he instantly appeared at Liam''s side.


    "My liege."


    Liam gave Jargon a quick nod.


    "A new Sect joined?" he asked.


    Jargon nodded firmly.


    "Raging Wolf. Their Patriarch has been wanting to meet you for a while."


    Liam''s expression grew a bit bitter.


    As such when meeting new people, Liam never trusted them at a first nce.


    And, well, he found it a waste of time to interact with other humans.


    "Spread these weapons for me. Give one to Krel, Ruth and Adrian. Keep one yourself."


    Jargon looked a bit taken aback.


    "A javelin?" he asked, examining the weapon intently.


    Liam shook his head as he headed towards the entrance.


    "A bomb."


    Sweat formed on Jargon''s pale face.


    Liam quickly taught Jargon how to use the Needles, before leaving towards the entrance of the underground.


    Liam was battle-ready.


    He had his Dusk des.


    He had his Rank 3 Abyssal Needle.


    He had rested well for his mental energy and core to fill to the brim.


    ''After two more attacks¡­ and the attack on the Ravenous Leash Sect will finally be over and done with.''


    A period of peace would follow soon, Liam hoped.


    But he knew that it wouldn''t be so.


    The giant bounty on his back would ensure that he''d stay hidden for as long as possible.


    Even if the Temple gained a higher standing.


    It wasn''t anything different to what Liam had been through his entire life.


    He was sick of it.


    Being hunted, chased, suppressed.


    Worst of all, he was still weak.


    He was nowhere near the stars.


    Just thinking about it made a scowl form on his face.


    Pretty soon, Liam merged himself with the Temple''s gathered numbers.


    Lines were formed based on one''s standing in the Temple, and Liam was among the front row.


    The air was rowdy, but tense.


    Not everyone was bound to survive. Even with the new forces.


    Most acolytes were busy socializing with the Raging Wolf Sect to calm their nerves.


    Liam just stuck to the sides and strengthened his Shadow.


    As he was stuck in his thoughts, a massive, hulking figure entered Liam''s sights, towering over him.


    His fierce, iron-like eyes stuck to Liam''s.


    Ryu, the Berserker Hound.


    ''He looks like the Iron Giant,'' Liam thought, unfazed by the man''s gaze.


    "...You''re Liam Royce?" the man asked with a shocked expression.


    "I thought the Acolytes were ying pranks when they said you''re not above twenty."


    "The bounty made you sound so terrifying!"


    Liam silently stood up and made a respectful gesture, hiding a frown.


    Ryu''s voice was loud.


    So much so, everyone''s attention fell on the two.


    A crowd slowly formed around the two.


    Liam inwardly cursed.


    The Elders still hadn''te out, makingst minute preparations.


    Liam had to deal with the sixth Elder himself.


    "Sorry, sorry, I was just taken aback," Ryu apologized in a way that didn''t fit him.


    He stretched his massive hand forward.


    "Nice to put a face to the name."


    Liam nodded wordlessly, connecting his hand to the man''s grip.


    He shook once and thought that was it, but the Hound didn''t let go.


    Slowly, the grip tightened.


    Liam realized what was happening.


    A toothy grin formed on the Hound''s face.


    This was a test of strength!


    They were going to battle two mid-size Sects shortly¡­ and this Zenith brute wanted to gouge an acolyte''s strength?


    What a meatbrain!


    Liam frowned.


    "You see," Ryu said as his grasp pressed harder. "My martial arts lets me know how strong a person''s body is."


    "And right now, you have a Rank 4 body. I''m already amazed¡­"


    "But it''s way stronger than normal."


    "Why is that?"


    Liam''s eyes almost narrowed at the giant.


    "Elder Ryu, I''m sure we can save this for another time?"


    More people gathered around, amused expressions on their faces.


    "No, no, no¡­ this is my way of bing friends with people."


    Some already started betting.


    "Bring us a table!" the Hound shouted, his eyes not leaving Liam''s.


    "We''re gonna arm wrestle!" he eximed.


    Liam''s scowl turned into a grimace.


    "The best way for men to be friends is through their fists. But since that''s unfair, we''ll settle for this."


    A momentter, a table was lodged between the two, along with seats for them to sit on.


    Liam was forced to sit opposite to the Hound, adjusting his grip with the giant''s.


    Only their elbows touched the table.


    Ryu smiled widely.


    "You ready? You''re not allowed to fake it either!"


    Liam''s eyes were only filled with coldness.

 Chapter 240 Celebrity

    <h4>Chapter 240 Celebrity</h4>


    Liam was pissed.


    He was beyond angry.


    It didn''t really show, but he was seething inside.


    Jargon hung around in the audience, a simrly frustrated look on his face.


    Blood Troupe members lingered around him.


    They wanted to intervene, but knew they couldn''t.


    That would just taint Liam''s image.


    Liam couldn''t fake a loss either, even though that''s what he nned to do.


    ''Whoever told him about me, I''m gonna cut their tongue off.''


    Was it Oro?


    He''d do something like that for money.


    Meanwhile, the pressure on his hand got tighter and harder.


    Liam adjusted his grip.


    His slender hand was one-fifth of the Hound''s, but he managed to curl it around in an arm-wrestling style somehow.


    Ryu let out a gutturalugh.


    "You''re getting serious, are you? Someone give us a countdown!"


    "Don''t worry, I won''t use any ''Ora'' to strengthen myself," Ryu said.


    Liam steadied his grasp, and the Berserker did the same.


    "One!"


    "Two!"


    "Three!"


    Both Liam and Ryu clenched as hard as they could.


    KRKH!


    A grimace formed on Liam''s face as he used every ounce of his being to try and sway the giant''s hand.


    His muscles tensed and tightened, his sharp fingers digging into the Hound''s skin and nearly drawing blood.


    Just 3 inches of Ryu''s hand moved to the left.


    But the Hound was surprised, judging by his slightly widened eyes.


    A tense struggle between two hands ensued.


    One pale, slender, and lithe.


    And the other bulky, fierce and dominative.


    Both vibrated uncontrobly, but Liam''s hand was steadily being pulled to the losing side.


    Usually, that would be it.


    Liam would ept a loss and move on.


    But this was different.


    This was a challenge.


    There was no harm in trying a little harder.


    Tendrils of umbral Shadow left the ground and wrapped around Liam''s hand.


    His efforts helped center the struggle between the two arms, which tensely vibrated towards either side.


    Louder cheers and bigger bets were made.


    ''I''m already at the middle-tier¡­ and he''s giving me this much trouble?'' the Berserker thought with a bit of shock.


    Ryu was obviously holding back.


    Even a small-size Sect didn''t have something as powerful andvish as a Rank 5 body-tempering method.


    Only his core and sea of consciousness allowed him to push towards the middle-tier.


    But still!


    Ryu was in the middle-tier!


    Liam was in the lower-tier!


    It didn''t make sense!


    Same Rank or not, a higher substage was still a higher substage.


    It provided a decent leap in physical strength.


    But Liam defied that logic.


    Even as the Hound applied more force, Liam somehow managed to match him every step of the way.


    Even if Liam used his Shadow. It shouldn''t have made that much of a difference.


    Needless to say, Liam earned Ryu''s respect.


    But it was time to stop holding back.


    At once, the Hound applied all the strength avable in his towering body.


    Liam''s hand was rapidly swayed to the side.


    He was going to lose!


    His hand was getting closer and closer to the losing side.


    Just as Liam tried to brace himself¡ª


    CRACK!


    The table splintered into a hundred different pieces as his hand smashed against the table.


    Liam lost.


    The oue was clear.


    Even with his Half-Ashura strength, Liam couldn''t defy all odds.


    A Zenith was a Zenith for a reason.


    Nevertheless, Liam wasn''t disheartened.


    He contemted using a semi-transformation, but it wasn''t wise to.


    It''d be strange if Liam won, after all.


    The Hound exploded intoughter, and the gathered crowd followed suit.


    "I like you already. When this is over with, remind me to test your drinking ability."


    Liam grumbled in response, fixing his hand into ce.


    There was no chance whatsoever he was doing that.


    Just then, the five Elders left the Temple and flew over.


    They looked a bit confused as to why there was such amotion, but the Berserker joined their ranks and began the briefing.


    A shadowy map showcasing two different Sects at the same time formed mid-air.


    One of them had the statue of a golden crane erected in the center of their Sect, and the other was made with walls that resembled towering ck palms instead of the usual brick. Exactly nine palms.


    The Nine Palm Sect, and the Golden Crane Sect.


    In short, the Temple wouldplete both attacks in quick session.


    They''d bulldoze their way through the Golden Crane Sect first, then follow it up with the Nine Palm, since they were in close proximity to one another.


    No breaks were allowed.


    If some acolytes were severely injured, they could pull back and lick their wounds, but anyone else had to continue forward.


    For that asion, everyone had prepared a stack of healing, strengthening and enhancing elixirs.


    "That is all," Elder Verium said, and at once, everyone left through the entrance to the Istion Chamber.


    ///


    As usual when the Temple made their move, it was nighttime.


    The Nine Palm Sect stuck out like a sore thumb within their territories.


    They didn''t live in a danger zone, but bordered a cliff towards the eastern side of the ind.


    A shimmering ck sea raging with tumultuous waves washed the side of the canyon, but a closer look revealed hundreds, and possibly thousands, of shadowy human shapes within them.


    The funny thing about the Nine Palm was, there was no Defensive Formation guarding their Sect. At least, on that side of the cliff.


    Naturally, there were arge group of Border Guards there, wearing ck clothes with the embroidered logo of a held-out palm.


    They were huddled around arge campfire, drinks filled with alcohol in their hands.


    There were at least 24 in the third Rank.


    "...Man, it''s just eerie how quiet the ind has gotten all of a sudden."


    "li should just close their borders once and for all. I can''t tell what the Seven ns are thinking."


    "I agree. First that Liam Royce guy, and now the Royals. They''re all cursed!"


    Liam heard his name being spoken and couldn''t help but shake his head.


    He''d be a celebrity now.


    Well, if one considered a murderous, self-harming and power-hungry lunatic hated by countries, he was that.


    Thousands of acolytes climbed over the cliff side, shrouded by shadow and basked in darkness.


    Just then, something hissed and popped over the cliff, followed by a sharp streak of ck light shooting straight for the Border Guards.

 Chapter 241 Cruel

    <h4>Chapter 241 Cruel</h4>


    Someone had hurled an Abyssal Needle.


    Liam watched with a constricted golden eye as the javelin-looking weapon whistled through the air.


    Although he made the weapons, he hadn''t really tested them.


    All he could do was make estimates on its destruction based on its features.


    The Nine Palm Border Guards all shifted their rmed faces to the hissing noise.


    But at that point, the Needle struck.


    It silently exploded dead center of the campfire.


    ¡­And instantly extinguished it with a giant wad of dark mes, quickly stretching to 30 meters of space in three seconds.


    Choked shouts paired with strident cries filled the air, but no coherent sentences could form under their gas-filled lungs.


    After all, one couldn''t shout with a corroded throat.


    Disturbingly gasping for oxygen, the collection of Rank 3 martial artists near the radius of the initial explosion fell to their knees, clutching their ruined throats.


    More experienced martial artists took to activating a movement spell and running away from the cloud of smoke. Circting ''Ora'' within their lungs.


    However, a misty figure surged through the ck cloud with a pair of sharp des in his hands.


    In his Wraith Form, Liam moved at a terrifying speed.


    He could freely enter through the dangerous gas.


    It was made through his own ''Ora'', after all. It couldn''t be used against its inventor.


    One by one, those shrill cries trailed off to silence.


    Only a swirly red and golden light was faintly visible through the dense smoke, seemingly blinking from one spot to another.


    Wherever "it" moved, a cry went silent.


    Liam didn''t bother finishing off those that were already dying, targeting those who managed to survive.


    Unlike before, where the Temple could afford to take their time and slowly pick off their victims one by one, they had to be much more direct in their approach.


    The entire Nine Palm Sect was surrounded, and the Elders bided their time.


    Meanwhile, the acolytes watching had their eyes widened in shock.


    Just¡­ just what kind of "weapon" was this?!


    No one had ever seen or heard of something this cruel and inhumane!


    When the smoke cleared, the sight gave the acolytes goosebumps.


    Those poor disciples that were vigorous and jolly a minute earlier nowcked any human-defining features.


    Terrible wounds covered them head to toe, stripping them of skin and flesh, revealing the corroded bone beneath.


    Where their eyeballs once were, an empty bore had taken ce.


    Worst of all, some were still alive¡­ if they could be called that.


    Their attempts to breathe sounded like a child''s shrill cry.


    Not even the grass was spared, turned to mud and rock.


    Even the strongest-willed men of the Temple felt the urge to look away.


    Ruth, who threw the Abyssal Needle, suddenly felt guilty.


    She had never felt like that, even when crushing people with her hammer.


    Meanwhile, Liam continued pressing forward, unfazed.


    He hadn''t used the Dusk des for those menial tasks, but he had a lot to test out.


    The String Arts, his Shadow Bomb, Focused Havoc, the Dusk des.


    Thankfully, his fellow acolytes seemed absorbed by his new invention, giving him a head-start.


    Using his Dark Chains, Liam pulled himself upward and perched over the palm-shaped wall.


    Like a predator choosing his prey, his eye constricted to a sharp line.


    Liam scanned the avable buildings to attack.


    A palm-themed Sector obviously had palm-shaped buildings.


    Those towards the center were grander-looking, with the Patriarch''s Pavilion being thergest.


    ''That one should be good enough,'' Liam thought.


    Liam positioned his feet on the border wall.


    Then, using Vanishing Steps and his Shadow, he cocked his knees and burst forward.


    Whoosh!


    Liam was fast!


    He was soaring through the air at an incredible speed, closing the gap between him and the building in just a few seconds.


    Bracing himself, Liam positioned himself mid-air like a nk and burst through the wall feet-first.


    Boom!


    The wall shattered.


    Liam crashed through, rolled on the ground, then steadied his footing.


    There weren''t any injuries on his body.


    What Liam barged into was arge ornate training room, filled with paintings and¡­ palm decorations?


    Why were these people so obsessed with palms?


    A Rank 3 disciple came into Liam''s sights ¨C ck hair, slim build and small-eyed, with palms that looked like they were made out of obsidian.


    From the looks of it, he was a Rank 3 Magus with a Rank 3 core.


    The man looked surprised at first, but then frowned and took on a fighting stance, stretching out his palms.


    His mental waves naturally pressured Liam''s mind, but when using Thicken, the pain subsided to a tolerable amount.


    Liam didn''t say anything.


    Neither did the disciple.


    They looked at each other with hostility in their eyes.


    Both were in a state of understanding.


    Liam took out his Dusk des.


    The chains of such a vicious weapon clinked as they coiled around Liam''s arms.


    The disciple expressed surprise, but steeled his face a momentter.


    Liam began with enveloping himself with a curtain of mental energy.


    Obviously, this wouldn''t work with a Rank 3 Magus.


    However, as the disciple blew away the iridescent energies, a ck sphere exploded within the space.


    BHOOF!


    As the smoke began to fill the room, the disciple didn''t sit still.


    ''Ora'' gathered on his cocked palm, churning with powerful wind.


    A momentter, the disciple shot his palm forward, which suddenly became a devastating attack that instantly blew away all the smoke within the room.


    WHOOOSH!


    Just then, wafer-thin threads made the man''s senses tingle from all sides.


    In a series of fast-paced movements, he twisted around and used his palms to deflect them from all angles.


    CLING!


    They came from everywhere!


    Crimson strings!


    Red lines formed on the man''s figure.


    A few threads managed to draw blood from his Rank 4 body, but not enough to cause significant damage.


    However, they weren''t strong at all, a mere annoyance.


    All the while, the disciple kept track of his opponent''s movements, who strangely stood still at the same ce.


    Just as he deflected a thread of blood, the disciple blurred and arrived at Liam''s location, smashing his palm square across his face.


    BOOM!


    A smile formed on the disciple''s face as he felt his enemy''s neck separate from his body.


    But it died just as fast as he felt a simr presence behind him.

 Chapter 242 Sanguine String

    <h4>Chapter 242 Sanguine String</h4>


    The disciple twisted his neck and countered with a fierce palm strike.


    But it was just a secondte.


    An impervious chain wrapped tightly around the disciple''s neck, buzzing with red energies as it yanked him forward.


    It would have pierced through instantly, but a Rank 3 Magus'' reflexes were extremely fast.


    Even as he was jolted forward with a near-crushed throat, the disciple activated what seemed to be his most powerful martial art form.


    Time slowed down.


    Around the disciple, wind gathered and condensed, forming nine palms, each roughly the same length and size as himself.


    Liam saw everything happen with his powerful consciousness.


    It wasn''t as powerful as a Rank 3 Magus, but Liam was a maniac.


    There wasn''t a day that he hadn''t trained his mind through three different methods.


    Seeing the powerful wind-made palms, Liam was unwavering.


    Those attacks would definitely break a bone or maybe two¡­ or maybe more.


    But Liam yanked harder.


    In an instant, Liam''s Shadow swirled and wrapped around him.


    Obsidian Skin and Cartge Brace were also activated, densening his bones and coating his skin in a defensiveyer of darkness.


    Although hurling his second Dusk de was the correct course of action, the wind palms were backed by a Rank 3 core.


    The de wouldn''t pass through.


    Even if it did, the palms would strike first.


    However, the chaotic energies buzzing with Liam''s Dusk de were still wrapped around the disciple''s neck.


    As the two forces were about to collide, three things happened back to back.


    First, the palms struck Liam''s body full force.


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    CRACK!


    Instantly, Liam''s shoulder, knee, right rib and hip bone suffered severe cracks.


    Liam semi-transformed his muscles just before theynded.


    But the brunt of the martial art form ¨C although weakened ¨C was still strong.


    Secondly, the Dusk de exploded with chaos.


    BOOOM!


    Even with the disciple''s throat being crushed, the attack didn''t kill him.


    It managed to tear away at his skin and flesh on his face, but there was still ferocious life in the man''s eyes.


    But what happened after was unexpected.


    Thirdly, Liam spun around just as the disciple came into range, his leg stretched out to perform a wide roundhouse.


    Even as the nine palmsnded on his body, Liam didn''t stop his kick, which is why he suffered so many broken bones.


    ¡­And on the back of Liam''s heel, was a shape made from purely chaotic energies.


    A blunt spike.


    That spikended t against the side of the disciple''s already injured temple.


    KRISH!


    The force of the attack was too much.


    Even for a Rank 4 body.


    As the kicknded, the side of the man''s head let out a disturbing crunch.


    But that was just from Liam''s hardened kick.


    Instead, the Focused Havoc spell literally tore a hole through the man''s head, caved it in, then detonated in his brain.


    A muffled boom rang out as the Palm disciple''s skull contained the explosion.


    THUD.


    And just like that, the disciple had died, his head looking like a deted balloon.


    Liam heaved a long sigh as he reeled back his Dusk de and stored it.


    He sat down and examined his wounds with a slight scowl.


    ''What a waste of a good pill,'' Liam thought, popping a ck drug in his mouth.


    As it digested, the cracks on his bones snapped into ce and reformed.


    He let out a soft groan, but by the end of it, everything was back to normal.


    Meanwhile, outside, the sounds of a titanic battle were echoing throughout every corner.


    Liam instantly exited the amodation and climbed atop of the building.


    The six Elders had begun fighting.


    Massive explosions, whirlwinds of condensed air and beams of water were being exchanged with massive¡­ wind palms?


    These people and their palms!


    Though, Liam had to admit the destructiveness in those attacks were extraordinary.


    Even more so when used by a Zenith.


    Those palms mid-air looked like meteors as they struck against the Temples'' Elders.


    Liam spotted the Berserker Hound there too.


    He roared like a wild beast as he disregarded every wound and rushed into every attack.


    ''So that''s where he got the name from.''


    ''Might as well help,'' Liam thought.


    Although Liam would have loved to watch Zeniths fight, there were palm disciples and acolytes fighting all around the streets of the Sect.


    Minute amounts of ichor exited Liam''s fingertips.


    They swirled and formed into crystalized threads as he stretched his hands in wide gestures.


    There was a reason Liam had picked out this particr Blood Artspared to all the others.


    It worked extremely well with his King''s Eye and fighting style.


    And, well, they were nigh-invisible to the naked eye and even mental energy to the weaker few.


    Such that Liam named it the Sanguine String Arts.


    It even had an attack range of about 25 meters.


    Those closer to that range were susceptible to much more lethal attacks, which weakened over long distances.


    Weaker cultivators didn''t stand a chance if Liam''s presence was unknown.


    ¡­And it was now unknown.


    A short distance away, a weak Temple acolyte was having trouble dealing with a Palm disciple, having lost all the fingers on his left hand and backed into a wall.


    Just as he was about to get killed, a faint red line appeared on the Palm disciple''s neck.


    And a momentter¡ª


    SPURT!


    His head separated from his shoulders, rolling on the ground with an open mouth.


    A martial artist with a Rank 3 body had been killed just like that!


    Like so, Liam simply made gestures above the building he was on, spotting acolytes that were facing difficult adversaries.


    Opponents with Zenith bodies were obviously harder to kill.


    Liam couldn''t decapitate them, but severing off their ears and fingers was much easier.


    ''I haven''t figured out the Blooder''s Art yet. I''ll tinker with that soon enough.''


    ''There''s still the Art''s special cocoon ability to remake first.''


    As time passed, more than 90% of the Nine Palm Sect had been killed off.


    Pretty soon, the battle wasing to an end.


    Looking towards the distance, the Temples'' Elders looked in a decent conditionpared to their opponents.


    The Nine Palm Patriarch and his Elders looked bloodied and bruised.


    Some even missed a hand or limb.


    After a few more deafening exchanges, the battle concluded with the Temple''s triumph.


    And not even taking a break, the Elders immediately began flying towards the Golden Crane Sect.

 Chapter 243 Race

    <h4>Chapter 243 Race</h4>


    The power of preparation was truly amazing.


    With just two months worth of nning, a mid-size Sect was taken down.


    Granted, there was always the manpower, strategy and numbers to consider, but still.


    Watching the Zeniths fly away, Liam quickly followed after them on the ground.


    He wasn''t the only one.


    Hordes of the surviving Temple members rushed towards the direction of the Golden Crane Sect beside him.


    It was a race!


    Shadows were in front.


    Disciples were in the middle.


    Acolytes were at the back.


    Those injured from the battle lingered back to tend to their injuries, but would eventually join the remaining invasion.


    As such when anything happened among the acolytes, bets were made.


    Whoever came first, received a massive amount of ''Ora'' Stones.


    Liam wasn''t even aware of something like that.


    But he used everything at his disposal to follow behind the six Elders.


    He even used his Wraith Form now and again, blurring into mystical wind to blink over long distances.


    He was in the lead!


    ///


    Pretty soon, the Golden Crane came into view.


    Unlike most Sects that were battle-oriented and centered around powerful martial arts, this particr n was half business.


    Their power came from inscribed items which were usually made out of a special gold.


    Hence the name "Golden."


    More specifically, they had invented a set of inscribed wings that allowed them to fly short distances.


    Hence the name "Crane."


    They had a tendency to bevish and proud with these items, and their Elders were powerful inscription masters.


    They were just annoying, not battle oriented.


    But Liam was still eager.


    Why?


    Because they could fly!


    Liam was definitely plundering them and taking more than a few of those wings.


    Soaring above the clouds held a much deeper meaning to Liam.


    It represented freedom.


    That was what Liam had dreamt of the most as Darius.


    And that''s what Liam chased after.


    After a whole two hours, the Golden Crane Sect finally came into view.


    There was no shortage of luxury, even at first sight.


    Magnificent walls of polished gold acted as borders. Basked under the night, its surface shimmered morously.


    Arge Dome of Force covered the Sect. Even birds couldn''t fly over, smashing against an invisible barrier as they attempted to.


    Funny enough, there was no entrance.


    Instead, martial artists flew this way and that, and only them.


    When Liam saw what was on their backs ¨C built into their robes ¨C he was instantly disappointed.


    They were just gliders!


    Not wings!


    Even Liam could make something like that!


    Shaking his head, he felt even more eager to attack the Sect.


    As they got near, the Temple Elders suddenly raised their altitude.


    Even above the clouds.


    Eventually, they disappeared from view.


    Liam quickly realized what they intended to do.


    A Dome of Force was an extremely powerful defense, but it had its weaknesses.


    First, it was insanely expensive.


    Few mid-size Sects could afford such a safeguard.


    At the same time, the more area it covered, the weaker it got.


    And any bigger than a mid-size Sect ofnd, it was practically useless.


    But the most ring weakness was, if too much force was applied in one spot, the entire Dome would break.


    And that''s exactly what the Elders intended to do.


    Six blurry streaks descended from the sky like meteors, creating a rumbling noise that blew away the clouds as they pierced through them.


    VHOOOOM!


    And just then, the force of six Zeniths smashed against a single Dome of Force.


    BOOM!


    Like popping a bubble, the protective encasing blurred for a split second before dispersing from the point of impact.


    Liam didn''t waste a single second and used his Dusk des to climb over the towering gold walls.


    CLINK!


    They pierced right through the expensive metal, lodging tightly to the border like a piton.


    Liam yanked on the chain, lifting himself over and peering through the Sect walls.


    Countless disciples left their quarters in a panic, but their faces paled when they saw the invading forces.


    Liam didn''t fail to exploit their inattentiveness.


    Those golden robes could potentially get dangerous if they chose to fight arielly.


    Liam activated his Wraith Form.


    Fhoof!


    Everything turned to mist.


    All except his Dusk des and the chains floating around his ethereal arms.


    Liam leaped off in one quick motion and began to run through the streets of the Sect.


    SHING! SHING! SHING!


    Where Liam''s de passed, death followed.


    Cloaked in Shadow, only the clinking of his chains were audible.


    In between each swing, Liam would sneak in Umbral Needles.


    But all those sounds were drowned out.


    The acolytes had arrived shortly.


    By then, a fight had broken out between the six Elders of the Temple, and six Elders of the Crane.


    Although thetter wasn''t as powerful as the former, they had incredible offensive and protective measures.


    Contraptions activated as soon as the Golden Crane Elders noticed the Temple invading.


    ''Ora'' gathered aroundrge circr spots within the central grounds.


    A momentter, they exploded with the force of a broken dam, shooting massive beams of concentrated liquid towards the Elders.


    That was easily dodgeable, but more and more attacks shot at them.


    Biggest of all¡­ the giant crane statue in the middle of their Sect began to move!


    Liam''s eyes flickered in awe, but he didn''t let his focus falter.


    The crane was a golem.


    An actual golem!


    Slowly, it sprung into movement.


    Its giant wings unfurled, each "feather" made from a golden metal with glowing inscription lines on its surface.


    From that distance, it was like a small mountain hade to life.


    Even as he swung his Dusk des and zipped forward, Liam saw something peculiar.


    The Crane was being piloted by the six Elders!


    Something like that had to be a middle to upper-tier Rank 4 item.


    Maybe even peak-tier or even Rank 5, but Liam wasn''t an expert in evaluations.


    As Liam continued to kill his way through the golden-robed disciples, a grimace formed on his face as he made a grave realization.


    With how the battle was ying out¡­


    They were going to lose.

 Chapter 244 Bullseye

    <h4>Chapter 244 Bullseye</h4>


    The giant crane was utterly unbnced.


    With its smooth, metallic surface, thin but swift legs, and majestic wings, it looked beautifully dangerous.


    It used its vast golden wings as defense and offense at the same time.


    With each swipe of it, powerful gales of wind swept through both the air and the ground below, flinging away the disciples and acolytes.


    At the same time, its beak was beyond powerful.


    A single peck caused a see-through hole to form in Elder Verium''s shoulder.


    And that wasn''t even all it could do.


    It could spew fire from its beak like a dragon, split off pieces of its gold feathers into deadly shards of stone, and used a membrane of water as a defense.


    Even the Berserker Hound, arguably the one with the bulkiest and most resilient body, had his muscles shredded to a gruesome amount.


    Fire.


    Water.


    Earth.


    Wind.


    Defense.


    Offense.


    It could use everything!


    The only thing it missed was the ability to shootsers from its eyes.


    Liam''s mind worked overtime.


    Nothing was without its weaknesses.


    The crane golem couldn''t fly.


    It was rooted firmly to the ground, unable to move past what seemed like a circr Formation.


    Erasing the Formation could probably rid some of its strength, but getting that close was extremely dangerous for a low ranking cultivator.


    But Liam had to do something.


    His eye constricted towards the body of the crane Golem.


    The only way Liam knew where the six Zeniths were, was because he could see where ''Ora'' gathered and spread from the crane''s body.


    In fact, he could vaguely tell how the crane worked.


    Each of the elements used by the crane belonged to a Zenith riding it.


    There was one at the crane''s head, two to the wings, two to the sides, and one to the back.


    And he could somewhat pinpoint where their location within the crane was.


    Liam smiled.


    It wasn''t one of arrogant confidence, but of realization.


    The Zenith stationed at the beak controlled everything with the help of those below him.


    Everyone else just acted as a human battery to charge up the crane''s abilities.


    There were basically six Rank 4 minds in that golem.


    Liam honestly admired that invention.


    It was ingeniously made.


    It made him want to make things.


    It kindled a strange creativity in him.


    But there was one massive, ring weakness the crane had.


    Him.


    Liam''s pupil constricted towards the crane''s head.


    Instead of eyes, there were golden ''Ora'' crystals studded to the sides.


    And right now, one of them was punched away courtesy of the Hound, leaving arge hole that left the Zenith inside vaguely visible.


    The hole was just enough for an Abyssal Needle to pass through.


    But that wasn''t the problem.


    ''How do I make itnd?''


    The Crane was in constant movement.


    It was surrounded by powerful gales of wind, fire and mountainous spells.


    Not to mention, Liam saw some sort of amplifier on the crane''s beak that spread the pilot''s mental energy.


    That exined why all his movements were so crisp and how he managed to defend against six different Zeniths at once.


    Liam studied the crane''s attacks for a solid two minutes.


    All the while, the Elders grew more and more dire.


    Liam looked to his side.


    Jargon, Krel and Adrian still hadn''t used their Abyssal Needles, their expressions filled with shock at the battle ahead.


    Maybe¡­


    ''That could work.''


    Liam had to get up close and personal if he wanted a bullseye.


    However, he''d just be crushed under the strain of so many attacks before he even got close.


    But¡­ if all those Needles were hurled at the beak, the Zenith riding the beast had to focus on dodging them.


    With a small opening, all Liam needed to do was time his needle, aim, and throw.


    Liam heaved a breath.


    "Oi! Throw your needles at its beak!"


    That''s all Liam said towards the three before directly rushing towards the crane.


    The three Shadows didn''t say anything and did exactly that.


    Even Jargon didn''t question where his liege was going, but Liam was more than capable of taking care of himself.


    Meanwhile¡ª


    BOOOM!


    SWOOOSH!


    SHING!


    The battle had never stopped.


    Although the Elders looked worse by the minute, the crane had suffered reasonable damage.


    Its golden surface wasn''t as ostentatious, and wide cracks riddled it here and there.


    As Liam got closer, the winds and shockwaves threatened to whip him away.


    Using his Dusk des, he managed to get closer to a ruined Sect building near the crane.


    Now that he was this close¡­ the golem was way more intimidating than it looked.


    Liam didn''t let fear overtake him and focused.


    At that moment, Jargon hurled his needle.


    It was right after the crane swiped with its wing, which was the split second that it kept its neck unguarded.


    The giant bird golem weaved under and dodged, but it gave the Elders a chance to strike back.


    SHING!


    CHENK!


    As Elder Verium''s spear pierced through the cracked chest of the crane, the Berserkernded a w-shaped attack on its neck.


    Adrian and Krel threw theirs right after, and clouds of dark smoke shrouded the crane''s body.


    Meanwhile, Liam squatted, nted his feet firmly in the ground, cocked his knees, then looked up at the crane.


    In his right hand was the Abyssal Needle. Made from Rank 4 materials and near the middle-tier.


    Liam''s pupil constricted.


    Everything zoomed out of focus.


    Only the crane''s neck was visible through Liam''s vision.


    Every little movement.


    Every swing.


    Every peck, spell and weave.


    There was peace.


    ...


    Now!


    Liam''s left hand churned with chaos which he threw to the floor.


    It didn''t explode instantly, but lingered.


    A secondter, Liam used Vanishing Steps and uncocked his Shadow-coated knees, bursting upward.


    BOOM!


    At the same time, the mass of chaos exploded, giving him a sudden boost of speed.


    WHOOOOOSH!


    Liam had underestimated just how fast he tore through the air, but he steadied himself.


    The crane''s eye socket was in full view. Unguarded.


    Time appeared slower.


    In one smooth motion, Liam twisted his body mid-air and took aim.


    Just as he reached the same altitude as the crane''s eye, Liam let the Abyssal Needle fly.


    ¡­


    Bullseye!

 Chapter 245 Change

    <h4>Chapter 245 Change</h4>


    The Abyssal Needle entered through the eye socket and simultaneously exploded.


    It gushed with dark mes and covered the head of the crane with a cloud of smoke.


    The Zenith inside fumbled wildly.


    By extension, the crane trashed all around and lost control.


    mes spewed through its beak and sputtered, but that stream of fire didn''t have a target.


    Defensive membranes of water gushed in and out through random parts of its exterior, even though there weren''t any attacks aimed at those areas.


    It fell back and waved its wings like it was performing a shoddy dance, hitting only air.


    The Elders didn''t wait a single second to exploit its wide openings.


    All six of them targeted different areas of the giant crane, but they weren''t as harsh as expected.


    Why break down such a powerful asset?


    They were going to im it for themselves!


    Meanwhile, Liam was rapidly plunging to the ground.


    A pained grimace was on his face, and his right arm was charred to a crisp.


    He got too close to a battle between Zeniths for merely a second and paid the price.


    His head felt drained of mental energy due to the pressure exerted from the various auras.


    If Liam''s Ashuran body didn''t numb mental waves to a certain extent, he wouldn''t have been able tond the needle at all.


    ''That was close.''


    Despite plunging from such a high altitude, Liam had a nonchnt look.


    Just below him, the Shadows were prepared to soften his blow as hended, which he did without issue.


    Liam heaved a slight breath as he got up.


    He ignored the shocked and amazed looks shot his way and watched the battle.


    The crane still trashed left and right, attempting to shake away the dark smoke.


    But the Berserker Hound ignored the noxious gasses and lurched at the crane''s head like a beast, his hand reaching inside the eye socket and yanking out the person inside.


    The golden-robed Zenith coughed violently, his eyes squinted in pain.


    His long blonde hair had been reduced to ugly clumps.


    His skin had turned red and bloody, but no bone or deep muscle tissue was visible.


    When the Zenith finally opened his eyes and stopped coughing, he sucked in a cold, fearful gasp.


    The Berserker Hound''s enraged face was an inch away from his.


    Ryu tilted his head back, before striking his forehead against the Zenith''s.


    BOOM!


    And again¡ª


    BOOM!


    And again¡ª


    BOOM!


    By the end, the man''s face didn''t resemble a face anymore.


    The other Elders pulled out the five Golden Cranes hiding inside the golem''s body.


    Something as powerful as the crane golem used massive amounts of mental energy and ''Ora''.


    They had been siphoned of all their strength and couldn''t retaliate.


    However, they weren''t executed, but subdued.


    Even the one who had his face crushed by Ryu, the Patriarch, was left alive.


    Not only that, arge group of Golden Crane disciples weren''t killed.


    They were talented inscription masters, after all.


    With a bit of torture, they could be made into assets that worked for the Temple.


    No Sect Elder or Patriarch would want their disciples ughtered in front of them.


    Still, they were thoroughly "subdued", which was awfully simr to what Ryu did to the Patriarch.


    By the end of it, the two battles were over and done with.


    Liam heaved a long, tired sigh.


    The refreshing light of dawn started to shine over the horizon, painting the skies a gentle amber.


    Finally!


    Now, the Temple owned more than 40% of the ind!


    Now, they could attack the Ravenous Leash Sect!


    ¡­However, theycked manpower and numbers.


    Large-size Sects had numbers up to the ten thousands.


    They owned a massive chunk of the ind after all.


    They could facilitate that kind of growth with the resources avable.


    Even with the Raging Wolf Sect joining the Temple, it wasn''t nearly enough.


    Pretty soon, the bounty hunters would spread to major inds and start sniffing every corner.


    But there was a deeper reason why the Golden Crane was the next target, and why so many of them were kept alive.


    If the Temple couldn''t overpower the Ravenous Leash with their numbers¡­ they could overpower them with preparation!


    Inscribed items, Formations, armor, weapons, everything.


    This was the power of preparation!


    ''When is this damn Patriarch going toe out? Why are we so confident in his abilities anyway?'' Liam thought, annoyed.


    Liam knew too little about the Unforgiven Shadow. Not even his Rank or name.


    The Elders were strangely quiet whenever Liam tried to probe for info.


    Not out of mistrust, since everyone else was as clueless as he was about the guy.


    Nevertheless, the Unforgiven had to be strong enough for the Elders to put so much trust in him.


    As he took himself out of his thoughts, Liam looked around.


    Acolytes that watched Liam''s craziness unfold gawked at him nkly, but Liam already began salvaging the remains of the Sect.


    ///


    Several things happened over the next few weeks.


    Firstly, the Temple was given a deadline until the Ravenous Leash''s attack.


    One and a half months.


    Until that time, every single acolyte had a duty to aplish.


    Martial arts were learned, strategies were written down, inscribed weapons and armor were made, and more.


    The Golden Crane Sect was way morepliant than the Temple initially thought they were.


    It helped that the Elders threatened to ughter the disciple''s one by one, but still.


    Liam, on the other hand, focused on making Abyssal Needles in exchange for pills and elixirs.


    Merit points basically weren''t applicable to him anymore due to his status within the Temple.


    The Elders absolutely loved his morbid and cruel invention.


    Especially since they won the battle against the Golden Crane Sect because of it.


    Obviously, it wasn''t as powerful as Elder Aki''s explosive items.


    But one was a Zenith.


    And the other was a Mortal.


    Even replicating that effect was extraordinary.


    And exactly one monthter, something amazing happened.


    Liam''s sea of consciousness was undergoing a change.

 Chapter 246 Something

    <h4>Chapter 246 Something</h4>


    In his quarters, Liam was expanding his mind with the Psionic Rune as usual.


    Over the years he practiced with it, the pain he experienced with it slowly dulled.


    It was either through Liam''s mental barrier getting stronger, or his tolerance for pain growing higher.


    After all, there weren''t many people who spent as much time as him strengthening their minds.


    And perhaps no one had as many methods of expansion as much as he did.


    At times, Liam used two to three Beast Wills with the Psionic Rune.


    Which is why, at this moment in time, Liam was bing a Rank 3 Magus.


    A Rank 3 Magus!


    However, that still didn''t exin how he advanced so fast.


    But even as the advancement process began, Liam made a realization.


    Did consuming bodies speed up his mental sphere too?


    What if it did?


    That must have been it.


    There was no other exnation.


    Not a day passed that Liam didn''t spend devouring at least five to six corpses of high ranking beasts and humans.


    Even if it didn''t directly nourish Liam''s mind, it nourished everything else.


    Also, he had just broken through the second Rank with his Chaos Pearl.


    With all these things added, it made Liam''s achievement barely believable.


    Slowly, Liam''s mental energy almost turned pitch-ck.


    Only a few strands of crimson red and blotches of ck tainted that beauty.


    They were the bestial side of the Ashura, and the corruption effects of the Dark Star.


    Liam''s sea of consciousness rapidly expanded, rumbling hectically.


    It just didn''t stop!


    Both the ckish mental energy surged to fill the new space and barrier grew denser, sturdier, thicker.


    The mental barrier was just as important as the mental energy.


    The former provided capacity, resilience, and fortitude.


    What did this mean?


    It meant that Liam could hone his focus to a de''s edge, endure more pain, and train more.


    This meant Liam could do more Liam things.


    Mental energy, on the other hand, was just as important.


    It increased thinking speed, senses, and rity.


    This needed no exnation.


    Massive amounts of pain flooded Liam''s mind.


    Different parts of his brain forcefully opened up and clicked instantly.


    It was like Liam didn''t have any intellect before this moment.


    The process was well beyond excruciating, filled with all kinds of overwhelming senses, since Liam''s mind was being reconstructed in real time.


    If he was still a Rank 2 Magus, Liam would writhe in agony.


    However¡­


    There was no hint of pain on Liam''s distant face, his eyes closed as he reveled in every foreign thought.


    He could just ignore it!


    As the advancement neared its end, a chilling aura spread throughout Liam''s quarters.


    An electric buzzing noise apanied the sudden change in temperature.


    Liam radiated an untouchable air.


    Liam was officially a monster.


    At this time, he was just a few months away from 18.


    And the average age to be a Rank 3 Magus?


    34.


    He was basically speedrunning the cultivation journey.


    Liam slowly opened his multi-colored eyes.


    The atmosphere changed.


    As though something wicked had awoken from its slumber.


    Something the world and its people could do better without.


    But it was awoken nevertheless.


    The first thing different about Liam was his eyes.


    The King Eye''s glow had been entuated.


    It interchanged between low hues of amber, to scintiting shimmers of golden. Sometimes swirling with both colors at the same time.


    The ck pupil in the center was as sharp as a de''s edge, even when rxed.


    Predators had vertical irises for one sole reason.


    To keep track of prey.


    Prey, instead, had horizontal shaped pupils to have a better view of theirndscapes, making it easier to find sources of escape.


    This is why Liam''s left eye was more terrifying than the right.


    It had gained an intense shade of scarlet, as though a mix of blood and grime.


    But the iris was both vertical and horizontal.


    Liam could even track his prey''s escape routes.


    Of course, these were just appearances.


    Through these eyes, Liam saw wonders.


    Obviously, the zooms he could do with the King''s Eye was nothing short of extraordinary.


    He could even peer through the thin cracks of his walls and see past them!


    Not to mention, the level of details were just insane with even the most mundane objects lying around his home.


    Naturally, his senses gainedyers uponyers ofplexity that he naturally understood.


    It took a minute for him to tune out the unwanted sounds from his brain.


    The nging of hammer against metal, the gurgling of cauldrons filled with chemicals, the cheers of an acolyte who just won a bet.


    All between closed walls and far distance.


    Finally, Liam focused on the King''s Eye again.


    Liam didn''t wait to test out its illusionistic capabilities.


    Liam spread his dense, buzzing mental waves that covered everything in an instant.


    He used it on himself first.


    Coating himself with mental energy, he closed his eyes and imagined something.


    Then, he activated it.


    A delicate ripple of iridescent light flickered across his entire body, transforming his form as it spread.


    Elder Verium had suddenly taken over Liam''s ce.


    His high cheekbones, pale skin, ck eyes and dark hair with tints of gray looked immacte. Even his height was meticulous.


    ''Wow¡­ it''s pretty urate.''


    ''I''m pretty sure the Royals will never find me now.''


    ''I feel like there''s more to this, though.''


    Liam practiced a bit more with the King''s Eye.


    Its uses were far more useful now.


    Liam''s mental energy could twist in turn in immacte ways, which he could then shape into intricate forms.


    He concocted a floating fish with rainbow scales that flew around him.


    As well as transforming his right hand into a vicious dragon''s w.


    Even something asplicated as a red wisp of fire danced in the palm of his hand.


    All of it shaped with his amazing mental energy.


    But it was all simply fake.


    Nevertheless, Liam could basically feign attacks and even his element now.


    Sort of.


    Powerful cultivators could easily tell the difference between a real attack and a fake.


    Their mental energy gave them special perception, after all.


    And something as harmless as an illusion radiated no danger whatsoever.


    But that didn''t mean they weren''t capable of being fooled.


    ''What about the Shadow Clone spell?''

 Chapter 247 Drugged

    <h4>Chapter 247 Drugged</h4>


    Liam''s Shadow Clone spell improved alongside his mental sphere Rank.


    That meant it went from Rank 2 to Rank 3.


    This was a massive leap for something as powerful as a cloning spell.


    Liam felt anticipation rising in his chest.


    With that in mind, Liam activated it.


    His body began to ooze three states of darkness, splitting into another version of him that quickly formed.


    Other than how it looked more powerful, due to his solid-stage core, Liam didn''t notice anything strange.


    ''Was that it? I don''t see what ch...''


    Liam''s thoughts trailed off at the end, since another three stages of darkness left his body.


    Another Shadow Clone formed!


    Two Shadow Clones!


    Both clones looked at Liam with no life in their ck eyes.


    Liam manually controlled both of them.


    Before, even controlling one clone was difficult for Liam''s mind.


    But now, he could wlessly operate two different clones at once.


    Liam coated them with his mental energy and used the King''s Eye.


    They gained an impable human-like appearance.


    Not a strand of hair was out of ce.


    Liam smiled.


    The Shadow Clones smiled too.


    This was huge!


    Now that Liam''s illusions were much more realistic, the Shadow Clones couldn''t be differentiated from the real him.


    Liam could confuse his opponents in unimaginable ways.


    By hismand, the Shadow Clones approached Liam.


    Sharp, darkness-made des formed in their hands.


    A momentter, they began to swipe their weapons at him!


    Of course, Liam controlled both clones.


    But hemanded them to attack him as he continuously dodged the series of shes and stabs.


    It was like ying chess with oneself, but infinitely more difficult.


    This was the power of Liam''s new mind.


    With lithe and delicate movements, he used the bare minimum effort to evade those des.


    Even though he was doing his absolute best to sh at himself.


    A momentter, Liam stopped the clones.


    They made a quick salute (by hismand), before melting away.


    Now that Liam used two Shadow Clones, naturally, his core used more ''Ora''.


    More than a quarter of his core was now empty, but it was worth it nheless.


    ''I feel like everything is easier now. Even that impossible tempering method.''


    ''I can also fix the Blooder''s Blood Arts.''


    ''There''s so much to inscribe and forge too.''


    ''I can do so much!''


    Happiness.


    This was what shot through Liam''s veins at this moment.


    However, Liam would now have to find a Rank 4 Psionic Rune.


    ''With so many Sects we''ve brought down, there definitely should be a spare one for me.''


    A momentter, Liam cloaked himself with mental energy.


    His presence was instantly extinguished.


    With a slight smile, Liam left his amodation.


    Jargon''s mental waves were set near his quarters to appear beside him whenever Liam needed it.


    But even as Liam left, Jargon didn''te out.


    After all, Jargon was still a Rank 2 Magus.


    He only received a Rank 3 Psionic Rune when Liam arrived in li.


    He couldn''t sense Liam.


    Liam went to him anyway.


    He wanted to test the mind reading capabilities of the King''s Eye.


    There wasn''t really a need to hide his advancement, but Liam did it out of instinct.


    Liam allowed his presence to be known, and Jargon hurried to open the door.


    When Jargon saw Liam, he abruptly gasped.


    He felt like prey under Liam''s piercing gaze.


    Within the next instant, the cruel feeling vanished, as though Jargon had just imagined it.


    But he knew he didn''t.


    The sweat trickling down his forehead was evidence.


    "M-my liege? Is there something wrong?"


    Saying nothing, Liam focused his gaze with Jargon''s.


    Emotion, intention, and thought.


    Liam could see these three aspects in a much clearer light.


    For the first, Liam obviously recognized Jargon''s fear and shock.


    It had tainted his mental waves with faint ckish and gray colors.


    Jargon''s intention was a lot more vague, since he simply idle.


    But what seemed like a mix of jumbled up meanings, now looked like hazy but coherent thoughts.


    ''I can''t understand a Rank 2 Magus'' thoughts yet. Rank 1 and below should be easier to figure out, though.''


    Obviously, Liam didn''t intend to scare the man, but his aura had condensed as he suppressed it. Realizing his mistake, he quickly held it down.


    Still, Liam''s eye tingled whenever he felt Jargon''s mental sphere.


    It felt like there was a sort of connection between the two.


    Something he could tap into.


    As Liam had analyzed everything, he came back to Jargon''s question.


    Just a second of silence had passed.


    "I need to test something on you. Just rx and think normally."


    Jargon gulped and nodded firmly.


    Liam fixed his multicolored eyes to Jargon''s brown.


    Jargon felt beads of sweat pouring through his orifices.


    Liam focused on the tingling sensation.


    The more he did, the more it felt like something was aligning into focus.


    Along with that, there were strange sensations that he felt pouring into his brain.


    It was as though his five senses had gained another five senses!


    Abruptly, faint images formed in Liam''s vision.


    It flickered in and out, but by the end of it, a hazy but solidified picture appeared in Liam''s mind.


    It was¡­ himself?


    ''What¡­ is going on?''


    ''Is that¡­ me?''


    Liam could somehow see through two different perspectives.


    His own¡­


    And Jargons!


    Liam took a deep breath, suppressing his shock to focus.


    There was more.


    Jargon was unaware of his senses being tapped into.


    But Liam could do something else now.


    "I want you to remain calm and tell me what you see," Liam said with a low voice.


    Jargon nodded quickly.


    Liam activated the King''s Eye.


    But instead of Liam''s surroundings changing¡­


    "W-what is happening?" Jargon asked.


    "Just tell me what you see," Liam responded quickly.


    "There''s¡­ lush grass growing out of the stone ground? Rainbow scaled fishes are flying around me and there''s tentacles growing on your body¡­"


    "Have I been drugged?" Jargon asked with a dumbfounded expression.


    Liam suppressed a broad smile from appearing on his face.


    What did this mean?


    Liam could now alter other peoples'' perception!

 Chapter 248 Catalyst

    <h4>Chapter 248 Catalyst</h4>


    As if his previous abilities weren''t broken enough, Liam could now alternate other peoples'' perception.


    Liam tested the limits of such a skill.


    He coated himself with ayer of mental energy and made it so that it matched his background.


    "Do you still see me?" Liam asked.


    "Uh¡­ no, there''s just a blurry form where you''re standing. It looks like a mirage of some sort," Jargon responded, still confused about the entire ordeal.


    Liam was now the perfect killing machine.


    He could use his Shadow to blend into his surroundings.


    He could tap into a person''s mental sphere andpletely tune himself out.


    He could use his seemingly unending Rank 2 blood as inscribed items.


    ''Can it work on Spirit Beasts as well?'' Liam wondered.


    Surely not, right?


    That would just make it a bit too powerful.


    In the first ce, that would require him to perceive his senses through an animal.


    Suddenly, something clicked.


    ''I need to test that with the Shifter. If it works¡­''


    If Liam could perceive the Egg''s senses, that would vastly increase his chances of making the ridiculous Rank 5 tempering method.


    ''There''s also my deal with the Kitsune. I''ll have to start experimenting with mental spheres now.''


    As his thoughts spread in every direction, Jargon was still looking at him nkly.


    Liam reckoned that was enough toying with the man.


    He severed the connection between his mental sphere and Jargon''s, and the double-sided perception snapped off.


    "Just¡­ what was that?" Jargon asked.


    Liam shrugged.


    "Don''t sweat it. But don''t tell anyone about it either."


    Liam didn''t need to threaten the man for him toply.


    They were past that.


    "Of course," Jargon responded.


    Liam could vaguely tell the man''s loyalty and gratitude.


    A momentter, Liam bid him farewell and met with Elder Jane.


    ///


    "I need a Rank 4 Rune."


    In the hallroom again, Liam abruptly opened the meeting with that.


    Elder Jane gave him a nk look.


    "Why?" she asked.


    "I''ve be a Rank 3 Magus," Liam responded casually.


    There was a fragile silence in Elder Janes'' chambers.


    As usual when Liam uttered something unbelievable, probing mental waves spread to his sea of consciousness and began to test him.


    Elder Jane had a Zenith ranked mental sphere.


    Her mental waves were dense and affected reality in powerful ways.


    A Rank 3 Magus still couldn''t do that.


    They were on the cusp of doing so, but still unable.


    Still, Liam countered by pushing away the mental waves with his own.


    If he hadn''t advanced, he wouldn''t have been able to do a fraction of that.


    Even though the Zenith was going easy on his mental sphere, it still felt like an ethereal mountain was spreading to his brain.


    By the end of it, Elder Jane looked aghast.


    Then, she exploded into maniacalughter.


    Liam raised one brow in confusion but remained silent.


    Had she gone crazy?


    If she wasn''t already.


    Slowly, her sonorous guffaw turned to a chuckle, then a soft giggle.


    "Wow¡­ I haven''tughed that hard in some time."


    Liam narrowed his eyes.


    Silently, he tried to connect his King''s Eye to the Zenith''s sea of consciousness, but her mental waves were too powerful for his eye to get past.


    "I wasn''t joking," Liam responded.


    "I know," Elder Jane said with anotherugh. "That''s why it''s so funny to me. You truly believe everything you do is normal."


    "Can you give me the rune or no?" Liam furrowed his brows in annoyance.


    He had ces to be!


    Inwardly, he was brimming with excitement over his newfound power.


    He wanted to get to work straight away.


    There were only two weeks left before the attack on the Ravenous Leash Sect.


    Liam was having his precious seconds wasted!


    "Rx," Elder Jane snorted. "Your impatience will be the death of you, I''m sure," she shook her head.


    She made a gesture, and a fist-sized rock with eighteen glowing sides flew towards Liam.


    Liam caught it and gave it a short nce.


    ZZZZZT.


    Instantly, his face twisted to a grimace due to the piercing pain shooting through his otherwise sturdy mind, like a bolt of lightning decided to strike him there.


    Liam cursed and hid the rune from view.


    "I would have told you about that if you weren''t so impatient," Jane grinned ear-to-ear.


    Liam almost shot the Elder a frown but decided against it. He''d just suffer more.


    So¡­ a Rank 4 Psionic Rune could make him squint in pain just from a nce.


    Great.


    Just lovely.


    He''d thoroughly enjoy his time with the shrewd rock.


    "I''ll be telling the others of your achievement. They probably won''t believe me, though, so you''ll be getting a few visits from them."


    Liam shook his head and left.


    As he made his way out of the Temple, arge group of Shadows came to Liam.


    "Here''s your sum, by the way. You won the race," Krel said with a wry smile, stretching a giant bag of ''Ora'' Stones towards him.


    Liam looked at the massive glowing satchel with confusion, then shook his head.


    "You can have it."


    With that, Liam ventured back into his quarters, leaving the Shadows to wonder as to what just happened.


    ''Wealth is boring now.''


    ''I have more than enough already.''


    ''At a certain point, money bes redundant.''


    ''Everything is centered around power.''


    ''And this is just the beginning.''


    There was something different about Liam.


    Something colder, more sinister and unnerving.


    What Liam didn''t know was, as one stepped up the Ranks, their worldly connections grew distant.


    Unless, of course, they chose to indulge in them.


    It depended on their personalities.


    And for someone whose life-long goal was centered around power?


    Everything else lost value.


    As Liam took out his parchment papers andid them all around, Eve appeared in his room.


    Skull-faced and dead.


    She was always there in the background.


    Watching every one of his movements.


    Liam was painfully aware of her presence, but ignored her most of the time.


    "It was worth it, then?" Eve asked with a raspy voice, speaking through a crushed throat.


    Liam turned towards her solemnly.


    There was no difort in his expression. No pain, regret, or sorrow.


    Liam heaved a sigh.


    He wouldn''t be who he was without Eve in his life.


    She was the catalyst to his understanding of the world.


    Tears of blood fell down Eve''s face. With a fragile voice filled with sadness, she spoke:


    "Would you do the same thing if given the chance?"

 Chapter 249 Meeting

    <h4>Chapter 249 Meeting</h4>


    That question, only audible to Liam''s ears, lingered in the air.


    Liam lowered his head in silent thought, then raised it with a distant look.


    Liam didn''t answer.


    ¡­But Eve blinked out of existence, and she didn''t return.


    Liam shook his head.


    He felt the connection between him and his mother wane as he grew stronger, and now¡­ there was just a thread left.


    He honored her memory.


    But that was it.


    What was done was done.


    Eve was gone.


    And Liam would live.


    What''s the point of heartbreak?


    Of loving someone?


    In the first ce, Liam questioned the point of rtionships.


    What use were they if everyone he learned to love died because they were unable to keep up with him?


    No thanks.


    ///


    With just two weeks, there wasn''t much for Liam to start any major project.


    All he could do was skim over what his new inscribing and forging capabilities were.


    Liam had officially surpassed both Revel and Rogan.


    Both in cultivation and understanding of their specializations.


    He had be the only g bearer for the two otherwise dead arts.


    And he wasn''t even half their age.


    Liam didn''t mind being called talented now.


    It was undeniable.


    It started off as hard work, but then built up to talent.


    Liam began testing out the capabilities of his King''s Eye with inscriptions, peering into the Meanings of spells, and forging.


    For the first, it was obvious that Liam''s Meanings had taken a massive leap inplexity.


    He could instantly spot mistakes or areas of improvement in his previously made spells and techniques.


    Liam had never made a mental attack or defensive spell, but he gained the confidence to try.


    Rank 3 spells were possible too!


    Especially since Liam could further peer into the Meanings of Rank 3 and 4 spells, and understand them far better than before.


    For his forging, Liam wasn''t sure about suppressing a Rank 4 Spirit Beast in his mind.


    Was he capable now?


    Probably not.


    Zenith beasts were amazing creatures, and within the sea of consciousness, they grew twice as big.


    However, Liam wasn''t discouraged.


    There were countless ways of empowering the mind, after all.


    With enough preparations, Liam could probably do something like that.


    In the meantime, Liam visited the Egg.


    As usual, it squealed, but softly and without any hostile intent.


    ''So it''s finally gotten to like me.''


    Liam quickly fed the Shifter a few Rank 3 corpses that satiated its hunger, then clicked the inscribed cage open.


    CLICK!


    Unlike before where it lurched at him, it remained still.


    It was more out of annoyance that he didn''t, not fear. Being sent to the void realm everytime had that effect.


    "Be good and sit still," Liam said to the creature, then locked his King''s Eye with its six, inky-ck eyes.


    At first, nothing happened.


    Liam was just seriously staring at an octopus.


    If anyone else saw what Liam was doing, they''d probablyugh.


    However¡­


    A momentter, something flickered.


    Six different perspectives began forming in Liam''s mind!


    Liam grimaced as pain poured into his senses.


    He was bombarded with the thoughts of a Zenith ranked creature.


    In reality, there were no thoughts.


    Just jarring screams and screeches that carried faint meanings of what the octopus was thinking, or trying to think.


    Liam imagined that the pain would be far less when trying with a lower ranking beast.


    Or even one less intelligent than the Shifter, but it wasn''t enough to stop him from continuing.


    Eventually, the six perspectives formed¡­ along with the different senses that apanied it.


    And they were all utterly alien.


    What Liam realized was, the shifter couldn''t actually see color.


    It saw in a ck and white filter, but with deeper shades than normal.


    There was another sense embedded into its vision, too, something that allowed it to sense light in a much more precise way.


    Also, it could perceive light through its skin, which was how it knew what to morph and shape into.


    Its smell and hearing was also different than humans, it wasser-precise, but tooplicated for Liam to work it out properly.


    After one minute passed, Liam severed the connection.


    The screeching was getting loud, and he learned what he wanted.


    ''Yeah¡­ this''ll be difficult.''


    ''Harmonizing everything won''t be easy.''


    ''In fact, I don''t think it''s possible, even with a Rank 3 mind.''


    Then, Liam realized something important.


    ''I don''t need to make it a technique.''


    ''I can just make it a process!''


    ''That way, even the Elders could help meplete it.''


    ''But first, I''ll have to seed in making a ckhole.''


    ///


    By the end of it, Liam just used the next two weeks of preparation to make several new and improved Abyssal Needles.


    Tweaking and even beginning the body tempering method straight away was not ideal. It required extensive research.


    Obviously, there were several ideas that bubbled in his mind for newer, crueler weapons, but they had to wait.


    At first nce, the Abyssal Needle was already amazing itself.


    But just by remembering its edifice, Liam thought of improvements.


    For one, the Needle''s speed.


    Now, Liam wanted to make it faster.


    Even Rank 3 Magi could be taken off guard with it, but in a real battle, they could easily avoid its range and use movement spells to run away.


    With a few changes to its design, Liam could afford to make it thinner without losing any of its power.


    As Liam began to make them, he realized he could now apply more than 80% of the Beast Will within the invention!


    That was huge!


    Although not 100, it bolstered the needle''s potential to an amazing amount.


    If Liam was focused on quality over quantity, he could make Abyssal Needles in the middle-tier.


    However, Liam was under a strict schedule.


    Fighting the Ravenous Leash Sect was only winnable through inscribed items, and it was rapidly approaching.


    The fight had its own stages.


    First, was the lure.


    The Temple didn''t intend to fight the Ravenous Leash in a straight battle.


    That was foolish.


    With so much control over the ind, they simply made it seem that every Sect within the western, northern and southern side suddenly wanted to meet with the Leashes.


    They agreed, unaware that every Sect was just the Temple masquerading as them.

 Chapter 250 Ambush

    <h4>Chapter 250 Ambush</h4>


    After the lure was the entrapping, followed by the ambush.


    Using a powerful inscribed item, courtesy of the Golden Cranes, a massive, circr Formation would trap everyone inside.


    There were roughly twelve Leash Elders that would join that meeting. Only their Patriarch would remain back at the Sect.


    Once they ughtered everyone inside the enclosed area, they''d go for him too, with the Unforgiven Shadow at their side.


    However, the Golden Crane Elders were not allowed to fight with the Temple.


    They''d already done their job in creating the inscribed items that the Temple would use to fight with.


    And, they were known to be a cowardly bunch, even as Zeniths.


    Still, a fight at the Ravenous Leashes'' grounds was being lowered, but it wasn''tpletely zero.


    Their entire fighting style was centered around Spirit Beasts, which came in endless varieties and offered powerful abilities.


    If they escaped, they would obviously alert everyone.


    Formations that blocked out any connection between Jades were riddled across the ind, but the Leashes could fly.


    Well, not them, but their aerial Spirit Beasts.


    The fight would take ce in the very center of the ind, within a massive structure that the Temple themselves had made for the asion.


    It was a massive, dome-shaped building made out of gold. The vast interior was empty, except for a wide, circr table that the Elders could sit around.


    Within the walls themselves, were traps and hidden rooms that the Elders and acolytes could bombard their opponents from.


    Even the chairs the Leashes would sit upon would transform into spikes and burning chains upon activation.


    Twelve chairs on one side, fourteen on the other.


    Since some of the Sects the Temple defeated contained appearance-changing martial arts, their disguises were not a problem.


    Using an amplifying device made by the Cranes, the Shadows'' presences could momentarily imitate a Rank 4''s, but that was it.


    Under their the Temples'' chairs were hidden teleportation matrices, and when the barrage of attacks began, they would simply blink to safety.


    Also, the floor was also lined with several explosive devices and deadly traps, beams of condensed water and bursts of wild me would spew out as soon as they were activated.


    The building itself was a Rank 4 inscribed item. Itpletely canceled out any noise or vibrations that might ur inside.


    No screams or shouts for help would be heard.


    With all these preparations, Liam was still not sure they would win.


    There were twelve Elders.


    And from what he knew, they had a Rank 4 beast as their inhumanpanion.


    In total, that meant they would have to fight against 24 Zeniths.


    Only with the advantage of surprise, preparation and massive amounts of inscribed items at their side.


    Liam could only focus on making more needles and hope to do his part.


    ///


    Finding himself a small, hidden room within the massive dome, Liam hid his presence, cloaked himself with Shadow and kept quiet.


    The walls of such a space were covered with inscriptions, but it didn''t hurt to be safe.


    All around him were simr rooms, barelyrge enough for him to stretch his hands through.


    There were more than three thousand of these rooms, after all, curved around the dome-like shape of the structure.


    Every single one of them housed an acolyte with an inscribed item of sorts.


    Something like this used up massive amounts of resources, but it was worth it. No punches would be pulled.


    If 12 Zeniths were killed, the Temple could afford to fight on even ground.


    Soon enough, a sharp whistling, a loud thumping, a rhythmic slithering grew louder in the distance.


    ''Here they are,'' Liam thought with a focused expression.


    In his hand was the newer and improved Abyssal Needle, ready to be thrown at a moment''s notice.


    Slowly, the various noises dwindled down, but in a quieter fashion, made its way through the dome''s interior.


    Twelve Elders ¨C wearing ck and red themed robes ¨C entered through, mounted upon various Spirit Beasts.


    Among them was a crowned eagle, a crystal-eyed stag, a crimson tiger, a double-jawed lion, a metal boar, a green-horned snake, and more.


    The Elders'' appearances somehow matched theirpanions.


    "I see you all have gathered already. Since when have you all been under the sheets?" the strongest of them, the one with the crimson tiger, said with a scowl.


    The Berserker Hound, disguised as the Iron Giant, stepped forward with a frown, even though he wasn''t exactly as strong as him.


    "Since a head worth three million ''Ora'' Stones had entered the ind," he said. "And since none of you have done anything to take advantage of it."


    Crimson Tiger, the Leash Elder''s moniker, shot the Berserker a hard re.


    The atmosphere within the hall already grew dark.


    Before it degenerated any further further, Maeve, disguised as the Alluring Fairy Patriarch, soothed things over with a gentle voice and a dazzling appearance.


    "Now, now, best we talk things over, yes? Please, take your seats. Violence isn''t the only way to solve things, no?" she said with a smile.


    With her words, the air turned a little less tense.


    Still, slight scowls were visible on the Leashes'' faces.


    A momentter, they parked their beasts and took their designated seats.


    Perfect.


    Hearing their muffled words through the wall of his hiding space, Liam heaved a slight breath.


    ''The crimson tiger is of the fire element, but that''s not the problem. If that Metal Boar activates its defensive ability, it''ll block most of the barrage.''


    A few minutes passed.


    The Temple was trying to gain as much information as possible from the Elders.


    They were going to die shortly, after all.


    Might as well make the most out of what they knew.


    Eventually, Verium, disguised as the Nine Palm Patriarch, made a slight smile as he reclined in his chair.


    The thirteen other Elders/Shadows imitated him with slight smiles on their faces.


    "I think that just about concludes it," said Verium.


    "Conclude what?" Horned Viper asked with a cold tone, sensing something strange¡ª


    SHING!


    Abruptly, fourteen figures disappeared from the Hallroom, and more than three thousandpartments opened up from the curved dome walls.

 Chapter 251 Dangerous

    <h4>Chapter 251 Dangerous</h4>


    Caught off-guard, it only took a split-second for the Temple to take advantage of the Leashes'' surprise.


    More than three thousandpartments opened up in an instant, each hurling intricate objects in the center of the dome.


    BOOOM!


    FFFOOOOOOOOF!


    SHHHHHHHHH!


    Explosions, sprays of fire and beams of concentrated water came through from all sides, converging solely on the 12 Zeniths.


    Plumes of fire, mist, darkness and earth sprayed everywhere, but the dome didn''t even tremble.


    SKREEEEEEEEE!


    ROAAAAAR!


    Ear-splitting screeches from the Crowned Eagle caused a few to grimace and fall unconscious, but its cry was stifled by an Abyssal Needle hurled at its throat.


    Liam wasn''t the one who threw it.


    He was hurling smaller needles and Shadow Bombs, but other than that, he kept the needle at his side.


    Even as the Double-jawed Lion and the Crimson Tiger roared, Liam endured their powerful cries with a grimace, his gaze fixed directly on the Metal Boar.


    He was patiently waiting.


    Then, just as the damaged boar''s fur started to gain a metallic sheen, Liam threw the needle withser-like uracy at its mouth.


    It tore through the air at an incredible speed.


    If Liam hadn''t made the improvements on the needle, it wouldn''t have met its mark.


    But it did.


    The needle exploded inside the boar''s mouth just before it closed, allowing all the cruel gas to eat it out from the inside.


    Repeatedly coughing, the Metal Boar trashed around in its ce, uncaring of its allies or the Zenith mounted above it.


    Any organization or n of action the Leashes had gone up in mes.


    After the Metal Boar attacked its fellow beasts, the lion, tiger, and snake decided it was fair to fight back and defend themselves.


    From then on out, it was just a one-sided beatdown.


    Liam continuously hurled Umbral Needles and Shadow Bombs at vague openings he spotted.


    Although there were many times that the Leashes were preparing a defensive or offensive ability, or just trying to get the situation under control, a powerful attack stopped them before they could unleash it.


    More than three minutes of such a relentless beatdown continued.


    The Crowned Eagle''s feathers were plucked from its regal wings, the Crystal-eyed Stag was missing both its eyes, the Doubled-jawed Lioncked both jaws, and the beasts below them were in an even worse condition.


    On its own, a measly ant cannot do anything against a mighty dragon.


    But with numbers on their side, even a pack of dragons wasn''t hard to kill.


    Once the flurry of inscribed items suffered an abrupt end, the six Temple Elders simply left theirpartments and got physical.


    With the fragile condition that the Leash Elders were in, they couldn''t do anything to stop the vicious attacksing their way.


    By the end of it, eleven of the Leash Elders were executed, and as always, one was left alive.


    The Temple wasn''t without their own injuries. Some low ranking Acolytes, and even a few Disciples, had died.


    An eptable oue.


    Massive beast bodies littered the dome''s interior.


    ''Please tell me they have their martial arts with them,'' Liam hoped as he jumped from his high tform.


    The ground was still sizzling with raging mes and jotting pieces of sharp rock, but Liam dashed through them, unbothered.


    Verium, Jane, Aki, and Orisa had already left towards the Istion Chamber, intending to torture the Leash member for any useful knowledge he didn''t share during the meeting.


    Once that was over with, the attack on the Ravenous Leash Sect would finalize.


    Elder Jax, however, lingered around the grisly battlefield and sorted through their space rings.


    "Do they have their martial arts with them?" Liam asked the Elder, who shot him a smirk in response.


    "They do," he said, throwing an ornate, ck and red scroll towards him.


    It had the drawing of various beasts on its golden surface, and looked like a priceless treasure.


    "Thank you," Liam expressed his gratitude and instantly unfurled the scroll.


    "You might want to be careful. What they practice is dangerous. Even on par with the Ten Thousand Shadows, just without the mind corruption thing," Elder Jax warned seriously.


    Liam nodded.


    But warnings did little to stop him.


    He quickly gazed over the contents of the scroll.


    Liam''s eyes slightly widened.


    ''It''s sort of simr to Primordial Forging. They use the Beast Will of a Spirit Beast and tether it to their own cores, essentially taming them.''


    ''The core has to be at least near the Rank of the Beast Will, or else the disparity between their strengths would be too much.''


    ''If done incorrectly, the core would just shatter and cripple itself. Worst case scenario, the user would die.''


    Liam raised his brows.


    Yeah¡­ this was way more dangerous than he thought.


    No wonder most of the Leash disciples he saw only tamed Rank 2 beasts. Even Rank 3 beasts were too much for them.


    However¡­


    This didn''t exactly apply to Liam.


    Why?


    He could simply tame the Beast Will in his mental sphere!


    The Leash Arts required the user to defeat the Beast Will using their sheer core strength.


    That was just in idiotic!


    Liam could simply tame a Rank 3 Beast Will, or even several of them, and do the process with way less effort than normal!


    ¡­Though, he didn''t really think it was that simple.


    The entire Art was built around the Beast Will being tamed by the core. Who was to say anything other than that worked?


    Besides, having a Spirit Beast as apanion sounded pretty amazing in its own right.


    But having a massive creature apanying him at all times dimmed his enthusiasm.


    Like his Shadow Clones, he wanted something he could summon whenever he wanted.


    Liam didn''t trust his luck on the matter, but he didn''t lose heart.


    With his new mind, and a bit of extensive research, he had the confidence to tinker a bit with the technique.


    And plus, there was always the Zenith Leash that the Temple had just kidnapped.


    "Are you just going to stand there? Hurry up and go home! The next and final attack won''t be as well done as this," Elder Jax reprimanded.


    Liam nodded and did exactly that.

 Chapter 252 Scream

    <h4>Chapter 252 Scream</h4>


    Liam patiently waited outside arge room that long, suppressed grunts resounded out of.


    He had his eyes closed in deep thought, unfazed by the disturbing cries that came through it now and again.


    Liam''s mind was still on the Ravenous Leash Arts.


    In a way, it really worked like a body-inscription method, creating a tether between the core and the Beast Will.


    That was where the name "Leash" came from. It simply imitated one.


    For one, killing the beast was fine.


    There was no other way to attain the core.


    All that was needed was the corpse, which was basically used as a puppet for the Art user tomand.


    It didn''t need the cultivator''s mental energy or ''Ora'' to work, either, which was amazing in its own right.


    A single mentalmand was all that was needed to control it.


    That said, it wasn''t absolutely submissive to its master''s will, as seen when the Metal Boar began its reckless thrashing.


    Their bodies contained their Wills after a sessful procedure. They were both dead and alive at the same time.


    ''I''m still not good enough to practice with the Shadow Clone spell. That thing is way tooplicated for me to analyze or even understand.''


    ''My only hope could be the Primordial Forging method if I want to make this work. Only time will tell if it''s anything changeable with my current understanding.''


    ''I know for a fact the answer lies with my Shadow, though. Something so malleable and mercurial can do so much.''


    ''I''ve barely scratched the surface. I''d have to make that ckhole thing a reality, first,'' Liam thought. ''I can''t wait for the raids to be over with.''


    Other cultivators couldn''t even dream to have the same mindset Liam did.


    Of taking inspiration from a technique and manipting them into something of his own making.


    At such a young age, even making Rank 2 spells was a dream.


    Inscription masters needed years and years before attempting something like that.


    And here he was, contemting how to make a body-tempering method thatbined three different races, and ways to remake a renowned n Art into something of his liking.


    Pain tolerance and the King''s Eye sure was useful.


    Still in his musings, Liam heard the door click open, and the four Elders came out looking a bit dejected, covered with blood and grime.


    "He didn''t give us much," said Elder Aki, a slight frown on her small, blood-covered face. "I even crushed his¡ª"


    "We all saw," Elder Orisa said, cutting her off. "At least now we know there''s another 6 Zenith Elders left."


    "What are you doing here?" Elder Jane asked Liam, and the group''s attention fell on him.


    "I want a few minutes with him. Alone. I have a few questions regarding their n''s Art," Liam responded.


    Everyone looked at him silently.


    "If the four of us can''t get him to talk, what makes you so confident?" Elder Verium said.


    There was no mockery intended, but just a slight reprimand for his line of thought.


    Liam shrugged.


    "I just want to ask."


    Verium sighed.


    "Go ahead then. He''s already chained up and can''t use spells. If he tries anything, you can kill him yourself. He''s weakened enough."


    On his words, the three left, leaving just him and Jane.


    "What are you up to now?" she asked with a raised brow.


    "Nothing serious."


    Shaking her head, the Elder left shortly after.


    Liam shrugged again and entered the room, closing the doors behind him.


    Ahead, the Leash Member known as the Crimson Tiger looked like he didn''t have much life remaining in him.


    He was tied up in a cruel piece of equipment, tight, powerful shackles gripped at his limbs, neck, forehead, knees and feet.


    He was missing his nails.


    He was missing his left arm.


    He was missing a foot.


    Gobs of blood covered him, especially the groin area.


    His hateful eyes spotted Liam.


    "Y-you? You''re the scum on the poster!"


    The Elder''s mental waves spread out to pressure Liam''s mind, but they were too weakened and frail to do any significant damage.


    Liam pushed them back with ease, activating Corrosive Mind and Piercing de aimed straight at the man''s mental sphere.


    Another grunt filled with pain left the man''s throat, his face twisted with a grimace.


    Liam heaved a sigh and stood a short distance away from the weak Zenith.


    "Nothing they haven''t done to me," the Elder snarled, spitting out a mouthful of blood. A tooth was among the mix, tapping against the floor. "What can you do?"


    Liam said nothing derogatory. He wanted cooperation.


    "I have a few questions. Just help me out. Your n Arts ¨C I want to learn them. Can you tell me more about the process?"


    Surprise flickered on the Elder''s face for merely a second, before twisting into one of anger.


    "You''re overestimating yourself, and you''re underestimating our Arts. Tethering is painful¡ª"


    Boring.


    "¡ªand a random nobody like you won''t be able to do much."


    "Why not?" Liam asked, studying the man''s mental waves. In its weakened state, he saw regret, pain, and a whole lot of anger.


    "You''re untrained. It takes the budding disciples years and years to understand the process."


    "What process?"


    Crimson Tiger gave Liam a nk look, before letting out a strainedugh.


    "Do you honestly think I would answer that?"


    Silence followed.


    Liam pursed his lips.


    Obviously, he didn''t imagine he would get the man''s cooperation, but it was worth a shot.


    Oh well.


    Asking him for help wasn''t the only reason he came.


    Liam''s vertical iris constricted straight at the Elder''s eyes.


    If the Zenith had even a quarter of his strength, Liam wouldn''t have been able to reach his mental sphere.


    But he did.


    Liam saw through the man''s senses.


    Obviously, Liam couldn''t feel what a Zenith felt.


    He could only perceive his vision and hearing to a limited degree.


    Crimson Tiger didn''t know what was going on, but he felt something strange.


    Liam''s presence was unnerving, and his gaze was unsettling, even to him.


    ...A momentter, Liam''s body started to twist and morph into a massive, rotten, eight-eyed creature with nine emaciated limbs sprouting from its sides, ending in scythe-like protrusions dripping with viscous blood.


    Dozens of small, ck-and-red eyes slowly burst open from his horrible form, and a wide crooked grin filled with jagged, rusty spikes for teeth acted as a mouth.


    Crimson Tiger screamed until his throat went dry.

 Chapter 253 Fear

    <h4>Chapter 253 Fear</h4>


    Obviously, there was no such nightmare creature inside the small torture room. It was a freakish apparition that Liam had conjured up from mental energy.


    But Crimson Tiger didn''t know that.


    He screamed and screamed until he could no longer.


    Cracks formed on the man''s mental sphere¡­ before eventually shattering.


    He had killed himself.


    ¡­


    Liam remained silent.


    He had just killed a Zenith. A significantly weakened Zenith, but still.


    Granted, it wasn''t really fair, or even a fight, but the method of killing was what amazed him.


    Liam had killed the man using fear alone!


    Just fear!


    For regr humans, this was possible.


    They could die from heart-attacks that came from sudden jumpscares or when faced with terrifying situations.


    But this was a Rank 4 Zenith!


    Someone who had triumphed over all three Tribtions and attained massive power!


    And Liam had made the man kill himself.


    ''Fear is also a tool,'' Liam realized, looking at the limp Zenith. ''I''ve never really used it that way before.''


    Well, on more than one asion, he did.


    Just not intentionally.


    ''Maybe I should start taking it more seriously.''


    ///


    Pretty soon, the short reprieve the Temple had was over and done with.


    Liam made himself useful during that period, focusing a bit more with his Shadow.


    Not only was it the key to figuring out his body-tempering method, it was also connected to his recreation of the Ravenous Leash Arts.


    More importantly, he focused more on Darkening it, rather than erging.


    Now, his Shadow was a littlerger than his entire body.


    He could swim under the ground with ease.


    Shadow Teleportation was obviously harder, but Liam would eventually figure that out too.


    Meanwhile, the Psionic Rune was an utter pain.


    Liam could only work 20 minutes with it at a time!


    It swallowed gobs of his mental energy, not to mention, he was forced to rest right afterward, which was something he hated to do.


    And it barely expanded his mental sphere!


    Nevertheless, he did his best to extend training with that shrewd rock.


    By the end, the second attack was ready to be executed.


    Liam left his quarters and joined the underground groups.


    He wore his finest clothes for the asion.


    By ''finest'', it obviously meant the strongest ¨C the ck wrappings were a peak Rank 2 item that could block low-ranking spells with rtive ease.


    Soon after, the Elders began the briefing.


    Firstly, there wasn''t the same scale of inscribed items avable as before.


    They had used most of them to kill the 12 Zeniths, which stripped off most of the Ravenous Leashes forces.


    Now, there were only 6 Elders left to battle.


    But fighting on their turf? It was way more dangerous than an ambush.


    And, well, there was the n Patriarch to consider.


    There were massive plots ofnd that they needed to navigate through without knowing too much about thendscape, what Formations they contained, and what dangers were lying in wait.


    However, it wasn''t like they were going in blind.


    From what they knew, there were several Beast Grounds, where massive amounts of wild Rank 3 creatures were being stored.


    Even Rank 4 Spirit Beasts were stored.


    The Leashes were the only Sector capable of inventing powerful chains that held those specimens together.


    That was an attack point for the Temple.


    They would release those creatures first to add a chaotic element to their raid.


    Honestly speaking, they needed all the help they could get.


    It was a battle between around 3,000, and roughly 9,000 cultivators.


    This raid wouldn''t finish in a single night.


    There was no doubt in Liam''s mind that it wouldst until morning, if everything went well.


    That monolithic lion statue erected in the center of therge-size Sector was going to be the rallypoint for all the acolytes to navigate around.


    "None of you must approach the statue. It is where their Patriarch, Wild Fang, lives," Elder Verium spoke sternly.


    That was the first time Liam heard the man''s name.


    "...And he''s a Rank 5 cultivator."


    Silence.


    Liam blinked.


    Everyone else was just as dumbfounded as him for a few seconds.


    Rank 5?


    Wait¡­ Rank 5?!


    Slowly, Liam''s eyes widened with shock.


    They chose to keep that hidden until now?!


    Why?!


    Liam''s hair rose to no end.


    A single leap in the Zenith Ranks was no small matter.


    A full Rank 5 cultivator could probably butcher a hundred Rank 4''s, and still have the strength remaining for a dozen more.


    Despite the chaotic and slightly fearful atmosphere that spread throughout the underground, the Elders didn''t share the same look.


    Then, Liam realized it.


    He realized why they were so calm.


    He realized why they were orchestrating this reckless attack in the first ce.


    The Unforgiven Shadow was a Rank 5 cultivator!


    "Once Master Usanes out, run."


    Usan.


    That was the Unforgiven Shadow''s name.


    "Run as far and wide as you can from their battle and don''t look back. It''s between life and death."


    "I hope everyone understood my words clearly," Verium quickly nced at Liam from the side, then shifted his gaze back at the group.


    "If there''s nothing else, we can move."


    "May our Shadows devour their light."


    In unison, everyone left the underground.


    This was the final, and most important battle for the Temple so far.


    Truthfully?


    Liam was worried.


    And simultaneously excited.


    He was going to witness a battle between existences that were far beyond what he had seen.


    What wasn''t exciting about that?


    ///


    Since the entire eastern side was upied by the Leashes, it didn''t matter where the Temple attacked.


    They coulde from the ocean sides, the cliffs, and covertly from the front, disguised as tradesmen.


    Groups were made for each line of attack, and Liam chose toe from the ocean side.


    Him and countless other Shadows were swimming beneath the cold, tumultuous ocean.


    The moon shone as always, painting the folding waves silver.


    Wind blew.


    Shhhhhhhh.


    Liam could see straight through the dark waters, his eye emitting a dulled yellow glow.


    Him and everyone else were more than 30 meters deep, holding their breaths with no difort whatsoever.


    Eventually, the Sect walls grew visible.


    And so, the attack on the Leash Sect began.

 Chapter 254 Good Stuff

    <h4>Chapter 254 Good Stuff</h4>


    Instead of Border Guards stationed at the border wall, there were Spirit Beasts.


    Eagle-eyed Tigers. Basically a beast with the body of a tiger, and the colors and astute eyesight of an eagle. They were ced there for a reason, capable of seeing through the darkness of the night for any approaching threats.


    However, shadows worked as well underwater as above the surface. The ocean was a dark, dark ce. Even darker than the surface.


    Swimming through the Shadows was difficult. When he dove into the Sea of Darkness, he had to close his eyes and maneuver entirely through his Shadow Sense.


    Liam bordered the cliff.


    Behind him were the hundreds of Shadows.


    [Let me go in first,] Liam transmitted to Krel, who nodded after a short pause of reluctance. [I''ll tell you when toe.]


    Mental waves could pass through underwater just as they did through air. Albeit, it made them wobbly and unstable.


    Liam turned his attention to the underwater stone wall, the surface above which was infested with the Eagle-eyed Tigers.


    He had to be careful around these creatures. Even he, with his Shadow and perception altering abilities, wasn''t infallible from being spotted.


    There was a reason the keen creatures were ced on the cliff. Even a Rank 3 Magus couldn''t hide from their sight.


    With one wide motion that propelled him through the water, Liam cloaked himself with his Shadow and merged into the stone.


    Then, just as he swam through an ocean of liquid, he did the same with the Sea of Darkness and its infinite Shadows.


    Only, he swam upward instead of horizontal.


    The acolytes watching Liam from below the water couldn''t help but feel envy.


    They couldn''t aplish such feats even though they had much more experience with the Ten Thousand Shadows Arts.


    It was meant for the darkness element, after all.


    Meanwhile, Liam felt ethereal ripples brushing past him from every direction.


    Even gusts of air had an effect on the Sea of Darkness.


    And now that his Shadow Sense had gotten to a higher level, Liam could even sense faint growlings in the wind.


    He ignored those.


    Instead, he slowly reached the adjacent curve where the cliff turned into tnd, if not for the dozens of Rank 3 tigers vigntly keeping watch over the small oceanside view.


    Carefully swimming beneath them, Liam arrived just below where one of the tigers were, right under its belly.


    SHINK!


    A vicious de tore through the Shadows for a split second, before entering back into the darkness.


    It had just entered through the throat of one of the tigers, killing it in an instant.


    Thud.


    Nobody noticed how it silently thumped to the ground, blood spurting from its neck.


    Like so, Liam continuously killed off the tigers one by one.


    Although by now, the thick stench of blood permeating the air would have already alerted the tigers of his presence, the Eagle-eyed tigers only had keen vision.


    Their sense of smell was horrible.


    Even worse than a human''s.


    By then, there was no longer anything between the Temple and the unguarded walls of the Sect.


    Liam emerged from the shadows with his Dusk des in hand. He stood over the cliff with the moon behind him, illuminating his vague, ominous silhouette.


    [You cane out now,] Liam announced, and the Shadows burst through the waters and arrived where he was.


    Liam shifted his attention towards the grand walls of the Sect.


    They were tall, more than 7 meters in height, and made from a bony, jagged material. It was fitting, seeing as their entire n was centered around using Spirit Beasts.


    The acolytes had a split second to admire how Liam had cleared away so many of the tigers before honing their expressions.


    Using his Dusk des as usual, Liam climbed through the peak of the walls. As he did, his eyes began scanning the grand structures.


    Now that he was up close, the giant structure of the monolithic lion statue was more grand and magnificent than he thought.


    Smooth-surfaced, it was striped with ck streaks on its sapphire, metallic skin.


    It was shaped and painted to resemble the colors of a real-life lion as much as possible, and it mostly seeded in recreating the effect.


    If only it wasn''t so damn big!


    Half of its body could be ssified as a skyscraper back on earth, and with its vicious ws outstretched to the sky, it nearly reached the moon.


    Fitting for a Rank 5 existence to live in, all things considered.


    Liam''s attention lingered on that for a few seconds before his constricted pupils scanned the structures below it.


    The first thing he noticed was the sheer number of Spirit Beasts just flying, slithering and running around.


    They went this way and that, and the biggest buildings were centered around that massive statue.


    Around that, were amodations and towers where disciples lived and indulged in day-to-day entertainment.


    Liam could also tell where the Beast Grounds were, and where the strongest of beasts were kept.


    But in between them and those areas, wererge and small ornate, beast-themed structures filled to the brim with Leash disciples.


    This was what the Oceanside group was responsible for. Releasing the beasts and killing the disciples on their path.


    Upon itspletion, the Cliffside and Direct teams would begin their jobs.


    Officially, Krel was the leader.


    Unofficially, he had put Liam in charge.


    Everyone naturally trusted his calm and collected confidence. Krel held no bitterness in his heart at Liam''s poprity.


    "Your n?" he asked Liam.


    Liam''s silent but dark gaze swept the Sect grounds. His eyes were performing a specific pattern, as though trailing through different paths and assessing each one.


    "We can easily take down most of the bigger buildings. There''s only three or four Rank 3''s in them, and their beasts are on the outside," Liam said.


    Krel raised a brow.


    "Isn''t avoiding them better? We can let the beasts do most of the work."


    Liam gave him a nk look.


    "It''s not. The more threats we clear early on, the faster we can end this charade and get to the good stuff. I''ll clear a path, so just wait here for a bit."

 Chapter 255 Gift

    <h4>Chapter 255 Gift </h4>


    Good stuff?


    Charade?


    Clear a path?


    What was Liam going on about?!


    Before they could question him any further, Liam had merged with his Shadows and dove into the Sea of Darkness.


    ''I better take this time and clear out the more difficult cultivators for them. They won''t be able to kill them without being spotted.''


    Liam avoided needless altercations with the weaker beasts and swam until arriving at the closest building.


    It was lit by a series of brightmps that went eight stories up, with eaves decorated with beast statues. It was wide, too, enough that Liam could puff out a fewmps without being noticed.


    Light was an obvious hindrance to the Sea of Darkness.


    Liam''s Shadow Sense wouldn''t work where a bright glow or a ray of piercing light tainted the darkness. He also couldn''t swim in, or through those areas.


    If he did, he would just get yanked back to the surface, as though a firm hand had seized him out of the shadows.


    Nevertheless, there was more than enough space and hiding spots for him to do his bidding. In the first ce, he didn''t even need to hide.


    Liam emerged behind a wall and coated himself with mental energy.


    Slowly, his attire and appearance changed to a Ravenous Leash disciple ¨C ck and white robes with a stoic demeanor.


    With that, Liam simply waltzed into the building and nonchntly made his way towards the stairs.


    Strange nces were shot his way, but the Ravenous Leash Sect was huge.


    Not all the disciples knew one another, and visits from different sections of the Sector weremon.


    Thus, they simply returned to what they were doing.


    An umbral de flickered with light for a split second, followed by a clinking noise.


    SHING!


    Reeling back his chains, Liam moved up the floor, the Dusk des now coated with ayer of blood.


    As he left, more than a dozen heads, their facial expressions preserved as they were a second ago, were sliced clean off.


    The rest of the tower followed shortly.


    A dual swing of the Dusk des was all that was needed to clear out an unsuspecting room.


    There were just one or two Rank 3 cultivators, and they were massively unsuspecting of Liam''s arrival.


    Liam exited through the peak of the tower and gave the hidden acolytes the signal to advance.


    Hundreds and hundreds of shadowy forms glided across the uneven ground and began to spread evenly across the region.


    Shifting his gaze towards the distant Beast Grounds, Liam moved there next.


    ///


    By the time Liam arrived at the Beast Grounds, another hundred or so Leash disciples were ughtered.


    Just him.


    No one else.


    Using his King''s Eye, he simply altered their perception of him and made himself disappear from view¡­ then cut off their necks.


    Pretty easy stuff.


    Now, though, Liam was face-to-face with a coge of Rank 4 creatures held together by massive ck chains.


    Lions, wolves, massive snakes, hawks, and more, were stored inrge chambers that were just big enough for their size.


    Liam half-expected the Leashes to treat their beasts horribly, but they were taken care of surprisingly well.


    They were unnaturally docile despite their species being known for their wild characteristics, not even deigning Liam a nce.


    Liam studied the chains intently. It looked to be made out of a special metal bearing resemnce to Vicirum, the same metal Elder Aki used for her items.


    Glowing inscription lines of lian origin riddled its surface, with Meanings that Liam currently couldn''t grasp.


    There was no doubt that the chains were amazingly made, essentially ving a Zenith against their will.


    ''Can''t worry about that for now.''


    Since the creatures didn''t attack him, Liam could find a way to release them without being pressured.


    He fiddled around with the chains, finding apartment at the bottom that all the links converged to.


    It seemed to be a controller of sorts, with eight different safety mechanisms.


    Bracing himself, Liam clicked all eight at the same time, and the chains untightened instantaneously, falling to the floor with a loud¡ª


    CLINK!


    Instantly, before the orange-furred wolf he just released startled awake and began its rampage, Liam moved to the next¡ª


    CLINK!


    And the next¡ª


    CLINK!


    And the next¡ª


    CLINK!


    Using Vanishing Steps, he ran to safety and regrouped with the acolytes.


    Slowly, the chained animals came to their senses. They jolted their heads left and right as their eyes slowly gained consciousness.


    And they were angry.


    ROAAAR!


    HISSSSSSS!


    SKREEEE!


    Amazingly, instead of fighting each other, the beasts put aside their bestial instincts to batter their imprisoners.


    ''Has to be something the Leashes did to get them so pissed off. No way they would work together otherwise,'' Liam thought.


    In colorful swarms, they began rushing towards whatever building or civilization they could see.


    Pretty soon, explosions and clouds of poison gas spread across thends. Buildings were rapidly being razed to the ground, and the disciples scrambled for a response.


    Destruction and chaos spread from then on.


    As soon as the shockwaves spread evenly through the region, it brought the raid to the next stage.


    Only Elders of the Leash Sect could suppress and chain a Rank 4 Zenith beast.


    Even as the strongest disciples banded together to defend their ground, there were just too many beasts to fight against.


    Thus, they mounted their beasts and retreated as far as they could.


    Soon, they would bring the Elders to deal with the problem.


    But that was all nned for.


    It was obvious that would happen.


    The Leashescked 12 Elders, after all.


    Only 6 of their Elders remained, oblivious as to what happened to the other 12.


    As they took care of the mess Liam and the acolytes made, everything else would be susceptible to tant attacks.


    ///


    At the furthest entrance of the Ravenous Leash Sect, a massive carriage carrying a golden crane was led by a group of shrouded tradesmen.


    "Stop where you are!" a disciple shouted, his reptile Spirit Beast giving the men a hostile hiss. The traders stopped. "What is this?"


    The man at the lead uncloaked his hood and smiled broadly.


    It was Jargon.


    "A gift to your sect!"


    Abruptly, the crane''s crystal-eyes brightened.

 Chapter 256 Monsters

    <h4>Chapter 256 Monsters</h4>


    As the Rank 4 beasts cleared away, Liam headed straight for where they were kept a moment earlier.


    The "ving Chains", as they were called, were extremely valuable.


    Liam wanted to store them.


    To study them.


    And, perhaps, replicate their effect.


    Chains weren''t useful just for binding beasts, after all.


    Liam arrived at the now empty Beast Rooms and stored the chains in specially designed rings, made just for the asion.


    ''It should be time for the crane to¡ª''


    BOOOOOOOOM!


    ''There it is,'' Liam thought, as a massive explosion lit up a patch of the night.


    ''That should make them confused about what to take care of first.''


    The crane was made pretty well, in Liam''s opinion.


    Without the Maneuverability Formation, it wouldn''t really function, hence the massive, t carriage that it came with.


    With that thing on their side, Liam was pretty sure the remaining six Elders couldn''t do much unless their Rank 5 Patriarch showed up.


    ''Time to move deeper in.''


    Liam decided to push his limits to the brim.


    He hadn''t used his Ashura Form after bing a Rank 3 Magus.


    He still wouldn''t use it.


    But it was there as a backup.


    Liam wanted to attempt taking down as many powerful disciples as he could in one fell swoop.


    Silently, he could kill an entire room of Rank 3 cultivators without them really knowing.


    But directly?


    That was a different matter.


    It was this line of reasoning that brought Liam face-to-face with four Rank 3 cultivators.


    And he was surrounded by them and their beasts.


    He was in a secluded part of thendscape, covered by natural hills and dense trees.


    With this, Liam didn''t need to hide his full strength if the situation called for it.


    Liam unsheathed his Dusk des, then coated them with his Shadow.


    The Leashes'' beastpanions hissed in hostility.


    Curses flew at him from the disciples.


    The battle had already started.


    But no one had made a move.


    A few mental attacks reached out to Liam''s mental sphere, but he activated Thicken and Corrosive Mind.


    That wasn''t enough to bear the pressure exuded by a Rank 3 Magus.


    But Liam simply gritted his teeth and honed his focus nevertheless.


    Just then, something attacked.


    A horned brown toad used its spear-like tongue to stab at him, followed by a massive fireball with the strength of a Rank 3 core.


    To his left, right and back, a tiger, a snake, a panther lunged at him.


    All the while, their humanpanions threw their strongest spells.


    Liam''s eye repeatedly flickered left and right.


    Instantly, Liam threw a Shadow Bomb on the ground.


    A dense cloud of dark smoke covered more than 20 meters ofnd.


    Sensing the danger, the disciples made a wide jump backwards.


    Despite it, the beasts continued their lunges, and the spells converged towards the center where Liam was.


    Most of the cloud was blown away with the force of the fireball and the condensed spears of wind.


    But none of them hit their mark.


    WHOOSH!


    Three different figures exited the cloud.


    One was entirely made out of mist, and the others were identical copies of the original.


    The disciples grew shocked, but that was fatal.


    As a Wraith, Liam turned into mist and severed the head of the snake closest to him.


    The Dusk de went through it like butter.


    A crimson and golden light turned into swirling lines.


    ck streaks of light flew out of the remaining clusters of smoke.


    SHING!


    SPURT!


    RIIIIIP!


    BOOF!


    Flesh and bone were being ripped and torn apart.


    Both human and beast.


    Liam pivoted and sidestepped the lunges, while dual swinging his Dusk des.


    The Leash closest to Liam had his arm cleaved in half before he dodged backwards, attempting to dodge the Umbral Needle Liam had hurled at him a moment earlier.


    Liam''s Shadow Clones covered his back and took care of defense.


    Liam''s speed was just unnaturally fast.


    Still, it wasn''t like Liam was invincible.


    A wide gash drew his blood from deltoid to chest, revealing bone underneath through the wrappings.


    The entire right side of his arm turned to a ck crisp.


    Most of his hair had been cut off by the gales of wind.


    VMMMMM.


    Chaos churned inside the Dusk des.


    By then, all the smoke had been blown away by a fierce wind, which formed countless deep cuts on Liam''s skin and sh.


    Right as Liam arrived in front of a leash disciple, a dense wall of water gushed in front of him.


    Liam hurled his des anyways.


    Obviously, in any normal case, they wouldn''t go through.


    But just then¡ª


    BOOOM!


    The des exploded, tearing an opening through the water-wall and piercing right through the disciple behind it.


    With one out of four down, it was an even battle.


    Three versus three.


    As a collective, Liam and his Shadow Clones used perfect coordination to fight against the disciples.


    But clones couldn''tpare to a human.


    BOOOM!


    One of the clones was instantly decimated by a mass of mes.


    However, that created an opening that allowed Liam to kill another disciple, using Focused Havoc straight into the man''s heart.


    By then, there were only two disciples remaining.


    But even before the battle raged on, Liam had been spreading his Sanguine Strings everywhere.


    Finally, it was ready to use.


    The two disciples didn''t notice until it was toote.


    A giant, crimson cocoon had formed around them.


    Shortly after, the cocoon began to rapidly shrink, essentially bing a multi-directional slicing machine.


    Liam had already left the cocoon by merging with his shadows and leaving its circumference.


    The disciples desperately threw every spell and attack they could, but that did little to stop the crystalized blood.


    SHLIGH!


    The disciples had been turned to meat paste, sliced into a million different sides that peeled off on their own.


    Liam heaved a long, tired sigh.


    He was drained of his strength.


    He was stripped bare ofyers of skin and was riddled with bruises, holes and burn marks.


    But a victorious smile appeared on his pale face anyway.


    ''I can probably fight one or two more Rank 3 cultivators.''


    Liam''s battle prowess was not normal.


    With the King''s Eye, he could predict a spell''s trajectory before it even arrived.


    He could also read the disciples'' intention before they attacked him.


    Even monsters would do well to shudder in his presence.

 Chapter 257 Blackness

    <h4>Chapter 257 ckness</h4>


    A solid hour passed.


    The outeryer of the Ravenous Leash Sect had been utterly decimated.


    Buildings were razed to dust,nds were charred, corpses were devoured.


    By then, the Elders had obviously realized what was going on.


    A Leash Elder flew over the rampant beasts on a Wind Hawk, killing them off one by one, before shooting towards the crane.


    WHOOOSH!


    In an instant, his mount tore through the air with incredible speed.


    More and more Elders left their buildings to deal with the new threat.


    The invasion had gone public.


    The atmosphere changed.


    Screams and cries resounded from all sides.


    The Ravenous Leashes were being attacked from every corner.


    Now, it was an actual war.


    A vicious, brutal battle.


    But in actuality, the Leash Elders were handicapped.


    The crane golem was too powerful.


    Six Temple Elders were riding it!


    Not only that, but there were still rampant Rank 4 and Rank 3 creatures running wild.


    Even with their numbers that rose above nine thousand ¨C which was steadily lowering ¨C they couldn''t make the most out of it.


    They were losing!


    Theirnds were being vited!


    Their disciples were being ughtered!


    Beasts were being spread wildly.


    Death covered thends.


    Just then, Wild Fang made his appearance.


    An oppressive aura unfolded throughout the region.


    It was like an invisible mountain loomed above everyone''s heads.


    Liam took that as a sign to run as far and far as he could. His skin rose to no end, and every instinct of his screamed with danger.


    Despite the incredible distance that was between him and the lion statue, Liam''s mental sphere threatened to buckle and crack.


    Liam had to resist the urge of looking back.


    Liam spent nearly all his mental energy to run as far as he could.


    The pressure was still there, just less than before.


    Finally, Liam turned around to see the monster capable of influencing the world to such a degree.


    There, ahead of the monolithic lion statue, stood a handsome, resplendent figure.


    Wild Fang.


    He had long and wild crimson hair that gently fluttered like a banner.


    He wore an ornate, tight, ck-and-red robe that showed off his sturdy build and broad shoulders.


    His earthly aura was huge!


    He had taken over half the horizon with just his aura!


    Liam''s eye widened in shock.


    Every realm of power was just unbelievably more powerful than the next.


    And this wasn''t even the peak of it.


    Different energies swirled around Wild Fang''s figure.


    He was of the earth element, but there was so much that Liam didn''t understand about the man''s wild aura.


    It raged uncontrobly.


    And a closer look would reveal vague shapes and foreign, invisible energies that Liam didn''tprehend at all.


    It was basically a jumbled up mix of colors with no specific shape.


    Liam''s eye constricted to see more of his facial features.


    Just by doing that, his mental sphere shook a bit.


    Just by looking at him!


    Liam instantly felt respect towards the man.


    Despite him being an enemy.


    Wild Fang had bright red eyes, a sharp jawline, and looked around middle-age.


    Liam knew he wasn''t middle-aged.


    He wasn''t sure how long it took to reach the fifth Rank.


    The Royal academy didn''t say anything about that.


    But Liam knew it reached the century mark.


    Way more than that, even.


    And right now, a stoically pissed off expression was on Wild Fang''s face.


    Before the Rank 5 cultivator even made his appearance, the Elders riding the crane made a run for it.


    They used everything in their power to run as far as possible, abandoning everything.


    The acolytes were no exception.


    Those in active battle t out ran away. Some died instantly since they were too close to the center.


    If Liam had to guess, Wild Fang saw them running away and escaping.


    Even now, Liam was subconsciously being watched by the man.


    That was what the "invisible mountain" was.


    It was just the man''s mental energy.


    But Wild Fang still did nothing.


    Liam and the lower acolytes were still insignificant.


    They weren''t threats to the man.


    Wild Fang''s fierce gaze was way out into the distance.


    It was like he was looking at something specific and not just air.


    Liam trailed the man''s gaze, excitement boiling in him.


    It was still fully night time.


    But Liam noticed something peculiar.


    There were no stars in the endless sky.


    Not even the moon!


    Only the pure, ck, empty firmament was visible.


    Slowly, the world got a little darker.


    And darker.


    Even darker.


    It was as though everything was being illuminated by a hazy, faint blue light.


    This was an Istion Barrier!


    And it covered the entire ind!


    Liam''s instincts screamed, his heart-rate quickening.


    The Shadows crawling over him felt like they were alive.


    But he wasn''t in any danger. There wasn''t any pain of the sort.


    Only Wild Fang was unaffected by the change in illumination, his figure clearly visible as though the Shadows hadn''t approached him.


    There was only an unnaturally ominous silence.


    Nobody spoke.


    They were too scared to.


    Any remaining Rank 4 beast suddenly burrowed itself into the ground in fear.


    Wild Fang widened his eyes in surprise, then narrowed them.


    "There''s only one person who I knew capable of doing something like this," Wild Fang said to no one in particr, his eyes narrowed.


    His voice was low, but spread evenly across the ind.


    "Come out."


    Nothing followed his words for ten full seconds.


    Then¡­


    Something emerged from the darkness, flying to the same altitude as Wild Fang.


    Liam''s glowing eye constricted towards the new figure.


    Usan''s hair was bone-white and short.


    He was of slim but lean build.


    His amber eyes were hooded and streamlined, a distant look in them.


    He wore the Temple''s usual wrappings that left the arms bare, where a mesmerizing pattern of tattoos were.


    Liam''s mental sphere shook a bit as he zoomed in, but he got a good look at the man''s domineering aura.


    ckness.


    There was only darkness there.


    Liam didn''t see any foreign energies or strange shapes in the man''s aura.


    Just abyssal ckness.

 Chapter 258 Enemy

    <h4>Chapter 258 Enemy</h4>


    Liam was utterly confused.


    Why were the differences between Unforgiven Shadow and Wild Fang''s aura so different?


    Having a different aura was perfectly normal.


    They could also be affected by external variables, such as pills or elixirs, besides the usual elemental differences.


    But this was different.


    Way different.


    They contained special properties that came from the cultivators themselves.


    Unforgiven Shadow''s aura was purely ck, devoid of any light.


    It was ominous and unnerving, like the Shadows themselves were alive.


    On the other hand, Wild Fang''s aura was, well¡­ wild.


    It raged uncontrobly in no particr pattern, like a burning ze.


    The cultivation path was deep.


    What Liam was currently witnessing was something well beyond his years.


    All he could do was watch and hope to learn something.


    Unforgiven Shadow was a long distance away from Wild Fang.


    Thetter stared at him with des for eyes, and the former''s expression was simply distant.


    As though the situation at hand didn''t bother him in the least.


    Like it was just like any other day.


    These two existences were just a number away from the sixth Rank. Bing powerhouses capable of leading a country.


    Liam doubted that the Istion Barrier could do much to keep them in¡­ but then again, it was made by a Rank 5.


    Suddenly, a calm but terse voice entered Liam''s mind.


    [You''re too close. Start running.]


    ¡­It was Usan!


    Liam couldn''t even sense the man''s mental waves as they connected to his mind. Even now.


    As soon as the transmission ended, Liam didn''t bat an eye and began running as hard and fast as he could, using his Wraith Form.


    Dying for a stupid reason such as watching a fight wasn''t something he nned on doing.


    Meanwhile¡­


    "The great ''Unforgiven Shadow''," said Wild Fang, angercing his voice. "You survived exile, eh? Heard you lost your mind in the process."


    Silence.


    Usan still had a distant expression


    The words had absolutely no effect on him.


    "I do admit Ick knowledge about you. Some say you''re a bastard, which I honestly don''t doubt."


    "What I want to know is, why weren''t you executed straight away? Why did the Seven ns choose to exile you instead? If it were up to me, I''d make you an example."


    "I wonder what went wrong. From serving in the same wars to killing your own brethren for the sake of revenge."


    "You lost yourself in this pointless pursuit¡­ Silver. Even now, you are blind."


    Usan''s face was still distant, his amber eyes fixed to Wild Fang''s.


    But a closer look hinted at something¡­ deeper. A subtle change in expression.


    There was a fragile silence, but it loomed over the spectators like a bad omen.


    Nobody looked back as they ran.


    Except Liam, of course.


    "I don''t answer to the dead," Usan said coldly.


    And the conversation ended there.


    SHING!


    A chokuto-type de appeared in Usan''s right hand.


    When something was so deeply ck, it simply negated any light from bouncing off its surface.


    Right now, the de in the Unforgiven Shadows'' hand was just that.


    But the sharpness and power that radiated from it was indescribable.


    Liam couldn''t tell if that item was a Rank 5 or not.


    But he wouldn''t be surprised if it was.


    All around Unforgiven Shadow, hundreds of different ck des formed.


    However, these des were different.


    They weren''t actually solid.


    They were made solely from a mix of darkness and pure shadow.


    But a Rank 5 core was behind those weapons.


    It was not to be underestimated at all.


    Wild Fang furrowed his brows as he watched.


    It seemed that until now, he hadn''t taken Unforgiven Shadow too seriously.


    Wild Fang had still remembered the early days where the Temple of Shadow was still a normalrge-sized Sect of a different name.


    Back then, he was still a rtively young cultivator who fought in the wars against the Imperialists and the Dual Empire.


    Back then, the Unforgiven had another name.


    When he hadn''t resorted to dark magic, when he was still a kind-hearted person, and when he was still respectable.


    Silver.


    Just Silver, due to the color of Usan''s peculiar hair.


    Silver had contributed the most to those wars.


    But he was brutal.


    Uncharacteristically ruthless.


    It was a stark contrast from his warm demeanor.


    Usually, prisoners of war were kept alive and taken care of.


    If they were important, they were used as bargaining chips toe to terms with the invaders.


    Of whatnds to keep out of, and what ces were off-limits due to historical importance.


    But Silver didn''t like that line of thought.


    Not one bit.


    Peace gave him nofort.


    What use were thends if the people living on them were ughtered?


    Mothers, sons, husbands, fathers, daughters.


    Murdered!


    lians were being attacked, and the Imperialists dared ask for payment and terms?


    How dare they?!


    Usan killed every single prisoner of war kept by the Seven ns.


    No one was spared.


    Not the weakest, not the strongest.


    This sparked massive outrage throughout the entire country.


    Why?


    Because the war worsened from then on.


    The Imperialists honestly didn''t care about the prisoners, but losing forces and face wasn''t ideal. The Dual Empire was in the same boat.


    Thus, when the prisoners of war were killed, both countries attacked in full force.


    Everyone med Silver for that.


    How could he throw away the morals of their country for the sake of some empty quest of revenge?


    Couldn''t he see that more people died because of his actions?


    But Silver was unrepentant.


    They couldn''t afford executing him, since the Seven ns needed all the help they could get for the war.


    Thankfully, just as things were going to get worse, the Rank 6 powerhouse was born.


    The war ended!


    Peace followed!


    No more death!


    Finally!


    But Silver wanted more.


    He wasn''t happy with the oue.


    Their enemies didn''t get to run off scot-free.


    With a Rank 6 and numbers on their side, an attack on their invaders was possible!


    But he wasn''t dumb enough to begin with that.


    Instead, he started practicing with unorthodox techniques and powers.


    Soon after, he found the Dark Star and its powerful effects, which gave him the inspiration for the Ten Thousand Shadows.


    But his actions were soon unveiled by the Seven ns'' spies.


    Usan was punished thoroughly.


    Stripped of his name, n, disciples and history.


    But instead of being executed, he was exiled and cast away, given the name of the Unforgiven Shadow.


    But he had never left.


    And now?


    The Seven ns, the invaders, and everyone in between him and his revenge were his enemy!

 Chapter 259 Malevolent

    <h4>Chapter 259 Malevolent</h4>


    Wild Fang shook his head to rid himself of the old memories.


    What was in the past should remain in the past.


    There was no need to think about a lost cause.


    Usan had obviously lost his mind since then.


    In the first ce, Wild Fang wasn''t nning for a truce.


    So many of his Disciples and Elders had died.


    Only an absolute moron would simply forgive the genocidal killers.


    "Have it your way," Wild Fang said with a growl, his eyes narrowing.


    A momentter, a reverberating hum left Wild Fang''s glowing body, shaking and bending the very air surrounding him.


    Ethereal forms began to exit Wild Fang''s chest one after the other, which slowly gained color and depth.


    Once they settled, everyone watching took deep breaths.


    All around Wild Fang were dozens of peak Rank 4 beasts!


    A chameleon drake, thunder serpent, azure carp, brown bulwark bull, reaper wolf and much more.


    They floated midair beside him, even though some weren''t actually capable of flight.


    The insurmountable pressure pressing against the ind grew heavier.


    Watching from afar, Liam was enthralled.


    Just what was he watching?


    To his mortal eyes, it just didn''t make sense.


    But then again, nothing really did anymore.


    It was beyond his understanding.


    WHOOOM!


    Tendrils of darkness and shadow coiled around Usan''s body and wrapped around him.


    Unforgiven Shadow''s form slowly transformed to something fiendish.


    A dark, angr, menacing-looking mask covered his face while a darkness-made armor protected his body.


    Hooded slits of red light acted as ominous, unnerving eyes, visible through the narrow fissure of the demonic mask.


    The armor itself was intricate with interlocking tes. It wasn''t bulky, but streamlined and fitting.


    Everything was pure ck.


    Behind the night sky, he was basically invisible.


    Right now, Usan looked like a malevolent shadow demon that abhorred light.


    There was a certain hatred surrounding him, naturally felt even by the lowest ranking cultivators.


    It was like he hated everything in the world.


    Dense ck smog spread all around the Unforgiven Shadow and tainted the air, as if he had be a fire without any ze.


    It grew and grew until it became the size of an actual cloud.


    And it still continued to grow!


    Slowly, Usan merged with the smoke, gently consumed by it¡­


    And was no longer visible.


    Obviously, Wild Fang didn''t sit still.


    The Reaper Wolf''s fur shimmered with luminous light.


    The Chameleon Drake''s green scales lit up with fire, leading to its throat.


    The Azure Carp gushed with massive amounts of water.


    The Thunder Serpent crackled with yellow lightning.


    The Bulwark Bull charged forward with unnatural speed, its body coated in a chunkyyer of rock.


    Then, the attacks came one after the other.


    The Reaper Wolf shot a blinding white beam of light through its throat.


    WHOOOOM!


    It lit up the ind instantly as it shed with the cloud of smoke.


    The chameleon made an ear-splitting screech that sent ripples of shockwaves forward.


    SKROOOSH!


    Clusters of boiling red me spewed out of the chameleon''s throat.


    Right after the Azure Carp sent a colossal tidal wave from the side.


    It was like a tsunami had spawned midair, converging straight towards the oozing clouds.


    SHHHHHHHHHHH!


    In synchrony, the Thunder Serpent finally let loose the lightning it had been charging.


    KHRSHHHH!


    Wild bolts of yellow lightning struck the surface of the gushing tsunami, which now crackled with electric energies.


    All the while, the massive horned bull made its unstoppable charge into the clouds.


    Five different attacks at the same time!


    Currently, the ind was filled with contrasting colors and blinding hues that painted the isted sky.


    Everyone felt the force behind those spells and abilities.


    Even from that distance, it nearly flinged them off the ind.


    Unforgiven Shadow wasn''t idle.


    WHOOOOSH!


    Just then, a hundred or so shadow des burst through the virulent clouds in a spread, intercepting each attack individually.


    First was the beam of white light.


    As it shot into the dark cloud, its radiance was instantly tainted.


    That was natural.


    The cloud was made from a Rank 5 core, and the Reaper Wolf was at the peak of Rank 4.


    Even if Wild Fang was a Rank 5, the Spirit Beasts he controlled weren''t the same Rank as him.


    Right after that, seven shadow-des had shed against the light beam''s trajectory.


    It was a tug of war between opposing forces for a second, but the shadow-des tore right through the center of the beam.


    Then, it reached the Reaper Wolf in an instant.


    The Reaper Wolf didn''t get a chance to cry.


    SHING!


    Three des arrived at its throat, then cut off its head in one swift sh.


    A momentter, the wolf''s entire body was devoured by the spreading darkness, vanishing out of existence.


    The crimson mes directly infused with the massive dark clouds, consuming a wide patch of it, lingering momentarily before turning into wisps.


    A massive tendril of darkness shot out of the cloud and wrapped around the chameleon¡ª


    KRCK!


    Crushing its entire body limp, then devouring it.


    Then came the massive tide of electrifying water.


    The darkness cloud began to change shape and reform, slowly solidifying into a massive wall.


    KRKHHHHH!


    The tide of lightning-infused liquid smashed against the wall but couldn''t do much more than that.


    Right after, a mass of shadow-des rushed around the wave and arrived next to the Thunder Serpent and Azure Carp¡­ tearing apart their scales from within and killing them.


    Meanwhile, the bull finally closed the gap between it and the cloud.


    It trashed around wildly and blew away the smoke surrounding it.


    Shadow-des attempted to pierce it, but surprisingly, the rock-made armor held strong against the shes.


    But a momentter, all of its struggles had been for nothing.


    SHING!


    A single arc of darkness arrived at the Bulwark Bull''s midsection.


    It was cleaved cleanly in half.


    Everything happened in almost an instant!


    It was so fast!


    Almost no one could keep up!


    Right after, the remaining shadow-des shot at Wild Fang, and the cloud slowly advanced forward as it grew in size.

 Chapter 260 Equal

    <h4>Chapter 260 Equal</h4>


    Wild Fang''s demeanor was calm.


    Even when he saw his beasts killed so easily.


    He expected that much.


    In fact, those beasts were just a way for him to gauge Usan''s strength.


    There was no exact way to determine a Rank 5 cultivator''s strength.


    It depended on countless factors.


    Spells, prowess, experience, environment, element, and obviously, centers of power.


    Naturally, there were substages for the body and core for them too.


    Though, it took decades and decades to progress through them.


    Right now, though, Wild Fang realized that he and Unforgiven Shadow were on equal footing.


    This made him inwardly grimace.


    Why?


    ¡­One of them will most likely die today.


    As the shadow-made des swarmed towards him, more and more peak Rank 4 Spirit Beasts left through his chest and protected him with their lives.


    Shadow-des and arcs of darkness shot through the smoky cloud, forcing Wild Fang to defend.


    The cloud was a massive personal domain that Unforgiven Shadow had deployed.


    In it, he was capable of both attack and defense, and his actual body was hidden from view.


    Mental energy couldn''t peer into it, either.


    And it was now spreading towards Wild Fang.


    If he wanted any chance of winning the battle, he needed to take care of the biggest threat.


    Or at least reduce it.


    The cloud was most definitely a powerful Rank 5 spell of some sort.


    It was beyond the norm in terms of power and capability¡­


    But nothing was without its weakness!


    Wild Fang summoned more than 23 wind elemental beasts in the peak of the fourth Rank, along with dozens of varying Rank 4 beasts specialized in defense as support.


    The wind elementals varied in specialty, but they all had amon goal given to them.


    Blowing away the cloud!


    WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!


    A sharp churning noise screeched in everyone''s ears.


    Ferocious amounts of wind churned in the sky, growing intenser by the second.


    From the center of the ind, where the battle was taking ce, trees and structures were instantly uprooted and forcefully hurled away.


    Hills were leveled.


    Lakes were emptied.


    Thousands of creatures were killed instantly as rubble fell on their heads.


    Further up around the edges of the ind, some acolytes were flung off into the sea.


    Liam caught himself just before being thrown overboard, using his Shadows and Dusk des to nt his feet and hands to the ground.


    The intense drag threatened to pull him away like it did his fellow Shadows, but nothing was going to stop him from watching the battle.


    Nothing!


    Meanwhile, the massive amounts of wind churning had a weak effect on the darkness cloud.


    It stopped its advance and blew it back by a bit.


    But other than that?


    It was still holding strong.


    More shadow-swords and broad arcs of sharp darkness exited through the cloud and attacked Wild Fang and his bestialpanions.


    Darkness-made tendrils were already crushing and tearing apart their defenses.


    Before all of his forces lessened any further, Wild Fang finally unleashed the wind attacks he had been charging.


    CHOOOOOOM!


    Countless condensed wind attacks shot forward with incredible speed!


    Javelins, spheres, dozens of car-sized bullets and more.


    They began peeling offyer afteryer of the dark clouds, which had turned solid to counter so many abilities.


    At the same time, earth elemental and light elemental beasts provided support, weakening the cloud.


    Bursts of white light and physical beasts rammed into it.


    Raging mes tried to slowly melt it away while tides of azure liquid attempted to drown and overpower it.


    Everything was met with a shadow-sword that weakened its strength¡­


    But there were just so many attacks!


    Those peak Rank 4 creatures could turn an entire city to dust on their own.


    And yet¡­


    Something unexpected happened.


    Instead of the cloud shrinking in size¡­ it only expanded!


    It was obviously in a weakened state due to the constant stream of attacks.


    But it continued to grow rapidly until epassing all the beasts in its range.


    Then, the chokuto de that Usan wielded flew out on its own with incredible speed¡ª


    SHING! SHING! SHING!


    Killing each beast individually with a fluid sh.


    More than 40 peak Rank 4 beasts had died just like that!


    Wild Fang wasn''t discouraged.


    More and more peak Rank 4 beasts left Wild Fang''s chest.


    Roughly 34.


    They all took a circr formation.


    This time, however, they were all of the fire and wind element.


    These were rare beasts!


    Specifically, they had explosive abilities.


    A series of scarlet peacocks with bright, mesmerizing feathers and patterns propped up and unfolded their tails like a massive fan.


    Then, they started shaking themselves rapidly!


    Countless feathers, small to big, began to leave their feathery bodies, floating towards the expanding cloud at a seemingly harmless pace.


    Then, one after the other, the feathers rapidly brightened until they resembled miniature suns.


    Eventually¡ª


    BOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOOOOM! BOOOOOOOM!


    Colorful but devastating explosions epassed the entire darkness cloud.


    Shockwaves carrying boiling heat spread evenly throughout the ind.


    Acolytes and Ravenous Leash disciples had long forgotten their enmity and worked together to survive.


    The shadow-made Istion Barrier trembled.


    However, as the smog cleared away, the cloud''s condition was just a little worse than normal.


    It grew massive spikes that pierced each beast individually, then sent another huge swarm of shadow-des towards Wild Fang.


    A momentter, darkness tendrils pulled the beasts into the cloud, which seemed to make it grow bigger.


    Wild Fang grumbled a bit.


    Clearly, he was a little surprised.


    This was not normal!


    There was just one reason that Wild Fang was a bit more worried than usual.


    Unforgiven Shadow was using just two spells and an inscribed item!


    The cloud, and the shadow-swords.


    Granted, Wild Fang wasn''t using his most powerful abilities either.


    But he was actually trying to win!


    Unforgiven Shadow was actually holding back!


    To Wild Fang, this held a different meaning¡­


    ''I don''t see you as an equal.''


    This was what Wild Fang was being told.


    At least, that''s what he tranted from Unforgiven Shadows'' actions.


    ''I see¡­ I can''t take you lightly.''


    Wild Fang narrowed his eyes.


    Then, using his sharp, animalistic nails, he slit his hand and gathered his blood.


    A momentter, he threw his blood at the colossal lion statue behind him, which strangely absorbed the liquid.


    There was silence.


    Nothing happened.


    Suddenly¡­


    RUMBLE.


    The monolithic lion statue slightly moved.

 Chapter 261 Monolith Lion

    <h4>Chapter 261 Monolith Lion</h4>


    Everyone watching instinctively shuddered.


    Rank 5.


    That magnificent, colossal statue was a Rank 5 Spirit Beast!


    To think everyone dismissed it as a normal statue!


    It wasn''t painted!


    It was preserved!


    They watched, eyes widened, as the humongous lion''s metallic surface slowly started to transform from where the blood touched it.


    Tufts of yellow fur sprung from where the metal once was.


    Like a ripple, it continuously changed the rest of the body.


    The vicious, outstretched ws of the lion gained subtle but growing movement.


    At the same time, the lion''s menacing stone eyes gained a white sclera and a crimson, circr pupil.


    A low, guttural growl shook the air


    An earth-shaking rumble violently rocked the entire ind as it slowly came to life.


    At that point, the onlookers weren''tfortable watching.


    Those massive ws were still in the air!


    If it came down, there was no doubt that the entire ind would break apart.


    They instantly jumped off the ind and swam to the depths of the ocean.


    Only Elders and a few Shadows remained behind. Including Liam, obviously.


    Strangely, Unforgiven Shadow didn''t attack Wild Fang or the awakening beast!


    After killing the lower ranked beasts, only the Monolith Lion remained.


    But for some reason, Usan was simply allowing it to transform without any interruption.


    ¡­And the ws were slowly plunging towards the earth!


    WHOOOSH!


    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    As the two paws struck the earth, a wave of destruction spread throughout the ind.


    That was quickly followed by a shockwave.


    An area of 150 kilometers was instantly turned to rubble.


    As though nothing had lived there before.


    Towering plumes of dust and smoke rose into the air.


    Thankfully, those around the edges of the ind had made preparations.


    Elder Orisa appeared beside Liam''s group and formed an earthly dome to protect them.


    As the smoke cleared, the Monolith Lion came into view.


    Even now, its size was unbelievable.


    With its bright brown fur, vicious ws, lengthy tail, crimson eyes, bared fangs and savage muzzle, its appearance certainly matched its mighty strength.


    However, it didn''t roar.


    The reason was simple.


    Wild Fang didn''t want to kill his own disciples and Elders.


    Wild Fang had a toothy smirk on his slightly pale, sweaty face.


    In reality, the Rank 5 beast was in the upper-tier!


    It was the very symbol of Wild Fang''s greatest hunt.


    It took him years to make the preparations for hunting such a majestic creature.


    And now, it was his.


    Controlling it took considerable effort, but its power was a level above normal Rank 5 beasts.


    What could a mere cloud do to such a mighty beast?


    Nothing!


    This Rank 5 Monolith Lion wasn''t like Wild Fang''s other bestialpanions.


    This beast could effectively express the entirety of his strength and cultivation prowess.


    Both Wild Fang and the Monolith Lion were of the earth element, as well.


    Unforgiven Shadow had to take this battle seriously.


    In fact, even the strongest Rank 5 existence living within the Main Lands would also have to take it seriously.


    Silver couldn''t afford a half-hearted attempt at defense, either.


    If he did, Wild Fang would undoubtedly win with a single attack.


    If one of them made a slight mistake, it''d be instant death.


    Now, half the ind was covered by a deathly cloud, and the other half stood a 58 meter tall beast.


    There was silence for a while as both forces remained still.


    Wild Fang didn''t attack instantly.


    Neither did Unforgiven Shadow.


    "Scared?" Wild Fang taunted with a derisive scoff.


    There was no response.


    Instead, the cloud shrank rapidly, as though it was being ''vacuumed'' from the center.


    Foooooosh!


    All of the smoke disappeared, and Usan''s figure slowly came into view again.


    The chokuto de that Usan used was the so-called ''vacuum'', and the cloud simply condensed, swirling around the de like some sort of cotton candy.


    Then¡­


    There was quietughter.


    A strange, sinister, unnerving chuckle.


    It was Unforgiven Shadow.


    His faintugh was dark and distorted, as if the mask had really turned him into some sort of demon.


    Everyone watching shuddered.


    As the inventor of the Ten Thousand Shadows, Usan had to practice day in and day out with the Dark Stars.


    Who knew what kind of effect that had on someone?


    Even if mental spheres grew stronger throughout the ranks, the Dark Star''s corruption remained all the same.


    Wild Fang narrowed his eyes.


    Was he still not taking this seriously?


    Nevertheless, he didn''t care anymore.


    The lion swiped the air once with its giant w, summoning countless boulders that flew towards Unforgiven Shadow with unreal speed.


    Those boulders contained the strength of a Rank 5 core.


    Usan let go of the chokuto de ¨C which formed countless arcs of darkness on its own ¨C and stretched his right hand forward.


    WHOOOOOOOM!


    A darkness and shadow-made vortex spread from his palm and extended towards the trajectory of boulders, rotating in a circr motion.


    SHING!


    The boulders were diced into smaller pieces one by one.


    Right after, they crashed into the vortex¡ª


    WHOOOM!


    And were devoured instantly.


    There was no trace of them anymore.


    And the vortex only grew bigger.


    The result made Wild Fang sweat just a little more.


    ¡­What just happened?


    Wild Fang sent more and more attacks forward, each more destructive than the next.


    And the same thing happened each time!


    At the same time, Wild Fang realized that the vortex grew in size each time it absorbed an attack!


    ''Pounce him!'' Wild Fangmanded the Monolith Lion, desperate to get the battle over with.


    He didn''t know what that spell or technique was, but he could guess.


    With its massive body, the Monolith Lion ran forward with speed that didn''t really match its stature.


    With a loud¡ª


    BAAANG!


    It left the ground and pounced at the floating human, its maws spreading wide to reveal the set of cruel teeth.


    Just then, the vortex unleashed all of its stored power inside the lion''s throat. It rapidly expanded until bursting apart¡ª


    BOOOOOM!


    At the same time, Usan swung his de from top to bottom, the cloud turning into a thin line.


    SHIIIING!


    And for a second, the world split in two.

 Chapter 262 Vortex

    <h4>Chapter 262 Vortex</h4>


    The vortex was the first to detonate, and it did so on the Monolith Lion''s tongue.


    Contrary to expectation, it didn''t kill the beast.


    Of course it didn''t.


    A Rank 5 upper-tier beast was not so easily kible.


    Instead, it was dibobted and taken aback by the sudden strike, its tongue mangled and corroded instantly.


    A savage glimmer appeared in the lion''s eyes. A reverberating growl grew in its throat, but Wild Fang stopped it before it turned into a roar.


    Despite his desire to win, he still had his Elders and disciples in mind.


    Right after, the vertical sh ¨C sharpened significantly by the condensed cloud ¨C came.


    Within the seemingly spacious Istion Barrier, the world appeared to split into two parallel sides, sliding apart from each other as though reality itself had been cut in half.


    The Monolith Lion''s muzzle had taken the brunt of such a cruel swing, ripping through its sturdy snout and carving a gory path towards its face.


    The cloud-enhanced sh didn''t manage to get past any more, though, and Unforgiven Shadow had to dodge the mping jaw that threatened to clip him in half.


    At the same time, another hundred or so shadow-des emerged from the Unforgiven''s two hands, spreading in a wild pattern that focused on different parts of the lion''s body.


    The lion''s tufts of lustrous yellow fur hardened into a solid brown, reducing the sharpness of the shadow-des into shallow nicks.


    They still had a corrosive effect, though, slowly but steadily wearing down the lion''s defenses.


    At the same time, simr swarms of ck des shot towards Wild Fang, forcing him to defend.


    Even though the Monolith Lion''s speed was fast, it wasn''t as fast as a Rank 5 human cultivator. The differences between their bodily sizes were just too much.


    The ind rumbled violently. The very foundations of it were being split asunder.


    This was the power of Rank 5 cultivators.


    They had made an entirendscape their battlefield. And there were just two of them.


    Who knew what kind of shenanigans they could pull off as a collective?


    Chunks from all over the ind were being raised high into the air by the lion''smand, then flung towards Usan''s small figure one after the other.


    Usan was forced to retreat backwards, and the de returned to his grasp.


    Only¡­ if one took a deeper look at the weapon''s surface, they would see nicks and subtle cracks. Barely visible, but rming.


    Finally, the Unforgiven proved that he wasn''t invincible.


    A mass of rock managed to hit him directly from the side, making him lose bnce and grunt in pain.


    First strike goes to Wild Fang!


    After that, more and more attacks seemed to slip through Unforgiven Shadows'' defenses, giving him little time to bnce himself.


    One after the other, he had to dodge the lion''s chomps, swipes and constant barrage of boulders.


    He pulled backwards towards the further edges of the ind, indirectly giving safety to those watching.


    Wild Fang was relieved as the battle raged on, a wide grin spreading across his lips.


    The cloud was officially gone.


    He could now push forward with his mighty beast and use all his spells full force, creating an all-out attack that determined which of them would live to¡ª


    More than twelve vortexes appeared out of thin air, swirling in a wide circr motion as it absorbed the barrage of attacks¡­ and growing bigger in the process.


    Wild Fang''s eyes widened in shock.


    He''d never seen such a spell in his entire life. Something so well versed in both impregnable defense and devastating destruction.


    And so many of them, to boot!


    Each one of those vortexes were made out of a peculiar mix of darkness and shadows, creating its own suction force.


    It absorbed each earthly attack with little to no difficulty.


    Unforgiven Shadow was truly a prodigy¡ª


    "Haahhaahehah¡­"


    Usan''s face wasn''t visible through the shadowy demon mask, but strange, stifledughter exited through it.


    ¡ªwith more than a few hinges loose in his brain.


    Wild Fang growled, angry at himself.


    This was no time to admire his enemy!


    By now, most of his disciples had retreated to safety.


    They were beneath the nightly ocean, reluctantly sharing the same water as the acolytes, but there was a mutual treaty of peace between them for the time being.


    Their Elders didn''t attack either.


    Everything depended on the oue of this battle.


    If the Unforgiven won, the entire Leash sect would undoubtedly be executed.


    If Wild Fang won, the Temple would finally be eradicated.


    ''You''re not the only one with tricks, fool!''


    Wild Fang no longer held back.


    The Monolith Lion charged in ¨C adorned with two bull-like horns protruding from its head ¨C and leaped upwards to stop the ck vortexes from growing any bigger.


    Simultaneously, Wild Fang stripped off his robe, revealing his chiseled body that was covered with strange tattoos that came from various beasts.


    A momentter, his body began to bulge with newfound muscles, doubling him in size and presumably strength.


    His red eyes seemed to gain a bestial quality, his hair turning wilder, and four lion-like fangs growing out of his mouth.


    ¡­However, Wild Fang suddenly felt drained of his strength.


    It felt as though he had picked up an extremely heavy object and was siphoned of all his stamina.


    "Urk!"


    Right after, unimaginable pain seared through him.


    In a hidden panic, Wild Fang inspected his body.


    There was a faint cut towards the bottom of his robe.


    A small, insignificant cut that he didn''t pay any attention to.


    It was already healed¡­ but the damage wasn''t on the outside.


    Like a silent poison, the wound festered and rooted further into his nervous system, eventually activating.


    Wild Fang looked back towards Unforgiven Shadow with anger in his eyes.


    ''You scum!''


    Wild Fang kicked the air.


    BANG!


    Together with his beast, he charged at the Unforgiven, madness in his eyes.


    This was it!


    Two Rank 5''s charging just one!


    This would decide everything!


    The vortexes that had been silently growing abruptly chained together and converged in front of Usan.


    Light bent around it, but strangely, it didn''t have any gravitational pull.


    One after the other, their size and strength grew, then spread outwardly like a nket to meet the Monolith Lion''s charge.


    As it used its horns to attack the mass of ckness, the lion¡­


    Disappeared.

 Chapter 263 Gift

    <h4>Chapter 263 Gift</h4>


    As soon as the nket-like darkness met the lion''s charge, there wasn''t any dramatic shockwave or boom.


    Instead, the nket just¡­ anticlimactically ''devoured'' the beast.


    No one could tell what just happened!


    Nobody!


    ¡­Except Liam, who watched with wide-open eyes.


    That was basically a ck hole!


    At least, it was a variation of it.


    Liam didn''t think the world he lived in had studies regarding ck holes.


    Most people had other things to worry about in their lives.


    Cultivation, survival, rtionships, and more.


    Why would they look at the sky, which they had seen countless times already?


    Perhaps a few powerful cultivators had taken an interest in that.


    But what could they even search for?


    Granted, the possibilities capable with inscriptions and specialized forging gave way to incredible ways of research.


    But researchers were stingy parsimonious people in this world.


    If there was a cultivator that found out the existence of a ck hole, they certainly wouldn''t mention it to anyone else.


    This meant that the Unforgiven Shadow managed to invent a spell simr to a ck hole, without actually knowing what a ck hole was.


    ¡­Genius, indeed.


    Meanwhile, Usan''s mask fell apart to reveal the maniacal smile on his pale, weakened and bloodied face.


    It seemed that using that specific spell took everything from him.


    And there was still Wild Fang to deal with.


    ¡­But the former was already weakened.


    The corrosive poison in his system had made his charge wobbly.


    Unforgiven Shadow evaded to the side and proceeded to stab his chokuto de into the man''s neck, along with hundreds of different shadow-des assaulting him simultaneously.


    Amazingly, the de cracked on impact, piercing barely an inch deep before it shattered into motes of glittering metal.


    There was a vicious but brief exchange of attacks as the two got physical.


    The rate at which those punches were exchanged were too fast for normal eyes to see.


    Usan suffered powerful blows at his stomach and face, making him cough mouthfuls of blood.


    Wild Fang''s body was riddled with cuts from the shadow-swords.


    Instead of defending himself from them, he disregarded any defense and made it his life''s goal to kill Unforgiven Shadow.


    The bestial look in his enraged eyes made the Berserker Hound pale inparison.


    He was pissed!


    Battles were won with force!


    With might!


    With skill!


    This emo prick just poisoned him!


    ¡­However, as the battle continued, Wild Fang grew slower and slower.


    His eyes were bloodshot while his breathing was ragged and painful. Pieces of bone were jutting through his ripped skin.


    Unforgiven Shadow wasn''t in the best condition, either.


    His shadow demon mask had long been shattered, leaving his bruised face in full view.


    His right arm had been shattered into limp flesh, along with several of his ribs that weren''t in their ce.


    The killing blow arrived nheless.


    Usan ducked under Wild Fang''s swing, then tensed his hand and pierced the man''s side.


    The shadow-swords had focused on that spot specifically, softening enough for his hand to tear right through.


    Wild Fang flinched and roared weakly, throwing sluggish attacks that missed Usan by several inches.


    In theory, exhaustion didn''t apply to a Rank 5 body.


    But what Wild Fang was going through was not exhaustion. It was innervation. All of his energy was being ripped apart from within him.


    And just like that, the Rank 5 cultivator began making his humble descent towards the earth, his rage dying like thest embers of a dwindling fire.


    Before he fell, though, Usan seized him by the head.


    Heaving a sigh, Usan raised his head to the sky.


    He had done it.


    He was the victor.


    A single Rank 5 battle took two hours to end.


    And what remained was pure destion.


    Not a single nt lived towards the center of the ind and what followed. Even a nuke was kinder to the environment than they were.


    Everyone watching was now at his mercy.


    There was a tense silence as he did nothing, letting his wounds heal as a shadowy substance reformed them.


    Slowly, Usan turned towards those watching in the distance.


    The Acolytes were suppressing their joy.


    The Disciples were grieving for their deceased patriarch and their grim future.


    The Leash Elders looked ready to fight to the death, but they found themselves unable to move.


    Their shadows had them locked in ce.


    Within the next instant, their shadows were forcing them to spread apart, and their bodies were slowly ripped in half like paper.


    A momentter, Usan shifted his attention towards someone specific in the corner.


    Liam.


    Their gazes connected.


    Liam took a deep breath as he felt naked under the Unforgiven''s piercing gaze.


    Why was he being singled out?


    There was shock in his widened eyes.


    But with it, respect and awe.


    He meant it too.


    What he saw was a disy of power that made his ambition and excitement roar uncontrobly.


    What Usan did next was unexpected.


    As though he were a ragdoll, Usan hurled Wild Fang''s body straight towards Liam!


    Liam activated Cartge Brace and Defensive Skin as he lept upwards and grabbed onto the dead man''s wounded body before it fell to the floor.


    The surrounding acolytes looked at the scene with incredulous expressions.


    But Liam understood what this was.


    It was a gift.


    A Rank 5 gift that came in the form of a corpse.


    "Consume him and grow stronger," Usan said.


    "You and I will have a talk soon."


    With that, Usan began to descend, and the Temple Elders shot towards his location.


    Those around him gave Liam strange looks.


    Consume?


    At the same time, Elder Jane gave Liam an envious nce, but said nothing, joining the rest.


    A Rank 5 body was valuable.


    With unorthodox techniques in alchemy, forgery and inscriptions, the Elders could make powerful items with each organ in his body.


    And Usan had given that gift to Liam alone.


    ''Wise of him,'' Liam thought, storing the man''s corpse in a ring.


    With this, Liam was indebted to Usan.


    If he didn''t say the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, it would just be disrespect and arrogance.


    But Liam didn''t intend to do any of that.


    ''I wonder how long it would take for me to digest a Rank 5 body.''


    Liam smiled wickedly.

 Chapter 264 Blood

    <h4>Chapter 264 Blood</h4>


    Liam stood exactly where he was as everyone around him began to migrate towards the center of the ind.


    He couldn''t help but constantly inspect his ring and look at Wild Fang''s dead body.


    So much power.


    Dead.


    Stored in a ring.


    Reduced to food.


    ¡­How the mighty fall.


    Slowly, the Istion Barrier unveiled itself from the top.


    The warm rays of dawn spread over the horizon and lit up the sky in a million shades of amber.


    Outside, everything was still the same.


    Nobody else witnessed the events of today due to the Istion Barrier.


    Before the attack took ce, a few members of the Temple had blocked the entry ports to the ind.


    Liam let the wind caress his face.


    Things were going to change after this victory.


    The Temple had defeated arge-sized Sect and imed the entire ind, including all the Sectors on it.


    Their resources had surged above and beyond the norm.


    ''They could definitely make their way into the Main Lands,'' Liam thought.


    Liam hoped they wouldn''t.


    For one, he enjoyed peace.


    A steady rise in power was obviously what he preferred rather than a constant state of battle.


    Both were viable, since he''d gain strength either way, but still.


    Another was the fact that he had yet to use his Rank 3 mental sphere to its fullest.


    The crueler inventions he could make, the improvements to spells, the spells themselves, the Shifter, the ck Hole, the Ravenous Leash Arts.


    But that wasn''t the most important goal for the moment.


    Wild Fang''s corpse was.


    He needed to devour and congest the Rank 5 body.


    ''My Blood is currently at the beginning of the Rank 2 middle-tier.''


    ''And my body is edging towards the middle, too.''


    Liam wasn''t sure what would happen once his Blood became Rank 3 and beyond.


    At those realms, items and spells had specialities that made them stand out from the norm.


    So, what would his ichor ¨C which was already pretty strong on its own ¨C be able to do?


    Grinning broadly, Liam began to run towards the Temple''s underground chambers first.


    Thankfully, the battle between the two titanic powers didn''t take ce towards that area of the ind.


    It was utterly empty.


    Everyone was looking towards the Elders and the Temple Patriarch for what to do.


    But Liam already knew his goals.


    As he made his way towards his quarters, Liam''s mind drifted to what Usan might want to talk about.


    Since he knew about his corpse devouring abilities ¨C and was kind enough to give him a Rank 5 body ¨C he probably knew a lot more than just that.


    ''Oh well.''


    ''If he wanted me dead, I would have been already.''


    ''Since he started with a gift, he''s smart enough to know I won''t truly work together with him otherwise.''


    Liam arrived at his quarters and entered.


    First, he took out Wild Fang''s body andid it down.


    Rank 5 bodies didn''t suffer dposition.


    The same went for Rank 5 Spirit Beasts.


    In fact, most of the wounds were slightly healedpared to before, but otherwise still prevalent.


    Liam practiced caution when dealing with the power of a Rank 5 cultivator.


    As the bodily ranks went up, so did the Lifeforce contained in their blood, flesh and muscles.


    That was the same reason why Liam was nourished more when he ate cultivators with Rank 4 bodies and Rank 3 cores.


    And if he wasn''t careful¡­


    Well, he''d explode.


    ''I should probably begin with a finger or something.''


    Liam took out a Dusk de and grabbed Wild Fang''s index finger.


    Then, Liam raised his de and swung as hard as he could.


    SHIG.


    Liam furrowed his brows.


    The de barely went in.


    It drew merely a drop of blood.


    Liam applied more force and used his de like a saw.


    It took him a solid two hours to rip out the finger, and by the end of it, the edges of his de were a little bit dullpared to before.


    That was fine, though.


    Liam wanted to make improvements to the weapon, anyway.


    ''Now¡­'' Liam thought, holding the finger. ''Do I go all-out or bit by bit?''


    Consuming the whole thing in one gulp wasn''t really wise.


    He didn''t know the exact measurement of power contained in the flesh of a Rank 5, even in small amounts.


    Eventually, he fully transformed his teeth and began with a small, precise, slow bite.


    Crunch. Chomp. Crunch. Crunch.


    ''Damn it, it''s so¡­ chewy!'' Liam cursed, his face twisting and turning as he viciously gnawed on the finger.


    Truthfully, the taste wasn''t that bad.


    Liam was used to eating disgusting filth.


    But a Rank 5 body was different due to how pure and dense it was ¨C like a juicy beef steak without seasoning.


    He made sure to break it apart thoroughly. If he didn''t, it would take way longer for his stomach to melt it.


    Gulp!


    Finally, Liam swallowed.


    Liam didn''t waste a second and began to cultivate the flesh, making sure to spread the nutrients evenly throughout his body.


    A few hours passed.


    Liam''s skin had turned red all over, exuding hot mist.


    His ragged breathing had also turned warm and steamy.


    His muscles rapidly twitched and pulsed in random ces.


    His veins seemed to expand as the blood running through them boiled.


    Liam didn''t expect the effects of devouring just a finger to be this great!


    It was just a finger!


    Yet, amazingly, there was just as much nourishment that came with it.


    Liam''s Blood was progressing at an amazing rate, nearly 13% into the middle-tier with just that amount he ate.


    And it was still rising in percentage!


    But being too fast was also a problem¡­


    ¡­What would happen if Liam eventually devoured the entire body?


    ''Is my Blood really going to advance to Rank 3?'' Liam thought as his body slowly calmed down.


    His skin had slowly reverted back to normal, and his body slowly stabilized.


    Liam stored Wild Fang''s corpse.


    ''There''s no way I''m taking another bite until the Lifeforce dwindles down.''


    ''This is clearly a long term thing.''


    ''In the meantime¡­ I''ve been itching to invent something new for a while now. Brainstorming ideas wouldn''t hurt.''


    And the Rank 5 battle had given Liam a morbid idea.

 Chapter 265 Cursed by All

    <h4>Chapter 265 Cursed by All</h4>


    Worms were peculiar creatures.


    On their own, they were nothing powerful.


    Even Rank 3 worms were rtively easy to kill if one stayed out of range and took advantage of their frail bodies andck of defenses.


    They had a bad reputation too, calling someone a worm meant they were insignificant and worthless.


    But¡­


    If a worm made its way inside you?


    That was an entirely different story.


    Some parasitic worm species were so vicious, even their Rank 2 versions could liquify the insides of a Rank 3 body in moments.


    During Wild Fang and Unforgiven Shadows'' fight, a lightbulb flickered above Liam''s head. Specifically, Wild Fang started to grow tired.


    ¡­If a worm somehow managed to enter through someone''s flesh in the middle of a battle, how would they deal with it?


    Well, the answer was simple.


    ¡­They wouldn''t.


    Granted, if the worm hadn''t burrowed deep enough, they could probably just dig their hand into the wound and yank it out.


    But any deeper?


    The only way they could think of taking it out was if they had some sort of specialized tool.


    Where would they even get that?


    In the middle of a battle, no less?


    What Liam had nned was a worm-shaped item that could dig as deep as possible and ravage the insides of its victim as much as it could.


    Making something like that wasplicated, but not impossible.


    Plus, the experience from working with the Abyssal Needle steadied Liam''s hand when working with smaller objects.


    ''Most worm species are either earth elementals or darkness elementals, which makes it easier for me too.''


    All of those factorsbined, Liam''s next weapon was going to be a¡­ worm.


    ¡­It sounded a lot worse than it actually was, but it truly wasn''t.


    Nevertheless, before Liam began making the blueprints for such a weapon, Elder Aki emerged from a puddle of shadows behind him.


    She hadn''t worn her mask, and a few gruesome wounds on her small frame were still in the process of healing.


    She had a strange look on her pale face.


    Few people could actfortable around a cannibal, after all.


    "Master requires your presence," Elder Aki said.


    ///


    It took two hours for Liam to arrive back towards the Ravenous Leash Sect, where the Temple had now settled.


    Elder Aki had already flown back to the Temple before him.


    The ''Ora'' density there rivaled even the academy''s, the source of which was coincidentally an ''Ora'' Well.


    Acolytes of the earth and water elements had managed to refurbish and fix up the craters in the deste environment, including rebuilding the living quarters for each acolyte.


    Rivers were somewhat redirected and returned to normal.


    Waterfalls started to flow again.


    In time, the fauna and flora would flourish once again.


    Where the Monolith Lion''s statue once was, a massive ck Temple had taken its ce.


    Covert and protective Formations and inscriptions were already being built around its perimeters, enough to protect them from a foreign Zenith''s probing.


    Meanwhile, Liam came face-to-face with tworge, circr doors.


    The umbral shadows around the dark corridors swirled and moved in subtle but irregr ways.


    Whenever Liam moved forward, the shadows slightly flickered and shifted.


    As though beneath the nk sheet of darkness were a pair of eyes that tracked his every movement.


    ''I need to ask him how he does that.''


    ''...He''s looking at me right now.''


    ''Better not make it look like I''m nervous.''


    Liam pushed the doors apart.


    There wasn''t anything of note inside the hall. It was just a miniature Istion Barrier that spread across 35 meters, filled with thick darkness.


    Grander than normal, but Liam''s expectations were far higher.


    Towards the furthest wall, Usan was seated cross-legged, his eyes closed, his body cloaked in shadows.


    There were no traces of the wounds he had suffered.


    Slowly, his distant amber eyes opened and fixed at Liam.


    Liam met the man''s sharp gaze and didn''t flinch. There wasn''t any mental energy pressed against his mind.


    He wasn''t under any threat.


    But the atmosphere in the room was just unnerving overall.


    There was just silence for a few seconds.


    Liam didn''t speak first because he didn''t know what the man wanted.


    Usan just looked at him in silence.


    "Show me," Usan said nkly.


    Liam raised his brow.


    "Show you what?"


    Usan sighed, as though a little disappointed.


    "Your demon form."


    Silence.


    Liam had expected the Unforgiven to know about his other form, but the request was still strange.


    Inwardly, Liam let out a sigh.


    A momentter, chaos churned in his chest and transformed his figure.


    Purer white hair, two arms to six, terrifying and beautiful.


    Usan expressed a bit of silent surprise.


    "How long can you hold it for?" he asked with a calm, toneless voice. "Give me details."


    "Three to four minutes at most," Liam responded, his voice demonic and guttural.


    "My physical strength triples, but the organ in my sr plexus depletes with ''chaos'', the power source for my transformation."


    SHHHHHH.


    Liam gathered a bit of crackling chaos in his hand and threw it at the Istion Barrier.


    BOOOM!


    The barrier trembled momentarily, and a shockwave ran out, but there wasn''t a dent on its surface.


    There was silence after that.


    It looked like Usan was digesting everything.


    Liam reverted back to his human form and waited for a response.


    Three seconds of silence passed.


    "The word for Ashura in ancient lian roughly trantes to Cursed by All," Usan said abruptly.


    "...An old myth stated that once every 500 years, a wretched soul would be marked with that title, doomed to suffer until their inevitable demise."


    "Even those around the wretched soul will eventually die."


    "Only a fool believes in a sourceless rumor."


    "But here you are before me¡­"


    "Cursed by All."


    Liam said nothing, simply shrugging.


    "I don''t care," Liam responded.


    Usan made a subtle smirk when he saw Liam''s change in demeanor.


    "Good enough," he said, rising to his feet, his voice containing a bit of emotion. "You''re no coward, at least."


    "Forget about that story," Usan pulled out a few scrolls from his Shadow. "Give me that cloning spell and I''ll give you something of simr worth."


    "You''ll need strength before we venture to the Main Lands."

 Chapter 266 Inner World

    <h4>Chapter 266 Inner World</h4>


    "Why can''t you exchange all your spells with me?" Liam asked, uncaring of how shameless he sounded.


    "I''m sure you have nothing to lose. It''s not like there''s anyone else with a darkness element besides us."


    Usan shook his head.


    "I wouldn''t mind either. But most of my spells aren''t made from darkness alone. They''re made from my own kind of Shadow, too."


    Liam didn''t understand.


    "How?" he asked.


    Liam used that moment to learn more about how the higher ranks worked. He was looking for the right opportunity all along, and this was it.


    Unforgiven Shadow sighed, giving Liam a scrutinizing look.


    He definitely knew that Liam was fleecing him for knowledge, but he didn''t mind too much.


    Now that the two were ''cursed buddies'', he didn''t have the usual coldness on his face.


    "Because I''ve finally found my Path," the Unforgiven answered.


    Before Liam could ask, Usan continued.


    "Why do you think I''ve been in seclusion for so long?" Usan asked rhetorically.


    "As you rise up the ranks, you''re pretty much bing a sole entity. You distance yourself from the world, and by extension, the Opposition''s system."


    "Your powers slowly shape around what you are, rather than what''s already established for you. You break out of the mold."


    "Think of it as building a road. You can choose the materials, direction and size of it, but everything leads forward nheless."


    "Paths are one-of-a-kind. There''s no script to follow beforehand. You figure out things as you go."


    "As you add more and more pieces to your road, eventually, it''ll lead somewhere. The sixth Rank."


    "Understand?"


    Unforgiven Shadow''s exnation was worth more than any sort of wealth that Liam could imagine.


    It gave him insight as to why Wild Fang''s bestial aura was so much more differentpared to Unforgiven Shadow''s precise darkness.


    They were merely on different Paths.


    But with that exnation came more and more questions.


    What defines a Path?


    How could the Path grow?


    Can one change their Path as they go forward?


    "Don''t ask too much," Usan cut in. "Why do you think the Rank 6 cultivators in the world don''t just pass everything they know to their heirs?"


    Liam obviously didn''t answer.


    "Because every Path is unique to the cultivator. If I tell you anything more than the bare minimum, it''ll affect the Path you take."


    Liam nodded firmly.


    One thing was for sure, Liam''s Path was going to be unique to him. He wouldn''t have it any other way.


    "Now, the spells," said Usan, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone.


    Liam didn''t have any issues with the deal, although a little disappointed to learn of Usan''s n of venturing into the Main Lands.


    He took out the Shadow Clone spell and handed them to the man, before receiving a scroll back.


    It looked a little worn down by time, but as long as the functionality remained the same, Liam didn''t care.


    He unfurled it, his excited eyes scanning for a description or name.


    ''Inner World.''


    "Inner¡­ World spell? What does this do?" Liam asked. The description wasn''t in lian or Echorian.


    "Gives you your own personal domain."


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    "The cloud?"


    Usan shook his head, sighing again.


    "No. It turns your Shadow into a different dimension that you can manipte freely."


    Liam''s eyes widened further.


    "It''s basically a space ring you can physically enter through and bend reality in."


    "As long as you know something deep enough, you can remake it inside the Inner World, and it''ll imitate the real thing."


    Liam''s eyes widened some more.


    "It has its limitations," Usan said. "You can''t put other living things there."


    ''Well, you can''t, I can,'' Unforgiven Shadow thought, but actually said, "Anything you make also has to have the required materials. It''s basically a perfect workshop. You still have to put in the work."


    "It also uses massive amounts of ''Ora''. But as your mind advances, you''ll be able to do what I did with the big dog."


    Liam blinked.


    ''...Big dog? Does he mean the lion?''


    Liam began to memorize it on the spot.


    Usan had things to do, but he supposed he could spare a few more minutes with the inhuman child.


    In the meantime, he simply scanned the Shadow Clone spell.


    Soon enough, Liam learned the Inner World spell, and it activated instantly.


    Suddenly, his Shadow expanded and grew on its own.


    It stretched to an incredible amount, like a piece of gum being pulled from one end to the other.


    Then, it stretched back into its ce.


    Liam dipped his foot inside the Shadow.


    It went through!


    And it wasn''t the Sea of Darkness!


    His Inner World was like a vacuum within reality itself.


    The spell was basically like a capped bottle filled with water inside an ocean.


    In this case, the water is reality itself, and the bottle was his Shadow.


    In short, it was a pocket dimension of sorts.


    Liam fully entered the Inner World, his eyes scanning the surroundings.


    Everything was coated in ayer of darkness. There were no defining features at all in the space, like an eternal void with nothing inside.


    It was cold, too. Soundless, but strangely serene andforting.


    ''It really is a vacuum.''


    Liam looked up, where the faintest light shone through.


    His Shadow was like a window to reality, where the room was just outside.


    However, Liam instinctively knew how much space there was in there ¨C roughly 45 meters.


    Not the best, but then again, it wasn''t as limited as a space ring.


    The ''floor'' he was standing on was invisible, just another part of the void.


    Liam''s mind was connected with the entirety of that space.


    It was his personal domain, and he could do anything he wanted.


    A momentter, Liam began to float and fly!


    His mental waves sent out a ripple, and everything changed.


    Now, his Inner World resembled the Headmaster''s office from the Academy.


    A stark replica, with the same ornate furniture and paintings¡­ but everything was made out of solid darkness.


    A chunk of his core ''Ora'' was also consumed in the process.


    Liam smiled broadly.

 Chapter 267 Parasite Worm

    <h4>Chapter 267 Parasite Worm</h4>


    Liam brushed his hand over the furnishings.


    They were solid, and had the exact same texture as wood.


    However, they weren''t.


    If Liam wanted to make the actual paintings and wooden furniture, he''d have to throw wood inside the Inner World.


    It was like his illusionistic abilities had found a way to manifest themselves into reality.


    Once the tables were made, Liam could freely move and manipte them to other things, without spending more ''Ora''.


    A momentter, Liam gathered chaos in his hand, then hurled it towards the furthest invisible wall.


    BOOM!


    The fabric of the void was momentarily sted apart.


    Liam''s mind and core were shaken too, but ''Ora'' automatically left his abdomen to reform the space to its original state.


    If this meant what he thought it meant¡­


    Making weapons and spells had just be ridiculously easier.


    Liam''s materials for making weapons, spells and general inscriptions were rudimentarily basic.


    For inscriptions, it was blood.


    Just blood!


    And Liam''s Blood was practically endless, unless he severely exsanguinated himself.


    The same thing went for Liam''s forging. Spirit Beasts were so easy to kill, it was just an annoying chore at this point.


    Liam exited his Inner World with a broad smile on his face. He was satisfied with the oue¡­


    But there was also something else.


    "I also want to ask something else," Liam said as the meeting was nearing its end, leaving his Inner World.


    Usan grumbled, his attention still fixed towards the Shadow Clone spell.


    "It''s nothing big," Liam reassured. "I just want your help on something."


    Liam proceeded to tell Usan the details of his three way body-tempering method, which he proceeded to name the Triumvirate Body.


    It was fitting,bining three different amazing powers into one single entity.


    Along with that, Liam mentioned his desire to remake the Ravenous Leash Arts as well as merging his Blood and Shadow together, forming a ck Hole.


    Obviously, Liam didn''t outright say ck Hole. That wouldn''t make sense.


    "You''re crazier than me," Usan said with a nk expression.


    "...But you''ve prepared."


    "As long as you do the handiwork and make the technique yourself, me and the others will help."


    Liam hid a smile and thanked him.


    That made the possibility of the method way easier.


    "Adding a pulling force to the vortex is possible," Usan took out another scroll from his Shadow, which Liam now recognized as his Inner World.


    "You can study this."


    Liam raised a brow.


    "Don''t think I don''t know about your little eye. I just don''t care enough," Usan scoffed. "It''s the Rank 4 version of the Dark Vortex."


    Liam didn''t say anything and quietly epted the scroll.


    From the shadowy writings on its metal surface, Liam could faintly make out some Meanings.


    Usan must have made the technique when he was still a Rank 4 Magus, since it wasn''t too advanced.


    Before the two parted ways, Liam couldn''t help but ask a question.


    "What do you n on doing next?"


    Usan remained silent for a few seconds.


    There was no need for him to answer to a mere Mortal ranked cultivator.


    But he did anyway.


    "I don''t need to defeat the Seven ns. I just need to bring a few to my side. Just focus on getting stronger, the bounty won''t get anywhere. A year, maybe two, would do well for the Temple."


    Liam nodded.


    In that time period, he should be able to devour Wild Fang''s body, too.


    Maybe even advance his Blood to Rank 3.


    With that, Liam was shooed away and searched for his new home.


    He didn''t have to go for long, since his new temple-shaped home was very near to the ''Ora'' Well.


    And it was massive, too, enough to contain at least four Rank 4 beasts side-by-side.


    Compared to the other Shadows'' quarters, his was embarrassingly eye-catchy.


    The culprit, Jargon, was pretty adamant about directing the reconstruction of his liege''s home.


    Inside, the Shifter ¨C Egg ¨C was in the same inscribed cage Elder Jax had made for him.


    Along with that, there was arge stash of Rank 4 corpses in preservation containers.


    Some were alive, held together by the Ravenous Leash chains.


    Another room contained elixirs and pills.


    Liam ignored the Octopus'' angry squeals, fed it, then entered the vast basement.


    ''The ''Ora'' density here is really profound.''


    ''With Wild Fang''s body, I should get a boost in everything, not just my Blood.''


    A secondter, Liam entered his Inner World.


    Then, he took out Wild Fang and his Dusk de. Then¡ª


    SHIG!


    Liam cut off another finger.


    He supposed a single finger was still fine to consume.


    It was a fine line between exploding and progressing unnaturally fast.


    After two hours, Liam finished digesting the finger.


    His bodily temperature rose to an unnatural degree, and steam emanated from his body.


    But his Blood purity had gone up roughly another 16%!


    A momentter, Liam started the Parasite Worm project.


    He had already found the perfect species to make it with, and the first stages of his forging had begun.


    Working inside the Inner World was just perfect.


    Problems that arose when making items had just gotten so much easier.


    There was no longer any need to make so many preparations.


    All Liam had to do was throw the Burrow Worm ¨C the Spirit Beast that he decided to work with ¨C into the Inner World.


    It simply consumed it, and Liam could manipte its shape freely.


    It was like a surgeon using specialized technology to dissect and perform surgery on a person.


    Every little movement Liam made was just as precise.


    Also, Blood was an eptable resource to the Inner World, meaning that Liam''s spellmaking had also be easier.


    Like so, Liam spent the next few months in between several projects, but most of his focus was on making the Parasite Worm a reality.


    Meanwhile, there were bits and pieces of information that came to him via the Temple''s spies.


    The treasure hunt for Liam Royce''s head had finallye to an end.


    There were just too many deadends, and lians were pretty sure that the boy escaped li long ago.


    The Ravenous Leash Sect had also barred outsiders from entering, which was strange.


    Like so, the months passed.

 Chapter 268 Black Hole

    <h4>Chapter 268 ck Hole</h4>


    It took Liam one and a half months to figure out the Parasite Worm.


    That was a major improvement.


    In actuality, it would have taken him more than three.


    But the Inner World was just amazing.


    It made things so much easier.


    There were many other functions that it had,


    The design of this morbid invention was unnerving.


    Its tip was sharp and pyramidal, like a thicker version of a needle.


    Liam didn''t feelfortable repeating the same design repeatedly.


    But for this invention, it seemed like he was forced to.


    The Parasite Worm needed quick entry, something that pierces flesh upon contact.


    The rest of the body, however, didn''t share the same quality.


    It was soft and flexible, exactly like a worm''s exterior.


    However, inside was where all the magic was.


    It consisted of a single contraption.


    Literally an imitation of a muscle.


    What did this muscle do?


    Contract.


    It contracted and rxed in rapid session, like a hand being stretched and yanked back repeatedly.


    Of course, this on its own wasn''t anything special.


    At the Parasite Worm''s tail was a small ''booster'' of sorts.


    It sped up the Parasite''s burrowing speed by releasing a condensed jet-stream of gaseous darkness.


    It used the same sciences a rocket did, which also meant that by the time the ''booster'' ran out, the Parasite Worm would puff out.


    But that was the good part.


    When the Parasite neared its end, it would start melting inside the poor victim''s body.


    It was a Rank 3 item that contained Liam''s new and improved Blood.


    Even without inscriptions, the forged item on its own could inflict grievous wounds.


    But that was that.


    Liam stored the Parasite Worm and moved on.


    As soon as Liam finished that project, he started another.


    No seconds were to be wasted.


    In between whatever he did, Liam constantly updated his Triumvirate Body.


    Any time a new idea came to him, he''d jot it down and add it to the foundations of the technique. He had begun, but it was still in its very, very early stages.


    Something like that wasn''t made straight away.


    It was a gradual process. Like grains of sand that gathered into a pile then formed a hill.


    Nevertheless, Liam shifted his attention towards the ck Hole next.


    The Dark Vortex spell that Unforgiven Shadow had given to him proved extremely useful in helping him understand it.


    But the most important aspect wasn''t there.


    The gravitational pull.


    Of course, it wasn''t impossible for Liam to imitate¡­


    Probably.


    If Unforgiven Shadow couldn''t do it, could he?


    ¡­Of course!


    Probably.


    Liam''s knowledge of Meanings and Links had reached the level of a respected expert, but he was still held back by experience that came with age.


    Nevertheless, Liam continued to ram the problem from different angles until he eventually made a discovery.


    Four months passed.


    Liam was now 18 years old.


    Liam still hadn''t finished devouring Wild Fang''s corpse.


    He had finished one hand and five fingers, but that alone caused his Blood to push past the middle-tier of Rank 2.


    His core and mental sphere were also noticeably expanding at a faster rate. Just a little.


    It would take at least a year or more to advance to a Rank 3 core.


    Unfortunately, however, Liam still didn''t get how to invent a ck Hole.


    He had no clue how to add a gravitational constant to his darkness and Shadow.


    Liam initially used the analogy of a ma to get the job done.


    A south pole and a north pole that created an electromaic field which gained an attractive force.


    But it couldn''t be called a sess.


    The resulting Shadow definitely emitted a faint attractive force¡­ but before it could properly be utilized, it simply switched off.


    Over time, the effects of his Blood merging with his Shadow had definitely gotten stronger, but nothing really held.


    Liam was getting frustrated.


    It was just tooplicated!


    Obviously, Liam wasn''t giving up¡­ but he reckoned whether or not changing his priority was a good thing.


    The ck Hole was important for a lot of his ns.


    Mainly, the Triumvirate Body.


    But with the sluggish rate that he was going, Liam would need at least a year or more to figure out the issues with such a technique.


    ¡­


    But then¡­ Liam turned to his chaos.


    Perhaps there was nothing more repulsive than his Primordial Essence.


    If a ck Hole had an opposite, then his chaos fit the bill.


    So, what did Liam do?


    He studied his chaos instead.


    To the ignorant, that sounded extremely dumb.


    Why study a pr opposite instead of studying the real thing?


    However, to understand the darkness, one must understand light.


    It was as simple as that.


    The two forces came from each other.


    Repulsion was a necessary force.


    Attraction was also a necessary force.


    Where they opposed each other, was where Liam studied.


    Countless tests took ce.


    One boom after another.


    One migraine after another.


    One emptied core after another.


    And after another two months¡­


    Liam had achieved¡­ something.


    The result was a mix of his Shadow and three states of darkness¡­ along with an unhealthy dose of Meanings added into it.


    In his Inner World ¨C which had reformed for the nth time due to the massive explosions done to it ¨C Liam held his palm up.


    Darkness gathered in the form of a small sphere, barely the size of a clenched adult fist.


    Light bent around it, and seemingly reality itself did. A soft hissing noise surrounded it. Not as obnoxious as his chaos was, which was a good sign.


    Liam still didn''t get his hopes up.


    Too many failures gave him a cynical outlook towards near-sesses.


    If he didn''t see perfection at thest step, the beginnings didn''t matter.


    A momentter, he willed out a precise measurement of blood from his free hand and poured it into the sphere.


    The circr sphere absorbed it!


    Slowly, it changed hue.


    From pure ck, it gained a dark red shade.


    Liam gulped.


    Liam kept pouring more blood inside.


    Up until the sphere began to slightly brighten in color.


    Then, Liam stopped.


    The sphere wasn''t broken. It continuously swirled and rotated indifferently.


    Was it a sess?


    Could he finally move on from this stupid task?


    ''Time to find out¡­''

 Chapter 269 Blood Shadow

    <h4>Chapter 269 Blood Shadow</h4>


    Liam exited his Inner World with the ck Hole in his hand.


    To be fair, he hadn''t expected this whole thing to work so fast.


    He thought it might take at least another three to four months.


    ''Do I just absorb it and hope it changes my entire Shadow? That sounds too dumb to work¡­''


    Then again, most things that weremon sense sounded dumb in actuality.


    Liam sighed.


    Then, he manipted his Shadow to coil up his leg, slither towards his chest, run across his palm, and envelop the ck Hole entirely.


    The ck Hole vacuumed in Liam''s Shadow and merged with it as it shot towards the ground on its own.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed.


    There was silence for a while¡­


    Nothing happened.


    Liam cursed himself for letting months of hard work go to waste.


    But then¡­


    Something happened.


    A small patch of Liam''s Shadow had taken on a red hue, swirling on the ground like oil and water.


    They were together, but they didn''t mix.


    Liam was amazed.


    It worked?


    It actually worked?


    ¡­It worked!


    Liam really needed to act dumb sometimes.


    It definitely produced results.


    The ck Hole was actually a Rank 1 spell.


    It had zero destructive or defensive capabilities.


    However, it was just a foundation of sorts.


    Liam could definitely add more upon it.


    That said, he didn''t actually know what the patch of bloody shadow could even do.


    Liam made it swirl and wrap around his hand.


    ¡­


    Nothing really happened.


    Besides his physical strength rising a bit higher than normal, there wasn''t a major difference.


    Liam pursed his lips and furrowed his brows.


    ''Am I doing something wrong?''


    Liam performed a few tests afterwards.


    There still wasn''t anything of note.


    The bloody shadow worked the same as any other, but Liam instinctively knew there was something to it.


    After all, he hadbined two very different properties.


    A Shadow was mercurial and mendable in nature, and Liam''s Blood was a speciality of its own.


    ''Wait¡­ maybe¡­''


    A momentter, Liam took out the core of a Rank 3 ck Panther and crushed it in his hand, absorbing its Will.


    Before, Liam would feel a pang of pain shooting through his mind whenever he did that.


    Now, there was nothing.


    Liam quickly tamed the Beast Will in half an hour, before pulling it out and imbuing it to the bloody shadow.


    The bloody shadow started to transform and take on a three dimensional shape.


    It wriggled and squirmed violently, as though it wanted to escape.


    It continued to morph¡­ until vaguely resembling a miniature, disfigured, gnarly version of the ck Panther!


    Even a shrill but suppressed shrieking noise resounded from it.


    ¡­Then it started to melt and revert to its original state, its disturbing screams fading into silence.


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    A massive, massive sess.


    Practicing with the ck Hole wasn''t the only thing Liam had done during the past months.


    On the side, he had also tinkered with the Ravenous Leash Arts, but it wasn''t going very well.


    A very importantponent was missing, which the whole Art depended on.


    The material itself.


    Now, Liam''s Shadow and Blood had merged together, turning into something capable of imitating live creatures.


    In truth, however, it wasn''t alive.


    It was simply the properties of his Blood and Shadowbining, forming an imitation of the real thing.


    It was just a Beast Will that gained a semi-physical form.


    A shell formed by Shadow and Blood.


    ''Now¡­ all that''s left is figuring out how to work the Ravenous Leash Arts!''


    Liam had found the necessary material for his ridiculous ns.


    Both for the enhanced Ravenous Leash Arts and the Shifter body.


    All he needed to do now was find a way to make the procedures work.


    As if that was any easier¡­


    ''What should I call it though?''


    The new material was something¡­ well, new. It was a profound innovation.


    If Liam had to guess, no one else in the world had done what he did today.


    ¡­Probably.


    Liam shrugged.


    Names weren''t really his strong suit.


    "Blood Shadow is good enough."


    Nevertheless, Liam put his head into his work once again.


    Three more months passed.


    Liam had devoured more of Wild Fang''s corpse.


    Two arms and a foot, to be precise.


    Eating the foot like some sort of vicious zombie didn''t look pleasant at all.


    ¡­But Liam''s Blood had arrived at the upper-tier of Rank 2!


    There weren''t any major changes ¨C besides the incredible regeneration speed and purity ¨C but Liam could tell his Blood was taking its first few steps towards some sort of transformation.


    What kind of transformation that was, Liam had no clue.


    Liam''s understanding of what vampires did when they advanced wasn''t much, but even with that, he couldn''t apply it to a human''s physical deposition.


    In the first ce, all Liam did was awaken Blood Maniption abilities by purifying a vampire''s blood and consuming more than a dozen Nexus''.


    All of Liam''s centers of power were steadily growing as well.


    More importantly, Liam''s body finally entered the middle-tier of Rank 4.


    It took more than a year and a half that he spent in that substage.


    But considering the fact that he didn''t have a body-tempering method, that was actually extraordinary.


    Most of it was due to eating Wild Fang''s corpse, but it was also due to his rapidly progressing Blood.


    With the substage advancement, Liam''s Ashura Form had gotten stronger.


    Enough to make it slightly easier to dig into a Rank 5''s flesh.


    Liam''s Shadows were naturally being darkened andrgened at the same time.


    In fact, his Inner World was connected with thergening quality.


    So long as Liam erged his Shadows, the space inside the Inner World would expand as well, albeit at a snail''s pace.


    At the same time, Liam continued to expand his Blood Shadows, repeating the ck Hole procedure over and over.


    Day by day, the prospect of having to venture into the Main Lands wasing nearer.


    At the same time, bits and pieces of various news from around the world entered Liam''s ears.


    A few familiar names were gaining traction within Echoria.


    Mainly, Nord the Giant''s Heir, Rin the Dragon''s me, and Nessa the Death Flower.

 Chapter 270 Infamy

    <h4>Chapter 270 Infamy</h4>


    Liam almostughed when hearing the familiar names through Jargon''s daily updates, and the stories behind them.


    All things considered, his time at the academy was¡­ good.


    It was a necessity.


    It provided temporary shelter for Liam to get away from his pursuers.


    There, he managed to understand the world better, to get stronger, and to experience foreignnds.


    But he ended up bing an enemy to the entire country right after.


    Nevertheless, Liam was intrigued to find out the meanings behind their names.


    Nord''s moniker, the Giant''s Heir, was the most interesting.


    During the ''trip'' to the Inheritance Grounds the Academy hosted for all third years, Nord had somehow met the conditions of bing an heir to the inheritance''s bequeathment.


    And what he was an actual heir to was the most shocking of all.


    Giants!


    The so-called ''lost race''.


    Liam was actually interested in those tidbits of history during sses.


    The giants were this mythical race that seemed to hold profound wisdom and could enlighten someone''s cultivation with just words.


    Their physical strength was something ridiculous from what Liam heard.


    Something about picking up mountains with their bare hands and drinking up entire oceans.


    So, how the heck did someone like Nord be their heir?


    Liam didn''t know how that moron had actually met the conditions, but he honestly couldn''t care too much.


    And then there was Rin, the Dragon''s me.


    She apparently had figured out a way to infuse parts of a magical beast with her own body and momentarily attain their power.


    In truth, that was an amazing ability.


    Even around the ballpark of making something like a ck Hole¡­


    ¡­Who was he kidding, of course it wasn''t!


    Though, Liam put his arrogance aside and admired that ability nheless.


    The fusion between two races was never easy¡­


    But Liam was attempting it with three!


    Still, his attempt was much easier than normal due to the effects of his Blood and the support from the King''s Eye.


    At the same time, Liam was attempting that with the Shifter Octopus ¨C one of the most mendable and easy to mold creatures to date.


    Rin wasn''t as restricted. Although the name ''Dragon''s me'' indicated an actual dragon, Liam imagined something less powerful.


    Her ability to do that without any supporting abilities was trulymendable.


    And finally, there was Nessa¡­ the ''Death Flower''.


    She had gained that title due to her ability to mix and match alchemic ingredients to create devastating potions.


    Although it was some time since Liam had met the dainty noble, the moniker Death Flower was a little bit too much for someone like her.


    Unless, of course, she had finally learned a grim thing or two about the world.


    Liam scoffed.


    It seemed like the Royals of Echoria were trying to drown out Liam''s infamy by propagating other, more exaggerated names.


    Liam''s existence was a dirty stain on their entire country, after all.


    It made it look like anyone could waltz in their finest institutions, siphon them of priceless knowledge, and escape without any further notice.


    Nevertheless, Liam thanked them sincerely for their efforts to mask his name.


    He didn''t care what people thought, preferring that they didn''t think about him at all.


    Aside from that, there wasn''t anything significant from the other major countries.


    Not even the Korsan Lands.


    The world was at peace.


    But who knew how much of that was real?


    It wasn''t like the powerhouses of the world were sipping tea and baking cakes.


    Throwing away any unnecessary thought, Liam focused back on the task at hand.


    Both the renewed Ravenous Leash Arts and the Triumvirate Body were developing.


    For the former, Liam estimated that he was about 50% into remaking it to fit his needs.


    And for thetter, it was a fifth of that percentage. The level ofplexity between the two techniques was unparalleled.


    ''It might take me years to make it at this point.''


    Liam supposed that was fair.


    Honestly speaking, he was progressing a little bit too fast on all fronts. He somewhat expected there to be a surprise tribtion somewhere.


    Still, Liam made full use of the remaining period of peace.


    The Blooder''s Arts were now perfectly suitable for him.


    In his Inner World, Liam activated the Blood Arts.


    Ichor seeped through each of his orifices and enveloped him in a glorious set of sleek knightly armor.


    tes of morous, crystalized blood connected in interlocking parts that provided a perfect bnce of maneuverability and powerful defense.


    A sharp, angr, blood-made helmet covered Liam''s head and hair.


    Partly due to his own tinkering, the front part of the helmet resembled the Oni mask from Liam''s childhood.


    As a tribute to Revel, he''d shaped the front of the mask to resemble a Blood Demon.


    Best of all?


    There were two sharp des ¨C a wakizashi and a katana ¨C in Liam''s hands, which would regenerate as long as he supplied it with blood.


    At first, they were javelins, but Liam had just swapped those out in favor of his usual swords.


    Using the Blood Demon Arts ¨C which was what Liam named it ¨C made him pale a little due to the amount of blood used, but it was totally worth it.


    This was why Liam enjoyed periods of peace.


    What was better than raising all qualities of one''s strength without the hassles of conflicts and fights?


    But life was not that simple.


    Soon, the Temple would venture into the Main Lands.


    Unforgiven Shadow was patient.


    A few years of waiting was nothing to him.


    But that didn''t mean that he would simply remain idle.


    As soon as the Temple grew in force and strength, they would mobilize and make their presence known to the world.


    But there was something Liam didn''t understand.


    The Imperial Legion had a Rank 6 powerhouse.


    The General.


    One couldn''tpare a hill to a mountain.


    Nor a mountain to a star.


    Obviously, in this analogy, the General was the star.


    So, why was the Unforgiven so sure he could enact his revenge?


    No less, on the Dual Empire as well?


    He had to have a n.


    Liam shook his head.


    He was stuck between a rock and a hard ce.


    All he could do was experiment and train like he always did.


    Five more months passed.


    Eventually, the period of peace and quiet had been extended for a total of one and a half years.


    Liam was roughly 18 and a half years old now.


    Finally, he had devoured enough of Wild Fang''s body to experience a change in his Blood!


    And the result was nothing short of shocking.

 Chapter 271 Transfiguration

    <h4>Chapter 271 Transfiguration</h4>


    Devouring Wild Fang''s body had gotten a lot easier once Liam advanced to the middle-tier of Rank 4.


    Wild Fang''s Rank 5 body was densely packed with pure flesh.


    Each bite provided Liam with heaps of energy and nourishment.


    Liam couldn''t do much with the man''s core.


    It was extremely valuable, but Liam couldn''t eat it.


    Who knew how much energy that thing had?


    Explosive amounts, Liam imagined.


    He decided to save it for some time in the future. Maybe by then, he could find a use for it.


    There wasn''t any fixed expiry date for it, but it would lose a bit of its potency as time passed.


    Currently, Liam was in the basement of his quarters.


    His eyes were closed in thought as he digested Wild Fang''s flesh subconsciously.


    Then, Liam felt a change, his eyes opening with a slight rm.


    It felt like his Blood started to circte¡­ faster?


    In different ways, too.


    It seemed to go front and back, expanding and contracting erratically at the same time.


    Liam couldn''t do anything except let the process run its course.


    There wasn''t anything rming about the transformations taking ce.


    In fact, most of it was nourishing, besides the fact that Liam''s insides were boiling.


    Liam''s skin turned crimson red.


    Then back to pale.


    Then red again.


    Like a chameleon, hisplexion switched between bright red to bone white.


    Liam could feel his blood seep into his bones, muscles and skin.


    ''What is happening?''


    Liam furrowed his brows.


    Obviously, he knew his Blood was advancing to Rank 3.


    But the process was still strange and foreign.


    Over time, an invigorating feeling washed over Liam.


    It felt like every single wound he''d umted in his dangerously-lived life was literally melting away.


    Then, the process stabilized, and Liam''s Blood was calm again.


    Liam heaved a sigh.


    He was so calm¡­ and extremely powerful.


    It felt like his entire body was riddled with knots, which were now untied.


    ''I shouldn''t get used to this feeling.''


    ''It deludes me into a sense of serenity.''


    Too much peace was also a bad thing, Liam realized.


    After all, the noble Echorians were failures for this exact reason.


    Peace had cost them their strength.


    Victory had defeated them.


    If they were forced to survive under grueling circumstances, then Echoria would absolutely triumph over all the other countries due to the numerical advantages.


    Nevertheless, Liam inspected the changes in his blood.


    First, he willed it out.


    ¡­However, something strange happened.


    Instead of Liam''s blood pouring out from his hand like normal, a precise vertical slit opened up on his palm.


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    He could see all his hand veins, bones and muscles in full view.


    But there was no pain, and no blood leaked from the self-made wound.


    A momentter, the slit closed.


    Right after, the slit opened again.


    Liam took a deep breath.


    In that instant, theyers of skin and muscle covering Liam''s palm slowly peeled away naturally, like a flesh banana.


    Eventually, only his bare bones were visible!


    Liam closed and opened his fist, which only consisted of ck bones with a slight tinge of red.


    His skin and muscle had been retracted to his wrist, making it look like a gross, ingrown tumor.


    A secondter, everything had slowly reversed back to normal.


    Liam''s palm was coated withyers of flesh and muscle like they weren''t stripped off a second ago.


    Of course, the one opening and closing these gruesome wounds was Liam himself.


    ''If I''m understanding this right¡­''


    ''I can now control my skin, muscles, and even my bones at a lesser capacity.''


    Liam''s Blood maniption had extended towards his entire body!


    Liam gulped.


    ''I have to check the limitations of it,'' Liam thought with a focused face, taking off his wrappings.


    ''It could just amount to a simple parlor trick if all I could do is show my skeletal system.''


    ''Could I change the structure of my face or body?''


    Somewhat excited, Liam tested the limitations of his Rank 3 Blood.


    The results made Liam simultaneously happy and just a tiny bit disappointed.


    For one, he couldn''t change the anatomy of his body.


    What did this mean?


    For example, he couldn''t sprout more than two hands at a time.


    Nor could he grow eyes on the back of his head.


    Basically, there was a limit to his organs, and he couldn''t decrease or increase their number.


    ¡­If he had that ability, the Triumvirate Body would have been so much easier to make.


    However¡­


    Liam could transform his hand into a gnarly w designed just to rip through flesh and cause grievous wounds.


    At the same time, he could make instantaneous, but somewhat slight, changes to his bodily structures.


    For example, if he were to run away from someone, he could turn the inside of his leg bones hollow to lighten himself, and pad his calves with muscle to increase his speed.


    All things considered¡­ this really was an amazing ability.


    Also, Liam could change his facial features and even his stature without relying on the King Eye''s illusions.


    This wouldn''t really deter those in the upper Ranks, but those below could no longer probe Liam''s identity.


    That was good on its own.


    "Test, test¡­ oh, wow," Liam raised his brows in surprise as he spoke to himself.


    Liam could even change his voice!


    Right now, he sounded like an old man who smoked 14 cigarettes every single day.


    The opposite was also true.


    Liam could make himself sound soothing and serene, like an acape singer.


    With all of this, the Triumvirate Body did get easier to make.


    It was basically a very advanced, glorified form of stic surgery.


    Liam named this ability ''Transfiguration''.


    Smiling, Liam suddenly realized that he didn''t even test out his Blood''s strength and his regeneration abilities.


    Coagtions of blood formed around his arm to form a beautiful, sleek, lethal katana that crystalized in an instant.


    It didn''t have the sameplexity and usage as a Rank 3 item, but its sharpness, durability and other qualities were roughly on the same level.


    Using its pure edge, Liam swiped as hard and long as he could at his shoulder.


    SHING!


    It sliced through 4 inches of Liam''s hardened skin, and the wound was roughly 13 inches in length. Blood poured down his body, but it wasn''t an unreal amount.


    Four seconds passed.


    ...And the wound healed.

 Chapter 272 Beginning

    <h4>Chapter 272 Beginning</h4>


    Liam was taken aback by just how fast his wounds healed.


    Calling it incredible was a disgusting understatement.


    Perhaps not even upper-tier Rank 4 bodies healed that fast!


    It was understandable, though.


    Both the Rank 3 Throes of Anguish and the Rank 4 Dark Wraith had regenerative abilities.


    And Liam''s Blood had grown to something monstrous on top of that.


    Paired with his middle-tier Ashura body, it wasn''t too surprising.


    ''I''m pretty unkible now,'' Liam realized with a chuckle.


    ''Unless they have some sort of bomb to throw at me.''


    ¡­Who was he kidding?


    Even bombs weren''t enough to stop him!


    Not with Transfiguration, his Rank 3 Blood, and his Shadow working together to keep him breathing.


    Though, even after a year and a half had passed, Liam still hadn''t achieved a Rank 3 core. Even after consuming two-thirds of Wild Fang''s corpse.


    Sometimes, advancements required dedicated periods of seclusion.


    Liam had basically bnced more than a dozen different responsibilities throughout the past one and a half year.


    Each one took a specific part of his day.


    The Rank 4 Psionic Rune itself was a massive headache on its own, both literally and figuratively.


    But Liam was slowly getting used to the rune.


    If Liam had put all his efforts into advancing to the third Rank, it definitely would have been possible to finally be a Rank 3 cultivator.


    At least, by human rankings.


    With four centers of power, Liam was already much stronger than the average Rank 3.


    Nevertheless, Liam was happy with his current progress.


    Before Liam could perform more tests, the sounds of acolytes gathering outside entered his ears.


    ''Is it time already?'' Liam thought with a slight scowl, putting on his wrappings and leaving his quarters.


    Liam had shortened his hair during the past year.


    Quite frankly, it had gotten way too long forfort, and was difficult to cover using any sort of clothing.


    Thus, he simply kept it short.


    His height was a few inches taller.


    Liam was now 1.79 meters tall.


    His shoulders were broad and squared.


    His frame was a bit more pronounced now that he was a bit older.


    Nevertheless, Liam''s features were still youthful.


    Cultivators aged differentlypared to regr people.


    Their cores nourished them considerably, prolonging their longevity and lives.


    ''So it''s begun,'' Liam thought with a sigh, following the herds of people rushing forward.


    Outside, under the darkness of the night, more than 6,700 Temple acolytes had gathered outside Usan''s temple.


    With 6 new Zeniths added to the mix!


    Obviously, the Temple of Shadow wasn''t idle during the period of peace.


    They had recruited more and more people from around li.


    They could afford to delve deeper into thends now that their gains had stabilized and their resources were at its peak.


    Rogue martial artists that had nothing to lose joined them as well.


    Of course, their goal wasn''t just finding scum of the earth and turning them into acolytes.


    Those kinds of people would just betray them as soon as things get difficult.


    Liam had ousted Jargon for the recruitment task, since he had a keen eye for loyalty.


    And like that, the Temple''s numbers had risen to powerful heights. Not all of them were that strong, but that didn''t really matter.


    What they needed were numbers to their name.


    They needed to show li that they had a proper backing.


    That they couldn''t be dismissed as a small threat.


    There were countless otherrge-size, mid-size and small-size Sects living within the Main Lands.


    Why would the Seven ns care about any of them?


    Everyone was obedient to them.


    Nobody was challenging their authority.


    Even those that didn''t like them, couldn''t show their hostility in the open.


    Not even Rank 5 cultivators.


    Unforgiven Shadow wanted to shatter that view.


    Once he brings so many people out in the open, it could inspire others to do the same.


    Then, their forces wouldbine.


    At least¡­ that''s what Liam had deduced.


    What he imagined could very well be different than what Unforgiven Shadow nned.


    The man was crazy, after all.


    As everyone waited, Unforgiven Shadow finally left the Temple and flew above the massive crowd.


    To his left and right were the 18 Zeniths, which a few new faces were among.


    The original six looked much stronger than before, thanks to enjoying the benefits that came with raiding the countless Sectors.


    The Golden Cranes eventually agreed to join the Temple as well. All they really cared about was making new inventions, and the added force convinced them to merge.


    "Enough hiding," Usan said with a cold voice, but it wasn''t directed towards the acolytes. "We will enter the Main Lands."


    The acolytes cheered from the top of their lungs.


    But Liam was silent and pensive.


    Honestly speaking?


    This n was reckless.


    Unless the Unforgiven had some sort of ace up his sleeve, he seriously needed to reconsider entering the Main Lands willy-nilly.


    There were dozens of different Rank 5 existences there.


    ¡­Not to mention, a damn Rank 6 powerhouse!


    However, Liam knew Usan was not dumb.


    Far from it.


    By now, there was a set of rules that the higher ranked cultivators of the world abided by.


    What would happen if Queen Thyress suddenly decided to stop Liam''s escape?


    It definitely wasn''t as though she was unaware of it.


    Was she perfectly capable of stopping him?


    Yes.


    But did she?


    No.


    This meant that higher ranked cultivators seriously couldn''t care less about those ranked below them, even if they could erase the most extreme issues with a wave of their hand.


    Granted, they definitely manipted things on a grander scale.


    Just not enough to bother the livelihood of those below.


    And Usan perfectly knew that his revenge was not possible unless he gained powerful allies.


    ''I''m more worried about what to do if that Rank 6 decides to single me out because of my Ashura genes.''


    To everyone else, the Ashura was literally an enemy of the world. If Liam was caught by any other Sector or organization, he''d be butchered or experimented on.


    As if hearing his thoughts, Usan threw something towards Liam.


    It was somewhat reminiscent of the Rank 5 corpse he threw at him.


    Liam caught it and inspected it.


    Instead of a body, it was a shadow-made pin, barely the length of a pinky, and narrower than a strand of hair.


    [It will hide your aura and¡­ ''chaos'',] Usan transmitted. [Those within the Main Lands will not take kindly to an Ashura.]


    [You are cursed to them.]


    Great.


    Thanks.

 Chapter 273 Seven Clans

    <h4>Chapter 273 Seven ns</h4>


    Liam stuck himself with the shadowy pin, which shot into his body.


    There was no pain, but a tight constricting feeling securely wrapped around his Chaos Pearl.


    Liam tried taking out a strand of chaos, but nothing happened.


    ''Hopefully this is enough.''


    ''How does he n to arrive at the Main Lands, though?'' Liam thought as the acolytes cheered and the Elders remained silent.


    ''It will probably take months unless¡ª''


    RUMBLE.


    Behind the temple, the silhouette of something rising through the ground caused the ind to shake.


    Everyone felt a tinge of rm when they saw what came out, but calmed down when the Elder''s hadn''t moved from their ce.


    It was the Monolith Lion.


    Only, there were no traces of Wild Fang''s influence on it.


    It was just a little bit smaller, but all of its brown and yellow fur had been transformed into pure ck.


    With wide steps, it stopped right in front of the Temple''s army, and Unforgiven Shadow perched on top of its furry head.


    Liam''s eyes widened with shock.


    Everyone was pretty much in the same boat.


    ''How is that possible?''


    The Unforgiven was breaking every cultivationw before everyone''s eyes, and quite frankly, it was getting ridiculous.


    Formations, inscriptions, and even forging.


    The guy had it all!


    Usan didn''t deign anyone an exnation.


    Inrge groups, herds of people started to climb up the beast with excited expressions.


    Liam was no exception, but he waited until the front parts were taken.


    He wanted to limit his exposure to people, especially since riding through on a freaking lion would no doubt gain a few nasty looks.


    Eventually, Liam made his way up.


    He was somewhere around the back of the lion, his view simr to what someone would see off a seven story building.


    ''I need to get my Ravenous Leash Arts fixed soon. Maybe I can do something simr at one point.''


    Once everyone had settled down, the Monolith Lion began to move.


    No¡­


    It began to run.


    Slowly at first.


    Very fast right after.


    It leaped over the ind cliff in a wide arc, then began to plunge into the ocean below.


    WHOOOOOOSH!


    SPLSHHHH!


    Waves flew everywhere from the wide point of impact, sending violent ripples throughout the ocean.


    If there weren''t Inertial Repelling Formations covering the Monolith Lion''s back, everyone would have already flown off.


    That said, people started tough very loudly and cheered.


    Most of the new acolytes had never experienced something this mighty.


    They were dregs of society, forced to resort to crime for a few scraps.


    The older acolytes and Elders just loved the thrill that came with an edge of danger.


    Liam was just quiet.


    ¡­But he couldn''t help but chuckle lightly under his breath.


    It did feel exhrating, he wouldn''t lie.


    The ind slowly grew distant.


    The Monolith Lion took wide strides to swim through the ocean separating the ind from li''s main soil.


    As the cheers continued, Liam checked one of his space rings.


    There were roughly 27 Parasite Worms there, wriggling as though they were alive, along with another 14 Abyssal Needles.


    The former was much easier to make, hence why there were so many.


    Liam hadn''t actually tested them.


    There was no one to attack, after all.


    Pretty soon, the Monolith Lion emerged from the water and ran straight towards the center of li.


    The speed that it was going at was rming, bulldozing through the forests, leaping over hills and wing up massive mountains.


    Usan didn''t bother being discreet, either, choosing to traverse through a main


    It would take just a few hours to reach the Main Lands.


    The surrounding Sects were obviously rmed by the sudden rumbling noises that spread across theirnds.


    Their first thought was:


    ''We''re being attacked!''


    Dozens of Rank 4 Patriarchs of small-sized and mid-size Sects shot out of their homes to see the source of the invasion¡­


    ¡­Just to see a massive lion ¨C atop of which were loudly cheering humans ¨C whiz past them and head towards the Main Lands.


    Before long, that giant lion faded into the distance, the ground slowly stabilizing as it disappeared.


    "What¡­ did I just witness?" one Sector Patriarch uttered under his breath.


    The Rank 5 aura resonating from that lion was rming.


    All those who saw the event instantly consulted their neighboring Sectors.


    News travels faster than light.


    Since whoevermanded that beast didn''t attack them, it meant that something was uring within the Main Lands.


    Something important.


    Thus, they made preparations to venture into the Main Lands themselves.


    Like this, important figures and high ranking martial artists gathered from all over li to understand the vtile situation.


    Even Rank 5 cultivators were no exception. Them and their thousands of disciples prepared for migration.


    The winds of change were blowing over the region.


    Meanwhile, Liam began to change his features and stature to something less¡­ well, like him.


    Using a special dye, he changed the color of his hair to a lustrous ck.


    His cheekbones sank a bit, and his lips grew thinner.


    Thicker muscle padded his arms and body, making his form sturdier than usual.


    Slightly increasing the density of his muscles was also possible.


    Liam''s Transfiguration could swap out certain qualities to different areas.


    Liam basically converted his blood into muscle.


    And that actually gave him a significant boost in strength.


    Liam had tested these abilities with the Ashura Form, and simr to his Shadow, it was much more difficult to control.


    "Is it just me, or do you look¡­ bigger than usual?" Krel came up behind Liam, along with Jargon and a few other Shadows.


    Appearance changing wasn''t exactly the newest thing for the Sect, but a significant change in stature wasn''t really possible.


    "I''ve been lifting."


    Liam''s terse response made the othersugh.


    After one and a half hours, a civilization grew visible across the horizon.


    Structures and towering shapes of different design and length formed a grand circr formation, built around seven different domains.


    This was the Seven ns.


    And this was the Main Lands.

 Chapter 274 Domains

    <h4>Chapter 274 Domains</h4>


    Liam paid close attention to the different domains surrounding the Main Lands as the lion grew closer.


    They covered massive plots ofnd and each had their own ''theme''.


    Each domain was like an individual city.


    Every corner bustled with thousands of martial artists.


    The only reason Liam even caught a glimpse of each one, was due to the high vantage point the lion provided.


    "I can exin them one by one if you''d like, my liege," Jargon offered. Liam instantly nodded.


    He barely knew their names, but Jargon had a knack for studying the surroundingndscapes.


    His time as a growing disciple of a popr Sect had allowed him to do that, after all.


    One had serpentine-shaped towers and swervy buildings, like venomous snakes wildly lurching at the sky.


    In the very center of that vast domain was an arched cobra statue, the crimson, vertical eye slits of which subtly moved left and right.


    "That''s the Death Lung n. They''re specialized in alchemy. Lethal poison, specifically."


    Another Sect had massive, blocky structures that had beautiful, profound-looking calligraphy draped over on every corner.


    Everything was inscribed withyers ofplexity, and it looked like an impregnable fortress, with a grand castle in the center.


    "The Myriad Brushes."


    "They''re not battle-oriented, but their inscriptions are known to be profound. They are rumored to eveny theirprehension down on ink."


    Another looked incredibly beautiful, like a natural archipgo with towering, lush, pink-and-white trees sprouting from every corner.


    They resembled the sakura tree from Earth, except the leaves pulsed with a violet, living glow, fluttering lightly under an invisible wind.


    "That one there is the Unending Wind. They study the way of the sword, and believe that wind is the ''sword''s element''."


    The subsequent few Jargon pointed out were simrly amazing.


    There was the Unmoving Mountain Sect, which featured a pearly white mountain that the disciples lived inside and out of. They resembled little ants from just how colossal thendscape was.


    Beside them were the Sr Spears, whose Spear Arts were apparently so deadly, they didn''t stab through their enemies¡­


    They incinerated them to ashes.


    As such, they were the least challenged from the Seven ns.


    Up next was the Cerulean Dragons, specific to the water element. Other than the obvious draconic designs, there was no need for Jargon to exin.


    Sapphire-scaled dragons ¨C along with smaller winged creatures ¨C flew this way and that over that domain, centered around an obvious Rank 5 dragon in the center.


    They were actually alive.


    It seemed like the Cerulean Dragons were the type to ''tame'' beasts instead of forcing them against their will, like the Ravenous Leashes.


    ¡­But out of all of these, there was one that stood out like a star.


    And it was just as bright as one.


    It was hard to miss, and its design was just¡­ magnificent.


    A pce made from pure light.


    It was thergest domain out of the Seven, as well, despite being the one with the lowest number of disciples in their n.


    But that didn''t really matter when you had a Rank 6 on your team.


    "And that, is the Luminous Light Sect ¨C the Moyong family ¨C unofficial rulers of li."


    The conversation ended there


    The Monolith Lion was soon noticed by the Sects that lived around the Seven ns.


    These lower Sects weren''t anything to scoff at either.


    Their forces could very well match the Temple''s strength. Combined as one entity, they could obviously defeat them.


    But they weren''t one entity.


    Most of them hated each other with relentless scorn.


    The very reason they abided was because of the Seven ns and theirbined strength.


    They were just too stupid to realize that they could do the same.


    Usan was here to change that.


    A mass of Shadow suddenly enveloped the Monolith Lion and hid all the acolytes from view.


    Liam''s instincts screamed as a Rank 5 cultivator with long red hair and a crimson robe flew in front of the Monolith Lion.


    "State your business!" he shouted with a frown.


    Usan had his mask on.


    But he slowly took it off.


    The Rank 5 cultivator''s face fell.


    "...Silver?"


    "You''re still alive?"


    "How?"


    There was a tone of solemnity in the man''s voice.


    Usan said nothing for a while.


    Most Rank 5 cultivators knew who the Unforgiven Was.


    And not all of them were enemies to him.


    Some were friends.


    Some were natural allies.


    Some were lifelong brothers.


    "I''m not here for you, Zen," Usan said, his face emotionless and distant.


    "I''m here for a talk with them."


    Zen blinked.


    He hadn''t expected that reaction.


    Zen and Usan were practically brothers before the exile!


    ¡­But that was the issue.


    The exile.


    All Zen could do was watch it happen, afraid to protest against the rulers.


    Now, nothing of warmth was left to Usan.


    More Rank 5 cultivators approached the area, but only watched from afar.


    This particr region was under Zen''s control, which is why Usan had gone through here first, avoiding a needless fight.


    Just past Zen was the Seven ns.


    The Main Lands were slowly getting rowdier.


    Everyone felt something dangerous stirring under the eerie silence.


    Something bad was going to happen.


    Zen''s shoulders sagged in defeat.


    He had no intentions of fighting the Unforgiven.


    ''Forgive me, brother. I could not be there for you.''


    Zen descended, and an open path opened up for the Monolith Lion to go through.


    "Get out," Usan said as he passed through the outer ring of the Seven ns. "I''vee to talk."


    Unforgiven''s influence spread.


    The world around him grew darker, except the area around the light-made pce. Usan''s shadows couldn''t reach there.


    Usan''s words spread to each individual city.


    Everyone heard him crystal clear.


    They had seen him already, too, but they had to wait until his intention was identified.


    Seven figures left each of the seven domains.


    Of course, the Rank 6 was not among them.


    The Moyong family had a Rank 5 cultivator themselves.


    Displeasure, shock, surprise, disgust, anger, scorn, disdain.


    These were each of the emotions the seven had given the Unforgiven.

 Chapter 275 Truth

    <h4>Chapter 275 Truth</h4>


    Within the Main Lands, the air was so tense, one could cut it with a knife.


    Everyone looked at Usan.


    Then they looked towards the other seven gazing at him from a distance.


    Like this, they simply exchanged between the two different sides until one of them broke the suffocating silence.


    Their hostile auras filled up the horizon.


    Each one of them had a contrasting, unique appearance.


    One of them had ming red hair and tight crimson clothing.


    A vicious, crude-looking spear was in his hand, rippling with waves of heat. The tip of the weapon roared with bright red mes.


    An excited smirk was on his youthful face.


    "Silver! Have youe to settle your ounts? I''ll be more than d to take you on first."


    Surprisingly, the man didn''t have any hate or anger in his tone.


    It was like he was enjoying the situation at hand.


    If it wasn''t obvious, this was the Sun''s Spear.


    "Why have youe back?" one of them said in a disdainful tone. "We were kind enough to rule for exile. This is how you repay generosity?"


    The one who spoke was a middle-aged woman with long poison-green hair, tied together with a zanzi hair pin, and blood-red eyes.


    Noxious fumes of dark green and purple oozed from her figure. Even the other six didn''t get too close to her.


    Naturally, this was the Miasma Queen, Patriarch of the Death Lung Sect.


    Everyone waited for Usan''s response. But the man didn''t answer instantly.


    The audience seats weren''t packed yet.


    There was still time for the entirety of li toe and view the debacle.


    "Answer, brat!" a bald, ck-eyed, severe-looking man shouted, causing thousands of lower ranking cultivators to faint instantly.


    His bodily structure wasn''t the bulkiest, but his unshakable aura was unmistakable.


    This was the ''Unmoving Mountain''.


    Despite their attempts to make him speak, Usan was unflinchingly quiet.


    Eventually, though, Unforgiven Shadows'' first words were spoken.


    "I haven''te for war or revenge."


    "Ha! The brat speaks of war! Do you have any idea how small you are? You''re a pebble among mountains," a white bearded, blue-eyed, ck-haired man mocked derisively.


    On his back was an oversized brush pen used for calligraphy ¨C the bristles of which had a golden sheen ¨C taller than a person.


    ''Myriad Brush''.


    "Imagineing all this way and so dramatically, just to get exiled again," another added. "That''d be funny!" heughed.


    The man in question had loose grey hair that fell to shin-length. He woreyered tinum robes, and to his side, was avish scabbard holding what looked like an odachi.


    ''Felling Wind''.


    "That beast¡­ I know it. Wild Fang told me about the Monolith Lion years ago. You killed him didn''t you?!"


    Sapphire eyes, azure robe, tanned skin and short blue hair. Cerulean Dragon had a mixture of disbelief and wrath in his eyes.


    To his sides, draconic Rank 4 Spirit Beasts flew around him.


    Silence.


    Instantly, the demeanors of everyone changed towards the Unforgiven.


    Now, they readied their weapons, but didn''t attack.


    There were too many people around.


    Usan did not respond to theirments, his gaze fixed to one particr person.


    The Luminous Light Rank 5 cultivator.


    ''North Star''.


    Everything about the man radiated royalty.


    Silver hair, pulsing with light, golden eyes, baster skin and a luminous robe that glowed with ornate patterns.


    As of now, a look of absolute disgust was on the man''s face.


    A few minutes passed as the eight of them were simply hovering over the air.


    Usan looked to the side.


    By now, two-thirds of li had gathered to watch the event.


    Hundreds of thousands of people stretched across thendscapes, and the numbers were steadily rising.


    The horizon had been filled with faces.


    Young, old, male, female, strong, weak.


    The only reason everything hadn''t spiraled into chaos, was because of the Rank 5''s keeping the situation calm.


    But an altercation looked painfully eminent.


    The Rank 5''s put different Sound Negating Formations around the region, but Unforgiven''s voice pierced through those.


    He wanted people to hear.


    Silently, Liam was watching from below the canopy of shadows Usan had deployed on the lion.


    He would be lying if he said he wasn''t nervous about the current ordeal.


    So many people!


    So many Rank 5''s!


    Liam had to use his mental defense spells just to stay conscious.


    Several acolytes had already fallen asleep.


    Liam was sure that if Usan stayed silent for a moment longer, the seven Rank 5 cultivators would start attacking him.


    "Speak. You''ve prolonged your stay unnecessarily," Miasma Queen hissed, her crimson eyes suddenly constricted like a reptilian''s.


    "li deserves the truth," Usan said suddenly.


    Everyone below looked at him with a mix of confusion, fear and caution.


    Those above looked at him with just anger.


    "What ''truth''?" Felling Wind furrowed his saber-like brows.


    The seven were losing their patience.


    Usan paused.


    Then, he turned around to address the entirety of li.


    "Have thesends not suffered enough?" Usan said with a bit of emotion in his voice.


    "It may seem like it''s flourishing."


    "But the deaths caused by both the Imperial Legion and the Dual Empire have marred this country''s history."


    "How many inds were sunk to the depths of the ocean?"


    "How many children died in those wars?"


    "How many wives, fathers, brothers?"


    "Generations were erased!"


    Usan''s tone got angrier the more he spoke.


    Those gathered listened intently, feeling anger rise up as they remembered the wars.


    The younger ones didn''t share the same sentiment¡­ but they were raised in li.


    Remnants of the war still remained, areas that no one could grow anything on, nor live upon for long periods of time. Even after centuries had passed.


    "And pursuing war would only make things worse! Your demeanor is that of a pouty child not getting what they want," Myriad Brush insulted.


    Usan exploded into sonorousughter.


    "Am I, now? Then I''ll assume you don''t know about the Sacrosanct Tree?"


    ¡­Sancro-what?


    Simultaneously, everyone watching raised their brows in confusion.


    Except Usan¡­ and North Star.


    Thetter had a venomous look on his face.


    Usan looked towards North Star with a broad grin.


    "Isn''t that right... brother? Did father promise you the next Miracle Fruit? Or do our sisters take precedence?"

 Chapter 276 Pie

    <h4>Chapter 276 Pie</h4>


    Liam''s eyes widened in absolute shock.


    Did this Usan just say brother?


    No, before that, did he say father?


    Father as in¡­ the Rank 6 powerhouse of the Moyong family?


    From the looks of it, not even the Seven n Patriarchs knew that. Their wide eyes and furrowed brows were an indication.


    This instantlyplicated things.


    And why was Usan attempting to anger a damn Rank 6 cultivator?!


    Not to mention, his own dad?!


    Well, Liam had a habit of pissing off Malcolm just for the heck of it now and again.


    Though, he''d get a nasty bruise or a broken bone or two, but it was worth it.


    This was different.


    Way different.


    But Liam was out of his depth.


    This was between the Zeniths.


    All he could do was watch.


    As Usan let his words linger in the air, there was grim silence.


    The seven looked conflicted.


    On one hand, they wanted to kill the Unforgiven for his rude and untimely arrival.


    If they didn''t nip this problem in the bud, then a ''revolution'' of sorts was starting.


    They weren''t dumb. The seven knew what Usan was trying to do.


    ¡­But they had to listen.


    This ''Miracle Fruit''... the fact that Usan is actually from the Moyong family¡­


    They had to see where this led.


    North Star must have realized how venomous his face currently looked, since he lowered his head and raised it with a slightly calmer expression.


    But scorn couldn''t really be hidden like that.


    It looked like the man was itching to unleash his spells and get rid of Usan.


    ¡­But he couldn''t.


    If he did, it''d make him and the Moyong family seem guilty of something.


    And now that his fellow seven intended to hear the full story, he was forced to let it go on.


    Usan creaked his neck to the side.


    ''So many people.''


    There were more than two dozen Rank 5''s watching the current event unfold.


    And more wereing.


    In truth, the Unforgiven really didn''t want to make his burdens known to so many faces.


    But if he wanted to make his case as convincing as possible, he had to.


    "Haven''t you all wondered how the Hand of Light became a Rank 6 so fast?"


    Hand of Light.


    This was the powerhouse whose sole presence stopped the iing wars against li.


    "He was the strongest of us all," Felling Wind cut in, eyes narrowed. "It was obvious he was going to break through the fastest."


    Usan nodded his head.


    "Indeed¡­"


    "But then, how did he advance to the fifth Rank not too fast after?" Usan lightly pointed to the North Star, who grimaced in response.


    Silence.


    Indeed, it was strange.


    Roughly 500 years had passed since Hand of Light had be a Rank 6 powerhouse.


    However, his son, who was a Rank 4 Zenith at the time, abruptly became a Rank 5.


    And he was just under 350 years old!


    For Rank 5 standards, that was too little.


    Unnaturally little.


    Sure, talent yed an important part in these ranks.


    But how much talent could a person really have?


    All the Rank 5''s watching required almost twice the age to advance to a higher Rank.


    However, when a Rank 6 was involved, they couldn''t apply the same ruleset or thinking.


    The Moyong family was the strongest family in li to date.


    And they were all talented warriors that didn''t even show themselves to the public.


    It wouldn''t be surprising if they had amazing cultivation techniques and methods to increase their progress.


    Plus, since they were so few, they could spread more resources amongst one another.


    But now¡­


    Everyone saw that progress in a different light.


    If they didn''t have amazing generation-to-generation techniques, how did they progress so fast?


    "What are you getting at?" Miasma Queen hissed.


    "What''s this about a tree?" Sun''s Spear added with a slight frown.


    Usan was now addressing only the Rank 5''s and 4''s.


    His words didn''t reach anyone below those ranks, except his own acolytes, of course.


    "There is a Rank 6 tree beneath that massive light pce. Every half-millenia, it gives birth to a special fruit."


    "Whoever eats it naturally jumps a few ranks ahead, depending on how much they could naturally digest."


    Shocked silence.


    Everyone''s jaws fell.


    There was such a thing?!


    Certainly, that exined the unadulteratedly pure ''Ora'' density around the Main Lands.


    Staying here for just a few days even as a Rank 3 cultivator could give months of progress.


    Of course, there were other sources of that density.


    ''Ora'' Pockets, ''Ora'' Wells, and for some, ''Ora'' Caves.


    Because of this, they didn''t really suspect such an incredible thing living under them.


    To keep its existence a secret, the Moyong family must have coated the thing with countless Formations and inscriptions, just to reduce its influence.


    When hearing Usan say those words, Liam felt incredibly amazed.


    It was basically a way to fast forward one''s progress, without the dull time-wasting efforts that goes into it.


    There was nothing worth more to a cultivator than such a thing.


    And Liam could only imagine the rarity of such an item.


    Actually, he couldn''t imagine it.


    In the first ce, he couldn''t even imagine the processes of the low Zenith ranks.


    Suddenly, all those watching the debacle felt a sting of greed.


    They all wanted a piece of that pie.


    Wouldn''t they have a chance to be a Rank 6 powerhouse then?!


    But why did Usan reveal that information to everyone involved?


    Couldn''t he just keep it between him, the acolytes and the seven ns?


    Usan scoffed.


    "Why do you think the wars happened?"


    Another round of shock arose in everyone''s chests.


    Of course!


    Other than having natural ''Ora'' reserves and valuable materials, that alone didn''t warrant an invasion.


    But a Rank 6 item definitely would.


    Still, if Hand of Light didn''t want to give up his resource, he didn''t have to.


    This was the thought that ran through everyone''s mind.


    But Usan''s next words reassured everyone.


    "Consuming the Fruit as a Rank 6 won''t work."


    "Hand of Light cannot use the resource anymore."


    Usan paused dramatically, then grinned at everyone''s shock.


    "...And in exactly one year, the Tree will bear its Miracle Fruit."

 Chapter 277 Hold Back

    <h4>Chapter 277 Hold Back</h4>


    Hearing Usan''s words, everybody paused for a moment.


    Not a whisper was heard.


    The lower ranked acolytes were out of the loop, but they couldn''t really ask for context.


    The seven rulers were quiet, and so were the Rank 5''s and 4''s.


    Right now, they were pensive.


    If Hand of Light couldn''t use it¡­ then why was he keeping it for himself?


    That sort of thing didn''t belong to one type of family.


    This wasn''t royalty.


    And li didn''t function like that.


    Whoever had the greatest martial artists deserved the highest resource.


    Everything was built around this type of system.


    Power was awarded.


    So the fact that the Luminous Light n kept everything quiet was a very rming fact.


    As such, they leaned towards the Unforgiven.


    Of course, not fully.


    They still didn''t know how Hand of Light would react.


    If he chose to, he could wipe li off the map.


    It was not wise to be an enemy of such a person.


    Also, they had some qualms about the Unforgiven''s personality.


    "What, you think you''re entitled to the Fruit just because you were exiled?" Myriad Brush said with narrowed eyes.


    Usan met his gaze with a chilling re.


    "No, you old coot. We''re all entitled to it. Every single one of us has a right to the fruit."


    "But we have to earn that right."


    North Star was quiet, but his eyes had turned into daggers piercing into Usan''s flesh.


    However, he couldn''t attack Usan.


    Why, though?


    Surely using everything to kill the Unforgiven would be far better than letting crucial secrets spill to everyone?


    North Star''s face was as cold as ever.


    Usanughed loudly.


    Everyone''s attention fell on him.


    "Even now, he hears us, but doesn''t interfere," the Unforgiven said, his tone growing serious.


    "It''s just like him."


    The Rank 5''s watching felt an invisible droplet of sweat run down their brow.


    The air was getting a bit harder to breathe.


    They really were being watched.


    ¡­But other than that, there was no dominating aura anywhere.


    Nor did they feel any pressure.


    "Father is merely watching. He doesn''t disapprove," Usan said. "We''d all be dead otherwise."


    Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Disapprove of what?" Sun''s spear said with furrowed brows.


    "Don''t think you''re entitled to our family''s property," North Star said with a hostile tone. "The Sacrosanct Tree is ours by right."


    Silence.


    No one could really deny that.


    Usan sighed, clearly annoyed.


    "Isn''t challenging someone for their properties normal in this country? You all made thews, after all."


    Silence.


    No one could deny that either.


    North Star looked increasingly pissed off.


    It was as though he was looking for support, but everyone had turned into a potential enemy.


    Usan hid augh at his brother''s sight.


    ''He''s waiting for father''s support. Poor thing. All father cares about is his glory. Everything else is beneath him.''


    A momentter, the Unforgiven''s expression steeled.


    "Challenging you back-to-back for the fruit isn''t effective, so here''s what we''ll do."


    Usan flew a little higher, his tone firm and eyes narrowed.


    "A Martial Tournament between all the major ns and Sectors."


    "Whoever wins, will be rewarded with the Miracle Fruit, no matter the winner."


    "If the Luminous Light n has the Supreme Martial Arts as they say, then prove it."


    "If not, make way for the rest of us."


    Usan''s words ended there.


    In Liam''s opinion, he yed it perfectly.


    He didn''t threaten anyone, he made it clear that it wasn''t just him who wanted the Miracle Fruit, and in the end, he provided a fair n of action for all parties.


    Cerulean Dragon, Unmoving Mountain, Felling Wind, Miasma Queen, Sun''s Spear, and Myriad Brush were seriously considering the issue.


    Only North Star was discontent with the situation.


    He was meant to have the next Miracle Fruit in just a year.


    That would possibly make him a Rank 6 powerhouse!


    And this exiled maniac took that opportunity from right under his nose!


    Worst of all, his father didn''t voice his support!


    ''These pricks. They think they can sideline me?'' North Star inwardly snarled. ''He should have never shown his ugly face.''


    All he could do now was pull through and honestly try to win the tournament.


    ¡­And execute Usan and his entire n afterwards.


    A few minutes of silence passed.


    Slowly, the hostile air dwindled a bit.


    They were no longer intent on sending the Unforgiven back to exile. They couldn''t do so in the first ce.


    The seven began to speak mentally among each other.


    In the meantime, the masses began to whisper among themselves.


    News started to spread in every corner of li.


    Liam grimaced.


    ''If they include me in this thing, there better not be any cameras.''


    Eventually, the seven addressed the crowd.


    "The Seven ns will dictate th¡ª"


    Usan cut North Star off with a cold voice.


    "No."


    "I''ve set this into motion."


    "I''m taking a seat at the table."


    "li needs someone external. Someone who hasn''t sat in their cushy pces for so many decades."


    Although the seven looked extremely offended at those words, they couldn''t disregard Usan''s plight.


    All the other Rank 5''s were sort of on his side.


    They grumbled a bit ¨C exchanging mental transmissions among themselves ¨C but eventually relented.


    Of course, they didn''t want to make enemies of the Moyong family.


    They asked North Star for ''permission'' to begin such an event.


    He gave them the O.K.


    But his demeanor was much colder towards thenpared to before.


    It was obvious that the rtions between them were going to take a massive hit after this.


    "Fine," the seven said in synchrony.


    A momentter, Usan flew towards the seven.


    Myriad Brush took his giant brush pen and stroked the air with it, somehow painting the air itself.


    Massive letters of ckish ink spread to form a powerful Istion Barrier ¨C encasing the eight figures inside.


    Liam heaved a tense sigh.


    ''A tournament, eh?''


    ''It''s been a while.''


    Liam scoffed as he remembered the Regional Power Tournament.


    ''I don''t have to hold back anymore.''

 Chapter 278 Piece of the Pie

    <h4>Chapter 278 Piece of the Pie</h4>


    As the eight of them spoke of terms, Liam wondered if he could have a small piece of that Miracle Fruit.


    Something of that level was extremely valuable, no doubt.


    But just a tiny bit?


    Was it too much to ask?


    Granted, Liam didn''t even know if eating a Rank 6 item was possible for a low ranking cultivator like him.


    ¡­It probably wasn''t.


    Or if Usan was even okay with giving him such an important resource.


    Considering everything Liam did for him and the Temple as a whole, he was entitled to a small bit of the fruit.


    ''There are the Elders to take care of before me. Or maybe he wants to consume the whole thing for himself and be a Rank 6.''


    Nevertheless, Liam was thinking too far into the future.


    The tournament hadn''t even begun, and he was already contemting victory.


    Those seven ns weren''t a joke, and neither were those below them.


    Their martial arts were among the most advanced and ridiculously powerful.


    Where Echoria shined in their inscription, formation and other specialization capabilities, martial arts were a different game.


    And li was absolutely unmatched in this regard.


    ''The Temple''s specialization is just the shadow¡­ I have to win with my own prowess.''


    Then again, Liam''s prowess was disgustingly advanced for someone his age.


    If Liam was forced to use his Ashura Form, he could even fight a Rank 4.


    That said, those eight were taking their sweet time discussing their terms.


    By then, the atmosphere erupted into a loud cacophony of different cheers and noises.


    The part about the Martial Art Tournament already spread to the farthest edges of li.


    Every old man with a hunched back and a cane were making their way to the Main Lands.


    This was a time of profit!


    Entertainment!


    Change!


    The borders of li were already being closed from all sides.


    Ind-scale Formations were being activated, negating any sort of Jade connections or other forms ofmunication.


    Businesses were closing down and relocating towards the Main Lands.


    The entire country was going to this world-ss event.


    As Liam looked towards the hordes of faces, he grimaced.


    If the battles were indeed going to be for the public''s eye, Liam would have to hold back.


    Everything about Liam was abnormal.


    His Blood Arts, his chaos, his Blood maniption and so much more, which he couldn''t afford to let anyone know about.


    Liam prayed that Usan knew this fact.


    Nevertheless, a solid two hours passed.


    Finally, the Istion Barrier whiffed out, and the eight of them spread out.


    "Eight months!" North Star dered with a bit of annoyance in his tone. "In eight months, the tournament will begin. The terms will be decided by the Seven and¡­ him."


    "Until that time, preparations are to be made."


    BOOM!


    That was all North Star said before shooting away towards the light-made pce.


    Butthurt, everyone thought, but didn''t say out loud.


    The discussions were fruitful, judging by Usan''s satisfied expression.


    The Unforgiven flew back to the Monolith Lion''s head.


    "All Sect leaders can participate," Miasma Queen said, obviously unhappy.


    The less people there were, the faster they could win the tournament and be done with it.


    But that Unforgiven wouldn''t have it.


    Sun''s Spear had a broad smile on his face. Everything about the current situation was to his benefit.


    "If you would like to opt out, that is also allowed," Unmoving Mountain added.


    "The official rules will be revealed on the day of the tournament," Felling Wind said.


    "Until then, we will all prepare," Myriad Brush said.


    Everyone else followed suit, each of the seven flying towards their individual domains.


    The Monolith Lion swerved around and made its way towards the Temple''s home-ind again.


    A sea of people opened a path as Unforgiven Shadow took his time heading back.


    From the looks of it, he was no longer in exile.


    And he had no trouble unting his new status to the lians.


    ''I''m finally free.''


    Usan smiled lightly.


    But his expression turned stern a secondter.


    ''Everything depends on this tournament.''


    ''They''ll be doing their best to push me out of this too.''


    ''They''d lose the most if I win.''


    Nobody wanted the Unforgiven to win.


    What kind of monster would he be once he became a Rank 6 powerhouse?


    Usan made it clear it was revenge he sought.


    Naturally, they had a hostile bias towards him.


    Usan nced towards Liam, who was currently cultivating as they made their way back.


    The way this tournament was made¡­


    Well, it was a bit different, that was for sure.


    Eventually, everyone made their way back to the Temple.


    No longer did they need to be secretive of their quarters.


    In fact¡­ some people were already contacting Usan!


    They wanted to join the Temple!


    They had seen the Unforgiven''s stance on li.


    His grief over the dead and destroyednds.


    In a sh, they realized Usan''s real personality.


    Alliances were already being put into n.


    Once they had sessfully arrived at the ind, the Unforgiven dismounted and all the acolytes spread in different directions.


    Surprisingly, it was Usan who approached Liam first, erecting a small-sized Istion Barrier for them to talk privately.


    "You n on participating, right?" he asked. Liam nodded. "Good. Because you''ll be a Secondary Fighter."


    Liam raised a brow.


    "Meaning?"


    Usan looked to the side, where the Main Lands were.


    "There will be different battles that the groups will participate in. But there''s only one that really matters. The Main Battle and the Secondary Battle."


    "The Sect leaders¡­"


    "And their most promising Mortal Ranked disciple."


    "They both carry the same amount of weight."


    "Since the tournament will be point based, even if the Sect leader is defeated, if their disciple wins all their bouts and attains the most points, they win the whole thing."


    Liam hummed in thought.


    "You don''t have to worry about holding back," Usan reassured. "I can probably add a rule that blocks outside viewing. You''ll be able to fight with your chaos and demon form."


    Key word: probably.


    Liam pursed his lips.


    "Do I get a piece of the pie?"

 Chapter 279 Blood Bond

    <h4>Chapter 279 Blood Bond</h4>


    Usan heaved a long sigh, as though he had expected Liam''s response.


    "Has anyone told you you''re a shameless prick?" he insulted with a slight scowl.


    "Many," Liam responded curtly, unfazed.


    "In the first ce, your body cannot handle something of that caliber. Most of your centers of power are too weak to even utilize the Miracle Fruit''s nourishment."


    "You''ll simply explode."


    Liam imagined that much.


    "But there has to be some sort of way to make it work. You can''t say it''s impossible for sure. A tiny bit wouldn''t hurt too much, would it?"


    Usan remained silent for a few seconds.


    "If we win. And if your contributions are good enough, then yes. I''ll give you a very, very small portion of the fruit."


    ''Good enough,'' Liam thought, satisfied.


    "Until then, get as strong as you can. The rules themselves aren''t set in stone, so there''s no telling what they might try to pull off."


    Liam nodded.


    The two parted ways afterward.


    Liam headed straight to his home.


    ''Now I definitely have to make the Ravenous Leash Arts work.''


    With the eight month time period, he could do several projects, and Liam didn''t waste a single second.


    Firstly, he began with the Ravenous Leash Arts.


    Liam needed to find a way to make it work for his Blood Shadow.


    The heart of the technique was centered around the Beast Will.


    As long as the process stayed the same without changing its core functions, switching it to his needs was actually not that hard.


    Liam got to work and entered his Inner World.


    For weeks on end, he stayed within the enclosed space and rigorously tinkered with the technique.


    He was already 70% through with it.


    On the side, Liam put more effort than usual on his cultivation.


    He was close to breaking through to the third Rank of the core, after all.


    Despite how excited he was for that event, Liam first needed to get the Ravenous Leash Arts in order.


    He even temporarily halted the Triumvirate Body''s development and everything else to quicken the process.


    All the hard parts were cleared.


    Now, only the minor details remained.


    Inscribing with his new Blood was¡­ a disgusting headache.


    Everything hurt.


    Even Liam''s eagle-like vision started to swim and blur due to absorbing Rank 3 Blood.


    Nevertheless, as Liam continued the inscribing process, he quickly realized how powerful his Blood had gotten.


    Now, he could fit a ridiculous amount of Meanings into apact droplet of ichor.


    Even though hisprehension wasn''t anything little, his Ink was his greatest aspect when it came to inscriptions.


    Like so, two months passed.


    ///


    Liam crushed a Rank 1 Spirit Beast''s core in his hand and absorbed its Will.


    One second passed.


    Liam had tamed the Beast Will.


    A momentter, he put a finger on his temple and pulled out the ethereal Beast Will from his mind, fixing it to his Blood Shadow.


    Liam''s shadows squirmed and twisted.


    Slowly, it was starting to take a bestial form, letting out a shrill hiss and lengthening.


    Liam watched with constricted pupils as his three-dimensional shadow grew serpentine scales and two little horns on its head.


    A minute passed.


    There it was.


    An actual Rank 1 Snake made from Liam''s Blood and Shadow!


    Although it was just a Rank 1, its strength was actually on par with a Rank 2.


    This was due to Liam''s Rank 3 Blood.


    It naturally boosted the strength of his Shadow Beasts.


    Liammanded the horned snake to curl up his body with a single instinctualmand.


    Then it bit him.


    The snake couldn''t even nick his skin.


    ''But you''re still too weak¡­'' Liam sighed, grabbing the snake in his hand¡­


    And crushing it.


    There wasn''t any blood or viscera, but the snake broke apart ethereally and silently.


    Liam watched as his Blood Shadow simply¡­ reformed it again.


    This was the selling point of Liam''s new and improved Leash Arts.


    He spent a good amount of time transforming his Shadows into Blood Shadows.


    Then using his Blood Shadow as a material, he could simply reform his beasts.


    This ''reformation'' naturally consumed his blood, even without him using the ck Hole, since he''d designed it to do so. Without that aspect, everything fell apart.


    Only¡­ Liam could do the process with only lower ranking beasts, but this was a temporary issue.


    ''I need to make them into something that actually increases my battle prowess.''


    ''In a normal battle between people my Rank, one Rank 3 beast would just be a bother.''


    More weeks passed as Liam hammered in the work, adding more than a few features to a process.


    By then, more and more people joined the Temple of Shadow.


    Now, they were a solid 10,000 in number, with a few Zeniths in the mix.


    Another two months passed and Liam finally fixed the Ravenous Leash Arts!


    Finally!


    He did the same process as before, except with a Rank 3 Spirit Beast core.


    Except now¡­


    He added Meanings to that Beast Will.


    Putting the Beast Will inside the Blood Shadow, Liam leaned back to watch intently as it transformed into a glorious Rank 3 Twilight Wolf.


    Liam smiled.


    ''Now, if what I just did went correctly¡­''


    Speaking verbally to the beast wasn''t a requirement, but Liam did it anyway.


    "Shoot a beam of darkness at me."


    The wolf growled, which grew louder.


    WHOOOF!


    A condensed beam of gaseous and liquid darkness shot straight at Liam, who tanked the attack with a smile on his face.


    As it cleared away, Liam''s slightly corroded flesh instantly reformed.


    It worked!


    It actually worked!


    Liam could now tap into a Spirit Beast''s innate abilities.


    Mainly due to adding Meanings into a Beast Will, which didn''t conflict with the Ravenous Leash Arts.


    But Liam didn''t call it the Ravenous Leash Arts anymore.


    Liam had restructured, enhanced and rebuilt it.


    It was his!


    ''Blood Bond.''


    ''I have enough Blood Shadow for one more Rank 3 beast. A long-ranged beast is preferable, but close-range isn''t bad either.''


    Like so, another two months passed.


    ...And Liam''s core rumbled with power.

 Chapter 280 Annoying

    <h4>Chapter 280 Annoying</h4>


    In the center of the Temple''s ind, hordes of people surged and scattered in all directions.


    Throughout the past few months, teleportation matrices were built for easier transportation to the Main Lands, since the number of acolytes had gotten so massive.


    The entire ind had slowly been cultivated and imed for use.


    There used to be danger zones and different Spirit Beast threats, but all of those areas were cleared out and made into amodations for the growing n.


    The tournament was to begin today.


    Everyone had prepared immensely.


    Elder Jane cooked the strongest pills she knew.


    Elder Aki forged incredibly powerful weapons.


    Elder Jax inscribed those weapons.


    Elder Orisa and Verium helped the three in each individual regard.


    Elder Ryu¡­ well, he couldn''t really provide much.


    All he could do was shout motivational speeches for the entire ind to hear.


    Funnily enough, it worked.


    His fierce voice and powerful words made the acolytes think they were stronger than they actually were.


    Liam had never wanted to kill a man more, though. The damn motivational shouts jolted him out of his rare resting days.


    Nevertheless, on the same day of the tournament, Liam''s core started to rumble and shake.


    It was happening.


    The peak of the Mortal Ranks.


    By human standards, of course.


    Liam had to put his mind to the task.


    His core boiled and burned wildly.


    A tug of war began between Liam''s mental energy and the advancing core.


    Slowly, though, Liam''s mental energy waspleting the advancement with ease.


    In reality, cultivators weren''t expected to advance their minds first.


    It was always the body first, core second, mind third.


    Yet Liam denied allmon sense and did it the other way around.


    Liam had already consumed a pill to help with the breakthrough process.


    It was a bit overkill, but he wanted it to be over with as fast as possible.


    And soon, it was.


    The solid contents of Liam''s core began to reverse in stages.


    It instantly liquified.


    Then turned into gas.


    All but a single strand of ck gas remained in Liam''s core.


    Liam closed his eyes and heaved a sigh.


    It felt amazing.


    The current Rank 3 gaseous stage ''Ora'' pulsing through his abdomen was invigorating his entire being.


    It felt like a powerful supercharger had made its way into his abdomen.


    It was ridiculous, quite frankly.


    It spoke of Liam''s amazing battle prowess when he could regrly fight with cultivators at such a level.


    And now, Liam was one of these people.


    They didn''t stand a chance.


    WHOOSH!


    Liam''s entire body burst with dark mes.


    Liam was sitting on a stone floor.


    Yet his darkness was rapidly eating away at it!


    Solid stone!


    Even with a single strand of ''Ora'' in his body, Liam felt like the reserves were at least 4 times his regr amount.


    Running out of ''Ora'' was never an issue for him.


    Maybe a difficult battle or two would force his hand, but it had been some time since Liam faced a worthy adversary.


    And now, Liam would probably never run out of ''Ora''.


    Stopped the mes from enveloping him.


    ''This is it.''


    ''I''ve surpassed everyone my age and beyond.''


    Liam''s eyes turned solemn.


    ''But it''s still not enough.''


    Liam was tired.


    Of hiding.


    Of conforming to man-made rules.


    Of running away.


    All of it!


    Everytime Liam grew stronger, he was reminded that someone was stronger than him.


    And for some reason, that just pissed him off.


    It was like gaining a million dors.


    But knowing that someone else out there has a billion more.


    Liam clicked his tongue. He hated this feeling more than anything, but he knew it was just an ugly side of him that couldn''t be suppressed.


    Nevertheless, spent a few minutes absorbing ''Ora'' into his core.


    Currently, he didn''t have a Rank 4 cultivation technique, but perhaps the Unforgiven could give one to him.


    After nourishing himself to an eptable amount, Liam exited his temple.


    Outside, the sky was filled with a soft hue of caramel.


    Dusk.


    Liam heaved a breath.


    The air was still and windless.


    There was a certain mncholy and solemnity about the atmosphere.


    Who knew?


    Maybe this tournament wasn''t too bad.


    Liam could certainly bulldoze his opponents with ease.


    ''Hopefully I''ll see some good martial arts,'' Liam smiled.


    Liam turned and shot towards the center of the ind.


    Everyone was already leaving the ind early in preparation.


    Liam was going to be the Secondary Fighter. This meant that he''d depart with Usan and stay to his side, ying the part of a talented disciple.


    A few more hours passed and night had fallen. Little stars twinkled within the firmament, allowing Liam to smile at their sight.


    ''Just wait. I''ll get my hands on you soon enough.''


    Heavy steps resounded behind him.


    The Monolith Lion, with Usan on top of it.


    "Ready?" the Unforgiven asked.


    Liam nodded, cocked his knees ¨C enhanced by Transfiguration, his Shadow, and Vanishing Steps ¨C then jumped a total of 45 meters in the air¡­


    And lithely jumped on top of the lion''s body.


    "Show off," Aki uttered under her breath.


    Although everyone used their teleportation matrices, Usan opted for a shier way of entry.


    Him, Liam, and all the Elders were on the lion.


    And maybe piss a few of them off in the process.


    Elder Jane approached Liam and gestured for him to take off his clothes.


    Liam raised a brow.


    Jane took out a pair of clothes from her Shadow. They were coarse wrappings made from the hide of a Rank 4 darkness beast.


    They had ornate drawings on its surface, insignia that marked the Temple''s shadowy powers.


    Liam took off his clothes and quickly wore the new attire. Only the skin past his elbow was visible, revealing his tattoos.


    That was probably on purpose.


    "How does this tournament thing work exactly?" Liam thought.


    Liam hadn''t been briefed on the specifics.


    The rules still weren''t set, after all.


    However, the general outline of the tournament was fixed.


    "50 points," Usan said, his gaze forward. Wind pulled back his short hair as the Monolith ran with incredible speed.


    "Each Main Battle victory gives 5 points to the victor, and each Secondary Battle gives 5 points to the victor."


    ''5 battles for him¡­ 5 for me.''


    That sounded a bit difficult.


    However, their points would obviouslybine. With that in mind, it didn''t sound as hard.

 Chapter 281 Million Eyes

    <h4>Chapter 281 Million Eyes</h4>


    Liam grew stern.


    "Chaos aside, how are you going to hide the fact that I''m a darkness cultivator? It''s just you and me on this continent with that element."


    "Echoria is still salty about what I did to them."


    Usan didn''t turn around, his gaze forward.


    A few seconds of silence passed, with only the sounds of wind whistling past them.


    "You''re right. I probably can''t hide that fact."


    Liam grimaced.


    He''d have to fight in the tournament nevertheless, but he had to hold ba¡ª


    "But I don''t really have to. I''ve already made the necessary allegiances with the right people. No one, not even the Moyong family, could afford to attack you without bing enemies."


    "Still, I''ll try to remove you from the public eye."


    Liam almost heaved a sigh of relief.


    "Thanks."


    Usan chuckled.


    "You''re going to ask me for a Rank 4 cultivation technique now, aren''t you?"


    There was silence.


    Usan scoffed lightly, but he wasn''t angered.


    "Focus on the tournament first. You can''t afford to have your attention on so many things at once."


    Liam grumbled a bit but didn''t disagree. He didn''t really trust himself not to cultivate either.


    Eventually, the Monolith Lion entered the Main Lands'' boundary.


    So many faces!


    There were at least a million or so people spread across the region. The cheers, roars and intelligible wordsbined into a confusing mixture.


    All the domains were filled, except the light-made pce.


    Even the mountain chains that stretched over the distance were filled with people, peering at them through special lenses and other artifacts.


    Even though Liam''s appearance was drastically changed, he couldn''t help but feel ufortable.


    Just a general dislike for being seen.


    In the very center of the seven domains was an empty patch of ground made from a glossy marble. And it was huge, spanning across 2,500 kilometers.


    At first nce, it was empty, but Liam could see inky writings beneath the surface of that massive field.


    With so much space avable, all the participants could fight to their heart''s content. No one would be held back by their environment.


    All around the Main Lands were different ns ¨C separated by their colors ¨C intent on participating in the tournament.


    Most knew they wouldn''t win, but they joined anyway. Even winning once against another powerful n could raise their Sector''s status.


    Upon Unforgiven Shadow''s arrival, the cheers took a strange turn. Some cheered even louder, while others went quiet.


    Usan paid them no heed and flew above his lion, while seven other figures left their individual domains.


    They directly hovered over the center, giving one another neutral looks.


    No one could afford to offend another.


    After all, depending on the oue of the tournament, one of them was set to be the next Rank 6 powerhouse of the world.


    "I take it everyone has thought of a rule?" Myriad Brush said. Only the seven could hear him.


    All of them nodded.


    Myriad took out an oversized bowl from his ring and held it forward.


    No words needed to be exchanged. All eight took out some sort of inscribed piece of paper and threw it into the bowl. Immediately, the Myriad hurled the bowl upwards.


    BOOM!


    The bowl exploded into a dazzling disy of fireworks, gaining another roaring cheer from the crowd. At the same time, ethereal letters began to form midair.


    Rules:


    Inscribed items are allowed.


    Bestialpanions can participate along with the fighter.


    Poison is allowed.


    Pills and elixirs between fights are not allowed.


    Fatal injuries are allowed.


    Specialized n Arts are allowed.


    What followed was a series of dictations made by the eight.


    Matches between fighters will be dictated by Myriad Brush.


    The fighters themselves could impose a special rule between each fight. They can even change the nature of the fights ¨C Unmoving Mountain.


    Battles to the death are not disallowed. If both parties agree, they can battle to the bitter end ¨C Sun''s Spear.


    Swords will only be used by wind-users ¨C Felling Wind.


    Any sort of artifact that suppresses toxins or poison is not allowed ¨C Miasma Queen.


    Dragons are allowed ¨C Cerulean Dragon.


    All those present will take a Binding Oath not to reveal the Moyong family''s martial arts ¨C North Star.


    And finally, the final line made all those present frown gravely. Some even spewed a nasty curse or two.


    The Temples'' battles are done under a strict Istion Barrier. No one, not even the Sect leaders ¨C except the fighters themselves ¨C will witness the battle.


    "Wait, you can''t do that," Felling Wind said. His saber-like brows furrowing.


    Everyone looked at the Unforgiven with narrowed eyes. The crowd instantly turned on him, too. Everyone came to Main Lands for this specific reason!


    "I can. You all chose your rules, I chose mine," Usan said unrepentantly, unbothered by the deathly looks shot his way.


    Despite that, they couldn''t disagree. Sun''s Spear and Felling Wind didn''t regret their choices, but they clearly didn''t take advantage of the rule making.


    As annoyed as they were, they relented nevertheless.


    The Myriad took out his calligraphers brush and started to stroke the air in seemingly random but dramatic patterns.


    Ink formed from the tip and blotched the air. They were names, each one of a specific n.


    In total, more than 16 ns were to fight. Most had opted out, choosing long-term allegiances.


    All the current participants were monsters anyway. There was a slim chance of winning, and not all of the groups were interested in gaining notoriety.


    Since it was a point based tournament, if a group managed to get the highest points then got knocked out, there''s still a possibility they could win.


    "Identify your fighters," North Star said calmly, no emotion in his monotone voice.


    And so they did.


    Liam put on a cold face.


    The Unforgiven gestured upwards and Liam was raised beside him.


    He was flying!


    Well, hovering.


    He was so high up.


    The distance to the bottom was¡­ terrifying.


    But there wasn''t any happiness or fear on Liam''s face.


    More than a million eyes connected with him.

 Chapter 282 First Battle

    <h4>Chapter 282 First Battle</h4>


    There was no chance of Liam being recognized.


    Transfiguration changed his real flesh, unlike a simple illusion like his King''s Eye.


    But that didn''t mean he wasn''t inwardly nervous of being found out.


    Liam shoved down his fear. For one, Usan had already reassured him of his protection, and as of now, he couldn''t do anything anyway.


    All the Sect leaders began introducing their disciples'' names. Not their real names, but their titles.


    They were a stark lookalike to the Sect leaders, both with appearance and budding strength. It seemed obvious that these were the personal heirs to the patriarchs.


    Even Liam was simr in that sense. Him and Usan were alike in more than one way, and Liam''s changed appearance was meant to express it.


    Soon, it was Liam''s turn.


    [What do you want to be called?] Usan asked him mentally.


    [I don''t know.]


    [Well, think of something, can''t you?] Usan responded, a little annoyed.


    Liam went silent for a few seconds.


    He couldn''t use his truest title ¨C Blood Demon ¨C but he could go for a mix of the two.


    [Shadow Demon should be fine.]


    "Shadow Demon," Usan said with a lifeless voice. It was so anticlimactic that the crowd didn''t know how to react.


    They ended up roaring anyway. A name like that was rarer than usual in li.


    Nevertheless, after the introductions were over, everyone tensed, and the cheers loudened.


    The matches were to begin.


    Though, before that, North Star coughed in his voice to grab everyone''s attention. His action was obviously amplified somehow, and everyone''s gaze turned to him.


    "Before these battles begin, I have a proposal."


    All those present raised their brows. North Star wasn''t just addressing the Sect leaders. He was addressing the entirety of li.


    "Since the Temple of Shadow doesn''t want people to view their matches, it''s natural that they don''t view ours?"


    The crowd cheered in agreement. It was at times like these that mass genocide didn''t sound that bad to Liam.


    "Honestly, I agree. Them having such a major advantage in seeing our battles is a bit dumb. Then again, tournaments are supposed to be public," Sun''s Spear said catingly.


    "I agree with North," Cerulean Dragon said with a serious tone.


    "Same," Felling Wind and Unmoving Mountain stated at the same time.


    Everyone was in agreement with North Star''s words. Even the crowd.


    For a fraction of a second, Liam felt a bit of hatred leak through Usan''s shadows, despite the detached look on his face.


    He remained silent for a few seconds.


    [If you''re confident, challenge them all to the death. Better to have no witnesses at all,] Usan told Liam. "Fine," he said to the rest.


    North Star smirked. He seemed happy with that. His disciple was a young woman roughly Liam''s age.


    Long silver hair. Triangr face. Hooded gold eyes. Long tinum robe. And her centers of power were amazing for her age.


    ¡­A little too amazing. She was a Rank 3 Magus, had a Rank 3 core in the liquid stage, and presumably a Rank 4 body.


    That was even better than Liam''s, but Liam himself wasn''t too worried. Battle prowess wasn''t something that came with a cultivation base.


    You had to get your hands dirty for that.


    Finally, Myriad Brush caught everyone''s attention. He stroked the air with his giant brush a few more times, which turned into brackets disying who would fight who.


    First would be a Secondary Battle, then a Main.


    Unforgiven Shadow''s and Shadow Demon''s battles were at the very end.


    Usan was about to erect an Istion Barrier around himself, but he was stopped by the Myriad.


    "No, no. You let me do it. You can easily make it a one-way barrier."


    Usan grumbled butplied anyway.


    Stroking his brush across the air, letters formed that spread and grew around the two, encasing them in an opaque barrier that rippled gently.


    All sound instantly cut off, and even smells were discontinued.


    "They''re afraid," Usan said, forming a tform out of shadows for Liam and him to sit upon.


    Liam sat down with a pensive look on his face.


    It was pretty awkward with just the two of them.


    Neither of them could make use of the time inside the Istion Barrier, and who knew how long those battles would take.


    "How far will you go for power?" Usan said abruptly, his eyes detached.


    There was silence.


    Liam was a bit taken aback by the question.


    He lowered his head in thought for merely a moment before raising it.


    "That''s not the right question to ask," he responded. Usan nced at him with a raised brow.


    "It''s: ''how far could you go for power''."


    There was silence.


    Usan abruptly chuckled at Liam''s response.


    "I guess so," he said.


    Usan spent a few hours exining to Liam the best way to fight against each n''s martial arts.


    Making the Ravenous Leash Arts wasn''t the only thing Liam did. He also trained immensely for the event.


    He even went toe to toe with Ryu, but that man''s monstrous strength was no joke.


    Liam even consumed poison made by Elder Jane to build resistance to them.


    But with Transfiguration, Liam could just close off his nostrils and toughen his skin.


    After a few minutes of exnation, the pair did nothing in that barrier.


    Hours passed as they idly fidgeted with their weapons or looked deep in thought.


    Liam took out his Dusk des and inspected them. It was the new and improved version.


    Edges were coated in a mixture of sour chemicals, which Elder Aki had helped apply to his vicious weapon.


    "Wait, does this ssify as a sword?" he asked Usan, frowning a bit.


    "I don''t know," Usan replied with a shrug. "Felling Wind isn''t the sharpest tool in the shed. He''ll probably protest."


    Damn it.


    Eventually, the Istion Barrier whiffed out.


    The incoherent shouts, synchronized ps and thrilled cheers entered the pairs'' ears.


    Looking at the remaining brackets, the seven ns were still in the game. Each of them had 7 points.


    It was now Liam''s turn to fight.

 Chapter 283 Rat

    <h4>Chapter 283 Rat</h4>


    ''My opponent is¡­ the Winged Swallow?''


    What kind of name was that?


    Liam looked at the n in question.


    They were the Wings of Glory¡­


    And they could all fly.


    Liam looked at the two Wings of Glory members in the distance.


    They wore white-and-ck, but their most discerning features were the azure, water-made wings sprouting from their back.


    Even the disciple beside the n''s patriarch ¨C Winged Swallow ¨C flew, pping his water-made wings and looking at Liam with a strange smirk.


    ''Well¡­ this''ll be a bit difficult.''


    Despite the Unmoving Mountain''s dictation of changing the nature of the battle, it had its own restrictions.


    It couldn''t conflict with the rules.


    Clearly, those wings were the special n Arts, and those were allowed.


    Myriad Brush gestured for both pairs to approach in the center of the field.


    Before that, the Myriad gave Liam a probing look. He was assessing his aura, belongings and age, when his eyes flickered with shock, before he hid it.


    The Shadow Demon was of the darkness element!


    Was this that Echorian fugitive?!


    It had to be.


    The Royals had personally informed the Seven of what Liam''s capabilities were.


    ''No¡­ I can''t rush to conclusions.''


    This could be the Unforgiven''s son, for all the Myriad knew. They looked strikingly simr, as well.


    ''An issue for another time.''


    Meanwhile, Winged Swallow cupped his hand respectfully. He had azure eyes and obsidian ck hair.


    "I wish for a fair battle!" he said enthusiastically.


    Liam mirrored his gesture, then spoke with a deeper but monotone voice. "Same."


    Glorious Wing, patriarch of the Wings of Glory, gave Usan a nod.


    Usan responded with a terse nod of his own, before Myriad Brush cut in.


    "As agreed, no one will witness this battle except the fighters. The Unforgiven will make the Barrier himself. My Characters will know when the battle is over. Shadow Demon and Winged Swallow, approach the center of the field and dictate your own terms."


    Liam didn''t know what ''Characters'' were, but he assumed it was something about the Myriad''s inscription method.


    Everyone exchanged a nod.


    Liam was lowered to the center of the field, while the Winged Swallow flew a few kilometers away from him.


    "Would you like to dictate your rule first?" the Swallow asked with a smile.


    "No. You go first," Liam responded.


    Liam could read the boy''s mind.


    Well, not exactly.


    The winged young man was a Rank 3 Magus with a Rank 3 core.


    Since these disciples lived in the Main Lands and near the Sacrosanct Tree ¨C presumably since birth ¨C their cores were ridiculously powerful.


    But his mind certainly wasn''t as powerful as Liam''s, who had been training with the Rank 4 Rune for more than a year now.


    Because of that, he could tell that the Winged disciple wanted Liam to go first.


    Whoever dictated their rule first was at a slightly lesser advantage.


    Plus, these rules had their own limits.


    If it was too extreme, Myriad Brush would interject.


    Winged Swallow scowled a bit, but then got pensive.


    "You cannot use any throwing weapon, even spells and inscribed items."


    Liam scowled. "What? Is that allowed?" Liam asked the Myriad Brush flying above.


    The shrewd old man nodded instantly. "Weapons are still allowed. Just not the throwing variety."


    Liam sighed.


    With throwing weapons out of the way ¨C Liam''s Blood, Parasite Worm and needles obviously ssified as one ¨C he couldn''t disable Winged Swallow''s flight.


    Nevertheless, Liam began to think of a rule¡­


    "You have to touch the ground every two minutes," Liam said.


    "Too extreme," Myriad Brush interjected, shaking his head. "You cannot alter his fighting style so significantly."


    Liam almost sent the man a re, but didn''t.


    "You must touch the ground every five minutes," Liam said afterward.


    "Still too much," Myriad Brush interjected again.


    Liam frowned.


    "Six minutes."


    "Too much."


    "Seven."


    "Too much."


    "...Eight."


    Silence.


    "Too much," Myriad Brush said with a shrug.


    This stupid old coot!


    "Nine," Liam said with a low grumble.


    Anymore than this, and he''d change his rule.


    "Good enough," Myriad Brush relented.


    Everyone watching had tough at that scene.


    Liam suppressed his anger.


    Nine minutes of aerial time¡­


    That didn''t sound like much, but in those nine minutes, Winged Swallow could bombard Liam with all kinds of spells.


    [Remember,] Glorious Wing transmitted to his disciple. [End it before that time. Stay as far away as you can from that guy. He''s dangerous at close range.]


    "One more thing," Myriad Brush said. "Is this a death battle, or a normal one?"


    Winged Swallow opened his mouth to speak, but Liam interrupted him.


    "How about it?" Liam said with a mocking grin. "Wanna try your luck? A rat that can fly is still a rat, after all. Ah, forget about it. I doubt a runt like you has the guts to agree," Liam shook his head with pity.


    Blood rushed to Winged Swallow''s head, forcing his face to twist into an angry grimace.


    Glorious Wing sent him a mental transmission to calm down, but it was toote.


    "A death battle! I agree!"


    A malicious smile almost reached Liam and Usan''s lips, but they both suppressed it in time.


    Winged Glory gave Usan and Liam a nasty re, but the Myriad had already epted the duel.


    "Since both fighters have agreed, this battle could result in death."


    Death battles didn''t always end in death, unlike what their names suggested.


    If the duelist saw certain death ahead, they could admit defeat in time.


    But if they didn''t and were caught off guard, then their opponent could kill them off without any repercussions.


    Before either of them could exchange any words, Usan activated a shadowy Istion Barrier around the massive center of the field.


    Now, there was just Liam and the Winged Swallow.


    "One," a heavy voice began with a countdown from above. "Two."


    "Three."


    "Begin!"


    Neither of them wasted a second.


    Winged Swallow flew straight upwards with swift speed before Liam could do anything.


    ¡­But Liam didn''t chase.


    ¡­Instead, he crouched, used Transfiguration to quadruple the strength of his legs and knees,bined it with Vanishing Steps and a semi-transformation, thenunched towards the disciple.


    Winged Swallow was still flying upwards when a palm suddenly seized his face, then exploded with vicious mes of corrosive darkness.

 Chapter 284 Brutal

    <h4>Chapter 284 Brutal</h4>


    It was ridiculous, quite frankly. No one should have ess to that much strength in their body, but Transfiguration deniedmon sense.


    When Liamunched upwards, a massive cratery in his wake, alongside cracked stone.


    Before Liam''s hand seized Winged Swallow''s face, he had activated the Surging Burst spell.


    A condensed ball of darkness formed in his palm, which he crushed between his opponent''s face.


    What followed after was disturbing, to say the least.


    Ever since Liam had be a Rank 3 cultivator, his spells naturally benefited from that advancement. They had gotten deadlier, more lethal and destructive.


    The Surging Burst spell was no exception, booming with power as it exploded on the disciple''s face.


    Even after Liam''s Rank 4 spell managed to rip away Winged Swallow''s flesh and cause his cheekbones to jot through his face, the disciple wasn''t dead.


    That wasn''t ideal.


    Winged Swallow opened his mouth to utter the words ''defeat'' as he swung his wing across Liam''s form.


    Even saying the first letter of the word defeat would ensure the ''Characters'' would stop Liam in his tracks.


    But Liam stopped him by shoving his bone-hardened, shadow-coated, and physically enhanced hand straight into the man''s mouth.


    Teeth and bits of ripped off flesh flew everywhere from the point of impact. Some of it flew on Liam''s pale face.


    Winged Swallow''s face was a mixture of horror, desperation and shock. His wing moved in to swipe across Liam''s body.


    The skin on Liam''s hands were rapidly being shredded off as he grabbed the Swallow''s wing.


    Of course, the wings weren''t just capable of flight. They were also devastating when used for attacks and powerful swings.


    They were like razor-sharp des that rapidly swirled around itself like a chainsaw, except stronger.


    Liam didn''t let go.


    Instead, he doubled down and put more force into his grip¡­ before ripping away the wing entirely!


    A streak of blood left the disciple''s back as his water-made wing was ripped off. It seemed as though the wings weren''t actually spells, but actual bodily enhancements.


    Winged Swallow''s expression turned to dread as Liam flipped him around midair and did the same to his remaining wing.


    The disciple tried to counter with a mental spell, but it backfired ¨C his mental waves felt like they were doused with corrosive acid, and right after, it felt like a nail was being drilled into his head.


    By now, both of Liam''s hands were a fleshy mess.


    Using Transfiguration alone wasn''t an absolute guarantee of Liam''s pristine bodily condition, evident by the cracked bones visible through his shredded skin.


    Nevertheless, the second wing followed, ripped off in the same manner as the first.


    Only Winged Swallow''s screams could be heard as Liam kicked the disciple''s back with both feet as they both plunged downwards, but not before swiping once across the man''s neck with a single Sanguine String.


    Liam threw away the wings like they were trash, focusing on hisnding. By then, he was up 60 meters in the sky, and rapidly plunging downwards.


    Though, instead of actually bracing for impact, Liam just¡­ let himself brutally crash on the ground.


    As soon as he did, more than eight of his bones cracked in an instant. Liam limited himself to a low groan.


    Liam could simply heal those with his blood. Even his disturbingly mutted hands.


    But he didn''t want to.


    If Liam won this battle so fast and without wounds, it''d raise more than a few brows, and from the look Myriad Brush gave him, he was already under scrutiny.


    Liam picked himself up and dusted himself off. In the distance was Winged Swallow¡­ headless and dead.


    ''My point stands. A rat with wings is still a rat with wings.''


    "Victor. Shadow Demon."


    A heavy voice announced the result of the match a few seconds after, and the shadow-made Istion Barrier dissipated.


    As the hordes of spectators, powerful martial artists and n leaders saw the battlefield, their expressions froze with a mixture of shock.


    Both wings ripped off. Mouth fleshed and crushed. Decapitated and broken¡­


    That grim sight garnered no cheers, not at all. Almost in perfect unison, all of them booed and gave Liam nasty looks of disdain and hate.


    Well, all except the acolytes, who cheered from the top of their lungs.


    Ugliest of all¡­ Glorious Wing looked at him like he killed his son.


    Which in all likelihood, he probably did. Disciples loved their masters more than their own fathers, and the same went for their masters.


    Liam avoided the dagger-like gazes that intersect on his face. He put on a cold, emotionless look which reflected how he felt on the inside.


    Absolutely uncaring.


    The Seven were also disturbed by the victory. Although they expected such brutality from the Unforgiven, this kind of behavior was unique to psychopaths and murderous viins.


    Which they now realized the Shadow Demon was.


    That name suddenly grew a lot more terrifying in the minds of the audience.


    "He cheated! I''m sure of it!" Glorious Wing shouted, wrathcing his voice, all of which was directed straight towards Liam. "How did he kill him so fast?!"


    "Lower your voice," Usan threatened the man with a sharp re, before looking towards the Myriad. "Did he cheat?" he asked.


    Myriad Brush paused.


    His Characters were naturally governing thews of the battle.


    Any words exchanged would register into the battlefield and by extension, the dictations of each battle.


    It was safe to say that any attempt at cheating would easily be noticed and examined.


    Despite all of that¡­ the Shadow Demon hadn''t actually cheated.


    "...No. He didn''t cheat," Myriad Brush said neutrally, but there was a tinge of uncertainty in his voice.


    A death battle was a death battle. Essentially, Liam hadn''t done anything wrong.


    He had fought his opponent, received some wounds, gave some back and became the victor.


    "3 points to the Temple!" Myriad Brush announced to the region. Usually, a cheer would follow this exmation, but now, there was only bitter quietness.


    Usan pulled Liam to his side.


    [Why do I feel like that fight was personal to you?] he asked Liam. As the owner of the barrier, naturally, he could see through it.


    Liam shook his head.


    [Only the strong deserve to fly.]

 Chapter 285 Shameless

    <h4>Chapter 285 Shameless</h4>


    Despite the announcement of victory, bitterness spread amongst the crowd ofmon folk and martial artists alike.


    In hindsight, death battles weren''t ideal as a whole. Although thispetition was important, there was no need to throw away their lives.


    All the martial art leaders took a note and sternly warned their disciples not to fall for any provocation or insults.


    Only Sun''s Spear, who initiated the rule in the first ce, didn''t say a thing. A stubborn smile was on his face, along with a bit of disdain to the weaklings who panicked.


    And now, it was Usan''s turn to fight.


    Of course, his opponent was obvious. The one person that looked incredibly eager to rip into his flesh and drink his blood.


    Glorious Wing. Seething with rage and bloodthirst. Both his wings were much more majesticpared to Winged Swallow''s.


    They spread across 9 meters each, and looked incredibly dense, releasing a shrill churning noise that probably represented the man''s rage.


    That shredding capability Liam went through was obviously stronger with this pair of wings.


    Not even a Rank 5 could touch them without suffering some gnarly wounds.


    [Good luck,] Liam told the Unforgiven, hiding a smallugh. [Break a leg or something.]


    Usan sneered at him but didn''t say anything, simply hovering to the center of the battlefield.


    Myriad Brush was on a slighter elevation to the two, seeing as he was the judge.


    "Death battle?"


    "Yes," Glorious Wing answered instantly, praying in his heart that Usan answered the same way.


    That hope was crushed.


    "No," Usan replied. That garnered another round of boos from the crowd.


    Reap what you sow, coward!


    But the Unforgiven was shameless. Perhaps even more so than Liam himself. Ack of parental figures did that to certain people.


    Nevertheless, Glorious Wing wasn''t entirely disappointed. If nothing, he''d do his best to severely cripple the man.


    "Choose a rule," Myriad Brush said neutrally to both parties.


    "Touch the ground every ten seconds," Usan said.


    Liam expected the Myriad Brush to instantly interject¡­ but he didn''t. Battles between Rank 5''s werergely different to the norm.


    Their fighting style''s weren''t limited to just their n arts.


    That said, Liam couldn''t help but feel a little bitter.


    "You can''t fly," Glorious Wing sternly denied.


    Myriad Brush didn''t have a problem with that either.


    Like always, an Istion Barrier was erected around the massive field.? This wasn''t actually Usan''s, but Myriad Brushes.


    As talented and powerful as Usan was, maintaining a barrier as he fought wasn''t ideal.


    Liam wasn''t included in there. He''d just be an annoyance, and Usan couldn''t be bothered. Instead, he was ushered onto the Monolith Lion''s head, his gruesome wounds tended to by the Elders.


    ///


    Usan''s gaze connected with Glorious Wing''s.


    The contrast between their emotions was almost funny. Usan seemed to be thoroughly enjoying thetter''s pain, if the smirk on his face was any indication.


    Glorious Wing suppressed the anger boiling in him. Wrath made one predictable and hasty, and neither were useful for battle.


    "One."


    Usan put on his shadow mask.


    "Two."


    Glorious Wing spread his wings and heaved a long sigh.


    "Three."


    The atmosphere turned heavy.


    "Begin!"


    Both sides shot towards each other with incredible speed, shing straight away. A shockwave spread from the point of impact, and the barrier rippled hectically.


    It was chaos at that point. Both blurred at incredible speeds, blurring as they struck and defended each other''s attacks.


    The Glorious chose that moment to create space, swinging his massive wing forward and unleashing a barrage of water-made feathers.


    Usan merged with the shadows and entered the Sea of Darkness, but a secondter, the feathers exploded with massive currents of water.


    Before long, the battlefield was doused in tides of surging water. Obviously, this hindered Usan''s abilities to swim through the Sea of Darkness.


    Although shadows weren''t hindered with water, the same couldn''t be said with violent waves that affected the shadows.


    Those raging currents spread from one side to another, forcing Usan to emerge from thefort of his shadows and evade another series of explosive feathers.


    But ten seconds had passed.


    Glorious Wing touched the ground for a fraction of a second ¨C his body covered in a defensive membrane of water ¨C before fluttering his wings and flying away again.


    That was enough for the Unforgiven.


    Tendrils of darkness and shadow emerged from where the winged cultivator briefly touched.


    The shadows ignored that defensive membrane and found their way into the man''s flesh, clipping bits of it off.


    Glorious Wing grimaced slightly but that didn''t stop his flight. His eyes widened when he realized something formless was digging further into his nerves.


    With a heavy heart, Glorious Wing ruthlessly severed off his own foot with a swipe of his wing!


    Usan saw that action and couldn''t help but smile. The Toxic Shadow spell wasn''t usually noticed, but the Glorious had keen senses.


    If it wasn''t taken care of in time, the toxins would spread and corrupt the entire nervous system ¨C sort of what happened with Wild Fang.


    But now the Gloriouscked a foot ¨C sliced clean off and spurting intermittently with blood.


    When flying, that didn''t matter at all, but even Rank 5 bodies couldn''t regenerate entire limbs in an instant. It took time, and the winged cultivator didn''t have any.


    He flew back upwards and relentlessly showered Usan with explosive feathers, severing arcs of condensed mist and dominating tides of water.


    The field was now a raging ocean, sweeping Usan left and right like a ragdoll. He could barely steady himself as he dodged attacks.


    Not being able to fly put him at a great advantage, and several of his bones were cracked and shattered.


    Ten seconds passed.


    Glorious Wing flew to the edge of the oceanic battlefield and cleared out a section of the tides to safely touch the ground¡­ when a hand pierced through his stomach and came out the other side.


    The winged cultivator nced once behind himself, just to see the Unforgiven...


    Unharmed. Unmasked. Grinning wickedly.

 Chapter 286 Matchmaker

    <h4>Chapter 286 Matchmaker</h4>


    Winged Glory had no clue what just urred. Who ¨C or what ¨C was he fighting this entire time, then?!


    Then he realized it. The Unforgiven he was fighting this entire time had melted into the raging sea, murking the waters ck.


    "Curse you!"


    "Already am," Usan responded tersely.


    The Glorious pulled back, swung his wings and attempted to dislodge himself from the Unforgiven''s hand, but couldn''t move a muscle.


    Usan smiled and cocked back another hand, intent on tearing through the winged cultivator''s chest once again.


    The ''Characters'' chose that moment to interrupt the battle.


    The inscribed battlefield burst with vortexes that swallowed all the water in an instant, and the two were instantly yanked a distance away from one another.


    "Unforgiven Shadow wins."


    The Istion Barrier opened, and all the Wings of Glory members approached to tend to their patriarch''s wounds.


    When they saw the Unforgivencking any visible wounds, they all looked at him with narrowed eyes and suspicious gazes.


    Depending on their level of strength, a Rank 5 cultivator would be devastating to another.


    Winning a battle without any wounds was impossible, unless they had a numerical advantage or prepared beforehand.


    Thus, once again, everyone suspected of the Temple cheating.


    Both the Unforgiven and the Shadow Demon won in an unbelievable way.


    Even the Myriad was starting to look bad ¨C people started to question whether or not the man actually did his job.


    North Star looked especially annoyed. And a bit disgusted, too.


    They all made a mental note to meet up with Glorious Wing and discuss how the battle transpired.


    The man could choose to keep everything to himself out of honor¡­ but he abhorred the Temple and especially its leader.


    "5 points to the temple," the Myriad announced, his voice edging between suspicion and neutrality. "From 16, 8 remain. However, the next few battles will be dictated differently."


    Now¡­ the real fights were to begin. The remaining participants were the Temple and each of the Seven ns.


    Though, before another battle began, there was a period of rest given to each group.


    1 week.


    That was more than enough time for Liam to replenish his strength, but to a Zenith, it was nothing more than a slight breather.


    Even before the acolytes had arrived on the ind, their makeshift domain had been made.


    As usual, it was a temple. A massive one in the center, ringed with smaller establishments that could fit their numbers.


    All the acolytes headed there and activated their privacy inscriptions, denying any probing or insight into their activities.


    Liam made his way into his designated room, greeted and congratted by countless acolytes and Elders on the way.


    ''Surprisingly easy,'' Liam thought as he sat down and began to train with the Rank 4 Rune.


    There wasn''t really anything else for him to do besides that.


    The Ravenous Leash Arts were pretty much tailored to his needs, and the Triumvirate Body required experimentation.


    Specifically, with mental spheres. Something along the lines of finding how to transfer the mental sphere and core over to a different vessel.


    There was also the Chaos Pearl to transfer, but if Liam learned how to make it work with his core, the pearl was probably easier to manipte due to its pinhead size.


    Two birds with one stone. Not only would Liam learn how to make his ridiculous technique, he could uphold his end of the deal with the Kitsune.


    Thing was¡­ Liam needed live humans for the experiments. Lots of them.


    Rank 3 cultivators, too, since their centers of power needed to be aligned with Liam''s.


    There was no way Liam was going to risk his own life over something like this, despite how important it was.


    Not until everything was perfected, of course.


    Who knew how many lives it would take until then, but Liam was sure the Temple would supply him with the needed materials.


    If not, he could just get the bodies himself.


    ''The Ravenous Leash chains will help, too. Jax has already been looking into them.''


    Eventually, one week passed.


    It was time for another round of battles.


    Liam and Usan mounted on a darkness-made tform and flew to the center of the battlefield, where the rest were waiting for them.


    Naturally, there were cheers, but Liam and Usan both tuned those pointless noises out.


    Though, the brackets ¨C which were usually disyed through the Myriad''s brushes ¨C weren''t visible.


    "We''ll be dictating the battles differently now," the Myriad announced sternly, his arms crossed over his chest.


    "There''s a reason I''ve decided to be the intermediary between you all. It''s to bnce everyone''s battles equally, no matter how."


    Liam arched his brow in confusion and a bit of worry. Where was he going with this?


    Liam nced to his side to probe Usan''s expression, but the man wasn''t disturbed.


    The Myriad took out a wide canvas withrge, blotchy lian characters on its surface. Liam could see how densely packed with meanings it really was.


    ''A Rank 5 item,'' Liam thought, studying it intently. Even a few seconds with that item was enough to light Liam''s creative fuse.


    "This is a Matchmaker," the Myriad said. "You''re all expected to apply your mental energies to it. It''ll match you with someone of your own prowess."


    There was a mixture of reactions.


    On one hand, this might make their lives easier ¨C saving them from an opponent that might have been too difficult to deal with.


    On the contrary, the same could happen to the strong opponents that could have gotten an easy win.


    Sun''s Spear and Felling Wind both shrugged.


    "Fair is fair."


    They both began to apply their mental energies to the device, which caused the characters on the canvas to swirl and change.


    Everyone soon followed their example, with just Usan and Liam on the edge.


    [They''re afraid,] Usan transmitted to Liam. There was a bit of amusement in the man''s ethereal voice. [Laughable.]


    Nevertheless, theyplied, feeding the canvas with mental energies.


    When the characters finished forming, turning into the brackets for the next bout, Liam couldn''t suppress the nasty curse that left his mouth.

 Chapter 287 Three versus One

    <h4>Chapter 287 Three versus One</h4>


    Liam had a bad feeling about this whole Matchmaker thing even before he saw his matching.


    He had amazing battle prowess, but he didn''t know the extent of how far the Matchmaker could assess that.


    He didn''t overestimate himself and put himself above the disciples of incredible martial art ns, but he was worried nevertheless.


    ¡­Still.


    What he saw was in stupid.


    3 Death Lung disciples ¨C Rank 3 cultivators, all of them ¨C against him. Just him. No support or otherwise.


    Apparently, the Matchmaker had decided that he was a little too dangerous, and that a numerical advantage was required to bnce things out.


    Instantly, everyone present shot Liam an incredulous look.


    Especially Miasma Queen, whose blood-red eyes constricted with shock.


    Three of her strongest disciples equaled him?


    Impossible!


    Just the implications vexed her.


    "Jiang, I thought you were somewhat decent at inscriptions. You disappoint me," Miasma Queen shot the Myriad a piercing re.


    "Redo it."


    Jiang, the Myriad Brush, responded with a simr look of disdain.


    "It''s not my device that''s faulty. It''s your entire n. Imagine using something as mundane as poison to fight."


    Miasma Queen cackled. "Yeah? Don''t you use a damn paint brush as a weapon?"


    Both parties looked like they were ready to attack one another just then, but remembered they were in front of an audience.


    Usan seemed to be thoroughly amused by the event. Even allowing a subtle smirk to appear on his face.


    ''If I have Cursed by All powers, I wish death upon you all,'' Liam thought, seething inside.


    Any efforts he had at keeping a low profile were pretty much shattered like ss.


    lians were already recording the historical tournament in writing form, intending to pass it over to their grandchildren, and this would no doubt be included.


    [Don''t look so grim. Just make yourself as wounded as possible by the end of the fight so they think you''re at your limit,] Usan told Liam.


    [Do you honestly think fighting three of them at the same time is easy?] Liam transmitted back, slightly annoyed.


    [You''ve done better. Stop whining,] Usan replied. [They look like the type to get offended fast. Just rile them up before the fight, can''t you?]


    Liam shook his head and sighed tiredly.


    "Let''s get this over with," Usan said to the rest. "My disciple has no issue with the current arrangements."


    Liam did. Very much so. But he couldn''tin.


    Miasma Queen stopped bickering with the Myriad by then, inhaling dense fumes of poisonous smoke to calm her nerves down.


    In a way, this was also okay to her.


    Getting rid of that pesky Temple disciple would be doing the country a favor, and she''d thoroughly rub it in their faces in theing centuries.


    "Fine," she mumbled. A momentter, she gestured for two more disciples to appear beside her, a total of three.


    Each one of them were young and had beautiful but dangerous appearances ¨C morous long green hair, hooded, blood-red eyes with a vertical pupil, and paper-thin lips like that of a snake.


    All three of them radiated a lethal aura. Which probably had something to do with the poison mist they naturally oozed.


    "Cobra, Viper, Python," Miasma Queen introduced the three, who cupped their hands to Liam in respect for the duel.


    Liam responded in like fashion.


    Neither of the parties meant it.


    Cobra was the strongest, judging by the density of her green-and-purple poison and cultivation, and Python was the weakest.


    "To the center of the battlefield," Jiang said, as the remaining Seven started to spread apart and create space.


    Liam and the other three headed towards the center and stood two hundred steps away from each other.


    "We wish for a fair duel," Cobra said with a dangerous smile. Her fellow serpentine disciples imitated her look.


    "I''m sure you do," Liam responded emotionlessly.


    "Just so you know, I''ve eaten snakes alive with their poison nds intact. If you get too close, I might lunge at your jugr. Not the first time either, now that I think about it. There was that one girl¡­"


    Liam''s voice trailed off to a low murmur by the end of his words, as though he was speaking to himself.


    The three felt a bit of fear rise in their chests. Liam saw it tainting their mental waves.


    Fear was a tool. A damn good one, too.


    "We''ll see," said Viper eventually.


    "Dictate your rules," the Myriad said from above.


    "You cannot hold your breath for more than one minute," Cobra said.


    "Too much," the Myriad denied.


    Cobra''s eye twitched with annoyance, but she fixed her dictation and repeated herself.


    "Two minutes¡ª"


    "Too much," the Myriad repeated. Cobra scowled, but rposed herself.


    "Fiv¡ª"


    "Too much."


    Liam almost smiled at her misfortune. At this point, he was sure the Myriad just enjoyed seeing people suffer.


    But there was a logical exnation to that.


    Liam could use a far harsher rulepared to the other three, and they couldn''t restrict him as much because of the numerical advantage they had.


    After three more denials, Cobra grimaced with blushed cheeks and changed her rule altogether.


    "Fine, fine! You cannot breathe in after you hold your breath. If you do, you lose."


    The Myriad didn''t reject it.


    In reality, it was actually a very easy task.


    Rank 4 bodies could hold their breath for entire days if they wanted to.


    However, getting attacked and being forced to breathe was a different story.


    It was Liam''s turn to think of a rule.


    "One of you has to fight physically. The rest have to fight from a distance."


    Cobra had a smug look on her face, as though expecting the Myriad to firmly reject.


    ¡­But he didn''t, and their faces fell.


    This essentially made whoever fought up close at a severe disadvantage. Nevertheless, it was three versus one.


    "I know I''mte to this, but wanna fight to the death?" Liam casually asked the three.


    "No," all three responded in unison.


    Oh well. Life threatening injuries would have to do for now.


    Liam heaved a long breath and cracked his knuckles.


    An Istion Barrier was erected.


    "Three."


    Liam heaved another breath and fixed his gaze with each of the three.


    "Two."


    The three snakes readied themselves.


    "One."


    Liam inhaled as much air as he could before shutting his mouth, circting his lungs with ''Ora''.


    "Begin!"

 Chapter 288 Dread

    <h4>Chapter 288 Dread</h4>


    The battle began. But Liam didn''t make the first move and held back to see which of the snakes went physical.


    It was Viper. Not the weakest, not the strongest.


    Cobra and Python began to emit dense fumes of toxic miasma from their bodies. It spread rapidly in all directions, and not even mental energy could go through them.


    Viper didn''t approach him, her hands turning into sharp, fang-like ws dripping with thick green poison. She smiled and waited for Liam to make his move.


    Liam knew what she was doing ¨C waiting for the clouds of miasma to overtake the entire battlefield before engaging him in battle.


    Unfortunately for them, Liam had a few tricks of his own. Six different Shadow Bombs formed in his hands, which he threw a short distance away from the trio.


    They exploded into dark mes and met the spread of miasma, but instead of overwhelmingly pushing it back, it simply dyed its advance.


    Liam expected that. His simple darkness spell wouldn''t be enough to overpower a powerful martial art, but that was fine by him.


    Viper still didn''t engage. The miasma had already shrouded her form, but it didn''t seem like she was in pain.


    Like so, all three of them disappeared from his senses, clouded by the poison gas.


    ¡­But Liam knew where they were anyway. Unlike with liquid, Shadow Sense wasn''t hindered with just gas.


    Liam wasn''t barred from diving into the Sea of Darkness either, but his presence wouldn''t go by unnoticed.


    Three different ripples from the Sea of Darkness spread from around him, rapidly growing closer.


    Cobra to the left, Python to the right, and Viper forward, each making a silent but rapid advance towards him.


    Liam still remained stationary. They still hadn''t thrown any attacks towards him, and neither did he.


    Using the period of silence to his advantage, Liam used Transfiguration. His skin and flesh tightened and closed off every tiny orifice.


    Liam closed his eyes.


    Slowly, his eyelids thinned enough for his vision to see through them, even with his eyes closed ¨C simr to a third eyelid/nictitating membrane that some animals had.


    Once the three parties were close enough, Liam hurled sixteen different Umbral Needles towards each of their locations.


    At the same time, he kicked the ground below him and made a swift beeline towards the Viper in front.


    The snake hadn''t expected that, but she was ready for him. Her fang-like ws tensed and grew even more vicious, meeting his charge with eight virulent arcs of poisonous mist.


    Liam instantly felt the effects of poison on his body. It stung every part of him like arsenic needles loaded with cyanide. He ignored it all the same.


    The arcs of poison dug into his body and seeped into his muscles, making it spasm and jolt erratically.


    Without Transfiguration, Liam would definitely lose the battle.


    Using that ability, he managed to counter the toxins attacking his body, simply by gathering it all in a mass and then physically dispelling it.


    The outeryer of his flesh was also densened, and further strengthened with ayer of muscle beneath. It helped dim the pain and honed his focus simultaneously.


    By then, Cobra and Python began to unleash their strongest attacks. Wads of green ooze and bubbling purple liquids started to shoot at him from the mist.


    But Liam had already met his target.


    Viper tried to dodge, but wasn''t fast enough. Red lines formed all over her body and sprayed with blood, but they didn''t dig deep enough.


    That wasn''t Liam''s intention, anyway. Hidden between the strings was a tiny little worm, no longer than a pinky.


    Viper twisted around and tried to dodge the foreign item, but a kicknded square across her back.


    Before he could inflict more damage, Liam had to retreat and dodge the wads of ooze and bubbling liquids shooting for him.


    By then, the Parasite Worm dug into Viper flesh with a low hiss. She let out a shrill screech, using a swift movement spell to retreat deeper into the clouds of miasma.


    ''She''ll probably be able to take it out,'' Liam realized, but wasn''t worried.


    ''I just have to end it until then.''


    Liam turned towards Python next. Just as his feet made contact with the ground, his trajectory made a sharp turn towards her.


    Liam burst forward like a loose bullet. Noxious miasma rapidly melted away the outeryers of his flesh, but his Blood was being consumed to restore it.


    Ethereal serpentine forms started to home in on him,tching onto his skin and liquifying some of his muscles.


    Liam felt like dozens of spiders and snakes had sunk their fangs into every morsel of his body. Acid and toxic merging together to inflict the most pain possible upon his flesh.


    Was this how his darkness felt? No wonder people were afraid of him.


    But Liam reached Python eventually.


    Her cheeks suddenly inted with a croaking noise, the poisonous contents of which she spat to intercept Liam''s charge.


    The spit erged, bing the size of arge boulder.


    What followed was nothing short of cruel. Liam''s hair, defensive wrappings and skin just¡­ melted right off.


    But that wasn''t the cruel part.


    Liam had burst through the boulder of poison.


    Python couldn''t dodge Liam''s seizing grip in time, her beautiful face clenched tightly in his bony palm.


    With the grime and gore that doused him head to toe, Liam looked like a malicious being that came back to life and had only one goal.


    Revenge!


    Liam clenched his shadow-covered hand with Transfiguration''s increase in strength, paired with a surge of dark mes.


    Python let out a bloodcurdling scream that caused a shudder to run through Cobra and Viper''s spines.


    Cobra rushed at him. The rule didn''t actually restrict who could be physical, only that they couldn''t do so at the same time.


    Python''s ear-splitting screams were unabated. Her eyes were probably permanently damaged. Her beauty unsalvageable.


    Liam casually threw her body to the side and met Cobra''s vicious charge.


    The look on her face was venomous with rage, but getting a closer look on Liam''s grim appearance made her recoil in horror.


    Tentacle arms. Ripped and rotten flesh. Jagged smile. Broken, chipped teeth. Twelve crimson eyes studded across its ghoulish, deformed, dreadful body.


    Only her screams were heard.

 Chapter 289 Fangs

    <h4>Chapter 289 Fangs</h4>


    As Cobra started to scream like she''d seen death in its raw form, Liam reappeared beside her and struck her throat.


    Her dreadful screams came to an abrupt stop, a disturbing crunch in its ce.


    In all their prestigious lives, the state of the three snakes had never been worse.


    One of them had a parasitic worm eating through their insides, the othercked a face, and the third had her throat ruthlessly crushed.


    "Defeat! We admit defeat!" Viper''s desperate scream rang out from the distance.


    The others would have admitted defeat as well, but she was the only one capable of speaking.


    "Shadow Demon wins."


    The circr barrier was unveiled like a curtain, allowing the onlookers to see yet another shocking scene as the marble floor vacuumed all the toxic air.


    Miasma Queen''s eyes constricted venomously as she looked at the condition of her disciples.


    She wanted to use the Temple of cheating. As powerful as a budding disciple could be, their core strength and centers of power were still the same.


    ¡­But then there was that fleshy¡­ thing.


    Everyone present questioned how it was still alive.


    There was nothing human defining on its form, as though they had been brutally ripped off. A puddle of thick grime and filth gathered beneath its feet.


    Liam''s mouth opened to take the first breath of air, hot steam leaving his burning lungs. Thankfully, he''d seeded in keeping out the poison from his nerves.


    Cheers of the loudest variety rang out from the acolytes'' side.


    Those in the crowd felt ashamed not to do the same, so they did, albeit not as enthusiastic as the Temple.


    Miasma Queen gave the Myriad a soft nce, to which he responded by lightly scoffing.


    In an instant, the man stroked the air with his oversized brush a few times, and three different characters formed, shooting towards each of the snakes.


    Instead of harming them, it did the exact opposite.


    Viper''s Parasitic Worm was dissolved and expelled from her body, the internal wounds rapidly healing.


    Python''s facial tissue quickly reformed as soon as the character reached her face.


    Another melted over Cobra''s throat, slowly restructuring it into ce as the girl''s neck straightened again.


    Jiang wanted to do the same for Liam, but Usan had already arrived beside him to take care of his injuries.


    It was clear that the inscribed brush was the Myriad''s specialty, and its capabilities were simply eye-catching.


    ''Does he just apply the Meaning to the brush and then write it midair?'' Liam squeezed in a thought, covered head to toe with red-and-purple filth.


    In all honesty, he felt a bit of awe at the sight. Maybe his own inscriptions could do something simr at one point?


    The Unforgiven instantly appeared in front of Liam and had his shadows wrap around him.


    Evidently, Liam had used too much of his Blood.


    Transfiguration had saved him time and time again during the battle, but it consumed a considerable amount of ichor to fuel its changes.


    On its own, Transfiguration wouldn''t use more Blood than necessary. It was just a transfer between bodily qualities, after all.


    But in a real battle, that wasn''t the case. As the seconds ticked by, more and more of Liam''s skin was being melted into fleshy ooze, which used Blood to reform.


    Nevertheless, Liam had seized victory. And he''d done it without using everything he had.


    Despite the remaining toxins and liquidized muscles in his body, Liam still managed a pale smile.


    "See? I told you. You just whine a lot," Usan said with a slight smirk, his shadows painlessly repairing Liam''s wounds one after the other.


    "Don''t die on me just yet. You still have a few more battles in you, right? I''ve spent too much on you not to get any profit."


    Liam felt the need to curse at the man, but his consciousness was getting drowsy, and he''d been slowly drifting to sleep.


    Usan''s shadows gently stopped him mid-fall and safely carried him over to the Monolith, where the Elders took care of the rest.


    The Unforgiven''s cold gaze locked with the Miasma Queen, who shot him a look of pure contempt.


    "Let''s get this over with," Usan said. His aura spread, tainting a wide patch of the battlefield with hateful darkness.


    Miasma Queen desperately wanted to make it a death battle¡­ but reconsidered before the words left her mouth.


    ¡­She had lost.


    Fair and square, too. What her disciplescked, the young man had abundantly.


    Sacrifice and grit.


    "Choose your rule," the Unforgiven told her.


    "You cannot use your clones," the poison queen said with a hard voice.


    Usan scoffed derisively.


    "Has the winged coward already given you all the details of our battle? Faster than I thought, too."


    Watching from afar, Glorious Wing grimaced.


    "Just pick your rule," the Myriad cut in before it turned into another bickering match.


    The Unforgiven paused briefly.


    "You must fight within a range of 250 meters."


    250 meters was no small distance. But for Rank 5''s, it was basically a small step away.


    "Impossible!" Myriad Queen shouted, looking towards the Myriad.


    The Myriad didn''t reject it, though, giving her a shrug.


    Miasma Queen had already denied the usage of one of his strongest abilities, and what Usan said wasn''t as restricting.


    Essentially, all Usan had to do to win was push the queen away and run, unless she heavily focused on fighting physically.


    ¡­Surely he wouldn''t do so, right?


    "Before you two begin, I''ll exin the rules for these newer bouts," Jiang said abruptly.


    "Everyone gets two chances. Even if you are defeated, you may fight once more. If you win your second battle, you may join the brackets again."


    In short, it meant that everyone had a chance of redemption.


    The stakes for such a tournament were simply too high for the Seven ns not to add safety measures.


    "Fine," Miasma Queen hissed, inhaling another deep breath of deathly fumes to calm herself.


    An Istion Barrier formed upon her words.


    A faint, holographic glow surrounded Usan ¨C a span of 250 meters that the Miasma Queen had to stay in range of.


    "One."


    Usan took out a shadow-made spear from his ring. Evidently, even des allowed.


    "Two."


    Miasma Queen''s hands turned into bony ws. Smiling wide, two pearly but razor-sharp fangs protruded from her snake-like lips.


    "Three."


    Both of them readied themselves.


    "Begin!"

 Chapter 290 Toxic

    <h4>Chapter 290 Toxic</h4>


    No seconds were wasted.


    Polluting purple-and-green gasses spread from every orifice of Miasma Queen''s body.


    As soon as it touched the air, it hissed ominously, permeating the atmosphere with danger.


    Miasma Queen knew both her goal, and the Unforgiven''s.


    With that restriction in ce, all Usan needed to do was force her out of the boundary, run away and im victory.


    However, that''s not what Usan did.


    A cloud of darkness started to spread from his figure, shrouding him fully, before continuing to grow in size.


    An instant after, he hurled the spear through it with imperceivable speed, but it wasn''t difficult for the queen to swiftly dodge to the side.


    As soon as the spear entered her domain of deathly fumes, it rapidly started to corrode, but not before Usan himself made it burst with a wad of scattering mes.


    Nothing significant happened. The explosion of darkness was drowned by the sheer density of Miasma Queen''s poison, puffing out of existence.


    Evidently, the Unforgiven was not disheartened.


    A swarm of shadow-made spears formed around him and shot forward into the growing clouds of poison.


    There was a little more power in those spells. The explosions were not enough to overwhelm the miasma, but to linger for a split second longer.


    More and more spears followed, paired with severing arcs that cut through patches of the growing miasma ¨C each of them stronger than the one before.


    They weren''t enough. Miasma Queen had centered her entire martial arts around toxins, poison and chemicals. Usan''s corrosive darkness was a pale imitation of that.


    Only then did Usan start to fly as far away as he could, shadows strengthening his speed to an amazing degree.


    The cloud of darkness condensed to form two massive hands, standing as guards in case the toxic cultivator started to chase.


    "And you called the winged one a coward?!"


    Seeing Usan''s retreat, Miasma Queen cackled loudly and took to the offensive.


    Crack. Crunch. Crush.


    Her entire body twisted and contorted, bones cracking into a streamline and serpentine form, skin hardening with sharp scales.


    Even her facial structure started to change! Her tongue split through the middle, while her cheekbones and chin sharpened.


    Miasma Queen no longer resembled the beautiful woman she once was, but a harrowing, wretched serpent masquerading as something human-like.


    She lunged through the veil of miasma with unreal speed, like a huntress seeking prey.


    The hands reacted by attempting to grab her midair, but they were too slow. As they tried to sp down her like the jaws of a shark, she slipped right through their reach.


    Still, the cloud chased after her, bing the third pursuer.


    And now, the vile snake-humanoid was flying after Usan like some sadistic murderer chasing their escaped victim.


    Even Usan was briefly surprised. He increased his speed, but the woman matched it.


    A span of 100 meters was instantly closed between them, and the poison queen lurched at Usan with the swipe of her ws.


    Usan was forced to stop his flight, meeting her fast charge with a quick thrust of his spear. A real, Rank 5 spear, not like the ones formed from shadow.


    A sharp cling sounded through the battlefield as metal met bone, spear met w.


    More than a dozen blows were exchanged in the following seconds, each strike with enough power behind it to shatter a decent-sized hill.


    As the toxic woman entered Usan''s death cloud, her scaled skin started to corrode¡­ but not as fast as the Unforgiven wanted.


    Miasma Queen was incredibly fast, but her attackscked the usual strength that came with someone of her power.


    Her serpentine transformation gave her speed, but took away her offensive power. However, her scales were incredibly rigid.


    Fighting physically with the Miasma Queen gave Usan a ring disadvantage. Her corrupting poisons started to sting at his body and slowly chip away his energy.


    Usan''s shadows had long covered him head to toe, but the toxins slowly ate through them anyway.


    Not only that, but he was forced to use a spear, a weapon he didn''t have as much proficiency withpared to the sword.


    The poisonous queen smiled as she continued her flurry of attacks, but the Unforgiven did well to deflect them.


    Eventually¡­ that would change.


    Once Miasma Queen''s poison oppressed the death cloud ¨C which it was rapidly doing ¨C the Unforgiven''s body would eventually break down under the strain of her corruption.


    Mental attack spells were being exchanged one after the other.


    Usan felt like his mind had been stung with arsenic, while the queen thought her brain had been pricked with thousands of jagged des.


    Despite their groans and grimaces, each of them were fighting tooth and nail.


    The toxic cultivator incorporated chemical potions to her fighting style.


    Each time their sk exploded, acid and ethereal snakes would shoot in every direction.


    Usan''s condition was getting worse and worse. Each time the poison was close to invading his nervous system, he was forced to cut off a portion of his flesh.


    Despite her urge tough at the sight, a question soon arose in the back of Miasma Queen''s mind.


    Why did the Unforgiven even bother with a rule that restricted her movement?


    Even as they fought, the thought couldn''t help but gnaw at the back of her head. Maybe he didn''t know about her incredible speed?


    Even her toxins overwhelmed the death cloud, and the Unforgiven was now fighting under her domain.


    ...Miasma Queen''s question was soon answered.


    With an unexpected burst of strength, Usan thrusted his spear forward, his shadow-like armor leaving his wounded body and merging with the weapon in one fluid motion.


    As soon as the shadows stopped covering him, Miasma Queen''s toxins invaded his flesh full force.


    The pain he felt was indescribable, but he still managed to hurl the spear forward.


    It was fast. Faster than the queen was. A condensed sphere of thick miasma encased her, but it was too ill-prepared, and the spear pierced through¡­


    Miasma Queen chuckled bitterly.


    ¡­then exploded.


    A Rank 5 inscribed item was no joke.


    The force produced by its explosion immediately sent Usan flying a distance of 300 meters, and even shattered his bones to a dangerous degree.


    Fortunately, the voice rang out as the glow surrounding him faded away.


    "Unforgiven Shadow wins."

 Chapter 291 Zenith

    <h4>Chapter 291 Zenith</h4>


    The veil dissipated, but massive plumes of dark gas threatened to escape the barrier.


    The Myriad Brush instantly got to work. As the intermediary in charge, he couldn''t have the fighters dying under his watch.


    The other n members helped as well, suppressing the tides of darkness that gushed out of the circr enclosure, before dispelling it entirely.


    What they saw was¡­ unfortunate. And a bit cruel, too. Miasma Queen''s body was in tatters. A lump of shredded flesh and bone. Life was slowly leaving her eyes.


    Myriad Brush barely saved her in time using his inscription abilities to send Character after Character on her wounds.


    Though, it was more of a dyed death until she could figure out a cure for herself.


    Usan''s condition wasn''t much better, but at the very least, he was able to stand on his own two feet.


    "5 points to the Temple of Shadow. 14 in total," the Myriad said with a low voice as the Unforgiven shot towards the Monolith Lion.


    14 points.


    Now, the ns were treading dangerous waters.


    "What happens if that guy wins?" Unmoving Mountain asked with furrowed brows. "And how powerful is this Miracle Fruit, anyways? Is it as good as he says?"


    Nobody wanted the Temple of Shadow to win.


    They''d seen the brutalitymon among their people. Shadow Demon and the Unforgiven being obvious examples.


    "War," North Star said with an aloof face, not answering the Mountain''s question. "It''s what he wants, and it''s what you all gave him an opportunity to."


    Their expressions grew a little bitter.


    Some, however, were of a different thought.


    ''Maybe a war would do li good. The Imperialists have gone unpunished long enough,'' Sun''s Spear thought.


    ''The Moyong family is losing their tenacity, allying with the Echorians of all people,'' Cerulean Dragon shook his head inwardly.


    Nevertheless, all they could do was try their best to win.


    Shortly after, the remaining bouts were starting to begin, while the Temple had to hide from view.


    ///


    Liam woke up with a massive headache, muscles twitching in random spots, with the stinging sensations still fresh in his mind.


    He was in his temple room,ying on a bed and bandaged from head to toe.


    "Finally awake?" Ryu said with a growing smile.


    In his hands were a pair of oversized mugs.


    "Drink it," he said, stretching one of the mugs. "Don''t give me that look. It''s not alcohol. It''s not like you epted the past hundred of my invites, anyway."


    Liam grumbled and sat up, taking the drink and gulping it down in one breath. Slowly, his energy returned to him.


    ''Blegh, nasty.''


    "How long was I asleep?" Liam asked.


    "Just 12 hours. You heal like an absolute monster." Ryu asked with a raised brow. "I literally saw your muscle striations reforming around your bones. How is that even possible?"


    Liam shrugged, got up and cracked his shoulders into ce.


    Most of his bodily structure was in one piece now, and even a few hairs started to grow on his bald head.


    "Did Usan win?" Liam questioned.


    Ryu nodded with a toothy grin.


    "Stripped that woman of a human form, too."


    "Who else won?" Liam asked.


    Although the two chances were allowed for all the current participants, they couldn''t fight the same opponent twice.


    Miasma Queen, for example, couldn''t fight against the Temple since they lost to them, but they could fight against the remaining four ns who advanced to the next bout.


    "Myriad Brushes, Temple of Shadow, Luminous Light and the Sr Spears won their fights."


    Liam nodded to himself. Those three ns were indeed the strongest out of the seven, with the Luminous Light n reigning above them.


    Liam raised a brow at the man.


    "Why are you here, though?"


    Ryu gave him an offended look.


    "What? I can''t check up on another disciple?"


    Liam shook his head.


    "Not unless you want to drink or ''prank'' the others. Tell me the real reason."


    Ryu let out a wryugh.


    "...They''ve already decided the next bout."


    Liam''s eyes widened slightly.


    "Yeah?" he said slowly.


    Ryu looked unsure if he wanted to continue the conversation. He looked to the side and scratched his scruffy chin.


    "Your opponent¡­"


    "Yes?" Liam said quickly, annoyed.


    "...He''s a Rank 4 cultivator."


    Liam''s eyes widened with shock.


    "You have to be joking. Who? What n? And they agreed with this?"


    A Zenith fighting against a Mortal cultivator was like a fully grown bear against a nine year old child.


    In the most basic terms, of course.


    Liam was confident in killing a Rank 4 beast alone. His Ashura Form gave him amazing strength, and even as a human, he had his Blood and Shadows to assist him.


    But a human Zenith was different. Even the weakest of them could flick away fully Rank 3 cultivators away with ease.


    ¡­But maybe Liam was selling himself too short here.


    "Well, it''s the Unmoving Mountain Sect, and they''re on the fence themselves. Apparently, if the Zenith they picked loses, the Sect leader has promised to cut off his own hand."


    "They''ve also assured the Temple that it''s the weakest Zenith they have. The Myriad Brush confirmed it."


    Liam heaved a long sigh.


    "Has Usan negotiated better points, then? These people don''t even abide by their own rules."


    Ryu burst with sonorousughter.


    "Yeah, he has. You''ll be receiving 5 points if you win. This isn''t a small advantage, by the way."


    And it wasn''t, Liam realized. Ah, whatever. At the end of the day, he''d fight anyway.


    "Will he take a¡ª"


    "Binding Oath?" Ryupleted for him. "Yeah, he did... well, Usan forced him," heughed.


    "Also, they can''t dictate a rule on you, and you can."


    This entire thing was getting on Liam''s nerves. First the three versus one, and now a Zenith. What was next, a Sect leader?


    ¡­Better not jinx himself.


    ''At least I''ll be able to use my Ashura Form now that he has the Binding Oath,'' Liam turned stern. ''And while I''m at it, I might as well make it a death battle.''

 Chapter 292 Funny

    <h4>Chapter 292 Funny</h4>


    Since circumstances forced him, Liam now sparred seriously with the Zeniths of the Temple.


    Mostly, it was Ryu, since his muscr body was simr to the Unmoving Mountain''s.


    At that point, Liam simply stopped hiding his real prowess. He began incorporating his Blood Bonds and Blood attacks into his fighting style.


    And if he said so himself, Liam was doing pretty well against the Berserker Hound.


    There really was no need to hide his true strength anymore.


    The Temple Elders had already figured out his corpse devouring ''predicament''.


    Elder Aki and a few others literally brought a Zenith''s dead body in front of his temple door and gave him a knowing wink, before making a half-hearted attempt at spying at him from a distance.


    Liam couldn''t be annoyed and simply epted the body, closing the door and letting their imagination fill in the nks.


    Other than that, Liam was still devouring Wild Fang''s corpse. Now that his Blood was in the third Rank, it progressed at a snail''s pace.


    If Liam had to guess, he had to devour at least 20 Rank 5 bodies to reach the fourth Rank¡­


    Or, its Rank 4 equivalent of roughly 250 Rank 4 bodies.


    ¡­Tough luck, really. For someone like him to get that many bodies was pretty much impossible. Rank 5''s aside, no Sectors had more than 250 Zeniths in their ranks.


    The Seven ns came close, but their numbers differed.


    Some were strength focused, like the Luminous Light n, while others like the Cerulean Dragons were number based due to their fighting style.


    ''This makes the tournament so much more important.''


    ''If Usan bes a powerhouse, he''d easily be able to grant me a supply of Rank 5 bodies.''


    Who knew how long that would take, Liam thought. The Miracle Fruit wouldn''t make him a Rank 6 straight away, but give him the necessary boost to be so.


    Liam sighed.


    ''They''ve given the fighters 2 weeks this time to recover their strength.''


    ''I really need to make that ck Hole into a real spell, too. It''s too valuable just to let it gather dust,'' Liam thought.


    Liam had a bit of an egregious n.


    For a while now, he''d wanted to suppress a Rank 4''s Beast Will. Circumstances didn''t give him the chance, but 2 weeks were more than enough time.


    Two things were needed for this process.


    First was increasing the size of his Blood Shadow. Even before he attempted to contain a Rank 4 Beast Will, he''d have to prepare the materials.


    Entering his Inner World, that was what Liam did for a week straight. Supplying gobs and gobs of his Blood to transfuse with his Blood Shadows.


    Once it grew to a satisfying amount, Liam finally moved to the exciting part of it. The Beast Will itself.


    Having fought with the three snakes, Liam realized how deadly toxins could be. Darkness was pretty much the perfect element for it, too.


    Usan had exined that Miasma Queenmented over not having a darkness element. If she did, there was no doubt in his mind that she would have gotten stronger than the Luminous Light n.


    With all of that taken into ount, Liam chose a certain¡­ arachnid to take over.


    Since their bodies weren''t thergest, they wouldn''t take too much Blood Shadow from him, even saving some of it for a second or third Blood Bonded beast.


    He honestly needed all the help he could get.


    A week quickly passed.


    ***


    It was time for his bout.


    Liam had just about finished up with his training and nourished his body to its peak. With his powerful Blood, half a day was more than enough to get him going.


    Liam looked at his shadow. If one paid close attention, they would see a mass of varying crimson irises peering through the sheet of darkness.


    Of a wolf, a twelve-eyed spider, and a hawk.


    Liam smiled.


    It was a sess.


    Suppressing a Rank 4 Beast Will put a significant strain on his mental sphere. Even with his incredible recovery rate, it took him 3 days just to regain the strength to cultivate.


    But the result was more than satisfactory.


    Cheers and roars entered Liam''s ears. The privacy wards for the Temple had been removed.


    It was time to fight.


    Liam left the Temple, spotted the Monolith Lion, blurred forward, leapt incredibly high, then perched atop the beast.


    As they arrived at the main field, Liam spotted who his opponent was. A severe, broad shouldered, short-haired man with a sturdy build.


    His moniker was Shard of Earth.


    The man looked pissed for several reasons. Nobody wanted to look like a bully to others. At least, not in public.


    Having to fight a Mortal ranked cultivator made him and the n look¡­shameless, forck of a better word.


    He quickly wanted to get the battle over with and then hide from the public.


    Liam''s piercing eyes connected with him, and Shard of Earth grew stern.


    [Don''t be afraid to go all out. The Binding Oath is air-tight. Not even I can remove it, and I''m the one who put it there in the first ce,] Usan transmitted to Liam.


    Liam still didn''t feelfortable using his Ashura Form. Unless his life was in absolute peril, he wouldn''t use it.


    The Myriad gestured for the Secondary Fighters to approach.


    Liam and Shard of Earth came face to face. Despite his taller stature, Liam had to look upwards to meet the man''s hard gaze.


    Surprisingly, Shard of Earth cupped his hands in respect to Liam. Zeniths didn''t do that to Mortal cultivators.


    "I''m sorry about this," the man said. Almost sounded genuine, too. "I honestly do not wish to fight you¡­ but the Myriad Brush has put us as equals. Isn''t that strange?"


    Shard of Earth narrowed his eyes suspiciously.


    "Indeed," Liam deadpanned. "Maybe you''re just weaker than everyone else?"


    Instead of bellowing out a curse word or two, Shard of Earth simplyughed.


    "You''re funny."


    "Choose your rule," Myriad Brush announced.


    Liam pursed his lips.


    ''Maybe that could work¡­''

 Chapter 293 Wrath

    <h4>Chapter 293 Wrath</h4>


    Liam could go two ways about his rule. Since only he could dictate one, it could steer the entire fight towards him.


    First, he could center it around incapacitation.


    ''If I don''t defeat you in 20 attacks, you win.''


    This was the safer option, and the surefire way of assuring himself a win.


    The Unmoving Mountain Sect had incredible defense. Usan had told Liam about it. Their names weren''t boastful.


    Like mountains, they were firmed to the ground and immune to knockback.


    But Liam wanted to make this a death battle. And when lives were put on the line, both parties would have to attack and defend.


    Thus¡­


    "A battle of endurance," Liam said to the man.


    "We can exchange one attack ¨C any except mental ¨C in turns. If you incapacitate me, you win. If I cripple you, I win."


    "The attacks will be direct, and you cannot use external defenses to block them."


    "Only, this is a death battle, and you cannot dere defeat until either one of us dies."


    A strange silence descended on the battlefield.


    There was always that natural cheering noise in the back, but now, there was an abrupt pause of murmurs and questioning curses.


    Shard of Earth blinked with shock.


    ¡­Of all the rules he could get, that was what he decided on?


    Did Shadow Demon have a death wish?


    No sane person would choose the same rule he did!


    In one way or another, limiting the attacks the Zenith could do on him was the most logical rule to apply.


    But the idiot didn''t do that!


    [Does your disciple have any mental illnesses like yourself?] Unmoving Mountain transmitted to Usan.


    [He''s worse,] the Unforgiven replied, noticeably exasperated.


    [I like him,] Sun''s Spear added to him with a sunny smile. The six of them were connected to each other''s mental spheres. [He has grit.]


    [No, he''s a retard,] Cerulean Dragon mentioned. Usan red at him. [Strong or not, he''s letting his pride cloud his mind. Winning against a Zenith is one thing, killing a Zenith is another.]


    North Star remained quiet, but furrowed brows creased his forehead.


    Shadow Demon chose those rules for a specific reason.


    He was confident in winning¡­ and that unnerved North Star.


    Meanwhile, Liam said nothing and waited for the Shard of Earth to respond.


    The Myriad Brush clearly didn''t see an issue with it, but if Shard of Earth made that rule, he would have denied it straight away.


    "I¡­ guess? Are you sure?" Shard of Earth asked with wide eyes. "I won''t hold back, just so you know."


    Liam nodded tersely.


    ''Neither will I,'' Liam thought.


    And he really wouldn''t.


    Using his Ashura Form was on the table for this battle.


    "Fine. Let''s get this over with," Shard said. "I''ll be nice and give you the first strike, too."


    Myriad Brush nodded and activated the Istion Barrier, leaving two, but expecting only one toe out.


    Liam heaved a breath. His aura spread, and his eyes grew cold.


    ''I need to make every attack count.''


    Shard of Earth spread out his knees and nted both feet into the ground with all his strength.


    A slight tremor ran through the ground where he stomped. Evidently, the battlefield could endure much more than that.


    A momentter, the Shard''s body began to vibrate. Air rippled and shook around him. Slowly, his skin turned dull as rock.


    In every sense of the word, the man looked unmovable.


    Shard of Earth shifted his attention to Liam and smiled.


    "Do your worst."


    Liam responded with a grin of his own.


    First, his Blood Shadow began to condense around his right fist.


    It effectively tripled his natural strength!


    Ever since Liam put more effort into erging and darkening his shadows, their capabilities had grown to a powerful amount.


    Immediately after, Liam activated his Blood Demon Arts.


    Blood oozed and spread from every orifice of his body, encasing him in a wonderful set of knightly armor.


    Not the face, though. There was nothing wondrous about that ¨C just dread and fear.


    Shard of Earth grimaced.


    Blood spells?


    There were no martial art ns that used blood to fight in li!


    There were demonic cults.


    But those were long extinct. Even before the Temple''s exile.


    Not to mention, their blood arts were nowhere near the level of what Shadow Demon was expressing.


    ''No wonder the Temple forced the Binding Oath on me.''


    ''Everything about this guy sounds suspicious and strange.''


    ''What else is he hiding?''


    Shard of Earth grew stern.


    Liam used Transfiguration paired with a semi-transformation on his right arm.


    With his Ashura Form, Transfiguration worked in smaller doses. He couldn''t transform his entire arm, but a fist was easily doable.


    Under the armor, Liam''s muscles twisted and his skin grew aurate, but the Shard of Earth didn''t see that.


    Liam wouldn''t spare anything for this strike.


    More and more power poured into Liam''s fist.


    It felt¡­ destructively powerful.


    Then, Liam added his chaos.


    The fist burst with red energies that enveloped Liam''s grim armor, causing Shard of Earth to narrow his eyes even further.


    That attack was extremely dangerous!


    What caused even more rm, was how Liam suddenly started strafing backwards to create space.


    More than 90 meters, to be exact.


    Then, Liam stopped.


    Right after, Liam crouched, his legs twisting as they underwent a semi-transformation.


    Like a predator, Liam locked in on Shard of Earth''s crouched body.


    Then, Liam¡­ disappeared.


    The distance of 90 meters was closed in a fraction of a second!


    A deafening rumble shook the air, ground and Istion Barrier as Liam''s fist connected with Shard of Earth''s stony face.


    The defensive coating surrounding Shard of Earth''s body cracked instantly, giving him the full brunt of Liam''s disgustingly powerful strike.


    The skin on his face was the first to rip away.


    Followed by his flesh and bone.


    The Shard''s footing lost contact with the floor a moment after, flying more than 200 meters away before smashing into the ground and tumbling several times.


    Liam''s wrist broke during the hit, making it limp, but he wasn''t paying attention to that.


    ''Did I do it?''


    ''Is he dead?''


    Silence.


    ¡­


    Slowly, Shard of Earth began to rise from the ground. Letting out a low growl, his gaze slowly shifted towards Liam.


    His jaw was bent the wrong way, but even then, the wrath radiating from him was terrifying.


    Liam coughed awkwardly.


    ''Oops.''

 Chapter 294 Flow

    <h4>Chapter 294 Flow</h4>


    Shard of Earth looked bestial.


    His breathing looked unstable and steamy, exhaled through clenched teeth. His nose was cracked to the side, one of his eyes reduced to a narrow slit.


    As serious as the situation was, Liam hid a smile at how badly he damaged a Zenith.


    But didn''t want to piss the many any further than he did. At the same time, he felt a restriction around his abilities, while being glued to the ground.


    It was like his prowess had been steered entirely to a defensive mode. Liam couldn''t attack with his offensive abilities, but he could use them to guard himself.


    And that''s what Liam did.


    Transfiguration acted quickly.


    Liam''s bones split off and spread to the outeryer of his skin, while his muscles squeezed in the gaps and weaved together with them.


    In short, he was reversing the positions of his bones and muscles!


    At the same time, he began a semi-transformation.


    With his structure changed so dramatically, he couldn''t make a proper transformation, but his skin could.


    Thisbination undoubtedly allowed Liam to absorb the attack rather than bluntly suffer significant damage.


    Meanwhile, Shard of Earth heaved a long, steamy breath. As his anger dimmed, it was reced by an insatiable urge to murder his opponent.


    Vibrating ripples bounced off of the Shard. Pieces of earth circted around his figure like a violent asteroid belt.


    There was no exaggeration on his size, but to Liam''s eyes, the man''s aura burst wildly like a surging stream.


    Liam was no stranger to pain.


    Now, it was his life he was worried about.


    Shard of Earth prepared his attack.


    All the little asteroids merged and condensed together around his fist.


    It had turned into some funny looking boxer''s glove, but it looked unstable and vtile.


    ''...It''s gonna explode on impact, isn''t it,'' Liam scowled deeply, but clenched his teeth and strengthened his body even further.


    The knightly armor still guarded his body, with the chestte growing thicker and stronger.


    Shard of Earth crouched slightly, his gloved hand cocked to the side.


    It wasi¡ª


    It struck him deadcenter, sending him flying.


    For a moment, he felt like his vision had flipped upside down, as though he''d been shoved inside a washing machine as it swirled violently.


    Well, that''s what was happening.


    Liam had been blown away like a ragdoll.


    There was a disconnect between his muscles and bones. Like they''d gone numb and pretty much died.


    Most of the pain stemmed from the center of his chest.


    The hardened, blood-made chestte shattered like ss under the man''s force, plunging deeper into his chest and breaking a few of his ribs in the process.


    Liam''s lungs were instantly vacuumed of their air, while his heart suddenly stopped beating.


    Had Liam not used his Transfiguration in time, it would have instantly been crushed by the sheer force alone.


    Eventually, he crashed onto the ground.


    A pang of pain shot through his nerves and made him groan in pain as he continued tumbling and rolling.


    Liam felt like something was horribly wrong with his body.


    He stumbled for a few minutes beforeing to a slow stop.


    Liam spent two minutes straight steadying his consciousness and breathing.


    If his lights went out, he''d lose.


    And Liam would not have that.


    Coughing a mouthful of blood, Liam painfully sat up.


    He creaked his neck below.


    His stomach had a fist-sized hole in it, spurting with blood and grime.


    Well¡­ that was not good.


    In fact, it was pretty bad.


    Liam coughed up another mouthful of red.


    His chest convulsed wildly.


    Anyone else would have died as soon as the punch connected.


    But Liam was still alive¡­ if not swaying a little towards death.


    Slowly, though, the wound was healing.


    The hole was getting patched up withyers andyers of flesh, reforming in real time.


    Shard of Earth watched incredulously.


    Not even he regenerated that fast, and he was a Zenith!


    Starting with one foot, Liam stood up.


    Followed by the second foot.


    Liam growled in pain, but he took it on. He epted it with open arms.


    Then he fixed his gaze to the Shard.


    As the wound healed, Liam would lose all the strength in his body.


    All of his Blood was rapidly being siphoned to heal his wounds, after all.


    When that happened, he''d lose consciousness and lose.


    If that happened, Liam might as well kill himself.


    ''Onest attack.''


    Liam''s Chaos Pearl surged with energy and shot through his aching muscles. Power returned to him, and the gruesome wound in his stomach stopped bleeding.


    Shard of Earth was horrified. His eyes were as wide as they could be at Liam''s sight.


    The six arms, the gauntlets, the etchings on aurate skin.


    ¡­The pure wrath.


    It wasn''t forced, either.


    As soon as Liam transformed, he wanted to rip and tear the Shard apart. Both his pride and anger as an Ashura started to surge like a wildfire, and it showed on his face.


    Letting out a guttural growl, chaos burst on Liam''s right hand. It churned loudly, screeching as it grew and grew.


    By now, the Shard''s anger melted away, reced by panic and fear.


    He needed to live!


    He needed to tell the others the reality of what this demon was!


    The Cursed by All!


    ¡­But the restrictions held him still.


    And he couldn''t even admit defeat.


    He was caged inside the lion''s den, and there was nobody to save his poor soul.


    Liam put his heart and soul into his fist.


    Everything.


    Nothing was spared.


    Liam stopped thinking. His primordial instincts took over him and his body acted on its own.


    At times, human beings enter a state of flow, where all their actions and thoughts are in harmony with one another.


    It rarely urred, but when it did, one could find that their most arduous actions be mundane and easy.


    As of now¡­ Liam had entered that flow.


    His Blood Shadow and Transfiguration ¨C which usually didn''t work with the Ashura Form ¨C transformed and wrapped around his fist.


    Liam let out a misty breath, and by the end of the exhale, he¡­ disappeared.


    The punch struck the side of the Shard''s head instantly.


    His skull caved in like a hammer to an egg.


    Right after, his brain was ravaged as chaos dug its way through his mind.


    Shard of Earth''s head¡­ well, it no longer resembled a head, but a popped flesh-balloon filled with viscous liquids.

 Chapter 295 Curse

    <h4>Chapter 295 Curse</h4>


    The Shard had been cracked.


    As Liam''s consciousness faded and his transformation reverted, thest thing he heard before the ckness were the magic words:


    "Shadow Demon wins."


    ***


    In the world of cultivation, there were unspoken rules that every cultivator knew about.


    One of those were: ''Zeniths were untouchable unless you were one of them.''


    Unspoken, but set in stone and known by all.


    To be followed for years and years toe.


    And yet¡­


    "Shadow Demon wins."


    There was not a single murmur throughout the entire Main Lands. Nobody spoke, but they all had the same thoughts.


    ''How?''


    ''What?''


    ''How?!''


    ''What?!''


    Their brains had momentarily shut down to process just what they had heard.


    North Star, Cerulean Dragon, Unmoving Mountain, Sun''s Spear, Miasma Queen, Felling Wind and Myriad Brush had grimaced at the same time.


    For different reasons, too.


    North Star because he realized just how powerful the Temple''s forces were.


    Cerulean Dragon because he called a Mortal ranked cultivator who beat a Zenith a ''retard''.


    Unmoving Mountain because his Zenith disciple literally died to a Mortal ranked cultivator.


    Sun''s Spear because of just how grand the achievement was, and he wasn''t the one to achieve it.


    The rest were just worried about what this entailed for the tournament.


    "5 points to the Temple. 19 total," Myriad Brush. To his credit, there wasn''t too much concern in his voice.


    19 points.


    Even if the others won their next bouts, they would be two points shorter than the Temple!


    This was getting dangerous, and the six knew it well.


    Miasma Queen wasn''t even in the fight, and even she was getting worried.


    Usan quickly flew to Liam''s body and started to patch him up with his shadows.


    Liam''s right hand was split down the middle, the fingers of which bent from the base.


    ¡­And that was the least gruesome injury he had on his body.


    Using his shadows to carry Liam back to the Monolith Lion, Usan turned towards the Unmoving Mountain with a chilling gaze and said one word:


    "Come."


    The Unmoving did exactly that. His expression grew heavy, menacing and dark.


    The shame he felt today¡­


    He would feel it for as long as he lived.


    But a promise was a promise.


    The Unmoving gripped his right wrist with his left hand¡­ then pulled.


    A wave of shaky gasps followed from the audience.


    The Unmoving''s right hand ripped right off with a loud spurt.


    What remained was a crude-looking stump, but which rapidly healed and closed off on its own.


    "There," the Unmoving said sternly. His face was stoic and indifferent, as though he hadn''t just ripped off his own hand. "At least now I can fight without feeling shame."


    Usan shook his head and chuckled under his breath. What kind of idiot disables himself like that before a fight?


    Then again¡­ the Unmoving was strong.


    Among the top 3 of Rank 5 cultivators.


    Perhaps he was the hardest working cultivator, too.


    No one''s Path was as unrelenting and dominative as his.


    "Choose your rules."


    The Unmoving was the first to dictate:


    "We''ll do the same thing those two did. Fair? You can still choose a rule."


    Usan paused.


    "Fine," he said, then spoke his rule.


    "Neither of us can use internal strengthening."


    This rule evened out both their defenses. But more so the Unmoving Mountain''s.


    Usan''s defenses were not the best. He was a damage, attack-based cultivator who broke through defenses, not build them.


    The opposite was true for the Unmoving, but there were bound to be some devastating spells in his arsenal.


    "Fine by me," the Mountain said. "Jiang can decide who attacks first."


    Myriad Brush sighed.


    "Since the Temple''s Secondary Fighter won, the Unforgiven could attack first."


    The three nodded in agreement.


    "Damn it! Let us see the damn fights!" one audience member shouted amidst the raging noises. "You''re dangling the carrot in front of our eyes!"


    There was a roar of agreement.


    The Istion Barrier was put up anyways.


    The Sect leaders didn''t even hear the man, or the noises around them, due to how intensely focused they were at their own tasks.


    Usan and Zeth, the Unmoving Mountain, locked gazes.


    "So. Are you going to tell me what that boy actually is?" Zeth asked with a dark voice.


    Usan''s lip curled to a smirk.


    "A curse that keeps on giving."


    Zeth snorted but said nothing further.


    Immediately, his body started to surge with iridescent ''Ora'' currents, visible through his veins and muscles.


    Slowly, a pearly sheen grew around the man, making him look like a living statue. Even his eyes and hair gained a lifeless quality.


    Although one might think this was internal strengthening, it was not.


    The sheen was a coating.


    The insides of Zeth''s body were still unprotected.


    "Come," Zeth mocked.


    Usan scoffed derisively.


    Instantly, his shadows merged together midair and slowly took the shape of a crude looking spear.


    It looked vtile, and unstable, as though preparing to explode.


    Thirteen other spears were made through the same way¡­ which then merged together as one solid entity.


    A powerful spear.


    An unstoppable force.


    A pearly statue.


    An immovable object.


    Usan put some finishing touches on the spear to make it as deadly as possible.


    The tip had been thinned to a needle''s length, but the base and everything below was just a conduit for energy.


    Usan pulled back the spear.


    It was as though he was preparing a slingshot, since the spear resisted Usan''s pull.


    Then, Usan let it go.


    As soon as Zeth''s statue-like body and the spear connected, there wasn''t a normal explosion.


    Simr to the Focused Havoc, all of its force condensed into a spike-shaped point¡­


    So, instead of spreading outward and surging with mes, it pierced a fist-sized, see-through hole in the center of Zeth''s chest.


    The result was more than satisfactory, but not enough for a kill.


    Despite having a wound that would kill others of a lower rank, the man seemed¡­ annoyed.


    No traces of pain whatsoever were on his stoic face.


    A momentter, his stump of a hand started to sharpen.


    Where the hand once was, a jagged shard of pearly stone took its ce.


    "My turn."

 Chapter 296 Deformed

    <h4>Chapter 296 Deformed</h4>


    Fourteen attack exchanges happened between Usan and Zeth.


    As of now, the two looked horrible.


    Usan panted heavily with a scowl.


    He stood crookedly, like the bone that held him up straight was shattered.


    Holes riddled him from the neck down, oozing with red.


    His shadows weren''t as dark, either. Like their reserves had been exhausted.


    Zeth didn''t look too good either.


    The pearly, statue-like body was riddled with cracks and fleshy wounds.


    He, too, had see-through holes across his figure.


    For both of them, these wounds didn''t heal as fast as they should have.


    Why?


    That was another one of Myriad Brushes restrictions.


    If both the Rank 5 cultivators were allowed to heal their bodies extensively, the battle wouldst hours.


    Despite that, Unmoving Mountain was doing much better than Usan due to his amazing defenses.


    But right now, it was Usan''s turn to attack.


    "Do me a favor and drop dead after this," Usan said through clenched teeth.


    Usan used all the ''Ora'' in his core and outstretched his hand.


    Zeth frowned.


    Using all the ''Ora'' in one''s core was dangerous.


    For one, it put significant strain on one''s body and abdomen.


    For higher ranking cultivators, this was dangerous.


    Their cores were amazingly powerful, after all, and the ''Ora'' inside it was incredibly dense.


    Even with their powerful organs, if too much strain was put on them¡­ their cores would shatter.


    What Usan was doing now was literally risking his life to win the fight¡­


    As Usan''s aura grew bigger and bigger, Zeth''s eyes widened.


    ''He''s going above his threshold?!'' Zeth thought.


    ''Does he n to die?!''


    Going above the threshold for Rank 5 cultivators meant straining your core to a lethal level.


    It was essentially the equivalent of sacrificing a portion of your longevity to attain momentary strength.


    And that''s what Usan was doing.


    As his darkness grew purer, it was also bing more vtile.


    Zeth had no intention to die.


    He activated all the defenses he possibly could to counter something of that level.


    Within the Istion Barrier, the atmosphere screamed as the two auras spread and upied both halves of the battlefield.


    By the end of it, Usan''s hand formed into a spike.


    All of his shadows had merged with it, too, leaving him defenseless and bare.


    Usan''s gaze locked with Zeth, who had a bit of fear on his face.


    ''I''ll live,'' Usan thought with a resolute look. ''...For now.''


    ''I''ll live.''


    Usan''s hand twisted through the air and blurred.


    It vanished into Unmoving Mountain''s chest.


    Usan''s hand struggled.


    It cracked on impact.


    The force caused even his shoulder bones to chip and shatter.


    ¡­But the momentum generated from the attack was enough to poke a hole right through the Unmoving''s sr plexus.


    Zeth coughed.


    Blood sprayed across Usan''s grim and pale face.


    "Unforgiven Shadow wins."


    The barrier dissipated.


    And that was that.


    ***


    Liam woke up with a raspy cough, his gaze stuck to the ceiling of his room.


    Pain.


    Pain seared through his body and burned every corner of his being.


    All of this agony stemmed from one part.


    His right hand.


    Liam summoned all his strength just to sit up.


    Thankfully, there was no one in the room to see how pathetic and weak he was.


    Then, Liam looked to his right hand.


    What he saw made his stomach sink.


    Deformed.


    That was the first word that entered Liam''s mind when he saw his arm.


    Followed by ''ugly'' and ''disgusting.''


    Tendons of muscle were sticking out of his tumor-like skin,yered with shards of ck bones. Blood naturally oozed from his orifices, but healed repeatedly.


    It looked like each striation of his muscles were intertwined in countless unopenable knots.


    Liam saw bloodied bandages to his left and right, as though the person who patched him up didn''t know what to do with his disgusting arm.


    Liam tried using Transfiguration.


    ¡­


    It didn''t work.


    It was like his arm had turned to unmendable metal.


    It was impossible to manipte.


    Liam used Transfiguration on his left arm.


    It worked fine.


    ''Well¡­ that''s not good.''


    Liam thought back to the fight.


    Thinking hurt, and his memories were also hazy.


    ''I used Transfiguration in my Ashura Form somehow.''


    ''Is that why I can''t use it now?''


    The structure between an Ashura and a human was vastly different.


    Their muscles and bones had different density, and although they looked simr, their structures were also different.


    Liam slightly narrowed his eyes.


    ''So I can''t change my arm unless I change back to my Ashura Form¡­''


    ¡­That was not going to be easy.


    As of now, Liam was incredibly weak.


    There was barely enough energy in him to get up from his bed.


    And bing a full Ashura had drastic effects on his body.


    If that was all he focused on until his next fight, he would be drained of his strength, even if he got his arm back.


    His goal would be figuring out a way to hone Transfiguration to attune it to his Ashura Form.


    But that was an entirely separate project.


    Despite his deformed arm and dangerous predicament¡­ a broad smile grew on Liam''s face.


    A Zenith.


    ''I killed a Zenith!''


    Liam felt extremely proud.


    Has anyone else achieved what he had?


    Probably not!


    But there was a logical exnation to his victory.


    Blood. Chaos Pearl. Mind. Body. Core.


    Liam had to cultivate all 5 of these in order to make them stronger.


    The typical Zenith had just 3.


    Although his Blood Shadow didn''t have a specific Rank, he cultivated that, too.


    ''If I can kill a Zenith now, then what can I kill once I be one myself?''


    Liam pulled himself out of his thoughts.


    He couldn''t let pride cloud his thinking.


    Groaning, he picked himself and left the room.


    In the corridor, Jargon and a few other Shadows were waiting for him.


    As soon as Jargon saw Liam, he beamed with? a sunny smile.


    "My liege!" he said. Then he saw his arm and frowned a bit. "Are you well?"


    "Look at my arm, Jargon. What do you think?" Liam responded.


    Jargon chuckled awkwardly.


    Ruth, Krel and Maeve were there too, all of them ncing at his deformity.


    "Sup," Ruth said with a terse wave. "Nice arm."


    "Yikes, it''s worse than I thought it would be," Maeve added, making an exaggerated disgusted face.


    "You try defeating a Zenith anding out uninjured," Krel defended him.


    Before they could start bickering, Liam clicked his tongue and caught their attention.


    "Are you here to fill me in or just give me another headache?"

 Chapter 297 Dying

    <h4>Chapter 297 Dying</h4>


    In the corridors of the giant temple, the four looked at Liam with awkward smiles.


    "Yeah," Ruth said with a nod.


    The others nodded in synchrony.


    Silence.


    "Okay? Get on with it then!"


    Liam frowned. Was it just him, or was everyone around him an absolute retard?


    "Alright, alright. Well, first, Usan won. We have 24 points now," Ruth said with a broad grin. "We''re in the lead, baby."


    Liam nodded.


    "The Moyong family is right behind us," Maeve said with a slight frown. "They''ve got 21 points."


    The four grew a little serious on those words.


    Liam asked why.


    "Myriad Brush revealed another rule," Jargon said with distaste. "Those in the finals forfeit their second chances."


    "Now, it''s the Temple versus the Luminous Lights."


    "Whoever wins this¡­ well, they pretty much win the tournament."


    "The others don''t have nearly as many points as us."


    "They''ll more likely forfeit to save some face and ally with the victor."


    Jargon''s knowledge of political knowledge was pretty astounding. The others nodded in agreement with him.


    ''Moyong family.''


    ''A light only n, eh?''


    "Who''s my next opponent?" Liam asked, a trace of caution in his tone.


    What was it?


    Another Zenith?


    A Sect leader?


    Maybe two?


    The four shared a look among one another, then shrugged.


    "I don''t know how, but this one was pretty normalpared to the other crazy opponents you''ve had. It''s that silver-haired girl," Ruth said. "What was her name again? Something¡­ light?"


    "Twilight," Maeve corrected with a nod.


    Liam blinked.


    Well¡­ that was unexpected.


    ¡­Then, Liam realized why.


    His deformity!


    Liam''s deformed arm reduced his prowess significantly.


    The Matchmaker took that into ount somehow.


    Without this¡­ lump of flesh on his right arm, he''d probably face the North Star for all he knew.


    But all that did was make his life difficult in a roundabout way.


    Liam still had to fight tooth and nail to defeat the girl.


    But, at the very least, she was the same power level as him.


    Well, not really.


    She was in the liquid-stage.


    That was a pretty big deal for someone''s strength and prowess.


    Not to mention, Liam would have to fight with a deformed arm if he didn''t find a way to heal it.


    ''The Elders must have tried fixing it and couldn''t.''


    ''The problem isn''t that it''s a wound. It''s literally one with my body.''


    ''I''ll need to practice some more with Transfiguration and my Blood Shadow. Hopefully that won''t change the matchup once more.''


    "Anything else?" Liam asked. He wanted to practice with Transfiguration and his Ashura Form straight away.


    "Yeah. Usan told us to fetch you once you''re awake," Ruth said. "He''s waiting for you at the peak of the pyramid."


    After a few more back and forths, the four went their own ways, and Liam ran through more then twenty corridors to arrive at Usan''s dwelling.


    When he did, he pushed the doors to the hall wide open, and saw Usan cultivating with his shadows.


    "You called?" Liam asked with a raised brow.


    For some reason, the Unforgiven''s aura was slightly¡­ weaker than before.


    And a little bit dimmer, too.


    "We need to have a talk," the Unforgiven said, opening his eyes for the first time.


    They were solemn.


    Liam raised his brow.


    Usan sighed heavily, opening his mouth, hesitating for a moment, before speaking.


    "I''m dying."


    Liam blinked.


    ¡­


    "You''re what?"


    Liam''s words were filled with shock, his mind racing.


    "Dying."


    Usan''s face was resolute for some reason.


    As if he''d already epted his death with open arms.


    "How?" Liam questioned with a slightly angry tone. "Aren''t you a powerful Zenith? Can''t you slow your death some way or the other?"


    "I have been slowing it down. This isn''t anything new," Usan responded with a low voice.


    Usan sighed again.


    "I''ve been dying for a while now."


    "Back when I just advanced, I got a little careless and did things the wrong way. I was always sickly, you see."


    "Mytest stunt just expedited things."


    "Though, it''s not like I''m gonna die so soon. I''m pretty sure there''s still a few years in me."


    "The fruit won''t do much. In fact, it''ll probably quicken my death."


    Liam''s eyes narrowed.


    All this time?


    What was the point of all of this, then?!


    Why was he fighting in this tournament?!


    For what?!


    Liam grimaced angrily.


    A Rank 5 existence!


    The middle part of the cultivation journey!


    An expression of pure power!


    Dying.


    Laughable.


    Liam felt pure anger.


    If the tables were turned, Liam wouldn''t be in the same situation.


    He''d find a way to live.


    Any way.


    No matter the means.


    If Liam had to ughter his entire n, he''d do it just for another day.


    Power was the motivation.


    Survival was the goal.


    But Usan chose the former over thetter.


    He simply fought and ''hid'' it.


    For some reason, Liam felt anger at Usan.


    His existence clouded the meaning of power to Liam.


    If Liam indeed got to the Celestial Ranks¡­ was that it?


    So much power and a deathly sickness was the conclusion he arrived at.


    Would Liam suffer the same?


    "The others don''t know," Usan said with a solemn voice. "I couldn''t tell them."


    "And you''re telling me? I don''t even share the same views as your n," Liam frowned, his tone a little more distant than usual.


    Usan sighed for the fourth time.


    Despite the disrespect in Liam''s tone and words, he didn''t hold it against him.


    "Because you''re the only one I can ask this of," Usan said, his piercing gaze locked with Liam''s own.


    "You and I are much more simr than you think. Both in mindset and life. You''re vengeful, but it''s not what drives you the most."


    Liam felt a bit of pressure on his mental sphere, but it was more of a firm press.


    "I need you to carry on my mission after I die," Usan said with a heavy voice, but his words were heavier.


    "My rage."


    "My hatred."


    "My revenge."


    "Death is near, but I do not know when it''sing."


    Usan''s gaze turned hard, and Liam felt like the next words were going to be heaviest yet.


    "But once ites¡­ I want you to lead."

 Chapter 298 Lead

    <h4>Chapter 298 Lead</h4>


    "Absolutely not. I don''t even share your n''s ideals, and you want me to lead more than ten thousand of your people?"


    Liam''s firm denial was instantaneous.


    A leader?


    Liam Royce?


    Ha!


    No way!


    Liam wasn''t a bad leader.


    Case in point: his expedition into the Korsan Lands, which was a staggering sess under his leadership.


    In fact, Liam was a pretty damn good leader.


    But that wasn''t the problem.


    Liam saw his underlings more like expendable assets than human beings.


    But it looked like Usan expected his answer.


    He scoffed, but it sounded more friendly than malicious. An even mix of both.


    "You didn''t hear my offer first."


    Silence.


    Liam''s face remained stern.


    ¡­But he supposed he could spare a minute or two to hear this ''offer''.


    "That''s what I thought," Usan snorted, but then heaved another tired breath.


    This was a heavy topic for both of them.


    "If¡­ when we win this tournament, I''ll devour the fruit," Usan said.


    "It''ll quicken my death, I know it will."


    "...But it''ll give me a massive surge of power and maybe push me to the sixth Rank."


    "When that happens, I''ll be able to find you a bunch of Rank 4 Rank 5 cultivators to devour."


    "A good supply. A total of 15 to 20 Rank 5''s. Maybe."


    "But then, I''ll die myself."


    "And when that happens¡­"


    "You can devour my corpse, too."


    Silence.


    That¡­ was an extremely good offer.


    It was one of the issues Liam had: finding powerful enough bodies to devour and expand his strength with.


    Not to mention¡­


    A Rank 6 cultivator''s body.


    Who knew how powerful that was.


    Or if Liam could eat something like that.


    If Liam indeed put his hands on that, then the deal would no doubt be worth it.


    ¡­But it depended on Usan''s ability to actually be a powerhouse.


    With all these risks involved, was it really worth it?


    Ordering so many numbers around¡­ leading an entire n¡­ taking on responsibilities¡­


    nssted years and years.


    This was no small decision.


    And if Liam gave his word, he would have to keep it.


    As wretched and wicked as he was, it was an unspoken rule he, and almost all cultivators, had.


    Unless, of course, Liam was being taken advantage of.


    In that case, one''s word didn''t matter.


    So, even after Usan died, he couldn''t just turn tail and leave the organization to fend for itself.


    "Why me, though? You could have chosen anyone else from the Temple and they''d do everything for you, no questions asked," Liam said.


    Usan slightly shook his head.


    "They''re not as driven and malicious. I need both. You have plenty."


    Silence again.


    Liam''s face expressed his inner conflict.


    Of wanting the fruit''s powerful potential.


    Of not wanting to shoulder so much responsibility.


    But by the end of it¡­


    "...Fine," Liam said with a bit of reluctance in his voice.


    "I''ll be your damn heir. But only if you get me at least 20 Rank 5 corpses before you kick the bucket."


    Usan''s lips curled into a very subtle smirk, unfazed by Liam''s sarcasticment.


    "Little brat."


    Liam felt like he''d just signed a suspiciously deceitful contract.


    "What are you going to tell the others? They won''t let me lead without your approval," Liam said.


    "When the timees, we''ll get to it. You''re already epted and admired here," Usan responded quickly.


    "I should tell you what to do after my death, but first, we have a tournament to win."


    "You should go train now."


    "And maybe get that arm fixed," Usan gave a light smile.


    Liam grumbled.


    The conversation ended there.


    There wasn''t anything more to discuss, and the two went their separate ways.


    It was strange, Liam thought, the events one went through in life.


    Everything that happened to Liam came full circle.


    Everyone around him pretty much found a way to die.


    This... Cursed by All thing was getting pretty urate.


    But Liam wasn''t really close to anyone to begin with. Most of them were already dead.


    Except two.


    ''Are... Lloyd and Rogan still alive?''


    Liam''s true teachers.


    The people who introduced him to his current life.


    There was Lloyd''s horrible advice on how to speak with women, and there was Rogan''s equally bad advice on drinking alcohol and gambling.


    Liam felt a bit nostalgic thinking about them.


    He chuckled under his breath, reying the countless memories he made with the two as he made his way back to his room.


    But then he shook his head, his face growing resolute.


    ''It''s better not to dwell on the past.''


    ''Only forward.''


    He''d rather they didn''t see what he became.


    ***


    Liam held a Dusk de in his left hand.


    Heaving a small sigh, he swung it across the disgusting deformity on his right arm.


    A small bit of muscle was severed off.


    A pang of pain seared through him.


    Just a few seconds after cutting it off, the deformity grew back with a wet squelch.


    ''Like I thought.''


    ''It''s one with my body.''


    ''Two weeks is not nearly enough time to fix this thing.''


    Liam knew how stubborn his Ashura Form was. At least a month or two was needed to heal the injury.


    But Liam supposed that was normal.


    He had been neglecting his Ashura Form for a while now.


    In truth, he was always wary about using it too much.


    The drastic drawbacks it had on his body weren''t light, and it forced him to rest.


    And rest he did not like to do.


    For the next two weeks, Liam focused on Transfiguration with his Ashura Form.


    By the end, Liam decided that the task of fixing his deformity was too difficult.


    He seeded in healing the wound just a little bit. It no longer bled, but the bits of flesh and grime that protruded from it were still visible.


    Not to mention, it hurt.


    But Liam just chose to grit his teeth and fight with it.


    Fighting against a powerful martial artist with one arm wasn''t ideal.


    But so what?


    Liam still had another arm.


    He still had a mouth.


    He still had two legs and his organs.


    It was enough.

 Chapter 299 Light and Dark

    <h4>Chapter 299 Light and Dark</h4>


    The final battle.


    One that determines who was to achieve the Rank 6 item, and potentially be a powerhouse.


    The Temple and the Moyong family.


    And it was today.


    Truth be told?


    Liam was just a little nervous.


    Usan was weakened.


    And Liam would fight with just one arm.


    And this was against the most powerful n in all of li.


    Before all that, Liam patched up his arm with some inscribed, in-looking bandages made by the Golden Cranes.


    It helped rid the pain and keep the arm hidden.


    Liam couldn''t afford to show the deformity.


    If Twilight focused on his arm, she''d be able to end the fight pretty easily. It was a major weakness, after all.


    For that exact reason, the bandages were wrapped around his left arm, as well.


    Liam''s fighting style also had to change a bit.


    In his ring, there were dozens of Abyssal Needles, Parasite Worms and defensive items.


    ''I have to avoid getting physical. My Blood Arts and Blood Bonds will have to do most of the work.''


    For this fight, Liam would go all out.


    ***


    The atmosphere within the Main Lands had never been wilder.


    But not because of excitement, no.


    Because of anger.


    The final battle was not going to be broadcasted!


    Due to the Temple''s stupid rule, nobody could watch it!


    This made lians seethe inside.


    But their pleas were not taken care of.


    The Seven ns flew above each of their domains.


    Myriad Brush, Miasma Queen, Cerulean Dragon, Sun''s Spear, Unmoving Mountain and Felling Wind¡­ had all lost.


    It was as Jargon said.


    Each of them forfeited their battles to look ''gracious'' and ''save time'' for the victors.


    Only North Star and Unforgiven Shadow remained.


    As their gaze connected, sparks of battle-intent lit their narrowed eyes.


    North Star''s real name was Riy, which meant light in lian.


    On the other hand, Usan meant dark in lian.


    Light versus dark.


    Poetic, almost.


    Liam''s gaze connected with Twilight.


    The woman looked 19 to 20.


    Maybe a little older than that?


    Ages were a bit hard to discern when it came to cultivators.


    Twilight''s face was nonchnt.


    But when her silver eyes connected with Liam''s, she expressed subtle disdain.


    "The final battle!" Myriad Brush announced with a dramatic voice.


    If he was bitter about losing, then he didn''t show it.


    The millions who watched went silent.


    "The Temple and the Luminous Light n will now battle for the Miracle Fruit!"


    The atmosphere changed.


    It turned heavy very fast.


    The only ones not affected by such an air were, ironically, the four cultivators who were about to fight with each other.


    The Temple had 24 points.


    The Luminous Lights had 21 points.


    This meant that, in order for the Moyong family to win, they needed to win both fights instead of one.


    "So it''se to this," Riy said with a cold voice. "I''m appalled at how far you''vee."


    "What''s wrong?" Usan said. "Scared?"


    Riyughed tersely with mock.


    "You''ll see."


    When the bickering stopped, Myriad Brush chose to cut in.


    "For the finals, the Main Fighters must go first," Myriad Brush said. "Followed by the Secondaries."


    Liam didn''t know why they added that rule, but he shrugged it off.


    "Please choose your rules," Myriad Brush said.


    Please.


    Myriad Brush said ''please''!


    It was obvious he was bootlicking!


    But no one called him out on it.


    "I won''t make a rule if you don''t," North Star said to the Unforgiven. "What''s the point if we don''t go all out, right?" he smiled.


    Usan was silent.


    Usan knew where to restrict.


    As a young child, he had studied the Luminous Light Arts.


    Together with his brothers and sisters.


    But that was ages ago, and there was bound to be improvements to it.


    ''He might know about the Inner World, too.''


    Usan nced at Liam from the side, then looked back at his brother.


    "Fine. The same applies to the Secondaries, though."


    Riy shrugged.


    "I don''t mind."


    "Please enter the battlefield," Myriad Brush said ''respectfully''.


    The Unforgiven and North Star did exactly that.


    Before the Istion Barrier was erected, Usan made a pointing gesture.


    The Monolith Lion rumbled and approached him, towering over Usan''s back.


    Liam hid augh as North Star and Twilight''s faces twisted to a grimace.


    Theypletely forgot about the Monolith Lion!


    It was always in the background.


    They just assumed Usan didn''t n on using it with his battles.


    "I''m fighting with this," Usan said as he flew atop the giant lion''s head.


    North Star shook his head.


    The two parties created space between each other.


    The Istion Barrier was put up.


    There was silence.


    Neither of them said anything.


    No words needed to be exchanged.


    The fight began instantly.


    Riy raised a hand.


    Little stars started to flicker within the Istion Barrier, filling the area with bright light.


    Usan made a single sweeping gesture.


    Spheres of darkness and shadowbined to match each one of those little stars.


    At the same time, the Monolith Lion let out an ear-splitting roar, but the shockwaves produced from its throat didn''t do much.


    As they neared North Star, they simply¡­ negated and disappeared.


    Riy waved his hand downward, and the stars turned to streaks that shot towards Usan in a flurry.


    The spheres of darkness flew upwards to intercept the blinding streaks of light.


    The forces of light and darkbined, merging together before exploding into a dazzling disy of iridescent light.


    Both the attacks negated each other!


    Riy repeatedly snapped his fingers.


    Every time he did, a beam of blinding light would pierce through the air and shoot towards Usan.


    The lion provided defense against those beams.


    But as it absorbed attack after attack, it was getting riddled with see-through holes.


    Usan grew determined.


    If he dragged it out, he would lose.


    His core was already damaged, and all Riy needed to do was defend.


    Instantly, Usan used all the ''Ora'' in his core to form a myriad of attacks.


    Vtile spears, arcs of darkness, clouds of noxious gas, tendrils of shadow, and countless others.


    In an instant, all of it shot towards North Star with incredible speed!


    However, a blinding shield of light grew around Riy''s body, encasing him.


    One after the other, it absorbed the explosions and attacks.


    Slowly, the shield was fizzling out!


    Some attacks went through!


    ...But soon, the barrage ended.


    The shield opened, and Riy was covered with gruesome and bloody wounds.


    Just then, North Star snapped his finger again.


    A beam of light shot towards Usan¡­


    ¡­incinerating his right arm from the shoulder.

 Chapter 300 Drain

    <h4>Chapter 300 Drain</h4>


    Usan saw the beam making a beeline towards him.


    But there was nothing he could do.


    There was no energy in his body to dodge, except move his body a little to the right.


    Not only did Usan strain his core to the max, he also stressed his body while producing all those different attacks.


    And now, hecked a shoulder.


    Usan let out a weak sigh, slipping into unconsciousness.


    "North Star wins."


    ***


    Liam patiently stood outside the dome-like Istion Barrier.


    Usan was strong.


    Although he was weakened, the man possessed so many different methods of fighting that Liam paled inparison.


    He was a prodigy in every sense of the word.


    But¡­


    "North Star wins."


    Liam''s stomach sank.


    No¡­


    He lost?


    Liam''s frown turned into a scowl, which then became a grimace.


    As the Istion Barrier opened, Liam saw a shoulder-less Usan covered with wounds, and a gruesome North Star with a broad grin on his face.


    ''Damn it!''


    Liam cursed up a storm.


    He noticed how the six ns were instantly relieved of North Star''s victory.


    As long as that maniac didn''t win, they were fine with having the Moyong family lead and have another Rank 6 in their forces.


    They were the leaders for the past few centuries, anyway.


    What people feared was change.


    And the Unforgiven Shadow intended to bring all of that.


    ¡­But then, the six major ns realized something.


    Their necks slowly creaked towards a specific person.


    Shadow Demon was still in the game!


    And he could win it too!


    As of now, the Moyong family had 26 points.


    The Temple had 24.


    If Liam would, the Temple would have 27 points, giving them a win.


    One point!


    Just one point decided the fate of li itself!


    The major n leaders looked at Liam warily.


    He was dangerous!


    Could Twilight win her match?


    With all those bandages on his body, Shadow Demon must be injured.


    The odds were leaning towards Twilight.


    Though, right now, she looked grim.


    In fact, that only intensified after North Star''s win.


    That mountainous burden now weighed against her wary shoulders.


    It felt like a rock had been thrown over her head.


    Everyone looked at Liam.


    His expression was nonchnt as ever.


    Did he even feel the same pressure?


    Why did he look so confident?!


    The six ns were unnerved.


    But not just them.


    Everyone was.


    A mere Mortal causing Rank 5 Zeniths and thousands of people to feel nervous was notmon.


    Liam''s eyes grew chillingly cold.


    "Aren''t you going to announce the next fight?" Liam asked the Myriad, who blinked dumbly.


    "Yes. Yes I was," Myriad Brush corrected himself with a quiet cough. "Twilight and Shadow Demon!" he called out.


    As Usan was carried out by the Temple''s Elders, and Riy had to get his wounds tended to, Liam and Twilight approached the center of the battlefield.


    Twilight wore a light-made zanzi pin that tied her long silver hair to a short bun.


    For some reason, it was inscribed too.


    Maybe a weapon of some kind?


    The floor below the two cleaned itself of any blood or grime.


    Usan''s arm included.


    Twilight said nothing as she stared Liam down.


    Liam did the same.


    Under more than a million eyes.


    "So," Twilight uttered her first words. They were inaudible to anyone else. "You''re that Echorian, aren''t you?"


    ¡­


    "Don''t make small talk. You''re horrible at it," Liam said with a dismissive voice, before giving the Myriad a nce. "You can put up the barrier now."


    Twilight grumbled in anger, preparing to curse, but deciding against it.


    "Please prepare."


    Myriad Brush reverted to his respectful tone.


    If one was in doubt of which side was to win, all they had to do was y both sides!


    Right after, he put up the Istion Barrier.


    As the dome filled up and covered the battlefield, everything reverted to silence outside of it.


    All of them held their breath as to whose name would be announced as the victor.


    Liam didn''t bother exchanging any words.


    Neither did Twilight.


    Twilight took off her zanzi pin and let her hair loose.


    Suddenly, her aura in Liam''s eyes changed.


    Instead of the usual bright light surrounding her, one half of it was now darkness!


    Liam scowled.


    A dual elementalist!


    Not to mention, one of the two rarest elements.


    Elements couldbine and create something new entirely.


    But that ''something'' depended on what element came first.


    For example, wind and water could produce ice.


    But its counterpart could produce lightning.


    Liam''s dual element was a bit different.


    His chaos and darkness would never mix, no matter how hard he tried.


    Chaos repelled literally space itself.


    And, in the first ce, chaos originated from the Chaos Pearl, and his darkness came from the core.


    Thus, Liam didn''t know whatbining the two could make.


    That was a separate project.


    But light and darkness?


    Twilight smiled coldly.


    Who knew what came from it?


    Liam practiced caution.


    "One."


    "Two."


    "Three."


    "Begin!"


    Liam didn''t spare a second and ran forward as fast as his two shadow-enhanced feet allowed him.


    In each of his hands was a Rank 3 Abyssal Needle.


    A loud buzzing noise gained volume as light-made chakrams started to form around Twilight.


    Exactly 8 in number.


    At the same time, another 8 chakrams formed midair.


    However, they were all made from darkness.


    Twilight smiled coldly.


    All of them blurred towards Liam, creating a screeching noise as they cut through the air.


    Liam still held on to the Abyssal Needles and pressed forward.


    One after the other, the chakrams dug into his flesh as he dodged and evaded.


    It looked as though Liam was going through a shredder!


    The light chakrams incinerated patches of him while the darkness chakrams ripped through and corroded it.


    As soon as Liam was fifteen steps away, he hurled the Abyssal Needles.


    They hissed through the air with incredible speed, but the chakrams split them apart in an instant.


    But the needles still exploded!


    Twilight''s eyes widened.


    A barrier of light started to form around her, but Liam already arrived at her side and swung his foot across her rib.


    Time seemed to slow.


    Twilight strengthened her body as the kicknded.


    Something in Twilight broke.


    But just as Liam kicked her in the rib, Twilight''s hand sped around Liam''s arm.


    In a fraction of a second, Liam felt his energy being siphoned away!

 Chapter 301 Life and Death

    <h4>Chapter 301 Life and Death</h4>


    Putting more power into his kick, Liam sent Twilight hurling the distance, releasing the grip on his arm.


    The two maintained their distances.


    Neither of them attacked.


    Liam subtly checked the spot where Twilight''s arm had touched, his left arm where the bandages unfurled.


    It was barely noticeable, and if Liam didn''t have the King''s Eye, he wouldn''t have spotted it.


    Where Twilight had touched, it was no longer as smooth.


    Now, there were a few vague lines running across it.


    As though it had been aged a little!


    Liam threw a cold nce at Twilight, who grinned smugly in response.


    Her chest wound ¨C the ribs that caved in ¨C slowly healed on its own.


    This was the power of having both light and darkness.


    Darkness was a representative of everything bad.


    Corruption, disease, death.


    Light was a representation of everything good.


    Invigoration, health, life.


    When onebined these two aspects, they could alternate freely between them!


    The energy that drained from Liam''s body directly siphoned into Twilight''s!


    "What''s wrong?" Twilight asked rhetorically. "Scared?"


    As arrogant as she was, her power was probably of the same level as Liam''s Transfiguration.


    ''No wonder she''s gotten to the liquid-stage so fast.''


    ''All she has to do is drain the life out of someone and cultivate the energy.''


    This was dangerous.


    Liam had to keep his distance from the woman at all costs.


    Noticing how Liam was a lot more wary, Twilight grinned and decided to go on the offensive.


    16 chakrams formed around her.


    Half of light, half of darkness.


    At the same time, her hands turned into a mix of darkness and light, each swirling to form iridescent and fluid patterns.


    Almost as if it had be¡­ twilight.


    Twilight tapped her foot against the ground, which rippled with light


    It sent her homing in on Liam like a missile.


    Liam took out more Abyssal Needles and cast them forward one after the other.


    The chakrams proved themselves as a powerful ability.


    Every time Liam threw his needles, the light chakrams intercepted and blew away the explosions.


    The light chakrams then blew away the noxious gas by merging together.


    Liam hid a few Parasite Worms in between.


    But before they could squirm inside her flesh, they were blown away and incinerated by tiny beams of light.


    Twilight cleared away all the Abyssal Needles and closed the distance.


    All of her chakrams surrounded Liam and were about to split him across the waist.


    In that instant, three very different creatures emerged from Liam''s shadow.


    All three of them took in the chakrams full force in Liam''s stead.


    Twilight''s eyes narrowed as she saw what followed.


    The unstoppable chakrams were¡­ well, stopped.


    The three creatures''bined efforts halted the flying weapons and their tracks, sending them hurling towards her again.


    She instantly fell back to create space and assess what she was seeing, her face twisting with a grimace.


    Liam smirked.


    "What''s wrong?" he mocked. "Scared?"


    What came out of Liam''s shadow was a Death Wolf, an Apex Hawk, and the most vicious of all¡­


    A ck Hunter Arachnid.


    Liam was lucky to find one.


    They were incredibly rare, and just as dangerous.


    Obviously, he didn''t catch the beast himself.


    Ryu did it for him and suffered a nasty bite in the process.


    The ck Hunter had chilling features.


    Thin, quill-like hairs on its bony legs, cephalothorax and abdomen.


    Twelve beady eyes on its head, thergest of them being the two at the front.


    Two small, curved fangs protruded from its ''mouth''.


    It constantly made an eerie clicking, snapping and cking noise.


    All the while, it was made from a mixture of blood and shadow.


    The other two beasts were also powerful, but the ck Hunter was a league of its own.


    Twilight didn''t respond to Liam''s response.


    Her chakrams returned to her.


    Slowly, they started to change form, lengthening and stretching.


    Eventually, they turned into hooks, tendrils andssos with sharp tips.


    One half of them were light-made, and the other half was dark.


    Suddenly, both of thembined.


    Liam scowled.


    Obviously, if those tendrils found their way into Liam''s body, his energy would get siphoned off.


    He couldn''t afford to let them near!


    A ripple of light spread from under Twilight, sending her forward.


    Like a wildstorm, the tendrils yed and whipped the air, creating countless little shockwaves.


    Both the Death Wolf and the Apex Hawk intercepted Twilight''s trajectory, but they were cleaved and severed in half.


    They reformed as Liam''s Blood Shadow repaired them, but Twilight was already in Liam''s face.


    That was when the giant ck Hunter sped across the ground and sunk its fangs right into Twilight''s shoulder¡­


    ¡­liquifying the muscles underneath.


    A momentter, the ck Hunter was cleaved and split apart in a million pieces.


    ¡­Never to reform.


    Liam''s Blood Shadow reserves had run out!


    The remainder was used for Liam''s Blood Demon Arts and Sanguine Strings.


    Twilight''s fighting style lost most of its strength due to her liquified shoulder.


    The way the fight was going, Liam would secure victory!


    Three tendrils suddenlytched onto Liam''s arm.


    They were invisible, even to his King''s Eye!


    He plucked out each one, but they still managed to siphon away his strength a considerable amount.


    ¡­But worst of all, they unfurled the bandages covering the deformity.


    Twilight''s eyes widened as they spotted the disgusting lumps on Liam''s arm.


    Then, a smile appeared on her face.


    The tides of the battle changed to her favor.


    She basically exploited the deformity every chance she could get.


    Serious wounds formed on Liam''s body.


    Twilight was getting cockier and cockier as the battle raged on, attempting heavier attacks.


    And it was at this time that Liam decided to use that.


    Liam couldn''t figure out the issues with his Transfiguration and Ashura Form.


    Even though that''s all he did repeatedly for the past 2 weeks.


    But!


    He found something else.


    Quite honestly, he was utterly incredulous about having such an abilitye with his Transfiguration.


    It was even more dangerous to his health than using his Ashura Form.


    But it was there.


    What was this ability?


    Well¡­


    The ability to make one''s body-part explode.


    Twilight appeared in front of Liam with a wide smile on her face.


    With a sudden surge of power, Liam lunged at her and grabbed her shocked face.


    Time slowed.


    The deformity squirmed and writhed with wet sounds.


    The muscles started to jitter and violently expand.


    The blood started to brighten to a blinding amount.


    Liam closed his eyes and braced his body¡­


    ¡­and the arm exploded.

 Chapter 302 Expel and Admit

    <h4>Chapter 302 Expel and Admit</h4>


    Liam called the ability ''Expel''.


    Liam had actually found that branch of his Transfiguration by mistake.


    When he was attempting to clear himself of the deformity using his Ashura Form, a morsel of his flesh abruptly exploded due to a mistake.


    And it wasn''t a normal explosion either.


    It had three entire levels of strength behind it.


    His Rank 4 body, his Rank 3 Blood, and his Rank 3 core.


    And these powers stacked atop one another!


    The result was a devastating explosion far more destructive than Liam''s Abyssal Needle or his Surging Burst.


    But it was harmful.


    That morsel of flesh that exploded?


    It took 2 weeks to heal.


    A tiny morsel.


    Half a nail''s length.


    And this was with Liam''s monstrous regeneration, which healed up the most lethal wounds in less than 10 seconds.


    This meant that something fundamental had been deleted off of Liam''s body.


    A part of his anatomy or otherwise.


    For this reason, Liam didn''t think he''d ever use Expel unless his life was in severe danger.


    Even for him, it was dangerous.


    But Liam didn''t figure out how to deal with the deformity.


    And truth be told, he was getting annoyed with it.


    He could inscribe with that arm, and it was pretty much useless unless he painstakingly figured out a cure.


    So, what did he do?


    Simple.


    He just exploded it in Twilight''s dumb face.


    Obviously, this was an oversimplification.


    Liam was getting sapped of his energy during the fight, and in a battle of resignation, he''d lose.


    Was winning worth sacrificing an entire arm?


    ¡­Yes.


    Yes it was.


    Liam didn''t know if he could regenerate limbs, but it was probably possible.


    Probably.


    He could grow fingers back.


    And toes.


    But he was never injured enough to lose a hand.


    Nevertheless, when the arm exploded, producing a noise simr to several shotguns going off, Liam was blown away like a leaf in the wind.


    Twilight managed to cover her body with light to defend herselfst minute.


    But it wasn''t enough.


    "Shadow Demon wins."


    The magic words.


    The beautiful, beautiful words were spoken, even as Liam flew through the air.


    Liam was conscious as the pain poured in, but he didn''t dare lose consciousness.


    No.


    He wanted the world to see this victory, and know who it belonged to.


    Outside, the atmosphere came to a standstill.


    The world seemed to stop at the sight of three words.


    "Shadow Demon wins."


    And when they saw the battle''s aftermath, they simply couldn''t voice a cheer or any coherent word.


    Liam was missing an entire arm, and patches of his bloodied and bruised skin looked strangely wrinkled.


    But Twilight''s face and body were smeared across the ground.


    Liam took in the silence, studying the ns'' expressions.


    North Star looked distraught.


    Myriad Brush looked shocked.


    Unmoving Mountain had furrowed brows.


    Felling Wind had widened eyes.


    Sun''s Spear scowled.


    Miasma Queen was crestfallen.


    Cerulean Dragon was amazed.


    Not even the acolytes cheered, staring at him nkly.


    Liam looked towards the night sky, heaved a sigh, and hid the smile from his face.


    A small cheer grew louder in the audience.


    They spoke of a name.


    "Shadow... Demon¡­"


    "...Shadow Demon!"


    "Shadow! Demon!"


    "SHADOW! DEMON!"


    It spiraled into chaos after that.


    No one had seen him fight, yet they roared for him like he was their savior.


    Liam didn''t even hear their roars.


    Instead, his gaze was on the stars.


    ''Just wait for me.''


    ***


    After the outrage and pandemonium, Myriad Brush announced Liam as the victor.


    What followed afterwards were just formalities.


    The Miracle Fruit would be born in two weeks.


    Until then, the Temple had to wait patiently for their reward.


    The other ns were already preparing gifts and pledging allegiance.


    Even if there was a little chance of it, having a powerhouse as an ally wasn''t something light.


    For this reason, the Temple surged in strength once more ¨C in both resource and manpower.


    If his actions were any less of an indicator, Usan was one to hold a grudge.


    Some pledges of allegiance were outright denied because the Unforgiven didn''t like them.


    Like the Wings of Glory.


    Past that, Liam''s notoriety grew like wildfire.


    Though, it wasn''t his notoriety.


    It was the Shadow Demon''s.


    Shadow Demon was basically the poster child for the Temple of Shadow.


    Having a second identity was perfect for Liam.


    Whatever ridiculous thing he did could just be pinned on the Shadow Demon and not him.


    And by the end of it, Liam was back in the temple hall rooms, in a high ranking meeting with the Unforgiven and his trusted Elders.


    In front was Usan, and to his sides, the dozen-some Elders of the n.


    "Nice arm," Usan sarcasticallyplimented the stump on Liam''s shoulder.


    Where Liam''s arm once was, there was nothing.


    Strangely enough, it felt like there was, like a phantom limb.


    But when Liam moved it, nothing happened.


    "Not bad yourself," Liam gestured towards the stump on Usan''s shoulder.


    Indeed, both of them were now crippled!


    For Liam it was the right arm, and for Usan it was the left.


    Although the circumstances were a little funny, nobodyughed.


    Losing an arm was a serious thing!


    But the two still had the energy to exchange blows.


    The air turned serious.


    "I''ve gathered everyone here who was privy to a cut of the fruit," Usan said. "And since I lost the final battle and Liam won his, it''s only fair for a few things to change."


    All those present nodded their heads in agreement.


    Before Usan could continue, Elder Ryu cut in.


    "I''d like to give up my share of the fruit," he said.


    Silence.


    The Elders looked at Ryu with raised brows.


    Ryu shrugged.


    "I didn''t win those battles. They did. It''s only fair that we relegate our shares. It''s a bit selfish to receive a cut, anyway."


    Usan and Liam said nothing.


    "I''ll give up mine, too," Elder Verium added with a little sigh.


    "Same," Elder Jax said.


    "Us too," Elder Jane, Aki and Orisa followed.


    Everyone followed suit, until it was just Liam and Usan privy to the Miracle Fruit.


    [Well, what do you want to do now?] Usan said to Liam.


    Now that Liam was his ''heir'', the Unforgiven wasn''t as secretive and restrictive to his ns.


    Liam shrugged.


    [Just eat the whole thing and give me an inch of it. All roads lead to my stomach, anyway.]

 Chapter 303 Subject No. 1

    <h4>Chapter 303 Subject No. 1</h4>


    The meeting had been adjourned.


    All the Elders had left, except Liam and Usan who remained behind.


    Until the two week period, there was nothing for Liam to do.


    And with one arm, things were¡­ difficult.


    He couldn''t fight, train too hard or forge intricate things without both his hands.


    So¡­


    Liam would take this time to work on the Triumvirate Body.


    But for that, he needed test subjects.


    2 weeks was not enough time to make a specialized technique like that.


    But at least he could begin with the basics.


    By now, Elder Jax had already finished setting up the Ravenous Leash chains.


    They could now work for humans.


    Over all, that was the gist of what Liam told Usan.


    Usan slightly furrowed his brows when he heard Liam''s n.


    But Liam reassured him that he was only using ''criminals'' as his test subjects.


    Only then did Usan agree.


    ¡­As if all of them weren''t criminals.


    Nevertheless.


    Liammanded Jargon to capture several groups of bandits and bring them back to him. Alive.


    Enthusiastically, the man agreed and ventured out with several Shadows and Acolytes.


    Until they came back, Liam spent his time practicing with his Transfiguration.


    Expel was one branch of Transfiguration.


    If Liam could Expel something from his body, surely he could Admit something?


    Maybe add another arm to his body?


    It just so happened that Usan''s arm was given back to him by Myriad Brush as a ''gift''.


    And Usan hadn''t patched it on his body yet.


    So, Liam simply asked Usan for his arm.


    It was evident from his face that Usan felt unnerved by the request.


    But heplied anyway, on the condition that Liam gives him back the arm.


    Liam agreed and took the arm.


    In his quarters alone, Liam picked up Usan''s arm and ced it on his shoulder.


    Then, he tried to connect the limb to his shoulder using tendrils of flesh.


    On hismand, the arm slowly fitted into ce.


    Liam''s eyes widened as he slowly felt the nerves of his body and Usan''s arm connect!


    He had gained feeling in that arm!


    But it was extremely faint and numb.


    And as Liam continued practicing with it, he quickly realized that it wasn''t getting any better.


    It was too faint and distant, and no matter how deeper his tendrils of flesh interweaved with the arm, it didn''t change.


    Maybe it was because of the difference between the two Ranks?


    Usan''s arm was Rank 5, after all.


    But after finding a spare Rank 2 arm (somehowying in the storage room), Liam connected it with his body.


    It was the same.


    This meant that Liam''s Transfiguration was not yet strong enough to add parts to his body.


    But it did confirm the ability.


    Admit did exist!


    In several ways, this was perfect.


    Once Admit was usable, Liam could simply add it to his body, then Expel it without losing any important body-part!


    At the same time, Liam could just add small pieces of flesh into his body to increase his muscle mass.


    That way, he could churn out more strength into his attacks and defenses.


    Not only that, but this solved something else.


    The Shifter could change its bodily structure and even imitate abilities of other creatures.


    ¡­Could Admit do something simr?


    Liam was getting excited just thinking about it.


    It simply filled in too many nks as an ability.


    ¡­But it was locked.


    ''Maybe once I get into the upper-tier of Rank 3 Blood, the connection will get better.''


    Finally, Jargon brought back more than 75 cultivators after a week and a half.


    There was more, but he''d already killed off those that weren''t of the same cultivation level as Liam was.


    53 cultivators.


    53 test subjects.


    A special underground basement was set up for these specific experiments.


    If anyone saw the inside, they''d be amazed to see how clean and tidy the ce was.


    In fact, it was very simr to the high-ss hospitals back on Earth.


    However, there were strange containers filled with viscous liquids and cylinders here and there.


    But there was something eerie about the ce too.


    Mainly, the ck chains that were lodged into the ground besides the patient''s chair.


    Why would a patient need to have their neck, arms and legs chained?


    ***


    Liam inspected the state of the 53 cultivators that Jargon brought up.


    They were a bit beaten and bruised, but they were in one piece.


    Most of all, they were pissed and vignt.


    But they couldn''t do anything.


    A few Elders gave them stern gazes, which instantly melted away their hostility.


    But some were actually excited.


    After all, the Temple just won a massive tournament.


    Maybe in exchange for working with them for a day or two, they could receive something back?


    ''Hopefully the chains work as intended,'' Liam thought.


    One couldn''t have his victim running away, could he?


    Liam entered the room the bandits were being held in.


    With a nonchnt look, he gestured for a random bandit to follow him into the basement.


    The man looked on edge, his breathing erratic with sweat dripping on his face.


    "Don''t worry. I''m just doing a few light tests," Liam reassured. Then, he took out 3 giant ''Ora'' Stones and threw them to the man.


    "You can have another three by the end of the procedure."


    The man''s attitude instantly changed, along with everyone in that room.


    With a wide smile, the man entered the basement.


    When he saw the chains, he felt a bit scared.


    But he agreed and strapped himself in nheless.


    As soon as Liam put the inscribed chains on him, the man''s eyes faded out of focus, and he slowly lowered his head.


    As though he had powered down.


    Liam smiled.


    Then, he started cutting into the man''s head with some sharp tools.


    The man didn''t react at all, his head still down.


    At the same time, Liam applied his mental waves.


    Liam was attempting to ''extract'' the mental sphere from the mind.


    Suddenly, the man''s mental sphere cracked and shattered!


    The man slumped over, dead.


    ''Damn it. Too much force.''


    Liam took out a pen and paper and started to write on an inscribed notebook:


    ''Subject No. 1 has failed. Excessive force must be lowered when dealing with the mental sphere extraction.''


    Using his dark mes, Liam cleansed the entire ce of the cultivator''s presence, before writing on his notebook again.


    ''Beginning with Subject No. 2.''

 Chapter 304 Egg Yolk

    <h4>Chapter 304 Egg Yolk</h4>


    As Darius King, Liam hadn''t been able to experiment or experience a proper school life.


    All he knew was that little square, moldy room.


    But now, things were different.


    Now, Liam could experiment all he wanted. He also ate his fill every night. He also wasn''t afraid.


    And truth be told, he definitely enjoyed the experiments.


    But instead of opening up a frog and dissecting it, he opened up humans!


    How fun!


    But much moreplicated.


    Liam had to aplish several things to perfect the experiments.


    One, was to extract the mental sphere.


    This was the most important step.


    In truth, the Triumvirate Body wasn''t just a single, whole technique.


    It was a series of techniques rolled into one.


    For the mental sphere, Liam had worked on a technique called Mind Istion.


    It was basically a way to iste the barrier of the mind and ''store'' it.


    By far, this was the most difficult process that Liam faced in his life.


    Even more arduous than the Struggle Tribtion.


    For one, the mental sphere was extremely sensitive when exposed and unprotected by the skull.


    Liam used inscribed tools that cut into the test subject''s mind ¨C revealing the brain without causing pain or killing them immediately.


    That exposed the mental sphere enough for a much more thorough inspection.


    But it also made it very delicate and hard to manipte.


    All Mind Istion did was connect Liam''s mind to the subjects, using mental waves as a medium.


    It was basically like plugging a cord into the mind, like how a headphone jack connects to a device.


    This was why the mental spheres cracked one after the other.


    It was the most important stage, because without it, the other two wouldn''t work at all.


    On Subject No. 34, Liam had seeded momentarily.


    And the results he found were just amazing.


    The sea of consciousness was basically the mind and intelligence of a cultivator.


    It contained countless memories, emotions, life experiences and more.


    What Liam learned was, the barrier walls themselves were what held those things.


    Although it was translucent, it was filled with an endless sea of ''raw data''.


    When Liam plugged his mind into it, he felt fragments of that ''data'' entering his brain!


    But none of it was actually coherent and understandable. As though it was encrypted.


    Right now, Liam couldn''t do much with such a realization.


    All he needed for the moment was finding a way to safely transfer the mind into his mold.


    But one day, that would no doubt prove an extremely useful ability.


    After all, if Liam could manipte his mind, couldn''t he just make it so he didn''t feel pain?


    Life would get so much easier if he did.


    Secondly, what Liam needed to do right after was roll all the strength of a cultivator and condense it into a specific shape.


    Sort of like a filling.


    Liam called this Body Integration.


    But Liam had no clue how to do that.


    But Egg was the key.


    A week and a half passed.


    And Liam actually made a shocking discovery.


    His Transfiguration could be used on other people!


    Well, only if he invaded the person''s blood with his own and transformed it from within, but still.


    All he could do was barely manipte the surface of the subject''s skin.


    He also needed to maintain physical contact with that person in order for it to work.


    Through this, Body Condensation was much easier.


    ''If my Blood ranks up, maybe I can even use Expel and Admit on other people.''


    Liam chuckled under his breath.


    Making people explode on touch sounded too amazing.


    Finally, there was the remaining transfer of his centers of power.


    His Chaos Pearl and core.


    For this, Liam had to get his hands dirty.


    Well¡­ just the hand.


    The other arm hadn''t grown yet, but it was healing by the micrometer.


    Nheless, this was the third aspect of the Triumvirate Body:


    True Transfer.


    This was thest and final stage of Liam''s Triumvirate Body, but just as important as the rest.


    The name was self exnatory.


    Liam needed to Transfer his sea of consciousness, his bodily strength and both his core, and Chaos Pearl.


    All of this depended on the help of his Elders and the Unforgiven, and Liam had already spread the techniques to Jax, Orisa, Jane, Verium and Aki.


    Meanwhile, as Liam was drowning in his work, Jargon and a few other Shadows had actually found another Shifter!


    They put the new Shifter right beside Egg.


    Hostile at first, the two instantly got to know each other!


    In reality, Egg was a male.


    And Yolk ¨C the new Shifter Octopus ¨C was a female!


    The two instantly connected with each other!


    Yolk helped Egg get over his trauma of being knocked out over and over.


    And Egg protected Yolk from suffering the same fate from that pesky human.


    And from the two, a hundred different octopus eggs were born!


    When Liam visited Egg''s cage, he let out a slow curse of confusion.


    So many octopi!


    All of them squirmed together like countless little worms, wriggling over each other and forming a small hill of Rank 1 octopi.


    They were just a few inches in length and width. One could call them cute.


    Yolk looked at Liam with hostility in her eight eyes, clearly protective of her spawn.


    But Egg stood in front of her and almost¡­ ''pleaded''?


    Liam furrowed his brows in confusion.


    What exactly happened here?


    And why the heck did Egg and Yolk look like husband and wife?!


    But Liam ordered for all of them to be fed and well taken care of.


    Another significant hurdle was cleared away!


    With so many tries, Liam could finally get rough with the octopi.


    Hopefully they wouldn''t rebel.


    ***


    53 test subjects.


    Done and dusted.


    Liam wasn''t able to get all the results he wanted, but he was extremely satisfied with his findings.


    ''Revel must have felt the same way when practicing on other humans.''


    Liam paused, then shrugged.


    ''It''s enjoyable.''


    2 weeks were over.


    It was time to im the fruit.

 Chapter 305 Birth

    <h4>Chapter 305 Birth</h4>


    Liam and Usan met after exactly 2 weeks, outside the Temple''s domain. The two were waiting for someone, their gazes fixed towards the distant horizon and setting sun.


    Only the victors were allowed to receive the fruit.


    Usan now had a working arm on his stump, ringed with stitches and incisions, while Liam still had nothing.


    With a nonchnt expression, Usan made a series of flexing and stretching gestures with his new arm, ncing at Liam from the side.


    He looked slightly proud doing it, too.


    Liam sighed and shook his head.


    "How are you going to get the fruit?" Liam asked him.


    Usan smirked slightly.


    "We''re visiting the Sacrosanct Tree."


    Liam pursed his lips.


    "Your father. Is he there? I don''t want to get spotted by a powerhouse and promptly get butchered because of some sort of tour."


    Usan chuckled and shook his head.


    "Rank 6 powerhouses don''t even look at Mortal ranked cultivators. Why do you think the tournament went the way it did?"


    "A Rank 6''s mental sphere is so powerful, their consciousness stretches out for thousands of kilometers."


    "A simple parable could be like watching a giant anthill squirm with a million ants."


    "Do you focus on each individual ant?"


    "You don''t. They just appear as one solid collective to your eye."


    Liam slowly nodded in understanding, amazed.


    Rank 6''s had unimaginable powers.


    No point thinking about it now.


    [He''s here,] Usan transmitted.


    Eventually, a figure grew closer from the distance. A clean-shaven, tall, aloof-looking cultivator donning tinum robes.


    He bore the usual traits of the Moyong family ¨C long silver hair pulsing with light and radiant eyes.


    He was a little older looking than North Star, but a slight bit weaker. Usan didn''t look like he recognized him.


    Yar''wei Moyong was the man''s name. It roughly tranted to Luminous Path.


    ''Boring name.''


    Usan flew upwards and made Liam fly beside him as the three met midair, exchanging terse nods.


    Yar''wei was another Rank 5 cultivator, making Liam wonder how strong the Moyong really were.


    Liam had reverted back to his Shadow Demon appearance, and Yar''wei gave him a searching look, scrutinizing every little detail on his face.


    "I''ve never heard your real name," Yar''wei said conversationally. "Do enlighten me."


    Usan was about to respond, but Liam was slightly quicker.


    "Bob."


    Yar''wei raised a brow.


    "Bob¡­ a strange but exotic name. What part of li are you from, exactly?"


    "We''re not here to discuss names," Usan cut in before Liam dug a grave for the both of them.


    Yar''wei looked back to Usan with an aloof gaze. He looked calm and collected, and any emotion besides boredom wasn''t visible on his face.


    "Very well."


    Yar''wei turned around and flew to the direction of the light pce, followed closely by Liam and Usan.


    Liam looked below as he flew. At their sight, the millions of people still gathered on the ground started to cheer and roar at their passing figures.


    Mostly, they screamed and chanted Liam''s moniker.


    ''Why are they still here?'' Liam frowned. ''The tournament is over already, retards. Go home.''


    Liam shook his head.


    Finally, the three arrived at the light-made domain.


    Starting with Yar''wei, Usan entered the massive pce followed by Liam.


    The ce was damn massive. Beautifully ornate furniture that looked ancient with natural designs that seemed otherworldly.


    Besides them, there was no one else. Not even servants or the natural disciples.


    After passing more than a dozen corridors, there was a b of marble stairs leading downwards. And it was deep. As long as it went, it was brightly illuminated.


    Liam constricted his eye.


    He still couldn''t see the ending.


    ''This is gonna be one long walk, isn''t it¡­''


    Liam sighed.


    ***


    Two hours of silent walking passed since the trio entered the basement. Liam sent Usan a side nce, and the man''s face was colder than ever.


    Maybe it had something to do with bitter memories, but Liam didn''t ask.


    Eventually, they arrived at the ending of the tunnel.


    And it was damn bright!


    Blindingly bright!


    Liam actually had to squint as he and Usan exited the space, just for his eyes to painfully adjust.


    And when it did, he took a deep breath.


    Everything around him was made out of pure light.


    The ce they had arrived in was a vast, natural underground structure of pure light. Even the ground below ¨C which looked like rock ¨C was blindingly bright.


    Here and there, beautiful nts bloomed and gave life to the air. The smells that entered Liam''s nose were never going to be forgotten.


    But the defining and awesome feature was something in the center.


    It was huge, resembling an otherworldly pir more than 295 meters tall that connected the bottom of the space to the top.


    Branches closest to the bark were the thickest, while those further out thinned to a hair''s length. Streamlined leaves, massive and tiny, grew from them.


    It looked alive. Inhaling light and glowing brighter, before exhaling and losing a tiny bit of its luster.


    This was the Sacrosanct Tree.


    A Rank 6 nt.


    And it was just¡­ beautiful.


    The ''Ora'' density was unparalleled. So much so, Liam was forced to protect his core from absorbing anything.


    At the same time, there were more than three dozen Moyong family members grouped together in the distance.


    Some were incredibly young, not even 15 years old, while others were aged, maybe even past 100.


    They wore a single piece of white cloth, and looked at Liam with amazement in their eyes.


    As though they never saw another human before him.


    North Star and Twilight were among them, but with no amazement in their eyes. Only hatred.


    Thetter''s face had gone through some ''changes''. Her right eye was gone, but there were no traces of any scars of remaining damage.


    "I hope you don''t mind. Some of our family members hadn''t seen the fruit''s birth and begged to witness," Yar''wei said with his gaze on the tree.


    ''Wait¡­ it''s not birthed yet?''


    The tree let out a loud humming noise as its branches twirled and shook, the blinding bark surging with beams of energy beneath its glossy surface.

 Chapter 306 Inheritance

    <h4>Chapter 306 Inheritance</h4>


    Liam watched as the Sacrosanct tree branches twisted and coiled, wringing out the light from them.


    The humming noise grew louder and more pronounced as the seconds ticked by.


    Surprisingly, despite seeing a massive Rank 6 item, there wasn''t any significant pressure on his mind.


    There must have been a hefty amount of formations and inscriptions keeping the tree in check.


    Otherwise, the natural pressure it released was probably enough to kill everyone there.


    Liam''s eye constricted to the Sacrosanct, studying the process. When the branches finished wringing out their light, everything condensed into the towering bark.


    Liam tensed. For a second, he felt as though the entire thing would burst out and explode. But it didn''t.


    The faint pressure he felt before suddenly tripled in power, as though a boulder thumped against his brain. Bearable, but annoyingly painful.


    Eventually, all the branches of the tree were devoid of light.


    All of it had poured into the bark, which had filled everyone''s vision with blinding rays of white.


    Slowly, the light condensed into the tree. Enough that Liam could see again.


    The previous dead branches had pulled back into its bark, the leaves twisting inward as the entire tree rapidly receded in growth.


    By the end of it, a small hole in the middle of the bark split apart, a radiant sphere at its heart.


    The Miracle Fruit.


    The tree was no longer pulsing with light. But everything had been thrown into that fruit. It sent rays of light in every direction, like a miniature sun.


    Yar''wei looked towards Usan and gave him a nod.


    "Using it instantly is advised. Just be careful not to taint or damage it with darkness. Keeping it in your ring is also fine."


    With slow steps, Usan arrived at the tree''s heart and reached for the untainted fruit, grabbing it, staring at it for a few seconds in silence, before putting it in his ring.


    As soon as he did, the tree vanished into the ground, turning into a tiny stalk of sputtering light which poked through the ground.


    In another 500 years, it will grow and bear another fruit.


    Done with that, Usan cast a nce towards Liam and prepared to leave.


    Before they could, though, Yar''wei spoke with a gaze fixed towards the Sacrosanct Tree.


    "You wouldn''t happen to have a dual-elementalist in your Temple, would you?"


    Liam hid any surprise from appearing on his face. Usan did the same.


    "Why?" Usan deadpanned.


    Yar''wei looked at them with a strange look. As though questioning whether or not he should speak the next few words. He did.


    "We have an inheritance. Big one, too," Yar''wei said. Liam felt a pang of awe. Usan hid any emotion.


    ''Big one.''


    Was it from a Celestial?


    Liam side nced at Usan.


    The Unforgiven had an indecipherable expression.


    There was silence.


    Liam couldn''t speak to him mentally.


    A Rank 5 Zenith could obviously tell when people were speaking telepathically.


    And if Liam did that, it would obviously point a suspicious finger at him.


    "We do," Usan answered after a long pause.


    "What elements?" Yar''wei asked, clearly shocked.


    "Darkness," Usan answered. "And something else I can''t say."


    Yar''wei''s eyes widened.


    His incredulous gaze snapped towards Liam instantly.


    Was that why the fights between the Temple were covered by an Istion Barrier?


    Liam didn''t panic. Before he arrived, he applied the Restrictive Needle on his Chaos Pearl.


    Right now, only his darkness aura was visible to a Rank 5 Zenith''s consciousness.


    "But he just has one," Yar''wei said suspiciously, looking back at Usan.


    "Who said we had just one darkness cultivator?" Usan asked rhetorically. "We have another. But he wasn''t strong enough for the tournament."


    Yar''wei pursed his lips, pensive.


    There was a massive chance the Unforgiven was lying.


    But on the off chance that he wasn''t¡­


    "Why can''t you tell me his second element?" Yar''wei asked.


    "Why don''t you tell me more about the inheritance?" Usan said with a slight scoff.


    "If it''s not a requirement for the inheritance to ept him, then I won''t say what his second element is."


    Yar''wei pursed his lips again.


    It was a fair point.


    "How old is he, at least?" Yar''wei asked.


    Usan paused, but answered anyway.


    "19. Nearing 20. Whose inheritance is it, anyway? Why was nothing announced to li?" Usan said with a slightly narrowed gaze.


    Whenever an inheritance was discovered, there was a certain way to go about it.


    If those who discovered it were a powerful organization or country, announcing its discovery was far better than keeping it hidden.


    Why?


    Because some inheritances had extremely demanding requirements ¨C some of which were even hidden ¨C which was found in a very small minority of people.


    For example, Nord and the giants'' inheritance.


    The former was an absolute idiot who somehow met the conditions of a powerful inheritance, when the Royals thought it had gone docile.


    "Because this is too important," Yar''wei said seriously.


    His aloof gaze quickly grew sharp. Like a de unsheathed from its scabbard.


    "If you want to risk your disciples'' life, we can discuss details here and now."


    Usan didn''t nce at Liam.


    Liam didn''t nce at Usan.


    But Usan already knew what Liam would say.


    "He''d want in. You can start exining."


    Yar''wei was a bit surprised at how fast the Unforgiven agreed.


    "Not a word of thises out to the public. I don''t need to threaten you to make you understand, right?" Yar''wei said. Usan nodded once, unfazed.


    Yar''wei paused, considering the words carefully, before speaking a name.


    "This is a Celestial''s inheritance."


    "The Eternal Sword''s."


    Silence.


    Usan''s eyes slowly widened with shock, but his face turned hard right after.


    Liam, on the other hand, looked stunned.


    A Celestial inheritance!


    Entire countries would wage war if they knew!


    "We''ve sent two parties into the inheritance¡­" Yar''wei said, pausing with a bitter look.


    "But?" Usan asked.


    "But they never came out in the end," Yar''wei answered.


    "We still don''t know why."


    "It''s been a couple of years since then."


    "The restriction of the inheritance requires two dual elemental cultivators to enter at the same time."


    "At least one of those elements has to be either of darkness or light."


    "But they have to be under the age of 21, too."


    "You can understand how bloody difficult those requirements are."


    Indeed, it was. Extremely so. Maybe a one in a million chance for those things to align.


    Yar''wei looked towards Twilight, who looked shocked, then back towards Usan.


    The man looked extremely grim.


    "But we can work out a deal."

 Chapter 307 Energy

    <h4>Chapter 307 Energy</h4>


    Within the massive underground structure, there was a strange silence.


    North Star had heard the conversation and looked livid, pulling away Yar''wei and erecting a barrier of light around them to prevent any snooping from the two visitors.


    [I know you already know this, but don''t let them ask for proof of my second element,] Liam transmitted.


    Usan nodded, his attention still on the barrier.


    A few minutes passed.


    Meanwhile, Liam noticed Twilight looking at him with a narrowed gaze.


    To which he responded with a mock-filled grin.


    ''Mad?''


    Was what it tranted to.


    Twilight''s cheeks turned red from a mix of anger and embarrassment.


    Finally, the light barrier dissipated.


    North Star still looked vexed.


    But Yar''wei was calm.


    It was clear who authority was given to.


    Yar''wei approached Usan and gave him a single nod.


    "Want to speak terms now, orter?" he asked.


    Usan shook his head.


    "Later."


    There was a fruit he needed to digest first.


    If Usan was to be a Rank 6, negotiations would get far easier, too.


    "Fine. You have eight months."


    ***


    Liam and Usan left after that.


    There was nothing more to discuss there, and they were already flying back to the temple.


    The millions below had already scattered in different directions.


    "Who''s the ''Eternal Sword''?" Liam asked.


    A soft wind brushed over them as they flew.


    Usan was taking it slow on purpose. His face distant with thought.


    "I''ve only heard legends," he replied.


    "There''s a ce outside li. The very distant north. A clean swath of nothing runs across for more than 6,000 kilometers. It''s called the World''s Cut."


    Usan paused.


    "They say a single sh from the Eternal Sword''s de was what caused it."


    Liam just let out a chuckle.


    It was ridiculous.


    ¡­But probably true.


    Who knew the techniques that came with the inheritance of such a person.


    "So where is he now? Dead?" Liam asked.


    The ind grew visible in the distance.


    "Nah. Alive. Probably. In another realm somewhere."


    Liam''s eyes widened slightly.


    Come to think of it, he never did ask where everyone in the seventh Rank went.


    Everything had been so hectic for so long. Escape, joining the temple, scheming against the Ravenous, fighting in the tournament.


    "Where exactly do the Rank 7''s go?" Liam asked.


    They were hovering over the giant temple now. The acolytes grew visible and pointed at them from afar.


    Usan shrugged.


    "I don''t know the gist of it. To my knowledge, a gateway opens to another realm. One to sustain the Celestial and their kind. Their status is too powerful here."


    ''So there is a Celestial Realm, after all. Professor Kivler Urwol was right. It''s strange how there''s no documentation of them leaving the world, though.''


    Finally, the duo hadnded, getting swarmed by thousands of acolytes paying their respects, along with Elders who bombarded them with questions.


    To quell their curiosity and worry, Usan took out the fruit. It was as though a sun had spawned in the center of the ind, momentarily blinding everyone.


    A wave of gasps rang out from them, but Usan quickly threw the item back into his ring.


    ***


    After a few rounds of questions and answers, Usan and Liam quickly went underground to divide the Miracle Fruit into the appropriate size.


    The Elders were silently seated around them, watching intently.


    "Half an inch, right?" Usan asked.


    Liam nodded.


    An inch was too much, Liam realized.


    What if he exploded because of his greed? He''d rather hold off for a bit.


    Usan took out a de.


    It was a regr kitchen knife.


    One used to cook vegetables and meat.


    "Are you seriously using a kitchen knife to cut into a Rank 6 fruit?" Liam asked him, aghast.


    "What?" Usan shrugged, unrepentant. "It works fine."


    Usan carefully cut into the fruit''s edge.


    Somehow, the light inside the Miracle Fruit was brighter.


    Gently picking the radiant morsel of fruit, Usan handed it to Liam.


    Liam took it, but didn''t swallow it right away.


    "I''ll enter seclusion for a few months. Until I digest the entire thing," Usan addressed the room. "It might take at least five to eight months."


    They nodded in response.


    Liam didn''t need anything either.


    He already had his Rank 4 cultivation technique.


    All he needed to do now was find a way to make the fruit easier to digest¡­


    ¡­and prepare to enter an inheritance.


    ***


    Liam didn''t think too deeply of it.


    If a kitchen knife could cut into the Miracle Fruit, surely his Blood could affect it?


    The only reason it was a Rank 6 item was because of its amazing nourishing abilities, so¡­


    Liam just coated the radiant morsel with a gob of blood.


    Then, he waited for a few minutes for it to take its effect.


    Before long, the rays of light that the morsel emitted were now red, making it look like a red dwarf.


    Liam heaved a long sigh¡­


    ¡­then threw it in his mouth.


    The fruit itself tasted sweet and sour, like a mix between an apple, orange and a pineapple.


    As it passed through his gullet, there was only one thought that ran through Liam''s mind:


    Energy!


    Such potent energy!


    Liam felt as though a dam of pure nourishment had been injected into his blood stream.


    It flooded him at once, in all organs¡­ and it kepting!


    It was at this moment that he knew, he messed up.


    But he didn''t panic.


    Liam started to direct the energy on where to go.


    Like redirecting a surging river, Liam connected the stream of energy to his arm.


    It was the only outlet for the energy to go. A void that needed filling.


    Liam''s eyes widened as he saw his stump of a shoulder rapidly gainyers of flesh.


    It was like watching a fast-forwarded video of an arm regrowing.


    The ck bone was first, coated by muscles then flesh and skin.


    After a few minutes, Liam''s arm was back!


    ¡­


    But there was no hand.


    Liam connected the remaining energy to his Chaos Pearl.

 Chapter 308 Pranks

    <h4>Chapter 308 Pranks</h4>


    All the remaining energy was poured into Liam''s Chaos Pearl.


    There wasn''t much left, since most of it had been siphoned into regenerating Liam''s arm.


    Although letting his hand heal as well sounded enticing, Liam could afford to let his Blood deal with that on its own.


    But his Chaos Pearl on the other hand was the organ with the most stability to absorb the tides of energy.


    It just kept absorbing the ''Ora'' that the morsel provided.


    The brass walls of the pearl slowly buckled and creaked, but didn''t break.


    It was made out of the same material as Liam''s Ashura gauntlets, after all.


    It slowly erged. The chaos inside it roiled in Liam''s sr plexus, boiling the rest of his body.


    From 9 basketball-sized spheres of chaos, it went to a solid 15.


    Eventually, the stream of energy started to die down a bit. Reforming the phantom limb took most of its potency away.


    The arm wasn''t supposed to be regenerated.


    It had been ''deleted'', in a way.


    That had sucked away most of the morsel''s pure ''Ora'', leaving the rest for his body, core and pearl.


    The stream of energy died down after a few minutes.


    What remained was invigorating power that coursed through Liam''s veins.


    He was pretty sure he saved at least 3 to 4 months of constant cultivation for all his centers of power.


    Except his mental sphere. But even that was slightly expanded due to everything else being raised.


    There were no advancements, though.


    The only thing that wasn''t boosted by the Miracle Fruit was Liam''s Blood.


    That would only get better through devouring and absorbing Lifeforce, which the fruit did not have.


    However, his Chaos Pearl felt incredibly strong. At least 5 to 6 months of its growth were expedited.


    ¡­But now, Liam seriously needed to lie down and rest.


    His body and organs were extremely sensitive to touch. Even a light brush of air sent pangs of nervous stings running across his skin.


    ***


    When Liam woke up, he took a quick peek into his Chaos Pearl. His organ hadn''t advanced, but it was far stronger.


    There were only two spells that Liam had for his chaos ¨C Focused Havoc and Controlled Chaos.


    ''If I''m entering a Celestial''s inheritance, I''ll need at least a Rank 3 chaos spell before I enter.''


    That party sent before?


    Definitely dead. And it wasn''t just Liam''s paranoia that led him to believe that.


    Liam had basic studies of inheritances, but he knew that some of them weren''t exactly ''good hearted''.


    Some were straight ''pranks'' made by sadistic cultivators to torture anyone that might enter them, seeking a reward or whatnot.


    There was one by a Zenith called the Crimson Edge.


    The man forged an inheritance that advertised a groundbreaking technique, guaranteeing the heir''s passage into the Celestial Ranks.


    In reality, it was just a torture pit that kept the victims alive for centuries until they could be saved.


    All that remained of them was a broken shell of what was once human.


    Yeah¡­ there was no way Liam was going in there barehanded. Another round of techniques and spells had to be made.


    ''I have toplete the Triumvirate Body before I enter,'' Liam thought with a steely look.


    Eight months.


    Liam thought he''d need at least a year or two for the whole technique to be perfected. Time went by too fast whenever he started a project.


    But at the end of the day, all it depended on was the research subjects and how extensive Liam''s findings were.


    Now that he had his Shifter Octopi, though? Brute-forcing the entire thing was a possibility.


    ''I need to get a little rougher. But I can''t afford to get tunnel visioned.''


    Liam called Jargon.


    ***


    ''Subject No. 93. Fail. Died roughly 8 seconds after Core extraction.''


    Liam jotted down on his inscribed notebook. All the written lines were magically sorted by his mental waves, stored in its pages forter study.


    To Liam''s left was the cleanly cut body of a chained criminal. His abdomen, flesh and brain had been incised with a near perfect precision, bloomed open with the fleshy bits on disy.


    The criminal looked¡­ empty.


    To Liam''s right, was a mold made out of a Shifter''s skin, shaped to a humanoid form. It was filled with the criminal''s grimy muscles and flesh, but the handiwork was crude and amateurish.


    A month had passed.


    Liam''s findings were¡­ adequate.


    There was a constant trial-and-error process that Liam went through to perfect the technique.


    Mind Istion was the most difficult one to do.


    Liam''s entire life depended on it.


    Well, his life depended on the other two as well.


    The order of the Triumvirate technique went from Body Integration, True Transfer, then to Mind Istion.


    First was the mold, followed by the extraction, then the Mind Istion that contained Liam''s consciousness.


    Truth be told, Liam was worried. There was no telling what could go wrong with such a fragile and dangerous technique.


    One misstep was death.


    Elder Jax and the Golden Cranes had given Liam a helping hand in his experiments. They couldn''t do much inscription-wise, but provided valuable insight.


    ''First, I have to make sure my mind stays intact.''


    ''If it breaks during the transfer, I''m dead.''


    ''If the Body Integration fails to carry over all my strength and bodily functions, I''m dead.''


    ''If I don''t have my centers of power by the end of it, I''ll kill myself.''


    ¡­


    This was difficult.


    Thankfully, all Liam needed to do to clear 1 out of 3 problems was perfect the mold that he needed to throw his body into.


    Egg and Yolk''s children woulde in use.


    ***


    7 months passed.


    Liam stood beside Subject No. 421. His body was perfectly intact, marking the beginning of the Triumvirate Procedure.


    To his right was a more refined, cleaner version of the Shifter skinsuit that would soon be Liam''s external.


    Surrounding the subject were the Elders specialized in helping Liamplete the procedure.


    All kinds of Formations riddled the ground.


    Like all the others, this was a test run.


    But unlike all the others, this was the secondst skinsuit that Liam could afford to make.


    What would follow next was the real thing.

 Chapter 309 Success

    <h4>Chapter 309 Sess</h4>


    Liam had a renewed coldness surrounding him.


    His multi-colored eyes looked half open most of the time, giving him an aloof appearance.


    Except when he focused.


    Then his eyes narrowed dangerously and his brows slightly furrowed.


    Liam was roughly 20 years old now!


    But his mental age was actually 37.


    His silver hair was long again. Untied and wild.


    Cutting it was a waste of time, so Liam just let it grow.


    Liam''s hands had fully reformed now.


    Only his fingers and nails looked a little thinner and crude on a closer inspection.


    Throughout the seven months, Liam had arrived at the peak of the middle-stage of a Rank 4 body.


    His core, mental sphere and Chaos Pearl were still the same Rank, though.


    The more he progressed the slower everything got.


    It was surreal how fast time flew.


    The Octopi reserves had long been used.


    Only Egg remained, unaware Yolk and his hundreds of his spawn had sumbed to Liam''s cruel hand.


    The past 7 months were spent well.


    Liam had to sacrifice most of his cultivation when working with the Triumvirate Body and making new techniques.


    But it was worth it.


    With a focused expression, Liam gave a nod, and the Elders surrounding him responded simrly.


    Liam heaved a long sigh, then spoke with a dark voice:


    "Test Run 421. Commencing."


    First was Body Integration.


    For this secondst test run, Liam would be there to support the others.


    Of course, they didn''t require his help in the least.


    Liam would be the one sitting in that chair, after all.


    But the technique would still require finishing touches, and only Liam could alter and fix its issues.


    Liam and the Elders put their palms atop the criminal''s body.


    Those who ced their hands on the Subject''s body activated the Body Integration technique Liam had made.


    In an instant, the criminal''s body started to writhe.


    A wet squelching sound echoed through the vast but quiet basement.


    The Subject''s skin was slowly being ripped from his muscles.


    Body Integration was a Rank 3 technique, but couldn''t be used in a battle at all.


    Maybe as a torture method, but not as an offensive spell.


    All it did was slowly wring out the contents of a cultivator''s innards.


    It squeezed everything except the centers of power to a condensed sphere.


    Sort of like a rolled up nket or sheet. As soon as control over it waned, it would spread in all directions.


    Eventually, the Subject''s skin and flesh were no longer touching.


    But the skin didn''t dete and crumple together.


    It was paused midair due to the Formations on the ground.


    There was no blood, either.


    All that remained was arge ball of pure, condensed flesh.


    On its circr surface, the organs were clearly visible!


    Liam saw a heart, still beating, along with exhaling and inhaling lungs, followed by eyeballs and a stomach.


    The only thing missing was a brain.


    Which was put in a separate preservation container.


    Even as the Subject''s innards were squeezed together, they weren''t crushed or ruined.


    Everything was urately preserved and organized, allowing those present to calmly continue.


    Carefully and delicately, the group of 9 Elders carried the Flesh Ball to the Shifter''s skinsuit.


    Inside the skinsuit, everything was inscribed with blood-red drawings.


    Channels that would guide the Flesh Ball on where to go.


    On the mind and abdomen, however, wererge cutouts meant for the remaining transfers.


    Diligently, the 9 Elders let the Flesh Ball slowly unfurl and expand within the skinsuit.


    Second by second, more of the emptiness was being filled, like paste squeezing through an stic mold.


    The organs fit into ce.


    The eyes had been docked into their sockets.


    The lungs were firmly nted in the chest.


    The heart was on the left breast.


    There were no visible issues.


    The only thing missing was the core and mental sphere transfer.


    Those were next.


    On an inscribed preservation container filled with thick viscous syrup, a Rank 3 core was encased in a fleshy abdomen.


    Elder Jax grabbed it and slowly ced it inside the cutout, which the skinsuit then covered.


    10 seconds passed.


    Nothing happened.


    A sess.


    Liam wasn''t happy.


    There was still the Mind Istion to worry about.


    All the Elders felt their energy slowly sap away.


    This cruel process was so damn taxing on mental energy and strength!


    It was the only way to power the Triumvirate''s procedure.


    Liam could never hope toplete it alone.


    The final piece was ready to be put into ce.


    As four Elders took out the preserved brain, they activated Mind Istion to keep the sea of consciousness alive.


    Without a second of dy, they quickly positioned it above the skinsuit''s head, allowing the drawings to do the rest.


    It was over.


    The damn process was finally over.


    All the Elders took a step back, but Liam didn''t.


    If it exploded, he had to study the process of where it went wrong.


    The skinsuit made a few squirming and sloshing noises, like an obnoxiously loud chewy eater.


    The Shifter''s skin was fitting around the innards.


    Soon enough, it started to resemble Subject 421''s human appearance.


    Then, it stopped.


    Liam saw the Subject 421''s chest rise and fall.


    He was breathing.


    But his eyes were closed.


    Liam narrowed his eyes.


    He felt the Subject''s sea of consciousness and core. They were intact.


    Nothing went wron¡ª


    The Subject''s inky-ck eyes shot open.


    A dangerous sensation spread across the underground.


    The Subject jolted upright, his breathing turned erratic and hectically rapid.


    His eyes darted left and right in a panic.


    As he spotted Liam, his fully ck eyes widened in a mixture of dangerous emotions.


    A wrath-filled shriek filled the basement as the Subject suddenly started to scream from the top of his enhanced lungs.


    "YOU DID THIS TO ME! YOU DID THIS TO ME! YOU DID THIS TO ME! DIE! DIE! DIE! DIE!"


    Screaming, his entire body started to squirm and writhe uncontrobly, jotting with jagged bones that softened and hardened intermittently from his skin.


    He lunged at Liam with incredible speed.


    "DIE¡ª"


    Liam swung once with his renewed Dusk de.


    The Subject''s head rolled off his shoulders with a squelch and plopped against the floor.


    The Elders were stunned throughout the entire procedure.


    Liam let out a tired sigh¡­ but grinned broadly.


    The Golden Cranes felt a shudder down their spines as they heard his next words.


    "...Subject 421. Sess. Death due to a weak will."

 Chapter 310 Black Blade

    <h4>Chapter 310 ck de</h4>


    Liam studied Subject No. 421 intently. The Elders took a quick nce at the body, but they didn''t need to stay.


    Liam would fill them inter anyway. He''d make sure they revised everything 20 times over, too.


    That paranoia wasn''t a joke, they all thought as they left.


    Liam honed his attention on the Subject.


    The man''s uneven skin was pure ck, protruding with spiked, teeth-like bones from every orifice.


    His mouth had also broadened wider with the scream. Filled with sharp, palisade teeth.


    If the Subject didn''t lose control over his powers, Liam was sure that killing him wouldn''t have been easy.


    The Triumvirate Body gave the user full control over everything.


    A single sh to the neck was a hundred percent survivable if adapted to correctly.


    ''The reason he lost control was because of the pain that muste with the procedure.''


    ''Although the sea of consciousness is disconnected from the rest of the body, everything pours in once the new nerves connect to it.''


    ''The only difference between his process and mine would be the Chaos Pearl. But it''s so small, it shouldn''t prove too difficult.''


    Liam shrugged. Pain was an old friend. One he knew quite well.


    After studying the specimen for a few more hours, Liam moved on and began to cultivate.


    Liam''s abdomen suddenly tightened.


    All his muscles were pressing against his core as tight as they possibly could.


    As it did, Liam started to cultivate.


    For a few seconds, the gaseous contents of his core were forcibly turned into a liquid drop due to the pressure on it!


    This was the method of cultivation that Usan helped inscribe for him.


    It consisted of bringing together the walls of the core, in order for its gaseous contents to condense into liquid.


    As Liam cultivated, he was experiencing double the nourishment a normal gaseous cultivator would experience.


    But his core walls were starting to buckle and shake under the might of a single liquid-stage bead.


    Liam untensed his abdomen muscles, and the walls of his core were back to normal.


    ''Only half an hour is my limit,'' Liam pursed his lips. He wasn''t dissatisfied. ''Good enough.''


    It gave him twice the progress speed in exchange for a short usage period.


    That said, Liam was starting to get worried.


    Usan was still quiet for some reason.


    Did the man digest the fruit properly?


    The Eternal Sword''s inheritance was just a week away from the deadline.


    With no method of contacting him, Liam attempted to find research about the Celestial.


    It was hard.


    Even finding info about a Zenith ¨C not even a powerhouse ¨C was difficult.


    But he did find bits and pieces of his name ¨C he went by many, not just the Eternal Sword ¨C riddled around li.


    Myths, legends and folklore.


    Stories of a man cutting the earth with a lithe swing of his de made out of a fallen star.


    He severed mountains with a finger gesture.


    There was no description of him. But they say his eyes were so sharp, no one could meet his gaze without going blind.


    As much as they were exaggerated, Liam thought it wasn''t doing the man justice.


    This was a Celestial.


    Something beyond the scope of what a powerhouse could produce.


    Liam made his way back to his quarters.


    Until Usan''s breakthrough, there was nothing for him to do except train and arm himself.


    And he did exactly that.


    Liam had made himself a new weapon solely for the inheritance.


    For a Celestial who had ''Sword'' in his name, it was obvious what the trial was going to be about.


    Swordsmanship.


    Liam''s swordsmanship, was, in his own words, ''good''.


    Over time, his fighting style had changed.


    The Dusk de wasn''tpatible with the Phantom Edge martial arts.


    They were meant to rip and w through its victim''s flesh, while the Phantom''s Edge was built for severing in swift shes.


    For that reason, Liam hadn''t been using the Phantom''s Edge as much.


    But swordsmen valued sharpness out of everything.


    For that, Liam had to revert to his previous fighting style.


    And that''s why he forged a new weapon.


    Just one.


    Liam took out the weapon from his space ring. It made a soft shing noise, even though it wasn''t from a scabbard.


    It was a sleek odachi. Single-edged and covered with a soft sheen.


    Tiny vampiric characters lined its entire surface, but they didn''t look disorderly or displeasing, creating a beautiful disy of artistry.


    The ck de.


    A peak Rank 3 item!


    From what Liam was told, the Eternal Sword was a single-sword wielder.


    And although there were no restrictions on what weapons they could use, Liam wanted to be on the safe side.


    Using an odachi was pretty simr to using a katana, the only difference being the length.


    And since Liam wasn''t going to use a wakizashi, the odachi was the safest option for him to go pursue.


    A peak Rank 3 item was no joke.


    Primordial Forging and Blood Weavingbined to a singr front to create the weapon.


    What did all the inscriptions on its surface do?


    Simple.


    They sharpened the de.


    And that was it.


    That was all the ck de was about.


    On the other hand, its special ability allowed for long range shes to form with each swing.


    Which also carried the Blood Weaving''s strength behind them.


    A marvelous design.


    Liam said so himself.


    ***


    6 days were left until the Eternal Sword''s inheritance.


    Usan was still in seclusion.


    Nobody knew where he was.


    Liam started to get a bad feeling rising in his chest. But he continued


    2 more days passed.


    Silence.


    Just silence.


    Then 2 more days passed.


    Even li started to question where exactly the Unforgiven Shadow had gone.


    The Seven ns and major Sects contacted the Temple repeatedly.


    Did the Miracle Fruit kill him?


    Was it poisoned by the Moyong family?


    Liam already knew Usan was sick.


    Did his sickness do him in?


    Where was he?!


    Then, it happened.


    Liam was outside when he thought the world was ending.


    It was daytime.


    But the world''s light had sputtered out.

 Chapter 311 Runt

    <h4>Chapter 311 Runt</h4>


    The event that took ce reminded Liam of Usan''s first appearance.


    Within that Istion Barrier, everything had dimmed and dimmed.


    But that was because of the Istion Barrier denying any light from poking through.


    This time, there was no such thing.


    Liam''s gaze was above before it happened.


    The sun was in clear view.


    Everything was bright, warm and sunny.


    In the blink of an eye, everything had gone pitch-ck.


    Shadows spread in every direction, erasing sunlight from the world.


    Liam''s sense of direction went haywire.


    He couldn''t tell left from right, up from down.


    It was like he was drowning in a pool of ck. He didn''t know if he was breathing or not, since everything went numb.


    He couldn''t even see or hear anything.


    There was only a chilling coldness invading Liam''s being.


    Liam tried to stay calm, but he couldn''t.


    He shouted out loud.


    His words faded into a deafening silence.


    He couldn''t even hear himself!


    WHOOM!


    A giant pir of light abruptly shot overhead, adding a light source to the dark world and illuminating where Liam was.


    He was outside, sprawled over the ground, surrounded by thousands of acolytes who faced the same thing he did.


    They had it a lot worse, though. Some were t unconscious while others were greedily gasping for air.


    Liam''s eyes widened with realization.


    The beam of light originated from the Main Lands, thousands and thousands of kilometers away.


    And the Temple was still on the secluded ind they piged from the Ravenous Leashes.


    Yet, the shadows went way beyond that.


    If one had an aerial view of li, they''d see one half of the country basked in darkness, while the other in light.


    But the shadows were spread far more. Even reaching the borders of Echoria and touching a few smaller countries.


    The scene was otherworldly.


    This was the birth of a powerhouse.


    Liam''s eyes snapped towards the Temple, his heart pounding through his chest. There was thrill, fear and awe in every beat.


    A figure slowly flew above.


    The dark world was still irreparably dark, but his silhouette was dimly lit by the ray of light.


    Slowly, the shadows reeled back in.


    At the same time, the beam of light had thinned out and slowly disappeared.


    Only he remained.


    Usan Moyong.


    The Unforgiven Shadow.


    A Rank 6 powerhouse.


    There wasn''t anything too different about his physical features. He still had short silver hair, a slim but lean build, and cold amber eyes.


    But wherever he flew by, a mirage of inky shadows followed his trail, absorbing light, air and everything in between.


    It oozed an ominous force and simultaneously looked vtile.


    Liam still felt like he was looking at a different person.


    ''That beam of light¡­''


    There was only one exnation to who that belonged to.


    Hand of Light, whose real name was Kuan.


    Who, at the moment, was slowly nearing the ind.


    Liam''s eyes widened again, but the pressure he felt suddenly forced him to squint and grunt.


    Kuan had long golden hair, let loose like a lion''s mane to his sides ¨C clean shaven, silver eyes, broad shoulders, covered by a long light-made robe.


    Surprisingly, he had a tall and muscr build, simr to Ryu. What was strange was how his hair was golden, not white like the rest of the Moyong.


    Usan and Hand of Light were more than a thousand kilometers apart from each other, but their gazes met.


    Strangely, a pitiful expression was on Kuan''s severe face. Heaving a disappointed sigh, he spoke with a distant voice:


    "Impatient as ever. You always rushed headfirst into things. Tunnel-visioned, too. That fruit could have been your chance to cure your sickness."


    "All you did was make it worse."


    Usan scoffed derisively, but didn''t say anything. Instead, his cold eyes narrowed to slits, his shadows letting out harrowing shrieks.


    It was obvious what he wanted to do.


    Kuanughed sonorously, but it switched off instantly, reced with a death stare.


    "You''re far too weak to think about that, boy. Know your ce. Maybe you''d give me a wound or two."


    "But you''d die and so would all your nsmen as a result."


    Usan growled, his shadows growing more vtile and violent by the second.


    But the reunion between them came to a stop.


    Two more figures appeared from different directions.


    They weren''t Sect leaders.


    They weren''t the Seven ns.


    They weren''t even from li.


    ¡­


    They were powerhouses.


    Meanwhile, Liam felt like an ant. Insignificant.


    He wasn''t the only one feeling that way. Everyone was shocked still, unable to move a muscle.


    From the Southeast, came a woman.


    Beautiful. Long silver hair. Golden irises. Tall. bulky, almost. She looked severe and cold, like a general. A lioness in human form.


    On her head, was a tiny little golden crown. Itcked any colorful jewels or sparkling diamonds, but the woman made it look priceless.


    Queen Thryress.


    From the east came three different figures.


    The one at the forefront had slicked back, bone-white hair that ended in a single, braided line.


    Olive-tanned skin.


    A square, aged, nicely trimmed beard on his chin.


    A vertical scar on his left eye, blinding it, while his right was a dull ck.


    In his right hand was a long silver cane without a handle.


    He wore a silky ck suit above a linen shirt, paired with a long ck garb draped against his square shoulders.


    It didn''t resemble the world''s clothing at all. He almost looked professional in a sense. Radiating an oppressive aura.


    He had a condescending smirk on his face.


    To his sides were two fully suited soldiers, donning ck from head to toe.


    They didn''t wear armor, but military-style clothing with all kinds ofpartments and weapons on their person.


    Their faces were covered with matte-ck gas masks, and both were in the peak of the fifth Rank.


    The General and his Legion.


    The other powerhouses apparently chose not toe to the event.


    Both the Queen and the General were more than two thousand kilometers away.


    Yet Liam felt chills run up and down his spine at their mere sight.


    Silence.


    Only a light wind and the ovepping of ocean waves were audible.


    Surprisingly, the General was the first to break the quiet. With a cocky tone and a broad smirk, he spoke:


    "So. You''re the runt who wants my blood, eh?"

 Chapter 312 Smile

    <h4>Chapter 312 Smile</h4>


    When the General uttered his insult, Usan and Kuan''s eyes narrowed dangerously.


    Four powerhouses.


    Queen Thyress.


    The General.


    Hand of Light.


    And Unforgiven Shadow.


    Liam couldn''t see their auras at all.


    But he could feel them.


    It was like their own signature disyed for all to see.


    The General was so far away.


    But just looking at him made Liam feel ten times as heavy, pulling him to the ground and keeping him there.


    All the low ranking acolytes had already fallen unconscious, their mouth frothing with foam.


    The only reason Liam hadn''t passed out, was because he''d thickened his skull and head as much as he possibly could.


    At the same time, he''d activated his mental defenses.


    Queen Thyress made him shudder. Her sight alone sent a million little needles pricking into his skin.


    Only Hand of Light''s influence wasn''t malicious. It was like warm sunlight on a cold day. Strange and ominous, but not outright fear-inducing.


    As the seconds passed on, Liam realized he wasn''t breathing!


    Or, more urately, he couldn''t breathe.


    Air pretty much abandoned his lungs.


    Thankfully, Usan''s shadows spread to cover him and the rest, relieving them of the burdens they felt.


    Meanwhile, the four powerhouses looked at each other from a vast distance.


    None of them were allied and looked friendly with one another.


    Not even Usan and his father.


    Despite that, the Unforgiven and Hand of Light were both staring daggers at the Queen and General.


    Queen Thryess didn''t budge.


    Silent and beautiful, she looked uninterested in the whole ordeal, but still lingered for some reason.


    Slowly, the General''s old face turned dark.


    Any trace of cockiness or yful demeanor disappeared.


    "I lost interest in that little nt after a while. A lousy way of attaining strength. Keep cutting corners and there''ll be nothing left to cut."


    "And I was right," the General pointed at the Unforgiven. "You''re like a building with no floor."


    "You''ll crumble apart on your own."


    Usan''s shadows started to shriek, turning violent.


    ¡­But he didn''t attack.


    Unfortunately, the General was right.


    Right now, Usan''s strength was not permanent.


    It was temporary.


    He had be a Rank 6 cultivator.


    With a Rank 6 sea of consciousness, body and core.


    But he simply burrowed that strength for the time being. And it wasn''t even the real thing.


    It was a pale imitation of what a powerhouse could actually produce.


    Not to mention, there was unimaginable pain rummaging through his body.


    Right now, Usan was like an old man, with a hunched back and a cane, carrying a massive bazooka.


    Even carrying the weapon was painful to him.


    And what would happen if he detonated the weapon?


    He''d die due to the recoil.


    But then again, so would the target he aimed his bazooka at.


    Queen Thyress and the General didn''t kill the Unforgiven straight away.


    One less powerhouse was one less catastrophe in the world.


    But no one wanted to bear the brunt of that.


    Left alone, Usan would die anyway.


    Why get involved for no proper reason?


    Usan''s face turned dark.


    But he didn''t respond to the General''s words.


    ''Their time wille,'' he thought.


    ''It wille.''


    ''I have to y my cards right.''


    ''I''ve already epted death.''


    One second of silence passed.


    "Enjoy the strength while itsts," the General said with a deep voice.


    "You clearly didn''t earn it."


    Bloodlust oozed from Usan''s body¡­ but a momentter, the General and his soldiers vanished into thin air.


    Now, only Kuan, Usan and the Queen remained.


    "And what do you want?" Kuan asked the Queen as the General disappeared.


    Silence.


    The Queen turned around to leave.


    As she did so, her indifferent gaze briefly passed the ind where Liam and the acolytes were on.


    Liam''s heart rate spiked. His eyes widened as much as they could. A tremble ran across his body.


    Liam cursed loudly.


    ¡­Was it just him?


    ¡­Or did that woman sh an imperceivable grin as her eyes brushed past Liam''s?


    By then, her face was no longer visible.


    Before long, she faded into the distance.


    Yeah¡­ she knew.


    She definitely knew Liam was among the crowd!


    And why did she grin like that?!


    It was a grin of sadistic enjoyment!


    Liam''s breathing grew unstable.


    But there was still Kuan and Usan to settle their ordeal.


    "Don''t do anything brash," Hand of Light said with a stern tone. "You can start a war. But you won''t be around to finish it."


    "If I find out you''re secretly nning an invasion, your sickness won''t kill you. I will. Then I''lle for that little demon you''re housing, next."


    Welp, if the Queen didn''t kill him, Hand of Light sure would.


    With that, Kuan left as well.


    Usan hovered the air with aplicated expression.


    A momentter, he lowered himself to the Temple.


    Daylight had returned to the world.


    Everyone was still afraid of approaching Usan.


    But Liam was next to him already.


    ***


    "Why didn''t you cure your sickness?" Liam said, as Usan poured himself arge ss of ale in the underground hall.


    Now that he was staring death in the eye, Usan reckoned he could take his time with a few things.


    He wouldn''t be around for much longer, after all.


    But Liam was still tense.


    If Usan could cure himself, why not do that instead?


    The deal with devouring Rank 5 and 6 cultivators was an enticing deal.


    But Liam would rather choose long term stability.


    "Tried," Usan answered. "Couldn''t make it work. It would take time, which I didn''t have, and if I didn''t rush it, I wouldn''t have advanced to the sixth."


    "It''s not like a cure was guaranteed, either."


    "Plus, any longer and the inheritance would''ve slipped from your grasp."


    Liam nodded slowly.


    With all those things adding up, Usan did the right thing, as selfish as it sounded.


    That said, he couldn''t help but ask.


    "How''s it feel?"


    Usan raised a brow, taking a long swig of his jug of ale.


    "How''s what feel?" he questioned.


    "The power. You''re a powerhouse, aren''t you? Don''t you feel different?"


    Usan pursed his lips and paused.


    "Well, beside the excruciating pain I''m constantly in, which makes me wish I was dead, I''d say I feel pretty strong," he gave a dead thumbs up. "Though, my shadows gained sentience, somehow."

 Chapter 313 Pain

    <h4>Chapter 313 Pain</h4>


    Liam raised a brow.


    "Sentience?" he asked.


    Liam had to ask his questions.


    It wasn''t everyday he got to speak with a Rank 6 cultivator.


    Even now, the Temple Elders wanted to ask him for advice.


    But Liam and Usan spoke alone.


    Well, until a Shadow Clone abruptly formed between them.


    Instead of being of darkness, it was made from tendrils of shadows.


    An annoyed expression was on its face.


    "You seriously piss me off," the Shadow Clone told Liam with a frown. Then, he snapped towards Usan.


    "You piss me off too. You''re putting all your cards on this little twat?! Him?! Look at him!"


    Liam looked incredulous.


    A Shadow Clone!


    Insulting him!


    That was just a new low.


    He was stunned.


    Usan chuckled under his breath and took another gulp of ale.


    "Yeah. Get drunk, hobo! Forget about your worries! Meanwhile, I''m busting my balls everyday¡ª"


    "You were literally born a few days ago," Usan interjected.


    "¡ªtrying to find a way to fix you!" the Shadow Clonepleted.


    "So it''s a part of you, but it''s not a part of you, either? How does that work exactly?" Liam asked, ignoring the Shadow Clone.


    That only made it angrier.


    "You dare ignore me, twat?! I can kill you just as fast as he can!" the Clone shouted with an animated expression.


    "Yeah," Usan answered, ignoring the Shadow Clone. "It has my memories, my abilities and my strength. Just not my personality."


    "I think it''s a result of my consciousness. At one point, it just works on its own and runs my body."


    "But my shadows are different. I''ve used them all in different ways, so this is the one I used for healing myself."


    Liam raised his brows in amazement.


    The Shadow Clone growled in anger, but didn''t add anything.


    "Is it just the one? Can''t you produce mo¡ª"


    Three more Shadow Clones formed inside the hall.


    "I agree with number one. He''s a liability," a second Shadow Clone said with a dark voice.


    "I say we kill him and study his organs."


    Liam furrowed both brows.


    He looked towards Usan.


    Usan shrugged, taking another sip of ale.


    It was probably the Shadow Clone he used to kill people with.


    Meanwhile, the third Shadow Clone said nothing and studied the underground hall curiously.


    It inspected the formations and inscriptions around the space, nodding to himself now and again.


    Definitely what he inscribed with.


    And the fourth one¡­ well, it was an overweight version of Usan, with a bulging stomach and two chins.


    "Hi," he waved timidly.


    This particr shadow was obviously used for Istion Barriers and formations.


    Seeing all of that, Liam actually felt a bit of fear.


    ¡­What would his Shadow Clones be like?


    Better stave off those thoughts for when it mattered.


    The underground hall grew rowdy as Number 1 kept bickering with Number 2 and Number 4.


    Usan waved his hand, and they all scattered in different directions.


    "What a headache," Usan grumbled.


    "I''m ready toplete the Triumvirate body, by the way," Liam said.


    Usan nodded, gulped the rest of his ale, before leaving the basement.


    "Let''s get it done, then."


    ***


    Liam strapped himself naked into the ''victim chair'', chaining his limbs, surrounded by more than a dozen different Elders and the Unforgiven.


    He''d never gone to the dentist as a child (they were too expensive), but if he did, the view he had would probably look something simr.


    He wasn''t afraid or nervous.


    Everything had been practiced and put to the test.


    Now that a new and improved Usan was going to help him, he felt reassured.


    The only problem was¡­ the four Shadow Clones were going to be helping in the process.


    Liam firmly denied it at first, but Usan assured him that the percentage of sess would vastly increase with them helping.


    Thus, Liam relented.


    But he didn''t like the look in Number 2''s dark eyes.


    "Ready?" Usan asked.


    Liam nodded.


    There was no anesthesia involved in the process.


    Liam had to be aware for the entire duration to make it easier.


    Usan, his Shadow Clones, and the Elders all prepared for the first step.


    Body Integration.


    Liam felt a dozen palms make contact with his body.


    Wherever they touched, skin disconnected from the body, but remained still as the flesh started to condense.


    It took its sweet time.


    Liam''s Ashura flesh was much more rigid and densepared to a normal human''s, but Transfiguration helped during the process.


    Liam felt everything being rolled away. He shaped his bones to fit the Flesh Ball, his nerves feeling all kinds of wrong.


    All that remained of his body was a Flesh Ball!


    Pain!


    A lot of pain!


    Usan didn''t waste time and quickly put the Flesh Ball into the skinsuit.


    Then, they opened up Liam''s abdomen and gently ''yanked'' it out, fitting it in the skinsuit.


    Pain!


    Then, they cut into Liam''s sr plexus and carved around the Chaos Pearl, yanking it out.


    Pain!


    Following this was Liam''s left and right eye.


    They were special eyes, and the eyes of a squid were obviously a downgrade.


    They yanked both of them out!


    Pain!


    Finally, there was the sea of consciousness remaining.


    They cut into his ck skull and scooped out the brain, activating Mind Istion.


    But there was no pain.


    Technically, Liam was currently dead!


    His nerves were disconnected from his body.


    It felt as though he was drowning underwater.


    Everything was muffled.


    He was just a mind.


    It felt like hours had passed.


    Maybe more.


    But Liam was still dead.


    ''Was it a failure?'' Liam thought.


    Funny enough, he could still think despite having no body.


    The next instant he felt his brain being stabbed with a million different needles.


    PAIN!


    Senses flooded back to him. Foreign but incredibly precise and simultaneously hectic.


    Incoherent screams and ear-splitting shrieks overwhelmed his thoughts, forcing him to growl in suppression and anger.


    A strange sensation ran through his body and blood.


    Then, Liam''s eyes flickered open, giving the Elders watching up close a jump scare.

 Chapter 314 Unbound

    <h4>Chapter 314 Unbound</h4>


    Liam felt a million different unpleasant sensations vomiting over him, crawling across every orifice and striation of his body.


    It was a nauseating feeling. Everything felt disproportionate and unsettling. Like he was no longer the same person.


    No longer the same thing.


    But as his thoughts slowly grew clearer, and his overwhelming and hectic sensations stabilized, Liam felt like he could finally examine what he ended up bing.


    He could feel the number of people in the basement. Without his mental energy or Shadow Sense.


    Even if he closed his eyes, he could perceive them.


    They were like burning stars in a ck void to his mind. An eighth sense. He could feel the warmth of their breaths, the quick beating of their hearts.


    But first, Liam had to break through the chains binding him down.


    Muscles at Liam''s hands and feet started to transform and weave into a superior build.


    Thankfully, Transfiguration was still with him.


    He hadn''t lost it to the procedure.


    Transformations felt insanely fast now that he had a Shifter''s body.


    Before, it felt like shaping y when transforming muscles or bone.


    Slow and dull, but got the job done.


    Now, it felt like reshaping liquid.


    Fast and effective, like thetest update to an already modern software.


    That was no small difference.


    Liam''s strength tripled at his hands and feet.


    His Ashura strength hadn''t regressed or lessened, either, which was just a lovely addition to an already ridiculous body.


    Liam''s arms and legs didn''t bulk in size as he tripled the strength in them.


    They simply condensed.


    CLINK!


    With a wide yanking motion, the chains snaring his limbs sharply clinked apart one after the other.


    They were peak Rank 3 inscribed chains.


    Fortified with rigidity and made with one of the hardest metals by cultivation standards.


    Snapped.


    Liam rose to his feet and examined what he''d be.


    He''d lost his sanity more than once during painful moments, but he was strangely calm now.


    The Elders watching felt awe at his sight.


    It was like watching a new species being birthed.


    And it was.


    There was no term to describe what Liam now was.


    Unlike humans who needed to be nurtured, developed and taught since they were born, animals and critters knew their job from the get-go.


    This was basically what Liam had be.


    An animal. And an Ashura. But also a human. One with sharp instincts and malicious urges, but a keen mind to keep both in check.


    Thus, despite feeling enough pain to make someone desire death, he''d thrown the experience in the back of his head and focused on himself.


    Firstly, his skin was uneven and ink-ck in color, since the skinsuit was still in its base form.


    His eyes were red and golden.


    He had no hair, but that could easily change.


    Everything in his body felt liquid. Not in the literal sense. His insides were indeed solid and perfectly rigid.


    But it was all so¡­ mendable.


    Liam felt in control.


    Unbound and free.


    Liam breaking the chains weren''t just literal, but figurative, as well.


    In an instant, Liam''s skin went through a series of rapidfire transformations.


    From fishy ck skin, it morphed to a furry white, then to reptilian green scales, before reverting back to a human form.


    These weren''t actual transformations into creatures of a different species.


    He was still a Human/Shifter/Ashura.


    But Liam was simply changing the color of his skin, and the roughness and anatomy of his flesh.


    Meaning his ''scales'' weren''t actual scales. It was colored, hardened skin.


    Usan, and the Elders watching with wide eyes, simply said nothing and absorbed the sight.


    This was a marvel of its own kind!


    A revolutionary discovery!


    Usan had a broad smile on his face, pouring himself another mug of ale.


    Seeing his heir attain more strength was a win to him, and a cause for celebration.


    Liam outstretched both arms.


    Slowly, both limbs started to stretch and morph... turning into octopus tentacles!


    The Elders were... confused.


    Then, more octopus tentacles protruded from Liam''s body!


    From his back, his chest, his sides.


    Now that was just... unsettling.


    But then, those octopus tendrils suddenly erected and hardened, turning as sharp as a de!


    Then, some of the des burst with dark mes!


    Right after, a few of the tentacles surged with vtile red energy!


    Following that, spikes made from blood burst from all over him!


    Right now, Liam resembled a multicolored spiky sea urchin.


    "Fhoooooo..."


    Liam let out a long exhale.


    The octopus tentacles, blood spikes, and des retracted back into his flesh.


    Now, he resembled himself again, with a few modifications. White hair was too catchy.


    Liam chose to don short, raven-ck hair instead.


    "How does it feel?" Usan asked with a smirk.


    Liam let out a shortugh. Unsettling and a little deep.


    "Wonderful."


    ***


    After the initial sess and small experimentation, Liam tested out the limits of his new body on his own.


    Unfortunately, he still couldn''t significantly alter his fixed anatomy.


    He had gained new structural abilities, like what he did with the octopus tendrils.


    Only, organs like his eyes, ears and heart were still fixed and unchangeable.


    He could change the location of his eyes and bring it around the back of his skull, or anywhere else.


    He could split his bones and turn them into a wieldable shard, and could even expel things from his body.


    Poison would no longer affect him, that was for sure.


    In fact, Liam could actually change the location of his centers of power!


    Both his Chaos Pearl and core were at the very center of his body ¡ª the safest and most protective ce they could be.


    But Liam couldn''t duplicate his eye or sensory organs. He could change their shape slightly, but that was it.


    Despite his amazing bodily capabilities, Liam still didn''t have ''ultimate'' control.


    But eventually that would change.


    At the same time, Liam attempted Admit. He was a bit afraid of using Expel, but he''d only try it if Admit worked.


    There wasn''t enough time for a proper, conductive test, but he simply absorbed a small piece of a Rank 4 lizard''s flesh to add to his own.


    As soon as the lizard''s scaly meat made contact with Liam''s body, it slowly sank through.


    Admit had gotten significantly stronger.


    And it worked.

 Chapter 315 Ridiculous

    <h4>Chapter 315 Ridiculous</h4>


    When Liam absorbed the lizard''s flesh to his own, he felt a myriad of sensations entering his body.


    It felt like he''d experienced everything that piece of flesh had gone through. All of its contractions and rxations.


    The piece of flesh didn''t melt inside him, but it was still a part of him somehow.


    ''It''s like my body naturally studies what it absorbs.''


    ''Does that mean Admit allows me to take control of another creatures'' abilities?''


    ''It feels like it.''


    After absorbing more of the lizard''s flesh, Liam felt his body converting it to muscle mass!


    He could still track and identify the foreign pieces of lizard flesh in his body, which was strange.


    It didn''tbine with his Ashura flesh, but when Liam used Transfiguration, he could freely manipte it.


    Liam made the lizard flesh wrap around his two organs like a protective egg.


    Then, he brought it out and spread it across his arm.


    As he did so, Liam''s eyes widened.


    ck scales had hardened on his arm!


    And they were the real thing!


    They weren''t an ''imitation'' that Liam did, but an actual piece of the Rank 4 Lizard''s scaly armor.


    ''This confirms it. Admit acts like a Shifter''s power copying ability.''


    But it wasn''t as strong as the real thing.


    ''That''ll change once my body gets stronger.''


    ''I wonder how much of this I can absorb¡­''


    Liam absorbed more and more of the lizard''s flesh.


    Until he suddenly hit an invisible threshold.


    Admit just stopped working.


    But by then, Liam had absorbed more than 3 kilos of the Dark Lizard''s body.


    Liam pursed his lips.


    ''Now, to Expel it.''


    Having more muscle mass was an amazing thing, no doubt.


    But Expel was incredible in its own right.


    Itbined Liam''s core, physical and Blood ranks to produce a disgustingly powerful explosion.


    Liam heaved a sigh, then gathered all the dark lizard flesh on his hand, creating a sphere the size of a basketball.


    Currently, Liam was in the basement of his inscribed home, waiting for Usan to meet with the Moyong family.


    His entire basement was riddled with protectiveyering.


    ¡­Should be fine, right?


    Liam used Expel and disconnected the ball of flesh from his hand, hurling it away.


    Using Expel was like pressing a cartoonish, attractive red button that activated a nuke.


    As soon as you pressed it, that was it.


    You couldn''t stop what followed.


    The ball of flesh gained a red glow as it neared the distant wall.


    Liam felt his skin jolt as he sensed the danger, and it continued to scream as the ball prepared to make contact with the wall.


    Liam quickly realized that he''d overdone it, but he figured that it was a good time to test his body''s defensive capabilities.


    The ball of flesh exploded with a bright red boom, sending a deafening shockwave in all directions.


    It was strong.


    But apparently not as strong as Liam''s arm explosion.


    Liam lost his footing and mmed into the wall behind him.


    There was no pain as he did, since the outermostyer of his body was still a shifter skinsuit and absorbed the recoil with ease.


    Then the explosion of blood and flesh hit him, making him bounce like a pinball in an arcade machine.


    But that was because Liam employed no defensive measure.


    This was his natural defense!


    Even as Liam bounced around a couple of times, a smile stubbornly remained on his face.


    As the recoil and force disappeared, a massive crater in Liam''s basement as a result of the ball of flesh.


    Liam picked himself up and dusted off his shoulders from the rubble.


    Nobody came to check up on him.


    They''d been used to his ridiculous shenanigans, after all.


    Liam nodded to himself in satisfaction.


    He tried to absorb more Spirit Beast flesh a momentter, but couldn''t do so.


    Admit was on a ''cooldown'' of sorts.


    ''So the strength of Expel depends on what material I use for the explosion.''


    ''If I used my Ashura body instead, it would have been much more devastating.''


    A momentter, the chaos in Liam''s body churned, fully transforming him into a six armed Ashura.


    Gauntlets covered his arms, ornate armor graced his shoulders, and his size grew considerably.


    ''I definitely feel like my mind is clearer.''


    ''There''s no more impeding rage that I can feel so far.''


    ''But it alles down to this¡­''


    Silence.


    Liam activated the Umbral Needle spell.


    ¡­


    Nothing happened.


    Liam activated the Surging Burst spell.


    ¡­


    Nothing happened.


    Liam activated the Shadow Clone spell, holding his breath.


    And¡­


    ¡­nothing happened.


    Liam sighed.


    Unfortunately, using spells with his Ashura Form was still difficult.


    He felt his core sputter when he activated a technique, but it wasn''t enough.


    However, Transfiguration and Blood Maniption were much easier to do now in his Ashura Form.


    ''Wait, if that''s the case¡­''


    Liam triggered the Blood Demon Arts.


    Iridescent white blood syed from Liam''s body and wrapped around him like a liquid nket, fitting nicely around his form!


    It armored the gauntlets.


    It covered his feet.


    It fitted his face with a demonic mask.


    Then, it crystalized.


    If the Blood Demon before was a glorious knight, the Ashura version of it turned him into an Emperor''s mighty Praetorian.


    In all six of his arms, were swords!


    Liam started tough.


    This was ridiculous!


    But it came at a cost.


    Using his Blood Arts in his Ashura Form used basically all the Blood in his body.


    Meaning he couldn''t use his ichor anymore or heal himself with it.


    Liam reverted to normal, and the blood melted back into his pores.


    ''Well then.''


    ''That''s enough experimentation.''


    Liam was more than satisfied.


    But¡­


    There was still something Liam needed to do.


    He made sure no one was spying on him before he did it, though.


    No one did.


    Confirming it, Liam looked towards his groin.


    With intent eyes and a serious expression, he used Transfiguration.


    ''No¡­ that''s not quite right.''


    ''Still not right.''


    ''Nope, definitely not right.''


    ''Yuck¡­''


    ''Okay¡­ better.''


    ''Getting warmer.''


    ''Close now.''


    ''Good enough.''


    ''Better than ever, actually.''


    Liam smiled in satisfaction.


    He''d have to start wearing pants for real, now.


    When all was said and done, Liam''s Jade started to ring.


    Liam heaved a sigh and got dressed.


    It was time to enter an inheritance.

 Chapter 316 Maw

    <h4>Chapter 316 Maw</h4>


    Liam had a night of rest and packed everything essential he needed for the Celestial''s inheritance.


    The ck de, the Dusk des, protective artifacts, wrappings, 3 years worth of provisions ¨C even if he overate ¨C and much more.


    Inheritances were not daytime trips. Unless there were protective measures put into it beforehand, there almost always was a casualty involved.


    Even for the most basic and least powerful inheritances.


    ¡­And this was a Celestial''s, which already had an air of mystique to it.


    In short, Liam was prepared.


    Fully rejuvenated, Liam met up with Usan and a few Elders.


    As soon as he arrived at the grassy patch ofnd they were to meet at, Liam and the Elders expected a ride towards the Main Lands.


    Through the Monolith Lion, like they''d always done.


    But no.


    Usan just snapped his fingers, and Liam''s surroundings changed in the blink of an eye. They''d shed across an incredible distance just like that!


    Liam was awed.


    And truth be told, he felt pity, too.


    If the path to strength wasn''t authentic, it wouldn''tst. That was the gist of what cultivation entailed.


    Usan earned his strength for the most part. But he''d rushed his Path and the fruit only worsened it for him.


    All of this was artificial strength, and it was sad to know it would eventually fade away.


    Nevertheless.


    Where Liam had teleported at was, unsurprisingly, the World''s Cut.


    There was a sea to his left, gushing into a massive swath of nothing, and an ocean to his right, doing the same.


    The crevice continued past the horizon, and there was nothing resembling human civilization as far as Liam''s eye could see.


    Only the vast stretches of the ocean looked back at him, along with oceanic beasts poking through the surface now and again.


    In the distance was North Star, Yar''wei, Twilight, and none other than Hand of Light himself.


    There was no reason why Kuan wouldn''t want to have a hand in a Celestial''s inheritance. Calling it priceless was an understatement.


    Best case scenario, there might even be something simr to a Rank 7 technique. A wide stretch, obviously, but one could hope.


    Liam felt slightly unnerved standing so close to the two monsters.


    But the day before, Usan had already given him a new and refined constricting pin to hide his Chaos Pearl.


    If Kuan didn''t know about his chaos already, he wouldn''t know now.


    Usan and Kuan fixed their deadly gazes at each other.


    Twilight, North Star and Yar''wei simply had their heads lowered in respect.


    But all three of them snuck nces at Usan''s figure.


    Liam wanted to lower his head, too, but Usan instantly stopped him with a side re.


    ''Never show them servitude!''


    Was probably what Usan was trying to reprimand him for.


    "I''ll speak terms," Kuan said sternly. "Your boy can''t kill Reyan or sabotage her in any way. Unless the inheritance requires a battle to the death, if he kills her, I''ll wipe out your n."


    Reyan. Twilight''s name. Right now, the girl looked nervous, but tried to hide the best she could.


    Liam could see her mental waves. Fear and a little bit of embarrassment tainted them.


    Kuan''s terms applied both ways. Reyan couldn''t do anything to him, and he couldn''t do anything to her.


    Usan said nothing.


    Kuan took his silence as a yes.


    A momentter, Kuan began to privately address his squad.


    Usan did the same.


    "You''re going blind into this thing. If he couldn''t take out the two cultivators he sent before, I can''t do it either."


    Liam nodded.


    He braced for the worst.


    It was either death he was walking into, or a gold mine.


    The two parties were done with their discussions.


    Kuan approached and so did Usan.


    The two spoke privately for a few minutes.


    Liam got more and more tense as the seconds passed by.


    He had no clue what the two were discussing.


    Their words were muffled and Liam couldn''t read Kuan''s lips.


    Ten minutes passed.


    Usan came back to Liam and gave him a nod.


    "There are no other restrictions. If you win the inheritance without killing the girl, you''ve won it fair and square. The entrance is right through the swath," Usan told him. "I''m going to have to throw you in there."


    Liam frowned slightly.


    "Why can''t you just lower me down?"


    Falling down a canyon was thest thing Liam wasfortable doing.


    Thest time he did such a thing, he had to yank out both eyeballs for a Rank 4 magical beast with a mental sphere.


    Usan chuckled under his breath.


    "You have any Spirit Beast corpses in your ring?" Usan asked.


    Liam nodded. He saved hundreds of them for forging and backup food.


    "Throw one down the swath," Usan said.


    Liam raised a brow, butplied.


    He took out a peak Rank 3 lion corpse and threw it down.


    Everyone''s attention fell on the beast''s body as it plunged to the earth.


    As soon as it arrived a hundred meters near the swath, the lion''s body was severed into a hundred precise slices.


    Silence.


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    What was that?!


    Was it a Formation?


    But Liam''s eyes didn''t see any Formations or inscriptions around the swath.


    Was it the swath itself?


    And he had to go through that?


    "Don''t worry," Usan said with a smirk.


    "It doesn''t affect those who meet the conditions of the inheritance ground."


    Liam gulped.


    Despite meeting the requirements, he was still a bit paranoid about what could happen.


    "Get ready," Kuan said. "We''re dropping them at the same time."


    Liam and Reyan were brought over the swath.


    They were practically touching shoulders.


    Was this where Reyan blushed and fell in love with him?


    Just because there was a little skin-to-skin contact?


    Please.


    Usan exchanged a nod with Liam.


    Reyan exchanged a nod with her father and brothers.


    A momentter, the two were lowered 110 meters into the air.


    Then, they were dropped.


    Liam felt the swath growingrger andrger through his vision.


    It was like an impending maw, and he was getting devoured.


    85 meters.


    55 meters.


    31 meters.


    18 meters.


    5 meters.


    1 meter.


    As soon as Liam and Reyan passed the swath, he felt his brain being squeezed and his vision going dark.


    Liam went unconscious as a glorious voice entered his mind.


    "Are you worthy?"

 Chapter 317 Trials

    <h4>Chapter 317 Trials</h4>


    Liam suddenly jolted upright, a sheen of sweat on his skin.


    Grimacing, he found himself lying on the ground.


    All he heard before his consciousness sputtered out was the glorious voice. It was youthful, but profound and also deep.


    ''Are you worthy?''


    As his breathing calmed down, Liam took a look at where he was.


    He rose to his feet, an incredulous look on his face.


    Right now, he was very, very confused.


    He had just fallen into the crevice.


    There was no doubt about that.


    But right now, there was no more darkness.


    In fact, there was illumination.


    There was a sun above him!


    Burning with light!


    There were also clouds and a blue sky to apany it!


    It was like any other sunny day.


    The ground below was filled with lush green grass.


    As far as his vision reached, that was all Liam could see.


    Grass and blue skies. The sun never set, and there was a light wind brushing past him.


    ''Where''s the girl?'' Liam thought with a frown. ''Did she wake up before me?''


    Liam dismissed that possibility.


    His sea of consciousness was quite powerfulpared to anyone his age.


    If it was a matter of mental strength, he was definitely stronger.


    ''So that means she''s in another section of this ce.''


    Liam spent the next few minutes in awe of the whole ce.


    Liam sniffed and ripped a few handfuls of grass from the ground.


    It was real grass, not an imitation.


    Obviously, the sun above was not real.


    Even Liam could conjure up an illusionistic ball of light with his King''s Eye.


    A Celestial could do it much better than him.


    This inheritance ground was basically a sandbox for them to y around and manipte stuff in.


    A separate dimension. Everything in it was fake, but also real.


    At the same time, Liam realized the ''Ora'' purity here was far better than anything avable in the Main Lands.


    It was so brilliant, in fact, Liam started to cultivate his core on the spot!


    There was no announcement of any kind, after all.


    He was just taking advantage of the situation!


    ''Nothing less fitting for a Celestial. I''ve only really scratched the bottom of the barrel,'' Liam thought, suddenly feeling excited.


    That said¡­ what was he supposed to do?


    There was nothing but a vast, but empty, horizon up ahead.


    Luckily, Liam had studied the basics of inheritances, so he had a few ''troubleshooting'' methods.


    After half an hour of cultivating, he rose to his feet.


    "Trial!" he shouted in the air.


    Silence.


    Only a light wind awkwardly brushed past him.


    "Test!" Liam shouted again, a little louder this time.


    Silence.


    Liam clicked his tongue.


    Eternal Sword might have made the amazing construct and separate dimension, but he forgot the most basic requirement when choosing an heir.


    Directions!


    Then, Liam realized something.


    ''If this works, I''ll be mad.''


    Liam took out his ck de. A nice shing noise left his space ring.


    The same, glorious voice rang out, but Liam wasn''t mad in the least.


    "First Trial."


    A change!


    More than one hundred magical beasts left the ground!


    Praying Mantises!


    Their skinny bodies looked to be made from a shiny metal.


    Two razor-sharp ws were raised to their front.


    Their backs were long and streamlined.


    They were roughly the size of arge dog.


    Yet, Liam was more confused than anything.


    ¡­All of these creatures were Rank 1!


    That was nothing!


    "Sever all your foes in one singr sh."


    The profound voice spoke its demand.


    Silence.


    That¡­


    One sh.


    All at once.


    That meant that all the mantises had to die in an instant with the swing of Liam''s de.


    But Liam smiled broadly.


    That''s why the ck de was made!


    All of the mantises rushed him.


    But Liam didn''t swing his odachi straight away.


    First, he started to herd them.


    Starting by running circles around them until they started to bunch above one another.


    Liam didn''t want to use physical force, in fear that it might ssify as an attack and disqualify him.


    The mantises weren''t smart creatures.


    And they were so, so weak.


    It was like they were attacking him in slow motion, while he was still functioning in normal time.


    Liam could crush them with his bare hands if he wanted to.


    Eventually, all the mantises crawled atop one another, bing a shrieking hive of buzzing noises.


    Then, when he spotted a correct opening, Liam squatted to the ground.


    Strength started to pour into his thighs and knees.


    Right after, Liam wasunched diagonally forward, blurring.


    As he flew through the air, Liam swung once, sparing no effort.


    SHING!


    A wide ck arc left the ck de''s edge.


    As it met the tide of Praying Mantis'', a series of satisfying squelches and crushes rang out.


    The arc continued, and continued, and continued, until all the Praying Mantis'' were dead.


    Liamnded on the ground and waited for the voice to say something.


    It didn''t.


    But instead, the ground trembled a bit.


    Liam looked towards the source of the noise.


    It was the sound of a passageway opening, and in the distance, there seemed to be a door to another world.


    ''The second Trial,'' Liam thought.


    Liam waited patiently.


    There was silence.


    ''Do I not get any rewards?'' he thought, furrowing his brows.


    If anyone that knew Liam''s personality was near him, they''d instantly call him shameless.


    What kind of person would expect a reward from killing a bunch of Rank 1''s?


    Liam shook his head and instantly walked through the door.


    He wasn''t tired at all.


    Outside, it was the same thing.


    Endless grass.


    Fake sun.


    Blue skies.


    "Trial two."


    Two dozen Spirit Beasts emerged from the ground.


    Liam instantly realized they were not normal.


    They were sword-wielding baboons!


    Two dozen of them!


    All at the peak of the third Rank!


    Not just that, they were triple-wielding their swords.


    One on their left hand.


    One on their right.


    And one gripped tightly between their jaws!

 Chapter 318 Adapt

    <h4>Chapter 318 Adapt</h4>


    The swords themselves were made out of a lusterless brown metal, but Liam could tell they weren''t dull.


    Their fur was an obsidian ck hue, and their eyes were brown.


    Liam had never seen such animals.


    But they were probably an old species not found in li.


    After all, Eternal Sword had to be from a very outdated age. During that time, not all magical beast species survive the test of time.


    "Cut down your foes with one sh each."


    The voice had spoken its demand.


    One sh each.


    Meaning Liam didn''t need to kill them all at once.


    The triple-sword wielding baboons rushed at Liam without a scream.


    Liam readied his ck de.


    The task was incredibly easy.


    At one point in time, a peak Rank 3 would have been incredibly difficult for Liam to deal with.


    There was no such issue anymore.


    Liam blurred forward with a smile on his face, his ck de held close to his side.


    CLING!


    ¡­


    Liam didn''t expect that.


    The first baboon casually blocked his strike using all of its three swords!


    The swords held strong against the ck de.


    This was after Liam strengthened his swing with Transfiguration!


    Liam furrowed his brows and took a wide step back. The baboons rushed after him, but they weren''t as fast.


    These baboons¡­


    They were damn good at wielding swords for some reason!


    ''Is it because of the inheritance grounds? Has Eternal Sword made it so the quality of our des are the same?''


    That was the most likely reason. There was no way that the ck de was equal to some rusty old weapon an ape wielded.


    But now it was. And it made things difficult.


    The damn baboons were fond of working together, too.


    All of them stood shoulder to shoulder and wouldn''t wander off, adding anotheryer of annoying difficulty to the quest.


    Sharp clinging noises rang out one after the other as Liam defended against the barrage of attacks the baboons sent him.


    If he wanted to win, he had to do it right and take no half measures.


    As he continued to defend, the skin on Liam''s back started to writhe and squirm, sprouting with two tentacles.


    Liam''s wrappings didn''t get in the way of them. They''d been fit to be as free flowing as his flesh.


    The baboons didn''t react when they saw the tentacles. They were stoically focused as though they were war-hardened soldiers following amand.


    Liam took out both his Dusk des from his ring, which the tentacles dly grabbed onto.


    Now, Liam also had three swords!


    As the closest baboonshed out at him with a double swing, Liam''s Dusk des swung from behind him and smacked away the two swords.


    Right after, Liam swung with the ck de at the baboon''s neck.


    The ape tried to deflect his odachi with the de between his jaws, but Liam was fast.


    SHING!


    A streak of blood flew across the baboon''s neck, killing it instantly.


    Liam smiled.


    There was nothing that stopped Liam from simply using his octopus tendrils and ensuring an easy kill.


    Another four baboons rushed at him.


    12 different swords intent on severing him into pieces.


    Another series of ck octopus tendrils burst out from Liam''s body.


    They were soft and jelly-like, having no attack or defensive capabilities at all.


    But the tentacles tightly ensnared each of the four baboons.


    As it did so, the baboons retaliated.


    They thrashed their des around wildly, causing deep gashes to form on Liam''s tentacles.


    Liam smiled as he saw the result.


    Three and a half seconds passed, and the gashes reformed.


    This was the Triumvirate Body.


    Liam swung four times, each swift stroke severing a neck.


    SHING!


    More baboons arrived.


    However, once Liam knew how easy it was to kill them, they were easy to deal with.


    Soon, two dozen baboons were killed with one sh each.


    Liam heaved a breath at the end of it.


    Silence.


    There was no reaction from the voice.


    ''Was that it?'' Liam thought.


    But no.


    Something started to emerge from the ground.


    More baboons at the same Rank and wielding the same three swords.


    Liam frowned.


    Something was different about these apes.


    They were smiling broadly, their teeth sharp and their gums long.


    Liam blurred forward and tried to kill them the same way he just did.


    Four tentacles sprouted out and shot at a baboon. But strangely, the other monkeys didn''t help him.


    The baboon smiled ominously.


    Despite how fast Liam''s tentacles were, the baboon''s three swords flickered.


    Heunched into the air and twisted rapidly as Liam''s tentacles converged at him.


    SHING! SHING! SHING!


    At once, all of Liam''s tendrils were severed off!


    Liam grimaced.


    The baboonnded on the ground with a light step, then looked up at Liam with a smile.


    Liam''s blood conjoined with his body to reform the severed off tentacles.


    The first wound Liam had received since his Triumvirate procedure.


    Liam realized how more of his blood was required to heal his wounds.


    More than triple the amount.


    It made sense, though. The Triumvirate Body had more functions, thus, required more ''fuel'' to regenerate.


    Once for his human side, twice for his Ashura side, and third for his Shifter side.


    That said, Liam brought his thoughts to the main issue at hand.


    ''Did they just learn how to counter me?'' Liam thought.


    All the baboons were smiling at him. So human-like. So¡­ annoying.


    He didn''t like it one bit.


    ''What do I have to do to win?'' Liam thought.


    When he maintained his distance, the baboons didn''t attack.


    Only when he got close did they collectively try and cut him down.


    They were still only two dozen, but were far better than their previous variants.


    Liam fought with them once more and killed the two dozen with a bit more effort.


    They reformed all the same.


    Liam tried fighting them with the same level of effort, and they countered his fighting style perfectly.


    ''All of them are the same, so there''s no one in charge of this,'' Liam thought.


    Liam thought about the situation for a while. This was a test. A riddle.


    ''They''re going to adapt to me every time.''


    Liam retracted the tendrils from his body.


    He gripped the odachi between his jaws.


    He wielded the Dusk des in both hands.


    ''I have to adapt to them.''

 Chapter 319 Sword Hardening

    <h4>Chapter 319 Sword Hardening</h4>


    The test was teaching him something.


    The baboons were adapting to him.


    If Liam continued to use his best abilities, eventually, the baboons would learn how to counter them all.


    And eventually, he''d be defeated by monkeys.


    Literal baboons.


    Instead, Liam put the odachi between his teeth and mped down on it.


    It was weird, biting a sword hilt. It felt unnatural and wrong. The odachi''s long edge stuck out the side of his bared mouth, but it didn''t cut him.


    Liam strengthened his teeth a bit to better his grip on the de.


    Then, Liam honed his focus and took light steps forward to the group of baboons.


    At the same time, they took slow steps towards him.


    Slowly, it became a jog, then a run, then a sprint, then a sh of des.


    CLING!


    Six different baboons pressured him with his des. Liam outstretched his swords to cover him as much as possible.


    Gashes formed on his body, but his blood reformed them.


    Liam had to be careful not to identally slice or even nick the baboons'' skin.


    With a pushing motion, Liam swung his Dusk des and pushed away five of the baboons around him.


    Liam''s physical strength was obviously better than theirs.


    But he could tell that with each iteration, they were getting stronger.


    As five baboons were hurled away, Liam looked towards the one in front.


    CLING!


    Liam pushed away the baboon''s des.


    SHING!


    Then swung to the left with the ck de in his mouth.


    SPURT!


    A head rolled over the patch of grass.


    Liam looked towards the other baboons with a predatory gaze.


    Despite the sword in his mouth, mped on with his sharp teeth, he managed to smile.


    ***


    What followed after painted the patches of grass blood-red.


    Getting used to fighting with three swords was not pleasant.


    In fact, it was pretty damn ufortable.


    Liam''s teeth had already made a dent into the ck de''s hilt.


    All three of his weapons had nicks and scratches on them. He''d have to repair them afterward.


    But he''d killed off the baboons one by one.


    By the end of it, Liam heaved a long sigh and held his breath, removing the Back de from his mouth.


    Silence.


    The voice kept quiet.


    That was not a good sign.


    Something began to emerge from the ground.


    Liam grimaced.


    But when he realized it wasn''t the baboons, he instantly felt relieved.


    "A de is not a piece of metal. It is fluid like water, strong like earth, fierce like fire, and sharp as wind. It is made for a dark purpose, but could be wielded for light."


    Eternal Sword''s glorious voice echoed throughout the fake dimension.


    Liam raised his brows.


    He didn''t like riddles or poetry in the least.


    But when it came from a Celestial, it held merit.


    Liam memorized the words.


    ''Is there a hidden meaning in them or something?'' Liam thought, before choosing to study themter.


    Words of a Celestial were valuable.


    What came out of the ground was a marble dais with a bright rune on top of it. Further ahead, was the gate to the third Trial.


    Liam approached the rune, grabbed it, and inspected it from all angles.


    It looked like a normal rock made out of light, but there were precise vertical lines etched onto its surface.


    "You forgot the instructions again!" Liam shouted angrily at the air.


    Liam looked towards the rune.


    He applied mental energy to it.


    Silence.


    Nothing happened.


    He applied ''Ora'' to it.


    Nothing happened.


    Liam let out a long exhale.


    ''This better work.''


    Liam resolved himself¡­


    ¡­and crushed the rune in his fist.


    It instantly exploded into motes of glittering light, producing a shimmering sound effect.


    Liam nearly cursed himself when he saw nothing happening, but then the motes of light rushed into his sea of consciousness.


    There was a sharp twinge of pain that disappeared instantly. Like a quick stab to the brain.


    Liam''s eyes widened when he realized what just happened.


    Within his sea of consciousness, the motes of light had melted into his sea of mental energy.


    Liam instinctively knew what it was and how to execute it.


    Liam instantly took out his ck de, anticipation rising in his chest.


    Liam held it outward.


    SHIIIING!


    A metallic ripple enveloped the ck de, intensifying its dark luster even further. Even its hilt? gained a metallic property.


    The odachi simply looked... glorious.


    ''Sword Hardening,'' Liam smiled.


    Liam swung from top to bottom with the ck de.


    SHING!


    A lengthy arc of darkness left the ck de''s edge, but as it soared through the air, it continued for more than 40 meters before puffing out.


    Liam undid the Sword Hardening and smiled.


    There were no more nicks or scratches on the surface of his weapon!


    Liam no longer had to go through the boring process of repairing his weapons or the inscriptions on them.


    With Sword Hardening, Liam''s swords would no longer chip or break!


    The technique essentially allowed Liam to strengthen all aspects of his swords. Sharpness, rigidity, and natural ability.


    It required no real resource to work, either. Other than a small but steady flow of mental energy.


    ''This is just the second Trial, too,'' Liam smiled. ''But it''s obviously going to get harder after this.''


    ''I had to go from killing 100 Rank 1 magical beasts to getting matched up with baboons that could have won against me.''


    ''I''d be a fool if I don''t prepare well before attempting the third.''


    Liam used Sword Hardening for the Dusk des too, repairing them.


    With the bright ck sheen, they looked both ominous and vicious at the same time.


    Liam took to cultivating his mind and core for two entire weeks before moving forward.


    There was no time limit or restriction holding him back from doing so.


    ''There''s only that girl to worry about. It''s a shame I can''t see what stage of the Trial she''s in.''


    Finally, after the two weeks were over, Liam heaved a long sigh.


    Then, he walked through the third Trial gate.

 Chapter 320 One Thousand

    <h4>Chapter 320 One Thousand</h4>


    What Liam saw made him curse slowly in confusion.


    Boulders.


    Just boulders.


    Massive boulders lined up as far as the eye could see.


    ''One, two, three, four¡­''


    Liam began rapidly counting. The more he counted, the more his eyes widened.


    ''One¡­ thousand.''


    One thousand boulders were lined side to side, as far as the eye could see. They were ced atop a thin pole that somehow managed to hold them up.


    The boulders were perfectly smooth. They were marble white and shimmered under the fake sun above.


    The fake dimension had been narrowed down to only 50 meters side to side.


    The boulders were positioned to be both to the left and right of Liam.


    "Split them in half within the allotted time."


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    Allotted time?


    Liam raised his head.


    Above him was a timer, and each time a second ticked down, it made a ting noise.


    12 hours.


    He had 12 hours to cut down 1,000 boulders!


    What kind of idiotic test was this?


    What was the point?!


    There was no time to think.


    Liam cursed and gripped his ck de, activating Sword Hardening and looking towards the first boulder.


    SHING!


    Liam swung from top to bottom.


    A second passed.


    The boulder slowly split apart, but didn''t fall from the pole holding it up.


    The boulder was actually hard!


    It wasn''t made out of marble. It was strengthened enough that Liam''s peak Rank 3 weapon had difficulty cutting it.


    And this was considering his strength and Sword Hardening that enveloped his de.


    Liam moved to the next boulder. And the next. And the next.


    But the more he cut, the more Liam came to a realization.


    He wasn''t getting past this Trial.


    12 hours for 1,000 boulders was extremely difficult.


    And apparently, he couldn''t use his Shadow Clones, even though he tried repeatedly.


    Liam went through 200 boulders in 5 hours.


    And strangely enough, he felt incredibly tired.


    Ever since Liam had be an Ashura and attained a Rank 4 body, he had basically forgotten what exhaustion was.


    But something was making him sweat and tire.


    His arm and body also felt sore for some dumb reason.


    Liam''s face turned dark as he continued to split down each boulder.


    He hadn''t given up. But he knew he''d lose eventually.


    11 hours passed.


    Liam kept swinging and swinging.


    All of his muscles throbbed in pain and ached horribly.


    Liam''s mental energy was also running out. Sword Hardening was always active throughout the swings, after all.


    Despite the technique costing a small amount of mental energy, keeping it active for 11 hours straight was bound to drain him of strength.


    Plus, the more tired Liam became, the less easy it was to split the marble boulders in half.


    Everything was piling up on him.


    Liam managed to cut 513 boulders as twelve hours passed.


    He was panting heavily, sweating with his eyes half-drooping.


    "Failed."


    Liam heard the words and grimaced.


    What a retarded test!


    So much preparation, effort and work...


    Just to hear that word at the end.


    Liam shook his head, waiting to be transported out of the fake dimension.


    Silence.


    Liam grew confused.


    Suddenly, he was back at the beginning of the fake dimension. Where he entered the third Trial.


    Liam looked at the boulders.


    They had reformed!


    Didn''t he fail, though?


    Liam raised his head. The timer was suddenly back to the twelfth hour, and it hadn''t started ticking down.


    Liam realized why.


    His ck de was stored.


    For thest trial, when Liam unsheathed his ck de, the Trial had begun.


    Liam smiled broadly.


    He wasn''t out of the game!


    He sat down and started toy down a massive feast fit for a king, wolfing it down.


    ''Doing the same thing again without changing my line of action is dumb.''


    ''This is also a test of some sort.''


    ''Is it speed or something?''


    ''Maybe not.''


    ''If it was, I wouldn''t get so tired for some reason.''


    Liam wracked his brain for an answer.


    He genuinely didn''t know.


    If there was a boulder, he''d cut it. Problem solved, right?


    Eternal Sword absolutely sucked at directions, and Liam was getting angry as he gulped down meal after meal.


    Heaving a sigh, Liam positioned himself beside two of the boulders and unsheathed his ck de.


    All he could do was repeat the Trial until he understood something.


    The voice rang out once again.


    "Split them in half within the allotted time."


    Liam got to work.


    He put more strength into his grip, back and arms.


    The boulders split apart much easierpared to before.


    Liam swung once, thrice, one hundred times and more.


    For some reason, Liam felt even more tired than before!


    It was a small amount. Barely noticeable. But definitely there.


    Using Transfiguration to increase the weight of his shes somehow worsened his stamina.


    Liam was starting to hate how boulders looked.


    ***


    12 hours passed.


    ¡­And Liam cut down less boulders thanst time at the end of it!


    499pared to 513.


    That was not a small difference!


    Still...


    "Failed."


    Liam was once again teleported to the beginning of the line.


    The boulders had also reformed.


    And he was once again sore all over again.


    Liam let his back touch the floor.


    ''The more physicality that I use, the weaker I get,'' Liam realized. ''Is that what he wants me to know?''


    ''That I''m using too much strength?''


    Liam was pretty sure that was the problem.


    But he needed to rest beforeing to a proper conclusion.


    Liam took a moment to ponder over what the inheritance wanted from him.


    All this time, Liam simply daydreamed about what he could reap from it.


    But what was the actual point of it? Besides the Eternal Sword wanting an heir, of course.


    Liam pursed his lips.


    ''Does he want me to develop my own sword style or something?''


    A usible conclusion.


    But Liam put it aside for now.


    His body was back to tip-top condition, and he was ready for another shot at the ridiculous task.


    Liam unsheathed his ck de.


    "Split them in half within the allotted time."

 Chapter 321 Patience

    <h4>Chapter 321 Patience</h4>


    Liam took a deep breath and swung at the first boulder.


    He almost used Transfiguration by instinct, but stopped himself right before he did.


    At one point, Liam''s swordsmanship was mostly based on speed.


    But ever since his bodily strength had increased to such an extent, he switched to a strength-based fighting style.


    That was why the Dusk des were made.


    They were vicious, cruel and bloodthirsty weapons.


    That pretty much summed up Liam''s fighting style.


    But now, he was forced to try something else.


    As Liam swung across the first boulder of the thousand, he calcted the least amount of strength needed to split the boulder in half.


    His ck de ripped through the top of the marble sphere, cut through the midsection and¡­


    ¡­got stuck inside the sphere.


    "Failure."


    Liam frowned.


    Again, the Trial restarted, and Liam was blinked back to the start.


    ''This is gonna take time.''


    ***


    4 and a half months passed.


    ¡­Yes, 4 and a half months.


    And Liam was still in the third Trial.


    Of all the challenges Liam had faced, this was the most obnoxious, annoying and abhorrent one of all.


    So many repetitions!


    So many swings of his ck de!


    So many split boulders!


    But the highest Liam got to was 722.


    There were still 278 marble spheres remaining.


    When Liam stopped using brute force when swinging his sword, it actually worked as intended.


    As he got a bit more proficient, he no longer became as physically tired as the hours passed.


    Through that, Liam figured out the gist of the Trial.


    ''Technique over brute strength.''


    ''Precision over speed.''


    ''Mastery over power.''


    Thus, that''s what Liam focused on refining for the uing weeks, which quickly turned into months.


    Obviously, Liam''s swordy improved massivelypared to before.


    But apparently, he''d hit a bottleneck in understanding the sword.


    No matter what he did after the initial 3 months of developing his stroke, he was still stuck around the 700 mark with the boulders.


    His swing didn''t get better for one whole month after that.


    At one point, Liam decided to mix the two styles of brute force and technique to see if it would work.


    It didn''t.


    Firstly, even his ''technique'' ¨C if it could be called that ¨C required strength.


    If Liam cut half of the boulders with his technique and the other half with brute strength, time would still run out before he couldplete the task.


    It was all so¡­ tiring.


    Currently, Liam wasying t over the patchy grass.


    All 1,000 of the boulders were perfectly reformed, and their sight pissed him off.


    Liam heaved a sigh.


    ''I''ve gotten used to too many fast results. Elder Jane was kinda right. I am impatient.''


    Liam sat up and took out the ck de.


    He''d never really spent time studying the sword, other than when he wanted to forge something and understand its dimensions.


    Liamid the odachi t across his knees.


    Closing his eyes, Liam ran his fingers across its edge and repeated the Celestial''s words.


    "A sword is not a piece of metal. It is fluid like water, strong like earth, fierce like fire, and sharp as wind. It is made for a dark purpose, but could be wielded for light."


    Silence.


    There was no magical enlightenment.


    Liam was about to change his tactics when he suppressed the urge and kept studying the sword.


    ''Patience.''


    ''I need to practice patience,'' Liam thought, his eyes fixed to his odachi.


    He continued to feel every corner of the weapon.


    The paperthin edge.


    The ck, leather-wrapped hilt.


    The long length between the sharp tip and base.


    ''What is a sword?'' Liam asked himself. ''Not a piece of metal, apparently.''


    ''It''s deeper than that.''


    Another month and a half passed as Liam continued in this state.


    He didn''t eat, nor did he drink any water in that period.


    Even more, he didn''t cultivate!


    He simply sat there, curiously admiring his sword and examining it.


    Liam didn''t feel any different, but when he held the sword, it felt like an extension of his own body.


    It was a strange feeling. Like the sword had connected to him in a way.


    Liam rose to his feet.


    He didn''t eat or drink despite not having any food for a whole month and a half.


    He needed to preserve this feeling and express it in its rawest form.


    Liam walked forward with a slow, unusual gait.


    Before, Liam''s step was always fast and quick, like he was rushing to reach wherever he wanted to go.


    But now, his gait was calm and patient, like he was walking at his own leisure.


    There was still that fire in his eyes. Of ambition, greed and maliciousness.


    It wasn''t like Liam''s personality had changed.


    But his sword had now been fitted to his needs.


    As Liam got close to the marble spheres, the same words rang out.


    "Split them in half within the allotted time."


    Liam didn''t run and swing like he always did when the announcement started.


    Things were different this time.


    Liam felt at ease.


    Liam moved between the left and right boulders.


    SHING! SHING!


    Two shes.


    The boulders split in two.


    Liam moved on, his steps light and unrushed.


    Each time he lined himself between the left and the right boulder, then made a fluid, curved swing.


    SHING!


    SHING!


    SHING!


    One hour.


    Two hours.


    Three hours.


    SHING!


    SHING!


    SHING!


    Six hours.


    Seven hours.


    Eight hours.


    SHIING!


    Only the sound of Liam''s sharp de echoed through the fake dimension.


    Funny enough, Liam wasn''t counting how many boulders were left.


    Liam never felt so close to his sword.


    All this time, it was a weapon to him.


    But no.


    Just as he was walking forward and clearing away the boulders, the sword was something else.


    The sword was a path.


    Ten hours.


    Eleven hours.


    Twelve hours.


    Silence.


    Liam closed his eyes and heaved a long sigh, then held the odachi vertically and ran a hand across its side.


    One thousand boulders.


    12 hours.


    Done and dusted.

 Chapter 322 Sword Connection

    <h4>Chapter 322 Sword Connection</h4>


    Liam heaved a long sigh and emptied his lungs.


    Then, he smiled.


    Finally, the third Trial was over with.


    But Liam wasn''t angry it took so long toplete.


    Nearly 5 and a half months in total, in fact.


    Liam barely managed to cultivate and train with anything else during such a period.


    But he was still happy.


    Why?


    He''d never felt such a strong connection to something before.


    Apathy and indifference was a major part of his life.


    All he ever cared about was himself and his dreams.


    Even as Liam continued to grow in strength.


    But now?


    Liam cared for his sword, too.


    As Liam reveled in the newfound feelings, Eternal Sword''s voice rang out.


    "The sword reflects the heart. On its own, it has no purpose. But whoever holds it gives it one."


    Liam memorized the words.


    At the same time, a marble dais with a rune on top of it emerged from the ground, along with a gate to the fourth Trial.


    Liam approached the rune with a smile he couldn''t suppress.


    There was no difference between this rune and the Sword Hardening one, but Liam imagined the reward would be greater.


    He crushed it in his hand.


    It exploded into motes of light that entered his mental sphere and melted into his mind.


    Silence.


    Liam took a deep breath, his eyes widened.


    ''How is that even possible?''


    Liam activated the technique he just got.


    Suddenly, Liam''s odachi hummed.


    By now, there were 2yers of mor on its surface anyways.


    The first being the natural ck metal. The second being Sword Hardening. And the third¡­


    "Wow¡­ this is¡­ strange¡­"


    Silence.


    Who spoke just now?


    ¡­


    The sword.


    The sword spoke to Liam!


    An inanimate object!


    Liam frowned a bit.


    The sword''s words rang out in his mind.


    The voice was feminine, too!


    A professional voice of a middle-aged woman who works in an office.


    ¡­The description was strange, but that''s what Liam imagined it as.


    Liam had no clue how the sword spoke.


    At the same time, Liam felt emotion from the sword!


    Right now, it was expressing curiosity and awe.


    "Can you hear me?" Liam tried transmitting to the sword.


    But the sword''s voice was in his own mind. All he did was speak to himself.


    "Yes, master."


    Liam raised his brows in surprise.


    This was¡­ strange.


    Very strange.


    Being called master by a sword was a strange sensation.


    Especially when considering that Liam felt close to the sword.


    "This is weird. You aren''t an actual woman, are you?" Liam asked the sword.


    Silence.


    "No. I am not," the sword replied with what seemed like an ethereal smile.


    The name of the technique was called Sword Connection.


    In essence, all it did was connect the sword to its user.


    What woulde as a result?


    Right now, it wasn''t just that Liam felt the sword''s emotion and words.


    Right now, he ''felt'' the sword as though it was his own flesh and blood.


    Like the metal had suddenly grown nerves and those nerves attached to his own body.


    In other words, there was no difference between Liam and his sword now.


    They were one entity.


    "What''s it like being a sword?" Liam asked the odachi. His curiosity got the best of him.


    Silence.


    Liam felt as though the sword smiled at him.


    "I have an urge to cut things. But only once. I don''t like to taste the same target twice."


    Silence.


    Liam instantly understood something.


    The sword had a personality of its own based on how and why it was made!


    Liam made the odachi for one thing.


    Sharpness and cutting foes down instantaneously.


    And that''s exactly what the odachi just told him.


    Not only that, but Liam was sure that its voice was derived from the shape and style of the odachi.


    It was clean, sleek, without so much as a nick on its shimmering surface. Indifferent, cold, and quick to the task.


    Sort of like a corporatedy.


    As such, Liam had a different thought.


    ''What about the Dusk des?''


    Sword Connection wasn''t limited to just one weapon.


    As long as it was a sword, Liam could connect himself to it.


    In fact, Liam could connect to several swords at the same time. He didn''t even know if there was a limit.


    "I''ll put you in my ring, now," Liam told the sword.


    The sword gave a nod.


    Obviously, it didn''t have a neck and couldn''t move.


    But Liam felt whenever it did an action of any kind.


    Liam put the sword in his ring and took out the Dusk des.


    Then, he connected with them.


    Rage.


    Bloodlust.


    Cruelty.


    Liam felt a surge of these three emotions enter his mind the second he activated the technique.


    "Are you our Forger?" two demonic voices asked at the same time.


    They sounded like creatures of the abyss that sought only cruelty and nothing more.


    "I am," Liam responded.


    Silence.


    The Dusk des lessened their rage around their master.


    There was another emotion Liam felt when he answered their question.


    Fear.


    "You are crueler than us," the Dusk des said. "We''re the tools to carnage. You are the carnage itself."


    Silence.


    "Didn''t think it was possible for des to feel fear," Liam responded with a smirk.


    "We do not," they responded. "We fear not meeting your expectations."


    Strangely enough, Liam felt at ease around the talking swords.


    He''d forged them with his own two hands, after all.


    They were Liam, and Liam was them.


    Swords definitely appealed to him more now.


    Liam stored the Dusk des in his ring.


    His gaze fell on the fourth Trial gate.


    ''This was just the third Trial, and it was this hard. Whatever''s past that gate will be way more difficult¡ª''


    Qrrrrrrrrr.


    The abrupt noise startled Liam, but then he quickly realized what the source was.


    His stomach.


    He still hadn''t eaten.


    Liam felt weak all of a sudden. He quicklyid down a feast and began to wolf it down.


    For the next 3 weeks, he slowly replenished his strength and practiced with his weapons.


    Liam didn''t name them something different.


    Their names suited their individual personalities.


    ck de preferred the name ck de.


    And Dusk des preferred Dusk des.


    The 3 weeks were over.


    Liam heaved a quick sigh, while his gaze grew resolute.


    Now, to the fourth Trial!

 Chapter 323 Dragon

    <h4>Chapter 323 Dragon</h4>


    Before Liam entered, he made sure to guess what waited behind the door.


    Liam realized that the past 3 trials built on top of one another.


    After Liam received Sword Hardening, he had to cut 1,000 boulders back to back.


    If he didn''t have that ability, there was no way Liam''s ck de wouldn''t break in time.


    Right after was the connection between the wielder and its sword.


    Liam had to understand what the sword was if he wanted to cut 1,000 boulders on time.


    ''It has to build on Sword Connection somehow,'' Liam thought, his eyes fixed to the gate. ''But it doesn''t have to follow any pattern.''


    For the first couple of gates, Liam could peer through them.


    But now, the gate was a collection of bright rays of light shooting everywhere.


    He wasn''t going to find answersying around.


    Thus, with light steps, Liam unsheathed his ck de and walked through.


    Bright light epassed his vision, which slowly dimmed to a regr view.


    What Liam saw made his eyes widen and his instincts scream with danger.


    Dragon.


    200 meters ahead, was a massive freaking dragon. 10 meters tall and 6 wide.


    Two jagged grey horns protruded from the top of its t head.


    Its draconic body was covered with bright crimson scales.


    It had four legs, each of them protruding with terrifying ck, overgrown ws.


    Its eyes were closed, but as soon as Liam walked in, it rose to its four feet and looked at him with hostility.


    A guttural growl shook the air. It was like a slow chainsaw powered by a nuclear reactor.


    Thing was¡­


    It wasn''t the only one there.


    They were lined up beside a zig-zag road. Between each of the road''s curves stood a massive me Dragon.


    Liam''s breathing noticeably quickened.


    He counted at least 15 me Dragons at the peak of Rank 4!


    It goes without saying that Liam wouldn''t win a fight against them. Not even one at a time.


    With Liam''s prowess and abilities, he could kill a low to mid ranking Zenith beast if he put in the effort.


    But it dependedrgely on what kind of beast it was, and what kind of speciality it had.


    But this¡­


    Liam had never fought with a dragon before.


    But he knew just how dangerous they really were.


    They were literally built for viciousness. Their ws provided cruel offensive power, and their armors gave impable defense.


    And this wasn''t factoring their usage of fire abilities.


    In general, magical beasts had amazing bodies that could withstand most spells at the same Rank as them.


    Not to mention, the dragons were at the peak of the fourth Rank.


    But the voice spoke kinder words:


    "Reach the end of the passage."


    Surprised, Liam looked at the road.


    It was more than 500 kilometers between him and the 15 dragons.


    But at the end of it was a gate!


    To the fifth Trial!


    Liam didn''t have to kill the dragons.


    He just had to find a way through them.


    Plus, from what he saw, each of the dragons were in their own ''station''.


    Meaning, if Liam was to pass one, they couldn''t chase him through.


    However, there were no safe zones between the dragons'' stations.


    Liam couldn''t take a break if he passed a dragon. He''d have to run nonstop until arriving at the opposite side.


    Liam took a deep breath.


    This was better than battling a dragon, but it was still difficult.


    ''Do I have only one chance?'' Liam thought.


    The previous trials were pretty lenient with him. There was a high probability that this wasn''t a one try kind of thing.


    But he couldn''t erase that possibility.


    ''I can''t rush into this thing.''


    ''15 dragons and 500 kilometers.''


    ''Every 33 kilometers, I''ll face another dragon.''


    ''They can scorch and turn me to ash if I''m not careful.''


    ''They''ll probably shoot long-ranged attacks when I run from them, too.''


    ''I can use Transfiguration to bolster my speed a ton, but dragons aren''t slow.''


    If Liam had the characteristics of his Infernal body, the task would get considerably easier.


    But he didn''t.


    Why?


    Because of his Triumvirate Body.


    When Liam went through the change, he''d lost both his Throes of Anguish technique, and the Infernal tempering.


    Which was just unlucky.


    That was why Liam''s blood was used as a substitute to his regeneration.


    His natural body didn''t regenerate, but since the Triumvirate was so easy to reform and repair, it was way easier to heal, but at three times the price.


    Liam pulled himself out of his thoughts.


    He outstretched his hand to the side, and the ck de emerged from his shadows, grasping his arm.


    Ever since they gained individual personalities, Liam stored them inside his shadows.


    The ck deined that the rings were too ''ustrophobic''...


    Instantly, the de recognized what the issue was.


    Liam''s connection to it was both mental and physical.


    It was like they shared memories and bodies, but were separate by their contrasting forms.


    "You''re in trouble," the ck deughed gracefully, like a mature corporatedy. "Haven''t fought a dragon before."


    Liam sighed.


    "Didn''t think I''d be fighting dragons in a swordsman''s inheritance."


    The ck de went silent.


    "You sure I''m up to the task? The Little Demons you''ve stored me beside look much more fit to deal with a dragon."


    "I heard that, Kitchen Knife!" the Dusk des shouted angrily from Liam''s Inner World.


    Amazingly, the ck de and the Dusk des came to know each other.


    To the ck de, sharpness, precision and mastery were its priorities.


    To the Dusk des, cruelty, viciousness and murder were their priorities.


    Their personalities wereplete opposites.


    Once they entered the rings, they began to argue with one another about it!


    Now, the ck de called the Dusk des "Little Demons."


    And in turn, the Dusk des called the ck de "Kitchen Knife."


    Liam sighed at their bickering.


    "I have to see what the challenge is first. If the situation calls for it, I''ll use the Dusk des."


    At that, the two went silent.


    Liam slowly approached the zig-zag road he had to sprint through.


    All the dragons woke up and gave him nasty res, especially the closest one.


    Liam crouched to the ground, the ck de to his side.


    BANG!


    Liam shot forward.

 Chapter 324 Slow

    <h4>Chapter 324 Slow</h4>


    Liam shot forward at incredible speed.


    His thighs, shin and feet were all strengthened and empowered when he let loose.


    They were semi-transformed, too. To add anotheryer of power.


    30 kilometers were basically nothing when considering Liam''s ability and power.


    With his burst of speed, Liam was basically going 180 k/h!


    Liam cleared 25 kilometers almost instantly.


    He saw how the dragon reacted.


    Too slow.


    Liam flew past him, and the next dragon looked at him with a guttural roa¡ª


    BANG!


    The world flipped over and over and over again.


    Liam was swatted away like a fly.


    The first dragon''s w smacked him full force, sending him flying back to where he started.


    He flew for a good 65 meters and tumbled six times beforeing to a stop.


    "Ugh..."


    Liam felt more than a few bones break.


    Skull, shoulders, multiple ribs and a knee.


    Everything shook and vibrated, sending shudders up and down his skin.


    But due to the nature of Liam''s body, repairing himself wasn''t an issue.


    CRACK!


    Over his limp figure, cracking noises resounded.


    Each bone was being snapped back into ce with a loud crunch.


    Slowly, Liam sat up.


    That swipe was damn quick!


    Liam didn''t even see iting.


    Liam looked to his side. The ck de was still wrapped around his fingers, unbroken.


    The sword, not the fingers.


    Liam had to straighten them out with a ruthless yank.


    When he finished fixing himself, he stood up and looked at the dragon ahead of him.


    ''Just how did he hit me so damn fast?'' Liam thought with a frown.


    It clearly wasn''t normal.


    It was too fast.


    me dragons had mainly one weakness.


    Speed.


    Everything else was incredibly powerful, and they definitely had only a handful of weaknesses.


    But most of all, theycked speed.


    Which begged the question, just how in the world did Liam get flicked away like that?


    The dragon only grinned smugly at him.


    Liam let out a low grumble, but then realized his old habits were bubbling up.


    ''Patience.''


    ''Be patient.''


    ''You''ll figure something out.''


    "That was way too fast," the ck de said suddenly.


    It was frowning.


    "I didn''t see it either. You had me too close to your side," said the ck de. "I thought the second one might attack."


    Liam didn''t me the ck de. He didn''t get it, either.


    The ck de obviously didn''t have eyes. But it could still see through Liam''s connection with it.


    "Maybe the Little Demons are better suited? There are two of them, y''know," said the ck de. "Sharpness isn''t always the answer, despite being the best."


    Two grumbles left Liam''s shadow.


    Liam heaved a sigh.


    He let go of his odachi.


    The ck de gently floated downward into the Inner World, and Liam took out the Dusk des in their stead.


    "A few overgrown lizards wouldn''t be much to deal with," the Dusk des said in unison.


    They were smiling.


    Liam looked back towards the dragons.


    He got as near as he could without the dragons attacking him.


    He fixed the Dusk des to his sides, then heaved a breath.


    Then, he crouched to the ground and strengthened his lower body as much as he could.


    BANG!


    Liamunched forward again. Even faster than before.


    This time, he kept a close eye on the first dragon.


    Just likest time, Liam got past him quickly.


    The dragon just sat there in slow motion.


    Then¡ª


    BANG!


    Liam was pped away once more.


    Another set of bones cracked out of ce as he was set flying and tumbling the distance.


    As Liam came to a stop, there was realization in his eyes.


    CRACK!


    His bones healed again, giving him the power to stand.


    "You saw that, right?" the Dusk des asked.


    Liam nodded grimly.


    These dragons...


    They didn''t follow the ssicalws of physics!


    They were incredibly fast despite their monstrous sizes!


    The bigger something was, the slower they were. Everyone knew this.


    The reason was simple.


    Larger creatures had more mass, and it took more energy to elerate that mass.


    It was for this reason that ants moved so incredibly fast to a human''s vision.


    Some ants even moved 108 times their body length.


    If a human did so, they''d move at speeds up to 400 k/h!


    Yet, the dragons moved as though they were weightless.


    The only reason Liam wasn''t smacked away instantly was because the dragon was a sadistic prick.


    Even now, it grinned at him. All fifteen of them did from a distance.


    Somehow, the inheritance made them both weightless and more intelligent.


    Liam grimaced.


    A momentter, he empowered his knees.


    BANG!


    Liam turned into a blurring streak.


    This time, his King''s Eye processed in slow motion.


    He watched as the dragon tracked him with his eyes as he passed by.


    Then, it raised a w in unreal speed to smack him away with.


    Liam clutched the Dusk des tightly.


    In one fluid motion, he twirled mid-air as the w swept by, running his Dusk des across the dragon''s rigid scales.


    The Dusk des, strengthened by Sword Hardening and mastered with Sword Connection¡­ cut only 5 inches into the w.


    BANG!


    Liam was smacked away again!


    His world flipped again like the inside of a washing machine.


    When he finally stopped tumbling, he healed up his shattered bones¡ª


    CRACK!


    Then rose to his feet with a pissed off look on his face.


    ''This prick!'' Liam cursed, reying what just happened.


    After the dragon missed the first w swipe and Liam managed to cut its w, it simply lurched forward and smacked him away again.


    It was like a goalkeeper defending his post.


    The dragon was a goalkeeper, and its station was its goal post.


    Liam was the ball.


    Liam heaved a sigh to calm himself down.


    Patience.


    Liam tried the same thing once more.


    This time using the ck de.


    Liam crouched and empowered himself.


    BANG!


    When the dragon''s w swiped past him, Liam made a precise cut down its middle.


    It cut through three times the depth of the Dusk des.


    But then¡ª


    BANG!


    Liam was smacked away.

 Chapter 325 Breaker Blade

    <h4>Chapter 325 Breaker de</h4>


    BANG!


    Liam shot forward.


    SMACK!


    Liam flew backward.


    BANG!


    Liam shot forward.


    SMACK!


    This was the gist of what Liam was going through for several months.


    48 smacks and more than a hundred bones brokenter, Liam barely got past the first six dragons.


    More than 3 months had passed.


    But Liam was patient.


    It wasn''t like he was getting battered over and over for no reason.


    The more he got smacked and burned, the more he figured out about the dragons.


    Not only was their speed disgustingly fast, but so was their natural defenses and power.


    Thispletely negated any chance of this being a riddle of some kind.


    Like subtly telling him to kill 15 dragons, which he couldn''t do.


    However, the ''riddle'' was in how Liam had to get past so many damn dragons.


    The first dragon was perhaps the easiest to get past.


    Liam managed to manipte his body to make it as thin and streamlined as possible, putting all the strength in his legs.


    When he shot forward, he was faster than the dragon''s swipe.


    Much faster.


    But what Liam didn''t expect was the massive fireball that ignited to his side.


    Right¡­ he''d forgotten the dragon''s could fight long-range, too.


    Even now, the entire left side of him had bits and pieces of charred flesh.


    Still, it was a trial-and-error sort of thing.


    After trying repeatedly, Liam managed to duck past the first, change his body shape back to normal to counter the fireball with the ck de, then continue dodging the w attacks and methrower attacks they shot at him, using the Dusk des to defend.


    The dragons were not allowed to bite or maw him, but everything else was on the table.


    They were all ''programmed'' their own way, with their own behaviors and attacks.


    Fireballs.


    Explosive Fireballs.


    Devastating w attacks.


    ze bullets.


    me spewing and much, much more.


    But like all the other Trials, Liam hit a ''bottleneck'' with how many dragons he could get past.


    Thus, Liam was currently tweaking his Dusk des.


    Sword Connection granted Liam understanding of what inscription to put where.


    And ever since Liam hadpleted the Triumvirate Body, the experience alone sharpened his inscribing skills.


    So¡­ the Dusk des could now absorb fire alongside chaos!


    "We are overjoyed," the Dusk des said in unison. "We now wield the mes."


    With the excitement in their demonic voices, Liam imagined them finding prey after years of hunger.


    Then, Liam reattempted the Trial.


    BANG!


    He shot forth with a disproportionate body, passing the first dragon due to his skinny form and fast speed.


    WHOOSH!


    A zing fireball shot towards Liam as soon as he entered the second dragon''s domain.


    Liam was prepared.


    He hurled the Little Demons at the sun-like fireball.


    They made a series of clinking noises until weightlessly meeting the fireball''s charge.


    Then, it started to absorb the heat!


    As the fireball shrank, Liam continued running as fast as he could to leave the dragon''s domain.


    Obviously, Liam couldn''t negate a fireball attack so easily.


    He simply shrank it to an eptable amount.


    As soon as the heat got too high, the Little Demons told him instantly.


    Liam pulled back the Dusk des, which were now zing with fire and orange heat.


    They looked extremely vtile and prepared to explode at any second.


    But fire was nothingpared to chaos in terms of sheer instability. The des held the mes without losing them.


    Liam arrived at the third dragon.


    Compared to the others, it was a bit smaller. If it chose to swipe its ws, Liam would have been able to sever it with his ck de.


    But it didn''t.


    Instead, it spit out tiny little bursts of fire from its mouth.


    They were small. To a dragon''s size, they were bullets.


    The bullets shone brightly like tiny suns, which quickly shot at Liam''s vicinity.


    Liam threw his chains forward again and started to run as fast as he could.


    As the tiny suns met the des'' charge, they exploded!


    But then, so did the Dusk des!


    BOOOOOOOM!


    For a second, Liam thought he''d won the sh of attacks.


    But a sun bullet shot through the plumes of mes and exploded in his face.


    Right after, he was hurled back to the starting point, burned and bruised and beaten.


    ''Ugh¡­''


    He needed a break.


    ***


    Liam spent the next few days mulling over the Trial.


    ''Am I expected to sever the w?'' he thought.


    ''But why are they so much stronger and faster than me?''


    ''If all it required was sharpness, the ck de was good enough.''


    ''The Dusk des aren''t sharp, but they''re deadlier when I use them to rip away the scales. Seeded a couple times, too.''


    ¡­But they healed up again!


    Even when Liam put all his strength in an attack, the dragons would heal them right after.


    ''It''s not strength, either,'' Liam mused.


    Liam sat down and closed his eyes, just to hone his thoughts.


    Beside himy the ck de and the Dusk des.


    ''Adaptation. Mastery. Patience,'' Liam repeated what he did during thest three Trials.


    Silence.


    ¡­


    ''...I think I figured it out.''


    Liam opened his eyes and looked towards the swords.


    ''I need another sword.''


    ''I''ve been too narrow minded.''


    ''The Dusk des are for grievous wounds.''


    ''The ck de is for sharpness.''


    ''Together, they work well.''


    ''But I don''t have anything that deals with a dragon.''


    ''I need versatility, but I''m trying to put a square and a triangle into a circr hole.''


    Liam took out his materials. All kinds of Rank 4 Spirit Beasts wereid before him.


    ''It needs to be heavy duty,'' Liam thought, scouring his options.


    ''Taller than me and just as wide.''


    Liam picked out a Spirit Beast.


    ''I want a weapon that could kill with its weight and force alone.''


    ''Something that makes a dragon flinch.''


    ''And I''ll name it¡­''


    ''The Breaker de.''


    3 and a half weeks passed for Liam to finish forging the de.


    Liam grinned broadly at its sight.


    Unbeknownst to him, the dragons gave the Breaker de a dangerous re.

 Chapter 326 Massive

    <h4>Chapter 326 Massive</h4>


    Liam was 21 and a half now.


    Nowadays he looked much like his father, to his dismay. Only facially. The eyes, hair and everything in between was his own.


    Liam could easily change his face.


    But he didn''t.


    He wanted to remind himself of a debt he owed to the Royce family.


    Nevertheless.


    Liam raised the Breaker de above his head.


    It was as tall as Liam, around 5''11 feet.


    It was double-edged, but it wasn''t sharp due to the thickness of it. It was nearly 2 inches thick!


    It was wider than Liam, too. The length of two adult arms side to side.


    The tip wasn''t narrow. It was wide, like the top of a pyramid.


    The shape was unique to its width and height.


    This wasn''t a weapon of sharpness or viciousness.


    It was a weapon of power.


    It was damn heavy, too. More than 212 kg of condensed scales and bones. All of which wasyered atop one another.


    Liam actually had to exert force in order to hold the titanic weapon.


    The average Rank 3 body could not hold it.


    And it wasn''t made by just any normal scale.


    They were the scales of a Darkness Devouring Dragon!


    What did a Darkness Devouring Dragon do?


    They absorbed darkness to get stronger.


    The beast was incredibly rare, and Usan had given it to him as a gift.


    Liam wanted to save it to make a Rank 4 weapon, but decided to use it here and now.


    Liam had used its entire body to forge the de!


    Everything was used.


    Not a single morsel of flesh was spared in its making.


    The result was a peak Rank 3 weapon that looked monstrous and menacing.


    It looked like something to y dragons with.


    Liam heaved a long sigh. A smile formed on his lips.


    With one hand, he outstretched the Breaker de.


    Then, he activated Sword Hardening.


    SHIIING!


    The sharp noise rang out and lingered. Since the Breaker de was so tall, it took a few seconds for Sword Hardening to cover the entire thing.


    Liam smiled as it finished.


    ''Now¡­''


    ''To connect with it.''


    Liam activated Sword Connection.


    HMMMMM.


    The sword hummed loudly.


    Louder than the Dusk des and the ck de.


    Liam held his breath.


    Slowly, the hum calmed down.


    Liam felt the de''s emotions.


    It felt¡­ stoic and had a powerful will. Like all of its emotions were in check and kept under control.


    "Cruel hands hold my hilt," the Breaker de said with a mncholic tone. "Cruel. So very cruel."


    Its voice was deep and menacing. Grim, like someone who''d seen too much, been through too much.


    Silence.


    Liam furrowed his brows a bit.


    What did a de know about life experience?


    Despite calling him cruel, the Breaker de wasn''t angry or disgusted at him.


    The sword was now a tool for him, after all.


    It was not stained with blood.


    But soon, it would be.


    And it would be just as guilty as Liam.


    This was why the Breaker had a solemn aura.


    Liam swung the de from top to bottom.


    WHOOOSH!


    A loud gust of wind gushed the area where Liam swung, causing the patches of grass to sway violently.


    It wasn''t a special ability.


    It was literally just the weight of the sword being swung with force in that direction.


    The only drawback of so much power in its base form was its speed.


    The Breaker de was a bit slow.


    ''Not too big an issue,'' Liam thought, idly swinging the sword.


    Then, Liam supplied the sword with his darkness.


    SHHHHHH!


    Darkness swirled around the weapon''s hilt and enveloped the de, absorbing it.


    Liam felt the weight of the weapon grow in his hand.


    From 212 kilos, it rose to 240.


    At that point, it stopped absorbing darkness.


    The Breaker looked incredibly menacing.


    Liam even felt its emotions change.


    From a mncholic and stoic aura, it slowly became filled with rage and maliciousness.


    An almost bestial energy.


    Liam smiled.


    ''That''s more like me.''


    Then, Liam swung once with the heavy sword, aiming for a patch of grass.


    BOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    Mud and grass flew in all directions.


    A radius of more than 45 meters turned into a wastnd.


    A secondter, the grass and mud reformed and grew back as though nothing had happened.


    As the darkness discharged, Liam felt the Breaker mncholic again.


    ''Can''t do much to change its feelings,'' Liam thought.


    ''As long as it doesn''t interfere with what I want to do, then it can stay that way.''


    Liam put the Breaker Ring inside his shadows, then cultivated to gain back his strength.


    Even with his proficiency and experience in inscriptions, making a peak Rank 3 item strained his body.


    He needed to rest for at least a week.


    While Liam slept, the three des were introduced to one another.


    "So you''re the new one?" the ck de asked the Breaker within the Inner World. She gave a ''smile''. "You''re massive."


    "That''s what she said," said the Dusk des,ughing gutturally between themselves.


    They were proud of that joke.


    ck de sighed.


    Obviously, the de wasn''t a ''she''.


    But due to the differences of voices, the Dusk des called it a ''her''.


    "I always tell him to store these two in a ring. He doesn''t understand how annoying they get."


    ***


    Liam awoke.


    It was time to get past this damn Trial once and for all.


    Liam took out all three of the des.


    "I''m gonna use all three of you at the same time," Liam said.


    All three of the weapons nodded firmly.


    Liam''s back sprouted with three octopus tentacles.


    Two to the sides of his shoulder des, and one at the spine.


    Although Transfiguration in the previous Trials made him weak, it wasn''t the same here.


    Liam coated each of the swords with his shadows and Sword Hardening, making each sword beautiful in its own way.


    Liam wielded the ck de in the middle tentacle, and the Dusk des on his shoulder des.


    Then, Liam gripped the Breaker de in his own hand.


    It was a two-handed weapon, but Liam could move it with just one hand.


    His monstrous physique came in handy during such times.


    ''Let''s get this damn Trial over with.''

 Chapter 327 Blade

    <h4>Chapter 327 de</h4>


    Liam looked like a morbid killing machine.


    The two Dusk des hanging over his shoulders made them look like serpentine fangs.


    The ck de pressed against his spine made him look like an animal.


    And the Breaker de of all looked incredibly menacing.


    Liam''s long ck hair and ck wrappings fit well with the transformation.


    All in all, he felt pretty confident in clearing out the fourth Trial.


    The first dragon gave Liam a quick growl.


    Now, it was worried!


    Liam wasn''t the same as when he first smacked him away.


    His aura was colder, more refined and sharp.


    Like a de.


    "Fhooooo¡­"


    Liam emptied his lungs.


    Then, he crouched, empowering his body.


    Transfiguration acted quick and pulled all of his flesh to his legs, tripling them in size.


    With the Triumvirate Body, Transfiguration wouldn''t thicken or bulge his form.


    But since Liam was adding so much flesh onto his lower body, it made his muscles protrude.


    Everything above his hips looked anorexic.


    But the first dragon was already prepared to p him away and use all his abilities.


    It would no longer y with its food.


    BANG!


    Liam turned into a streak.


    Then came the dragon''s instant swipe.


    At the same time, the dragon''s throat started to rumble with mes.


    It had never done this before!


    But as Liam flew by, both a swiping w and ance of mes shot straight towards him.


    WHOOOSH!


    The w whizzed by.


    Liam was too fast.


    And although it was a weird flex, there was no one that got smacked as hard as him by a dragon.


    He knew exactly where the w was heading for, and he countered by adjusting his speed by just a little.


    However, thence of mes was still zing behind him.


    The heat prickled his skinny skin.


    A full st of it would definitely shred Liam apart.


    As Liam''s flesh reverted back to normal, the Dusk des flung behind his shoulders as he ran.


    It lurched at thence of mes like a snake, and the two forces shed just a few meters away from Liam.


    One Dusk de alone was not enough to deal with thence.


    But there were two.


    Both des started to absorb thence''s fire, turning into just a cluster of harmless mes.


    Like so, the first dragon was cleared away.


    Then came the second.


    Another giant fireball flew towards him as he ran across the zig-zag path.


    For this, Liam used the Breaker de.


    As the fireball got close enough to singe his skin, Liamunched himself upwards and swung the Breaker against it.


    WHOOOSH!


    In an instant, the fireball started to redirect itself!


    Contrary to reality, the mes of a dragon weren''t just gaseous.


    They were also liquid.


    The fire was a result of the nds in their throats.


    As soon as it met air, itbusted and exploded into mes.


    Thus, instead of dissipating like air under the Breaker''s wide edge, the fireball was redirected towards the dragon!


    As such, Liam passed the second dragon''s domain and entered the third.


    Sun-like fire bullets shot at Liam with incredible speed.


    Liam didn''t use the Dusk des or the Breaker.


    This required sharpness.


    SHING!


    The ck de flickered with an orange glimmer on its surface.


    Right now, a thrill ran through its hot edge.


    One after the other, the flurry of fire bullets split in half, exploding behind Liam with loud booms.


    The fake dimension was colored with bright shades of vermillion and orange.


    Liam entered the fourth dragon''s domain.


    He used the Breaker de again.


    Liam entered the fifth dragon''s domain.


    He used the Dusk des and the ck de.


    Liam entered the sixth dragon''s domain.


    He used the Breaker and the ck de.


    Now, it was perfectly clear what the test was all about.


    Adaptation.


    Mastery and patience.


    And now, versatility.


    Of course, it wasn''t without its wounds.


    Liam''s blood was working twice as fast to heal up his burned and mangled skin.


    A nasty wmark ripped the flesh on his back, but his tentacles were still in one shape.


    Liam passed the seventh, the eighth, the ninth dragons.


    Liam''s hair was burnt to a crisp.


    If someone cut a pound of flesh from his body, they could eat it cooked!


    Liam passed the tenth, the eleventh, the thirteenth dragon.


    The further Liam went, the more dangerous the dragons were.


    They followed no pattern and weaved all types of attacks into their offensive.


    Likewise, Liam had to use the Dusk des, the odachi, and the Breaker in quickbos to pass through a domain.


    At one point, Liam manually chose what wounds to regenerate.


    He was losing too much blood.


    And unless it was crucial for him to heal a wound, he would leave it be.


    Which was why he currently looked like a charred and desecrated cadaver.


    But his effort paid off.


    Liam passed through the fourteenth domain.


    Now, he was against the meanest, baddest looking dragon from all the others.


    The two jagged horns on the top of its streamlined head were far vicious-lookingpared to the rest.


    It was bigger, too. 13 meters tall. 6 meters wide.


    Liam''s Dusk des were zing hot, surging with mes. Their demonicughs resounded in Liam''s mind.


    The ck de was stained with blood. It was thrilled to a sadistic level, grinning like crazy even though it had no mouth.


    The Breaker de was filled with darkness and maliciousness. It wanted to ravage something. Anything.


    "They''ve saved the best forst," Liam said to his swords with a smile.


    They hummed with mixture of excitement, rage and urge to cut.


    Liam ran forward, blurring.


    30 kilometers away from the gate.


    The fifteenth dragon roared as loud as it could.


    Its roar was apanied by surging mes,nces of fire and zing bullets.


    With fluid shes, Liam cut through each and every one of them as he ran.


    20 kilometers away from the gate.


    SHING!


    CLAAAANG!


    RIIIP!


    10 kilometers away from the gate.


    SHING!


    5 kilometers.


    CLAANG!


    1 kilometer.


    The dragon''s w came from above at Liam, attempting to crush him like an ant.


    All three of Liam''s swords hummed with their own unique emotion.


    With a bestial roar, Liam swung all three of his swords towards the w. His Ashura strength shing against a dragon''s!


    The Breaker sounded like metal hitting metal hitting metal.


    Then, it exploded along with the Dusk des'' mes.


    BOOOOOOOOOOM!


    The w was shredded apart!


    Liam propelled himself through the gate.

 Chapter 328 Sword Construct

    Liam jumped through the gate right after demolishing the dragon''s w.


    Not just any w.


    A peak Rank 4 dragon''s w.


    The only reason Liam was able to do so was because of hisbined powers and strength.


    He saved the Breaker de''s ability forst.


    It had just a two usage limit before the de needed time to stabilize and reuse its ability.


    Then, there was Liam''s Dusk des, which had umted furious mes in them.


    All of this bolstered by Transfiguration and a semi-transformation helped break down a dragon''s w.


    As soon as Liam passed the gate, there was silence.


    No growls, no roars, no dragons.


    However, there were no sunny skies and grassy patches.


    Liam was in a massive ornate room filled with all kinds of expensive furniture, delicacies and drinks.


    It looked like thergest room of a pce, but there were no halls or other rooms. Just one.


    Opposite to him was the fifth Trial gate, glowing brightly.


    The space smelled like musk and rxed his tense, on-edge nerves. Pain still throbbed all over him, though.


    In the center of the hall was a circr marble tform with a bright rune on top of it.


    Light suddenly epassed Liam and started to heal his wounds one after the other.


    His charred flesh reformed and squirmed back to normal.


    His torn muscles unknotted and fixed into ce.


    His mental energy was back to full, and he was filled with vigor once again.


    At the same time, Liam''s swords started to float on their own.


    They were gently raised into the air, hovering above his head and continuing to rise up.


    Liam almost yanked them back, but stopped himself mid action once he realized it might be a reward.


    All three of the swords rose above the dais and clustered together.


    Liam watched with widened eyes.


    Slowly, the swords started to merge andbine with one another!


    The Dusk des conjoined with the ck de, and the ck de merged with the Breaker.


    They had be one entity!


    Slowly, the swords condensed and started to thin out.


    It didn''t look like any of the three swords, but a simple, thin longsword made from ck metal, simr to a ymore.


    "A swordsman must never be as rigid as his sword. A river cannot epass ake. A¡ª"


    The words abruptly stuttered mid sentence, reced with a sudden jarring noise.


    Liam raised his brows in confusion.


    Silence.


    There was nothing for a few seconds.


    The walls of the fake dimension started to vibrate slightly.


    A faint tremor ran through the space.


    It was so vague, the only reason Liam knew about it was because of his Shadow Sense and Triumvirate Body.


    Silence again.


    Liam grimaced in confusion.


    ''What''s happening?''


    "A river cannot epass ake," Eternal Sword''s voice continued again. "Ake cannot flow like a river. But to an ocean, they belong."


    The longsword slowly hovered towards Liam, harmlesslynding in his grip.


    But Liam remained vignt and confused.


    Silence.


    ''What was that?'' Liam thought with furrowed brows, his eyes darting in different directions.


    ''A glitch?''


    Impossible, Liam thought.


    A ''glitch'' in a Celestial''s inheritance?


    Just impossible.


    A Celestial making a mistake in his inheritance was like if Liam made a mistake shaping a de.


    The chances were less than zero.


    ''...But what did I just see?''


    Liam had a bad feeling rising in his chest.


    Paranoia creeped into his thoughts.


    Was this a part of the test?


    Eternal Sword sucked at directions, so it was difficult to say.


    Plus, he enjoyed riddles, so maybe this was part of it?


    If so, what was Liam supposed to learn?


    Attempting to clear the Trials under duress and pressure?


    Liam put the thought to the side.


    Obviously, he wouldn''t discard the notion that the inheritance is slowly degrading and falling apart while he was stuck inside, unable to escape or call for support from anyone on the outside, doomed to die unless he manages to clear out all the Trials as fast as possible.


    ¡­


    ''That shouldn''t be the case,'' Liam thought of the possibility and slightly frowned.


    ''From what I studied and heard, even Zenith inheritancesst at least a millennia.''


    ''They are difficult to sustain, but if the area is filled with dense ''Ora'', they couldst for incredibly long amounts of time.''


    The ''Ora'' density within the World''s Cut was still dense and pure.


    The beasts around it had actually risen to the peaks of the fourth Rank, and there were more than a dozen Death Zones that had Rank 5 beasts around it.


    ''The more I think about it, the more I feel unnerved.''


    It was just a slight vibration, tremor and a stutter.


    But Liam''s paranoia had already made him think of any possibility of foul y.


    ''What if another country already knew of it?''


    Liam''s heart started to beat faster.


    ''Maybe they''ve already infiltrated the inheritance?''


    ''Kuan and Usan couldn''t do anything to it, but what if the General or the Queen knew a different method?''


    Liam even held off on studying the longsword or crushing the rune in his hand.


    His mental waves were wildly surging against his golden barrier.


    Silence.


    Liam heaved a breath to calm himself down.


    ''All I have to do is get this damn thing over with.''


    Liam inspected the longsword in his grip.


    It had swallowed all three of his weapons to be one.


    Sword Connection showed that all three of Liam''s swords were inside the weapon, but they were ''silent.''


    ''Ites with the rune.''


    Thus, Liam picked up the rune and crushed it.


    As the motes of light entered his mental sphere, a look of realization formed on his face.


    Liam raised the ymore.


    SHING!


    The ymore had transformed, turning sharp, sleek and single-edged.


    What had it transformed to?


    ¡­The ck de!


    SHING!


    A momentter, it split into two and turned into the vicious Dusk des.


    SHING!


    Right after, the Dusk des merged together and formed into the mighty Breaker de.


    ''Sword Construct.''

 Chapter 329 Copy

    The new technique allowed Liam to shape his weapons however he liked.


    However, it had its own limitations.


    Liam''s Breaker de condensed into a dagger with a loud hum.


    It was made from the same material Liam''s Breaker was. Darkness Devouring scales.


    However, when Liam used Sword Connection, there was no personality or connection with him or the de.


    The sword was empty.


    Why?


    Because Liam didn''t make or inscribe it.


    It didn''t have his touch.


    It was just a sharp piece of metal that looked like a curved dagger.


    If Liam wanted to connect with the sword, he had to make one from scratch, then add it to the Sword Construct.


    In contrast, Liam could manipte his swords to slightly alter their forms.


    Liam could evenbine the two qualities slightly!


    Liam reverted the sword back to the Breaker. Slowly, one of the edges of the mighty weapon turned sharp and thin.


    However, the base weapon was still the same.


    Yet, the sharp edge actually belonged to the ck de!


    It was still 212 kilos.


    So long as Liam didn''t change the entirety of itsposition and true purpose, he could add andbine qualities.


    Plus, Liam''s Breaker de had two edges.


    The ck de was a single-edged weapon, which was why only one edge of the Breaker was sharpened.


    ''There''s no need to keep them separate now.''


    ''They''re one entity, but individualistic at the same time.''


    All of the transformations were instantaneous and required no mental energy or ''Ora'' toplete.


    If Liam wanted to switch from sharpness to power in a single swing, he could!


    "Are you serious? Did you seriouslybine me together with the Little Demons?" the ck de protested.


    ''Her'' tone was filled with regret and silent disapproval.


    "Same here, Forger. We dislike the Kitchen Knife. Pompous, cocky and very obnoxious," the Dusk des countered.


    "It''s bad enough that you have that damn spider always clicking with us," the ck de added with a sigh.


    The Breaker de was stoically silent, watching the ordeal with tired eyes.


    ¡­Not that it had eyes, of course.


    Liam ignored them.


    There was no doubt in Liam''s mind that Sword Construct was an amazing ability.


    Liam''s face turned stern and dark.


    ''I''ll rest for a week and a half before entering the next Trial.''


    Just a week and a half.


    Usually, Liam would take 2 weeks of rest to nourish himself back to health and train with his new abilities.


    But what happened still unnerved him to a bad extent.


    ''Sword Construct is rtively easy for me to get used to, so there''s no need to prolong my rest.''


    Now, there was a hidden time bomb somewhere.


    Liam had no intention of being there when it exploded.


    ***


    Liam looked much better after a week and a half of rest.


    His burnt off ck hair had grown back to a short cut, and he''d exchanged his charred clothes for a new set of ck wrappings.


    Liam was ready for the fifth Trial.


    ''Another month would let me get past the liquid-stage,'' Liam thought with furrowed brows.


    Finally, the liquid-stage was near!


    Since Liam had so much to do, Liam couldn''t put all his eggs in one basket and focus on his core.


    Otherwise, he would have already advanced by now.


    But he was already in peak condition.


    He''d already practiced with his new abilities.


    He already finished every delicacy and drink that the ornate hall offered him.


    Although him getting past the liquid stage would greatly bolster his prowess, wasting another month would give Twilight an advantage.


    Liam hadn''t forgotten about the Moyong woman.


    If the two of them had been ced into different areas of the inheritance but undertook the same Trials, that meant that only one of them would exit at the end of it.


    What would happen to the one left behind?


    Death.


    It was for this same reason that Liam didn''t make another peak Rank 3 sword to add to his Sword Construct.


    If he did, there was a chance that the next Trial wouldn''t even require it, and he''d waste a full month.


    Liam heaved a sigh.


    Then, with the Breaker de in his hand, took a step into the blinding rays of light.


    When Liam walked through, he expected the same sights as always.


    Green grass, sunny skies and light wind.


    This time, there were a few differences.


    Instead, there was t stone ground, a starry night sky, and no wind.


    There was something ominous about the Trial.


    Liam looked around.


    Neither his Triumvirate Body nor his Shadow Sense picked up on anything strange.


    WHOOOM!


    Liam''s gaze snapped towards the source of noise.


    Tendrils of darkness and light were swirling together to form something.


    Something human.


    Liam frowned.


    The grip on his Breaker de tightened.


    First, the feet slowly formed, then the legs, then the hip, then the waist, then the chest, then the neck, then the face.


    Liam''s eyes widened with pure shock.


    ¡­


    It was him.


    A copy of Liam himself!


    This was no Shadow Clone.


    No¡­


    Those cold, multi-colored eyes, the thin lips, pale skin and sharp chin.


    What was even more shocking, in his hand was a Breaker de!


    Copy-Liam''s eyes connected with Liam''s.


    A cold grin shed on the Copy''s face.


    Meanwhile, the real Liam grimaced deeply.


    This¡­


    ''No,'' Liam thought as his mind raced. ''There''s no way the inheritance can copy the Triumvirate Body or my Blood abilities.''


    ''There''s a limit to what even Celestials can do.''


    The Copy''s grin widened even more.


    Liam instantly felt unnerved.


    There was an uncanny valley feeling in his heart.


    This was him. But it was not him, and it definitely was not human.


    ¡­But then again, neither was Liam.


    "I know what you''re thinking," the Copy said, perfectly imitating Liam''s voice. ''He can''t use my abilities, surely not!''


    Liam narrowed his gaze at the copy.


    It speaks?


    Liam didn''t like where the Copy was going with this.


    Copy-Liam''s smile broadened.


    Tentacles suddenly sprouted from all over its body, the textures of which rapidly switched from furry, to scaly, to spiky.


    A momentter, blood-spikes burst from the Copy''s body.


    The Copy fixed his cold multi-colored eyes at Liam, enjoying the shock-filled expression on his face.


    ...


    What exactly was this supposed to teach?

 Chapter 330 Fake

    <h4>Chapter 330 Fake</h4>


    Liam and the Liam-Copy stared each other down.


    Silence.


    Liam''s gaze narrowed coldly at the Copy.


    In turn, the Copy grinned mischievously.


    "If you were really me, you''d know you''re just a pawn," Liam said to the fake version of himself. "You''re not real. You''re an obstacle for me to run through."


    The Copy smiled coldly.


    "And?" he responded tersely. "So what? What''s the difference between you and me? I have the Triumvirate Body."


    "I have Blood Maniption."


    "I have the Inkshadow Tattoos."


    "And I have the King''s Eye."


    "Nobody on the outside could tell the difference between you and me."


    Liam''s eyes turned chillingly cold.


    "But you didn''t earn them," Liam said icily.


    "You didn''t cut down who I cut."


    "You didn''t yank out your own eyes."


    "You didn''t burn and freeze at the same time."


    "You''re a rendition."


    "A fake."


    "Matter of fact, why am I even talking to you?"


    The Copy simply grinned, but his eyes didn''t smile.


    Liam''s eyes couldn''t get any colder than they already were.


    ¡­The Copy was Liam.


    But obviously different and fake.


    If the Copy was truly Liam, then there was only a small chance of fighting.


    But the Copy just smiled at him.


    This meant that, although Liam and the Copy shared powers, appearances and looks, they had fundamental differences.


    Mainly, their ingrained purpose.


    Most likely the Copy was either an incredibly powerful Formation, or a one-time artifact thatpletely copied an individual''s powers.


    If two exact clones of the same person met each other, and each of them knew who was real and who was the clone¡­ their interaction would depend on who they were.


    If a reasonable, pragmatic individual was cloned, there was a high chance he and his Copy coulde to an agreement of some kind.


    Of letting the real body live.


    Of living in harmony.


    Of going their own ways.


    But Liam was different.


    ''If I was a Copy, I''d kill my original and take over his life.''


    It was a sad reality.


    But it was true.


    ''But that''s just one possibility.''


    ''If I knew I was in an inheritance, and this was all fake, I''d probably kill myself if I was the clone.''


    ''For the greater purpose,'' Liam thought, his cold King''s Eye meeting the Copy''s King''s Eye.


    But the Liam-Copy was obviously not intent on doing the same.


    "Come, then. Or are you scared?" the Copy asked Liam with a cold tone.


    Liam heaved a sigh and cleared his mind.


    Apparently, the Copy couldn''t attack him straight away.


    Liam had to initiate the battle to start.


    ''Good. So I can study what this is about.''


    The Copy said nothing as Liam looked up and down at it.


    It had the same techniques Liam had.


    Sword Construct.


    Sword Connection.


    Sword Hardening.


    And all of Liam''s unique powers.


    How does one exactly defeat themselves?


    ''What am I supposed to learn from this? Experience? Discipline? Understanding of self?''


    Liam nearly cursed.


    Truthfully, all these riddles were boring and obnoxious.


    Liam didn''t deny that they taught him important lessons, but still.


    ''I''m pretty sure I get one attempt. No second chances.''


    ''This won''t end unless either one of us dies.''


    Liam''s grip subconsciously grew tighter around his Breaker de, but his eyes looked calm.


    The Copy pretended to be bored, leaning against his own Breaker de and yawning.


    But Liam could tell the Copy''s guard was up.


    Silence.


    30 minutes passed with this quiet but fragile atmosphere.


    At one point, Liam just started to cultivate in front of the Copy.


    But the Copy couldn''t do anything to him, and neither did it cultivate.


    That only cemented Liam''s belief that the Copy wasn''t him.


    As always, there was no answer to Liam''s ponderings.


    Liam didn''t realize it, but the one opponent he wouldn''t face was himself.


    In his own words, he was a ''hard-to-die cockroach.''


    ''The only way to find out is to get my hands dirty and start the fight.''


    Liam''s eyes grew fierce.


    ''But there''s one thing I''m counting on that it can''t copy¡­''


    Liam picked up the Breaker de after finishing his cultivation.


    Then, he started to take slow steps towards the Copy.


    The Copy smiled, grabbed his Breaker and slowly walked towards Liam.


    No words were exchanged.


    Then, they started to run at each other!


    The battle had begun.


    Liam was the first to send a mental attack spell.


    The Piercing de.


    An ethereal dark de shot towards the Copy''s mental sphere, but it was faced with a darkness-coated sea of consciousness.


    It was the Corrosive Mind.


    ¡­Of course.


    They shared the same damn spells!


    Liam winced at a pang of pain shooting down his mind.


    But by then, the Copy and Liam were face to face.


    Liam used Transfiguration to empower his lower feet and arm muscles as he surged forward at the Copy.


    The Copy did the same.


    Both swung their Breaker des at each other.


    CLAAAAANG!


    An ear-splitting noise caused a massive shockwave to spread through the fake dimension.


    Liam''s arms wobbled hectically as the titanic sword sent rumbles through his insides.


    The Copy went through the same thing.


    Anyone normal would have gone through organ failure due to the shockwaves going through their bodies.


    But Liam and the Copy were not normal.


    Both were in a stalemate as they exerted force on each others'' Breaker des.


    Their giant swords created sparks as they grinded against one another.


    Liam''s gaze connected with the Copy''s, but neither of them maintained it.


    After all, if the King''s Eye managed to connect with either of their mental spheres, they could easily alter their perceptions of one another..


    Liam''s Breaker de suddenly split in half.


    SHING!


    It transformed into Dusk des that promptlynded on Liam''s grip, the chains wrapping around his arms.


    The Copy did the same exact thing as he did!


    Two pairs of Dusk des clinked against each other one after the other.


    They had a small portion of the ck de''s sharpness.


    CLING!


    CLANG!


    SHING!

 Chapter 331 Personality

    <h4>Chapter 331 Personality</h4>


    In rapid session, the fake dimension nged with sharp noises.


    It was like dozens of cksmiths working together in the same small forge.


    That''s how loud and fast the sounds were produced.


    As the fight went on, Liam realized that any move he did, the Copy¡­ well, copied it.


    It was like fighting a mirror.


    Any time Liam made a change in his fighting style, his Copy did the same.


    At one point, Liam ordered out his Blood Bonds.


    His ck Hunter Spider lurched out of his Inner World along with the Death Wolf and Apex Hawk.


    On the Copy''s side, the same three creatures popped out and hashed it out.


    Promptly, the beasts killed each other off, and both parties decided that it took away too much blood from them.


    Right after, Liam changed his Breaker into the ck de during a mid-swing at the Copy.


    But the Copy erected a sphere of crystalized blood as a defense.


    Liam easily cut through the sphere of Rank 3 middle-tier blood.


    His odachi''s sharpness was not a joke.


    The sphere was sliced into a thousand pieces.


    But the Copy was already back to safety.


    Liam flicked away the kes of hardened blood on his sword and looked at his fake clone.


    "I wouldn''t have run to safety like that," Liamughed at the Copy. "Even as a ''perfect'' imitation, you''re lousy."


    The Copyughed loudly.


    ''Is that how annoying myugh is?'' Liam thought with furrowed brows. ''No wonder I don''tugh.''


    Tendrils of darkness gathered around the Copy in an instant.


    Slowly, they began to take a human form.


    Clones.


    3 Shadow Clones, to be exact, had formed beside the Copy.


    With a smirk on his face, the Clone suddenly sank inside the shadows.


    Liam scoffed and did the same.


    3 Shadow Clones formed beside him, and all four of them started to sink into the earth.


    The Sea of Darkness was as cold as ever, rippling with the slightest movement.


    Inside, Liam could feel the tiniest waves rippling towards him, feeding his senses with information.


    The Triumvirate Body''s senses were sharpened to an amazing degree beneath the water.


    The Shifter Octopus was a sea creature, after all. It belonged to the water. No matter what kind.


    Despite this, Liam couldn''t sense which one was the real Copy and what was a Shadow Clone.


    The reason was fairly simple.


    The Triumvirate Body could sense heat and see color in different ways.


    It was basically a thermal vision ingrained into Liam''s skin.


    But even thermal vision could be fooled. Snakes, lizards and other reptilians could never be seen by it.


    Thus, all Liam had to do was make his body incredibly cold, which was entirely possible with his new body.


    This was what the Copy was doing, too.


    However, the 6 Shadow Clones were visible to both of them.


    Liam''s 3 clones scattered in different directions.


    They too could swim through the Sea of Darkness.


    When the clones separated from Liam''s body, they still had the Inkshadow Tattoos on them, after all.


    Liam felt the Copy''s 3 Shadow Clones doing the same.


    One to the left, one in the middle, and one to the right.


    But the Copy itself was hidden away.


    Everyone swam at the same altitude.


    Usually, the Sea of Darkness was incredibly vast and wide, but the fake dimension had restricted their battlefield greatly.


    Liam''s Shadow Clones and the Copy''s Shadow Clones began to fight!


    All the while, they were hidden, waiting for an opportunity.


    Liam''s clones weren''t afraid of getting damaged.


    They were intent on killing the Copy''s clones as fast as possible and clearing the waters.


    Liam was silently inching forward, too, clearing away the waters to find the Copy.


    Violent ripples spread from the Sea of Darkness.


    Liam''s Shadow Clones kamikaze''d themselves into the Copy''s.


    All six of the clones crumbled apart!


    At the same exact time, Liam felt a ripple different to the rest.


    With his ck de, Liam sent a series of shes forward!


    SHING!


    But just like always, the Copy did the same.


    It sent shes towards Liam from the other side, forcing him to emerge from the water to dodge.


    Like so, both of them were above ground once again.


    Neither of them had any wounds. Not a drop of blood dropped from them.


    The Copy smiled.


    "You do realize that you''re fighting yourself, right? Anything you think of, I''m thinking of it too," he said.


    "But there''s a ring difference."


    The Copy paused.


    Liam frowned, but remained quiet.


    The Copy''s smile broadened, and heughed out the next words.


    "I have no mental energy or ''Ora'' limitations!"


    Silence.


    Liam''s eyes widened when he realized what the Copy was saying was true.


    His aura never regressed despite all that fighting.


    Both his mental energy and core ''Ora'' were as though he hadn''t fought at all.


    A momentter, 3 more Shadow Clones formed to the Copy''s sides.


    Silence again.


    Only the Copy''s unsettlingly and maniacalugh could be heard.


    "All I have to do to win is survive until you''re broken and beaten down!"


    "Then, I''ll take your ce in the world!"


    "Maybe I''ll find a woman or two?"


    "It''s boring being all alone."


    "This ce is constricting enough."


    "You were right. I''m not like you personality wise. But everything else is the same."


    "And what a crappy personality you have!"


    Liam lowered his head with a dark expression.


    Hate and rage emanated from his figure.


    His sword had be the Breaker de again, and the hilt was nearly crushed under his insane grip.


    The Copy smiled and took slow steps towards Liam''s figure. His clones did the same.


    Liam didn''t react.


    His head was still down, an umbral darkness clouding his face.


    At once, the clones and the Copy lurched at Liam!


    A quiet grin formed on Liam''s lowered face.


    Right as the sword was about to split apart Liam''s head, vtile red energies buzzed all over him, condensing to a single sphere three times the size of a basketball.


    The Copy''s eyes widened in shock.


    It couldn''t copy chaos.

 Chapter 332 Existence

    <h4>Chapter 332 Existence</h4>


    All of the chaos churned around Liam''s body and converged to his head.


    The Copy recoiled in shock.


    He saw it happen in real time, but he was too close to jump backwards to safety.


    Instead, the Blood Demon Arts surged around his body and enveloped him in with knightly armor.


    Just as the sphere of chaos¡ª


    BOOOOOOOM!


    Caught off-guard, Liam-Copy was flung into the air like a stiff ragdoll.


    What Liam used was a Rank 2 spell ¨C Chaotic World. One he made before he entered the inheritance.


    Although it was a Rank 2 spell, it had the destructiveness of a Rank 4.


    All it did was swallow half of Liam''s chaos reserves and shoot it outward.


    The Copy''s Blood Demon armor cracked and splintered under the weight of Liam''s chaos.


    Liam was a fool if he let the opportunity slip away.


    With a burst of insane speed, he surged forward with his ck de, sending more than 30 instantaneous shes towards the Copy as he flew away.


    At the same time, he used all the Umbral Needles, blood spikes and Sanguine Strings he could.


    Then, before those attacks evennded, and before the Copynded on the ground, Liam''s odachi turned into the Breaker de, which rapidly sucked in darkness from his core.


    The Copy iled mid-air as he tried to erect his defenses.


    At once, his body turned thick and his bones densened, using all of his blood to defend and his shadows to empower it all.


    A mistake.


    Liam sank under the ground, tendrils of shadow wrapping around his body and yanking him to where the Copy was going tond.


    At the same time, Liam started his swing with the empowered Breaker de.


    The Copy wasn''t stupid. He saw that Liam disappeared, but he didn''t know where he went.


    The Copy had the shes, Umbral Needles and Sanguine Strings to worry about, which he deflected mid-air with his sword.


    But by then, hended just where Liam was waiting for him.


    And by then, Liam''s swing hit full force against his back.


    A shower of blood and guts fell upon the stony tform.


    A muffled grunt rang out within the fake dimension.


    The right side of the Copy''s body waspletely blown away by the Breaker.


    At thest second, he tried to dodge by twisting away from the de''s edge, but it was too fast.


    Surprisingly, the Copy had solid insides. Who would have thought?


    They were outside of his body now, though.


    However, the Copy still wasn''t dead.


    Like Liam said, he was a hard-to-die cockroach, and the Copy tried to flee to safety once more, erecting another 3 Shadow Clones.


    Its ''Ora'' reserves were endless, so even with such a deathly condition, it could cast such a heavy spell.


    But they were useless against Liam.


    Liam killed each with one instant swing, then arrived beside the Copy again.


    SHING! SHING! SHING!


    The Breaker turned into the ck de and severed off the Copy''s limbs.


    Then, the ck de turned into the Dusk des and ripped into the Copy''s abdomen and stomach.


    KRSH! SPURT!


    Liam felt something crack under his de''s vicious edge.


    It was the Copy''s core.


    The Copy screamed,cking limbs and a core. His stomach was also punctured, oozing viscous blood.


    Once again, Liam towered over it.


    The dual-wielding swords had now be the odachi once more, its tip pointed at the Copy''s neck.


    "Gurlggh," the Copy gurgled blood,ying across the floor in a near-death state. "Glrgh."


    "You''re pathetic," Liam coldly said to the Copy as it coughed mouthfuls of blood. "What did you say a minute ago?"


    "Grralgh," the Copy coughed again.


    It was so pathetic.


    "I think I know what you are now," Liam said with cold eyes.


    Despite seeing ''himself'' dying, Liam didn''t have a dramatic reaction.


    It was a surreal experience.


    But truthfully, Liam had imagined himself dying thousands of times already.


    Every time he fought.


    Every time he picked up a sword.


    Every time someone handed him a drink, even someone he ''trusted''...


    Liam imagined himself dying as a result.


    This was his paranoia.


    This was the difference between him and the Copy.


    Despite how Liam had chaos and the Copy didn''t, he still understood something from the Trial.


    "You''re what I''m afraid of bing," Liam said. "Something vain that lost its purpose."


    Liam took a deep breath, then exhaled, his menacing gaze fixed to the dying Copy.


    "If I forget my purpose, you''re what I''ll be."


    "I am what I am because of who I am. Even if you take the slightest piece away from that, I crumble apart."


    Liam swiped his ck de upwards.


    The Copy''s face split open like a flower made of flesh.


    "I must be wary of change."


    ***


    ¡­So, what exactly happened?


    Firstly, Liam noticed how there was no chaos in the Copy''s aura.


    From his own sr plexus, there were vtile red energies radiating in a controlled but unstable fashion.


    The Copy did not have this.


    Thus, Liam silently baited out the Copy throughout the fight, just in case it was hiding his chaotic abilities.


    Liam refrained from using his own chaos, too, just in case it would alert the Copy of something amiss.


    The Copy was not hiding anything.


    He didn''t have it at all.


    There was a simple conclusion, and a not so simple conclusion.


    The simple reason being: the inheritance could not imitate the Chaos Pearl. In fact, it couldn''t imitate Liam''s Ashura strength.


    However, Eternal Sword''s inheritance basically had full control over those inside it.


    Thus, the Copy was strengthened to match Liam''s physical strength.


    On the other hand, the Triumvirate Body was not as difficult and rare as an Ashura''s physique or chaotic abilities.


    It just consisted of a Shifter''s sticity and free flowing flesh.


    The same went for Liam''s blood.


    Any liquid could be crystalized to imitate what his blood could do.


    An Ashura was an ancient creature. Back from the Thousand Year War period.


    The Eternal Sword was from an old age. Perhaps he lived at the same time as the Ashuras.


    But there was little chance, if any at all, that he was capable of stealing and copying an Ashura''s power. Even with his Celestial status.


    Whatever Liam was supposed to learn from this test, Liam learned something else in its stead.


    There was an error.


    That error was Liam himself.


    Anyone else, this Trial might have taught the importance of experience or discipline or h, h, h.


    That''s probably what Twilight was going through.


    But with his existence alone, Liam ruined that entire notion.

 Chapter 333 Uncombinable

    <h4>Chapter 333 Ubinable</h4>


    Liam heaved a long sigh.


    Of all his battles, this was surprisingly the easiest and most difficult at the same time.


    All Liam had to do was feign weakness for long enough, then whip out his chaos.


    But fighting himself opened Liam''s mind to just how arduous of an opponent he really was.


    And if he had to fight against his own Chaos? That''d be even worse.


    Sucks for his enemies.


    Right as Liam split apart the Copy''s face, it died excruciatingly.


    And Liam watched without blinking.


    Even if it was a Trial, Liam didn''t appreciate his powers being replicated just like that.


    ''But¡­ why was I able to use everything?''


    ''Wasn''t this a sword battle between two swordsmen?''


    Something was fishy about this Trial. Liam couldn''t put his finger on it, but it just didn''t fit the theme of the inheritance as a whole.


    The sinking feeling in Liam''s stomach grew just a little deeper. The anxiety that came with his paranoia was both a blessing and a curse.


    More of a curse, though.


    As soon as the Copy died, bits and pieces of its flesh slowly turned to white ash and pearly smoke.


    Fffooooffff.


    Like so, the Copy faded away, and the Eternal Sword''s voice came.


    "A sword can only get sharper when it faces the fire. For some¡ª"


    Silence.


    A stutter.


    Again.


    Followed by a slight tremor running across the fake dimension.


    The Eternal Sword went silent.


    Liam frowned.


    Seven seconds of silence passed.


    "But what makes your sword sharp depends on how you wield it."


    Silence.


    The words ended there.


    There was nothing more to it.


    Liam grimaced deeply, his mind shooting like lightning in different directions.


    ''This confirms it.''


    ''This inheritance is bugging out¡­''


    ''It''s failing.''


    What made Liame to that conclusion?


    What Eternal Sword said, had absolutely no rtion to what Liam just did!


    With how the Eternal Sword phrased his words, Liam probably had to develop his own sword style!


    ¡­But instead, he fought tooth and nail, and eventually won with his chaos of all things.


    Not his sword.


    Even worse, Liam stillcked a unique sword style.


    This meant that using abilities had to have been disallowed by the rules of the Trial.


    But they weren''t!


    And even worse, his Copy was a malicious prick.


    Was that part of the test, too?


    Or was that also part of the series of glitches that kept happening?


    ¡­


    What exactly did Liam walk into?


    ¡­And where was the reward?!


    Liam''s chest sank.


    ''No reward?''


    ''No reward?!''


    There was no dais. No rune. No addicting motes of light.


    Nothing.


    "Eternal Sword, eh? You can shove your sword right up¡ª"


    The sixth Trial gate opened up opposite Liam.


    It cast bright rays of light inside the dark fake dimension and stopped Liam mid curse.


    Liam lowered his head in defeat and let out a tired sigh.


    ''The reward was probably supposed to be the sword technique I developed¡­''


    This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, and Liam failed to seize it to its full potential.


    It wasn''t everyday that he''d get to fight himself and figure out his mistakes, what he did wrong and whatnot.


    Liam sighed again.


    ''It is what it is.''


    ***


    Before heading into the next Trial, Liam wanted to investigate the fake dimension a little more.


    He needed to know if there was an escape route. Or, at the very least, find out what Trial Twilight was in.


    If there was a way for the two to work together to get out, Liam could tolerate the woman.


    Momentarily.


    Thus, Liam made his way to the walls of the fake dimension after a week of rest and meditation.


    Liam arrived at an invisible barrier.


    Although it seemed like the fake dimension stretched as far as the eye could see, it was an obvious illusion.


    Tuck, tuck.


    Liam knocked twice on the barrier.


    Using his shadow, transfiguration and semi-transformation, he then punched it.


    BANG!


    Liam''s punch rippled across the invisible wall.


    It didn''t even wobble.


    As expected, the wall wasn''t damageable.


    Right after, he attempted to cut it with his various swords.


    Nothing happened.


    Liam tried his chaos next.


    Red energies swirled over his body and condensed at the back of his heel, upon which he did a spinning back kick to the wall.


    BANG!


    For a second, it seemed like his chaos had an effect. It caused the point where Focused Havoc hit to flicker iridescently.


    But it quickly reformed back to normal.


    A few more tests showed that no matter what spell Liam would use at it, the wall would reform almost instantly.


    There was no escape.


    ***


    3 and a half weeks passed.


    To prepare for the next Trial, the sixth, Liam needed much more time.


    He didn''t even have the necessary requirement that the fifth Trial was supposed to give him.


    Attempting to make a style of sword fighting also resulted in a failure.


    Only during times of a real battle could you truly understand what you do wrong, and what you do right.


    And Liam''s sole adversary, a copy of himself, was dead.


    All he did was tweak his swords and added a few enhancement inscriptions on them.


    ''I''m just one week away advancing to the liquid-stage. But I''ll explode if I keep this off any longer.''


    ''Here goes nothing,'' Liam thought, taking a wary step through the sixth Trial.


    In his hand was the base longsword that the Sword Construct came with.


    As soon as Liam entered through, his eyes widened as much as they could.


    There, in the center of the fake dimension, was a giant marble boulder.


    It was massive.


    Almost three times the size of the previous boulders Liam had to cut in half.


    Before Liam could let out a nasty swear, the Eternal Sword spoke first.


    "Combine your elements and split the stone in half."


    There were no enemies in this Trial. Nothing to kill. Just a challenge to ovee.


    But this?


    Liam would rather fight another Copy, honestly.


    Liam''s darkness and chaos was like water and fire!


    Like oil and water!


    They were damn ubinable!

 Chapter 334 Breakthrough

    <h4>Chapter 334 Breakthrough</h4>


    Liam''s chaos never mixed with his darkness.


    The repulsion effect of his Primordial Essence was too powerful.


    Even if Liam lessened his chaos'' density and tried to overwhelm it with his gaseous, liquid or solid darkness, nothing worked.


    It didn''t help that as Liam''s Chaos Pearl grew stronger, the more difficult the task seemed.


    However... Liam had a n.


    In fact, this Trial of all things coincided with what Liam wanted to learn.


    This was a project, and he was now forced to solve it.


    It was the silver lining.


    Liam didn''t need to fight.


    All he had to do was solve this issue, and he could do several things in between.


    ''Now that it''se to this, I''ll have to force a breakthrough.''


    ''It''ll take a week at most,'' Liam thought.


    But first, Liam had to test out a few things.


    Gripping his ck de and empowering his arms, Liam swung vertically across the massive boulder.


    SHING!


    The odachi went through roughly 1 meter in but immediately stopped.


    ''Well¡­ that''s strange.''


    The thousand-some boulders Liam had cut down were all roughly 5 meters in length and width.


    This one was a massive 8 and a half meters, and it was hardened and empoweredpared to the rest.


    If Liam had to guess, this had thebined rigidity of a dozen or so bouldersbined.


    And he was supposed to cut it in half.


    ''I don''t even know if I couldbine darkness and chaos, let alone use it to cut this thing in half.''


    The more Liam thought about the Trial at hand, the more his brows furrowed.


    Then again, it was a known fact that humans ¡ª not that Liam was a human ¡ª performed supernaturally under pressure.


    And Liam had an ace up his sleeve.


    A foundational spell that hadn''t been developed yet.


    An amazing discovery made only by him.


    The ck Hole.


    It was the only usible way for Liam''s darkness to work together with the uncontroble chaos.


    Darkness was mendable. It didn''t have a fixed form, and with the ck Hole, it could be a powerful gravitational force.


    Only, this all depended on what Liam made it.


    After all, the ck Hole spell didn''t even have a Rank. It had no offensive capabilities, nor any defensive abilities. It was a nk canvas.


    Liam sat cross-legged and heaved a sigh.


    He outstretched both hands, making his palms face towards the fake sky.


    WHOOOM!


    On Liam''s right hand, a ck vortex the size of a dot appeared. It sucked in the air and space around it.


    Slowly, it grew in size, releasing a slow hum as it did so.


    SHHHHH!


    On Liam''s left hand, a dot of chaos grew. It shrieked the air, repulsing the air and bending space.


    One could easily see the differences between the two elements.


    The ck Hole, although a devastating force of nature, was quiet, gentle and stable.


    The Chaos, however, was theplete opposite. Loud, destructive and vtile.


    Even in the smallest way, there were differences between Absorption and Repulsion.


    ¡­How the heck was Liam supposed to mix these?


    Liam slowly sped his palms together, cupping them around each other and enclosing the two forces between his tightening hands.


    Liam used his mental energy to maintain the two forces, but he felt the ck Hole slowly weaken.


    When Liam''s palms rubbed against each other, the ck Hole simply¡­ puffed out of existence.


    It was gone.


    Only the piece of chaos remained, wriggling between Liam''s palms to escape.


    Liam unsped his hands.


    BOOM!


    A slight shockwave spread as the dot of chaos exploded outward.


    ''As I thought,'' Liam thought with furrowed brows.


    ''The ck Hole is too weak. In contrast, the repulsion of chaos is too powerful.''


    ''If I can make the ck Hole a strong enough spell¡­''


    ''It has to strengthen the absorption effect, though.''


    ''It doesn''t have to be offensive or defensive.''


    ''Just a in, sucking force that absorbs air and matter.''


    But Liam had a premonition that the spell needed to be around the fourth Rank to work.


    His chaos was powerful.


    Much, much strongerpared to his gaseous-stage core.


    But Liam was close to advancing.


    ''I just need a week to break through. That way, the darkness I produce will be much stronger, and by extension, so will the ck Hole.''


    Liam paused everything else and threw his head into cultivating.


    One after the other, he swallowed pills that gave his core extra protection and durability.


    His cultivation technique was extremely dangerous.


    For that reason, he couldn''t really swallow pills that doubled or tripled his progress speed.


    If he did, he''d most likely explode.


    And he didn''t want to explode.


    For the next week, all Liam did was meditate, rest, and cultivate.


    Obviously, Liam didn''t bring any human corpses to devour with him inside the inheritance.


    Usan had told him that was a bad idea.


    If a Rank 6 Zenith wanted to, they could see through the space rings and deduce what was in them.


    And imagine seeing someone''s space ring filled to the brim with dead corpses. Even Kuan would be disturbed.


    Finally, after a week and a half, Liam concluded his cultivation session.


    And at 21 years old, plus 7 months, Liam was officially a liquid-stage cultivator!


    The contents in his core were now pure liquid, and brimming with energy.


    Liam raised his right hand and a tiny ck vortex formed above it.


    WHOOOOM!


    Liam smiled.


    It was definitely stronger.


    Its absorption rate was also faster.


    So was its gravitational pull. It was still faint and amounted to pulling the locks of hair from Liam''s head, but still.


    ''All it did was make the base form slightly stronger. I still haven''t added anything yet.''


    Liam raised his left hand and a dot of chaos surged above it.


    SHHHHH!


    Liam triedbining the two again.


    He felt both forces sh and fight between themselves, but once again, the chaos came out on top.


    BOOM!


    Then it exploded.


    ''I guess I''ll make a spell for the ck Hole first,'' Liam thought, taking out arge nk canvas.


    ''I just hope this works...''

 Chapter 335 Harmony

    <h4>Chapter 335 Harmony</h4>


    Ever since Liam''s body had be a Triumvirate, the color of his eyes were no longer fixed.


    He could make them white, ck, green and even rainbow.


    It was for this reason that his eyes were no longer bloodshot and dead tired when he inscribed or forged.


    Even if Liam''s head rumbled like a thunderstorm, and his vision swam, his eyes looked normal. Which it currently was.


    Every day, ever since bing a Rank 3 Magus, Liam had trained with the fourth Psionic Rune.


    Then, at times where he didn''t have much to do, he''d bolster its progress by adding powerful Beast Wills to store and cook.


    All of this made his reflexes and mental fortitude incredibly potent and precise.


    Truthfully speaking, the fourth Rank of the sea of consciousness was actually close.


    Liam was in the third Rank of the sea of consciousness for some time now.


    But at the same time, it was far. Such was the case with all of Liam''s mental advancements, and he stopped trying to predict them.


    Liam began inscribing.


    His blood-tipped fingers traced the lines of the canvas, ranging from wide gestures to small, minute details.


    Now and again, Liam would take a wide step back and assess the entire canvas before moving on.


    It was like an artist drawing their masterpiece.


    Liam tuned out all sounds from his mind.


    There was no sound to begin with, but besides the task at hand, any thought that didn''t belong to making the ck Hole spell just died away.


    The previous Trials helped Liam retain focus.


    All of his thoughts were refined like des.


    ''The key to solving their bnce issues is creating a harmony between Absorption and Repulsion.''


    ''I''ve already studied both of them and their differences.''


    That''s how Liam made the ck Hole spell in the first ce.


    ''But now I have to apply harmony and make sure the forces are bnced with one another.''


    For this, Liam had to repeat the ck Hole and chaos ''mixing test'' over and over.


    Basically, the chaos had to be a small amount.


    It couldn''t go above the size of a finger tip.


    Any further, and any strengthened version of Liam''s ck Hole will get ruined by its repulsion.


    But that wouldn''t take away from the mixing as a whole.


    Liam''s chaos was a densely packed energy.


    It was pure potential energy that, once made kic, literally imploded under the weight of its power.


    This was also why Liam''s chaos was so damn unstable. It wanted to explode, but wasn''t allowed to.


    So, even a small amount of chaos equaled arge amount of darkness.


    However, finding the perfect size for both forces was incredibly difficult.


    For example, a kilogram of feathers is the same mass as a kilogram of steel.


    However, to ssify as a kilogram, they required varying amounts.


    A tiny piece of steel equaled a giant bag of feathers.


    This was essentially what Liam was doing.


    Essentially, both had to be equal, but also had to differ in size, which was hard to do without a scale to measure them.


    Topensate, Liam basically did a ''warmer-colder'' strategy.


    If a change in size was wrong, he''d revert and pick a different direction to go to, and so on.


    And damn if it didn''t make his brain hurt.


    ***


    2 and a half months passed.


    Liam heaved a very long, tired exhale.


    His multi-colored eyes drooped from exhaustion.


    He wasying on the grass with his arms spread to his sides.


    Finally, the ck Hole spell was done.


    A Rank 4 spell.


    Liam made a Zenith spell with just a Rank 3 sea of consciousness.


    It was an amazing feat.


    However, one might think differently once they realize what the spell did.


    It didn''t increase offensive ability, nor did it provide defense, nor did it increase his prowess in any way, shape or form.


    It was built to suck.


    Liam sat upwards and raised his right hand.


    Like usual, a small vortex appeared.


    But unlike normal, the gravitational force of the ck Hole was already pulling Liam''s hair!


    Liam forced away a smile.


    He couldn''t help feeling a bit prideful since he actually seeded in making a Zenith technique.


    Slowly, the vortex grew¡­


    ¡­and grew.


    Until finally bing the size of a human head.


    WHOOOOOOM!


    The gravitational pull was now immense, and the hum produced by the ck Hole was incredibly loud.


    Air was being sucked into it rapidly, but it made no churning noise.


    The air swirled around it to form a horizontal ring around it, sort of like an retion disk a real ck Hole came with.


    Liam felt like his body was being pulled towards the ck Hole, but a technique could not hurt its caster.


    Theoretically, Liam could kill with this technique, even if it wasn''t built for murder.


    If even a normal human pped it, the gravitational pull would disappear, and the ck Hole would stop working.


    But left undisturbed, the ck Hole could basically make a mess of a person''s insides, pulling away their organs and flesh.


    Nevertheless, Liam stored those thoughts for another time.


    Liam raised his left hand.


    ''Please work, please work, please work,'' Liam thought with furrowed brows. ''I''m done with this damn ce.''


    Chaos churned on his left hand.


    SHHHHHH!


    Beginning as a dot, it grew to the size of a human eyeball.


    This was the ratio Liam used.


    The ck Hole was the head, and the chaos was an eyeball!


    It was fitting, all things considered.


    But now, the pieces had to fit together.


    Slowly, with hope-filled eyes, Liam brought the two pieces together.


    The ck Hole''s gravitational pull seemed to affect the chaos''s repulsion effect.


    Slowly, the loud shrieking noise the chaos produced was no longer as loud and obnoxious.


    It was like the sound of pouring rain.


    Yes, it was still chaotic, but the ck Hole had given it a gentle quality.


    The same could be said for the ck Hole.


    Its gentle humming noise went from loud to slightly quiet, but without losing its distinctive property.


    Their qualities were rubbing off on one another.


    This was a good sign!


    Then, Liam sped his hands together.

 Chapter 336 Vacuum

    <h4>Chapter 336 Vacuum</h4>


    Liam put the two forces together.


    Obviously, the ck Hole was still the size of a human head.


    But one had to remember that Liam had the Triumvirate Body.


    His hands had already grown almost 4 times the size and width topensate for the Mixing Test.


    Both his hands basically conjoined together, leaving no gaps in between.


    It was sealed air-tight.


    Using his mental energy, he monitored the reaction that happened between his palms.


    There was no issue for some time.


    The Absorption and Repulsion forces rubbed off on one another.


    Through the exchange, Liam''s chaos gained a slightly calmer quality, but without losing its wildness.


    And the ck Hole was slowly bing disorderly, but without losing any of its intrinsic properties.


    As it continued to change and reform, Liam had to strengthen his hands to withstand the experiment.


    For some reason, the heat radiating from Liam''s palms was stupidly immense.


    But at the same time, there was a chilling cold that shot pangs of ice through Liam''s veins.


    In fact, Liam''s skin and flesh was slowly melting!


    And freezing at the same time!


    But before they could interrupt and ruin the test, Liam healed and reformed the wounds with his blood.


    The melted skin healed up, while the frozen skin retracted into Liam''s flesh.


    All the while, Liam''s brows were furrowed.


    In truth,bining repulsion and absorption was basically impossible.


    Liam was basically pulling out an imaginary mass.


    This mass literally didn''t exist.


    There was no physical form of ''harmony'' or ''bnce''.


    Obviously, they existed, but it wasn''t a material thing.


    2 minutes passed.


    Gradually, the reactions between the two forces were getting more and more intense.


    Liam was slowlybining the two together, after all, his sped hands tightening as the seconds ticked by.


    By now, the ice felt simr to sub-zero temperatures.


    And the heat felt simr to dipping one''s hands into moltenva.


    3 more minutes passed.


    Slowly, the fluctuating temperatures came to stabilize.


    The boiling heat dimmed to a gentle warmth.


    The chilling cold dimmed to a cool frost.


    Liam''s blood no longer needed to reform the gruesome wounds on his hands.


    The Mixing Test was slowlying to a resolution.


    But it felt more like a climax.


    Both the chaos and the ck Hole were swirling around each other,bining their colors.


    Bright red and dark blue.


    Liam''s ck Hole spell wasn''t actually pure ck.


    It had a dark blue tint to it.


    And what would these colors produce?


    Purple.


    Liam saw the colors slowly changing in real time as the two forces were merging as one.


    When this wouldplete, it would no longer be chaos or darkness.


    It was a purely new substance.


    One second passed.


    Two seconds passed.


    Three seconds passed.


    Four seconds, then five.


    ¡­


    Then, it happened.


    There was no explosion.


    There was no boom.


    No extremely loud sound effect.


    In fact, there was dead silence.


    But when the merging wasplete, a small, bright purple mass appeared in between Liam''s hands.


    It was the size of a baseball.


    But there was no happiness on Liam''s face despite the sess.


    In fact, his eyes were widened in pain, and his face was twisted in a grimace.


    Why?


    When the merging wasplete, Liam''s hands were sped together tightly.


    As soon as the purple substance was formed¡­


    Liam''s hands disappeared.


    They were literally erased from existence.


    Liam didn''t even have time to curse.


    It happened so fast that Liam was dumbstruck as to what just happened.


    Blood didn''t even seep from the wound.


    Like he was born with just his wrists alone.


    It looked like even his body was too stunned to react!


    All of it happened in a fraction of a second.


    Beads of sweat formed all over Liam''s body.


    The purple mass of matter lingered for a few seconds in the air.


    It was still silent and unmoving.


    Then, after 3 seconds, it shrunk in size and disappeared.


    When it puffed out of existence, it left a ck void where it formed.


    It was literally a hole in space.


    A vacuum.


    And like all vacuums, they needed to be filled.


    In this case, space and matter rapidly rushed in to fill the ck gap.


    WHSHHHHHHH!


    An ear-splitting vacuuming noise was produced as a result.


    As the hole in space filled up, everything from all directions was pulled in.


    Including Liam.


    The ck void literally wanted to absorb and devour Liam whole.


    Liam was pulled in head-first without being able to do anything as a defense. He felt his whole body elongating.


    He was gonna die!


    But before the ck void could devour him, the space fracture filled itself.


    However, Liam was still flung a distance of 45 meters as a result of its gravitational pull!


    When he stopped tumbling, Liam rose to his feet and nced at where his hands once were.


    They were just a stump now, oozing blood.


    Liam''s heart was beating heavily in his chest.


    There was so much adrenaline pumping through his veins, he didn''t register the pain of losing both hands.


    Either that, or he was just too shocked.


    His eyes were as widened as they could be.


    ''What¡­ even was that?!''


    Using Transfiguration, tendrils of flesh, bone and nerves reformed Liam''s hands.


    Liam''s skin went pale as a result.


    His mind raced to what just happened.


    Bright red and dark blue made bright purple.


    That was the most obvious change that urred, meaning the two forces were sessfullybined.


    But it was that catastrophic?!


    Not to mention, to himself?!


    Liam almost died, for crying out loud!


    No spell or technique was capable of hurting its caster.


    But this¡­ thing¡­ gave Liam the middle finger and took away his hands.


    But there was also a logical exnation to this.


    If chaos was the repulsion of matter¡­


    And the ck Hole was the absorption of matter¡­


    Then theirbined efforts was the deletion of matter itself!


    An imaginary mass that wasn''t supposed to exist, and thus, when applied to reality, vanishes and takes whatever it can with it.


    But this mass needed a name.


    Something so incredibly potent and powerful, but cruel and dangerous to its caster.


    And Liam thought of the gaping hole it left in space and matter.


    ¡­


    ''Void.''

 Chapter 337 Profit

    <h4>Chapter 337 Profit</h4>


    Liam named the new mass Void.


    ''It fits, seeing how it literally tears matter apart like its paper.''


    When his initial fear slowly calmed down, a conflicted grin formed on Liam''s lips.


    Void was so damn strong!


    It literally punctured a hole in reality!


    But just like all of Liam''s abilities, it was more dangerous to himself than other people.


    Though, this was obviously a test trial, and Liam wasn''t expecting such a reaction.


    However, this didn''t take away from the weaknesses of such a power.


    For one, Void''s cast time.


    It took roughly 5 minutes to cast just a small amount of it.


    Although five minutes wasn''t a lot, a skilled opponent could easily take advantage of that time.


    Then came the matter of actually controlling the purple substance.


    As soon as the chaos and ck Holebined with each other, the Void simply¡­ lingered.


    It didn''t move at all.


    However, Liam did feel a connection with it.


    It was incredibly vague, though.


    It felt like a single, wafer-thin string attached to the tip of his finger.


    After this problem, was the gravitational pull that came as a result of matter filling in the void.


    It sucked in everything inside.


    Liam had to treat his Void like a grenade without a pin.


    ''Why can''t my techniques use mental energy or ''Ora''...''


    Liam sighed.


    ''Still, Void is still an incredible ability.''


    ''I can probably fine-tune some of the issues with it.''


    ''There shouldn''t be any need for me to sp my hands together, since it already works.''


    ''Instead, I can make both of them float above my fingers. It would work all the same.''


    But with all that said¡­


    Liam nced at the massive boulder.


    ''...How exactly am I supposed to sh this boulder with it?''


    Shaping chaos and simting a fake ck Hole was hard enough.


    Now he had to shape Void to fit with his swords?


    ''Damn it. Just when I thought this was going to end,'' Liam thought with a scowl. ''Twilight is going to have it much easier than me, too.''


    For other Dual Elementalists, their elementsbined within their cores.


    But Liam''s two elements came from differing centers of power.


    For this reason, Twilight was probably already in the next Trial.


    ''I just hope she got the same glitches that I got. If she''s developed a style, this won''t end well.''


    Liam heaved a long sigh.


    He had his own ideas as to why they were split up and tested on their own. At first nce, there didn''t seem to be a reason for their separation.


    But on a second nce, one could easily see what the Eternal Sword intended.


    ''Who was the worthier, smarter, and more talented student?''


    Step one, have two subjects enter your inheritance.


    Step two, have them trained in the same ways.


    Step three, have them duel each other.


    Step four, call the victor your heir.


    Profit.


    At least, that''s how Liam saw it.


    Back to the task at hand, Liam raised both hands.


    After his blood was used to regenerate his hands, he''d lost a good chunk of his blood.


    But he had a feeling he''d lose a couple more hands after this.


    Nevertheless, Liam gritted his teeth and did what he had to do.


    Liam raised his fingers.


    He wrapped his middle finger around his index, making a knot.


    SHHHH!


    WHOOM!


    On his right index, a ck Hole, on his left index, chaos.


    Except, Liam did no sping motion of any kind.


    Instead, he simply made a slow moving gesture and brought both fingers together.


    At the same time, Liam began to rapidly spin around himself.


    From an outsider''s view, what Liam was doing looked retarded.


    He was just spinning around himself!


    People would point andugh.


    But Liam was doing it for a reason.


    When chaos and the ck Hole merged, the Void that came as a result was the size of a baseball.


    And if it worked the way Liam thought it did, it was throwable!


    As of now, Liam had no idea how tobine his Void with his swordsmanship.


    In fact, he was pretty sure it was impossible with something like Void.


    After all, Void wasn''t picky with what it devoured.


    It would no doubt kill his swords.


    That''s why Liam opted for a more entric way of dealing with the Trial.


    Although Eternal Sword''s words implied just the usage of swords were allowed to split the boulder, the past few Trials had drifted past their intended purposes.


    Liam continued spinning for 5 minutes straight.


    That was the time required for his chaos and the ck Hole to merge together.


    He used Transfiguration to make his body as light as he could, just to reduce the air resistance.


    Right now, Liam needed all the speed he could possibly muster.


    Despite how fast he was spinning, Liam was not dizzy in any way.


    Even Rank 3 bodies were basically immune to dizziness.


    Liam felt the two forces merging once again.


    Red to purple, blue to purple.


    It was here!


    Void!


    Liam used all the force in his body to throw the ball of Void towards the middle-section of the boulder.


    But if he threw it bluntly, it wouldn''t split the boulder from top to bottom.


    It would go straight through.


    But using his faint connection with the imaginary mass, Liam shaped the Void as thin as he possibly could.


    Using both fingers, he pulled them in opposite directions.


    The Void thinned out!


    It worked!


    Liam lost four fingers on each hand as a result. Deleted like they never existed.


    But he was actually satisfied.


    Due to his spinning motion, the streak of Void rapidly shot forward as a single line.


    It looked as though reality itself had been cut!


    Like a mirror had split cleanly in one half, sliding past each other.


    Even strengthened, the boulder could not face the bright purple sh.


    It cleanly split from top to bottom, deleting everything in between.


    There was a gravitational pull that followed when the split matter wanted to reform, but since it was so thinned out, it disappeared quickly.


    Liam dropped to his back.


    Finally!

 Chapter 338 Hone

    <h4>Chapter 338 Hone</h4>


    Liam heaved a long, long sigh after the events of the sixth Trial were done with.


    The migraines.


    The constant repetitions.


    The loss of limbs and bodily organs.


    The damn boulders!


    Liam despised boulders now.


    ''If I ever see a big rock in the open again, I''m gonna crush it into rubble,'' Liam thought with furrowed brows.


    A sudden rumble shook the fake dimension.


    Liam felt the ground shake, almost throwing him to the side, but his feet were firmly ced to the ground.


    Liam cursed.


    Slowly, the fake dimension stabilized.


    Opposite him, the seventh Trial gate opened.


    Then came Eternal Sword''s voice. It was deeper now. Glitchier and distorted:


    "When o-one is given a blessing, they must use it t-to th-the full-full-fullest p-potential."


    ''Damn it, it''s getting worse and worse!'' Liam cursed inwardly. ''What am I gonna see in the next Trial?''


    Thest thing he wanted to die to was an inheritance error.


    For now, Liam put those thoughts aside.


    Right now, he had a massive problem to worry about.


    Last Trial, he received nothing as a reward.


    He felt a pang of regret and spiritual pain when that happened.


    Now, Liam held his breath.


    ''If it happens again, I''m using Void and tearing a hole through this ce to escape.''


    ''If I don''t receive a reward now, I probably won''t receive any in future Trials,'' Liam thought with furrowed brows.


    Liam didn''t throw away the idea of escaping once and for all.


    He didn''t test it yet¡­ but he was sure that Void was able to poke a hole through the fake dimension''s invisible walls.


    It cut through air and matter itself.


    Everything else was also susceptible to its deletion.


    So, if everything went belly up, Liam wasn''t going to take any chances.


    Ten seconds of silence passed.


    Something started to emerge from the grass!


    Liam almost heaved a sigh of relief, but he waited to confirm what it was.


    Slowly, his multi-colored eyes widened with shock.


    A lovely marble dais emerged from the ground.


    ¡­But on its surface were two blinding white runes instead of one!


    Liam got twice the profit!


    Not to mention, surrounding the dais were 4 different pills!


    Their pungent bitter, sweet and sour smells permeated the air.


    Each one of them looked different to one another.


    One of them looked like it was made from jade.


    Another one looked golden with ornate designs on its surface.


    A third was purely ck.


    A fourth was purely white.


    Liam approached the dais with a greedy glimmer in his eyes and a wicked grin on his lips.


    It was about damn time he was rewarded!


    Gently, he picked up the runes and crushed them one after the other.


    One half of the motes of light melted in Liam''s sea of consciousness.


    But the other half didn''t.


    Instead, it reformed into a line and solidified inside Liam''s mental sphere!


    Then, it turned as sharp as a de!


    Inside Liam''s head!


    Liam grumbled.


    He didn''t like where this was going.


    As if answering the bad feeling he had, the motes of light lurched at the golden barrier of Liam''s mind.


    SHING!


    Liam fell to his knees with a jolt of pain.


    Surprisingly, even his eyes went bloodshot, which they usually never did.


    That''s how badly it hurt.


    Liam felt like someone incised a portion of his brain.


    It felt dreadful.


    A full hour passed of Liam simply clutching his head in pain.


    Most of his mental energy had regressed in volume due to the pressure it faced.


    By now, half a quarter remained of the full amount.


    But slowly, the agony dimmed.


    At the same time, the sh caused by the motes of light slowly settled on Liam''s golden barrier wall.


    It was one with Liam''s mind.


    Liam stumbled to his feet and let out a long groan.


    When the pain became bearable, Liam felt the urge to smile, but didn''t.


    What happened?


    Well, the two techniques Liam received were pretty good in their own right.


    The first was the one that melted in his mind.


    The technique was called ''Hone.''


    Liam raised his right hand.


    WHOSH!


    It surged with glowing dark mes, dancing wildly in his palm.


    Ever since Liam had advanced to the liquid-stage of the third Rank, his darknesssted way longer.


    It could linger on a wound for minutes even, without puffing out.


    It even had an eerie ck glow to it, like a real me.


    Liam used Hone.


    Suddenly, the dark mes on Liam''s hand constricted to a different form.


    It grew vertical and narrow, turning into a sh!


    Liam inspected the piece of darkness.


    It was still made from a mixture of gaseous and liquid darkness.


    But it had turned incredibly sharp.


    Liam could hold and handle the piece of sharpened darkness like it was an actual solid.


    Liam threw the sh forward.


    As it made contact with the ground, it exploded into a wad of mes, lingering for a few minutes, before gradually puffing away.


    It was a Rank 3 liquid-stage attack, just like that.


    It could even rival a spell!


    But it didn''t end there.


    Liam cut off a bit of his mental energy and put it in front of himself.


    With the King''s Eye, Liam added a bit of iridescent color into the mental waves.


    Then, he used Hone.


    Slowly, Liam''s mental energy became a de!


    With it, he could not cut the flesh.


    But he could cut the mind!


    Hone basically meant that anything that was material and mendable, Liam could make it sharp.


    That included his chaos and Void.


    Liam raised his hand and a ball of chaos shrieked in the air.


    Using Hone, the chaotic energies were forcibly turned into a mini-sized sh.


    ZZZZ!


    Although the edge was slightly sharp, chaos was too vtile to be used for cutting.


    Liam threw it at a patch of grass.


    As it soared the air, it created a loud buzzing noise.


    BOOM!


    The sh exploded.


    Hone, on its own, wasn''t that strong.


    Sure, it allowed anything to attain a sharp quality.


    But that was the extent of it.


    Just sharpness.


    However, it also grew alongside Liam''s centers of power!

 Chapter 339 Black Blade

    <h4>Chapter 339 ck de</h4>


    Once Liam''s sea of consciousness grew to a higher Rank, or got stronger in general, Hone''s sharpness would increase.


    The same went with the core.


    Even a substage advancement would greatly benefit Liam''s power.


    However, Liam was obviously not using Hone to its fullest potential.


    If he used arge amount of his ''Ora'' reserves, he could create one giant sh to throw.


    It would be slower, but much more destructive.


    But it would also strip him of his ability to use other abilities in exchange.


    However, Liam imagined what this power could give to someone like Usan, or just a powerhouse in general.


    They could create a massive sh with just the ''Ora'' in their cores, then let it loose and raze an entire country.


    Maybe that''s why only Liam¡­ and that other girl¡­ had these abilities.


    It was the Eternal Sword''s life''s work.


    A spark of excitement ignited in Liam''s chest.


    Just now, he imagined conjuring up a devastating mass of Void and sending it flying towards the Royals of Echoria.


    What a sight that would be!


    A wicked grin formed on Liam''s face.


    But then he remembered the Queen''s grin, and his smile slowly faded.


    ''As much as I''d enjoy that sight, I''m still an ant fantasizing about killing a dragon.''


    ''Soon, though.''


    ''Soon.''


    Liam''s smirk reformed when he focused on the second technique he received.


    ''Mind Edge.''


    That was the name of the technique.


    It was the single line that formed on Liam''s mental sphere.


    When Liam looked at it again, it wasn''t just a ''line.''


    It was two lines, but they were incredibly close to each other, leaving a gap in between them.


    So, what could this line do?


    Liam sat cross-legged.


    A massive glob of mental energy left his mind sea and floated towards the line, filling it.


    Liam kept feeding it more and more mental energy.


    In a few moments, it swallowed more than half of Liam''s mental energy!


    Liam went a little pale.


    But when his ck mental waves finally filled the line, Liam''s vision¡­ constricted.


    Everything constricted.


    Everything turned into a line.


    It was like Liam was seeing through the end of a needle!


    In reality, it was just Liam''s focus being so sharp, he saw everything through some sort of hyper-rity.


    Was this what cocaine felt like?


    Probably.


    But times 100.


    Liam''s focus had never been this keen before.


    Also, his thoughts were like shooting in every direction like wild lightning.


    Having this much focus was utterly surreal.


    All his senses were overwhelming, and all he could do was sit there until it was over.


    Liam didn''t even breathe.


    3 seconds passed.


    Liam''s vision was no longer a needle point.


    It was over.


    Just 3 seconds.


    He let out a shaky breath.


    ''Damn!''


    ''That was¡­ an out of body experience¡­'' Liam thought, amazed.


    All abilities had their drawbacks.


    For this, it was crystal clear.


    In exchange for hyperfocus, Liam had to sacrifice a massive amount of mental energy.


    More than half, actually.


    But this wasn''t the only issue.


    Although Mind Edge gave him hyperfocus, there was an issue.


    It gave him ''too much'' focus.


    So, if he was to use Mind Edge in a fight, for 3 seconds, he would only see that person.


    Everything else would literally be zoomed out of focus.


    If Liam faced another attack in the span of time that he used Mind Edge, then he wouldn''t even notice it.


    This issue was already ryed to him through the motes of light.


    The Eternal Sword had made this mental enhancement himself.


    But he made a mistake.


    Instead of making the focus spread throughout all parts of the cultivator''s mind, he only made it so it could pinpoint one task at a time.


    So, in truth, having too much focus was actually a bad thing!


    ''All it could do is help me turn the tides in a tricky spot, but if I''m not careful, it could get me killed.''


    ''Neat.''


    ''Talk about a double-edged sword.''


    ''I won''tin, though.''


    Liam nced at the four pills next.


    Truth be told, he was a bit wary of swallowing them.


    There were certain¡­ bad memories with consuming foreign pills.


    Nevertheless, Liam was going to eat them anyway, but not without strengthening his innards.


    Cultivators could tell whether or not certain pills were dangerous. But Liam didn''t feel like that with these four.


    Liam picked the first one.


    The jade pill.


    From the four, this looked the most expensive and clean.


    ''Please give me an advancement to the solid-stage,'' Liam thought, popping the pill. ''Or maybe increase my bodily strength?''


    Ten minutes passed.


    Liam was disappointed.


    The jade pill did nothing for his power to increase.


    Instead, the drug simply added a sharp quality to Liam''s eyes.


    If someone were to look at Liam now, or if Liam were to look at someone else, they''d feel like a sharp de was being pointed towards them.


    Or, they''ll feel thousands of little needles pricking their skin.


    It all depended on how strong or weak they were.


    ''I''ve heard the rumor that the Eternal Sword could kill people with a re¡­ is this why? So it wasn''t really an ability, just a trick of the mind.''


    Liamughed to himself.


    This was also fine.


    Moving on, Liam swallowed the next pill.


    The ornate golden one.


    Instantly, Liam''s left arm was basked in a golden glow.


    It lingered for a few minutes, but when the light regressed, there was a tattoo''d sigil of a ck odachi.


    It was one with Liam''s skin, and looked strangely like¡­


    His ck de?


    It actually was.


    "Liam Royce," the Eternal Sword''s voice rang out within the fake dimension. It didn''t glitch.


    "Hence forth, known as the ck de."


    Liam felt his skin rise.


    "Prepare for your final Trial."


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    Liam felt pure pride radiating from his ck de. Discontent from his Dusk des. And brooding but proud silence from the Breaker.


    ''It''sing to an end.''


    ''I''ll be facing her soon, if that''s what the final Trial is.''


    ''I better swallow these two remaining pills and get on with it, then.''

 Chapter 340 Chaos to Order

    <h4>Chapter 340 Chaos to Order</h4>


    The final Trial.


    A lot weighed on this moment.


    A lot.


    This alone could shift the tides of politics above the surface.


    A Celestial''s inheritance was not a joke.


    If Twilight won, the Moyong family would no doubt regain absolute authority, if they didn''t already have it.


    But with Eternal Sword''s inheritance, they could spread their roots. Head to different countries and even finance a war fornd and more resources.


    Heck, some countries might even give themnd on their own ord.


    Like Liam, Twilight was going to be made a soldier, and the Moyong family was filthy rich with resources.


    In about 10 to 20 years, Reyan might as well be li''s face and symbol.


    Not if Liam killed her before then.


    ''If... when I get out of this ce, the Royals would want to kill me more than ever,'' Liam thought.


    Currently, he was idly flipping the purely white and ck pills in his hands, mulling over his circumstances.


    ''But they won''t be able to. They might even want peace with us. There''s no reason for them to offend a rapidly growing organization.''


    The Temple of Shadow was like any other n in li, now. They weren''t shunned, and Usan was no longer hailed as a war criminal.


    ''They can''t afford to make a potential enemy of a Celestial''s heir, either.''


    Liam remembered Queen Thyress'' sadistic, perverted grin.


    It made him shudder a bit.


    ''Ugh. Maybe not¡­''


    Silence.


    ''It''s been more than a year since I''ve been in this ce,'' Liam realized.


    A year and 4 months, to be exact.


    Liam was worried about the current state of affairs.


    Was the Temple of Shadow safe? Was Usan still alive? What about the Blood Troupe and everything else?


    Liam shook his head.


    If it was out of his control, Liam didn''t need to worry. He did anyway.


    But there was another matter at hand. Something urgent.


    Liam had no damn sword style!


    Obviously, due to the Trials, his swordsmanship wasyers andyers above other people.


    But it had no fixed form.


    No set of moves.


    Martial arts had one to three forms at a time.


    Liam was just swinging his sword in whatever way his instincts told him to. In whatever way it felt right.


    ''That has to change,'' Liam thought with a scowl. ''There''s no doubt in my mind that Reyan got something out of this that I didn''t.''


    ''Unlike me, she fought her Copy and didn''t have a ridiculous body or something inimitable like chaos.''


    ''And that was the only Trial that helped develop a sword style.''


    Liam''s eyes narrowed.


    ''I need to develop a sword style, here and now.''


    ''But first, these pills.''


    Liam threw the white pill in his mouth.


    It tasted sour. Like an apple mixed with a pear mixed with a pineapple.


    When it was digested, Liam felt his entire body go warm.


    At the same time, the ''Ora'' reserves in his body seemed to double!


    But Liam frowned once he realized something.


    This powerup was not permanent.


    It was temporary, and probably required for the next Trial.


    Liam threw the ck pill in his mouth, too.


    Suddenly, the ck water in Liam''s mind sea started to churn and double in volume!


    ¡­But this was also temporary, and Liam felt a pang of regret.


    ''Damn you, Eternal Sword. Why didn''t you just make it permanent!'' Liam cursed the Celestial.


    With double the mental energy, Liam''s thoughts were almost twice as fast, while his senses wereser precise.


    It was like having another mind.


    It allowed Liam to peer at what the future held if he continued with his ridiculous training schedule.


    ''With twice the mental energy, I can definitely make a fighting style,'' Liam thought with a slight smirk.


    Liam took out his sword, still in its basic, longsword form.


    "Can you repeat what the swordsman called you?" the ck de asked Liam with a ''sunny smile''. "I don''t think the Little Demons heard it clearly."


    The Dusk des grumbled.


    "We heard it, you stupid Kitchen Knif¡ª"


    "Wait, are you cursing your own Forger?" the ck de gasped dramatically. "He''s the ck de too, y''know?"


    The Dusk des went silent, but let out another growl.


    The Breaker was silent. Contemting his life, probably.


    ''Where do I start?'' Liam thought with a sigh.


    ***


    Time passed.


    Liam didn''t pay attention to how long.


    He needed to perfect this sword style, determined to sacrifice even a year or two of his life if it required it.


    But there was an invisible de looming above his neck.


    The inheritance was dying.


    It was degenerating, and with Liam and Twilight''s presence, it was getting worse.


    In reality, inheritances were simr to a battery.


    If they were being used, they would deplete some of their charge, which was ''Ora''.


    But if Liam and Twilight were dormant and weren''t doing anything, it would slowly stabilize.


    So Liam staying idle was a good thing. It might even force Twilight to do the same, if she was in the same Trial as him.


    Thus, Liam thought over his fighting style.


    What did he intend with each swing of his sword? Well, other than killing his opponent, of course.


    What were his abilities?


    How could he express himself with his de?


    Who was he?


    Liam kept repeating Eternal Sword''s pieces of advice throughout his meditation.


    In more than one way, Liam''s current sword style was chaotic.


    It was meant to do the most damage in the quickest way possible.


    In a sense, it was both chaos and order.


    Most chaotic forces didn''t utilize speed.


    They just utilized destruction and havoc.


    Obviously, Liam''s chaos was one of them.


    However, speed usually came at the expense of destruction.


    This was all in broad, general terms.


    Obviously, it was not as simple as this.


    But it helped outline what Liam''s sword style was supposed to look like.


    As much as he''d love to utilize Void with his sword, the way it was now, it was not possible.


    Simply put, it was too strong.


    But after a while, Liam understood what direction he wanted to go.


    ''Add chaos to order.''


    ''And order to chaos.''


    ''Be a double-edged sword.''

 Chapter 341 Pattern

    <h4>Chapter 341 Pattern</h4>


    The direction Liam wanted to take with his swords was clear cut.


    It had to be wild. Unpredictable. Dangerous.


    Something with no reigns.


    But it also had to have form and precision. Versatility and technique.


    ''Order emerges from pandemonium,'' Liam thought with distant eyes.


    As much as he hated riddles and broad ways of thinking, he had to ponder over his fighting style.


    The sword didn''t control the wielder.


    The wielder controlled the sword.


    If Liam wanted a fighting style, he had to dive into who he was first.


    But his mind was strangely clear and devoid of anxiousness.


    He was calm.


    ''If chaos is consistent, patterns will naturally emerge from whatever it is.''


    ''In one way or the other, it will affect something in a way that it wasn''t supposed to.''


    ''Like a volcanic explosion.''


    ''Contrary to belief, it doesn''t make the world warmer.''


    ''It makes it colder by blocking the sun''s heat with its plumes of ck smoke.''


    ''Even though the innate nature it has is destruction and heat, it provides coolness in the long term.''


    ''Or maybe rainfall.''


    ''It didn''t begin with rain.''


    ''It began with the sun evaporating bodies of water.''


    ''Which turns into mist.''


    ''Which bes a cloud.''


    ''Which rains again and restarts the cycle.


    ''Even life and death,'' Liam realized. "have patterns of their own.''


    ''People die. Others are born to take their ce.''


    ''A pregnant mother could die with her unborn child.''


    Liam remembered Eve.


    Liam pushed the memory away.


    ''But the child might live despite that.''


    ¡­


    ''What am I saying?''


    Liam felt the urge tough at himself.


    He was just spitballing random statements one after the other.


    In reality, he really didn''t have any idea what he was saying.


    But it felt right.


    ''Whatever,'' Liam concluded, rising to his feet. ''I''ll figure something out.''


    Liam took out his swords and swung them one after the other.


    Liam used Hone on both his darkness and chaos.


    Then, hebined both forces with his swords.


    Obviously, his shadow enveloped everything like a cherry on top.


    ''I''ll use everything,'' Liam thought.


    Then, Liam started to swing.


    Between each swing, Liam rapidly switched between his ck de, his Dusk des, and his Breaker de.


    But for each of them, there was a pattern they followed.


    The ck de already had darkness.


    A regr sh would release an arc of gaseous darkness.


    However, the edge of the odachi was imbued with chaos.


    For the Dusk des, they both had one edge each.


    But one of them absorbed darkness, while the other absorbed chaos.


    The same went for the Breaker. Instead of coating its edges, Liam just made the whole thing surge with waves of bright red chaos.


    Liam was just swinging wildly in the air.


    After some time, Liam deployed his Shadow Clones.


    At once, they began to attack him like real opponents.


    Now that Liam had twice the mental energy, he could actually operate the Shadow Clones like they were a part of him.


    It was like seeing through four different perspectives at the same time.


    Liam''s arms and legs continued moving until a pattern emerged.


    His sword kept changing forms.


    From ck.


    To Dusk.


    To Breaker.


    His Chaos Pearl kept churning out chaos.


    His core kept surging with darkness.


    His Shadow Clones kept attacking him while he defended.


    Obviously, Liam refrained from using any abilities his Shadow Clones couldn''t use.


    Months passed.


    Liam had forsaken food and drink.


    All that remained was his swords and his thoughts.


    Slowly, Liam''s swings found grace.


    Slowly, a pattern was emerging!


    Liam''s sword stroke felt random.


    But it wasn''t!


    At first nce, the fighting style Liam came to discover lookedpletely unrefined and unstable.


    It was just a barrage of random attacks.


    Wide swings.


    Short swings.


    Stabs.


    Diagonal shes.


    Vertical swipes.


    Everything at once.


    The only thing that wasn''t out of sync was Liam''s movements.


    Somehow, he was making it work!


    Chaos and Order.


    Liam stopped swinging and heaved a long sigh.


    Sweat and blood dripped from all over him.


    For 3 months, he''d been swinging continuously, even when his mental energy, chaos and ''Ora'' reserves ran out.


    This art had an incredibly powerful advantage, and disadvantage.


    The advantage was huge.


    At close-range, Liam wouldpletely obliterate his opponent.


    Defense?


    What was that?


    There was no defense that could stop¡­ whatever this was.


    Not with the Breaker''s power, the ck de''s sharpness, the Dusk de''s versatility, and the chaos, darkness, and shadow on top of it all.


    But it also had a major weakness.


    Fighting at long ranges was not viable.


    Sure, the ck de provided sharp arcs of darkness that went very fast.


    But with his utilization of chaos, that effect was lessened to a degree.


    But there was a catch to this fighting style.


    Liam wasn''t dumb.


    This sword-style had no real substance.


    But he made it with one thing in mind.


    Once he was able to integrate Void with his sword¡­ the entire sword art would take a 180 degree turn.


    But for now, this had to suffice.


    ''I''ll enter the Trial tomorrow after a day of rest,'' Liam heaved a sigh as he ate his remaining food reserves.


    ***


    Liam stood in front of the Trial gate with his sword in his hand.


    Steeling his expression, he took one step towards it¡­ but a shot of pain suddenly seared through his chest, making him grunt.


    ''Oh no.''


    Liam grimaced.


    It was his sr plexus.


    ''Oh no, no, no no no!''


    Heat gathered at Liam''s sternum and spread throughout his body.


    The root of it all?


    The Chaos Pearl!


    It was advancing!


    Now, of all times?!


    ''Not here, dammit!''


    Liam cursed as pain usurped his body.


    He was thrown on the ground, squirming and screaming as his Chaos Pearl underwent a change.


    To make Liam Royce scream in pain was an achievement not everyone could boast about.


    HMMMMM!


    A violent vibration ran across Liam''s body.


    As his Chaos Pearl condensed, Liam''s mind went nk.


    He was slipping into unconsciousness.


    Everything turned to ck.

 Chapter 342 Eyes

    <h4>Chapter 342 Eyes</h4>


    When Liam woke up, panic crawled through his skin and paranoia corrupted his thoughts.


    He was no longer in the inheritance.


    Currently, Liam was floating amidst a vast expanse of frigid nothingness. A ck void. Like the firmament of space.


    There was no sun here, but his form was clearly visible.


    ''Am I dreaming?'' Liam thought, his wary gaze wandering around the ck emptiness.


    Ominous silence.


    There was nothing to see.


    Nothing.


    Nothing at a¡ª


    WHOOM!


    An eye slowly opened in the massive expanse.


    Otherworldly.


    There were no words to describe it.


    It was visceral, with dirty, dark shades of brown, ck and red.


    The iris was not a normal pupil.


    It was swirly like a hypnotic whirlpool of filthy colors.


    There were no eyelids.


    It just opened through the void.


    Just an eye.


    And it was gargantuan.


    Three times the size of a tall mountain.


    Liam''s heart leapt at his throat.


    It was like peering down a dark well for several seconds, just to realize something was looking at you all along.


    His eyes were stuck to the hypnotizing pupil of the giant eye.


    It was not just one eye.


    All around the void, small and big irises started to split open and focus on him.


    Dozens turned to hundreds.


    Thousands.


    Hundreds of thousands.


    Millions!


    Liam''s heart thundered in his ears.


    Terrifying eyes surrounded him from all sides.


    There was a deafening silence.


    Other than the sound of blood rushing through Liam''s veins and heart drumming like an engine.


    "What do you want?!"


    Liam screamed at the eyes, unable to hide his panic.


    They didn''t respond.


    They just stared at him.


    He felt so small.


    So weak.


    Naked.


    Insignificant.


    Like dust settled at the bottom of an abyssal ocean.


    Seconds stretched to hours.


    WHOOM!


    A fracture of blinding light suddenly ruptured within the void, causing all the eyes present to snap their attention to it.


    As the light epassed Liam''s vision, his consciousness felt yanked back to his body.


    ***


    Screaming, Liam woke up.


    His body was covered withyers of sweat, while his breathing was uneven and ragged.


    For several minutes, he struggled for air, trying to piece together what just happened to him.


    As his thoughts slowly came to a calm, he steadied his breathing and took deep inhales.


    A nightmare.


    This was what Liam wanted to say he just experienced.


    ¡­But he knew it wasn''t that simple.


    ''This was no dream,'' Liam thought with a slight frown.


    ''It definitely wasn''t a dream,'' he repeated.


    ''It was too real.''


    Liam''s eyes went a little distant as he recalled the millions of eyes.


    The void. The rupture of light. The silence. The coldness.


    Liam shook his head, then creaked his neck below to gaze at his sr plexus, running his fingers across it.


    ''Was it this?'' Liam thought with a scowl.


    The Chaos Pearl advanced.


    Was that why he experienced that¡­ vision?


    ''What was that, even?'' Liam thought, muttering curses under his breath.


    There was a long, contemtive silence that followed.


    ''Too many questions,'' Liam eventually thought, throwing the event at the back of his mind.


    What was the point of mulling over something he had no clue about?


    This was way over his pay grade.


    ''I don''t like riddles. Whatever this is, it can wait.''


    Still, Liam''s mind always drifted back to the eyes.


    The terrifying, dreadful eyes.


    Nevertheless, Liam''s attention fell on his Chaos Pearl again, upon which he noticed the stark differences that it now had.


    The brass alloy that the Chaos Pearl''s walls consisted of now shone with a slight metal glow, which was dulled through Liam''s chest.


    It was the same size.


    But strangely, the ''Ora'' that flowed through Liam''s bodypletely negated around his Chaos Pearl.


    World essencepletely avoided the organ, creating a dead zone perimeter of 2 inches around it.


    Liam raised his brows in confusion.


    Meanwhile, the contents inside the pearl surprised Liam.


    Instead of increasing in volume, it decreased!


    At the peak of a Rank 2 Chaos Pearl, Liam could churn out 25rge spheres of chaos.


    Now?


    He could do only 10.


    But as it lessened in volume, it increased in something else.


    Sheer power.


    It wanted to explode in Liam''s chest.


    The potential energy inside Liam''s chaos had be so densely packed, that it wanted to explode within itself!


    Liam cursed loudly.


    The only reason Liam was able to control his chaos was because of his mental energy.


    Obviously, his Ashura body provided support for the chaos.


    But it was more like the vessel or medium for his chaos to flow through.


    Even for his darkness, Liam used a mixture of his core and mental energy to manipte it.


    But the Chaos Pearl was much more arduous and difficult to control.


    ¡­But what if Liam''s Chaos Pearl was stronger than his mental waves?


    ''Maybe this is why Ashuras always raged. Their Chaos Pearls probably forced them to relieve themselves by releasing it through their bodies.''


    ''They didn''t have mental energy to control their chaos like I do.''


    Liam heaved a long sigh.


    There was no need to scare himself right now.


    A momentter, chaos left his core and formed on his hand.


    SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!


    It was so damn loud!


    And so bright!


    It cast an intense crimson hue over Liam''s arms and face, reflecting in his multi-colored eyes.


    It also crackled with little sparks running across its surface.


    But Liam also realized something else.


    Where the chaos touched, the ''Ora'' around him scurried away.


    ''What¡­ is this?''


    It was like ''Ora'' was afraid of Chaos.


    Like it was warm air against cold.


    Liam furrowed his brows in confusion.


    With his remaining hand, Liam attempted to release some of his darkness.


    He felt darkness ''Ora'' flowing through his core and shooting towards his hand.


    But as it tried to discharge and emerged from Liam''s skin, it sputtered¡­


    ¡­but all that came out were some distorted wisps of ck smoke.


    Nothing else.


    Silence.


    Liam''s eyes widened as much as they possibly could.


    Abruptly, he startedughing like a madman.


    ''So it''s found a way to repulse ''Ora'', too?''


    Not to mention, his own?

 Chapter 343 Goblins

    <h4>Chapter 343 Goblins</h4>


    ''Ora'' wasn''t really repulsed, in a sense.


    It was literally in everything.


    Humans.


    Air.


    Nature.


    Even most dead things had a similitude of ''Ora'' connected to them.


    Thus, even when chaos repulsed matter, it didn''t ''negate'' it.


    More than that, Liam''s chaos had never disrupted his own spells and techniques.


    Sure, it repulsed and weakened them to a degree, as seen with Liam''s ck de and chaosbination.


    But it had never utterly distorted them.


    Liam didn''t think it was even possible.


    But he was proven wrong.


    No matter how hard Liam tried to conjure up a darkness spell, it failed to leave his body.


    Mental attacks still worked fine.


    They were immaterial, after all.


    But everything else was a no go.


    Liam gulped heavily.


    Didn''t this mean the ck Hole was rendered useless?


    And by extension, his Void?


    ¡­But so was everyone else''s!


    If Liam wasn''t able to use any spells, neither was his opponent!


    Instead of grimacing, Liam smiled broadly.


    This was fine.


    It actually wasn''t bad.


    This was actually a sort of Anti-Magic ability!


    Still, he had to make sure his Void worked.


    If anything, Liam would rather have Void than a strengthened version of his chaos.


    Deleting matter sounded more enticing than disrupting it.


    ''But first, to test how strong it''s gotten,'' Liam thought.


    Liam pinched the ball of chaos.


    Now that it was so densely packed with potential energy, Liam could actually handle it!


    It was no longer a strange, almost gaseous energy with no set form.


    A simr consistency to it would be a mix of rubber and y.


    Liam could stretch, squeeze and pull on the strand of chaos, but even if it tore apart, he could put it back together.


    It gained a mendable quality.


    First, Liam used Hone on it.


    The bright crimson energies buzzed and crackled like electricity, but took on a sharp form.


    Thankfully, Hone still worked.


    Afterwards, Liam put the ball of chaos between his index and middle finger.


    Then, empowering his fingers, he flicked it horizontally through the air, aiming at the fake dimension''s fake wall.


    WHOOOSHHHHH!


    It screamed as it surged through the air.


    As Liam''s chaos flew, it actually elerated!


    Paired with Liam''s empowered flick, it shot forward like a lightning bolt, closing the distance between the wall in a¡ª


    BOOM!


    A thundering explosion rippled across the wall.


    The noise produced as a result lingered for two seconds, before fading into silence.


    ''I''d say it''s gotten 25% stronger than its predecessor. Good, good,'' Liam nodded sagely to himself.


    ''I''d have to fune the ratio between the chaos and the ck Hole because of that, though.''


    A momentter, he tested out whether or not his Void still worked.


    Like Liam thought, it didn''t.


    However, not in the normal sense.


    The ck Hole connected with the repulsion effect of Liam''s chaos!


    As long as Liam kept the two forces away from each other, then slowly brought them together, it wouldn''t immediately break apart.


    But there was a power struggle.


    An imbnce.


    This meant that Liam''s chaos was still perfectlypatible with the ck Hole, so long as he worked on a solution.


    Liam was not entering the final Trial until he managed to make it work.


    After several weeks of tweaking and tuning the proportions of the ck Hole, and several tests, Liam attempted it.


    ¡­And it worked!


    Liam remerged his chaos and the ck Hole.


    Their repulsion and absorption abilities had achieved bnce due to the differences in size.


    Liam just had to make the ck Hole 25%rger.


    And a silent Void was born as a result.


    But there were no changes to Void itself.


    Other than its size being a bit bigger and just a little more mendable, as well assting longer.


    Besides that, there were no major changes.


    After all of that, Liam trained with his sword style for a bit.


    With all this done, 3 weeks had passed.


    In the total time that passed, Liam was now 21 years old, plus 10 months.


    ''Twilight is probably eating her nails,'' Liam chuckled.


    ''She''s probably waiting for me in the final Trial this whole time. If she got past all the others.''


    Liam hadn''t seen her sword y, so he didn''t know whether or not she''d passed all the Trials.


    Liam took a deep breath.


    He finished all his preparations.


    His swords were tweaked and enhanced.


    His condition was at its peak.


    His thoughts were no longer honed in on the nightmare he experienced.


    Now, Liam''s fierce gaze connected with the final Trial.


    With slow steps, and the ck de gripped in his hand, Liam walked through the final gate.


    As he entered through, Liam felt his senses mute while his vision went dark.


    But he could still think.


    Before he lost his mind in a panic, Eternal Sword''s voice rang out. It wasn''t glitching, strangely, which was a good sign.


    "A duel is sacred to a swordsman."


    "Never must they forget a soul they have taken."


    "You have done well toe this far."


    "But there can only be one sessor to my sword and remaining techniques."


    "You will put your life on the line."


    "The ck de, and the Sword of Stars."


    "May your swords never chip or shatter."


    Silence followed.


    ''Sword of stars? Why does she deserve a nickname like that?!''


    Then suddenly, Liam''s senses returned.


    His vision regained light.


    It turned out, he was in a cocoon of sorts that enveloped around thest and final Trial gate.


    But as it unveiled, a cacophony of screeches and barbaric noises filled his senses.


    Time slowed.


    Liam made a grim discovery.


    The fake dimension was teeming with life.


    In front of him.


    Behind him.


    To his sides.


    All around him.


    ¡­Goblins!


    Hundreds of thousands of goblins!


    Green-skinned, skinny, obese, tall, short creatures that wore leather armor on their groins and shoulders.


    They had long, pointy green ears.


    Humanoid bodies.


    Their faces were strangely human-like, but disgustingly ugly and deformed.


    Either they were skinny, or they were insanely obese. There was no middle-ground.


    Some were massive.


    They wielded clubs of wood and stone, with the bigger ones wielding crude pieces of rock.


    Liam made another discovery.


    His heart sank a bit.


    The fake dimension walls¡­


    They were fractured and ripped apart, revealing the outside!


    Through them, he could see water running through.


    It was the World''s Cut.


    Time resumed.


    ''Ah¡­ curses.''


    At once, all the goblins charged him!

 Chapter 344 Carve

    <h4>Chapter 344 Carve</h4>


    Liam was rushed from all sides.


    The goblins roared from the top of their lungs as they did so.


    For some of the skinnier ones, their screams were nasally and more funny than intimidating.


    But therger variety, the Rank 4 Ogres, shook the air with their guttural shouts.


    They were like heavily armored tanks, with their spiky iron armor and massive clubs to smash people to death.


    Their battle cries created a ferocious tune as they charged as a single horde, converging on the sole human they could see.


    The sound of gushing water audible from outside the fake dimension was somehow still louder.


    Till now, Liam had never seen a goblin.


    Usually, they lived in rural areas like marshes and swamps.


    ces they could ambush vigers and carriages and whatnot.


    Goblins had one remarkable quality that separated them for the rest.


    Their regeneration, raw strength and speed.


    Their regeneration was so powerful, in fact, they could even reform entire limbs after they had been cut off.


    Of course, this depended on their Rank.


    To Liam''s eye, the goblins were moving in slow motion.


    Even though they were enhanced and strengthened somehow.


    Months upon months of training turned his mind into aser that focused on nothing else but on how to deliver the quickest deaths.


    Plus, he had twice the amount of mental energy and ''Ora''.


    In short, as of now, he was a monster.


    ''Is this part of the test?'' Liam thought calmly. ''Or did they somehow enter through the fake dimension''s fractures?''


    ''The way Eternal Sword phrased it, this was supposed to be a one-on-one duel.''


    ''Not a damn frenzy.''


    Instantly, Liam''s senses spread to their furthest reaches.


    Liam had three different sensory types he was capable of using.


    Shadow Sense.


    Shifter Sense.


    And mental energy.


    Shadow Sense was currently not at its peak.


    Due to the bright illumination, and the hundreds of thousands of goblins stampeding the ground, the Sea of Darkness was a hectic mess.


    The Shifter Sense, though, was limited in range, but identified each individual goblin around him.


    It was like seeing through a ck and white thermal filter at 360 degrees.


    Even their heartbeat was audible to Liam''s keen ears.


    Slowly, they were closing the distance.


    15 meters.


    8 meters.


    5 meters, then 3.


    SHING!


    Liam''s ck de shed in quick, sessive strokes.


    All the while, Liam stood still.


    With how fast his swings were, Liam''s arm and sword was just a blur.


    Clearly, he wasn''t using his chaotic sword style.


    Not yet.


    All around him, long arcs of ck shes formed, and continued forming.


    They looked stagnant mid-air.


    But if one took a closer look, they were indeed moving forward.


    Just not as fast as Liam was making them.


    Time resumed.


    All the shes that formed spread out in an instant.


    Hundreds of soft squelching noises apanied by the spurting of blood rang out.


    As it continued, the roars slowly snuffed out one by one.


    The goblins were shredded cleanly apart.


    Heads flew in the air.


    Arms.


    Legs.


    Entrails and viscera.


    Strokes of dark red blood painted the air.


    From a perimeter of 35 meters, it seemed as though the goblins had been shoved through a human-sized fruit slicer!


    A disgusting, putrid stench permeated all throughout.


    Rivers of blood, urine and feces formed on the patches of stained grass.


    When goblins died, they lost control of their bowels and bodily fluids, simr to humans.


    Liam looked unfazed.


    However, the ogres weren''t killed instantly.


    They were way too big to kill from afar, but they were incapacitated due to the darkness burrowing in their insides.


    Despite this, the number of goblins hadn''t waned at all.


    Liam had merely pushed back the tide.


    Slowly, the roars were bing louder.


    Still, Liam''s focus was elsewhere.


    ''Where is she?''


    When Liam''s mental energy spread as far and wide as they could¡­ he spotted her.


    Through the massive hordes of giant goblins and ogres, his golden eye constricted to a sharp line.


    His vision found its way through the tiny cracks between the huge hordes of Goblins.


    Way out on the opposite side of the World''s Cut, roughly 1,000 meters away, was Reyan.


    Twilight.


    The Sword of Stars.


    At that distance, Twilight would seem like a tiny dot to anyone else.


    But to Liam, he could see each individual hair strand on her head.


    Reyan was wearing the same Moyong family robes.


    Her bone-white hair was much whiterpared to before, shortened to neck length.


    She looked basically the same as the time she entered, but much more mature and polished.


    Her aura was sharp, too. Colder.


    All around her, goblinsy dead, their bodies cleanly severed and disintegrated to ash.


    In her hand was a blindingly bright sword.


    It wasn''t curved at all, and was slightly shorter than Liam''s ck de.


    It was double-edged, t, and thinner than a fingernail.


    Her calm, silvery eye was coldly surveying the dead goblins around her.


    But when Liam caught sight of her, her face flickered with surprise.


    As soon as Liam''s predator-like eyes spotted her, her hair rose, and she felt like hundreds of needles pricked her skin.


    Reyan scowled. She knew she was being watched.


    But a momentter, Liam''s skin felt a few needle pricks.


    The Eternal Sword''s pills were swallowed by both of them, after all.


    Just like Liam was watching Reyan, Reyan was watching Liam!


    Of course, Reyan had her own ways of enhancing her vision.


    She wasn''t using mental energy or had a special eye.


    Liam''s sea of consciousness was much more powerful than anyone near his age.


    With a quick nce, Liam could tell she extended the range her eye could see by using light as a medium.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed coldly.


    Reyan lightly furrowed her brows.


    But the goblins were back, and they were surging in even greater numbers.


    Liam heaved a slight sigh as he took light steps forward, the ck de lightly gripped to his side.


    Then, he started running straight into the hordes ahead!


    If there was no path forward to his enemy¡­


    Liam would carve one!

 Chapter 345 Bob

    <h4>Chapter 345 Bob</h4>


    It was a massacre.


    Liam''s swords were glimmering with a sadistic thrill.


    Air, then skin, blood, flesh, organ, flesh, blood, skin, then air again. In and out. In an instant.


    That was the pattern that Liam''s swords followed.


    Using Transfiguration, Liam made his body as light as possible.


    Against weaker goblins, a simple swing was sufficient.


    Liam preferred speed over brute strength.


    And although he could just jump over everyone and avoid ''carving a path'', Liam had another goal in mind.


    SHING! SHING! SHING!


    As green limbs and bloody organs flew overhead, some of itnded on Liam''s bare body.


    His wrappings were in his ring, since he stored it a moment prior.


    As they made contact with his skin, they didn''t bounce off.


    They were absorbed!


    Liam was using Admit.


    Each piece of flesh that entered his body was stored in a separate reserve.


    There was no major difference between goblin flesh and human flesh, other than the enhanced physical capabilities.


    Meaning there was no special power Liam could derive from their species.


    Still, that was not important ¨C being able to use Expel was.


    SHING! SHING! SHING!


    ''They just keeping!'' Liam inwardly clicked his tongue as he sliced and diced his way forward.


    By now, his entire figure was cloaked in blood.


    Not his own, obviously.


    An ogre suddenly rushed towards him with a roar, each of its steps sounding like the banging of a thundering drum.


    The ogre was the size of 6 adults on top of one another, with the muscle of a bodybuilder. Its eyes were disturbingly human.


    Two blunt fangs protruded upwards from its bottom lip.


    In its hand was a giant stone club, studded with crude spikes and jagged edges.


    As soon as the ogre got close enough, it brought down its club at Liam.


    It was fast!


    Like with the dragons, thews of physics didn''t apply to these ugly creatures.


    WHOOSH!


    In a sense, it looked funny.


    Like a giant crushing an insect with a sledgehammer.


    Liam''s form flickered just as the club¡ª


    BOOOOM!


    ¡­crushed a dozen goblins into a meaty, bloody paste, and sent another dozen flying the distance.


    Using his Dusk des as a piton to climb onto the club, Liam propelled himself up the ogre''s muscr arm.


    BANG!


    Then, running forward as a blur, Liam carved around the ogre''s giant arm in a spiral fashion.


    RIIIIIP!


    The wounds that followed were anything but clean. Muscle tendons and skin were stripped and ripped out bare.


    SPLSHHHH!


    A rain of dark blood followed.


    Liam''s Dusk des were built to deliver the most gruesome and ugly wounds known to man.


    It was especially good at negating regeneration abilities.


    After all, the worse the wound was, the worse the wounds were, the longer and harder it was for the flesh to reform.


    Liam continued past the arm and arrived at the shoulder, where he continued to make a mess of the ogre''s being.


    To top it all off, his two swords reverted to a massive Breaker with the edge of an odachi¡ª


    SHING!


    And severed off the ogre''s thick neck in one fell swoop.


    Just like that!


    Granted, ogres were not the most specialized, nor the strongest Rank 4 specimens.


    The only reason they even were in the Zenith category, was because of their size and regeneration.


    That was it.


    But that didn''t take away from what Liam did.


    More than a year in a Celestial''s inheritance did wonders to his battle prowess.


    As he severed the beast''s neck, the ogre slowly tilted over, falling slowly like a sinking ship.


    Liam nced at Twilight''s direction.


    Bright shes of light kept ring on the opposite side of the World''s Cut.


    Just as Liam was clearing a path towards her, she was clearing a path towards him.


    THUD!


    The ogre''s body fell, crushing another hundred goblins.


    Liam moved on, his de never stopping.


    SHING!


    For every 36 goblins, there was 1 ogre.


    SHING!


    Liam ran insanely fast like some sort of feral creature, his eyes widened with focus.


    SHING!


    Because Liam''s body was so streamlined and lithe, his entire form looked stretched and elongated due to how quick he was.


    SHING!


    By then, Liam had absorbed roughly 3.3 kilos of goblin flesh in his body.


    SHING!


    ''Blegh! It tastes so bad!'' Liam thought as the entrails of a torn goblin flew into his mouth.


    He thought he could nourish his blood and body while he was at it¡­ but it was a grave mistake.


    From then on, Liam kept his mouth shut.


    By now, 340 meters were cleared between Liam and Twilight.


    There was 1,000 meters between them, but Liam and Twilight both cleared roughly 300 meters each.


    Obviously, Liam had cleared out more since he was much faster, but Reyan wasn''t far behind.


    Both paid attention to each other''s sword styles.


    Whether or not this goblin frenzy was a part of the test, it was useful for both of them to assess their sword techniques.


    At times, Reyan''s figure turned into a formless light, sort of simr to Liam''s Dark Wraith body.


    Unfortunately, Liam had lost that ability too once he attuned himself to the Triumvirate.


    Eventually, the two got close enough that their auras and mental waves ovepped and shed.


    The duel was near!


    But the goblins just kepting!


    It was like they were naturally born here, which they probably were.


    Liam grew tired of them.


    He summoned a good chunk of the darkness ''Ora'' in his core.


    But it formed into a massive arc as a result of him using Hone on it.


    Then, Liam let it loose.


    SHIIING!


    It was like mowing awn made of flesh.


    Liam''s arc shot through the lines of goblins and finally cleared a path for him and Twilight toe face to face.


    It was just temporary, though.


    It seemed like the duel would ur while they fought off a third party at the same time.


    Twilight flicked the ashes off her de.


    "You sure took your time," she said coldly. "I waited entire months until you arrived at the final Trial!"


    Silence.


    Liam didn''t respond, neither did he attack instantly.


    Better to feign weakness.


    "Once I''m done with you," she said with furrowed brows. "I''lle for that Shadow Demon prick."


    Silence.


    Liam raised his brows when he remembered something.


    Right now, he wasn''t disguised as Liam Royce.


    ...He was disguised as Bob!

 Chapter 346 Invisible

    <h4>Chapter 346 Invisible</h4>


    Liam said nothing as Reyan warily scanned his figure.


    There was absolutely no need for him to reveal his hand.


    When weak, one must feign strength.


    When strong,?one must feign weakness.


    Through the King''s Eye, Liam could read Reyan''s mental waves.


    And since his mental faculties were twice as strong, he could actually deduce coherent sentences from her mind.


    But it was still choppy and missing parts, and a Rank 3 sea of consciousness was capable of hyperfast thoughts.


    ''He¡­ simr¡­ prick¡­'' she thought.


    ''Sword¡­ fast¡­ dangerous¡­''


    ''Keep¡­ distance¡­''


    Those were the thoughts Reyan had.


    However, they were disciplined, and Liam couldn''t deduce her fighting n.


    At the same time, she felt calm, proud and confident.


    That said, Liam thought of the ways to use this disguise to his advantage.


    The first was using fear.


    Fear made the legs go soft.


    Ever since Liam had the Triumvirate Body, he could shapeshift his body in ordance to a grim illusion.


    He could manipte hair, skin, texture, eyes, flesh, color, and more.


    What if he made himself look like an abomination?


    Simr to the one time Liam made a Zenith kill himself from terror alone.


    But on the other hand, simply keeping the cards to himself was also fine.


    That''s what Liam decided to do.


    Fear could happen gradually, after all.


    "Oi, on a serious note," Reyan said with a firm voice. "why is this inheritance riddled with issues? My Recall Rune didn''t even work at times."


    If Reyan knew who she was talking to, she would instantly attack without even a second thought¡ª


    Wait, Recall Rune?


    "Recall Rune?" Liam asked slowly, arcing his brows.


    His face turned a little dark.


    The atmosphere grew a little frigid.


    The goblins were near again, but Liam sent another wide sh of darkness and quieted them briefly.


    Reyan did the same on her side, using a wide arc of bright light to turn the surrounding goblins into ash.


    It seemed like the two were in a momentary truce.


    "Recall Rune?" Liam repeated again.


    Reyan furrowed her brows slightly. A momentter, she took out a small, circr b of white metal from her ring.


    "This? You''ve¡­ never seen this before?" Reyan furrowed her brows.


    Liam stared at the rune.


    Indeed, he''d never seen it before.


    Slowly, Reyan''s lips formed into a broad smile.


    Then, she burst into an incredulousughter!


    "You¡­ seriously didn''t get this? So you''ve been resting in between your Trials instead of restarting them with peak condition instantly? You couldn''t even repeat a Trial to maximize your understanding of the sword, either?"


    Silence.


    Liam''s face was clouded with darkness.


    This whole damn time!


    ¡­He''d been under a handicap.


    He didn''t get any damn Recall Rune!


    Instead of recovering instantly, he had to¡­ rest. He hated that word, too.


    But this also meant something else.


    Twilight had the opportunity to repeat her Trials constantly to get the maximum benefit.


    Which meant that, even if this was a battle of swords, Liam probably wouldn''t win¡ª


    ''No,'' Liam interrupted his own line of thought. ''She''s not invincible.''


    ''I can win.''


    Reyan noticed the change in atmosphere and readied her sword.


    The distance between the two was still roughly 60 meters.


    The goblins were rushing back in, but neither of the two paid them any head.


    They were mere nuisances.


    The only thing they had to worry about were the ogres, but they were further backpared to the rest.


    All three of Liam''s swords were bloodthirsty. Even the Breaker.


    They corrted with whatever emotion Liam was going through, after all.


    ''Should I use it from the get go?'' Liam thought. ''No. I''ll wait and draw out her techniques.''


    ''In the first ce, she might have gotten something I didn''t.''


    ''I''ll practice caution.''


    Liam''s sword-stance was defensive.


    He kept the odachi at his side, but it was angled in a way that could cover all of his sides.


    Also, his body had reverted to its normal form.


    Now, he waited for Reyan to¡ª


    WHOOM!


    Fast!


    Reyan turned into light!


    Liam felt a warm sh of light growing hotter behind him.


    He turned around just in time to intercept the blindingly bright sword with his odachi.


    CLIIIING!


    If Liam didn''t have his Triumvirate Body, he definitely wouldn''t have been able to sense the attack.


    ''Why''s she so fast?!''


    Reyan shed again.


    WHOOM!


    This time, from his side.


    Liam felt his skin rise with danger from strange angles.


    SHING!


    Liam deflected the de¡­ but a cut ripped through his rear!


    And it wasn''t even from Reyan''s sword!


    It seared through Liam''s flesh, incinerating a handful of muscles into kes of ash.


    ''What is she using?'' Liam thought subconsciously, brows slightly furrowed.


    WHOOM!


    As Liam''s blood restored the wound, Reyan shed again.


    CLING!


    But Liam sessfully evaded and deflected the de.


    ¡­And yet, another cut formed on his side, turning another handful of his skin into ash.


    Liam lurched backwards to create space.


    An ogre attempted to crush him into paste with its club.


    BOOM!


    But Liam evaded.


    Instead of killing it, Liamnded on top of the ogre''s bald head.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed at Reyan.


    Reyan stopped ''shing'' and didn''t pursue him any longer, her radiant form returning human.


    The goblins had surged in by then, but an arc of light severed those near her from the waist.


    ''What is she using?'' Liam thought again, his gaze fixed on Reyan. ''Her de isn''t fast enough for my eye not to spot.''


    The gears of Liam''s mind were grinding for an answer.


    ''Is she using light to hide another sword somewhere?''


    ''But why is it invisible to me?''


    Reyan''s speed was something Liam knew straight off the bat.


    Nothing was faster than light.


    Obviously, light elementals could not tap into that ridiculous power, if it existed in the first ce.


    However, they could imitate it, sort of like how Liam faked a ck Hole''s gravitational pull.


    It wasn''t impossible.


    Just difficult.


    But hiding something from Liam was probably harder.


    The King''s Eye pretty much caught everything at 4K, slow-mo resolution, and it could even see mental energy.


    ''Is this her style? An invisible sword?'' Liam thought.


    Twilight smiled mockingly at Liam''s momentary retreat.


    More than 24 darkness and light chakrams formed around Twilight, shrieking as they formed.

 Chapter 347 Laughter

    <h4>Chapter 347 Laughter</h4>


    Liam''s face remained aloof as he saw the chakrams forming around her.


    Right after, a few tendrils emerged from the chakrams ¨C a mix of light and dark, creating twilight based weapons.


    ''Toys,'' Liam thought with contempt.


    All there to pull Liam''s attention away from the real issue.


    The most dangerous thing right now was the invisible, incinerating de.


    Not only was it out of sight, it was capable of turning Liam''s powerful body into ash.


    The only reason Liam felt its presence was due to his senses warning him of the hidden danger.


    But if it was just that, Liam wouldn''t have been shed three times with the sword.


    He was purposely being misled where it was.


    ¡­


    ''There''s more than one.''


    ''When I try to evade it and the sword in her hand, she shes me with the other.''


    ''And now, she''s got more than 24 different weapons to use.''


    ''Should I just use my Ashura Form and clobber her to death?''


    ''What if she uses her Recall Rune and manages to exit this ce?''


    ''In the first ce, my Ashura Form isn''t as fast as her light, and I can only hold it for about 2 to 3 minutes.''


    As Liam came to that conclusion, two full seconds had passed.


    Doubling the mental energy of a cultivator had honed their focus and mind to a scary degree, allowing for almost instantaneous deductions.


    All the while, the roaring ogre Liam was perched upon tried to swat him off like he was a fly, restlessly thrashing around.


    "Are you gonna hide up there for the rest of the fight?" Reyan sneered. "Come down."


    Liam smiled crookedly. "Make me."


    Twilight looked at Liam with contempt burning in her eye.


    "You''re just as annoying as him."


    All of her chakrams suddenly shot towards the ogre''s bulging stomach, ripping through its entrails and siphoning away its life.


    The ogre attempted to swing his club again, but looked anorexic after 10 seconds.


    With no more energy left in its body, it started to fall, and Liam apanied its descent.


    As Liam fell, Reyan''s form started to beam with light.


    HHMMM!


    Another sh was iing.


    Liam contemted whether or not he should use his sword style.


    By the end of it, he chose not to.


    There were still too many things he didn''t know about Twilight''s techniques.


    More importantly, Liam''s chaos reserves were not as vast.


    And the destructive sword style that Liam developed burned through it like gas.


    Thus, Liam''s ck de turned into the Little Demons.


    The odachi wasn''t fit for the job.


    The Breaker was too slow and too titanic.


    The Dusk des were perfect.


    WHOOM!


    Before she shed, Liam threw a dozen different Shadow Bombs on the ground.


    They exploded with ck smoke and spread in every direction, but Reyan was undeterred.


    Wherever her light touched, the dark gas evaporated.


    But Liam knew as much.


    It was meant just to deter her slightly, along with the goblins nearby.


    CLING! CLANG! SHING!


    Liam''s two Dusk des looked like ck streaks as they shed against Reyan''s 24 chakrams, her light-sword and sharp-tipped tendrils.


    An obnoxious ngor filled the fake rowdy fake dimension.


    Liam was so fast!


    All his swings were just blurs that ovepped with each other.


    As of now, Liam''s body was incredibly streamlined and slim, giving him a boost of speed.


    Liam''s Blood Bonds left his Inner World and covered his nks and rear.


    The Apex Hawk, Death Wolf and ck Hunter were basically damage sponges.


    Although they were each strong in their own right, right now, they weren''t viable for offense.


    On top of it all, Liam was silently weaving together a cocoon of Sanguine Strings to catch Reyan by surprise.


    He was hiding the wafer-thin needles with his illusions, and they¡ª


    BOOOOM!


    An explosion of blinding light suddenly took over the battlefield.


    In excruciating detail, Liam feltyers andyers of his skin melt apart, then slowly reform under his regeneration.


    He flew through the air, over a sea of goblins and ogres, and Reyan followed suit, aiming to finish him off.


    It was clear that she realized who she was fighting.


    She was using Mind Edge.


    ''Enough games!'' Liam thought, his sr plexus burning with chaos that enveloped his two Dusk des.


    A massive chunk of mental energy entered the sh inside his sea of consciousness. Liam felt everything retract and sharpen.


    ''Enough ying with my food!''


    Reyan still continued with her trajectory, aiming to finish Liam off while he still soared through the air.


    But as her chakrams and invisible swords got close to Liam, they wobbled with disruption and just¡­ sputtered out of existence.


    When she swung across Liam''s waist, she expected her chakrams, invisible swords, and tendrils to slice into his skin.


    Now, there was only her physical sword!


    CLING!


    And it was blocked a secondter.


    Reyan tried to sh to safety.


    It didn''t work.


    She was too close.


    Too close to Liam, too close to that strange, bright red energy.


    And she couldn''t escape.


    Right now, Twilight was like a panther trapped with a lion.


    Fear.


    Fear tainted her mental waves and gripped her heart.


    CLANG!


    Then came the chaotic swings that Liam called a sword style.


    SHING!


    With just one sword, Reyan did her best to deflect and dodge Liam''s barrage of strikes, swipes and stabs.


    CLANG! SHING! CLING!


    It was an admirable effort.


    SHING!


    But she depended too much on spells and her light.


    Liam''s swords started to im entire pounds of flesh.


    The Dusk des stripped skin off. The Dusk des cut muscles off. And the Breaker broke bones.


    Goblins attempted to intervene, just to be swept up in his flurry and get violently butchered.


    It was a beatdown.


    From pride and confidence, to fear, to terror, and now, to despair.


    In ast stand attack, a Honed, de-shaped mass of Reyan''s mental energy tried to pierce Liam''s mind, but Liam ducked under just before it rendered him braindead.


    SHING!


    Using an octopus tendril paired with a clean swing, Liam seized Reyan''s left arm.


    SHING!


    Followed by her right hand.


    BANG!


    Followed by her head.


    Thest thing Reyan saw before her vision went dark was Liam''s crooked smirk, and real appearance.


    Victory.


    Liam had done it.


    Silence.


    There was no grand announcement.


    Liam waited patiently.


    The goblins suddenly froze.


    Liam swept around in confusion.


    Silence.


    A low, sadistic, and spine-chillingughter that sounded more like a continuous wheeze grew louder, until it became a sonorousugh.


    ...


    Liam''s heart sank.

 Chapter 348 Vessel

    <h4>Chapter 348 Vessel</h4>


    [A/N: Previous chapter has been edited a bit. Both fighters used Mind Edge]


    ***


    Wickedughter filled the fake dimension.


    Liam felt a primordial dread radiating from its fractured walls, which was now in tatters and flickering as though it was broken.


    The goblins and ogres were still frozen as though they were mannequins.


    Even Liam didn''t know how to react to what was happening.


    Theughter just sounded too vile and obnoxious, but that wasn''t where the dread came from.


    VOOM!


    Ahead, a circr entrance spread open from the ground, upon which a figure slowly hovered above.


    Half-head.


    That was the first word that came into Liam''s mind when he saw the figure that emerged.


    A fitting name.


    The figure wore filthy brown rags.


    Pallid, with a hunched back. Bare footed.


    One of his eyes was ck, and the other was dark red.


    A broad grin was on his face, which disyed the ugly teeth inside. Wrinkly face and sagging skin.


    His entire figure was marred with scars and cuts that seeped with droplets of blood.


    And the top of his head was missing.


    Just a few inches above his graying eyebrows.


    It looked cleanly sliced off, disying the brainy insides.


    Liam stared at him wide-eyed, his muscles tightening.


    No matter who it was that had his head cut off like that, they would not be able to survive.


    With grand gestures and a raspy voice that sounded more like a hiss, the man spoke:


    "So! We finally meet! I have to say, I loved your performance! Not a moment of boredom, I tell you."


    "Even after I handicapped you like that, you still pulled through and won."


    "Brutal, brutal what you did to her. No mercy! Just how I like it."


    "And that explosive energy! Familiar. Very familiar, but I cannot put my finger on it."


    The man nodded to himself repeatedly.


    Liam gulped.


    ''What is happening?'' Liam inwardly cursed. The grip on his sword tightened. ''Is this the Eternal Sword?''


    Half-head shook his head dramatically.


    "Me? Eternal Sword?" he uttered darkly, anger creeping into his tone and face.


    Oh no.


    Half-head could hear Liam''s thoughts.


    "ME?! LOOK AT ME! LOOK AT WHAT HE DID TO ME! HE DID THIS TO ME! HE DID!"


    BOOM!


    BOOM!


    BOOM!


    A dozen ogres suddenly exploded with a rain of blood, guts and viscera.


    An abrupt silence followed the furious outburst.


    Liam took a deep, shaky breath.


    His mental energy was low.


    His blood was not at its fullest.


    And his chaos was nigh-empty.


    Liam was trapped.


    The fake dimension trembled hectically.


    Water started to pour in from all the fractures.


    The cold water gushed forth and flowed through Liam''s feet.


    Slowly, the water level was rising.


    "Apologies, apologies," Half-Head said with a loudugh.


    "Don''t hold it against me. Ever since I had my brain lopped off by that handsome bastard, I can''t CONTROL MY EMOTIONS!"


    Liam flinched. The old man screamed thest part of his sentence.


    But now, he was back to smiling.


    It was like the outburst never happened, and he was back to being cheery.


    "What do you want?" Liam asked with a strangely calm voice.


    This was certain death.


    There was no doubt about that.


    Trapped with a half-dead, half-head cultivator with the ability to explode things was definitely certain death.


    Whatever Liam said or did would determine if he breathed air within the next few moments.


    But in no way was Liam going to take it sitting down.


    Right now, he wasn''t even thinking, hence the expressionless look on his face.


    "Ah. Right. What do I want? I don''t know¡­ To be something other than a vessel of pure hatred and vile disgust? To find purpose other than an empty¡­ unfulfilled revenge?!"


    BOOM!


    BOOM!


    BOOM!


    Another series of goblin and ogre explosions urred, coloring the steadily rising water with blood.


    Here and there, organs and heads ran through the foamy streams of murky liquid.


    Silence.


    Liam took another deep breath to calm his nerves.


    Half-head was vtile.


    Bipr, in a sense.


    A question could tick him off and mark Liam''s death.


    He had to ask the right questions, and without provoking or angering the old man.


    All the while, the water was slowly rising.


    And the fake dimension would break apart.


    "What do you want from me, I mean?" Liam asked calmly, moving slowly to where Reyan''s corpse was.


    The water reached up to his shins now.


    "What unfulfilled revenge?" he questioned.


    Silence.


    Half-head grumbled a curse as he waved his hand.


    With a sh of light, another figure appeared in the fake dimension.


    It was a handsome man with glorious features. ck and white hair. Clean shaven and sharp-eyed. He looked young, but looked almost schrly.


    It was clear who this was.


    The Eternal Sword.


    The Eternal Sword spoke with a warm smile:


    "You have done well to pass all the Trials and win against your opponent. Now, you shall receive the rest of my teachings and techniques. May we meet in the Celestial Realm, my heir."


    BOOM!


    Then, the Eternal Sword exploded!


    But there was no blood.


    It was not real.


    It was a fake.


    Shhhhhh.


    The water was up to Liam''s knees, now.


    "Long story short," the old man continued. "we fought. He cut off my head. Left me to die. I lived. Then he left for the Celestial Realm."


    "But not before he made his inheritance."


    "It took me time to break it down," the old man grumbled, gazing at the cuts and wounds on his body.


    "But I did. And I killed the anatomized Will he left behind."


    "I''ve killed him over, and over, and over, and over again. But there''s less satisfaction every time."


    The old man sighed.


    Silence.


    Liam arched his brows slightly.


    Subconsciously, he was still scooting closer to Reyan''s body.


    "You still haven''t answered what you want from me," Liam said after a prolonged pause.


    The old man exploded intoughter, then looked at Liam with a dark glint in his dark eyes.


    Liam had arrived beside Reyan''s corpse, which bobbed up in down the water beside the goblins.


    All he needed to do was take the Recall Rune out of her ring and hope it would work.


    It was all he could hope for.


    All the while, Liam''s gaze was still connected with Half-head.


    Half-head waved his hand.


    More than two dozen robed skeletons appeared beside him, all wielding various kinds of swords.


    "If I can''t kill the Eternal Sword," he said with a toothy grin. "I can make sure he never gets an heir to apany him."

 Chapter 349 Home

    <h4>Chapter 349 Home</h4>


    Before Half-head couldplete his sentence, Liam lurched for Reyan''s arm.


    Liam knew he couldn''t be reasoned with.


    The old coot was missing half of his brain, and was more unstable than Liam''s chaos.


    And he had defeated a Celestial''s ''anatomized will'', whatever that was. That put him at the level of a Rank 6 powerhouse or even more.


    Thus, Liam had two choices.


    First, make a run for the fractured walls.


    Most probably, the range of Half-head''s control couldn''t go past the fake dimension.


    There was one reason Liam thought this.


    Half-head was not alive.


    How did Liam know?


    Half-head''s aura was a mix of dark red and ck energy. In fact, his whole body wasposed of this material.


    Obviously, Liam didn''t know what those energies were.


    But there was neither mental energy, nor ''Ora'' around him.


    Not a wisp.


    Not to mention, Half-head could not possibly survive for so long with such wounds.


    He was basically a vessel at this point.


    But this choice, like the other, was a major gamble.


    The other choice was the Recall Rune in Reyan''s ring.


    The only reason Liam liked this n over the former, was because of the way the inheritance was set up.


    One thing was for sure, Liam knew that Half-head could not produce those glittering runes that provided the Eternal Sword''s techniques.


    The inheritance probably worked as a factory to produce them repeatedly.


    And the Recall Rune was obviously among them.


    Although Liam wanted to use Honed Void to break apart the inheritance from the inside, it would simply take too much time.


    And there was too little chaos for him to even consider it, or even fully transform into an Ashura.


    All he could do was semi-transform and strengthen his body with Transfiguration.


    Then, in one fluid motion, Liam reached for Reyan''s space ring, cleared away the mental energy from it, and hectically scrambled to find the Recall Ru¡ª


    Half-head snapped his fingers.


    Liam felt like something was growing in his stomach, causing thick veins to bulge across his body as he tried to push it down.


    An invisible force was trying to expand his insides, sending violent vibrations throughout his form.


    If one looked at Liam, they''d see two versions of him. Sort of like a mirage or an after-image.


    Liam was exploding.


    But he hadn''t.


    At least, not yet.


    In real time, he was fighting against the expanding force growing in his body.


    Liam felt like his organs were degenerating as ethereal waves of dark red and ck energy started to seep into them.


    The only reason his Chaos Pearl and core weren''t shattered already, was because Liam was using the goblin meat he had stored as a type of sponge.


    It was agonizing, but Liam''s tolerance for pain had steadily risen throughout the past few years.


    Liam attempted to use Transfiguration tobat the destructive force, seeding only in lessening its effect.


    The inevitable came.


    BOOM!


    Like a balloon bursting, Liam''s entire figurebusted into strings of biological mass and bright blood.


    Cracks spread across his sea of consciousness like a broken mirror.


    Instantly, his ears popped.


    His nerves went numb.


    But he wasn''t dead.


    Somehow, his centers of power were still safe.


    And his most important organs, the heart and the brain, were still functioning.


    But Liam''s consciousness was slipping.


    Darkness took over his vision, leaving only vague silhouettes.


    His senses became muffled, as though he was under water.


    Which he probably was.


    The connection between Liam and his swords was slowly fading.


    His body looked like it had passed through a meat grinder.


    DEATH.


    No doubt, this was death.


    He ran from it this long, but in the end, it was inevitable.


    Silence.


    Seconds felt like hours.


    ''Unlucky,'' Liam thought wryly. Thinking hurt.


    He''d done all he could.


    It was not a matter of him not seeding. It was a matter of seeding not being an option.


    ''It is what it i¡ª''


    Tap.


    Something pressed against Liam''s body as he sunk deeper into the water.


    It was warm to the touch, and his Shifter skin ¨C which could sense luminosity ¨C felt its brightness.


    ¡­The Recall Rune!


    Just before the invisible force grew in Liam''s stomach, he actually managed to fling the rune out.


    But then he exploded.


    ¡­But here it was!


    Liam used all the remaining blood in his body to Transfigurate himself onest time.


    Slowly, a ck octopus tentacle sprouted from Liam''s side, where the Recall Rune was.


    It extended and wrapped around the rune before a stream of water could pull it away.


    Then, Liam gripped it as hard as he could.


    It was clear that Liam was attempting to crush it.


    ''Come on!'' Liam exerted all the effort he possibly could without shattering his mental sphere. ''Come on!'' he repeated.


    Little cracks formed around the Recall Rune.


    And eventually¡ª


    KRSH!


    It broke.


    WHOOOOM!


    Liam''s form was seized away, yanked upwards towards the fake dimension''s ''roof''.


    Due to the sudden movement, Liam instantly lost consciousness.


    Light basked him, causing the sea he was drowning to brighten, like a dying star reborn anew.


    It looked even more majestic when he emerged from its dark depths.


    "NO!" Half-head shouted desperately. He snapped his fingers again, but there was no explosion this time. "NO!"


    Liam was gone.


    He flew upwards and upwards through the walls, in an umbral state of semi-awareness, and with no understanding of time.


    All he knew was that he was alive, along with vague senses that hinted to where he was.


    Right now, he was flying above the World''s Cut, judging by the forceful waves of gushing water shooting past him.


    Then, he was in the air.


    Somewhere above the World''s Cut.


    Then, Liam felt a familiar sensation running through his flesh and muscles, repairing his degenerated figure.


    Though, strangely, Liam still felt the dark red and ckish energies infecting his muscles.


    Slowly, Liam felt the cracks on his sea of consciousness being slightly repaired.


    Enough for him to open his eyes without feeling pain.


    The first thing Liam saw when he opened his eyes, was a broadly grinning Usan and the Elders of the Temple of Shadow.


    Liam closed his eyes to sleep again.


    ...


    Finally, he was back home.

 Chapter 350 Details

    <h4>Chapter 350 Details</h4>


    Liam didn''t know how much time had passed.


    He''d drifted on a fine edge between life and death.


    The cracks on his mental sphere were very much there.


    All Usan did was press them together so they didn''t fall apart.


    Another grim detail Liam realized was the numb pain that ran across his body.


    They were the ck and red energies, clinging to Liam''s body. Whatever that filthy Half-head infected him with.


    And the spots where it resided, Liam felt a slow but steady agony.


    Everything else, though, got better.


    He''d been getting baths by Elder Jane and Aki during his slumber, and he no longer resembled a desecrated corpse.


    It was time for him to awake.


    Liam opened his eyes and instantly winced, painfully aware of each little ache that ran across his injuries.


    Liam lived for one reason alone.


    Transfiguration and his blood.


    And dumb luck.


    ''If the rune didn''t work, I''d be six feet under right now,'' Liam squeezed in a thought, then sat up with squinted eyes.


    He was in arge hall room, lying on a soft bed, wrapped in tight bandages.


    Surrounding him were Elders, familiar and foreign.


    Elder Ryu, Aki, Orisa, Jax, Verium, Jane, along with Krel, Ruth, Maeve, Adrian, Jargon and finally, Usan.


    But there were too many new faces that Liam didn''t recognize.


    The Temple had grown.


    Liam''s gaze brushed past Usan. The man looked much skinnerpared to before.


    His cheekbones were poking through, and his white hair had noticeably lost its luster.


    Most of his powerful aura had waned.


    Everyone was silent, with different expressions on their faces.


    Loud sounds could definitely damage Liam''s mental sphere, and they didn''t want to worsen his condition any further.


    Jargon looked proud and ted.


    Ryu had a broad smile on his face.


    The rest of the Elders were happy to see Liam alive.


    Others looked at him expectantly.


    Ruth put up two fingers as a greeting gesture.


    Krel gave a firm nod and a smile.


    Though, everyone felt their hairs slightly perk up at his sight.


    Riddled on the bed with countless injuries, bandaged head to toe...


    Yet, they still felt like Liam was a threat to their lives.


    "Had us worried, kid," Usan spoke in a low voice and a slight smile on his skinny face.


    "You''re doing worse than me, and I don''t even know how that''s possible. Can you fill us in?"


    Liam groaned and winced.


    His face went through a series of pained expressions as he stabilized his thoughts.


    A cracked mental sphere did not mean death. It was fixable with time and rest.


    It was more like a head injury, like being hit on the back of the skull with an iron hammer.


    Essentially, that''s what Liam felt like.


    "Inheritance was broken down," Liam said with a strained tone.


    "Some maniac with half a head wanted revenge against the Eternal Sword and tortured those who entered his inheritance."


    "Almost made me explode."


    There was a contemtive silence as everyone digested Liam''s words.


    A Celestial''s inheritance...


    Broken into?


    How?


    Explode?


    "How?" Usan voiced, arching his brow.


    "I''m not sure myself," Liam replied. "But I''m guessing it has something to do with this ck matter in my body."


    "Can you not cure it?" Liam asked with furrowed brows.


    Usan paused for a second, a bitter look on his face.


    He shook his head.


    "I tried... but couldn''t seed. Anytime I tried to forcibly remove it, it rooted itself deeper into your nerves."


    Liam grimaced.


    His Chaos Pearl and core was just fine, thanks to theyer of goblin flesh.


    It acted like a shield. And due to its regenerative properties, it wasn''t as affected against the ck substance.


    But the rest of his body was an entirely different story.


    In short, if Liam wasposed purely out of white strings, there were ck threads tightly interwoven with them.


    Even if Liam transformed his bodyposition to something else, the ck threads would still follow it.


    ''It''s the whole deformity problem all over again.''


    But even worse.


    "If it hasn''t killed you yet, you''re okay. Just work on getting your mind fixed," Usan said reassuringly.


    "What happened while I was away?" Liam asked, flinching at another pang of pain.


    "I''ll fill you in," Usan said with a serious voice.


    "But there''s someone that wants to meet with you, and he can''t take no for an answer."


    The door to the space creaked open.


    Hand of Light walked in with a grave expression, along with North Star and Yar''wei.


    The Rank 6 powerhouse himself and his sons were here.


    They looked the exact same.


    A year or two was nothing to high ranking cultivators.


    Kuan nced at Liam with a severe, assessing look.


    A pure sense of superiority and authority radiated from him.


    But his presence didn''t pain Liam.


    North Star and Yar''wei red at him too, but it wasn''t as intimidating as the giant that was Hand of Light.


    Liam''s sense of power was skewed due to being around a powerhouse.


    Even Rank 4 cultivators could potentially kill Liam if he wasn''t prepared.


    Kuan said nothing for several seconds.


    Silence.


    "Tell us what happened," Kuan said severely. "Why is Reyan not here?"


    Liam heaved a long sigh.


    He took his time when answering.


    Usan wanted to speak for him, but Kuan red at him not to.


    The air grew tense.


    All eyes were on Liam to see how he would respond.


    "The inheritance was a trap. The Eternal Sword''s ''anatomized will'' was broken into by an old man with half a brain."


    "Said Eternal Sword had done that to him thousands of years ago and left him to die."


    Silence.


    Kuan''s face was as hard as ever.?"And Reyan?" he asked.


    Silence.


    Liam paused, then flinched again due to a sudden pain.


    "Thest Trial was a duel to the death," Liam responded, rubbing his temples.


    North Star and Yar''wei grimaced simultaneously.


    "And?" Kuan said with a deep voice. "Continue, boy."


    Instantly, Liam felt annoyed. He flinched in pain again, and his intrusive thoughts came out as a consequence.


    "And I cut off her limbs and severed her head."

 Chapter 351 Plague

    <h4>Chapter 351 gue</h4>


    ''Oops. I didn''t mean to say that outloud.''


    North Star and Yar''wei''s eyes widened with anger, while Kuan was expressionless.


    The pressure in the room slightly increased, causing Liam''s grimace to deepen.


    "I''ll remind you to keep your auras in check," Usan said with a dark voice at the three.


    The vast hall darkened with shrieking shadows.


    "A duel to the death was an exception to the rule," Usan reminded.


    Slowly, the pressure faded, and Liam''s head felt relief.


    "Leave now. You have what you wanted," Usan told Kuan with a deadpan tone.


    The Elders were prepared for a fight to break out.


    Their hands twitched with restraint.


    Kuan lingered for a few seconds, his cryptic gaze still fixated on Liam.


    Silence again.


    Liam knew he couldn''t lie.


    Even if there were circumstances beyond his control, Liam told the truth.


    Kuan wasn''t stupid. He could tell straight away if Liam med her death on Reyan.


    So, even though it was blurted out by mistake, Liam stood by it.


    After a few seconds of fragile silence, Kuan turned around and left wordlessly, followed by North Star and Yar''wei.


    The room''s tense atmosphere melted away, but the silence remained.


    "What happened while I was gone?" Liam asked as they left.


    Usan''s gaze turned serious.


    "A lot of things. The world is in¡­ well, a fragile state," he said. "For now, rest. You can''t do much with a cracked mind."


    "Someone will fill you in once you''re back to decent health."


    Liam wanted to protest¡­ but everyone quickly left using their shadows!


    It was a little too quick to be normal.


    Even Jargon left as quickly, which he would almost never do without Liam''s permission.


    It seemed they''d been instructed to do so before Liam had a chance to say anything.


    Nevertheless, the room was emptied once more, and Liam was by himself.


    Silence.


    It was just him and his thoughts.


    ''It''s a shame I didn''t get the full inheritance,'' Liam mused. ''There must have been something incredible for the final Trial.''


    Liam felt a bitter taste in his mouth.


    In his sea of consciousness, Liam used his mental energy to slowly fill in the cracks on his mind.


    And there were many.


    This would take a month at least to repair.


    Liam reyed the memories of the inheritance.


    ''I should have trusted my gut feeling, damn it.''


    ''Greed cost me time and energy.''


    A full two weeks passed before Liam managed to regain most of his mental faculties.


    As soon as he had the strength to think without flinching, Liam slowly stripped away his bandages to take a closer look at his condition.


    The outside of his body was rtively normal, besides being slimmer due to losing so much blood.


    Most external wounds had healed, and even Liam''s stomach was patched up.


    ''...But the infection remains.''


    What Half-head gave Liam was not actually a virus.


    It didn''t spread, and it didn''t make him sick.


    ''It''s getting worse and worse the more time passes.''


    It just made him feel pain, and it was getting worse.


    On Liam''smand, darkness spread to his hand and zed.


    ''Thankfully, my core still works.''


    Liam used chaos next, but as it spread through his hand, he realized something.


    The ckish substance was actually pulled into the chaos as it flowed past!


    Then, when the chaos dissipated, the infective matter was what remained.


    Liam did the same thing again, and the gue-like substance was sucked in again.


    ''I can expel it,'' Liam realized with a smile.


    For the next few minutes, Liam tried to pull away the ck substance from his left hand.


    It was like using a ma to manipte ferrofluid through a ss container.


    It was a painful process, since wherever the ck substance passed, Liam felt the ''degeneration'' that came with it.


    But it was the same volume throughout.


    All of the murky substance soon gathered in Liam''s left arm and hand.


    From his entire body, that is.


    Since his left arm took the burden of the ''degeneration'', it basically went numb with pain.


    Onest time, Liam used chaos to pull away the infectious substance.


    Contrary to Liam''s expectation, the substance refused to leave Liam''s hand!


    Liam cursed.


    A few more hours passed as Liam tried the same thing.


    It still wasn''t expelled.


    Not even a bit.


    ''Got ahead of myself,'' Liam thought with furrowed brows.


    ''Maybe I can gather all of it in one arm, then use Expel?''


    Before doing that, Liam made the tip of his finger explode.


    BOOM!


    Liam grimaced slightly as a shockwave spread throughout the hall.


    Usan suddenly appeared.


    "It hasn''t been two weeks and you''re already back to explosives?" he asked with a reprimanding voice.


    "Nothing else to do," Liam said, examining his fingertip.


    His eyes widened a momentter.


    Even though his finger tip wasn''t there, there was an ethereal ck form there instead.


    A finger.


    Made from the gue-like substance.


    Liam curled his finger.


    And it actually moved.


    "What¡­ is this?" Liam muttered under his breath.


    Even Usan looked taken aback. "No clue," he shook his head. "What did you get hit by?"


    "I couldn''t tell. I was too busy exploding," Liam countered, idly curling his ethereal finger.


    Slowly, Liam used his blood to speed up the healing process.


    Exploding an arm versus exploding a fingertip was massively different in their healing times.


    Since the wound was little, even though Liam used Expel, he didn''t have to wait exorbitant amounts of time.


    ''Speeding up the healing process uses arge volume of blood. Even a finger tip requires at least 3 to 4 liters of it.''


    And by the end of it, the ck substance was still there.


    ''Unless I do something, this''ll just get worse until I won''t be able to use my arm entirely.''


    ¡­There was one thing he could do.


    But it came with a risk.


    "I don''t take it you or anyone you know can help, right?" Liam asked quietly.


    Usan shrugged bitterly. "Whatever it is, it''s a Rank 6 attack. Not even Kuan could help, and he wouldn''t want to."


    Liam shook his head at that.


    A few seconds of silence passed.


    Then, with a resolute look in his multi-colored eyes, Liam manipted his Chaos Pearl to exit through the cage of goblin flesh.

 Chapter 352 Corruption

    <h4>Chapter 352 Corruption</h4>


    Liam''s Chaos pearl left the protective shield of goblin flesh and slowly drifted towards the mass of gue-like substance.


    There was one reason Liam was doing such a thing.


    Chaos absorbed the infectious, almost ghostly material with no issues whatsoever.


    But instead of getting rid of the problem, it took it from one ce to the other.


    What Liam needed was for it to disappear entirely. But even Usan was not capable of doing so.


    That''s when Liam got the bright idea of using his Chaos Pearl as a device to store the ''degeneration''.


    The degeneration only affected his nerves and muscles. The Chaos Pearl was neither of these things.


    It was a circr sphere made from a powerful brass metal that was nigh-unbreakable.


    As soon as it flowed through the thickyer of goblin meat, it slowly flowed towards Liam''s left hand, where all the ''degeneration'' was.


    Instantly, the entirety of the ck mass left Liam''s arm and swirled around the Chaos Pearl!


    ''They''re naturally attracted?'' Liam thought with furrowed brows. ''How?''


    Slowly, the infectious matter seeped into the pearl.


    Groaning, Liam felt a needle was stabbing him through the heart.


    "You okay?" Usan asked quickly as Liam fell to the ground.


    "Fine," Liam wheezed. "Give me a minute."


    Nevertheless, it took eight seconds for the Chaos Pearl to fully absorb the ck mass and ''adjust'' to it.


    Inside that little needle tip-sized sphere, the two forces were shing against each other.


    Then, the pain disappeared, and a short silence ensued.


    Usan remained quiet as Liam slowly rose to his feet, a slight frown on his skinny face.


    ''It''s¡­bined,'' Liam realized with wide eyes.


    Indeed, the vtile Chaos and the infectious degeneration had found a strange harmony within the Chaos Pearl.


    ''They''re not merged¡­ but they''ve found a way to co-exist inside the pearl,'' Liam thought.


    Well, not really.


    Chaos tried to overwhelm the ''degeneration'', but like the stubborn thing it was, the ck mass didn''t disappear.


    A momentter, it rooted itself onto the surface of Liam''s Chaos Pearl.


    And that was that.


    Now what?


    ''Please don''t work against me like everything else.''


    "Do you have something I can test this with?" Liam asked Usan.


    "The ck stuff just got sucked into the pearl."


    Usan raised his brows. "Does it hurt?" he asked.


    Liam shook his head. "No. But it makes me feel like something''s living inside my chest."


    Usan hummed in response, but didn''t ask any further.


    "Is a Rank 3 good enough?" he asked.


    Liam nodded.


    From his Inner World, a Rank 3 Dark Wolf emerged. Alive, but domesticated.


    Liam didn''t ask why Usan kept something like that.


    Instead, Liam gathered some of the gue-ish substance on the tip of his index.


    As it passed through, Liam didn''t feel pain. It was like a pocket of air traveling through water.


    Eventually, it arrived at Liam''s finger, turning it ck with barely visible tints of red.


    It wasn''t like darkness, which surged with mes.


    Liam could mold, stretch and squeeze it, but it was still ethereal, simr to Chaos.


    Instead of being vtile, though, it was a mix between liquidish and smoky.


    ''Did it inherit the properties of the Chaos Pearl after it attuned to it? How does that work exactly?''


    Liam furrowed his brows.


    Turns out, he didn''t know everything about what the Chaos Pearl entailed.


    Nevertheless, Liam flicked his fingers forward as hard as he could.


    But nothing happened.


    It still clung stubbornly to Liam''s finger.


    ''It seems I have to get physical for it to work.''


    Liam walked up to the Dark Wolf.


    It growled at him in a warm way, flipping around itself to expose its belly.


    It was demanding a belly rub.


    "Did you seriously choose a dog of all things for me to test this on?" Liam asked Usan with furrowed brows.


    Usan scoffed derisively. "You care about humans more than a pet dog?"


    Liam remained silent.


    Nevertheless, Usan recalled the Dark Wolf and reced it with an untamed Mountain Bear.


    ''That''s better,'' Liam thought as the bear lunged at him with a roar.


    Liam pivoted his foot and swerved to the side, jabbing a sharp, gue-covered finger at the beast''s side.


    Simply touching the bear did no damage!


    ''It has to tear into the body, then,'' Liam thought.


    Liam''s finger easily stabbed into the beast''s flesh, and the ck substance left his hand.


    The bear thumped limply on the ground, moaning with agony.


    Crouching to the bear''s side, Liam watched the process intently with Usan beside him.


    The ck mass spread across the bear''s body like vines growing around a tree.


    Everywhere it went, the bear''s fur weightlessly fell off, revealing the wrinkled skin beneath.


    The bear didn''t have the energy to cry out anymore. It wheezed and convulsed uncontrobly.


    The effectsted for six long seconds, before the infectious matter eventually puffed out.


    Silence.


    The unfortunate bear suffered a slow death afterwards.


    Liam pursed his lips pensively.


    Unlike what Half-head did to Liam, the gue-ish substance did not linger indefinitely.


    Usan blinked several times.


    "So¡­ you''re telling me you''ve somehow absorbed this Half-head''s¡­ corruption power and made it your own?"


    Liam paused.


    ''Corruption. That''s a good name,'' Liam thought.


    Then, he nodded.


    "That''s what my body''s telling me," Liam responded.


    "How much of it can you use?" Usan asked.


    "It''s halved my Chaos reserves," Liam said bitterly. "But the other half is filled with Corruption.


    Before, Liam could conjure tenrge spheres of Chaos to throw, shape or use as a spell.


    But now, he could do just five.


    Five for Chaos.


    Five for Corruption.


    Though, it was important to note that Liam couldn''t use Corruption from a distance.


    Obviously, he''d test it out some moreter on.


    Right now, he had more pressing matters.


    ''There''s still the Kitsune''s deal to worry about,'' Liam thought, ncing at his abdomen.


    The Kitsune Tattoo was brighter than ever.


    It was telling Liam to hurry up.


    Liam looked at Usan with a firm face.


    "I''m done with rest. You can tell me what happened while I was gone."

 Chapter 353 Politics

    <h4>Chapter 353 Politics</h4>


    "First thing you should know is that the inheritance was public to a few powerhouses," Usan said with a low voice.


    He was past the point of reprimanding Liam for not taking care of his health.


    Liam frowned instantly.


    "And before long, it''ll be spread around the world."


    Liam''s frown turned into a scowl.


    "Once the Moyong family realized they didn''t win the inheritance, they let the cat out of the bag."


    Liam''s scowl turned into a grimace.


    "Parents are already naming their children ''Bob'' in hopes they''ll be grandmasters."


    Despite Bob and Liam Royce being different identities, Liam had swallowed the Eternal Sword''s jade pill.


    Anyone that looked at Bob would feel their skin rise.


    Anyone that looked at Liam would feel their skin rise.


    But the issue wasn''t that.


    Liam didn''t mind keeping his appearance changed for long periods of time.


    But the issue was in creating a new persona or even hiding in general.


    ''Once they identify my aura, they''ll memorize it and make sure I won''t be able to hide amidst the crowd.''


    ''Damn you, Eternal Sword. You filthy attention seeking¡ª''


    "It''s a problem for another day," Usan said. "Come, let''s head to the archives.


    "Archives?" Liam asked.


    "Bing a powerhouse gives you certain connections. Work hard. You might be one, one day," Usan said with a smirk.


    Liam just shook his head.


    "Tell me what happened during your Trials on the way," Usan said. "And your abilities.


    Usan and Liam headed outside.


    It was Liam''s first time seeing the outside world since a year and a half.


    The Temple of Shadow has grown to a high level throughout the past year.


    The ind was covered with miniature pyramids, vast beast encampments, and training areas for new recruits.


    New defensive measures were created.


    From all areas, acolytes and disciples went this way and that.


    Watching from a high viewpoint made them seem like little ants.


    The total number of acolytes within the Temple rose to 18,000, which was an amazing number.


    Even some of the Seven ns couldn''t boast about such forces.


    And this wasn''t considering the alliances the Temple had.


    All in all, the Temple of Shadow was now a force to be reckoned with.


    ***


    "...but then I felt the Recall Rune tap against me inside the water, and my tentacle sprouted out to crush it, bringing me back home."


    As Liam concluded his exnation, Usan could onlyugh.


    "What about you? Have you found a way to extend your life?" Liam questioned, entering through a basement guarded by various Elders.


    "Barely," Usan answered.


    Liam and Usan stood between a massive library within the underground of the ind.


    Rows and rows of shelves filled with books were lines across the wooden floors.


    Warm chandeliers hung from above, and the ce looked as cozy as one''s home.


    Liam didn''t waste a second and started skimming through the shelves.


    Most were books pertaining to history and the world''s past.


    It ranged from the type of extinct nts and species to ancient figures of the world.


    Liam''s face lit up a bit.


    "Where''d you get all of this?" Liam asked Usan as he wandered away, running his hand through the bookshelves.


    "Trades with the major ns."


    "Don''t stray off. I''ve brought you to look at the maps," Usan called out from the center, where arge circr tabley.


    "Though, try and find the Five Worldly Artifacts book by the corner. It''s relevant."


    Liam raised a brow.


    His curiosity was piqued by the name, though.


    Liam found the book ¡ª in and thin ¡ª and instantly rummaged through it.


    Each page only needed a nce to be read and understood fully.


    "Is this a children''s story or something?" Liam asked, snapping the book shut.


    What Liam read was pretty childish.


    ''Five Worldly Artifacts were made by the Great Emperor Minadyon to cement his legacy as the greatest emperor to ever walk the earth.''


    ''They were a cloak, staff, dagger, crown and ring.''


    ''After his death, the artifacts scattered throughout thends, seas and skies.''


    ''They say whoever finds the five artifacts andbines them, unlocks the secret to incredible knowledge and wealth.''


    Usan nced at Liam with a smile.


    "It''s no myth," Usan said.


    Liam raised his brows.


    "In fact, it''s what the Imperial Legion has been trying to do," Usan continued, frowning.


    "The General isn''t invading and conquering because he has a greater objective in mind."


    ''Well. Key to incredible knowledge and wealth does sound enticing.''


    Usan gestured for Liam to approach the circr table.


    On therge table, there was one single map detailing the entirety of the human and alien continents.


    It was inscribed, too, showing animated oceans and moving clouds.


    However, countries like the Abyssal Lands where the Imperial Legion resided in weren''t outlined.


    Neither were the countries of Aiho and Neren to the west and south.


    And the Korsan Lands weren''t very detailed, either.


    For the next few minutes, Usan exined in depth thendscapes of the world.


    In short, there was Echoria, the Imperial Legion, the Dual Empire, li, Aiho and Neren.


    Aiho was a country only specialized in Alchemy, led by the Father of Alchemy.


    Neren was a country only specialized in inscriptions, led by the Eyes of Knowledge.


    For this reason, they were enemies.


    Past them were countries that weren''t well known, and didn''t have a noticeable powerhouse.


    Echoria was neutral, mostly.


    li was also neutral, but against their desire.


    And the Dual Empire¡ª


    "The Dual Empire has attacked one another," Usan revealed, tapping his finger on a country to the north. "A civil war of sorts."


    A smile formed on Usan''s face.


    The country''s shape was an oval shape, resembling a baguette.


    The left half was pure white in color.


    The right half was pure ck.


    Besides their general color, there weren''t any details.


    "Why have they fought?" Liam asked with pursed lips.


    "Who cares why?" Usan asked with a firm voice. "Lovers quarrel, probably."


    "The thing is, they''re susceptible to attack."


    "And when they''re at their weakest, we''ll swoop in and take them by surprise."

 Chapter 354 Prepare

    <h4>Chapter 354 Prepare</h4>


    Hearing a nigh-deration of war, Liam furrowed his brows a bit.


    "Empress of Fear and Emperor of Courage," Usan exined.


    "These are the two in charge of the Dual Empire."


    "They were indeed lovers at once. But they''ve had a falling out. Or so I''ve been told."


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    "You were serious about the lover''s quarrel part?" Liam asked incredulously.


    Usan nodded with an amused snort.


    "The ck side of the country belongs to the Empress of Fear."


    "The white side belongs to the Emperor of Courage."


    "Both countries work in simr ways, but also contrast with one another.


    "For the Empire of Courage, those higher ranked will live above those below them."


    "For the Empire of Fear, it''s the opposite. The lower ranked folks are at the top, while the higher ranked live at the bottom."


    "Both their empires are massive. And their war is somewhat controlled. It''s only between their borders."


    "The monarchs themselves aren''t fighting though. Just their underlings."


    Liam took a deep breath to digest the exnation.


    A controlled war.


    Meaning, the two monarchs probably agreed on certain conditions before sending out their forces.


    Which begged the question, was this really a lover''s quarrel?


    Or was it something deeper?


    Wars happened because of resources, plots ofnd, and deep rooted conflicts with ideology and whatnot.


    Not because two lovers grew bored and wanted a spectacle.


    ¡­Or did they?


    Cultivators were not normal people. Who knew what went through their minds.


    "I just came back and you want me to enlist in a war?" Liam asked sarcastically.


    "This isn''t really the time to splurge on resources. But I''m sure you knew that," Liam added.


    "I know," Usan responded. "I''m not asking you to drop in the middle of their war and start swinging your de."


    "We''ll focus on smaller territories before building upwards."


    "Although I hate to admit it¡­ the Imperial Legion is too strong."


    "The Echorians outnumber everyone else."


    "Aiho and Neren didn''t do us wrong."


    "But a crack has appeared in the impregnable walls of these two empires."


    Silence.


    Usan''s face turned grim.


    "I¡­ don''t have much longer to live," he said firmly. "Six to eight months are left in the tank."


    Silence.


    Liam''s face turned slightly dark at the change in mood.


    "It doesn''t have to be now," Usan said. "But I won''t be there to support you once this passes over."


    Liam suppressed the urge to curse.


    Of course, Liam didn''t really me Usan for his way of thinking.


    Everyone had different motivations and goals.


    It just so happened that Usan''s goal was self destructive and unwise.


    Liam nced at the ck de sigil on his left arm with aplicated gaze.


    A Celestial''s heir, albeit not aplete one, was a dangerous threat with the biggest growth potential.


    The techniques given to them were downright ridiculous.


    Liam''s greatest technique was undoubtedly Mind Edge, Hone and Sword Connection, with Sword Hardening being thest.


    ''And I didn''t even attain the whole inheritance. All I got was Half-head''s Corruption abilities.''


    ''Maybe we could use that to our advantage. Tell the world I''m not a full heir.''


    Still, if the Dual Empire knew Liam was out in the open?


    Why wouldn''t they wipe away such a threat?


    They''d be saving themselves a headache for the years toe.


    But powerhouses rarely dabbled in matters below their interest.


    If every Rank 6 cultivator got paranoid and killed off a Rank 5, the world would be in disarray.


    But although Liam''s reputation wasn''t that infamous by now, it was growing.


    Liam pursed his lips with thought.


    "...What if we take an ally?" Liam asked Usan, who raised his brow in response. "A big one."


    "Who?" Usan questioned. "Not even Kuan wants to take part in this."


    Liam lowered his head. Paused, then looked up with a slight smirk.


    "You didn''t mention the Korsan Lands," he said.


    Usan looked taken aback. "The vampires?" he asked. "The other races are all out of reach."


    Liam''s smirk grew.


    "During my time at the academy, I was given a job to infiltrate their country and bring back info on their dealings."


    Usan made an impressed face.


    "They use human as livestock and grow them in farms¡­" Usan''s face grew dim. Liam continued. "But if you look past that, they''re not weak."


    A short pause.


    "But I even brought back a living vampire for them to interrogate and question," Liam said.


    Usan blinked, then started tough.


    Liam ignored theughter and continued.


    "If the vampire I brought back is still alive¡­ I have a n."


    "Which is?" Usan asked with an interested brow.


    Liam proceeded to tell Usan the ''n''.


    As he exined the details, Usan''s eyes slowly widened.


    Then, it ended with a pensive silence.


    "You''re mad if you make this work somehow."


    Liam shrugged. "Won''t hurt to try."


    "By the way, you have any Rank 5''s for me to munch down?" Liam asked.


    The question had been on the back of his mind for some time now.


    During his stay at the fake dimension, Liam wasn''t able to progress his blood by a lot.


    Eating magical beasts helped, but it was barely enough for nourishment.


    "Just two," Usan said bitterly after a short pause.


    Liam stared at him nkly.


    Several seconds passed.


    "I know, I know. I''m working on fulfilling my end of the bargain," Usan said catingly.


    "But it''s difficult to find, and kill them without the world noticing."


    "But you wouldn''t have gotten Eternal Sword''s inheritance without my help, either."


    "That counts for something, right?" Usan said with a hopeful tone.


    Liam grumbled but remained silent.


    Usan handed over the two Rank 5 bodies.


    Liam didn''t recognize either of them.


    But he really couldn''t care less.


    Throwing the bodies in his Inner World, Liam turned to leave.


    "I''ll be on my way, then," Liam said.


    "Prepare well."


    ***


    A few weeks passed.


    By then, most of Liam''s wounds were healed.


    Including his cracked mental sphere.


    Now, there were only faint markings on its surface.


    Now, Liam needed to prepare for this n.

 Chapter 355 Ocean

    <h4>Chapter 355 Ocean</h4>


    In the past few weeks, Liam caught up with most of the Temple and the Blood Troupe.


    Everyone was doing just fine.


    Liam felt¡­ strange meeting people after so long.


    There were a few banquets hosted in his honor, and he attended them after being forced by Ryu and the likes.


    Liam expected there to be some sort of emotion with their reunion, but¡­


    Nothing.


    Liam felt absolutely nothing out of the ordinary when meeting his fellow acolytes.


    It was like he''d seen them everyday for the past year.


    As theyughed and chatted and got drunk, Liam faked a smile, his thoughts idly drifting towards what his n was for the future.


    ''There was a time that Darius would have enjoyed these things,'' Liam suddenly thought.


    The silence that followed was deafening.


    Dwelling on those feelings wouldn''t change a thing.


    He''d long epted who he was.


    Instead, Liam put most of his focus into this n of his.


    What was this n?


    Going to the Korsan Lands.


    Why?


    To meet with the higher ranking vampires.


    What for?


    To create an alliance and take the Dual Empire by surprise.


    The Korsan Lands weren''t actually just one ind.


    Judging by the inscribed maps Usan had given him, they were a vast collection.


    Most of these inds belonged to the vampires.


    But everyone knew that dwarves and elves were hiding among them.


    But they didn''t know where.


    The first thing Liam did was wolf down as much Rank 5 flesh he could.


    ''As long as they didn''t kill off Niveh, there''s a good chance for the vampires to take our side.''


    Liam gnawed away an entire hand.


    ''She defected. They''d want to kill her.''


    Liam gulped.


    ''But if the Echorians find out the vampires know about her, they''d kill her off to prevent a war, then pin everything on me.''


    Liam took another bite.


    There was a good chance the Royals had safeguards already in ce for a problem like this.


    Liam''s job required delicacy and finesse if he wanted to seed.


    ''It should just be me and Usan. Having the Elders there would make him look weak and dependent. They need to take it seriously.''


    ''Best case scenario, we meet Alucard and he doesn''t rip us to pieces.''


    ''Worst case scenario¡­ we meet Alucard and he rips us to pieces.''


    Usan was a powerhouse.


    But, as Liam already knew, not a real one.


    Not just strength wise, but generally.


    One person climbs to the peak of a mountain with no gear, using only his bare hands and feet.


    The other takes afy helicopter ride to the peak with nothing in his way.


    There was just no experience, nor understanding.


    Another thing to worry about was the connections the vampires had with other human nations.


    Those human farms had to be supplied from somewhere.


    Liam crossed out the Royals from the list of suspects. At least, for now.


    Why were they in need of info if they already had rtions?


    It was possible that they weren''t allowed inside, but it was slim.


    Aiho and Neren were too far from the Korsan Lands.


    That left the Dual Empire and the Imperial Legion as the main suspects.


    But the Imperial Legion was closer of the two.


    There was also a very small chance of a weaker country providing them with humans.


    But there were no such countries around Korsa.


    ***


    One month passed.


    Liam put on a matte ck, one piece suit.


    Inscribed by the Temple, it covered most of his body and outlined each muscle individually.


    It was silk-like, but stretchy and soft.


    It was a Rank 4 middle tier construct, made to transform together with Liam''s Triumvirate Body.


    Putting it on, Liam left his massive, pce-like dwelling before meeting up with Usan.


    Outside, hordes of acolytes greeted Liam respectfully, making way as he went past.


    The ind Liam was on was actually shaped like a slope.


    It wasn''t like this before.


    But for utilization ofnd, Usan ordered the Elders to make it like so.


    And now, Liam was at the peak of such a slope with Usan beside him.


    Behind him were the 18,000 members of the Temple.


    In front of him was the sparkling ocean stretching out towards the Main Lands of li.


    Above him, stars.


    "Ready?" Usan said.


    With a few pills, Usan''s appearance had temporarily reverted to a healthyplexion.


    His skin was no longer as pale. And his cheekbones weren''t poking anymore.


    Also, he was wearing the same suit Liam was, but of a higher quality.


    "Yeah," Liam said. "Good to go."


    At once, both Usan and Liam dove into the water.


    As they fell, their suits spread to cover their faces, then their shadows enveloped it all.


    But Usan''s shadow suddenly connected to Liam''s, like a tiny little tendril.


    They looked like two little ck javelins shooting at the oceans.


    This wasn''t the easiest way to arrive at Korsa.


    But it was the most covert and quiet.


    Not many people paid heed to the oceanspared tond.


    Even though the depths held terrifying creatures.


    SPLASH!


    When Liam made contact with the water, he continued plunging to the depths without losing any momentum.


    Like two bullets, they shot through the water.


    For several minutes, they continued undisturbed.


    Liam passed through colorful ecosystems and diverse sea creatures.


    Some stronger creatures noticed Liam and attempted to attack him.


    But Liam was insanely fast due to Usan''s shadow link.


    It basically connected Liam''s speed to Usan''s.


    And Usan had a Rank 6 body.


    All he did to create such a powerful speed was kick his shadow-empowered legs, causing violent vortexes to form behind them.


    They continued until reaching the depth that Rank 5 beasts usually lived at.


    One hour passed.


    They were more than 7,500 meters deep!


    Unnatural darkness was everywhere.


    Liam''s King''s Eye could only peer at 100 meters.


    Usually, a massive pressure would push against Liam''s chest and crush his lungs due to the water pressure.


    But there was no such thing due to Usan''s shadow.


    Liam saw glowing eyes in the darkness and massive, vague forms eerily swim past him.


    Like this, they would continue on towards Korsa.

 Chapter 356 Depths

    <h4>Chapter 356 Depths</h4>


    The trip to Korsa would take at least two to three weeks.


    Even with Usan''s incredible speed to put them there.


    However, they had to make several stops throughout the journey.


    Liam could breathe perfectly fine since his suit recycled oxygen from the water and supplied him with it.


    But the reason they had to stop now and again was much simpler.


    The depths were scary.


    And they were not fully explored.


    In fact, that was truer for the world Liam was in.


    On Earth, only 5% of the ocean was explored.


    Here, the world was much bigger than normal.


    At least 4 times the size of Earth!


    If it was not so, the powerhouses of the world would wage war constantly overnd and rare resources.


    However, this also meant the oceans were stupidly vast.


    Even if there were more means to explore the ocean, like Usan and Liam were doing right now, they had to be careful.


    There were cultivators who explored the seas and studied them thoroughly.


    They were called Oceanors.


    But there was a limit to what they could do because of the ocean''s incredible vastness.


    At a level of 6,500 meters, only peak Rank 5 cultivators could venture in.


    Around 10,000 to 15,000 meters, they would meet terrifying sea creatures birthed from nightmares.


    At that length, only powerhouses could venture through.


    But since Liam was with him, Usan didn''t go that deep.


    Not to mention, even mermaids lived under the tides, who were known to be hostile to foreigners.


    Spending time at the Archives gave Liam some well versed knowledge.


    It even outweighed the academy in terms of detail.


    Through that, Liam learned that mermaids lived beneath the oceans.


    They were the ones who made that giant bubble that surrounded the academy.


    Liam always thought that was peculiar.


    He had yet to see a water elemental using bubbles as a weapon.


    ''But it also means that the Echorians somehow made a deal with the mermaids.''


    Liam ryed that information to Usan before they took on the journey.


    To steer clear of the Echorian waters entirely.


    Knowing them, they had their own methods of knowing who passes their territories.


    ''Trying to figure out who Half-head was a dead end,'' Liam thought.


    Obviously, Liam had to research the man with the Corruption powers.


    But nothing came up.


    It wasn''t like Liam had a name of any kind to search for. Just a vague description.


    Nevertheless, the journey continued.


    Liam couldn''t even see the ocean floor. But even then, a few cute sea creatures passed by him now and again.


    Even in terrifying depths such as these, there was non-hostile life.


    Eerie whistles and clicking noises resounded through the water.


    If Liam wasn''t protected, his eardrums would have exploded by now.


    Since sound passed differently through water, one couldn''t exactly know where the source was.


    Something deafening coulde from a weak creature an incredible distance away.


    But something quiet coulde from a terrifying beast from nearby.


    Something cute could be murderous.


    Something vicious could be friendly.


    ¡­Who could tell?


    Indeed¡­ the ocean was terrifying.


    After one and a half weeks of traveling, Usan and Liam stopped.


    Liam felt chills creeping up and down his body.


    Like he was being watched from all sides.


    But he couldn''t see who was watching him.


    All around him was darkness.


    Here, his King''s Eye did nothing special. It only illuminated a distance of


    [Don''t move,] Usan transmitted, his tone extremely grave. [Dim your eye.]


    Liam felt his heart sink, but he didn''t dare move.


    Instantly, his King''s Eye color flickered to ck.


    And his crimson eye turned ck as well.


    Usan''s shadows thickened around both their figures.


    Unnatural silence.


    There was no sound whatsoever.


    A few minutes passed before Liam saw something approaching from a distance.


    A little gray dot.


    Slowly, the dot grew bigger¡­


    ¡­and bigger¡­ and bigger.


    Until it had covered their entire vision!


    For 30 minutes straight, it continued growing.


    Then, it was swimming past them both.


    It was gray and slightly greenish in color, but the texture of its skin was uneven.


    Barnacles and smaller, symbiotic organisms were attached to its body.


    But even the tiniest specimens were Zeniths, with the bigger ones being Rank fives!


    This¡­ monster was just an arms length away from Liam and Usan.


    Despite its monstrous size, the water currents weren''t affected.


    As though the creature was weightless.


    Slowly, it opened an eye the size of a mountain.


    A myriad of bright colors suddenly colored the darkness.


    Blue, purple and green. They were almost neon-like, and the iris itself was a zig-zag shape that crackled like lightning.


    Then, it opened another eye of the same kind.


    And another, and another as it swam past.


    Its entire side was lined with a dozen neon-like eyes.


    Silence.


    A few minutes of unnerving, chilling silence passed.


    The creature let out a low, almost human-like hum that spread across the waters.


    But it sounded deceptively far away.


    Not finding anything to eat, the eyes slowly shut, and the creature drifted to the opposite direction.


    It took another 30 minutes for its figure to turn into a dot, then merge with the darkness.


    [That¡­ was not supposed to appear at this depth,] Usan transmitted with a wry tone.


    [We probably swam over its habitat, so it came to investigate,] Usan added. [Probably saw your glowing eyes and spotted us.]


    Liam was suddenly hyperventting inside the suit.


    He didn''t even see its full form.


    Just its eyes.


    [Was that¡­ a Rank 6 magical beast?] Liam asked in between his erratic breaths.


    [...Indeed,] said Usan.


    ¡­This was a cruel reality check of where Liam stood despite all his strengths.


    Chaos.


    Corruption.


    Triumvirate.


    King''s Eye.


    Void.


    Sword.


    Blood.


    Ashuran strength.


    What did all this mean in front of something like that?


    Nothing.


    Usan wordlessly swam forward again. At a higher depth this time, in case they met with another one of those hideous things.


    And the rest of the journey was quiet.

 Chapter 357 Meeting

    <h4>Chapter 357 Meeting</h4>


    The journey continued.


    Liam''s mind drifted to the Rank 6 magical beast.


    It was strangely reminiscent of the nightmare Liam had in the inheritance.


    But that was a dream, and this was reality.


    Still, both were terrifying in their own ways.


    As another week passed, the water gradually underwent a change of color.


    Blood.


    The oceans gained a crimson tint.


    [We''re near,] Usan transmitted.


    In reality, doing this sort of thing was difficult for Usan.


    Traveling underwater while protecting Liam and keeping underwater.


    Regrly using his powers was bad for his health.


    If Usan was a true Rank 6, he definitely would have killed the Rank 6 beast.


    But instead, he chose not to fight it.


    Nevertheless, the underwater venture wasing to an end.


    At the same time, the sea creatures that passed by the pair were much more disfigured and vicious-looking.


    ''I''ve never seen sea life be so¡­ ugly before,'' Liam thought as his gaze scanned the surroundings.


    The blood from so many vampires had corrupted the oceans,nds and everything in between to an ugly degree.


    The waters were not as dark and murky anymore.


    Liam could see clearer, but the shadow disguise was not as effective.


    At one point, the ocean floor got higher and higher, forcing them to swim above the lower depths.


    At the same time, the upper ocean levels were infested with blood piranhas.


    And these creatures obviously tried to attack the two invading shadows.


    But their thin, fang-like teeth weren''t able to pierce through Usan''s shadowy armor.


    Eventually, the Korsan Lands came into view.


    The ind was still shrouded with a palpableyer of fog, hiding it from spying eyes.


    But as Liam looked closer¡­


    ''It''s even thicker than before.''


    ''They''ve updated their defenses,'' Liam thought.


    Indeed, the Wraith Fog, as Liam called it, was stronger than Liam remembered it.


    It was taller and covered morend, too.


    But these defenses did nothing to deter Usan.


    The two could enter the Sea of Darkness and slowly pass into the city.


    And that''s what they nned on doing, anyway.


    As soon as the pair made contact with thends, they easily entered the Sea of Darkness.


    From one water to the next.


    Then, they swam forward.


    Instantly, Liam could feel the Sea of Darkness brimming with violent ripplesing from all sides.


    Usan''s shadows still had to cover Liam as they passed through the shadowy ocean.


    Through that, Liam could actually open his eyes and peer above!


    He could see through the ground!


    Liam saw the Feeding Grounds where the mindless vampires killed each other to evolve into a higher life form.


    Past that, he saw the Higher Vampires that governed the Feeding Grounds.


    Along with the human farms that looked blissfully unaware of their circumstances.


    Though, everything had a ck and white filter, and it was a bit hazy from that distance.


    Usan frowned at that sight.


    One had to remember that Usan started this whole quest of revenge for the sake of his country.


    For the sake of bringing to ''justice'' people who killed innocents.


    But then again, to Usan, the ends justified the means.


    Liam followed the same line of thinking.


    Allying with people who ate human flesh for the meantime was a necessity.


    That said, Liam noticed how fortified and defensive the country was now.


    Blood-made Formations covered the grounds, and the castles that people like the Blooder lived in were much tighter knit.


    ''Can''t me them. Whoever was in charge of defense must have gotten executed by now.''


    Defenses didn''t mean much against someone who phased through the earth, though.


    Usan ignored every little defensive measure they made and wordlessly surged towards the citadel.


    Although Usan could teleport with his shadows, using that here was the dumbest way to get killed.


    One couldn''t waltz into another''s home and demand to be friends.


    It was also why Liam scrapped the idea of kidnapping an important Higher Vampire and keeping him hostage.


    ''There it is,'' Liam thought as the Citadel appeared not far out.


    The spires and towering structures were still visible through the massive border.


    Bats and aerial creatures flew overhead.


    And most important of all was the elevated teau with a shroud of fog domed around it.


    Tiny canals, veins and rivers of blood from the entire region traveled up the teau.


    To Alucard''s Castle.


    Nobody really knew what was inside except them, though. Maybe it was a hut, for all Liam knew.


    However, there was a small tform that was at the foot of the teau.


    It seemed as though one could ascend and descend from it.


    They passed theyers that the higher vampires lived in.


    [No going back from this,] Usan said to Liam as they hovered beneath the tform.


    [Just don''t attack at the first sign of trouble.]


    Then, Liam and Usan left the Sea of Darkness, emerging right on top of the tform.


    WHOOSH!


    SCREECH!


    ROAAAR!


    Not one minute passed before they were swarmed with Rank 4 and Rank 5 vampires riding on bats, bloodhounds and other beasts.


    They were detected by the magical Formations.


    "Who are you?!" a woman shrieked at them with bared fangs.


    Like all vampires, she was pale.


    In particr, though, the woman had red markings on her lips and eyebrows.


    Red hair flowed behind her back, while her eyes constricted dangerously.


    Through the King''s Eye, her aura was surging with red energies.


    ''She''s a Rank 5.''


    All around them were simr vampires.


    "Silence will result in getting attacked," a tall, muscr, broad-chested vampire with a square face growled. Another Rank 5.


    Liam and Usan didn''t respond.


    They were both unflinching despite the demands of who they were and why they were there.


    And the vampires couldn''t attack either.


    After all, two unknown figures appeared on their front doorstep without a single soul noticing.


    From one of them, they felt their skin being pricked with needles.


    And from the other, they felt the air grow dark and dangerous.


    "Alucard," Usan said inly, an unfazed look on his face. "Meeting."


    There was a fragile silence.


    The vampires looked like they wanted to lurch out and attack them.


    ¡­But slowly, the tform Liam and Usan were on started to ascend!


    The vampires'' eyes went wide as they saw their enemy heading to their Pasha''s dwelling.


    Liam turned to Usan with slightly wide eyes.


    [...I think he just invited us in.]

 Chapter 358 Meeting

    <h4>Chapter 358 Meeting</h4>


    As they ascended, Usan gave Liam a tense side-nce as he looked up towards the approaching teau.


    The Citadel below them grew smaller and smaller, and the sounds of bat screeches dimmed.


    [I don''t like this,] Usan said mentally. [I have a feeling he knew we were here all along.]


    Liam''s face grew a little dark.


    Vampires didn''t have mental energy or known methods of deduction.


    Nor did they have any sort of detection abilities aside from the Magical Formations they made.


    But then again, Liam didn''t know the full extent of the higher ranks.


    Not even the Archives helped him there.


    Liam was a little fish swimming in a big pond.


    Thus, Usan''s feelings were probably correct, but still unconfirmed.


    [At least he didn''t give himself backup,] Liam responded, but it sounded like he was reassuring himself. [He easily could have, too.]


    A short pause.


    [Or maybe he''s just confident in his own abilities enough not to need any support,] Usan added grimly.


    Nevertheless, they were here.


    Besides, they both had their fail-safes.


    If at any point in the meeting Usan sensed a sliver of danger, he would teleport both of them out in the blink of an eye.


    But in that case, the Vampire Pasha himself would be an enemy of li.


    This entire meeting was a double-edged sword.


    That oue was to be avoided at all costs.


    Soon enough, the pair poked through the shroud of dense fog.


    Nothing happened.


    There was no pain of any kind that assaulted them.


    Either it was harmless from the start, or the vampire king made it that way just for the two.


    Either way, it unnerved both Liam and Usan.


    Then, both of them peaked over the teau.


    What awaited them past the dome of mist was a massive, mighty grey castle made of ashen brick.


    It was several hundred kilometers wide, and the only word Liam thought upon seeing it was ''mighty''.


    And it really was.


    It was a medieval style building, menacing and eerie all at the same time.


    Torches of blue fire illuminated the walls of the mighty pce, casting azure hues over the barren ground.


    There were no windows there whatsoever, making it seem like some sort of impregnable fortress.


    The bottom of such a fortress was rooted into the ground. A testament to how ancient it truly was.


    The stench of blood had faded away here, despite the little veins of blood that were transported towards the castle.


    In fact, it smelled like modern perfume, which was disturbingly strange.


    Right ahead was a massive gate that provided an entrance to the castle.


    It was closed.


    But as soon as Liam and Usan left the tform and stepped onto the teau ground, the gate slowly descended.


    BOOM!


    As it hit the ground, a slight shockwave spread across the dome.


    Then, the tform itself descended back to the city.


    ''Not creepy at all,'' Liam thought.


    Sharing a look between themselves, Liam and Usan took wary steps towards the entrance.


    The inside was vastly different to the outside of the castle.


    Warm chandeliers lit up the interior.


    Red carpets and ornate wooden furnishing decorated the entrance.


    Surreal paintings ofndscape and seemingly random colors of crimson were hung on the walls.


    Bats flew by here and there, chirping as they hung from the ceiling.


    Long hallways led to different parts of the castle.


    But as the pair entered, the illuminated corridors went dim except for one specifically.


    A hallway that led deeper inside.


    All in all, it looked more like a museumpared to a human-eating powerhouse''s home.


    But then again, Liam ate humans too, so he wasn''t in any ce to judge.


    Usan, on the other hand, had a cryptic, firm expression on his face.


    Liam was not anxious.


    Well, deep down, he was.


    But that didn''t show at all in his thoughts or expression.


    Both went deeper into the fortress, passing through several corridors and hallways.


    Eventually, there were two massive double-doors that a giant could pass through.


    A dark aura radiated from behind the doors.


    Something sinister.


    Usan''s shadows darkened around him. If there was a battleing, so be it.


    Using both hands, Usan pushed the door open.


    Inside was a vast, rectangr hall room lit by a bright, crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.


    Instead of being a grim room made from skulls and fresh corpses, it looked more like a politician''s decorated office.


    Tall shelves filled with all kinds of books were ced against the wall.


    From the left and right, spiral stairs made from marble connected the hall to an upper floor.


    A spacious mahogany desk was ced at the end of the hall, paired with an ornate, throne-like chair.


    On top of the table was an inkpot with a quill-pen inside.


    Behind it was a portrait of the Pashah himself.


    Tap. Tap. Tap.


    Someone was descending from the staircase, their footsteps tapping crisply against the marble stairs.


    "I wasn''t expecting visitors at this time," a crisp voice echoed. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"


    The raspy voice sounded like a perfect mix of authority and menacing gentlemanliness.


    The king of vampires took his time descending the stairs.


    The first was the shoes.


    They were ck, clean, crisp shoes a business man wore, not someone who drank blood and devoured humankind.


    And his following attire further cemented the businessman look.


    Alucard wore a silky ck suit for the asion.


    His tie, tucked underneath the ck zer, was pearly white, contrasting against the ck.


    The king of vampires himself had the appearance of a handsome old man with deep, menacing crimson eyes.


    Short, snow-white hair, slicked back and glistening, along with a perfectly trimmed beard of a simr color decorated his ashen face.


    ...And yet, the chilling aura the man radiated was well beyond Liam''s expectations.


    It felt like he was staring at death''s physical form.


    Beads of warm sweat formed on Liam''s forehead.


    From the side, Liam nced at Usan.


    ...Just to see him with a simr bead of sweat running across his temple.


    Wordlessly, Alucard walked over to the mahogany desk and took a sit on the throne-like chair, then steepled his fingers on the table.


    "Now," Alucard said with a cryptic smile, shing a set of pearly teeth. "Let us talk."

 Chapter 359 Monster

    <h4>Chapter 359 Monster</h4>


    Alucard''s gaze was piercing and simultaneously hard.


    His nails were sharp and ck, but well taken care of.


    Curiously, though, his teeth were human-like.


    No fangs protruded from his mouth, as Liam was led to believe from various stories back on Earth.


    The king of vampires momentarily nced at Liam, lingered for a few seconds, then looked back to Usan.


    Liam didn''t know where the feeling of dread and unease came from.


    Just being around Alucard made his stomach nauseous.


    And yet, everything about the man was perfect.


    The appearance.


    The decorum.


    The manners.


    The eloquence.


    Not a thing was out of ce.


    And yet it felt so very wrong.


    The situation reminded Liam of Revel, the Blood Weaving pioneer and his dear-departed teacher.


    The sickly old man had a way with words.


    ''May your blood perforate terror into Alucard''s Nexus.''


    ¡­And now, theplete opposite was happening!


    Liam suppressed the anxiousness as much as he could, maintaining a somewhat dignified look.


    Usan beat him to the punch by heaving a slight breath and regaining hisposure.


    The bead of perspiration on his temple dissipated, too.


    Alucard smiled lightly.


    "Please," Alucard said gentlemanly. "Sit."


    WHOOM!


    With a sh of red light, two wooden chairs suddenly appeared in front of the mahogany desk, ced opposite to the vampire king.


    Obviously, they weren''t as majestic and grand as Alucard''s ''throne'', but a smaller version.


    Seeing that, Liam barely managed to hide his surprise.


    To his knowledge, vampires did not have any significant storage powers.


    Space rings required mental energy to function.


    But then again, spells like the Inner World also provided storage.


    If Alucard was a Rank 6, it probably wasn''t hard for him to make a storage device.


    ''His blood-red aura is strange, too. It''s controlled to an amazing degree, and it doesn''t even waver.''


    ''What''s causing this damn sickness, then?'' Liam inwardly cursed.


    Usan was about to decline the offer, but the sinister atmosphere faded away.


    And the emetic feeling disappeared.


    Liam was close to Usan''s side, but getting closer to the Pashah made his stomach hurt to a painful degree.


    Now that it was no longer there, he could sit down.


    Not sitting down was also not good.


    It would show cowardice and rude manners.


    And since they were the ones asking for an alliance, they couldn''t afford to offend.


    "Thank you," Usan said as he took a seat.


    Liam sat to his right.


    The three were positioned in a triangr fashion.


    "Forgive the attire. Usually, I don''t go for formal wear, but something told me this meeting is quite important," Alucard said with his usual light smile.


    "It is," Usan said. "I''ve never seen that attire before," he added with a slight curiosity in his tone.


    "A relic of the past," Alucard said, adjusting his tie. "Almost no one wears such clothing anymore. A shame, really. But all the better for me," he smiled again.


    Liam remained quiet.


    Right now, he wasn''t being addressed in the least.


    Alucard and Usan were the big boys here.


    He was just a plus one.


    "I''m Usan. From li, Temple of Shadow," Usan introduced after the pleasantries were over.


    "I''m familiar," Alucard said with a short nod. "I heard there was quite a party at your awakening,"?he chuckled to himself.


    There was no need for Alucard to introduce himself.


    Usan and Liam already knew.


    "Hardly a party," Usan scoffed lightly. "They brought no gifts."


    A quaintugh was shared between them.


    ''What''s with this atmosphere?'' Liam thought silently, hiding a frown. ''And why are they bantering?''


    Was this how world leaders began talks of war?


    Where''d the suffocating air go?


    Suddenly, Alucard side-nced at Liam, before turning towards him.


    "I take it you''re the one from the sword inheritance?" Alucard asked curiously. "Your eyes are sharper than mine," heughed.


    Silence.


    Liam''s appearance was altered, and his ck de sigil hidden from view.


    But news traveled faster than sound.


    Liam nodded firmly to the question.


    Silence again.


    "I wonder¡­" Alucard said in a quiet, slightly sinister voice. "Howe I see my mark on you?"


    A pause.


    "Mark?" Liam asked, holding back the urge to scowl.


    Usan remained quiet.


    He couldn''t interrupt.


    Every little word, action and mannerism in a meeting decided its oue.


    Why would Usan bring Liam over only to fight his battles for him?


    No, Liam had to hold his own weight.


    Otherwise, the respect Alucard had would diminish for both of them.


    A short pause passed.


    "Your blood is not normal," Alucard exined with a monotone voice. "It''s pure, somehow. Simr to a vampire''s."


    Liam was backed into a corner.


    If he answered truthfully, Alucard would know about his abilities and involvement in the invasion years ago.


    If he lied, there was a chance for him to get called out for it.


    And that was even worse than the former choice.


    After all, Liam fully intended to reveal his involvement in invading their country anyway.


    But cards were meant to be held until a crucial time.


    Two seconds of silence passed.


    "I ate a vampire''s heart to purify my blood," Liam said. "and got blood maniption abilities as a side effect."


    Liam tensed his hand, and his nails grew sharp like a vampire''s, while blood seeped through his pores and coated his index finger.


    For just a second, Alucard raised his brows.


    A chuckle briefly escaped his mouth.


    "Interesting. It''s not even one kind of blood, either," was all Alucard said. "It''s several."


    "Very interesting. Must have been difficult, too. A vampire''s heart is bloody disgusting," he chuckled to himself again.


    Silence.


    ''How easily he brushed past one of his own being killed. He doesn''t care at all,'' Liam thought. ''And he''s definitely pretending he doesn''t know I invaded his country.''


    ...


    ''What a monster.''


    If Alucard was testing him, Liam had passed.


    Probably.


    Usan watched wordlessly from the side.


    With their interaction over, Usan brought it back to the topic at hand.


    "I''ll cut straight to the point," he said seriously. "We want an alliance."

 Chapter 360 Proof

    <h4>Chapter 360 Proof</h4>


    Hearing the word ''alliance'', Alucard''s face reverted to a neutral, pensive expression.


    There was silence, but the sounds of a calming orchestra began ying in the background.


    A gentle melody.


    Usan didn''t say why they needed an alliance.


    But that was for a very simple reason.


    They couldn''t t out say their intentions from the get-go.


    Why wouldn''t Alucard simply notify the Dual Empire of the Temple''s goal?


    They could request something in return, while simultaneously pitting one country against another.


    On Earth, alliances were marked by betrayal.


    Even if two countries were at their friendliest rtions, a simple disagreement over food could result in an all-out war!


    But obviously, things were different here.


    Wars were incredibly risky to initiate.


    Especially when dealing with powerhouses and the sort.


    Most of the time, the casualties suffered were above and beyond the realm of understanding.


    However, just as wars were risky, they were rewarding.


    No matter what casualties were suffered, so long as another powerhouse''s resources were reaped, it didn''t matter.


    Rank 6''s had vast reserves of umted wealth and rare resources, materials and techniques.


    Their stash alone could fuel a country.


    Luckily, Usan was not one of these people, so the bounty on his head was not as heavy.


    And yet, despite this massive prize to top it all off, a war still had repercussions.


    The aftermath of a war weakened even the victor''s forces.


    What stopped another ruler from sweeping in and killing two birds with one stone?


    Nothing, really.


    Unless there were alliances.


    Even if it was an idle alliance in name, one couldn''t take it lightly.


    Alucard leaned back and clicked his nails on the mahogany desk in a rhythmic fashion.


    To Liam''s knowledge, Alucard did not have any public alliances.


    Sure, there was the flesh supplier he traded with.


    Maybe the Imperial Legion or the Dual Empire, or someone else entirely.


    But trading was not the same as allying.


    Even enemies traded sometimes.


    "What sort of alliance?" Alucard asked with a hard gaze.


    "We won''t bite off more than we can chew," Usan replied seriously. "A supportive alliance is in our interest."


    A supportive alliance was self exnatory.


    If either of the countries were to fight, they would support each other.


    So long as it benefited both parties.


    "We''re roughly eighteen thousand in number, with a few hundred Zeniths," Usan exined.


    "We''re also allied with more than two dozen Rank 5 ns, and their numbers are simr to our own."


    "In total, we should have about seventy thousand totalbatants."


    "A simr number of support would suffice," Usan concluded.


    Alucard hummed nomittally.


    One had to remember the size of Korsa.


    It was a continent.


    Alucard''s forces were in the millions!


    Obviously, Korsa wasn''t owned entirely by Alucard.


    But the majority was.


    And here Usan was, asking for an alliance from a person who was clearly in no need of it.


    "And I''m guessing you''ll tell me why I''ll take this deal?" Alucard questioned curiously.


    "I don''t mean to be rude¡­ but you''re crumbling apart, aren''t you?"


    Silence.


    News really traveled faster than sound.


    Usan''s disease was already public.


    Like the Pashah said, there was really no need to ally with the Temple.


    Especially when considering that, in a few years, Usan would not be alive.


    "I know," Usan said casually. "But you would have kicked us out already if you didn''t want to hear the rest."


    Alucard remained silent.


    Usan continued with an unfazed expression.


    "The uncalled for invasion of your country years prior. Have you found your culprits?"


    Lightly, Alucard''s brows furrowed.


    But the atmosphere of the space changed.


    The gentle orchestra in the background gained an eerie, sinister tune.


    For a moment, the revolting feeling in Liam''s stomach appeared¡­ but vanished just as fast.


    "We have," Alucard replied seriously. His crimson pupils grew a shade darker.


    "A small country by the name of Paragi towards the south."


    "They''ve already been dealt with. The escapees were also identified among them."


    ''Dealt with'' was a nice way of saying eradicated off the maps.


    It was Liam''s first time hearing the word ''Paragi'', meaning the Royals kept parts of their invasion n quiet.


    But Liam realized something much more important.


    Liam was mistaken about his earlier deduction.


    ''He doesn''t know I was among the invaders.''


    Liam hid a smirk.


    The majority of vampires lived in Korsa. There was no doubt in that.


    However, that didn''t mean 100% of the poption chose to say.


    Some defected and created groups themselves.


    They just needed outside help to get transported from Korsa.


    That was how Liam kidnapped Niveh, after all.


    Perhaps that was what Alucard imagined Liam had done. Killed off a rogue vampire and devoured its Nexus.


    "My Minister of Security has long been executed," Alucard continued as though he spoke of the weather.


    "One thing I hate more than deceit isziness."


    Liam could agree with that.


    A tense pause followed.


    "It wasn''t Paragi," Usan cut in. Alucard''s eyes constricted vertically at him.


    "It was Echoria."


    The orchestra in the background suffered an abrupt stop, making way for an ufortable silence.


    "A bold im," Alucard said nkly. "Where''s your proof?"


    Silence.


    Usan gestured to Liam.


    "He was there."


    Silence.


    Alucard''s gaze was aloof, but menacing and deathly.


    "And you''re offering me his head, yes?" Alucard asked with a cold smile.


    Usan chuckled briefly. Liam suppressed the urge to re at him.


    "No," Usan said firmly. "Who do you think ordered him to do what he did?"


    "Plus, there''s living proof," Liam added calmly. "A border vampire by the name of Niveh is possibly still alive and working with the Echorians."


    Silence.


    Tap tap, tap. Tap tap, tap. Tap tap, tap.


    Alucard continued drumming his nails rhythmically, staring nkly at Liam.


    Unflinchingly, Liam held his gaze.


    After five seconds of stillness, Alucard spoke.


    "This is beyond words. Bring me solid proof of their involvement," Alucard said, rising to his feet and adjusting his tie.


    Usan and Liam stood up with him.


    The Pashah flicked his fingers and a crude, stone-made token formed in his hands. "A method ofmunication."


    "Bring me proof, and you can consider me an ally," Alucard said, turning around and heading up the stairs. "Until then, gentlemen, please take your leave."

 Chapter 361 Project

    <h4>Chapter 361 Project</h4>


    The meeting was finally over.


    More than an hour was spent in that sweat-inducing situation.


    As Alucard headed up the stairs, Liam and Usan didn''t linger for a second longer.


    Usan stored the stone token and headed for the castle exit, followed closely by Liam.


    That said, Liam attempted to study the castle''syout.


    But as they passed through the corridors, some paintings and decorations they had passed were no longer there.


    Even though the hallway Liam used to enter Alucard''s room was still the same.


    It was as though it had changed!


    Liam had no clue that was possible.


    ''He''s controlling this ce somehow. Like it''s his domain.''


    Nevertheless, Liam and Usan found their way out.


    Right ahead, the tform was waiting for them.


    As soon as they made contact with the tform, it began descending.


    Usan and Liam shared a tense side-nce.


    The meeting went¡­


    Perfect!


    Just perfect!


    Liam knew from the start that mere words were not enough to finance a war.


    Usan obviously knew it too.


    They needed solid proof if their words were to have any weight.


    And it just so happened that Liam had a bright idea, which was improved upon by Usan.


    Of course, they couldn''t just waltz up to the Echorian Royals and ask to see Niveh.


    If that were the case, they''d kill her in a heartbeat to save their own skin and pretend she never existed.


    ¡­If she wasn''t already dead.


    No¡­ instead, they had a better idea.


    ***


    Once they descended from the fog, Liam and Usan weren''t attacked.


    The swarms of Zenith vampires had cleared open a path, but their weapons were tightly gripped around their hands.


    Ministers.


    That''s what Alucard named them.


    ''A Minister of Defense. Minister of Finance. Minister of Security.''


    Now that Liam gave them all a quick, assessing look, he realized what Minister was in charge of what department!


    The Minister of Economy was a beautiful woman with elegant jewelry on her neck, ears and hands.


    The Minister of Defense was the burly cultivator that threatened to attack.


    The Minister of Security was a skinny, hunched-back, snake-eyed looking man.


    There were others, too, but Liam didn''t figure out the department they belonged to.


    Without a word, Usan slowly sank into a puddle of shadows with Liam to his side.


    Their work here was done.


    It was time to head home.


    ***


    The swim back home was much quickerpared to the initial journey.


    It had taken a week and a half, and they had suffered no visits from Rank 6 creatures of the depths.


    As they swam to the shore of the ind, Usan heaved a long breath.


    He looked tired.


    The pill that made his appearance healthy had long dissipated, revealing his snowyplexion and thin frame.


    Thankfully, the Elders of the Temple were there for their arrival.


    [What do you n on doing now?] Usan asked as the sky filled with Elders flying towards them.


    [I''ll work on getting my deal with the Kitsune done,] Liam responded.


    Usan nodded absentmindedly.


    [I''ll work on the letter,] he said. [Whenever you''re done, let me know.]


    Liam nodded.


    Elder Jax flew with Liam towards his dwelling.


    "Little rascal. Getting more and more important as the days go by, eh?" Jax teased him from the side with a smile.


    Liam sighed as he soared alongside the Zenith.


    "I still remember when I drowned you in that vat. Ah, how time passes."


    Indeed.


    "I need something, Jax," Liam said conversationally.


    "Yeah?"


    "Several Zenith light-based magical beasts. Alive. Preferably a fox/wolf-type," Liam said.


    "I have a certain project that just came up."


    "Also, a few live Zeniths. We could afford to kidnap some now, right?" Liam asked with an arched brow.


    A grin crept up Jax''s face.


    "Sure thing."


    ***


    Liam was back in his basement again.


    Alone.


    Right now, he was in deep thought.


    The Kitsune.


    ''It''s time,'' Liam thought with sharp eyes. ''Before we go any further, I have to find a way to resuscitate it.''


    For several reasons, Liam needed to get this issue out of the way.


    Firstly, because it was the perfect time to do so.


    Right now, the Temple needed more allies than ever.


    And the Rank 4 Kitsune was the only magical beast with a mental sphere that Liam had seen so far.


    It made it a one-of-a-kind specimen that many wouldn''t turn a blind eye to.


    And the Kitsune had nowhere to go.


    They were on an ind.


    In the middle of li.


    Away from its habitat.


    All these signs pointed to one conclusion.


    The Kitsune''s best interest was to stay and remain with the Temple of Shadow.


    It had no choice!


    Secondly, was because the radiant tattoo on Liam''s abdomen was starting to get a little too bright.


    ''It''s definitely some sort of protective measure to make sure I get the deal done.''


    Which made sense.


    And it didn''t take a smart man to realize what the tattoo would do once it realized Liam wasn''t keeping up his part of the deal.


    Nevertheless, Liam needed to make the necessary preparations.


    First was finding apatible magical beast for the Kitsune to reside in.


    The seven-tailed fox no longer had a body.


    It just had mental energy and ''Ora''.


    But thankfully, ever since the Sacrosanct Tree was reaped, the Spirit Beasts of li had reverted back to their magical beast form.


    The Rank 6 tree''s influence had forced those changes in the magical beasts.


    But with it gone, Spirit Beasts were basically discontinued.


    ''I have the necessary tools to make it work,'' Liam thought.


    ''Mind Istion, Body Integration and True Transfer were all made to fit this purpose, too.''


    ''I can even add improvements.''


    ''There''s no way I can get an exact Kitsune body for it to control, but the closest thing should be good enough.''


    ''There''s still the issue of?how?this will work. All its given me is mental energy and ''Ora''.''


    All Liam could do was hope the Kitsune did the rest.


    It took a week for Elder Jax to bring the necessary preparations to Liam''s doorstep.


    A dozen light-based magical beasts in the fourth Rank, and a dozen Zeniths.


    All chained up with the Ravenous Leash bonds.


    It was time to begin.

 Chapter 362 Gender

    362 Gender


    Liam was under a time limit.


    Usan was extending his life by spending most of his time sleeping inside his Inner World.


    Through that method, he was able to reduce the ''Ora'' and mental energy his body naturally used.


    But that was it.


    All it did was slightly dy the inevitable.


    Not to mention, it rendered him useless in doing other tasks.


    That was also why Liam didn''t request his help with the Kitsune.


    ''I have the confidence to get this working without him.''


    ''Plus, the elders will help me out plenty, so it''s fine either way.''


    Like so, Liam began his work.


    The goal was simple.


    Iste a Zenith''s sea of consciousness, and fill it with the Kitsune''s mental energy.


    Obviously, this was an oversimplification.


    The ''mind jack'' way of essing the mental sphere was a perfect tool for this job.


    All Liam had to do was plug his mind into the Zenith''s and diligently clean away the memories and data stored in the translucent barrier.


    Then, he''d ''inject'' it with the mental energy stored inside the tattoo.


    The same method was true for the core.


    Liam had to wipe the ''Ora'' stored inside the magical beast''s core, then rece it with the ''Ora'' of the Kitsune.


    Then, he had to transfer the mental sphere into the Kitsune as the final step.


    ¡­The more Liam thought about it, the harder the task seemed.


    But with the Elders'' help, it was possible.


    Thus, Liam began his work.


    Elder Jax helped out with most of the smaller details.


    The Golden Cranes and the Elders specialized in inscriptions helped out.


    But at the end of it all, it depended on Liam himself.


    He had the most experience with the technique.


    Even if the Elders had Zenith mental spheres, the point still stands.


    It was him who made it, after all, but that wasn''t the only reason.


    The King''s Eye yed a major part in it.


    Because of the powerful sensory organ, Liam could see and pinpoint where the so-called ''data'' lived inside the translucent barriers.


    To his keen eye, they were like little iridescent scales, densely packed beside each other.


    Each little scale was barely the size of a red blood cell.


    Thus, with all this in mind, Liam began scouring his options.


    The magical beasts were lined to his left.


    The Zeniths were lined to his right.


    Although there were seven of each, there was moreing.


    So, Liam could afford making a mistake or too.


    Liam''s eyes scrutinized the magical beasts in front of him.


    There had to be a match between the recement and the original Kitsune.


    ''The most obvious body recement for the Kitsune is the Four-tailed Fox. But it''s more of a sub-species of the Kitsune.''


    Kitsune''s were incredibly rare.


    The more tails they had, the higher their intellect, strength and abilities were.


    The Nine-tailed Fox was the strongest and most mythical of them all, gaining a legendary status among the world of magical beasts.


    But most of these creatures were native to Echoria.


    What Liam currently had, in order, was the One-tailed Fox, the Three-tailed Fox, and the Four-tailed Fox.


    The remaining magical beasts were of a different species entirely.


    ''Every attempt has to be a perfect run. I can''t rely on numbers alone.''


    ''Everything has to be absolutely set before thest and final step.''


    Not to mention, Liam''s Mind Edge was not just for battle!


    It was basically for anything that required focus.


    Then, Liam realized a problem.


    ''Wait¡­''


    ''What gender was this thing again?''


    ''It had a feminine voice when it spoke to me mentally.''


    ''But that doesn''t make it a female.''


    When speaking mentally, one could easily change the tone and sound of their voice using mental energy.


    If they were skilled enough, that is.


    ''Ah, screw it. We''ll just say it''s a female and get on with it.''


    Thus, Liam picked out a Reaper Wolf to begin with.


    First, he studied its massiveposition.


    Last Liam remembered, the Kitsune was roughly 7 to 8 meters high.


    It was on therger scale of magical beasts.


    But its physique had been ruined due to awakening its sea of consciousness, which prompted the Opposition''s influence.


    ''No need to dy it any longer, then,'' Liam thought.


    Then, Liam took out his ck de.


    11:26


    Liam had the Reaper Wolf hung from the ceiling to the left.


    Then, for the Zenith, he positioned him on his knees to the right.


    Then, Liam took out his ck de.


    "I was getting tired of not being used," the ck de said with dramatic sadness.


    "That doesn''t sound like what you think it does," Liam responded nkly. "Especially with that voice."


    Some of the Elders standing around Liam felt a little ufortable.


    They knew about Liam''s ability to speak with his sword.


    Elder Aki and Jane already told everyone.


    But they couldn''t hear the ck de''s voice.


    Only Liam could.


    Nevertheless, they remained quiet in anticipation.


    After all, no one had seen Liam use his sword since he entered the inheritance!


    Elder Jax, Jane and Orisa were there too, quietly watching.


    All Liam would do was briefly cut around the Reaper Wolf''s core, while shaving away the glimmering white fur.


    There was nothing special about that.


    But still, they wanted to sate their curiosities.


    ''It''s not like I learned how to be graceful during my time at the inheritance.''


    Liam shook his head.


    SHIIIING!


    Liam''s arm blurred in quick session, and a flurry of invisible lines enveloped the Reaper Wolf and Rank 4 Zenith.


    In one second, all the fur on the Reaper Wolf''s body weightlessly fell off.


    At the same time, the circr cut on the abdomen revealed the Reaper Wolf''s core without so much as a nick on it.


    And a wide vertical cut on the Zenith''s forehead disyed its brain with no damage whatsoever.


    A round of apuse and cheers followed.


    But Liam just felt embarrassed since it looked like he was boasting for nothing.


    Nevertheless, he ignored that and started with the human Zenith first.


    Liam ''plugged'' in his mind with the Zenith''s and got to work.

 Chapter 363 Grin

    363 Grin


    Weeks passed.


    Ever since Liam ''jacked'' his mind into the Zeniths and peered at its contents through the King''s Eye, he''d learned several things about the sea of consciousness.


    Every little iridescent ''scale'' was an integral piece of the cultivator''s mind.


    From what Liam deduced, they stored important ''data'', like little storage devices capable of absorbing massive amounts of info.


    Memories, the subconscious and consciousness, feelings, emotions, senses and more.


    The tiny scales included all of these aspects.


    And there were several million of these tiny scales in each mental sphere.


    Not to mention, with each Rank, they grew higher in number and infinitely moreplex.


    For a Zenith, this was especially true, since their minds wereyered withplexity.


    Liam''s goal was fairly simple.


    To chip away these little scales until there were none left.


    Once they were cleared, there was a high chance for the Kitsune''s mental energy to usurp the isted mind and take over it.


    It was the only way.


    However, if Liam ever wanted to tinker with his own mind, it would get beyond difficult, since tampering with one part could affect others, too.


    Creating mental enhancements was a project set for the distant future, that was for sure.


    But even pulling away these scales took effort and time.


    Liam had to be diligent and graceful with his mental energy usage, and it was painfully slow.


    Nheless, he continued.


    CRACK!


    The first Zenith''s mind shattered after a tiny misstep.


    Days of work went up in mes just like that.


    Liam moved on to the next.


    CRACK!


    And the next¡ª


    CRACK!


    And¡ª


    CRACK!


    The¡ª


    CRACK!


    Next.


    Needless to stay, Liam was starting to get a little frustrated.


    Certain scales had more vtilitypared to others.


    But they all looked the exact same.


    It was basically like ying a game of minesweeper.


    But there were no directions of any kind to tell you where the bombs were.


    Liam cked his tongue in annoyance.


    This was getting repetitive.


    Still, he persisted.


    Eventually, on the fifth try, Liam seeded entirely in clearing out a mental sphere.


    It took one week of nonstop work.


    But it was finally over.


    And now?


    ''I can''t risk this not working,'' Liam thought with furrowed brows.


    ''It''s better to sacrifice this for a test run and study the results.''


    Liam put two fingers on the Zenith''s forehead.


    Then, he slowly pulled them back, pulling an ethereal strand of the Zenith''s mental energy with it.


    Yanking out someone''s mental energy was impossible if they were aware and resistant.


    But the Zenith was currently unconscious and defenseless.


    Once he was done with that, Liam looked back towards the Zenith.


    In one fluid movement, Liam killed the Zenith cultivator and Isted his mental sphere.


    The mental energy was rapidly dissipating and emptying the sea of consciousness!


    But before the mental sphere shattered due to having no body, Liam imbued the Zenith''s mental energy inside it using the Mind Jack.


    Liam''s eyes widened in amazement.


    As soon as the mental energy entered the empty sea of consciousness, the empty, translucent walls started to flicker with growing scales!


    Amazingly, the mind was resetting!


    But the strand of mental energy was too tiny.


    As the scales reformed, the strand was being used up.


    And soon enough, it flickered out and disappeared, together with the reforming scales.


    Liam still smiled.


    ''The important thing is it worked,'' Liam thought. ''Meaning the n is perfectly usable.''


    ***


    Three triester, Liam seeded in clearing another mental sphere.


    This time, he was resolved to use the Kitsune''s tattoo.


    Liam had already fixed the core problem, since it was vastly easier to do so.


    All he had to do was feed the Four-tailed Fox some powerfulxatives while simultaneously denying it food or water.


    As the poor thing emptied its bowels, its core was slowly drained of energy.


    As it emptied out fully, Liam reced it with the Kitsune''s.


    And that was done.


    But now, it was time for thest step.


    Liam took off his shirt.


    The tattoo on his abdomen was brighter than ever.


    ''Damn thing knows that it''s time toe out,'' Liam thought.


    Using his mental waves, Liam manipted the tattoo to wrap around his fingers.


    Liam heaved a long breath.


    Then, Liam killed the Zenith, used Mind Isted, then imbued the Kitsune''s mental energy within the sea of consciousness.


    There was silence as Liam held his breath.


    The elders to his sides were quietly watching.


    Besides the general work, they weren''t able to help at this step.


    Nheless, they watched like it was the most important thing in the world.


    As the Kitsune''s mental energy seeped through the Zenith''s mental barrier, it shook violently.


    It threatened to shatter and break!


    Liam used Mind Edge in an instant.


    Everything went sharp.


    In one-thirtieth of a second, Liam was able to recognize the problem.


    Using the remains of his mental energy, he wrapped all of his mental waves around the Zenith''s sea of consciousness, firmly holding it together.


    Although the shaking was still there, due to Liam''s interference, it didn''t shatter.


    Instead, the process inside continued.


    Slowly, the Zenith''s mental barrier was turning golden.


    Glitter-like shards formed within it.


    Cruder than a human''s, butrger and sharper.


    In the span of a few minutes, the process was over.


    What remained of the cultivator was no longer human.


    It was the Kitsune.


    But it was still just a mind.


    Liam calmly dashed over to the Four-tailed Fox''s body, then ced within it the ethereal sea of consciousness.


    Right after, the Elders patched up the fox''s exposed skull, cleaning it the best they could before running to safety.


    Silence.


    Liam held his Breaker de and stood unflinchingly at his ce, his eyes narrowed.


    The Four-tailed Fox was massive.


    It was 7 meters high and 5 meters wide.


    But its head was ced parallel to the ground, and Liam stood at its nose.


    Five seconds passed. Eight. Ten.


    The Kitsune''s golden eyes slowly opened¡­


    ¡­and a toothy grin formed on its maw.

 Chapter 364 Relax

    <h4>Chapter 364 Rx</h4>


    Slowly, the Kitsune raised its head.


    Four of its tails suddenly perked upwards to the sky.


    Its body started to shimmer with iridescence, despite having no fur.


    Liam silently waited for the fox to get a hold of itself.


    Like with Subject No. 421 and all others, the patients were often unstable during their initial awakening.


    Although the toothy smirk indicated a sess, Liam couldn''t know for sure.


    The fox''s sharp gaze swept the underground hall.


    Itsrge, golden eyes constricted maliciously.


    So many Zeniths!


    What exactly happened during these 9 years?!


    In reality, the Kitsune didn''t feel the passing of time.


    It was in aatose state where it felt nothing, but was subconsciously alive.


    It still remembered being stuck in the ''Ora'' Cave, surrounded by magical beasts and awaiting the inevitable.


    And now, it was here.


    It was as if one blinked and found himself in an entirely different ce, in an entirely different time.


    A low growl escaped the fox''s throat while a powerful pressure filled the area.


    "Oi," Liam called out from the side. "Rx."


    The Kitsune didn''t respond.


    Its hostile focus was still on the hordes of Zenith cultivators, the room''s pressure steadily increasing.


    The Elders looked at the Kitsune with dark expressions.


    Their hands were twitching in fragile restraint.


    A fight was going to break out.


    "Oi," Liam calmly called out again. "Rx yourself."


    Silence.


    Liam was being ignored.


    "I said," Liamunched upwards at the Kitsune''s muzzle, then punched it as hard as he could. "Rx!"


    BANG!


    The Kitsune''s head suddenly lurched to the ground, as though struck by a hammer.


    Liamnded lithely on the ground beside it.


    The Kitsune''s vision swam and his hand swirled with pain.


    "I told you to rx, retard. They''re with me," Liam told the beast as it tried to regain itself.


    As it came to its senses, the Kitsune looked at Liam incredulously.


    What was that power?!


    Last it remembered, the human it made a deal with was a little squirt with high ambitions.


    And now he radiated unbridled danger.


    The Elders seemed to be in the same boat as the Kitsune.


    They''d never seen a Mortal-ranked human capable of punching a Zenith beast''s muzzle without getting clipped, but then again, the Shadow Demon wasn''t one to followmon sense.


    "Are you still the same human I made a deal with?" the Kitsune said with a slight growl.


    It rose to its feet and stared at Liam with constricted pupils.


    Liam undid the color change of his King''s Eye.


    A soft golden glow emanated from his right eye, paired with a sharp constricted pupil.


    The Kitsune''s eyes slightly widened.


    The pressure emanated from both the Elders and the Kitsune faded away.


    "You actually did it," the Kitsune said, smiling broadly again with a vicious set of teeth. "I was smart to trust you."


    The Elders standing around looked amazed.


    An animal was speaking!


    Albeit, its maw was not moving. It was speaking through the mind.


    The Kitsune''s voice was, as Liam remembered, feminine.


    "Didn''t have to take both eyes to prove your point, though," Liam said.


    "Well, you have them back, don''t you? I would request back my eye, but you''ve earned it yourself."


    "I wasn''t gonna give it back, anyway," Liam said, but didn''t wait for a response. "What are you going to do now?"


    Silence.


    The Kitsune smiled, then spoke in a solemn tone:


    "Go home, of course. I want to create my own pack, live in silence and peace. Find a mate, and so on. I''ve attained freedom. Best enjoy it."


    Silence.


    Liam chuckled lightly.


    "That won''t happen."


    Silence.


    The Kitsune frowned.


    "What do you mean?" it questioned darkly.


    Liam met its gaze with a serious look.


    "The ce you call home now wants my neck. We''re abroad now, distant from your homnd. There might be a waring."


    Silence.


    "If you think you can enve me," the Kitsune said, a dangerous glimmer appearing in its eyes. "Think again."


    Liam scoffed derisively.


    "If I wanted you in chains, you would be. You''re no longer the strongest, and I''m no longer weak."


    "The tables are flipped, now."


    "You''re in a tight spot, and I''ll offer you a way out."


    Silence.


    The Kitsune bared its teeth in a definitely pissed off manner.


    "I never said you couldn''t leave, by the way. You''re free to go wherever you want."


    The Kitsune''s malicious look slightly softened upon those words, but it still looked on the edge.


    "But you won''t make it far," Liam said. "Echoria has long closed their gates to lians, and lians are no longer epting Echorians."


    "What do you think they''d do if they see a giant, talking fox approach their borders?"


    "Will they offer you tea, I wonder?"


    Tense silence.


    The Kitsune''s mood definitely soured.


    And it was getting angrier by the second.


    "You humans are all the same," the Kitsune growled. "Seeking to enve or use. Never to change."


    Silence.


    Liam smiled coldly.


    "Except I''m not human anymore."


    Only then did the Kitsune realize something was off about Liam''s aura.


    It made a slight shiver run through her spine, but she med her newly awakened mind for it.


    "Plus," Liam said. "you owe me."


    "Ha?! What for?" the Kitsune responded angrily. "I gave you the eye, took you out, and you resuscitated me. It was an equal deal."


    "Look at your body," Liam said, pointing at the Four-tailed Fox''s physique. "You have physical strength, and you get to keep your sea of consciousness."


    Silence.


    The Kitsune spent a good few minutes looking at her own body, fluttering her tail, and abruptly zooming around the hall in a circr motion.


    The Elders watching were about to attack, but Liam stopped them with a look.


    The more it ran around the limited space, the happier it looked!


    ''It probably never had a run since it went sick. It was stuck inside the dungeon for dozens of years, too,'' Liam thought.


    "There''s morend outside. A full ind," Liam said. The Kitsune abruptly stopped at Liam firmly. "I''ll take this as a yes?"


    The Kitsune paused¡­


    Liam took it as a yes.

 Chapter 365 Guests

    <h4>Chapter 365 Guests</h4>


    Inside the underground, the meeting wasing to an end.


    "So you were a female after all, right?" Liam asked.


    Silence.


    The Kitsune''s eyes suddenly widened with shock.


    There was an ufortable pause.


    "...Unlucky, I guess," Liam scratched the side of his head.


    A momentter, the Kitsune burst withughter.


    "Indeed I am," said the Kitsune. Liam clicked his tongue in annoyance. "If you got that wrong, I would have ran off to Echoria no matter what you offered me."


    Currently, Liam was leading the Kitsune outside.


    Its tails were wagging violently in anticipation for a long run.


    It couldn''t be med.


    Sickness and disabilities often forced certain people down dark and depressive paths.


    But when it was cured, it was as though color had returned to their lives.


    It was no wonder why the Kitsune epted Liam''s deal.


    ''I should give it a name while I''m at it,'' Liam thought.


    "What do you want to be called?" Liam asked as the two walked side-by-side through therge halls.


    The Kitsune paused.


    "Haven''t thought of it. Don''t really care," she said casually. "Our kind doesn''t work on names."


    "We just meow, bark or piss at each other if we want attention."


    Liam pursed his lips.


    His naming sense was never good.


    And quite frankly, he was a bitzy when it came to this thing.


    Thus, Liam simply said the first thing that came to mind.


    "Kitsu should be fine. Or maybe Tails. Ah, whatever. Doesn''t matter."


    "What are you gonna do now?" Liam asked from the side. "Freeloading is not an option. You''ll be given work, too."


    Kitsu grumbled in annoyance, but didn''t protest.


    Liam had saved her life and cured her condition.


    What more could she ask for?


    "Fine, as long as I''m not restricted or looked down upon by other humans," Kitsu said.


    Eventually, the two were able to make it outside.


    Without a word, Kitsu bolted forward like lightning.


    WHOOSH!


    She looked like an apex predator who just learned the thrill that came with hunting prey.


    And before long, she disappeared into the distance, dashing through the temples and terrorising the acolytes she passed by.


    "You sure it''s working with us?" Elder Jane said, appearing at Liam''s side with a wry look. "It''s¡­ an actual animal. Not to mention, foxes are known to be mischievous."


    "It has a mind," Liam corrected as he turned to leave. "And it''s smarter than most humans."


    ***


    Liam returned home.


    With that project finally done, Liam moved to a different task.


    Finishing the Rank 5 bodies Usan had given him.


    He was already halfway through eating one of them.


    Liam''s blood was still in the middle-tier, but it was close to advancing.


    Once he arrived at the upper-tier, Liam''s blood would progress at an incredibly slow rate.


    ''Once I finish these two bodies, I''ll advance.''


    ''Then, I''ll need roughly eleven Rank 5 bodies to advance.''


    Liam pursed his lips.


    Truth be told, that wasn''t an easy amount to obtain.


    ''Maybe if Usan targets Oceaners instead of people living onnd, it''ll be far easier. But we''ve got more pressing matters now.''


    ''...And I still don''t have a body tempering method for the fifth Rank.''


    Unfortunately, Liam''s body was still in the middle-tier!


    For so long!


    Granted, he was at the peak of the stage, and his physical prowess was already insanely powerful.


    Paired with Chaos, which negated all ''Ora'' connected techniques, and Corruption, which gued the insides of someone''s body, physical strength was just a side-plus.


    But the only way Liam strengthened his body was through devouring other people.


    There was only so much that could be done through that method.


    Even if he ate Rank 5''s for breakfast, lunch and dinner.


    For the next two weeks, Liam gulped down the Rank 5 bodies Usan gave him.


    Then, as he swallowed thest piece of flesh and digested it, Liam''s blood started to transform.


    It seeped further into his bones, muscles and skin.


    But thest time Liam advanced, he did not have the Triumvirate Body.


    Now, the ichor flowing through his veins were like unfiltered water streams.


    Every corner of his being was filled with blood.


    Even his nails.


    Two hours passed.


    The process was over.


    The differences between the middle-tier and upper-tier were not small.


    The first thing Liam noticed was how his blood pumped at twice the speed!


    What did this mean?


    Besides the faster regeneration, it also meant Liam could maintain his Blood Bonds for longer periods of time, as well asst longer in a fight.


    Liam tried sprouting an arm from his back.


    SQUELCH.


    It began as a tentacle, which slowly grew, then split into five different fingers.


    Liam curled the third hand a few times.


    Although it looked really weird for a hand, it was perfectly usable as one.


    A momentter, ck, fleshy tentacles sprouted from all over Liam''s figure, shooting in every direction.


    The further they went, the thinner they got.


    Before, Liam had range issues with his tentacles.


    They couldn''t be extended too far, since there wasn''t enough blood to be used for those transformations.


    But now, Transfiguration used much less blood.


    ''But I still can''t manipte, double or significantly alter my organs,'' Liam thought, retracting the tentacles.


    ''Expel and Admit have gotten stronger, too.''


    ''There''s not enough time to explore more of it, though.''


    ''Although I want to make a spell or two for Corruption, there''s not enough time.''


    ''I haven''t even tested its limits.''


    Liam sighed.


    Things were going to get busy, soon.


    Liam took out his Jade and called Usan.


    After a few seconds, Usan picked up.


    "The guests are on their way," Usan said. "They''ll be here by tonight."


    Although Liam couldn''t see his face, he was pretty sure Usan was smirking.


    "Alright," Liam said seriously. "I''ll get ready."


    Who were these ''guests''?


    Well, the Royals of Echoria, of course!


    Alucard needed proof.


    And although Liam couldn''t grant him Niveh, he could give proof of her working under the Royals.


    Thus, Usan simply extended a friendly invitation to the Royals for talks of ''peace'' and ''prosperity''.


    The Royals epted.


    And now, they were on their way to li.


    Getting this ''admittance'' was going to be difficult.


    But Liam had a feeling it wouldn''t be.

 Chapter 366 Party

    <h4>Chapter 366 Party</h4>


    As Liam quietly cultivated in front of a mirror, he silently thought of how to go about this meeting.


    The invitation was an obvious lie.


    It was a bait.


    And yet, the Echorian Royals epted.


    Whether or not they knew it was bait, was a different matter.


    Obviously, the Queen herself was noting to the party.


    Even Usan''s Rank 6 prowess could not earn him that privilege.


    At most, some Rank 5''s and Rank 4 Royals would arrive at the meeting.


    Nothing more, nothing less.


    Well, at least to Liam''s knowledge.


    And yet, there were a few people that Liam was certain wereing.


    Mostly, his old squadron/cohort/ssmates.


    Rin, Nord and Nessa, along with several others.


    Day by day, their names were gaining poprity and attention, beside other growing individuals.


    Of course, ''parties'' between countries like these were always a pissing contest.


    Each side would show their greatest talents, and more often than not, there would be a ''friendly''petition between the two parties.


    The Royals would use that chance to further cement their reputation.


    Liam didn''t need to take part in thesepetitions. In fact, he didn''t need to do anything. As the advertised ''heir'' of the Eternal Sword, a mere nce and a small talk was more than enough as a requirement.


    Usan would do most of the hard work by stalling the Royals for as long as possible.


    At least, until Liam got proof.


    What exactly did Liam n to do?


    Well, Liam''s ''Bob'' identity was still not connected to him.


    The Golden-eyed Vagrant saga wasn''t as infamous and loud as it used to be.


    Liam was basically a vague rumor now, and the only ce he was remembered was the academy, among the students.


    Obviously, the Royce family and those Liam crossed remembered him quite well, too. Including the Royals.


    Exposing himself now would be risky.


    On one side, it was his responsibility to obtain proof of Niveh''s existence.


    It was just him that knew her personally, after all.


    But Liam''s special aura made it incredibly difficult.


    Plus, there was a chance the Echorians could deploy methods of investigation into the party itself. It wasn''t like they forgot about Liam.


    In fact, Liam was sure that they would try to look for him during the party.


    ¡­But despite all this risk, there was a reward.


    And that was the alliance with Alucard.


    One had to remember Usan''s illness.


    Although it was a bit difficult to think about, he would no longer be there.


    And Liam would be next in line to lead such a massive force.


    Right now, the allies of the Temple of Shadow were following Usan, not Liam.


    Usan had not announced who his heir would be. At least, not yet. It wasn''t the appropriate time.


    If Liam became a Patriarch without approval, nothing stopped the Rank 5 nsmen to take over the Temple. Even with the Temple''s superior numbers and forces.


    Although there was trust between the alliances now, there was no telling who would buckle and crack under political pressure.


    Currently, there was no Rank 5 cultivator working for the Temple of Shadow.


    Rank 5''s were obviously notmon.


    They were strong enough tomand battalions of their own.


    Why would someone like that listen to a mere Mortal-ranked cultivator''smands?


    There was a reason why Sector Patriarchs were not merging with the Temple.


    If Usan''s status was permanent, they probably would.


    But it was not.


    However, if Liam was to obtain an alliance with the king of vampires?


    Something they wouldn''t dream of doing?


    Who would dare question his authority?


    Nobody.


    Liam had to be ''approved''.


    But the issue of maintaining that alliance still remained.


    ''Still. As long as the alliancests for at least a year or two, they''lle to know my authority.''


    Liam hated this.


    This whole¡­ pandering to people and ''seeking approval''.


    But he supposed everyone was caught up in these kinds of situations once they got to a certain point.


    Certainly, the strongest of the world couldn''t avoid it, either.


    ''I need to be a Zenith already. I''ve been stuck in these Mortal ranks for too long,'' Liam thought with a sigh.


    A Zenith sea of consciousness was still far away.


    A Zenith core wasn''t near, either.


    A Zenith Chaos Pearl was definitely not near.


    But Liam had a few tricks up his sleeve to make his task easier.


    Liam opened his eyes to look into the mirror.


    ''I don''t have to show myself for the first segment of the party,'' Liam thought. ''It should be a good time to scout whoeveres.''


    Slowly, Liam''s face transformed.


    Ever since Liam entered the upper-tier of his blood, his transformation abilities were remarkable and more precise.


    Not only that, but a changed appearance dulled down the Eternal Sword''s aura effect!


    As long as Liam didn''t look at people directly, and they were far away, the danger effect would be significantly less.


    ''The closest range of effect would be three arm-spans away. Then they''ll feel something''s off with me.''


    Liam heaved a sigh.


    First, Liam''s skin changed from pale-white to olive-tanned brown.


    Then, Liam''s frame grew bulkier, taller and more pronounced.


    Right after, a nicely trimmed ck beard with a few tints of grey rapidly grew on his chin.


    Followed by that, Liam''s hair retracted into his scalp, reced with a natural white, slicked-back hairstyle that fell over his shoulders in an unkempt fashion.


    Liam''s appearance went from young and cold, to aged and hardened.


    ''I should blend in with the others now,'' Liam thought, nodding to himself.


    Putting on some expensive wrappings, Liam made a few more minor changes to his appearance before leaving.


    Outside, it was nighttime.


    Up in the sky, stars came into view.


    No clouds.


    A soft, mncholic wind.


    Hordes of acolytes ran this way and that. Some wore on serving duty, while others were still making preparations for the uing event.


    The party would take ce at the peak of the ind, where the biggest temple was.


    Liam stood at the highest cliff, overlooking the endless sea raging with waves.


    Just then, Liam''s eyes narrowed.


    Little silver and golden dots appeared over the horizon, growing bigger as they neared.


    ''They''re here.''

 Chapter 367 Yacht

    <h4>Chapter 367 Yacht</h4>


    Liam''s covert King''s Eye zoomed towards the horizon.


    The method of transportations the Echorians were using was in line with their signature inscription and formation capabilities.


    They were flying on luxury air-yachts.


    Made from marble, gold, silver and other eloquently built materials, radiating with shy lights.


    Its frame was way bigger than the most expensive yachts on earth by a long shot.


    They weightlessly glided through the air, at a leisurely but steady speed.


    They looked like diamond clouds with how they hovered over the sparkling ocean.


    Meanwhile, muffled shouts filled the ind''s air.


    The Elders weremanding the acolytes to make theirst minute preparation and to get ready.


    Landing ports were already made specifically to ept the Royals, but their impable timing caught the Temple off guard.


    Liam ushered himself inside the temple and located the hordes of guards situated throughout the four corners of the pyramid.


    The exterior of the pyramid was like an impregnable fortress, which was partly due to the hordes of acolytes and elders guarding it.


    Or course, they had to make themselves as rxed as possible in order not to intimidate the Royals.


    They were guests.


    The acolytes were hosts.


    No matter what the purpose behind the meeting was, war was definitely not the intention.


    Plus, being kind to a guest was deeply rooted in lian culture.


    Liam made his way to the fourth floor.


    The interior of the pyramid resembled a five-star hotel.


    There was a vast, luxuriously decorated ground floor lit by a beautiful crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling.


    At the same time, there were four floors that went upwards to the pyramidal ceiling, which were visible from the first floor.


    On the second and third floor, a gentle orchestra would perform.


    As Liam arrived on the fourth floor, a few familiar faces met his gaze.


    Jargon, Oro, Maeve, Ruth and Krel were there among others, looking battle-ready and war-hardened.


    One had to remember the hate lians harbored for Echorians.


    Even Jargon hated them with an undying fury due to how Revel was treated by them.


    Nevertheless, as Liam appeared, the five were taken aback.


    It was clear they didn''t realize the full extent of Liam''s shapeshifting abilities.


    After all, not only had Liam changed his looks, it looked as though he had changed the type of person he was!


    Like there never was a Liam Royce.


    Just a hard-eyed, menacing mercenary that looked like they''d been through the worst in life.


    The switch was surreal.


    The only way they realized it was Liam, was due to the Eternal Sword''s aura.


    "What are you all gawking at me for?" Liam asked with a deep voice that matched his menacing face.


    Jargon was the first to snap out of it.


    With a wry look, Jargon led Liam to another room.


    Liam showing his face this early was too risky.


    Thankfully, there was a special room designed just for that purpose.


    A ss-made one-way station that could peer outward, but couldn''t be peered into.


    It was situated right above the entrance of the pyramid, and disyed the outside in perfect rity.


    Liam watched as the cluster of air-yachts slowlynded side-by-side over a patch of clearnd.


    Slowly, golden gangnks extended past the yachts and descended on the ground.


    The first to descend the ship was the strongest Royal aboard.


    A Rank 5 Royal.


    Liam saw her aura bursting with iridescent rays of light, swirling around her figure like some sort of geyser.


    She had short silver hair styled to a sharp bob, and golden eyes like all the other Echorian Royals.


    Even her first name started with a ''K.''


    But what separated her from the rest was the in white kimono she wore instead of a beautiful dress.


    It was like she didn''t need looks to vouch for her.


    ''She''s pretty much the same as all the other Royals. Except higher ranked cultivators naturally have more beauty.''


    Liam knew her as Kasrah Thyress, since Usan had been informed of the most important guests to his party.


    Following her lead, more than a dozen Royals descended alongside her.


    They made sure to walk behind her, though.


    With their appearances, they looked like celebrities heading to a premier of some sort.


    With graceful steps, Kasrah arrived at the pyramid''s entrance, where Usan was waiting for her.


    With a dazzling smile, the Rank 5 Royal made a slight nod to Usan as a greeting.


    Usan did the same.


    "Forgive us for being so extravagant," Kasrah said gracefully.


    "It was never our intention to bring so many, but some couldn''t resist visiting this beautiful country of yours."


    Obvious lies.


    But Usan smiled.


    "Please," he said gentlemanly. "The more the better. There is enough food and drink for all."


    Then, Usan gestured for her and her followers to enter.


    A momentter, the remaining air-yachts opened up, and their upants made their way towards the entrance.


    Liam scoffed in amusement.


    Instantly, he spotted a few familiar faces.


    Kalia Thyress. She was there, unaged a single day from how Liam remembered.


    She was a Zenith now.


    Kalia took in the sights with a slightly vignt expression on her face.


    A few of his teachers from the academy were there too.


    But they were happy to be there.


    At the same time, Liam spotted a few familiar students.


    Then, past all these people, were three figures Liam recognized instantly.


    The first was Nord.


    The Giant''s Heir looked matured and unlike how Liam remembered him.


    His shoulders were broad.


    His build was sturdy and powerful.


    His crimson eyes were deep.


    His short ck hair wasbed to the side.


    And his ck-and-red themed robe suited him quite well.


    Holding his elbow was a vermillion-haired woman Liam didn''t recognize.


    Then, there was Rin and Nessa, walking side-by-side.


    Rin and Nessa both had glow-ups of their own kind. Calling them beautiful was not a stretch.


    Rin wore a ck overcoat that fell over her shoulders.


    Underneath were ck wrappings that covered her from shin to shoulder.


    She was tall, mature-looking and had a serenity about her.


    On the other hand, Nessa wore a decorative, full ck dress, like some goth woman from Earth.


    She was on the shorter side, but a coldness seeped from her eyes.


    But Liam''s eye constricted towards Rin''s approaching figure.


    A strange thought surfaced in his mind.


    ''She''s not human.''

 Chapter 368 Suspicious

    <h4>Chapter 368 Suspicious</h4>


    Watching the three approach the entrance, Liam took a good hard look at each one of them.


    It had been some time since he saw any familiar faces from his country.


    At first nce, Nord looked the strongest due to his powerful build.


    But his aura was incredibly strange.


    It was swirling with different lines of white and translucent energies.


    ''The heir of giants, eh?'' Liam thought. ''He doesn''t look as dumb as he used to.''


    Nord had a Rank 3 sea of consciousness, a Rank 4 body, and a Rank 3 gaseous-stage core.


    Amazingly, Nessa had the strongest centers of power out of all of them.


    She was a Rank 3 Magus, a Rank 4 body, and a Rank 3 liquid-stage core!


    And she was the youngest there!


    ''Alchemists,'' Liam thought with a bit of contempt.


    Clearly, she had made those advances due to various pills concocted from exquisite materials.


    Nessa''s talent in alchemy wasparable to Liam''s talent in murder.


    And yet, Nessa also had a hardened look in her eyes.


    Like she knew a thing or two about death.


    It almost made Liamugh.


    Seeing the difference between the meek little girl afraid to hurt someone¡­ and now this.


    Then, there was Rin.


    She was not human.


    That was the thought Liam had of her at first nce.


    Her aura was a fiery purple hue, silently raging around her.


    But that wasn''t what caught Liam''s eye.


    It was the bestial danger that radiated from her.


    Liam''s eyes widened when he realized something.


    What did Liam recognize?


    There was a thinyer of mental energy disguising Rin''s violet eyes. It was a Rank 4 inscribed item. A hidden device that extended her eyshes.


    But Liam''s powerful vision could pierce through that easily.


    What Liam saw behind the disguise were two purple, veiny vertical irises that looked like they belonged to a magical beast!


    Instantly, Liam thought back to the Korsan Lands.


    When the four of them had a small talk among themselves.


    Rin mentioned a dragon.


    And her knowledge of magical beasts was far better than Liam''s.


    Not to mention, even her forging method was centered around magical beasts.


    All of this pointed Liam towards one direction.


    She had be a magical beast herself.


    Specifically, a dragon-type!


    Liam''s eyes narrowed.


    She was dangerous.


    Granted, so was everyone else at the party. Only the cream of the crop were allowed into this party.


    But a magical beast in human form?


    Kitsu was simr to her.


    Except, she was a beast with the mind of a human.


    Rin was a human with the body and anatomy of a beast.


    Liam himself was partly Spirit Beast.


    But just one-third.


    And the Shifter was not abat-specialized species. It was useful for camouge, taking over other beasts, and shapeshifting. But killing was not its forte.


    Plus, the Shifter was just the exterior of his body.


    Bing a full human/magical-beast hybrid was something Liam had absolutely no clue on how to do, nor nned to.


    Though, Liam could imagine the amount of experiments and tests needed to make something of that caliber.


    It far outweighed the mere 421 test subjects, that was for sure.


    ''They must have built quite the rtionship if the Royals wanted to invest this heavily into them,'' Liam thought.


    Looking as posh and graceful as they could, the Echorians made their way through the entrance of the luxury temple.


    "Please," Usan announced to all those present. All eyes were on him. "Enjoy yourselves. There are battle halls outside if a friendly spar is to your tastes, or quiet lounges if you do not fancy our music."


    A long round of apuse followed.


    Usan with the Elders, and Kasrah Thyress, along with the other Zenith Royals, had already entered a private lounge.


    That left the Echorians to freely socialize and converse with the lians.


    From a high vantage point, one could see the distinct differences between the two groups.


    Academy students were colorful and extravagant, while the Temple''s forces looked a bit grim and hardened.


    Still, the academy students were the first to strike up friendly conversations with those their age.


    Out of the 18,000 that the Temple housed, more than 3,000 of them were in this party.


    Half of those were young folks below the age of 20.


    This was obviously done on purpose.


    Those of a higher age weren''t trusted to suppress their hate.


    And the Temple''s young were purposely given a vague task to break the ice between them and ease the tension.


    Slowly, the atmosphere became lively.


    All kinds of conversations blended together, andughs soothed over the tension lingering over the air.


    Liam tracked his ssmates as they spread in different directions.


    The room he was in not only allowed him to see other people without being seen, but to hear them in perfect rity!


    Basically, Liam had be the perfect monitor.


    Nord and, presumably, his girlfriend sat over by a lounge and quietly shared non-alcoholic drinks.


    They drank in suspicious silence.


    Quietly, Nessa sat to Nord''s left, watching the party with distant blue eyes.


    Through the King''s Eye, Liam could tell they were exchanging mental transmissions.


    But they were being incredibly discreet with it.


    ''What are they doing?'' Liam thought with furrowed brows.


    Meanwhile, Rin''s gaze swept over the main floor, her pupils constricting at seemingly random ces.


    Incredibly suspicious.


    Just then, a young female acolyte walked up to her with a warm smile, offering her a full ss of lian vinegar.


    "Purple hair! I''ve never seen a sister with that hair color before," she said with a friendly smile. "What''s your name, miss?"


    lian vinegar was a drink even Zeniths had trouble swallowing.


    It burned the throat and made the eyes red.


    The mischievous acolyte obviously knew this.


    Rin nced at the young woman in silence for several seconds, but epted the drink with a slight smirk.


    "Rin," she answered tersely, gulping down the drink in a second, then heaving a small sigh. "I expected something stronger," she added with a disappointed tone.


    Liam raised his brows slightly, not expecting Rin to answer.


    But then again, the Struggle Tribtion reconstructed the entire body and made it stronger than ever.


    It was no surprise that she had hearing again, and a mellow voice to add.


    The acolyte coughed awkwardly, and their conversation suffered an abrupt end.


    Liam smiled coldly to himself.


    ''They''re looking for me.''

 Chapter 369 Friend

    <h4>Chapter 369 Friend</h4>


    Like Liam thought, the three were given orders to look for him.


    Obviously, they were not the only ones.


    There were thousands of Echorians in this party.


    Approximately 5,000 people were here at the party.


    Roughly half of those were Echorians.


    Royals, teachers, students, servants and more.


    Not all the Royals present were Zeniths.


    But they still had a certain air of superiority.


    And not all Zenith Royals had participated in the meeting with Usan.


    One of those that stayed behind were Kalia Thyress, one of Liam''s previous teachers.


    Currently, she was conversing with Elder Jane, who looked just as stunning as every other Royal.


    Both were snarky and passive-aggressive with their words.


    Liam heaved a long, tense sigh.


    The Royals weren''t foble anymore.


    They knew Liam was hiding with the Temple of Shadow.


    They must have thoroughly explored every country as well.


    At least, those that Liam had ess to during that particr time.


    But they checked off the suspected regions one by one, and there was just one box unticked.


    And that was li.


    Especially since the Seven ns stopped talks with the Echorian Royals once the Temple was no longer shunned.


    Which was a bright red g.


    Plus, once the requirements of the Eternal Sword''s heir came to light, the red gs started to umte one after the other.


    As Liam realized that the Royals were not going to give up on him, he made a grim epiphany.


    Getting found out was inevitable!


    He had a feeling it woulde to this.


    Sooner orter, Liam''s name was going toe into the spotlight.


    This basically made hiding redundant.


    Sure, for the time being, it provided safe cover.


    But it was even more unnerving when the enemy wasn''t public with their decisions.


    If Liam were to somehow be assassinated without his name being public, Echorians could simply say it wasn''t them, and the allies of the Temple of Shadow wouldn''t be able to retaliate.


    Sure, the Temple of Shadow would try to fight them.


    But what would a mere eighteen thousand do against a million or more?


    There would be less consequences for the Echorians'' actions.


    But if the opposite was true¡­


    Liam''s enemies would think twice before inciting a war.


    Not to mention, they''d have Alucard to worry about!


    And quite frankly, Liam was starting to get frustrated.


    Hiding like a little rat.


    He felt like he''d been held back his entire life, and that only med his suppressed anger.


    ''Why are they so damn adamant abouting after me in the first ce?'' Liam cursed, but an answer came to him anyway.


    ''With so much manpower to spare, they could afford to tie up a loose end or two.''


    Nheless, there was no use overthinking it.


    The alliance was the most important aspect of this entire meeting.


    Looking at the main floor again, Liam saw Nord head to the bathroom.


    Rin, Nessa and the red-haired girl also went to the female''s side of thevatory.


    An opportunity.


    "You can begin now," Liam told Jargon with a serious voice, who responded with a quick nod.


    Using his Jade, Jargon made a fewmands at the acolytes behind the scenes.


    An enthusiastic announcement was made on the main floor.


    A dance wasmencing.


    The tune of music ying in the background changed to something upbeat and rapidly paced.


    No one had heard such a tune before!


    It was so fast, rough and made no sense!


    ¡­They loved it!


    At the same time, the chandelier''s crystalline rays of light dimmed to a dreamy, night-blue color.


    By now, the acolytes of the temple and the academic students pretty much hit it off.


    And with such a change of mood, they converged at the center of the floor and started dancing in pairs.


    The grim, hardened colors of the temple and the posh, extravagant colors of the students had now mixed.


    Liam left the monitoring room with Jargon, Ruth and Krel, then made his way down the main floor.


    The first floor of the pyramid was huge.


    Something to amodate more than 5,000 people was in no way small.


    From one wall to the other was a distance of 95 meters.


    ''They''re definitely doing something in the bathrooms,'' Liam thought.


    He wasn''t worried.


    The bathrooms had absolutely nothing they could use.


    Whatever it was, it didn''t make a difference.


    Liam leaned against a pir and waited patiently.


    The people around him were sparse.


    Ruth, Jargon and Krel were nearby, pretending to drink, eat andugh.


    Not to mention, Elders were watching Liam constantly, ready to cut in if there was ever a need to.


    Just then¡­


    Nord appeared on Liam''s side, looking at him incredulously.


    Silence.


    For the both of them, the thundering music went slightly muffled.


    "What''re you lookin'' at, kid?" Liam snarled. "Go dance."


    Nord''s jaw just went ck, his eyes twitching with difort.


    Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Nord looked towards those dancing in the center of the main floor.


    Then, he leaned against the same pir Liam was leaning on.


    Although he looked calm on the outside, Liam could see his mental waves raging.


    ¡­Good.


    "Y''know," Nord said quietly, a dark look on his face. "I can see people''s true forms. Your disguise doesn''t hinder my vision like it does the others."


    Silence.


    Liam remained quiet.


    "Still quiet, eh?" Nord said with a slight scoff. "Wanna know what your true form is, then?"


    Silence.


    Liam was still quiet, like he didn''t acknowledge Nord''s existence.


    The music still raged on.


    People still danced.


    "In you, I see a four-armed, ck, multi-faced demon with four horns and a ck heart. Only one person I know who''s demeanor was as dark as yours."


    Silence.


    Liam didn''t expect such a response¡­ but Ashuras were not four-armed.


    Liam chuckled contemptuously under his breath.


    "There you are," Nord said with a hard smile. "You''re a hard bastard to find."


    Silence.


    "Why the anger?" Liam asked sarcastically, a mocking smile on his face. "I thought we were friends, no?"


    Nord grimaced, then scoffed.


    "Be honest. You never thought of me as a friend."

 Chapter 370 Disgust

    <h4>Chapter 370 Disgust</h4>


    Liam chuckled at Nord''s statement.


    The air between them was tense.


    They had already tuned out the loud music from their heads, creating a fragile silence.


    Rin and Nessa were still away.


    Nord looked grim, and Liam could tell the inner conflict he was having from a nce at his mental waves.


    His thoughts were somewhat of a mess, too.


    But somehow, to Liam''s eyes, they were tooplicated to read.


    Nord''s mental waves had a certain¡­ special quality, but Liam couldn''t figure out what it was.


    Clearly, it had something to do with?the ''aura'' sensing thing the giants had probably bestowed on him.


    A total of six seconds of silence followed.


    "Never expected you of all people to be apdog," Liam mocked. "Was it by choice? Or did they promise you a treat?


    Nord grimaced, gritting his teeth.


    "Do I look like a ve to you?" Nord snarled through a clenched jaw. "At least I''m no hiding rat."


    "At least I don''t have to live in fear of living another day," he added mockingly. "Or hide behind a mask."


    Silence.


    "You were always dumb," Liam sighed pitifully.


    "Never thought it''d be to this extent, though. Can''t you see the leash around your neck?"


    "It clinks whenever you move," Liamughed to himself.


    Just as Nord was about to loudly respond, the red-haired woman he entered with joined them.


    "Nord?" she asked with confusion in her voice. "Who''s this?"


    Silence.


    Liam nced at the woman carefully.


    ''Noble birth, looks like. Probably arge-sized family.''


    Assessing her mental waves, he could tell that she had no clue who Liam was.


    She was genuinely just curious about who her significant other was talking to.


    In fact, she was sincerely worried for Nord, seeing the sudden shift of his mood.


    Initially, Liam thought that she might have secretly been working for the Royals to keep Nord in line.


    Surprisingly, he was wrong.


    But Liam grinned.


    "Was it her, Nord?" Liam asked with a quiet voice. "Who made the first move? You, or her?"


    Nord''s grimace grew deeper, while his hand twitched.


    He was restraining himself.


    But Liam pushed on.


    "It was her, wasn''t it?"


    Nord''s face turned dark.


    The red-haired woman lightly furrowed her brows. "What are you talking about?"


    Liam continued.


    "Maybe you had ns to leave the academy and venture to othernds."


    "But then you became heir to the giants."


    "And you felt like you owed the royals for giving you that opportunity, right?"


    "Then she suddenly appeared in your life. Loves you with all her heart, doesn''t she?"


    "You threw away all ns for love and duty! How romantic," Liam pped slowly, sarcastically.


    "Do you see where I''m going with this?" Liam asked.


    "Enough!" the red-haired woman shouted. "Who do you think you are? You know nothing about him!"


    Liam ignored her entirely, his condescending gaze still fixed to Nord.


    "Tell me I''m wrong, Nord," Liam asked. "Tell me you''re not here on a mission."


    Silence.


    The red-haired girl looked appalled and enraged, her cheeks flushed red.


    Nord gritted his teeth.


    His hands were clenched so hard, blood seeped through his grip.


    It wasn''t like Nord to have so much restraint, which Liam found strange.


    "Bastard," he growled. "I swear. One day I''ll¡ª"


    "One day?" Liam asked with chillingly cold eyes. "Why not now? Oh, right. The leash."


    "You malicious mothe¡ª"


    Just then, Rin arrived with wide eyes at the situation, cutting the conversation short.


    Liam''s piercing gaze slowly moved towards her, leaving Nord and the red-haired girl to their rage.


    Silence.


    Rin looked at Nord, then at the red-haired girl, then at Liam.


    Instantly, she knew what happened.


    "This isn''t how I thought a reunion would go between us," Rin said with a slight sigh. "At least, not with you resembling¡­ that."


    Liam couldn''t read her mental waves at all.


    They were unstable and jittery.


    But at the root of it all, Liam could recognize bestial thoughts that belonged to a magical beast, basically confirming his theory of her bing one.


    "Tell her to stop hiding," Liam told Rin with a serious voice.


    Rin''s lips curved to a subtle smirk.


    Rin looked towards somewhere in the dancing crowd, and a figure wearing ck and white clothing came forward.


    Nessa looked at Liam with daggers in her eyes.


    It was as though she was looking at the criminal who murdered her parents.


    It also looked like she was suppressing her tears.


    Liam quietly studied her thoughts.


    When mind reading, if one emotion was stronger than the rest, it made the ensuing thoughts much easier to read.


    Emotion obviously had a strong effect on one''s thoughts.


    Anger made one''s thinking violent and brash.


    While sadness made one''s thinking filled with despair andck of hope.


    And when Liam figured out why Nessa was so angry, it disgusted him to his core.


    In every sense of the world, this was a reunion devoid of any happiness.


    Truthfully, Nord didn''t think this was how the meeting between them would go.


    They had missions together.


    They shared meals.


    They even shared the same house at one point!


    But it led to this.


    Any feelings of friendship Nord may have harbored had died instantly, reced with bitter anger.


    Nessa was no different in regard to harboring suppressed hate.


    But she had no deluded ideas about Liam''s personality.


    But seeing Liam again brought up some dark memories.


    Though, of all those present, Rin took it the best.


    She didn''t look angry at Liam in the least.


    She just happened to be on the other side.


    The red-haired woman was angrily silent, since she wasn''t as strong as the group at hand.


    Now that a total of five people had gathered on the scene, some Echorians took notice of the strangemotion.


    They tried to approach and investigate, but a few Temple Elders pulled away their focus.


    ''Time is running out,'' Liam thought, inwardly grimacing. ''I need to get this over with.''


    Soon, this would spiral out of control, and the Royals would take notice.


    It wasn''t as though Liam had suddenly gained an urge to insult and break down his former ssmates.


    ¡­Albeit, it did feel good.


    Liam was doing it for a very, very important reason.


    Nessa took a deep breath to stop her trembling.


    Liam''s cold demeanor, menacing appearance and powerful presence made her feel insignificant and little.


    When she tried to speak, Liam instantly cut her off.


    "Spare me the holier than thou monologue, child," Liam said with pure distaste in his tone. "You disgust me."

 Chapter 371 Hypocrites

    <h4>Chapter 371 Hypocrites</h4>


    Knowing the reason why Nessa had been so contemptuous towards him, Liam genuinely felt disgust.


    Why did Nessa hate Liam so much?


    Because of Gerald''s death.


    Who was Gerald?


    Liam actually had to wrack his brain to remember who that was.


    But then, a memory shed through his mind.


    The Korsan Lands mission.


    Gerald was another party member.


    A cowardly, weak boy that Liam made the grave mistake of choosing for the mission.


    During the fight with the Blooder, Gerald''s right eye socket had been hit with a spiked pole.


    And that pretty much sealed his fate.


    Now, what did this have to do with Liam?


    Wasn''t Nessa over that incident?


    Well, no.


    She was not.


    In fact, as time passed, Liam could deduce that it only grew worse.


    To a point that she was basically haunted by it.


    Haunted by Liam.


    That was one of the thoughts Liam picked from her mind.


    Liam''s King''s Eye connected with her mental sphere.


    Through her vision, Liam''s face was reced by the Blooder''s!


    It was clear that she had some sort of trauma.


    But ming Liam?


    For a death out of his control?


    For something that happened out of mutual agreement to enter the Citadel?


    It was beyond pretentious.


    Upon hearing Liam''s words, Nessa flinched.


    Fear.


    She was afraid.


    Her eyes trembled.


    Liam''s cold gaze was unrelenting.


    "Didn''t you kill Gerald?" Liam suddenly questioned, causing Nessa''s eyes to widen with shock.


    "...What?" she muttered under her breath.


    Liam tilted his head. "You killed him, didn''t you?" he asked again.


    Nord wanted to interject, but a bit of bloodlust leaked through Liam''s aura, silencing him.


    "You could have saved him," Liam said.


    "He was right beside you when he died, wasn''t he?"


    "If you had trained your sea of consciousness, you would have had the reflexes to pull him aside before the pole hit."


    "If you trained your body, you could have stopped the pole with your bare body."


    "If you had trained your core, you would have had enough ''Ora'' to erect a wall of water to slow the pole."


    "If you had trained all three, you wouldn''t have been so useless, and the battle wouldn''t have taken so long to finish."


    "You could have saved him," Liam repeated with dark eyes. "You could have saved him, Nessa."


    "His blood is on your hands just as much as it is on mine."


    Silence.


    The more Liam spoke, the more distraught Nessa''splexion became.


    Her breathing came in quick gasps.


    Her trembling eyes welled with tears.


    The red-haired girl and Nord looked enraged, but were unable to say anything.


    Rin just watched quietly with distant eyes, choosing not to say anything.


    Liam''s words were¡­ truth.


    The spectacle was unignorable now.


    The students, teachers and even a few Royals witnessed the arguing, making their way to the group.


    "Someone turn that obnoxious music off!" an aged professor shouted towards the higher floors. "And bring back the lights, dammit!"


    Abruptly, the music stopped.


    The dreamy blue colors from the chandelier had reverted to the crystalline white.


    "That''s the thing with you people," Liam said darkly.


    Everyone heard that.


    It wasn''t just meant for the closest to Liam.


    It was for all.


    Kalia Thyress, who''d been in conversation with Elder Jane the entire time, approached with a grave look on her face.


    "Talking down to me like you''re somehow superior," Liam continued.


    His eyes were chillingly cold while controlled anger red in his chest.


    "Like I owe you an apology for who I am."


    Suddenly, the air turned sharp, like a silent de had been unsheathed somewhere.


    "Like I should bend backwards and let you kill me, just because I didn''t let you do the same."


    The Elders descended from their watch-points and arrived at Liam''s side.


    The Echorians were forced to stand apart from the Temple''s side.


    Once paired together like friends, they were now separated like enemies.


    "You''re all hypocrites," Liam snarled with disgust as his gaze swept the room.


    Eventually, Liam''s piercing gaze connected with Kalia, whose eyes widened with realization at who she was speaking to.


    The disguise did little to hide the bloodlust.


    "You of all people should know that, right, Miss Kalia?" Liam asked her rhetorically. "The lovely mission you sent us five."


    "Tell me you people didn''t kill the girl we brought back," Liam abruptly questioned Kalia, who didn''t respond.


    Liam scoffed derisively. "Like I though¡ª"


    "Niveh''s alive, you prick."


    Abrupt silence.


    Nord said those words, and Kalia''s face fell in an almost hrious fashion.


    But it wasn''t just her face that fell.


    Although most students and teachers had no clue what was going on, the Royals clearly did.


    And Nord just admitted the existence of a foreigner working under their roof, just to have aeback to Liam''s vicious insults.


    Realizing his blunder, Nord''s face fell too, turning paler than milk.


    Liam blinked.


    Was it that easy?


    Was that it?


    Slowly, Liam''s lips curled to a vicious grin.


    Then, he chuckled under his breath.


    Then, heughed as loud and condescending as he could.


    It was actually genuine, too.


    A backroom opened. Usan and Kasrah Thyress, along with a dozen Royals left it.


    Usan smiled.


    Kasrah frowned, shooting him a chilling re.


    She realized this was all a set-up from the beginning.


    The talks between them clearly bore no fruit.


    Liam''s face cracked, and his entire body underwent transformation after transformation.


    A momentter, he had be Bob again, but not Liam.


    From his pocket, Liam flicked up a stone chip in his hand, caught it, then made it expertly twirl in between his fingers.


    "Heard enough?" Liam asked, but not those present at the party. "I don''t think I can insult them any longer without this turning into a battle."


    Silence.


    "Loud and clear," a dark, crisp voice echoed from the chip. "I''ve been given all the proof I need. We''ll speak face to face, soon."


    "Until then, the Korsan Lands stand in alliance with the Temple of Shadow."


    A momentter, under everyone''s incredulous gaze, the stone chip turned to smoky wisps of ash.

 Chapter 372 Vile

    <h4>Chapter 372 Vile</h4>


    Hearing the word Alucard, some people in the room felt their bowels loosen up a bit.


    The king of vampires?


    The Pashah?


    The so-called Progenitor of vampires?!


    That person became a direct ally of the Temple?


    Why?


    How?


    When?!


    Well, just now, but in the minds of those present, it was as though this was prenned years prior.


    Liam took a deep breath.


    It wasn''t like him to get angry.


    In a sense, it was an act.


    But at the same time, it felt incredibly satisfying putting down the mask.


    At least, for now.


    Liam had switched to his Bob identity for a reason.


    He hadn''t disyed himself as Liam.


    But, what was the point?


    The Royals already knew it was Liam Royce who was speaking to them, after all.


    However, it was still bound to create some semnce of confusion and disorder amidst their deductions.


    And Liam would use any opportunity he could get.


    ''They''ll make sure my name gets out there soon enough. I''m just dying the inevitable by a little bit longer.''


    Instantly, the air inside the pyramid grew incredibly hostile.


    The students felt betrayed by their new friendships.


    The Royals felt like their authority had been stepped on.


    The teachers felt like their knowledge had been stolen.


    This entire invitation was a middle finger rubbing against their faces.


    And most of all, the safety of their country was threatened by the alliance of these two malicious forces.


    And the Temple had given Alucard both proof, and reason why a deration of war was a good idea.


    Echoria was the one who began the whole charade in the first ce, after all.


    "I''m disappointed," Kasrah Thyress said in a quiet, dark voice, yet it reached the ears of all those present. "All this for a pouty tantrum that could have been done over a Jade," she added disdainfully.


    Liam took no offense, even allowing a mocking smirk to reach his face.


    Inwardly, she and all the other Royals were horribly seething inside¡­ not that Liam could read her emotions or her thoughts.


    This entire situation would be a ck mark on her CV for centuries toe.


    "You may leave now," Liam said, waving his hand dismissively at Kasrah Thyress. "The perfume here is intoxicating."


    Silence.


    Did¡­ Liam just order around a Royal?


    The students and teachers felt a pang of shock.


    But the Temple acolytes only felt their respects rise for Liam.


    "You heard my heir," Usan echoed, shing a smile. "I sincerely hope you all enjoyed the night."


    Silence.


    Heir?


    At once, all the Temple acolytes, from Disciple to Elder, felt their jaws go ck.


    Ever since they knew of Usan''s sickness, they''d shed tears night and day for the Patriarch''s sake.


    But they''d also worried about who would lead them next.


    Liam was always a possibility, but he was too young, and still wasn''t a Zenith.


    Verium, Jane or Orisa were prime candidates.


    ¡­But now, Usan was perfectly fine with dering him as the next in line!


    Kasrah smiled coldly, but didn''t move on Liam''smand.


    "A little egoist with a superiorityplex," she said with a gracefulugh. "Enjoy your time while itsts."


    Although it may have seemed like she said that to just Liam, she was talking to Usan and the Temple as a whole.


    Wordlessly, she gracefully made her way to the door, only to look over her shoulder at Liam.


    "One more thing," she said with a slight smile. "About your teachers."


    Liam hid a frown¡­ but his face turned colder.


    "Rogan and¡­ who else? Right. Lloyd Kahl," she continued, utterly unfazed by the sharp res shot her way from every direction. "Both had their mental spheres shattered."


    Silence.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed chillingly.


    The air around him turned frigid despite Liam''s restraint.


    Kasrah smiled and scoffed lightly.


    "A painful way to go out, that. Even worse than a de through the heart. Subsequently, their entire lineage has been wiped off the face of Echoria."


    "Disappointing," Kasrah tutted, making her way out. As her voice went distant, she repeated her words once more. "Disappointing."


    The bitter students and enraged teachers followed closely.


    Nord escorted Nessa, but not before sending onest deathly re towards Liam''s direction.


    With his gaze alone, it was clear he intended for revenge.


    Rin lingered for a second, staring at Liam with a strange glimmer in her violet eyes.


    She gave him a single nod, before heading for the door.


    Like that, the grim party organized for peace and prosperity, only carved the way for war and death.


    Wordlessly, Liam headed to his private quarters.


    No one stopped him.


    They felt as though a de might cut them down if they tried.


    ***


    Liam had to arrange and organize his thoughts.


    Sitting on the floor of his room, he closed his eyes in cultivation.


    His closest teachers¡­


    Dead.


    Rogan and Lloyd.


    There was always that thought in the back of Liam''s mind.


    Of them suffering the consequences of his choices.


    But there was always a thought in the back of his head that denied all of that.


    Liam''s mind went a little distant, and his face turned solemn.


    ¡­


    But then again¡­


    They died for a purpose.


    For his goal.


    For him to get stronger.


    For him to carry on their mes.


    People expressed grief differently.


    Some cried.


    Some raged.


    Some resorted to a vice to ease their pain.


    Few were patient.


    But Liam was past grief.


    The lives of cultivators usually varied. Some didn''t make it past a few years of starting it. Otherssted hundreds of years.


    Because of that, most of them processed grief in strange ways.


    For Liam, inflicting the most disgusting, vile torture unknown to man would fully suffice.


    And knowing Rogan, Lloyd, Revel and Eve, they wouldn''t convince him otherwise.


    Heaving another breath, Liam finished with his cultivation and headed towards Usan''s estate.


    It didn''t take long for him to arrive at his room.


    "Done thinking things over?" Usan asked as Liam entered. "Sorry about what happened to them, by the way."


    Liam waved a hand. "It''s fine. Just needed a minute."


    A pause.


    "Have theye yet?" Liam asked.


    "Still waiting. Should be here any minute though," Usan said, leaning back in a lofty chair with a mug of ale in his hand.


    "Never thought you had a serpent''s tongue," Usan added with a slightugh.


    Liam didn''t respond, finding a chair to sit on and wait.


    Since the alliance was now going to be public, it was no longer a requirement to be secretive.


    The king of vampires himself wasing for a chat.

 Chapter 373 Skeletal Dragons

    <h4>Chapter 373 Skeletal Dragons</h4>


    Alucard could freely travel under the sun.


    As it turned out, sunlight didn''t actually reduce him to ash, like it did to lower ranked vampires.


    If that wasn''t the case, the alliance didn''t mean anything.


    After all, what use was an alliance with someone who''s greatest enemy was a bit of Vitamin D?


    That being said, Liam didn''t know if that was the case with all the other vampires, but it had to be.


    Although Usan had requested 18,000 in support, those numbers could easily be altered topensate for power differences.


    One Rank 4 vampire was probably worth 250 acolytes or even more.


    It all depended on what they could provide for the cause.


    "So, how do you want to go about this, exactly?" Liam asked Usan.


    He was referring to the attack on the Dual Empire, which was still ongoing.


    "We can''t just drop in the middle and hope everything works out," Liam said.


    "Well," Usan said, scratching his beardless chin in thought, "the Dual Empire fights in unique ways."


    "From what I know, the Emperor of Courage fights using just his body. And by extension, so does everyone in his empire."


    "Which, by the way, consists of only men."


    Well, that was strange.


    But then again, the Dual Empire really took thematics to a new level.


    Both their colors, societal ranking systems, and powers starkly contrasted with each other.


    Even the names did!


    "The Emperor of Fear is theplete opposite. All her forces are women, and they fight using¡­ well, fear."


    Liam pursed his lips pensively.


    That was incredibly strange.


    And this entire Dual Empire thing was weird.


    Why start a war now?


    Was a lover''s quarrel really the reason for all of this?


    It just seemed a bit¡­ pitiful, in Liam''s eyes.


    Usan continued.


    "Also, they use vile creatures called Abominations, whiche in monstrous, inhuman forms."


    Usan took a swig of ale.


    Liam raised a brow.


    He''d never heard of that term before.


    "Abominations?" he asked.


    Usan nodded firmly.


    "Abominations," he repeated. "Birthed by the Empress of Fear herself."


    Silence.


    Liam raised a hand before Usan continued.


    "Birthed?" Liam asked. "Like¡­"


    Usan shrugged with a slightugh. "You never know. Rumors are rumors, though."


    Liam sighed.


    Every day, the world was getting weirder.


    "Either they''re incredibly huge, or pathetically small," Usan said, his shadows merging together in the air to form a disgusting, vicious looking creature.


    It was a mix between a centipede and a spider. It had the same number of eyes as it did legs.


    "Think magical beast, but one made from nightmares."


    "It''s that bad?" Liam asked skeptically, his brow arched.


    "It is," Usan confirmed.


    "If it''s just about fear, can''t someone just¡­ not be afraid?" Liam asked.


    Usan shook his head.


    "Not that simple. It''s not about fear in a literal sense. You don''t have to touch fire to feel its heat."


    Liam hummed in understanding.


    "It''s sort of like that," Usan exined.


    "Not to mention, it affects all six senses. Not only is it a physical thing, it''s also mental."


    "Though, if your mental fortitude is strong enough, you''d be able to resist most of its effects."


    "Then again, this is all second-hand information. I haven''t been there myself."


    A short pause ensued.


    Liam hummed to himself thoughtfully.


    As he thought, fear was indeed an amazing weapon.


    But the Empire of Fear had utilized it in a new form.


    Abominations.


    It had a nice ring to it.


    "Not to mention, theirnds are just as dangerous," Usan said. "Infused with Abominations and death traps."


    "All gateways to both Empires are densely guarded by Rank 5''s."


    Liam nodded.


    This wasn''t going to be simple, unlike infiltrating the Korsan Lands.


    In the first ce, the reason that was so easy to do was because of theck of security.


    Which Alucard had promptly taken care of, anyway.


    "I''m sensing a ''but'' in there," Liam said.


    Usan nodded. "Although it''s not easy, if we kidnap a Dual Empire soldier, we could siphon him or her for info"


    Siphon.


    Neat way to say torture, Liam had to admit.


    "Though, we''d have to do that with the vamps. This is no walk in the park," Usan said.


    Liam was about to nod, when the sounds of wings pping entered his ears.


    "They''re here," Usan said, heading outside.


    Liam followed him to the cliff where the ocean met the ind.


    Unlike the Echorians, who resembled golden and silver dots over the horizon, the Korsans were just ck.


    Liam expected bats to be the method of transportation used by the vampires.


    Plus, he expected at least a thousand of them.


    Neither of the two predictions came true.


    Skeletal Dragons.


    Dragons, except consisting only of bone and ligaments, were flying towards the ind at a deceptively fast speed.


    There was no flesh or organs in or out of their skeletal frames.


    Besides their bones having a morous sheen, their massive ribs and eye sockets were see-through.


    Two crude horns protruded from the top of their pointy skulls.


    Even their bony, almost spikey wings had no membrane!


    Wherever they flew by, ocean waves raged tumultuously.


    Liam raised his brows in amazement.


    As far as magical beasts went, this was possibly the most amazing of them all.


    Besides the Rank 6 sea creature Liam encountered, of course.


    There were just a dozen of these Skeletal Dragons, with the biggest belonging to the Pashah himself.


    The monolith of a creature spanned more than 16 meters horizontally, with streamline features and red, eye-less sockets.


    Before long, shrieks and roars of amazement resounded within the ind.


    No one had seen something like that before.


    It was as though they''d found out dogs can talk.


    "Never seen that one before," Usan said, clearly just as amazed as Liam was.


    "They''ve been hiding the good stuff," Liam answered. "Some sort of ancient magic?" he asked.


    Usan shrugged nkly.


    Neither of them knew.


    "Hope they brought one for me," Usanughed under his breath.


    And soon enough, the dragons arrived at the ind, perching atop Usan''s giant pyramid one by one.

 Chapter 374 Redirection Cloak

    <h4>Chapter 374 Redirection Cloak</h4>


    Alucard stood over his Skeletal Dragon and smiled, looking down at Liam and Usan.


    With a slow, gliding descent, he arrived in front of them.


    His appearance and attire waspletely different.


    Instead of a suit, he wore ayered ck robe.


    Which looked more of an overcoat above other pieces of clothing.


    It covered him shoulder to shin, while grey undeyers were tightened by a red sash at his waist.


    In a sense, it looked ancient, and fit the Pashah quite well.


    Instead of looking like an old man with snow-white hair, Alucard looked young again!


    As though barely 20 years old!


    It was uncanny.


    The beard was also trimmed and shortened. Its color had also reverted to ck.


    And it was now a goatee.


    On the other Skeletal Dragons, vampires which Liam recognized as Ministers jumped over andnded on the ground.


    "Shall we begin?" Alucard said with a gentlemanly smile.


    ***


    In a well decorated meeting room, arge, circr table was situated right in the center.


    Those sitting around such a table had contrasting appearances.


    Half the table had pale, ashen skin, paired with sharp, crimson eyes and various styles of white hair.


    The other half consisted of hard-eyed, ornately tattooed individuals wearing ck wrappings.


    Twelve vampires.


    Twelve Elders.


    ¡­And one giant, four-tailed fox. Currently digging its giant maw into a tiny bucket filled with krill and fish.


    Except Alucard, the eleven vampires around Liam were strange looking people.


    There were only 7 Ministers at the meeting.


    The Minister of Economy.


    The Minister of Torture.


    The Minister of Defense.


    The Minister of Security.


    The Minister of Trade.


    The Minister of Magic.


    And finally, the Minister of Transportation.


    There was just a brief introduction to all these Ministers.


    The Minister of Economy was the blinged out, elegantly dressed woman.


    The Minister of Torture was a tall, slim, shifty man with a scarred face.


    His left eye had a twitch, which made it look like he was blinking constantly.


    The Minister of Defense was the muscr, sturdy man with a military hair-cut.


    The Minister of Security was a severe, bald, stoic-looking man with a goatee and an average build.


    The Minister of Trade was a beautiful woman with long, ck-dyed hair and long eyshes.


    The Minister of Magic was a short, surprisingly young man with a wooden staff in his hand.


    All things considered, he looked like a wizard, minus the hat.


    And finally, the Minister of Transportation was an old, smiling woman with slitted eyes.


    The rest were not Ministers, but strong individuals under Alucard''s hand.


    But the two, strongest of them, were Blood Fang, and Blood w.


    Alucard looked at the fox with a scrutinizing, subtly annoyed gaze.


    Crunch. Crunch. Chomp. Crunch. Gulp.


    Wet chomping noises resounded inside the meeting room.


    Alucard ignored it.


    And out of respect for their king, the Ministers didn''t say anything, either.


    Though, they looked pretty annoyed.


    "First, I''ll begin with a thank you," Alucard said with a light smile, nodding towards Usan and Liam.


    "You''ve exposed a snake in the grass. Granted, it was for the sake of an alliance, but no matter."


    Liam and Usan responded back with a nod.


    Alucard looked towards ady glimmering with all kinds of eloquent jewelry.


    The Minister of Economy.


    Liam had no clue why she of all people arrived at this meeting.


    After all, economies between countries were different.


    What was usable in Korsa was not usable in li, and vice versa.


    The Economic Minister snapped her fingers.


    WHOOM!


    With a sh of red light, a wide, crude-looking ck cloth appeared on the table.


    More precisely, in front of Liam.


    "A token of appreciation," Alucard said with a subtle nod. "It''s called a Redirection Cloak. Try it on."


    Liam raised a brow.


    He picked it up and took a closer look at it.


    At first nce, it looked like any other cloak.


    In fact, it looked a bit dirty and unappealing to the eye.


    But with the King''s Eye, Liam could tell there was something different about it.


    There were faint traces of red essence running across its surface, only Liam couldn''t tell what it was.


    ''Some sort of blood?'' Liam thought. ''Blood isn''t like that, though.''


    Liam must have been gazing at the thing for too long, since the Ministers were sending him subtle res.


    ''I''ll study this on my own.''


    Liam threw the cloak over his back.


    It stuck to his shoulders on its own, like some sort of coat.


    However, it draped over his entire figure, and not just his back.


    From shoulder to shin, he was covered.


    There was even a hood for his head.


    However, his arms could freely poke through the front of it.


    All things considered, it didn''t look too bad on him.


    To the outside eye, Liam exuded a sense of unease and silent danger.


    Paired with the shadows darkening around him, he looked like a mysterious figure.


    ...A reaper, almost.


    "Is it fine if Lisha attacks you?" Alucard asked. Liam raised his brows. "She''s not suited for strength."


    Lisha was the Economic Minister.


    However, she was basically the equivalent of a Rank 4 cultivator, unlike the rest, which were Rank 5.


    That wasn''t something light, Liam nodded at the request anyway.


    Lisha smiled.


    Arge clot of crystalized blood gathered between her palms, which she pped together.


    SPLOOSH!


    Fast!


    Apressed, sharp-tipped pole shot towards Liam at an incredible speed.


    His body acted on instinct.


    Reflexively, Liam grabbed the hem of his cloak and flicked the pole away as soon as it reached him.


    CLING!


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    As soon as the arrow-like pole made contact with his cloak, it just¡­ deflected it!


    The arrow was sent towards the roof, where it¡ª


    BANG!


    Liam raised a brow.


    Truth be told, he was amazed.


    "Is this just with blood?" Liam asked, touching the spot where the arrow made contact with.


    There was not a scratch on its fabric.


    But the ckish color had turned slightly white where it hit.


    "No," Alucard answered with a proud smile. "But fire weakens it. Also, you''d be wise not to deflect the same attack on the same ce."


    "It''s not untearable."


    Liam nodded appreciateively. "Thank you."


    ''I''m definitely studying this,'' Liam thought to himself.


    Usan loudly coughed into his fist, catching the attention of everyone inside the room.


    "Where''s mine?"

 Chapter 375 Improvisation

    <h4>Chapter 375 Improvisation</h4>


    The Redirection Cloak was, in Liam''s words, amazing.


    Well, his Chaos didn''t need to redirect spells. It basically negated it.


    But this wasparing apples and oranges.


    The Cloak didn''t run on fuel.


    It was a piece of cloth.


    In response to Usan''sment, Alucard lightlyughed.


    "They don''t make them your size, friend."


    Friend.


    Although Alucard called Usan a friend, that was more of a respective term.


    Right now, the alliance between the Temple of Shadow and the Pashah was tonic.


    They were associates.


    Not friends.


    Plus, Alucard knew of Usan''s sickness.


    Soon, there would not be an Usan.


    However, he also knew Liam would take his ce.


    When that happened, Liam didn''t know for sure how Alucard''s personality might change.


    Powerhouses had their own things to worry about.


    Granted, Alucard was perhaps the oldest powerhouse in the world, due to the peculiar way their species aged and grew stronger.


    Their bodies naturally progressed with time.


    And the older they got, the slower their progression was.


    One could imagine how long the progenitor of vampires needed to make a breakthrough.


    Thus, Liam could see how Alucard saw no losses in joining forces. Soon orter, this too would die out.


    ¡­But the real reason rested with Alucard alone.


    Usan waved a hand at Alucard''sment. Clearly, he was joking.


    "I''d do well with one of those dragons, instead," Usan said with a smirk.


    Alucard brieflyughed.


    "Sorry to say, but they aren''t dispensable. Each one of them takes several decades to make."


    Silence.


    ''Make?'' Liam thought, hiding a bit of shock that almost appeared on his face.


    Liam thought those Skeletal Dragons were birthed in the Korsan Lands. As though they were special magical beasts of some kind.


    Clearly, he was wrong.


    ''Having the ability to construct creatures like that¡­'' Liam thought. ''I''m pretty sure he has an army of those things just lying around.''


    Though, that didn''t exin why Alucard felt sox about sharing that info.


    Calling it a slip of the tongue was incredibly stupid.


    This was Alucard.


    People just stopped counting his age at a certain point.


    Thus, no one knew how long he really lived.


    The amount of experience, knowledge and understanding that such a person had umted throughout the years was unfathomable.


    The man started out as a leech!


    ¡­At least, it was rumored.


    ''Is he underestimating our forces?'' Liam thought with a neutral face. ''No. He has every right to.''


    ''Or maybe he''s trying to build trust.''


    Either way, information was good, and Liam couldn''tin.


    Usan smiled lightly.


    "Nevermind that. We can start the discussions now."


    The meeting room''s atmosphere turned serious.


    Alucard and Usan exchanged a firm nod.


    Shadows paired with inscriptions formed around the room, creating anotheryer of privacy.


    "Bringing down the Dual Empire," Usan said with hardened eyes. "That''s our goal."


    Silence.


    This was the first time Usan spoke of his ns.


    Alucard hummed pensively to himself.


    For several seconds, no one spoke.


    The Ministers were quietly looking at their king for a response.


    Kitsu just continued feeding on the bucket of fish, which somehow still hadn''t finished.


    "I had a feeling it was about that," Alucard said with a slight frown. "But¡­"


    "This isn''t the first time this has happened."


    Usan''s eyes visibly widened.


    So did Liam''s.


    "What?" Usan asked, incredulous.


    "It''s just something they do," Alucardughed out loud. "It''s the way those two have always been."


    "Their lover''s quarrel is a bit¡­ entric. They wage war out of spite."


    "Granted, this time it''s on a much grander scale."


    Silence.


    Liam waspletely taken aback.


    "I remember them quite fondly," Alucard continued, scratching his chin pensively.


    "Back when they were Rank 5 Zeniths, they overthrew the Rank 6 Emperor that used to rule thosends."


    This time, Kitsu stopped eating from her krill bucket and stared at Alucard with wide eyes.


    "I still remember how my jaw fell to the floor when I heard that," Alucard said, suddenly serious.


    "The Emperor wasn''t the strongest person back then. Heck, he was an old coot."


    Pot calling the kettle ck.


    "But he wasn''t weak, that was for sure," Alucard said. "I personally still have no idea how they managed to pull that off."


    Usan lowered his head with an rmed, slightly dark look.


    Getting revenge looked more distant now.


    More dangerous and less likely.


    How many people could boast about killing a powerhouse as a Zenith?


    Just two, Liam supposed.


    Granted, Usan always knew it was going to be incredibly hard to do.


    But this was a bitter reality check that left a bad taste in his mouth.


    "Do you still wish for war?" Alucard asked Usan with a serious voice.


    It seemed that even Alucard wasn''t a fan of needlessly exposing himself against powerful enemies.


    Silence.


    "They pulled it off because they were together," Liam said suddenly.


    The room''s attention fell on him.


    Usually, Liam was silent in times like this.


    Liam was inexperienced with these sorts of meetings.


    He was basically an intern learning the ropes.


    Plus, he was weakerpared to the rest.


    And his words held less weight as a consequence.


    But Usan was taking too long to answer.


    "If they brought down the Emperor, it''s because they did it together," Liam said.


    Liam shrugged. "...They''re not together now. What stops us from making their rtionship worse?"


    Silence.


    "Interesting way to put it," Alucard chuckled lightly. "Your n?"


    A small pause.


    Usan looked at Liam with an arched brow.


    "If this is amon urrence, then these people are clearly not fit for each other."


    ¡­Not that Liam had any rtionship advice to give¡­


    "What stops us from weakening them from within? They don''t have to know their country is being invaded."


    ''Clearly you didn''t,'' Liam thought. But what he said was:


    "Half of us could go to the Empire of Courage, and the other half could go to the Empire of Fear."


    "From there, we could break down their forces as much as we can."


    "If the powerhouses notice¡­ you two could swoop in and kill them there."


    Silence.


    The Minister of Security and Defense looked supprised.


    Then, they looked at their king with approving gazes.


    Alucard stroked his beard.


    "Interesting," he said. "Not too bad."


    Usan looked at Liam with a broad smile, suppressing augh.


    [Was that¡­ all improvisation?] Usan transmissioned silently.


    Liam hid a smirk. [Every word.]

 Chapter 376 Plan

    <h4>Chapter 376 n</h4>


    Liam, Usan, the Elders, the Ministers and Alucard continued the discussions.


    Everyone took their time discussing the minute details that came with such a n.


    "Since our forces are being split up, we''ll have to decide who goes where," Alucard said.


    "My people have no special preference. The Empire of Fear and Courage are equally powerful."


    "One fights with fear and Abominations, and the other fights with¡­ bare fists and resolve."


    "We could either mix our forces, or split in half."


    "Choice is yours."


    Usan pursed his lips.


    Although the Empire of Fear sounded much more powerful, Liam knew this wasn''t the case.


    The Empire of Fear depended on¡­ well, fear.


    They weren''t strong physically.


    They were like beast tamers, who depended on theirpanion to weaken their opponent.


    Or inscription masters who depended on artifacts and items.


    On the other hand, the Empire of Courage fought with just their bare bodies!


    One could imagine how powerful they had to be to rival the Empire of Fear in strength.


    In fact, one could argue they were even more powerful due to achieving such a level of power with just sheer physicality.


    At the end of the day, either one was formidable in their own way.


    [What do you think?] Usan ryed to Liam.


    Although the choice ultimately depended on Usan, Liam was the next in line.


    Giving his decisions more weight could help cement his authority with the Temple.


    Liam thought about it carefully.


    ''Splitting our forces would be much better.''


    ''The vampires won''t listen to my orders obediently.''


    ''Plus, we could always keep in touch through Jades.''


    Regarding the decision of where to go, Liam fancied the Empire of Fear more.


    After all, Liam always thought fear was a good tool.


    Heading to the Empire to learn it on a deeper, intenser level wasn''t a bad idea.


    ¡­Plus, Abominations.


    Liam could study them!


    It was more of a genuine curiosity than anything solid.


    Though, Liam''s Blood Bonds could use a few improvements.


    Truth be told, the Blood Bonds weren''t particrly strong.


    It used too much blood, and sustaining the Bonds for long wasn''t feasible.


    Maybe Abominations could prove otherwise.


    Two seconds of silence passed.


    Liam ryed the decision to Usan, who said it out loud.


    Alucard nodded.


    A short pause.


    "To make it clear, we cannot help in the kidnapping aspect," Alucard said firmly. "Or heading there on our own."


    Usan raised a brow. "Why not?" he asked.


    "Our method of transportation," Alucard said, referring to the Skeletal Dragons. "Unless stealth is not a priority?"


    Ah.


    Indeed, that was a problem.


    "Worry not," Alucard reassured. "We have a work-around."


    Alucard nced at the Minister of Transportation, prompting her toy something down on the table.


    It was a rectangr, stone tablet. Crude writings were on its surface, which resembled runes.


    However, the b of stone was precisely rectangr, with no soft edges. It looked as though it held something else inside.


    "A World Gate," Alucard said proudly. "One of a kind relic of the past that allows teleportations between incredibly long distances."


    "That includes Korsa to the Dual Empire."


    The words lingered in the air.


    Usan''s eyes widened.


    Liam''s brows raised.


    Kitsu went back to her krill bucket.


    What was so special about long distance teleportation?


    Weren''t there already teleportation tforms?


    There were.


    However, they were significantly inferior.


    Teleportation tforms were incredibly feeble, and had demanding conditions before it was up and running.


    One of those was distance.


    At a distance of 500 meters, depending on howplex the tform was, the device would just stop working.


    More importantly, over water, it wouldn''t function, since the tforms needed to be connected with each other.


    Thus, an artifact like this was absolutely priceless.


    If Alucard was lying about it being one-of-a-kind, he did a magnificent job at it.


    Blinking long distances was more priceless than one could imagine.


    "All you have to do once you arrive there is put the b on a t, stone surface," Alucard said. "We''ll do the rest."


    Usan nodded, storing the tablet.


    "I can also provide maps," Alucard said. "They''re old. More than a few centuries, but they could show you where to go."


    The smiling Minister of Transportation snapped her fingers, and two parchments appeared on the table.


    One for the Empire of Courage.


    And the other for the Empire of Fear.


    They were in tatters, with aged, barely understandable ink on their surface.


    Tendrils of shadow swallowed the maps from the table.


    "I suppose we''re done, now?" Alucard asked.


    Usan nodded. "We are. We''ll begin within this month."


    Alucard, Usan and Liam rose to their feet.


    Only then did the Ministers and Elders do the same.


    The power dynamic was clear.


    The group of 24, plus the fox, headed outside.


    "We''ll be taking our leave, then," Alucard said, snapping his fingers at thergest Skeletal Dragon.


    WHOOSH!


    The sound of bones clicking together echoed as the dragon flew to his feet and lowered its head for Alucard to hop on.


    "It''s been a pleasure," Usan said with a small smile.


    "All mine," Alucard responded simrly, before his bony beast rose into the air.


    A powerful gust of wind was produced as a result.


    With that, the remaining Ministers perched atop their dragons and flew off into the distance.


    Liam''s eyes turned hard.


    "You saw the way the Minister of Torture looked at me?" Liam said with a slightly cold tone. "I don''t like that."


    Usan justughed.


    ***


    It was happening.


    War.


    At least, it was going to happen.


    Though, Liam''s mission was akin to espionage more than it was purebat.


    But the final result was going to be war.


    Of course, Liam needed a few weeks to get prepared for something of this caliber.


    If it was up to him, Liam would take several months.


    But Usan''s health was deteriorating.


    Liam had several ideas he wanted to test out first. But they weren''t long-term things.


    First, was something involving his Ashura Form.


    Specifically, his gauntlets.


    Ever since Liam''s Chaos Pearl had advanced to Rank 3, his Ashura Form wasn''t feasible anymore.


    It ran through Liam''s Chaos reserves too fast!


    Despite that, it was incredibly powerful.


    However, Liam wanted to do something else with it.


    Liam wanted to make a sword from the gauntlets themselves.

 Chapter 377 Battle Body

    <h4>Chapter 377 Battle Body</h4>


    Liam''s Chaos Pearl raged in his sr plexus.


    A wave of heat spread across his body.


    Liam''s skin tightened.


    Before, Liam''s skin would grow shiny and more pronounced.


    But with the Triumvirate Body, it was different.


    Now, it would just tighten as much as possible to produce the same hardening effect.


    Four, muscr arms grew out of his sides, armored with aureate gauntlets that looked even betterst Liam saw them.


    Making a sword out of something like this?


    How sharp would it be?


    Though, Liam didn''t limit it to a sword.


    It could be anything.


    A dagger, a rapier, a saber.


    The important part was making it work.


    First, Liam tried using Transfiguration to transform his gauntlet into a sword.


    Since Liam''s blood was in the upper-tier, the transformation abilities had also spread to his Ashura Form.


    One of Liam''s gauntlets liquified slightly, slowly flowing across his arm to reach his hand.


    ¡­However, Liam realized it couldn''t condense or extend past his arm.


    Liam clicked his tongue.


    ''n B it is.''


    n B was a little more brutal.


    Liam gripped his top left gauntlet with all five hands.


    Then, he pulled with all his strength!


    A deep, low growl echoed from Liam''s throat.


    Pain assaulted his arm.


    The gauntlet was a part of his body. An extension of it. Like skin was to flesh.


    Liam exerted more and more force until what came out was a deafening roar.


    RIIIP!


    Liam''s arm was crudely ripped off along with the gauntlet!


    Milk-white blood sprayed everywhere, flowing into a puddle beneath Liam''s feet.


    But the ripped off arm with the gauntlet was in his grip.


    Liam heaved a long sigh, closing the wound with his Transfiguration.


    The pain was gonna linger for a bit, but that was fine.


    At least he got the gauntlet¡­ plus the arm.


    With that done, Liam undid his transformation.


    The extra arms regressed into Liam''s sides.


    It felt as though a part of him was missing.


    Liam''s face turned incredibly pale.


    Slowly, the puddle of pearly-white blood changed color.


    It was reverting back to a crimson red.


    "...Huh?"


    A bad feeling grew in Liam''s chest.


    The ripped off arm in Liam''s hand started to transform!


    The gauntlet was slowly ''melting'' into the arm, as though it was butter on a hot skillet.


    Silence.


    Minutes passed as Liam just stared nkly at the arm.


    A loud curse escaped Liam''s mouth.


    He ripped off an arm for nothing!


    Absolutely nothing!


    Liam threw the arm away.


    It was pointless eating it.


    After all, it was the same as eating one''s hand and expecting to grow because of it.


    Liam heaved a long sigh.


    Truth be told, he didn''t expect this.


    The n to make a ''gauntlet sword'' was scrapped instantly.


    At least, for now.


    ''Maybe it''s because I''m still half human.''


    Liam sighed again.


    ''At least I can study the cloak now.''


    Liam took out the Redirection Cloak and examined it.


    Subtle red energies coursed through its fabric like veins of blood.


    Till now, Liam hadn''t identified what it was.


    And an hour of tinkering, examining and testingter, he still hadn''t figured it out.


    ''Either Alucard made it, or the Minister of Magic did.''


    ''It''s beyond my understanding either way.''


    Then, Liam moved to hisst and final idea.


    But it was quite difficult.


    What Liam wanted to do was permanently alter his physical form.


    Not a human form, not an Ashura form, something else.


    How would Liam aplish this feat?


    Simple.


    By using Expel over and over, then directing where his body reformed!


    Through that method, however Liam regenerated, it would stay that way permanently.


    The arm deformity gave him the idea.


    But¡­ wouldn''t that take long?


    Exploding, regenerating, exploding again.


    It would.


    Not to mention, it would be incredibly painful.


    However, Liam had a cheat code.


    The Rank 5 corpses!


    By devouring them as he regenerated, Liam could recover the lost blood, then use it to speed up the healing process!


    Using Admit wasn''t viable.


    Liam tried.


    The flesh of a Rank 5 cultivator basically refused to enter his body.


    However, the current n worked just fine.


    ''Something that makes my fighting style easier to ess,'' Liam thought, imagining a ''battle body'' suited just for him.


    ''But also something that I could flick on like a switch.''


    ''I can''t walk around looking like an alien.''


    Liam drummed his fingers across his forehead, thinking deeply about what the best physical form could be.


    ''Something that allows me to use Void, Chaos and Corruption¡­''


    ''But doesn''t restrict my swords either.''


    ''Something with both power and speed.''


    Silence.


    ''That sounds¡­ familiar¡­''


    Silence again.


    Realization hit him.


    ''Isn''t that just my Ashura Form?''


    Liam fell intoughter.


    But the more he thought about it, the more sense it made.


    The Ashura was built for war andbat.


    They were warriors, in a sense.


    Liam went pensive for a few minutes.


    ''I think I got it,'' Liam thought suddenly, a smile broadening on his lips.


    ''I don''t need six arms.''


    ''I just need four.''


    ''Two for my des, two for Chaos and Corruption.''


    ''I could also make Void with the ck Hole and Chaos, and I can do it without being defenseless.''


    ''With Transfiguration, I could also hide those four arms at will.''


    ''Plus, I could add little modifications myself.''


    Transforming his body was vastly different than manipting it.


    Even now, Liam could pull his limbs into his torso, like a turtle retracting into its shell.


    And although precisely manipting his body to grow arms was incredibly difficult, through this method, it was perfectly possible.


    It was like molding soft y and letting it harden.


    It was perfect.


    Liam wasted no time.


    He took out the two Rank 5 bodies.


    Then, he¡ª


    BOOM!


    ¡­Got to work.


    Flesh exploded on his hips, causing a rumbling shockwave to spread across his quarters.


    Blood sprayed everywhere.


    Liam was ragdolled to the wall.


    With a scowl on his face, Liam ran to the bodies and took arge bite from it.


    Then, he¡ª


    BOOM!


    ¡­


    This was going to be a long week.

 Chapter 378 Monster

    <h4>Chapter 378 Monster</h4>


    For the entirety of the next week, a constant stream of explosions echoed from Liam''s quarters.


    Every. Single. Minute!


    The Temple acolytes were genuinely concerned.


    These explosions weren''t gentle.


    They were bombs!


    And it didn''t stop!


    Day and night, it was unrelenting.


    There were privacy inscriptionsyered around Liam''s quarters.


    In fact, they canceled out the thunderous booms and bangspletely.


    However, it didn''t negate vibrations or tremors.


    Those near Liam''s quarters hadn''t enjoyed a good night''s sleep for a week due to being bolted awake.


    But finally, it stopped.


    Finally!


    There was a round of cheers that day.


    And also¡­ curiosity.


    Why were there so many explosions in the first ce?


    They had to investigate!


    Thus, a small group of low ranking acolytes daring enough decided to sneak into his residence.


    Plus Ryu.


    He organized everything.


    Due to Liam''s status as the next in line, his home was ced right next to Usan''s.


    But with Ryu''s help, they sneaked past the Elders and arrived at his doorstep, ready to knock.


    To Ryu''s surprise, other Elders were already there!


    They were just as curious as him!


    ...But just then, Liam himself had walked out.


    And those present, including Ryu himself, gasped with a mixture of fear, surprise and shock upon seeing him.


    Four muscr arms.


    Streamline body.


    w-like, bony hands.


    Long ck nails, each nail sharp enough to cut through metal.


    Small ck tentacles extended from his back, squirming and writhing on their own.


    What¡­ what was this?!


    The lower ranking acolytes couldn''t stop themselves from running away.


    At the same time, when Liam came out, a palpable stench of blood drifted from his pyramidal home.


    Ryu gulped as he snuck a peek inside.


    Solid pieces of flesh dripped from the ceiling.


    Blood was everywhere.


    Nails, hair, crumpled up skin were in random spots.


    It looked like the inside of some sick, twisted serial killer''s head.


    A crimson mist filled it.


    One had to remember Ryu''s martial art.


    It allowed him to see the physical strength of another cultivator.


    But not only that, it allowed him to see their prowess and the dangers of that certain body.


    And what did Ryu see?


    A monster.


    Something he couldn''t beat with his own body, or physical prowess.


    When Liam saw them, he visibly frowned.


    The Elders chuckled awkwardly.


    That was their cue to leave.


    ***


    The process was painful.


    But it was worth it.


    Not only did Liam''s n work out, he even added a few alterations himself.


    The ws, the retractable tentacles, the streamline body, along with smaller adjustments to his bone density and frame.


    Even his feet were webbed, giving him faster movement while walking onnd, and swimming in water.


    They were little additions that didn''t cost much to do, but would help nevertheless.


    Every part of him was a weapon.


    Plus, they were hideable.


    He could also transform into a full Ashura with no issues. Except, he''d still have six arms instead of eight.


    ''It''s time,'' Liam thought with serious eyes. ''I haven''t killed something in so long.''


    Ever since the inheritance, it was just politics, work and experiments.


    Liam hadn''t been able to test his strengths in some time.


    He hadn''t even tested out his Corruption on a real opponent!


    One had to bnce their peace with a little bit of chaos.


    Liam donned the Redirection Cloak, which was just perfect for his needs.


    It hid the extra arms and his inhuman form perfectly.


    It was time to kidnap some Dual Imperialists!


    ***


    In reality, the kidnapping was going to be much more anticlimactic than Liam realized.


    Usan was the only one who could do such a thing without being caught.


    It was him with the strongest shadow abilities, and no one could mask their presence like he could.


    However, this was the limit of how much he could get involved.


    Preserving all his strength was for the final battle.


    For a battle against one of the two powerhouses, with Alucard at his side.


    Thus, Usan, Liam, Elder Jax and Kitsu were in the same room.


    Usan looked at Liam with a probing gaze.


    His initial reaction to Liam''s new body was a mix of surprise and a bit of confusion.


    But Usan couldn''t deny how battle-oriented it was.


    "We''re ready," Liam said with a serious voice.


    Usan heaved a long sigh.


    "Be right back."


    Slowly, a puddle of shadows consumed his body from below, until he disappearedpletely.


    Silence.


    "How long will he be gone?" Kitsu said in a slightly bored tone, scratching her maw with a rear leg. "I''m hungry."


    Liam sighed. "For an animal with a mental sphere, you haven''t changed in the least."


    "I''ll take that as apliment," Kitsu said, rubbing her chin over the carpet.


    Elder Jax nced at Liam from the side.


    Silence.


    "So¡­" Jax muttered, struggling to get the words out. "Uh¡­ nice¡­ body? Nah, that came out wrong."


    Jaxughed.


    Liam sighed again.


    The reactions to his new body were mixed.


    On one hand, there were some admirers.


    Like Ryu, Jargon, Jax, even Jane and Aki.


    On the other hand, there were some people who thought it was a bit too terrifying to be practical.


    Like Orisa, the Golden Cranes, Kitsu and Krel.


    Nevertheless, there wasn''t any change in how Liam was treated.


    Several minutes passed in silence.


    Kitsu was getting impatient.


    Liam and Jax just started cultivating.


    "Ugh¡­ why am I here in the first ce?!" Kitsu said loudly, scratching the stone walls with her ws. "This is torture!"


    Liam and Jax ignored her.


    "I''m gonna bolt for the door if¡ª"


    Usan dramatically emerged from a puddle of darkness.


    An unconscious, female Fear Imperialist was clutched upside down in his hand.


    Finally!


    Usannded with a long, tired sigh.


    He looked fatigued.


    "You can leave now, if you''d like," Liam said quickly. "We can take it from here."


    "Leave the rest to us, master," Jax added in a firm but solemn voice.


    Usan nodded wordlessly, handing Jax the body to carry before leaving to his slumber.


    Jax had a glum look on his face.


    Seeing his mentor and teacher regress in health was a painful sight.


    But there was a reason Jax was here.


    A second pair of hands for torture, if it came to it.

 Chapter 379 Cloud Leech

    <h4>Chapter 379 Cloud Leech</h4>


    Liam took a close look at the Imperialist in question.


    Facial feature-wise, she didn''t look too different to Echorians.


    Short obsidian-ck hair. Long eyshes of a simr color. Slim figure and brown skin.


    Her clothing was familiar to Liam.


    An obsidian-ck roman toga, draped over her left shoulder all the way to her feet.


    There was also jewelry on her neck and earrings. A ck metal of some kind.


    Other than that, she was a Rank 3 Magus with a Rank 3 core and a Rank 4 body.


    And she was still unconscious.


    Liam and Jax strapped the Fear Imperialist to a scary-looking chair.


    It would prevent her from biting her tongue and killing herself.


    As they finally snapped her into ce, her eyes fluttered, before flickering open with panic.


    Liam noticed the unique color of her irises.


    Foggy white.


    As though she was blind.


    "Where am I?" the Imperialist said in a threatening tone.?"What have you done to me?"


    Judging by how she was ring at Liam and Jax, she could probably still see.


    Liam always hid his presence with mental energy.


    It had be a subconscious thing after doing it for so long.


    Thus, she hadn''t detected him through that method.


    Just to be sure, Liam connected his King''s Eye to her sea of consciousness.


    His theory proved right.


    Indeed, the woman could see.


    Only, it was a surreal shade of ck and white.


    From her vision, Liam and Jax looked like they were made from hazy wisps of white smoke.


    "Answer me!" the Imperialist screamed. "Who are you?!"


    "Friends, depending on howpliant you are," Jax said calmly, with a ''warm'' smile on his face.


    "Done nothing yet. Could keep it that way, or we could go a different route."


    "You see our furry friend over here?" Jax pointed to Kitsu. "She''d love nothing more than to rip and tear you apart."


    Instead of her usual bored look, Kitsu looked as rabid and vicious as she could, baring her fangs.


    And she did a pretty good job at it.


    Silence.


    "What do you want?" the Imperialist said threateningly.


    To her credit, she wasn''t afraid in the least.


    Liam could tell from her mental waves.


    ''She''s already used to seeing horrors,'' Liam thought.


    "Wait...e closer," she told Jax with a confused expression. "You look familiar."


    Jax arched his brow.


    He leaned in...


    TUF!


    Just for the Imperialist to spit in his face.


    "Oldest trick in the book," the Imperialistughed. "Are you stupid or something?"


    Jax''s face turned dark.


    "How do you go in and out of the Dual Empire?" Liam asked suddenly.


    Apparently, no one knew exactly how the Dual Empire entered and exited theirnds.


    Not even Alucard, with his vast umtions of knowledge, knew the specifics.


    Although there were gateways and borders, they were never seen leaving.


    If Liam found out, his job would get much, much easier.


    "I don''t know," the Imperialist answered nkly, more annoyed than scared.


    Lies.


    Liam could tell.


    There was a reason Usan kidnapped this woman in particr.


    She knew something.


    "You know fear," Liam said. "Do you know pain?"


    From the cloak, Liam''s hand blurred as he swiped a nail across her index finger.


    Her sliced index flew in the air with a spurt of blood, followed by a suppressed growl of pain.


    "You have nine more chances before I move to something more painful," Liam said with dead eyes.


    ...There was still no fear in the Imperialist''s blind eyes.


    Liam had to hand it to her. She was courageous, despite being from the Empire of Fear.


    "There''s no need to fear life if death is the final oue," she said with a mocking smile. "You have nothing to threaten me with, dog."


    Silence.


    Liamughed coldly.


    "Never said I''ll kill you," Liam smiled.


    Liam took off two more fingers.


    "Urgh!"


    A stifled cry of pain.


    Silence.


    ...But still no fear.


    Five fingers in, and the Imperialist was covered with sweat.


    There was a pained look on her pale face, and her breathing came in long gasps.


    Jax helped by applying significant pressure to her mental sphere.


    Still no fear.


    ''This won''t faze her,'' Liam realized. ''All it''s doing is worsening her condition.''


    "There''s a fine line between courage and stupidity, and you''ve crossed it," Liam said.


    Liam''s nail punctured lightly through the Imperialist''s arm.


    "Is that supposed to hurt?" the Imperialistughed. "Hahaha! You''re a jok¡ª"


    Corruption gathered at Liam''s nail and injected straight through the woman''s arm.


    The Imperialist shut her mouth instantly as her arm and body spasmed uncontrobly.


    Shrill screams filled the dark chambers.


    Awork of her veins grew ck for a brief moment as Corruption shot through her figure.


    It was a grim sight.


    Even Kitsu stopped acting, but Elder Jax had a stony expression.


    As her screams came to a stop, Liam took another look at her mental waves.


    Fear.


    Now she felt it.


    "Tell me how, and I''ll make it painless," Liam said, scraping her remaining arm with his razor-sharp nail.


    Two seconds of silence passed, and Liam''s nail punctured through her flesh.


    "Stop! Stop! I''ll tell you!"


    Liam kept his nail where it was. "Speak."


    "We use the clouds," she said with a shaky breath.


    "Abominations aren''t just used for killing. They''re also useful."


    "If we have to go anywhere, we use a Cloud Leech totch into a cloud."


    Jax raised his brows in amazement.


    He''d never heard of anything before.


    "And?" Liam asked.


    She was hiding something.


    "It¡­ it also makes us invisible to a certain degree."


    Now that¡­ was interesting.


    "Do you have one now?" Liam asked.


    The Imperialist considered her words carefully.


    Liam''s nail was still lodged in her arm, and silence was punishable.


    "...Yes. I do," she answered from clenched teeth.


    Liam pulled out his nail. "Take it out," he ordered.


    With pained eyes, the Imperialist opened her mouth.


    Abruptly, her canine tooth began detaching itself from her gums, wiggling out and slowly expanding in size.


    What came out was a fat and fluffy, caterpir-like creature that made its way over to the center of the room.


    It was pure white, and resembled a cloud!


    On its front, was a circr mouth with a series of spiral teeth.


    Liam smiled, then transmitted a few words to Jax.


    [Found the tickets to their country.]

 Chapter 380 Innocent

    <h4>Chapter 380 Innocent</h4>


    Liam put his hand on the Cloud Leech.


    Soft!


    It was incredibly soft.


    Like a literal cloud.


    One could even call it cute, with how soft and harmless it looked.


    "This is an Abomination? Looks like something out of a child''s fantasy," Jax said, squishing the giant creature.


    It upied arge section of the chambers, and made a soft squealing noise from its mouth.


    "Pull it back," Liam told the Imperialist.


    Slowly, the Cloud Leech was sucked back into her tooth, hardening back to normal.


    It was then that Liam noticed how the tip of her canines, and every other tooth, had two little dots on them, and brighter tones than normal.


    All of her teeth were Cloud Leeches!


    No wonder Usan picked her out of everyone else.


    Liam half expected for the woman to attack them with an Abomination.


    He weed it, actually.


    But she didn''t, despite being unrestricted with her mental energy and other abilities.


    All this woman could do was provide Cloud Leeches with her teeth.


    "What happens if I pull a tooth out?" Liam asked casually. "Does the Abomination still work, or no?"


    The woman grumbled, probably considering whether or not to tell the truth.


    She had a feeling Liam would yank out a tooth if she lied.


    "Curses... it would. But you won''t be able tomand it. Only I can, since I''m the one who subdued it."


    Truth.


    A short pause.


    "Subduing an Abomination lets you control it?" Liam questioned curiously.


    "No," said the Imperialist. "Subduing it is one part of the problem. Maintaining it is another."


    "Special techniques are required for each Abomination."


    Liam hummed to himself in thought.


    Liam looked at Jax.


    "There''s no need to dy it any longer. We''re leaving for the Dual Empire."


    Liam gave Jax a firm nod.


    Jax responded with a hard nod of his own, before heading out to let everyone know of what was toe.


    Liam nced at the Imperialist.


    She had no space rings on her figure, but Liam took off the jewelry from her figure.


    They were inscribed items.


    But Liam could tell they held no special purpose, other than to exude a shiny ck glow.


    "I¡­ won''t help," the Imperialist said with defiant, blind eyes, but it sounded like she was convincing herself.


    "Very honorable," Liam deadpanned.


    Just then, Liam''s cloak fluttered open, and all four of his arms swung open, revealing twenty fingers with twenty nails on them.


    The Imperialist''s face fell.


    Of all the Abominations she''d seen in her life, she''d never seen one so terrifying.


    Corruption red on each of Liam''s nails.


    Screams.


    ***


    Since the matters of invading a country were quiteplicated, not every acolyte was trusted toe along.


    Of course, each and every one of the acolytes would be useful for battle.


    And they itched for battle.


    But they were inexperienced, and there were too many for something that required discretion.


    And thus, Liam denied their requests to tag along.


    Instead, they''d be heading off to the Korsan Lands with the vampires, along with a few Elders.


    Once Liam and those with him sessfully connected the World Gate to Korsa, they''d join the fray.


    It was a cloudy night when more than three dozen Elders were gathered atop the ind''s cliff, awaiting Liam''s orders.


    The Imperialist had a sudden change of heart.


    She''dply.


    But before that, Liam met with Usan onest time.


    "How long do you have left?" Liam asked, after waking Usan up from his slumber.


    Usan wiped the sleep from his eyes. "Not long. But I can dy it by entering aatose state," he said.


    "I''ll be as dead as a doornail¡­ but it could extend my life for at least seven months."


    Liam nodded firmly.


    "I''ll be leaving then," Liam said tersely, heading for the door.


    It might have seemed cold, but Liam knew Usan''s personality.


    Wallowing about his sickness and speaking more of it would bring only bitterness.


    This way, at least Usan would be treated as though he wasn''t sick.


    "Oh, and Liam?" Usan called out before Liam exited.


    Liam looked over his shoulder. "...Yeah?"


    A short pause.


    "Thanks," Usan said with a slight smile and soft eyes.


    The mood got a bit heavy then.


    Liam scoffed lightly and gave a small nod.


    A quiet gesture that Usan clearly appreciated.


    Then, Liam left.


    Usan was not innocent.


    That much was clear.


    To the nsmen he killed from his own country, to regr innocents killed on his path to revenge.


    But to the Temple, it didn''t matter.


    He provided a home for the unwanted and outcast.


    ¡­All criminals, sure.


    But still.


    In the first ce, this all started with Usan''s quest for justice.


    He just wanted to avenge the losses suffered during the wars in his country.


    And in Liam''s book, that was fine.


    ''On one side you''re hailed as a hero, and the other, a demon.''


    And who could tell which one Usan was?


    Liam made his way towards the cliff, where the Imperialist and Elders stood.


    The Elders all wore simr cloaks to Liam.


    Only they didn''t have redirection capabilities.


    A distant, constantly scared look was on the Imperialist''s face, with healed puncture wounds on her arms.


    Liam stopped after the fifth Corruption injection.


    Then, he made Elder Jax sign a Binding Oath with her.


    Since Binding Oaths couldn''t be forced upon someone without their permission.


    Even Elder Jax felt a bit bad for her, despite how the Imperialist had spat in his face.


    Liam heaved a long sigh.


    "We can start."


    Jax grabbed Liam from the shoulder, then looked up.


    Elder Jane grabbed the Imperialist.


    WHOOSH!


    All of the Elders shot towards the clouds.


    Loud wind shot past Liam''s ears.


    With every second, the ground grew more and more distant, and the vast skies filled his vision.


    Liam loved this view.


    For one hour straight, the group made a beeline towards the clouds.


    A few magical beasts attempted to attack them, but there wasn''t much that could threaten so many Zeniths.


    Liam''s ears tightened and his skin felt a soft chill.


    Eventually, they brushed past a dense cloud.


    Liam nced at the Imperialist.


    BLERGH!


    Dozens of Cloud Leeches exploded from her mouth.

 Chapter 381 Patience

    <h4>Chapter 381 Patience</h4>


    As soon as the Cloud Leeches emerged from her mouth, they dug into the dense cloud and ethereally tched'' onto it.


    To the Cloud Leeches, it was as though the clouds were solids, not just perspiration.


    Then, they hung off like vines for the Elders to hold on to.


    Jax guided Liam to a leech.


    As soon as Liam gripped the leech''s tail, a ripple of ''Ora'' passed through his hand and spread throughout his figure.


    To Jax''s eye, he''d gone invisible, both from mental energy and vision!


    "Nice. Works as intended," Jax said, grabbing onto a leech of his own.


    The other Elders followed suit.


    Although they couldn''t see each other, Liam could see them due to his King''s Eye.


    As such, the cloud slowly drifted forward towards the Dual Empire.


    Now that Liam thought about it, clouds were pretty much the perfect aerial device.


    Especially with something like the Cloud Leech.


    The Elders could easily manipte the clouds'' speed with their wind elements.


    And it would never run out, since the Elders could just feed it water, causing it to grow.


    In fact, that''s why most of the Elder that tagged along were either of the water, or wind elements.


    Other than the sound of wind whistling past them, there was silence.


    Here and there, aerial magical beasts flew by, but Liam''s group waspletely unnoticed.


    The higher one flew, the more dangerous magical beasts they would find.


    It was the same as the ocean and its depths.


    The sky was just as terrifying, one could imagine.


    Since the world Liam was in was much bigger, the number ofyers in the sky were more.


    That was also why clouds were so incredibly far away, and also why no one ventured too far up.


    Just as there were hidden horrors in the depths, there were hidden horrors in the skies.


    To pass the time, the Elders struck up conversations.


    Jane and Aki were speaking to the Imperialist, who was now toothless!


    Using her earth element, she conjured up a fake set of stone teeth to put in her jaw, muttering curses at Liam''s ancestry.


    The Temple elders didn''t suppress their urge to tease her.


    [Keep a close eye on her,] Liam told Jax. He was referring to the Imperialist. [The Binding Oath only does so much.]


    Jax nodded firmly.


    Afterwards, all that remained was patiently waiting.


    Liam glimpsed at the temple ind, which continued to distance itself until it resembled a fingernail.


    Pretty soon, they were directly above li.


    Liam saw the Seven ns in the center.


    Their reputation ever since losing to the Temple of Shadow wasn''t as shiny and renowned as it was before.


    But even they woulde useful during the battle with the Dual Empire.


    The Temple had allied with them, after all.


    Except the Moyong family, of course.


    Hand of Light wanted no part in whatever the Temple and the Korsan Lands were cooking up.


    After a solid eight hours, Liam passed through the entirety of li. Its lushndscapes and gentle rivers.


    Afterwards, it was just the ocean again.


    And it would continue that way for another four hours.


    The sun rose, and the warm rays of dawn slowly warmed Liam''s skin.


    At that point, Liam was bored out of his mind.


    There was absolutely nothing to do!


    He couldn''t cultivate.


    He couldn''t swing his sword.


    He couldn''t inscribe or forge.


    He was just stuck in limbo!


    "That''s the forty-eighth time you''ve sighed till now," Elder Jaxmented with a slightugh. "We''ll be there soon."


    Liam''s entire being was just itching for something to do.


    ''Wasting time'' like this was one of his biggest peeves, and it physically hurt.


    Nevertheless, he was patient.


    Thankfully, two hourster, the borders of the Dual Empire appeared in the distance.


    Liam''s eyes lit up.


    The first thing he did was constrict his pupil as hard as he could to see theyout of the country.


    From Liam''s point of view, he could only see the borders of the Empire of Fear.


    The Empire of Courage was not visible.


    ''They clearly appreciate their security,'' Liam thought. ''Any other method, and we definitely wouldn''t get in.''


    The borders to their country looked like rows of vicious teeth!


    It stretched for as long as the eye could see.


    Each one of these tooths were more than 60 meters tall, and 10 meters wide.


    It shone darkly beneath the sunlight, as though it was made from some lustrous obsidian.


    Upon these teeth were thousands of Imperialists, all female, all wearing roman togas.


    Clouds rolled above their country.


    Liam took a deep breath as he took a closer look at the clouds hovering beside his own.


    They were covered with Imperialists, clutching onto Cloud Leeches!


    Instantly, Liam mentally ordered the Imperialist''s mouth to be covered, lest she let out a scream.


    Thankfully, she didn''t.


    Liam nced at the Empire of Fear once more.


    Past the borders, all Liam could see were unevennds that looked as though they were slightly angled downwards.


    Thends themselves were shadowy and strange.


    Eerie in different ways.


    There was no lushndscape whatsoever, and no colors beside shadowy-ck, brown and dark blue.


    It was entirely barren past the border, and the sun failed to illuminate its surface.


    ck mist flowed through it.


    However, there were dark mountains and hills, along with very dangerous looking environments.


    Regr humans wouldn''t dare to survive in such a grim ce.


    Not to mention, Abominations infested the area!


    Nightmarish creatures that looked otherworldly.


    Liam couldn''t see any civilization of sorts, but judging by the map he''d memorized, they were much deeper in.


    They were called ''colonies'', where their strong would live.


    From the Empire of Fear side, there was no fixed system for rulership, other than the Empress herself.


    It was a dictatorship.


    Other than that, the strongest cultivators under her were like patrol guards, venturing out only when there was something of suspicion happening.


    By the time Liam was done with gazing everything over, they were past the borders.


    They had officially entered the country.


    Liam breathed a short sigh of relief.


    Now, all they had to do was find a colony,nd, and slowly start wiping them out¡ª


    BOOOOOOOM!


    The Cloud Leeches Liam and the Elders were holding onto suddenly exploded!


    Along with the Imperialist who exploded into a spray of flesh and blood.


    She''d broken her Binding Oath with a smile on her face, and the explosion sent Liam and the Elders flying.

 Chapter 382 Abominations

    <h4>Chapter 382 Abominations</h4>


    Three explosions happened.


    The cloud, the Cloud Leeches, and the Imperialist herself.


    A few fingers were flung off Liam''s hand.


    His mind was momentarily rocked, causing his vision to swim.


    Ayer of skin was gruesomely stripped off Jax''s face.


    Elder Jane and Aki, along with eight or more Elders, were closest to the Imperialist, and suffered the most.


    Jane lost an arm.


    Aki a hand.


    Ryu and all the other Elders were in a simr situation.


    Some lost an eye or ear.


    Everyone was flung in different directions.


    The explosion was not normal in the least.


    The Imperialist used everything in her being as a sacrifice.


    An Abomination of some kind.


    But the force that spread from it wasn''t normal.


    It affected the mind more than it did the body.


    Still, there were three dozen Elders aboard.


    The reflexes of a Rank 4 Zenith were not to be underestimated.


    But instead of protecting themselves, they did their absolute best to try and keep the explosion as quiet as possible.


    It was an instantaneous decision for the best possible oue.


    Wind and water cultivators muffled the sound as best they could.


    Thankfully, there wasn''t anyone hiding in the clouds surrounding them.


    The reason the Imperialist had imploded herself here was for the border guards to notice the invaders.


    The border guards nced at the area of explosion with confused expressions.


    "A thunderp?" one Imperialist said, confused.


    "In broad daylight?" another questioned, furrowing her brows. "Where''s the rain?"


    "Thunderps don''t always have to follow rain, stupid," the first Imperialist rebuked. "It''s something else. Plus, it''s daytime."


    "Rain doesn''t always happen during the night, either, retard," the second countered.


    "Someone check that out," a higher ranking Imperialist said to them. "Maybe they had faulty Cloud Leeches. Wouldn''t be the first time."


    In truth, the vision of the Imperialists wasn''t made for long distances.


    They were specialized for the control of an Abomination.


    Thus, they couldn''t see the single humanoid figure dripping from the cloud like a raindrop.


    "Fine," the first Imperialist grumbled.


    She took off a strange, bird-shaped pendant from her neck, then threw it in front of her.


    KRSH!


    BLERGH!


    CRACK!


    The pendant expanded to form a gruesome-looking vulture, with an unnaturally long white neck, beady red eyes and powerful talons.


    The Imperialist perched over the vulture, and it shot forward.


    Meanwhile, for Liam, there was a much, much bigger issue at hand.


    Liam was shooting towards the earth!


    At a very, very fast speed.


    The world spun around him, as though he''d been shoved inside a washing machine.


    43 meters.


    His hair and cloak were dragged upwards, fluttering wildly.


    97 meters.


    Liam steadied his head, enough to spare a nce at the elders.


    162 meters.


    Jax''s eyes darted around to look for him.


    251 meters.


    Liam and Jax''s gaze connected.


    They were exactly 280 meters apart!


    Both of them noticed the Imperialist steadily flying their way.


    If Jax were to shoot towards Liam, he''d get noticed.


    And the mission to covertly weaken the Empire of Fear from within would be flushed down the drain.


    Jax was about to go forward anyways, but Liam sent him a sharp re, mouthing the words:


    ''Don''t.''


    ''Meetter.''


    ''Hide.''


    Liam uttered a nasty curse under his breath and twirled around, focusing his attention towards the ground.


    Right now, he was at a height of 1,300 meters, and with every 4 seconds, he plunged a hundred more.


    Liam was no stranger to falling from great heights, but this took it to another level.


    It was so damn high!


    But strangely, there was another emotion Liam was feeling.


    An adrenaline filled thrill!


    A smile appeared on his face.


    In an instant, Liam''s eyes scanned the best possiblending ce for him to crash into.


    Even at such a height, it wasn''t impossible to survive.


    In fact, on Earth, there were several incidents of regr humans that fell from higher altitudes, but amazingly lived.


    The first step was to look at a suitablending ce.


    Liam''s eyes constricted and he saw a giant, dark-red, circr, fleshy¡­ thing.


    It was an Abomination.


    Something that resembled a mushroom.


    Nevertheless, it looked soft, so Liam aimed for it.


    Next, Liam put his arms behind his back, thinning himself out like a needle.


    Instantly, his speed increased, and the air around his ears tightened like a violin string!


    891 meters.


    766 meters.


    544 meters.


    213 meters.


    The Earth slowly filled his vision.


    Covering himself with his shadow, Liam held out his four arms to create an ''X'' shape, bracing himself for impact.


    BOOM!


    The mushroom was indeed soft, but it had an ufortable consistency.


    As soon as Liam made contact with it, it softly met his collision, like a needle through rotten, wet dough.


    All kinds of soft, viscous liquids of dirty colors washed over him.


    Liam groaned as his descent came to a stop.


    A disgusting, putrid stench soured his nose.


    Liam groaned as he picked himself up and climbed out of the mushy insides of the mushroom.


    All kinds of slimes clung to his figure, pulling him down.


    Eventually, Liam climbed out, taking in a deep breath of air.


    ''I''m alive.''


    ''That''s good at least.''


    Liam nced towards the sky.


    The Imperialist hadn''t noticed him, and she continued flying towards the cloud where Jax and the other Elders were.


    Liam furrowed his brows.


    The stone b was with Elder Jax.


    As long as they managed to seed at the mission, Liam was fine surviving on his own.


    Liam took a deep breath and surveyed his surroundings.


    Dark.


    There was darkness everywhere.


    Right now, he was on the giant, rotten fungus that was growing out of the ground.


    It gave him a view simr to a five-story building.


    And below¡­


    Hundreds and hundreds of Abominations.


    They had no fixed form.


    They were just lumps of flesh, some of which walked on legs, and others that slithered on the ground like snakes and slugs.


    They either had no eyes, or they had several.


    Deformed, unnatural limbs and decayed skin was amon theme among them.


    The sight was revolting.


    Liam was deep in thought when the mushroom he stood upon let out a soft squelch, as though it woke up from its slumber.


    Liam sighed, then clicked his tongue.

 Chapter 383 Disgust

    <h4>Chapter 383 Disgust</h4>


    Of course this would happen.


    Because why not?


    Clearly, he wasn''t allowed a break.


    PSSSSSSSS!


    The giant mushroom suddenly excreted ck and red gasses from its head.


    Liam closed off all the pores from his body, including his ears, nose and mouth.


    His eyes were protected too, a thin eyelidyer allowed him to see through them.


    He activated all the mental defenses he could.


    The gas enveloped him anyway, but there was no pain.


    Just a vague sense of unease that made him nauseous.


    Like he wanted to vomit.


    All kinds of disgusting images entered Liam''s mind.


    It made him think he was drowning in a pool of feces, vomit and urine.


    Bile rose in his stomach and threatened to escape from his throat.


    SHING!


    Liam''s swords appeared in his four arms.


    Dusk des on his two lower hands.


    Breaker de to his left.


    ck de to his right.


    All three of them!


    Sword Construct didn''t actually hinder Liam''s ability to take out all three of his swords whenever he wanted.


    It would just be a handicap if it did.


    Resisting the putrid, revolting feelings shing through him, Liam blurred.


    SHIIING!


    Four separate noises rang out as Liam''s Dusk des, ck de and Breaker de started ripping through the mushroom.


    Darkness and Hone were used simultaneously, digging into the mushroom''s head and corroding it from within.


    Viscous slime spurted around him in an attempt to stop his charge, but failed to do so due to how fast Liam was.


    Like Liam imagined, the body he altered for himself was the embodiment of war-ready.


    It was essentially four times the normal amount of damage he could inflict.


    More gas surged around him, like he''d caught on an ethereal fire.


    More images.


    Disgust.


    A knot tightened in his stomach.


    Liam felt like worms were crawling through his skin, digging into his eyes and oozing through his nose.


    Disgust.


    The fungus was doing its absolute best to try and remove the parasite devouring its flesh.


    But Liam continued slicing, ripping, butchering and severing through its circr head until it resembled a chewed up piece of meat.


    With a quiet shriek, the mushroom tipped over and fell on the ground.


    BANG!


    Liamnded on the mushroom''s head.


    The feelings of disgust were gone.


    He was normal now.


    He could breathe!


    Except, being here just felt wrong.


    Liam felt watched, and his thoughts were much more paranoid than normal.


    Not to mention, his skin tightened due to how bloody cold it was.


    Plus, the King''s Eye couldn''t see too far out, but he could still see.


    At the same time, there were more Crimson Mushrooms like the one Liam had just killed.


    Though, he''d certainlynded on the biggest one of them all.


    ''Past the colonies, this is all there is,'' Liam thought. ''Abominations for as far as the eye could see.''


    Liam''s Jade flickered on, and he answered it.


    "I''m fine," Liam said before Jax could say anything. "What about you and the rest?" he asked.


    "I''m d," Jax responded with a quiet voice. "Still hiding in the skies. We''lle for you as soon as we touch down on a colony."


    "No need," Liam responded tersely. "Just establish the World Gate and I''ll meet with you myself."


    Silence.


    Jax didn''t expect such an answer.


    His priority was the safety of the Temple of Shadow''s heir.


    The soon-to-be leader.


    Especially at a time like this!


    They needed to be a united front!


    Liam recognized the silence.


    "I''ll be fine. I need to study these things anyway. Contact me if you''re in trouble."


    Reluctantly, Jax agreed.


    Then, they both cut off their connection.


    By then, the mushroom Abomination Liam was standing on melted into goo.


    And the surrounding Abominations took an interest in the scene.


    Specifically, Liam himself.


    ''They''re all the equivalent of a peak Rank 3 magical beast,'' Liam thought with a slight scoff as his nk gaze spread from one creature to another.


    ''Weak, then.''


    Liam heaved a long sigh, then smiled.


    Avoiding a fight was easy. The Abominations didn''t have any particr speed-based abilities.


    Those that did weren''t too powerful, and he could easily deal with them.


    But it''d been some time since he''d gotten his hands dirty.


    SHING!


    Liam didn''t waste a second and lurched forward, his des ravaging through entire hordes of Abominations.


    ck blood and grim viscera colored the air, and a trail of it soon formed as Liam continued, ripping, cleaving and shing.


    On the way through, he''d store a couple of them in his ring.


    What followed was a brutal massacre that held no meaning other than to satisfy Liam''s itch for bloodthirst.


    But then again, it wasn''t like Abominations were living creatures.


    Well, they might have been.


    But Liam could care less even if they were.


    It made no difference to him.


    ***


    Standing atop a hill of ravaged limbs, heads, skulls and inhuman corpses, a cloaked, hooded figure heaved a long sigh.


    Liam had been killing nothing but Abominations for the past week, carving his way downwards to a colony.


    There was just no end to them!


    Liam wasn''t worried about being caught or leaving a trail of bodies behind.


    Any time he killed an Abomination, other Abominations would appear and devour their corpses, growing in strength.


    One thing Liam found out was that Abominations weren''t just monsters.


    Some, like the Crimson Mushroom, and Flesh Spires ¡ª a self exnatory name ¡ª provided homes for the Abominations to live under.


    They had symbiotic rtions with one another.


    Like Liam thought, even in chaos, there was order.


    Nevertheless, these weren''t the important details.


    The most important thing of note was that Liam finally found a colony!


    It took a week of searching.


    The colony in question consisted of a giant dome that contained curved, fang-like structures inside of it.


    They were all more or less the same height.


    Each colony was bound to have a dozen or so Zeniths inside them, but Liam couldn''t tell where exactly they were.


    ''What''s with these people and gothic themes? Everything is either ck or grey¡­''


    Nevertheless, it was time to clean house.

 Chapter 384 Dead

    <h4>Chapter 384 Dead</h4>


    The circr dome looked like it was a bubble, but it clearly didn''t consist of water.


    It was made out of slime.


    Toxic slime.


    Usually, mermaids had control over that sort of thing, not Fear Imperialists, but what did Liam know?


    He''d seen a lot during the past week, and studying Abominations hadn''t bore fruit.


    They were tooplicated and formless.


    And their anatomies were incredibly strange.


    It just looked like everything was mixed and matched together, and it somehow found a way to work.


    There wasn''t any core or center of power in them, either!


    Liam found that incredibly strange.


    Everything had a center of power.


    Even regr humans had their cores, which formed eventually, even if they had no cultivation base.


    The body was also a center of power, but in reality, it was just the vessel that contained everything.


    Afterward, Liam realized what it actually was.


    The entire Abomination was a center of power on its own.


    These creatures, birthed from the Empress of Fear (in one way or the other), had no particr set of powers.


    Each one had a different purpose.


    Some had sinister eye abilities that made Liam feel like his insides were burning, just from a nce at them.


    Some had so many arms it put Liam to shame.


    Some were strong in other ways.


    The Whisperer, as Liam called them, were a type of Abomination that murmured words of nonsense into Liam''s ears.


    Eerie, sinister words of nonsense, such as how Liam felt when his mother died, and how he failed to enact revenge, and how Lloyd and Rogan died in vain, and how¡ª


    Liam heaved a sigh.


    He had to be careful not to let his thoughts stray off for too long in this ce.


    More often than not, he''d find himself thinking about dark memories, reying them over and over in a trance until he finally snapped out of it.


    Mind Warpers, Liam called them. Bastards were like fish.


    Any time Liam was near one, they''d sink into the ground and disappear.


    Nevertheless, the discovery that Liam made was that each and every one of these Abominations were unique in their own right.


    Liam also used Admit, but what came as a result wasn''t anything special.


    It just made him look like ugly, and it didn''t give him any special abilities of note.


    He tried it on a Whisperer and a Mind Warper, but he didn''t obtain their powers.


    Liam looked at the colony once again.


    Colonies differed in size.


    The closest to the borders were the smallest, and they even contained a poption of regr civilians.


    Those nearing the border of the Empire of Courage were the biggest, and strongest, too.


    Liam took a deep breath and started taking slow steps forward, melting into shadows like a crocodile gliding through a body of water.


    Swimming through the Sea of Darkness was a neat way to counter the Abominations.


    Granted, there were some pesky creatures that lived beneath the ground.


    Liam swam for two minutes before a Parasite Mole tried to dig into his spine.


    He twirled around with the ck de in hand, swinging in a wide arc that split the creature apart through the middle.


    It died where it stood.


    Parasite Moles treated the ground as though it was water, and they targeted anything that passed by them.


    And when they died, they simply became one with the ground, turning into fossils.


    Liam swam for at least an hour, before reaching the toxic slime.


    Unfortunately, a hurdle appeared.


    He couldn''t swim under.


    He had to walk straight through.


    Why?


    He sensed a powerful Abomination beneath the ground.


    Something massive created violent ripples deep within the ground.


    Something long, judging by how the ripples moved.


    ''Should I go in anyway?'' Liam thought for a second. ''The toxic barrier might have some sort of rm ability.''


    Just then, a Parasite Mole swam through the toxic bubble barrier. Liam paid close attention.


    Obviously, he couldn''t see it.


    He could just sense and hear, with his Shifter Sense and Shadow Sense.


    It continued forward for several seconds without being hindered.


    Silence¡­


    Silence¡­


    Silence.


    A snap-like movement urred within the Sea of Darkness that caused a powerful ripple to spread through the darkness.


    Silence again.


    No more Parasite Mole.


    Dead.


    Well, Liam had his answer.


    He''d have to walk straight through the toxic barrier.


    ''I''ll just use an Abomination as a meat shield,'' Liam thought, but then hesitated.


    ''What if it has the opposite effect?''


    ''Clearly, it''s meant to deter Abominations from entering through.''


    Liam didn''t want to overthink.


    He found a secluded part of the dome, way out in the corner where the crescent-shaped structures weren''t as jam-packed.


    Then, Liam emerged from the Sea of Darkness, empowering his body and covering himself with the Redirection Cloak.


    A momentter, he rammed through it, shoulder first.


    As Liam thought, it wasn''t as gentle as a bubble.


    Except for the Redirection Cloak, Liam''s inscribed clothing was melted apart, along with three inches of skin beneath.


    But he was through.


    Alive and pissed.


    There was no such ''rm'' Liam imagined, just a barrier of pain no Abomination could survive through.


    Except him, of course.


    Liam''s blood surged through his veins and grew out the lost muscle mass.


    Wet squelching noises sounded from his wounds.


    It took four liters of his ichor to do so, but he''d rather not fight looking like melted ice cream.


    At the same time, the Redirection Cloak had be entirely white, which meant its redirection capabilities weren''t as sharp.


    With that done, Liam spread his senses to find where the trouble was.


    Shadow Sense, Shifter Sense and mental energy all spread out to cover as much ground as possible.


    The ce was teeming with all kinds of life.


    And uncharacteristically, the Abominations here weren''t as ugly and deformed.


    They were quite majestic, all things considered, and the fearful environment was not as dreadful.


    That would change.


    Liam pointed his index at the peak of a nearby building.


    A single Sanguine String shot out from the tip of his finger at the speed of a bullet, eventually digging into the obsidian crescent-shaped building.


    No one noticed.


    Who would?


    A single Sanguine String had the breadth of a hair strand.


    Then, the string crystalized, and Liam yanked on it.


    WHOOSH!

 Chapter 385 League

    <h4>Chapter 385 League</h4>


    Liam perched atop the fang like a hawk stalking out his prey.


    He had an eagle eye''s view of the entire dome.


    In front.


    To the left.


    To the right.


    The roads were like cobwebs, connecting one pathway to the other with no particr order.


    Imperialists, young and old, strong and pathetically weak, walked upon them.


    All women, all wearing roman togas.


    The dome itself was lit up with an umbral, but natural light.


    Liam wasn''t here just to ughter and kill.


    ¡­That was one of the reasons.


    Another reason was finding out more about the war and why it was happening.


    Surely, a Zenith Imperialist would know a thing or two about that?


    But¡­ didn''t that mean Liam would have to fight them?


    It did.


    But so what?


    Liam wasn''t the same as before!


    He was in the big boy leagues now.


    He''d escaped the microcosm of power he was trapped in for so long.


    Now, it was time to push himself to the brink.


    Sacrifice a few limbs or two.


    Out of the corner of his eye, Liam noticed a Zenith Imperialist walking through the cobweb paths.


    ''Now I know why they''re made like cobwebs¡­'' Liam thought.


    The Imperialist rode on a massive, brown tarant-type Abomination, thirteen meters wide and four meters tall.


    A simr species topare it with could be the Huntsman Spider back on Earth.


    A simple nce could make any adult shiver and express disgust.


    Twelve legs sprouted from their sides, covered with sharp, quill-like bristles.


    Under each hair was a slit.


    What were these slits?


    Beady ck eyes that opened and closed.


    Hundreds of them.


    Besides the grim, scythe-like fangs protruding from its maw, the spider didn''t have any distinct features.


    The tarant continued until another Imperialist, riding the same kind of spider, met it halfway.


    They struck up a conversation.


    Liam''s eyes lit up.


    ''Perfect!''


    Liam pointed his finger at another fang building, intent on getting into an earshot distance.


    Obviously, their mental energy range could definitely detect him.


    However, Liam didn''t need to do that.


    He just needed to get a clear view of one of their eyes.


    Eventually, Liam managed to connect his King''s Eye to their mental spheres, and he could hear through their ears.


    "...ma''s having nightmares again," said one of the Zeniths, clearly dejected. "Brought back memories, she said."


    "That''s the fourth time you''ve told me," the second one sighed. "You know if Leader Merisa finds out about yourints, she''d take your head."


    "I know¡­ can''t help myself! This has been going for too long," said the first, whispering hectically. "I just wish there was a point to this!"


    "There is," the second said cryptically. "But we just don''t know what."


    "Leave it at that."


    Before the first could ask more, the two parted ways.


    And that was that.


    ''They were just getting to the good part¡­''


    Then again, Liam was incredibly lucky for them to speak of the war of all things.


    It wasn''t often that one could find two goons that spoke of their boss'' secret evil n.


    As the two Zeniths parted ways, Liam picked one out to ambush.


    The spider was a Rank 4 Abomination.


    And there was a Rank 4 Zenith on top of it.


    Even though they weren''t the strongest physically, they couldn''t be underestimated.


    For two hours, Liam simply hid amidst the buildings and tracked the Imperialist''s movements.


    ''She takes the same route over and over again.''


    ''From start to finish, there''s a 16 minute window for me toy a trap for her.''


    ''But other paths consist of civilians.''


    ''Can''t risk getting caught.''


    ''...That path over there should be good enough. Gives me less time, but that''s fine.''


    Liam got to work.


    As soon as the woman passed through the specific path, Liam covered himself with his illusionistic abilities and made gestures in the air.


    Sanguine Strings, specifically.


    Done with his work of art, he hid.


    Then, he just waited.


    ***


    It was time.


    The tarant woman was here.


    Liam hid his presence with all the abilities at his disposal, then waited patiently for her to pass.


    Just as she rounded up the corner, she scowled deeply.


    A single red string glimmered with a dark sheen.


    She leaned forward,manding her spider mount to reach out and touch it with a leg.


    TING!


    Sanguine Strings hidden above, below, and to the sides, shot out and converged at the Imperialist!


    In a split second, the spider raised its legs.


    From its quill-like hairs, silver silk shot out in a protective, cage-like fashion, sessfully defending against the abrupt attacks.


    But as the spider was preupied with the strings, Liam emerged from the ground, swinging in a wide, upward arc with his ck de.


    SHING!


    ck and red blood spread through the air.


    The first was of the Abomination, split from middle to top, and the other was the Imperialist.


    Unfortunately for Liam, she dodged at thest second.


    What should have taken away her head, sliced off just her shoulder instead as she evaded.


    Ethereal Abominations burst out from the Zenith''s mental sphere. Wraiths with a ghostly lower body, but with vicious teeth.


    Almost instantaneously, they threw themselves onto Liam''s mental sphere and began to chip away his mind.


    Immense pain.


    ¡­Unfortunately for the Imperialist, Liam had four arms!


    Spinning around from the first upward arc, Liam fluidly transitioned to a horizontal swing with the Breaker de, brutally cleaving her apart from the torso with just one empowered swing.


    SHIIING!


    A sharp streak of entrails and blood flew from her side, a look of shock on her face.


    A momentter, Liam used Hone and cut down the wraiths eating away at his mental sphere.


    In three to four moves, Liam had killed a Zenith!


    Liam smiled.


    He was moving up in the world.


    But there was no time for self-amazement.


    There was still a bit of life in the Zenith''s eyes.


    But the chance to interrogate her was over.


    She wouldn''t give him anything.


    A momentter, she died.


    Thus, Liam just stored the tarant Abomination and her body.


    Then, he used darkness to wipe away all traces of blood.


    Next!

 Chapter 386 Control Room

    <h4>Chapter 386 Control Room</h4>


    After killing the first Zenith, Liam followed after the other.


    These two were patrolling the outside of the colony.


    By extension, they were the weakestpared to all the others.


    ''I have to watch out for Merisa, whoever that is.''


    ''The two Zeniths were afraid of whoever that was,'' Liam thought.


    He continued for an hour straight, keeping away from sight and avoiding the areas with the highest poption of civilians.


    Eventually, he caught up to the other woman.


    Sighing repeatedly, she had a downtrodden look in her blind eyes.


    With her head lowered, she obviously didn''t expect a battle of any kind.


    ''This''ll be easier, then.''


    Liam entered the Sea of Darkness and unsheathed his ck de.


    Then, brown Corruption red from his fingers and slowly spread across its edge.


    Corruption couldn''t actually leave Liam''s fingers.


    However, he could force it to stretch and extend.


    As long as Liam maintained contact between the Corruption and whatever he was enveloping, it wouldn''t break off.


    ''Doing this makes me use more if it, though.''


    And there was a limit on how much Corruption Liam had, anyway.


    Slowly, the woman was approaching.


    A moment prior, Liam swam into a fang building closest to the road.


    She rounded the corner.


    Now!


    Time slowed.


    Liam pointed his finger at her neck as soon as she passed by.


    At the same time, Liam was using Hone on a condensed chunk of mental energy, creating a precise sh invisible to the human eye.


    On his finger, blood condensed to a marble-sized droplet, which then exploded forward at incredible speed, paired with the Honed sh.


    It was a Sanguine String, except much more powerful.


    The Imperialist didn''t expect either.


    BOOM!


    Her neck folded as the Sanguine String rammed through it with incredible force.


    It wasn''t enough to kill her.


    She was alive.


    But the Honed sh found its way through her brain.


    On the outside, there was no visible wound.


    Not a droplet of blood.


    But within, a small patch of her sea of consciousness had been sliced off.


    ...But she was still alive!


    With quick thinking, the Imperialist used an ethereal Abomination to substitute for her sliced off barrier.


    It acted like a bandage for her mind.


    Liam cursed.


    Instantly, her spider lurched towards the wall where the attack came from, the scythe-like fangs attempting to scissor it in half.


    BANG!


    The wall was clipped, sending chunks of obsidian flying everywhere.


    Liam was yanked out of the shadows due to the sudden attack.


    The Imperialist was out ofmission, probably repairing her mental sphere as much as she could.


    The spider was the only obstacle between the two of them, but it looked strong, looking at Liam with its hundred, shadowy irises stored between its legs.


    It was stronger than the previous spider Liam fought.


    But if the Zenith managed to get back into the fight, it''d get a whole lot harder to win.


    ''It dies, now.''


    Thus, with a low growl, Liam charged in with all four des, blurring into a streak intent on carving through the Abomination.


    But the hundred eyes weren''t for show.


    Despite using all the speed in his body, the spider perfectly tracked Liam''s movements like he was going in slow motion.


    Liam couldn''t even use his King''s Eye to connect with it, since he''d just be bombarded with different perspectives.


    Liam swung with all four des to slice off a leg.


    He missed.


    The spider dodged.


    In one fluid motion, the spider''s scythe-fangs converged on Liam''s waist.


    CLING!


    Liam used his Dusk des to hold the scythes off, but two fangs emerged from its chin, swiping upward through the cloak and digging into Liam''s back.


    Liam activated Obsidian Skin.


    The fangs pierced right through, injecting a viscous yellow liquid into his back, liquefying his muscles.


    Pain shot through him.


    Pissed off, Liam jammed his ck de and Breaker into the tarant''s face, then spread the des outward, sending flesh and grime in all directions.


    Next, with the fangs still lodged into his back, Liam vaulted over the giant spider and found the Imperialist, sprawled over the ground and clutching her neck.


    It seemed like she couldn''t scream.


    Having one''s sea of consciousness cut out was much, much more painful than one can imagine.


    It made even thinking feel like death.


    Spotting Liam, she weakly raised her hand tomand an Abomination to attack him.


    A secondter, her hand was gone.


    Severed.


    She wanted to scream.


    Liam sent her a re.


    She still wanted to scream, but had no energy to.


    Liam''s face was hard.


    Hard and annoyed and severely pissed off.


    "Where''s Merisa?" Liam asked with dead eyes.


    Silence.


    Liam used Piercing de to poke into the sliced off patch of mental sphere.


    The Imperialist grimaced in pain.


    But she still couldn''t scream.


    "One more time. Merisa. Where?"


    The Imperialist winced with pain.


    She just wanted relief.


    She couldn''t even use the Self Implosion Abomination to sacrifice herself and attempt to kill Liam.


    Thus, she pointed towards a specific building past a cluster of fangs and teeth-like structures.


    Now that Liam took a closer look at it, there weren''t any civilians surrounding it.


    Liam nodded at her.


    He swiped the odachi across her neck, then proceeded to wipe out all traces of his stay.


    After killing five more Zeniths and interrogating them, Liam decided that it was enough.


    ''If I kill any more, they might get suspicious of the silence.''


    ''There''s only three Zeniths remaining.''


    ''I haven''t seen them switch up their posts, but they use vultures Abominations to contact one another.''


    ''They don''t use Jades, apparently.''


    Liam nced at Merisa''s building.


    Through his methods of ''interrogation'', Liam found out Merisa was in control of the colony.


    And whatever Abomination was lurking beneath the ground.


    This made her dangerous.


    At the same time, he also found out there was a ''lock down'' method for the toxic dome barrier.


    It wouldn''t inform anyone outside of the colony, nor was it a rare urrence.


    Most of the time, it was due to a strong Abomination somehow piercing through the barrier.


    If that was the case¡­


    Liam could make sure no one escaped, and he could make all the noise he wanted.


    As long as he got to that so-called ''control room'' and activated the mechanism.


    Thus, Liam forced himself to rest for a few hours, before making a beeline towards the building.

 Chapter 387 Sandworm

    <h4>Chapter 387 Sandworm</h4>


    Liam''s eyes narrowed as he perched atop of the control building. It was slightly on the bigger side. Eight stories tall.


    The only entrance to such a building was at its foot. But no civilians of any kind were entering it.


    ''All three Zeniths are inside.''


    ''If the toxic barrier is anything like a Formation, all I have to do is fiddle with the controls for a bit until I''ve figured out how it works.''


    Liam could sense where the three Zeniths were.


    But in reality, he couldn''t help but be a little worried.


    After all, there were three Zeniths inside this building!


    Three Zeniths!


    Fighting them at the same time was incredibly dangerous.


    Very, very dangerous.


    ¡­But doable.


    Granted, he''d have to resolve himself to lose some liters of his blood.


    And maybe a few kilos of his flesh.


    Liam just had to be smart with what he could sacrifice.


    After a few minutes of overthinking, Liam merged together with the tower and swam downwards.


    He had be a shadow, slipping down each little crack and orifice to arrive at different rooms.


    Liam had to be slow.


    His shadow abilities were not invincible.


    They had limits.


    Mainly, wherever he passed by, it wouldn''t go by unnoticed.


    Someone watching could see the shadows in that particr area ripple like water.


    Mental energy didn''t pass through the shadows, but that didn''t hinder vision in the least.


    Although there were just three Zeniths in the building, the number of normal Imperialists amounted to dozens.


    Liam avoided the rooms near the Zeniths.


    Avoiding a fight until he locked the ce down was for the best, but there was a high chance the Zeniths were in control of the Formation room.


    ''Wouldn''t hurt to check,'' Liam thought.


    He emerged within an empty room, assessing it with scrutinizing eyes.


    It was well decorated, but that was it.


    A living room of some kind.


    ''Worthless.''


    Liam repeated the process and ventured to all the other spaces, which were either toilets, living rooms or bars, of all things.


    There was even a room dedicated for the Abominations to live in!


    As though it was some sort of pet daycare!


    ''No Formation room.''


    Liam moved onto the rooms monitored by the low ranking ''Fearists''.


    Killing them required little to no effort.


    Liam''s Shadow Clones spread beneath the Sea of Darkness.


    When a total of four Liams came together, it made killing easier than taking candy from a baby.


    At least, the weaker ones.


    Pretty soon, more than ? of the building were killed.


    ¡­Still no Formation room.


    It was pretty clear that one of the rooms the Zeniths were guarding was the room Liam was looking for.


    Most likely, Merisa herself.


    But Liam didn''t know which one was Merisa!


    ''Judging by size, it could be the one in the middle.''


    But there was a ? chance that wasn''t the chase.


    In the first ce, there was a ? chance that the Formation Liam wanted to enable wasn''t there.


    Unfortunately, all three rooms looked the exact same to Liam''s eye.


    They all had some sort of container in the center of the room.


    And an Imperialist was covering the door that led to it.


    One of them was reading a book.


    The other was cultivating.


    The third was training with an ethereal Abomination. Some sort of mental training.


    Other than that, there wasn''t anything out of ce.


    Liam remained motionless for several seconds.


    This was not a small decision.


    Though¡­ it was a bit dramatic.


    There was nothing special about someone picking out which room to attack.


    At the end of it, Liam picked the middle room to attack.


    With the Fearist reading a book.


    ''She''s thexest of them all. Probably since she''s stronger than the other two.''


    Liam gripped the ck de tightly and steadied his feet right above the Zenith''s room.


    The shadows within the room subtly rippled.


    Liam saw the woman''s face.


    Fair skin. A sharp scar running across from her chin to left eye. Hardened blind eyes and a firm aura.


    When the shadows rippled, she furrowed her brows and looked up.


    Silence.


    As her sharp gaze went towards the shadows, Liam''s eyes connected with the container in the center of the room.


    It was a ss tube filled with¡­ slime?


    Toxic slime.


    The same slime as the barrier!


    ''Alrighty then,'' Liam thought.


    BANG!


    Liam left the shadows with a massive kick to the ceiling.


    He burst into Merisa''s room, ramming into the giant tube of slime with his shoulder.


    BOOM!


    SPLURGH!


    Slime sprayed everywhere.


    Merisa''s eyes widened with incredulousness, her jaw swung open in shock.


    Through the window on the other side of the room, Liam could see the toxic slime barrier crystalize.


    The Imperialists within the colony looked utterly casual, and went on with their day.


    Liam looked towards Merisa, who had a severe grimace on her face.


    "You have one second to exin who you are."


    Silence.


    One.


    Merisa gestured upwards.


    The ground shook violently.


    Something wasing fast!


    BOOOOM!


    Liam used all four of his swords to block the giant maw of what looked like a vicious sandworm.


    CLAAANG!


    With the momentum and force that it emerged out of the ground with, it sent Liam flying through the tower''s roof.


    WHOOOSH!


    Suddenly, he was twirling in the air.


    Liam''s shoulder and elbow cracked a bit, making him grimace.


    A massive freaking sandworm!


    When it sent Liam shooting upwards, it made a U-shaped curve and vanished into the ground, leaving no visible mark on the earth.


    Liam steadied his body and managed tond on a fang-building before he fell t on his face.


    Then, he fixed his footing.


    Merisa and her tworades emerged from the ground and flew in the air above him.


    The other two were quite simr to her, only different in skin color and scar shape.


    "Little squirt," Merisa said, her voice surprisingly deep for a woman.


    "What do you think you just did? Suicide is much easier alone. Painless, too. Throwing yourself into a lion''s den is too much, no?"


    Liam smiled coldly.


    "I''m not stuck in here with you."


    Liam''s grip tightened around his des.


    "You''re stuck in here with me!"

 Chapter 388 A Fish, a Worm, a Wyvern

    <h4>Chapter 388 A Fish, a Worm, a Wyvern</h4>


    One Liam.


    Three Zeniths.


    Liam couldn''t actually use all his abilities at the same time.


    That was foolish.


    He had to be smart about it.


    Most of Liam''s fights ran the long course.


    Theysted for several minutes.


    Sacrificing his precious blood, albeit there were high quantities of it, could pose a threat to his regeneration.


    At the same time, Liam couldn''t just use all his abilities to win a fight.


    It didn''t work that way.


    The closest analogy would be guns.


    Not every gun was used for the same situations.


    Grenades and rocketunchers were used on tanks or heavily armored vehicles.


    Sniper rifles were used at long range.


    Rifles were used in generalbat.


    The same could be said for Liam''s arsenal.


    Corruption was used against physically powerful enemies that needed to be incapacitated.


    Chaos was used against enemies that were too spell-based, or too armored.


    Blood Arts were much more useful in some situations than others.


    Void was better used when outnumbered or against a much more powerful enemy.


    Inscriptions were an exception to the rule, since they were used in almost any situation depending on what they were made for.


    But Liam had a feeling he might need to use everything here.


    Merisa threw her head back andughed.


    "He has grit," said the woman to Merisa''s left, grinning. Short, slim, and short-haired.


    "Now, now, Erika," said the woman to Merisa''s right. Tall, slightly muscr, one-eyed. "Too early to judge."


    "Erika, Jayne," Merisa said severely. "Don''t y. End this fast."


    They shot their leader a short nce and saw the seriousness in her face.


    This was not a joke, they realized. Not if their leader wasn''tughing.


    Plus, despite outnumbering him, Merisa didn''t order an immediate attack!


    ''He''s dangerous,'' they both thought.


    Three above.


    One down.


    Erika, the shorter Zenith, raised her middle finger.


    At first, Liam thought she was insulting him.


    But a sharp slithering noise echoed from her finger, which stretched incredibly long in a matter of seconds.


    It expanded, contracted and grew into a vicious-looking Abomination.


    Lusterless ck scales covered its reptilian body.


    Four arms grew out of its sides, two at the top, two at the bottom, each with a set of nasty, jagged but sharp ws.


    It had a rattlesnake''s tail, and a draconic face.


    Liam assessed it.


    ''Rank 4 middle tier Abomination.''


    Jayne, the taller Zenith, summoned her own Abomination.


    Her entire right arm squirmed and writhed, convulsing with wet sounds and slowly expanding in size.


    First, its body thinned out to a horizontal oval shape.


    Then, fish-like scales emerged from its body.


    Right after, three fins, one at the top, one at the bottom, and one at the back, burst out of it.


    Next, a giant pair of¡­ human hands emerged from its sides!


    They were not normal arms ¡ª fleshy, dripping with ck ink and rotting.


    They were extremely muscr, most over-exaggerated. Each blocky hand was the size of arge boulder.


    It was a fish!


    A carp of some sort!


    With... the arms of a titan.


    Liam didn''t even know what to call it.


    Merisa''s Abomination was the giant sandworm.


    Definitely a peak Rank 4 Abomination.


    Erika and Jayne''s Abominations were both middle tier.


    A draconic snake, sort of like a wyvern, and a fish with arms.


    Merisa smiled coldly.


    Jayne smirked.


    Erika grinned.


    Liam took a deep breath.


    Inhale.


    Exhale.


    Silence.


    BOOM!


    The sandworm was the first to rumble through the ground, swallowing the entire building Liam stood upon.


    Obviously, he dodged.


    The sandworm had incredible power.


    Too much power.


    But itcked speed.


    Yet, as soon as Liam avoided the initial devouring attempt by the worm, a massive pair of fists came shooting down at him.


    Lurching backwards, Liam swung his Breaker and Dusk des at the muscr arm as it shot past him, ripping out a chunk.


    Just then, the wyvern appeared behind Liam''s back.


    Instead of a normal attack, it simply zoned him out from escaping, giving the fish a clear shot with its remaining fist.


    BOOM!


    Liam tried blocking, but the sandworm was on his feet again.


    Just as the punch was about to hit his face, and the sandworm was about to clip him in half from below¡­ tentacles emerged from Liam''s cloak!


    They shot out to the building behind him, wrapping around its peak, then pulling him towards it.


    WHOOSH!


    The punch shot past, missing him by an inch, causing his hair and cloak to flutter.


    Merisa furrowed her brows.


    What was this thing?!


    But there were no breaks in battle.


    Just as Liam fixed his footing, the sandworm ravaged the building he stood upon.


    It was like a shark, waiting for a chance to pull Liam into its waters.


    Liam twirled around and pointed his finger to another structure, creating a Sanguine String to pull on.


    WHROOSH!


    Just as he did, a cluster of mes surged out of the wyvern''s mouth, forcing him to change directions midair


    But in front, the fish was already mid swing, the giant fist taking up most of Liam''s vision.


    Below, the sandworm burst from the ground with an open maw, like a whale attempting to swallow a bird.


    The inside of its circr mouth was like a death trap. Spikes of teeth everywhere.


    Above, the wyvern was making a beeline towards his head, like a falcon diving into the sea to seize a fish, jaw open.


    At the same time, ethereal Abominations emerged from the three Zeniths'' minds, intent on shattering Liam''s mental sphere.


    Time slowed.


    Arge chunk of mental energy seeped through the cut on Liam''s golden barrier.


    Mind Edge!


    Liam''s eyes constricted to a hair''s breadth.


    Sounds grew muffled, distant.


    The world appeared crystal clear to Liam''s eye, despite there being nothing but chaos surrounding him.


    Red sparks surged around Liam''s hand and swirled to form arge sphere of Chaos.


    Anotherrge chunk of his mental energypressed to a series of little wafer-thin arcs, each aiming at the ethereal Abominations.


    Five Abyssal Needles left Liam''s ring and aimed upwards, activating instantly on Liam''smand.


    Corruption gathered on Liam''s Dusk des and prepared for the giant fist to make contact.


    Time resumed.

 Chapter 389 Cold

    <h4>Chapter 389 Cold</h4>


    It happened all at once.


    Liam shot the giant ball of Chaos downward.


    SHHHHH!


    It shrieked as it entered the depths of the sandworm''s circr mouth, lighting it as it fell all the way down.


    The Abyssal Needles were much, much faster. It had to be, after Liam made dozens of improvements to it.


    They hissed upwards through the air like streaks of umbral light, two of them slipping deep into the wyvern''s mouth, while the other three aimed at its body.


    Then came the carp''s turn.


    Tendrils emerged from Liam''s back and curled around the punch, propelling Liam forward with all four des in hand, ripping through flesh and carving a nasty trail of grime.


    Liam''s Corruption had unique properties, in the sense that he had to constantly maintain contact with it.


    He couldn''t shoot it like Chaos or manipte it in special ways like darkness, but the least he could do was stretch and extend it.


    It worked like a charm.


    The gue-like substance spread like tree roots into the rotting muscles, rendering it useless and unheble.


    Then, the Chaos inside the sandworm''s maw exploded with a stifled but loud boom, causing it to jolt, then spasm and convulse back into the ground.


    At the same time, the Abyssal Needles imploded and filled the Wyvern''s body with condensed dark smoke and noxious fumes.


    Due to that, its flight trajectory deviated, missing Liam by a few meters as it used its mes to clear away the noxious gas.


    Simultaneously, the arcs of mental energy that Liam had conjured shot out in precise lines, cleaving apart the ethereal Abominations.


    All of it happened in the span of four seconds, and all at the same time.


    Like a stone skipping across ake, Liam sprinted across the fish''s rotten arm, slicing and dicing out entire chunks.


    BOOM!


    His ripping and tearing came to an abrupt stop when the carp''s remaining arm shot at him from the side, sending him flying as he blocked with all four swords.


    WHOOSH!


    Crashing against a building, Liam groaned and used a Sanguine String and his tentacles to redirect himself to safety.


    Looking at the three Zeniths'' expressions, they were clearly in shock.


    After all, that happened too fast!


    Even a Zenith wouldn''t survive in such a difficult situation.


    Liam was backed into a corner from literally all sides!


    The sandworm, the carp, the wyvern, the mental Abominations¡­


    And yet, in a sure-death situation, he survived.


    What the three didn''t get was that this was a one-time ability.


    Using Mind Edge again was dangerous.


    Liam''s mental energy was at 65%.


    Using Mind Edge took at least 30% away.


    If he used it again, his reflexes would not be as sharp, and the tides of battle would undoubtedly change.


    But it wasn''t over.


    All three, the fish, the wyvern, and the sandworm were still alive.


    The carp''s right arm was dead.


    The wyvern expelled most of the toxic fumes Liam had tainted it with, but most of its arms had been corroded off.


    The sandworm was beneath the ground, but Liam could tell it was much slowerpared to before.


    The injuries they sustained cut deep.


    The only thing Liam had sessfully killed were the mental Abominations, but they weren''t Rank 4.


    They were mere Rank 3''s used as a side attack.


    ''I need to get rid of the sandworm first.''


    It was the most dangerous of them all.


    Followed by the wyvern and the carp.


    Every second they weren''t engaging in battle, Liam''s blood pumped out fresh ichor, and his wounds closed up.


    Their eyes narrowed as they saw Liam''s inhuman regeneration.


    They couldn''t let it continue!


    This time, the carp and the wyvern made a straight beeline towards Liam.


    The sandworm chased from beneath.


    A direct charge!


    Liam braced himself.


    Darkness veiled him momentarily, then formed three different clones, each identical to him.


    Merisa, Jayne and Erika simultaneously grimaced.


    They didn''t know which one was Liam!


    To their blind eyes, they all looked the same!


    At once, all four versions of Liam split apart.


    But instead of running away, they charged straight ahead!


    Liam needed to end this fast.


    Due to the difference in numbers, ying cat and mouse would be helpful to the Imperialists, not him.


    Thanks to its long body, the wyvern rammed into two Liam''s at the same time, swallowing them.


    Clones.


    But upon a closer look, one could see a piece of corroded cloth holding together a brightly glowing red arm.


    BOOOOOM!


    A massive explosion shook the dome.


    The wyvern was down and out.


    But the carp remained!


    And there were two Liam''s left!


    A 50% chance ofnding on the real one!


    The carp chose one at random.


    It flitted through the air,nding on one and smashing it to bits and pieces with its bare fist.


    ¡­A clone!


    Liam appeared behind its back, sticking an entire hand through its dense scales and injecting it with Corruption.


    The ugly looking fish let out a gurgle, then spasmed and gently fell to the earth like a leaf from a tree.


    ¡­But unexpectedly, it came to life for a brief second,nded a punch straight to Liam''s face, cracking a few teeth and breaking a bone or two, before finally dying.


    Liam was caught off guard.


    Blood sprayed everywhere.


    His vision swam.


    Just then, the giant sandworm beneath Liam''s feet burst from the ground with unnatural speed.


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    But the giant, circr maw had enveloped him, swallowing him whole, then snapping shut, before re-entering the ground.


    Merisa heaved a long sigh, sweat trickling down her face.


    Erika and Jayne also looked exhausted.


    Controlling Abominations was no small thing.


    It severely strained the body and mind simultaneously.


    It was clear that neither of the three could continue for much longer.


    "Just what was that¡­ thing?" Erika asked, gasping for air. "I''ve never seen an¡ª"


    RUMBLE.


    A cold feeling appeared in the three Imperialists'' stomachs.


    Tremors ran across the ground.


    WHOOOM!


    A momentter, the massive sandworm burst out of the earth, its stomach spasming wildly.


    BOOM!


    With a sh of red energy, its insides exploded in a spray of blood and viscera.


    The three Imperialists were dumbstruck.


    Covered in blood and guts, missing one arm and several teeth, Liam emerged from the sandworm''s torso, a bright purple mass in his hands.


    A momentter, he flicked it forward.

 Chapter 390 Bloodbath

    <h4>Chapter 390 Bloodbath</h4>


    As the three Imperialists watched incredulously, the arc of void spread out in a thin but wide arc.


    WHOOM!


    It was Honed, splitting apart air, reality, and three Zeniths in one stroke, and disappearing just as fast.


    It was done.


    They were too dumbstruck to know what was happening before their eyes.


    Granted, they began flying once they realized the sheer danger that radiated from the purple mass.


    But it was toote.


    Their lower halves decided to part ways with the upper, slowly separating with a wet squelch.


    A momentter, the cut the Void had made needed to be restored.


    SSHHHHHHH!


    All three of them were smashed together briefly as the?deleted matter reformed.


    They fell down like little birds shot down from the sky, each one smashing into the ground, barely alive.


    Liamnded above the sandworm''s corpse, greedily gasping for air with his head to the sky, teeth broken, chipped and stained with several shades of blood.


    Boiling hot steam puffed out with each long breath, pumped through a set of burning lungs.


    His cloak was fully white, with the hood covering the top of his head.


    The Zenithsy at his feet.


    Brutalized and broken, limbs crushed and bodies dismembered.


    He stood above their bodies, dreadfully terrifying in his own right.


    Horrified, wide-eyed spectators were watching with jaws swung wide open.


    The battle wasn''t gentle or quiet at all.


    They were civilians and cultivators, watching their leaders and protective forces get beaten down by a four-armed animal.


    It was obvious this was an Abomination.


    The worst kind.


    Slowly, Liam''s breathing steadied.


    His gaze was still aimed at the sky.


    Laughter.


    Liam threw his head back andughed.


    Three Zeniths!


    He''d killed three Zeniths by himself!


    Who could boast of such an achievement?


    Not many.


    Maybe none at all.


    Sure, he''d sacrificed an arm, most of his teeth, some bones, eight fingers and more than 75% of his blood.


    ...So?


    He''d get it all back!


    For now, he reveled in this moment.


    This was a milestone in his journey, one he wouldn''t forget.


    A long silence.


    Slowly, his breathing returned to a calm rhythm.


    Enough reveling.


    Liam slowly lowered his gaze, noticing the thousands of horrified civilians still looking at him like some sort of escaped lion from a zoo.


    The cultivators among them didn''t look confident in the least.


    Their strongest died.


    What hope did they have?


    Still, that didn''t mean they''d ept getting killed without a fight.


    But their legs trembled and their confidence was nonexistent.


    Not to mention, with each minute that passed, Liam''s terrible wounds slowly closed up and healed!


    But even in this horribly weakened state, they didn''t attack.


    ''Still more to kill,'' Liam thought, spitting out a few loose teeth. ''I''m a mess.''


    Then, he quickly grabbed the upper half of Erika''s body, clutching her head above his mouth.


    KRSH!


    Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.


    A long stream of blood poured straight through Liam''s throat, invigorating him from within.


    Liam let out a satisfied sigh.


    ''That''s better.''


    ''I''ll have to interrogate Merisa, though. She''s still alive.''


    Liam nced back at the gawking crowd.


    "You can start running now," Liam said to them, heaving another sigh as he took slow steps towards them. "It ends the same, though."


    Silence.


    As the odachi hissed through the air, screams rang out.


    It was a bloodbath.


    ***


    Once, the toxic dome acted as a shield from the outside, protecting the colony from cruel and powerful Abominations.


    Now, it was a cage to stop anything from escaping.


    Anything.


    And soon enough, everything within the dome had been exterminated. No survivors whatsoever.


    Liam made a passable effort at cleaning the ce up.


    By now, he devoured most of the bodies in four or five bites, stuffing them down his stomach to regain his strength.


    Quite honestly, Liam had never pictured himself as a monster.


    But seeing a three-armed creature seizing an old woman and shoving her into his mouth was¡­ sort of terrifying.


    At the end of the massacre, he went back to Merisa.


    She wasying with her back to a fang building, her eyes drooping with exhaustion, her body limp.


    Liam used Transfiguration on Merisa''s body to stop her from passing out from blood loss.


    The lower half of her body was a crude stump, a padding of skin and flesh to stop her entrails from pouring out.


    Since Liam''s blood had arrived at the upper-tier, his Transfiguration had gotten much better at transforming things other than himself.


    Not enough to cause significant or rapid amounts of damage.


    Plus, it wasn''t good for battle.


    But for healing wounds and keeping people alive, it was a decent addition to have.


    When using Transfiguration on other people, Liam called it ''Disfiguration''.


    Merisa looked up at Liam with a weak gaze, who stared at her as though she was a bug.


    Quite frankly, Liam didn''t know if she would give him anything.


    Probably wouldn''t.


    But it didn''t matter!


    Liam had the King''s Eye, after all.


    Depending on his answer, her mental waves will falter and move.


    Once, reading a Zenith''s thoughts was extremely difficult.


    But now, thanks to how far he''de with the Psionic Rune, and how weakened Merisa was, her mind was much easier to snoop into.


    "Tell me about the closest, weakest colony from here," Liam said, careful not to ask too many questions back to back.


    That would change topics too fast, and her mind would be a mishmash of different thoughts.


    As soon as Liam asked that, a thought appeared in Merisa''s mental sphere.


    Liam hid a smile from his face. ''Further south. The Flea Demon colony.''


    In reality, her mouth moved to voice a vicious curse at him.


    "Who''s your superior?" Liam asked.


    Silence.


    A name appeared in Merisa''s thoughts.


    ''Nooran. Dangerous, from what she thinks about her,'' Liam thought pensively. ''Best avoid her for now.''


    Once more, Merisa cursed at him.


    "Know anything about the war?" Liam asked onest time. "Why it''s happening?"


    Silence.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed.


    Merisa didn''t know much.


    Nothing too detailed.


    The war was happening at the ''Line'', where the Empires''nds met.


    But this battle wasn''t over an argument.


    It was over?something

 Chapter 391 Touch of Anarchy

    <h4>Chapter 391 Touch of Anarchy</h4>


    Liam nodded to himself.


    ''These low ranking goons don''t know much.''


    Merisa wasn''t going to give anything more up.


    Suddenly, sheughed.


    "Good luck leaving this ce," Merisa said with a weak, mockingugh. "You''ve broken one of the Slime Tubes."


    Liam looked at her with dead eyes.


    "There''s three," she continued with a spiteful tone, speaking in between coughs and wheezes.


    "As soon as you break it again, those flying with the Cloud Leeches will notice how ravaged this ce is."


    "Then, they''ll hunt you like a Flesh Dog."


    Liam pursed his lips.


    "But there''s a third tube, is there not?" Liam said. "It''ll harden the dome once more, won''t it?"


    Merisaughed with a rasp. "Then you''ll be trapped here, genius."


    Liam smiled coldly.


    "No I won''t. You''ll share this graveyard with your people, though."


    The talk was over.


    Liam picked her up using three arms.


    CRACK!


    Then popped her skull like a grape over his mouth.


    Crunch. Crunch. Gulp. Crunch. Crunch.


    Even the bones weren''t spared, crushed to dust beneath his sturdy mrs.


    He just couldn''t be bothered separating meat and bone.


    ''Tastes better with a crunch anyways,'' Liam thought.


    ***


    After satisfying his hunger, with all the bodies he''d just killed, Liam decided it was a good time to contact Jax.


    The goal here was simple.


    Through treading in between weaker colonies, Liam and the Elders would create a path towards the Line.


    That way, the vampires and iing acolytes would have a much easier job at catching up with their work.


    Plus, they could spread out like a disease, getting rid of the colonies by dividing their forces.


    The Dual Empire wasn''t small.


    It was huge.


    Especially the so-called Mega Colony, which the Empress herself lived in.


    But obviously, they couldn''t hope to venture into thosends.


    That was for the allies and the powerhouses to do.


    Taking out the Jade, Liam imbued it with ''Ora'', then waited.


    Silence.


    ''A few teeth are already growing,'' Liam thought with a toothless smile.


    After four seconds, the Jade flickered on.


    "Are you safe?" Jax''s voice rang out from the other side. "I called you so many times! What happened?"


    Sorry, I was being ripped apart in a giant sandworm''s death-trap of a mouth, Liam thought, but what he said was:


    "Nothing, I''ve finished up with a colony. Have you put down the World Gate already?"


    Silence.


    Finishing up a colony?


    Behind the Jade, Jax''s eyes widened as much as they could.


    Liam wasn''t one to lie or boast, which made thatment even more surreal.


    But Jax didn''t say hispliments, limiting himself to a proud smile.


    There were more pressing matters.


    "We¡­ we''ve run into a bit of a problem," Jax said with a hesitant tone.


    Liam furrowed his brows. "What, exactly?"


    "You know how Alucard said the World Gate needed a ''stone'' surface?" Jax asked.


    "Yeah?" Liam said, furrowing his brows.


    "Well, it doesn''t work for anything other than stone. And there''s no stone inside any of these colonies except one."


    Silence.


    Liam scowled.


    That was true.


    Most of the structures and buildings were made out of a glimmering, obsidian-like material.


    But what kind of stupid rule was that?!


    What was the point of an ultra-powerful gate that connected two different countries together, if it had such a stupid weakness?


    Then again, everything had its kryptonite.


    "But why is that a problem?" Liam asked, referring to the colony. "Just enter together and wipe it out."


    Jax coughed awkwardly.


    "Not that simple. It''s the ''Trapped Reality'' colony. They''re basically illusionists of some sort."


    "We''re outside its vicinity, but it''s¡­ dangerous. Ian tried getting past the ck barrier¡­ and he''s been in aa ever since."


    Liam frowned.


    Ian was another Elder that came along.


    He was a shifty fellow, but kind-hearted and brave.


    Jax''s tone got heavy. "He¡­ he looks like he''s in a nightmare of some kind. Keeps twitching and convulsing in his sleep."


    "Have you tried¡­ waking him up?" Liam asked, knowing it wasn''t the most sensitive thing to say.


    Jax sighed heavily. "We have. He''s not waking up. Something''s inside his mental sphere, and we can''t take it out."


    Liam clicked his tongue.


    Indeed, that sounded difficult.


    Each colony was different from one another.


    Essentially, they all had different ways to manifest their fear.


    This colony in particr had a mix of everything, but was physical and spell-based in nature.


    The Flea Demon colony fought with¡­ well, fleas.


    At least, Liam thought they did. He hadn''t been there himself, of course.


    It was obvious what a colony with the name ''Trapped Reality'' did.


    And it was a bit terrifying to know it could affect Zeniths like that.


    There was a pregnant pause.


    "By any chance, do you have the colony leader''s name?"


    "Uh¡­ one of them said¡­ what was it again?"


    Elder Jane''s distant voice came from the background. "Nooran."


    "Oh, right," Jax said. "Nooran."


    Liam clicked his tongue.


    ''Merisa''s superior. Who she also feared,'' Liam thought. ''My luck is amazing, as always.''


    "I''ll make my way there. Maybe I can figure something out. Tell me your coordinates," Liam said firmly.


    Jax described thendmarks and different colonies they went through before finding the Trapped Reality colony.


    "Until then."


    "Stay safe."


    The Jade flickered off.


    Liam heaved a long sigh.


    By then, his wounds had healed, and his arm was back.


    That fast!


    But there was a simple reason.


    It was because of the sheer amount of people he''d eaten, giving him the blood required to reform most of his muscles.


    Liam made his way towards the original building with the Slime Tubes.


    Then, he located the two rooms.


    For the first, he simply bashed it with a fist.


    KRSH!


    It exploded with viscous liquids.


    Then, Liam made his way towards the third tube of slime.


    Instead of breaking it, Liamid his palm on its surface.


    Chaos gathered on his finger.


    But it didn''t explode.


    It was tame.


    Liam touched its surface with the Chaos covered finger, then pulled back.


    The Chaos remained.


    This was Liam''s Rank 3 spell.


    Touch of Anarchy.

 Chapter 392 Fleas

    <h4>Chapter 392 Fleas</h4>


    Touch of Anarchy was the Rank 3 spell Liam had made.


    The spell was something Liam was honestly proud of.


    It momentarily subdued the vtile nature of his Chaos, allowing him to ''nt'' it on any surface he wanted.


    It didn''t make Chaos stronger in a sense. It just gave Liam more control over it.


    It was made through thebination of Controlled Chaos and Focused Havoc.


    Even though Liam made it a while back, he hadn''t used it too many times.


    In fact, the only time he did, was when he was inside the sandworm''s giant mouth.


    The reason?


    Because it only worked in some situations, and the spell actually used more Chaos than normal, despite not increasing its strength in any way.


    Liam used just a finger-sized amount of Chaos at the base of the Tube, which stuck to it like gum.


    It crackled quietly, itching to explode, but Liam didn''t allow it to.


    As soon as it left his finger, Liam bolted towards the toxic slime barrier.


    He turned into a streak, webbing himself across the buildings using his Sanguine Strings.


    In two and a half minutes, he made his way to the toxic slime barrier.


    Liam groaned.


    Then, empowering his body, he''d burst through from the wall of slime.


    It took thirty seconds from him to wriggle himself out, gobs of flesh melting from his form.


    But by the end of it, he grinned, ncing back at the building with the Slime Tube inside.


    Liam snapped his fingers.


    BOOOM!


    A loud boom echoed from the Slime Tube building, sending bits and pieces of obsidian rubble flying everywhere.


    A momentter, the toxic barrier crystalized once more, turning translucent and foggy.


    Liam smiled.


    The gesture he chose for the activation of the spell was a finger snap.


    Why?


    Because it looked good.


    With that, Liam bolted towards the coordinates Jax had given him.


    They weren''t too far away, and there wasn''t any particr time limit Liam had to abide by.


    ''I''ll stop by the Flea Demon colony first,'' Liam thought with a slight smile.


    Killing three Zeniths at the same time gave him higher goals.


    But it wasn''t like Liam had much of a choice.


    There were colonies he had to go through in the first ce.


    A few days of travel passed.


    Liam continued on the incline downwards, heading deeper and deeper in.


    If there wasn''t that pesky darkness hindering his vision, Liam would have spotted wherever the Empress lived by now, and all the other colonies.


    But unless he got close, he couldn''t see much.


    Liam passed by several colonies that he didn''t fight against.


    They were off course, and some were heavily poptedpared to the others.


    As he continued swimming beneath the shadows, Liam studied the state of his body.


    Eating so many people at once gave him a boost in all centers of power.


    Mainly his body and core.


    ''I''ll reach the upper tier of Rank 4 soon. And the solid stage of Rank 3, too.''


    But, most important of all, was Liam''s sea of consciousness.


    Liam had be a Rank 3 Magus when he was 17 and a half years old.


    And now, he was 22!


    5 years!


    He''d been a Rank 3 Magus for quite some time now.


    ''I feel like I''m close.''


    ''If I dedicate some time to it, maybe I can push past the third Rank.''


    But bing a Rank 4 Magus wasn''t easy, and the Self Tribtion that came with it was perhaps the hardest.


    ''Not here, though,'' Liam thought with a slight scowl.


    Taking the Self Tribtion made the cultivator go unconscious andpletely defenseless.


    Doing so behind enemy lines, especially in this ce, was a death sentence.


    ''Once this is over, then.''


    Eventually, Liam arrived at the Flea Demon colony, which was way smaller than he thought.


    Its barrier was¡­ well, made out of fleas, buzzing loudly and repelling any monster that thought ofing close.


    Fleas with fangs.


    Human-sized fleas.


    Fleas with bright sapphire eyes, mantis-like ''de arms'' and crude fangs protruding from their sides.


    SHING!


    Liam took out his swords and sank into the shadows.


    ''No shy stuff,'' Liam thought seriously. ''In and out.''


    ***


    In the once lively Flea Demon colony, there were Abomination and human corpses everywhere.


    In Liam''s hands was a Zenith''s ripped apart body, which he stuffed down his throat a momentter.


    Bite marks and fangs were still lodged in Liam''s back and arms.


    The colony was weaker than Liam thought.


    There were only three Zeniths there as a whole, and barely any civilians.


    Who would want to live in a city made of fleas?


    Not Liam.


    He killed off the two Zeniths silently, and their Abominations shortly after.


    Of course, Liam tried to interrogate the two, but they''d self imploded themselves.


    The third didn''t give anything up, either.


    Liam shook his head, then left after devouring everyone''s bodies.


    At least, what remained of them.


    A few more days of travel passed.


    Now, wherever Liam ran, there was a noticeable incline downwards.


    Not as much as walking down a hill, but a barely noticeable ramp.


    Finally, Liam finally spotted a massive, ck bubble, surrounded by a chain of obsidian mountains protruding with palisade spikes.


    The Trapped Reality colony.


    Liam hid himself beneath a small cavern, between some disgusting nts and flesh-like trees.


    He tried calling Jax or Verium, but more than three dozen shadowy puddles formed beneath his feet.


    "Finally," Verium said with a slight smirk, giving Liam a firm, fatherly squeeze on the shoulder. "Took you long enough."


    Jax gave him a smiling nod.


    Jane wanted to pull him into a tight hug, but the smell caused her to pull back and grimace a bit.


    "You stink!" Aki said loudly, a condensed stream of water appearing in your hands. "Care for a bath?"


    Judging by all the Elders'' sour faces, the smell was indeed putrid.


    Liam sighed. "Fine."


    SPLOOSH!


    The jet stream of cold water smacked away all his impurities, top to bottom.


    With the filth and grime off of him, the time for pleasantries was over.


    "Show me Ian."

 Chapter 393 Thin

    <h4>Chapter 393 Thin</h4>


    A female Elder appeared from the back with Ian in her arms.


    She had long orange hair andrge blue eyes, rimmed with dark circles and currently filled with sadness.


    Ian''s wife, Aore.


    Ian was still spasming and groaning in his sleep, unable to scream or open his eyes.


    Aore gently ced her husband down in front of Liam, then looked at him pleadingly.


    "Please¡­ save him," she muttered weakly.


    Liam didn''t respond.


    There was a high chance whatever Ian was infected with had already burrowed deep within his head.


    ''His mental waves are all messed up, tainted ck and blue¡­ and it''s getting worse.''


    "Why''d he go in without any protection of any kind?" Liam asked with furrowed brows.


    Silence.


    Most faces grew angry.


    Other faces grew a bit ashamed.


    One or two faces looked guilty.


    Verium was the first to speak.


    "Johan and Neri were ying a game of Dare or Dare with him. Ian lost. And these two dared him to go through the barrier alone, and without telling anyone."


    Liam sent a chilling re to the two Elders in question.


    Johan was a short, ck-haired, red-eyed, skinny fellow that seemed to have problems with authority.


    And Neri was his taller, more muscr brother of simr features.


    Both had achieved Zenith status recently, and were particrly proud of their newfound power.


    They already looked pretty beat up, judging by their swelling lips and bruised faces.


    It wasn''t enough.


    A lot rested on this mission. And ruling with kindness was not Liam''s way.


    "When this is done," Liam said darkly to the two. "you both owe me one hand each."


    Then, Liam nced at Ian''s sleeping body.


    "And so does he."


    Shocked, Aore wanted to protest, but Jane put a hand on her back, shaking her head.


    Liam had given them orders, and they''d pissed all over it, defying his authority.


    Johan and Nerin looked just as shocked and enraged, but they didn''t dare speak out loud.


    Not with so many res daring them to.


    Nevertheless, it wasn''t the time to throw around me.


    Truth be told, this entire situation was¡­ unnecessary.


    If it was up to Liam, he''d have Ian sent back to li and have someone else take care of him.


    But letting a n member die in front of everyone was not good.


    ''If they disobey a direct order after this, I''ll let them die.''


    Instead, Liam carefully assessed Ian''s mental sphere, attempting to identify whatever had dug into his consciousness.


    He held open Ian''s eyelid and used his King''s Eye to peer into his mental sphere.


    In reality, Liam could choose between essing their vision, versus just peering into their mental spheres.


    Currently, he didn''t want to risk being hit by whatever was hijacking Ian''s brain.


    As soon as the King''s Eye connected to Ian''s head, Liam saw just how dark and muddled the inside of his head was.


    It was clouded with ck mist, and the waters of Ian''s mind sea was murkier than a swamp.


    Liam pursed his lips and looked for the Abomination.


    ''Everything has a source,'' Liam thought with a focused face.


    His vision continued past the murky waters¡­ searching¡­ searching¡­


    There!


    A tiny little tick!


    Liam saw ittching onto Ian''s mind barrier, spreading dirty fumes throughout the waters and taking nibble-sized bites from the transparent barrier.


    ''It has to die,'' Liam thought. ''It''s killing him.''


    Mental energy gathered around Liam''s hand. A needle-sized length. Using Hone, he sharpened it.


    The Zeniths were watching with wide eyes.


    Aore wanted to stop whatever Liam was doing, but Jax sent her a soft re.


    Liam put the Honed sh near Ian''s head.


    "Hold him down," Liam said to Jax, Ryu and Verium. "Cover his mouth in case he screams."


    Aore had to look away.


    "Pills that reform the mental barrier?" Liam asked Jane.


    Jane nodded, taking out arge brown pill. "Just one. Thickens it."


    The three pinned them down together, and in one swift movement, Liam stuck the Honed sh into Ian''s mind!


    It went straight through and poked a hole through the man''s head, killing the tick instantly.


    Spasms spread across Ian''s figure, and a stifled cry echoed from his mouth.


    But Jane shoved the pill down Ian''s throat, forcing him to swallow.


    A momentter, he simply lost consciousness¡­


    Ryu, Verium and Jax slowly rose their feet, and Aore rushed to inspect her husband''s figure.


    He was alive.


    Tears welled in her eyes, and some of Ian''s closest friends heaved a relieved sigh.


    "Thank you¡­ thank you so much¡­" Aore muttered repeatedly at Liam, who looked unfazed by her gratitude.


    Saving a life was a funny contrast with how many he''d taken.


    Slowly, Ian''s eyes flickered open, groaning painfully.


    Aore helped him sit up.


    "Am I dead?" Ian asked as he looked around.


    A fewughs resounded within the group.


    "No. But you owe a hand," Liam said. Ian''s face fell.


    Before Ian could say anything, Liam cut him off.


    "What did you see in your dreams?"


    Ian winced, as though remembering a bitter memory. He nced at Aore.


    "My worst nightmare. Something dreadful, something I''d kill myself over if it happened in reality."


    "It felt¡­ it felt like I''d been stuck there for entire months," Ian said, holding his face.


    Liam furrowed his brows. "Did you keep track of time?" he asked.


    "Yeah."


    "How much time do you think passed?" Liam asked.


    Ian grimaced.


    "Three months and four days."


    This time, Liam grimaced. And so did everyone else.


    This meant one thing.


    ''Time spent inside the nightmare is way faster.''


    A time dtion of some kind.


    A grim realization, which made the Trapped Reality colony that much more dangerous.


    "You and him can stay behind," Liam ordered suddenly, before leaving the cave with all the figureheads of the Temple.


    Everyone''s gazes were fixed towards the dark barrier.


    "How do you suggest we go through?" Ryu said with a slight frown. "I don''t¡­ want to be stuck reliving my worst fears."


    "And what might that be?" Aki said with a curious face.


    Silence.


    "Bing thin again."

 Chapter 394 Suckers

    <h4>Chapter 394 Suckers</h4>


    Liam shook his head.


    "We can swim under," Jane suggested.


    "Orisa can create an Istion Barrier to keep it under wraps. The color is pretty much the same, so I doubt people''ll know the difference."


    Orisa nodded silently. She wasn''t the talkative type, preferring to follow orders gracefully.


    A pause.


    "Good enough," Liam said. "We''ll settle for that."


    As a group, everyone merged with the shadows.


    Then, they swam forward beneath the colony, gliding under like a pack of crocodiles.


    Thankfully, there wasn''t anything living beneath the barrier.


    The environment Liam no longer housed Abominations that swam beneath the ground. They could safely swim forward with no hindrance.


    Eventually, though, they''d entered through.


    Shifting his focus above, Liam could sense the shadowy silhouettes of each building, along with the crowds of people that passed through them.


    So full of life.


    The buildings themselves were shaped after various insects.


    Ticks, cockroaches, bedbugs, silverfish.


    A nightmare for anyone who squirmed at the sight of them.


    At the same time, the colony was much bigger than normal.


    Roughly 6 times the size of the first colony Liam took down, and 9 times bigger than the Flea Demon colony.


    The paths between them were much more spacious, hence giving the group better ways to spread apart and take them out piece by piece.


    The number of Zeniths was also much higher.


    Much, much higher.


    32, exactly.


    And they were all well connected to each other with the usage of a particr insect.


    The horsefly.


    Horseflies were incredibly fast.


    On earth, they could average speeds of 144 kilometers per hour!


    Except, this was an Abomination.


    They were barely the size of a fist, but they were literally covered with wings. All kinds of them, small and big.


    They resembled little bullets shooting from across the sky, leaving no trail of their flight except a gust of fast wind.


    In the center of this ce, Liam noticed a giant, stone-made building.


    It was the statue of a... well, a tick, antennae to the sky, arms spread wide. It was massive, nearly 12 stories tall.


    The back of the tick ¡ª its shield ¡ª was crawling with all sorts of insects and critters.


    ''Not as charming as it looks. What''s with these people and their architecture?'' Liam thought with a bit of disgust.


    "We''ll spread," Liam said to the group. "Since I can see the fear ticks, I''ll go to Nooran''s building. Ryu, Orisa, Verium and Jax,e with me."


    "Don''t do anything until the barrier is up."


    They firmly exchanged nods.


    At once, the three dozen-some Zeniths scattered like marbles in all directions, each heading to a different sector of the colony.


    Liam giving orders was no longer strange.


    His authority was not questioned.


    Not even as hemanded more than thirty Zeniths at once.


    As Liam''s group approached the tick building, they couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease and dread.


    As though all kinds of bugs and critters crawled up and down their spines, through their bodies, out their ears, up their nose.


    Out of everyone, Orisa had a disgusted, nauseous look. Everyone else looked rtively unbothered, though.


    Quietly, they glided across the tick''srge, circr shield.


    Liam heard the chirps, crickets and clicks of all the insects mixing together in a morbid cacophony.


    Liam could sense where Nooran was. The massive tick''s eyes were actually hollow, circr rooms of some kind.


    ''The right one is empty,'' Liam thought. ''She''s on the left.''


    Ryu, Verium and Jax followed Liam as he swam over the circr orb.


    On the other hand, Orisa climbed the antennae at the top of the tick''s head, preparing her Istion Barrier.


    They waited patiently as Orisa made a series of gestures in the air.


    Silence.


    Two minutes passed.


    With shadows in her palms, Orisa sped her hands together.


    Then, she separated them.


    WHOOM!


    The more she spread her hands, the more it revealed a circr bubble.


    An Istion Barrier.


    Usan had given tips and important lessons to all the Elders of the Temple, and Orisa''s specialization was Formations.


    And now, calling her an expert wasn''t too far off.


    As soon as the bubble left her hands, it spread outward like a silent, harmless shockwave, up until it covered the colony barrier like a secondyer.


    Smiles spread across the group''s faces, while confusion and a ramping vignce spread across the Imperialists.


    It wasn''t Liam''s job to deal with those.


    Instead, as soon as the Istion Barrier was put up, he and all the others with him phased through Nooran''s room.


    Time slowed as they emerged.


    Liam saw Nooran standing over by the curved wall ¡ª which was see-through ¨C a ss filled with red liquid in her hands.


    She had long, braided white hair.


    Anky, thin frame that looked way too skinny to be considered normal.


    As soon as they burst from her ceiling, she snapped around and assessed her intruders.


    Then, something unexpected happened.


    She started screaming from the top of her lungs.


    In fear!


    Ryu and Jax easily pinned her down with physical strength alone, cracking her knees, while Liam prepared a sh of Honed mental energy in case she had any ideas.


    Verium had covered the ce in a water sphere, blocking out any noises.


    She still continued screaming!


    But no one on the outside could hear them.


    Liam felt something cold rise in his stomach.


    Something felt off.


    Why was she the one screaming?


    Wasn''t she Merisa''s superior?


    Merisa was pretty strong herself.


    Liam furrowed his brows deeply.


    He leaned forward towards the terrified woman, piercing her with his stare.


    Her screams came to a stop, but her shivering and whimpering didn''t.


    "I thought you said this Nooran woman was strong or something," Ryu said, still denying her movement. "I feel a bit¡­ bad."


    The woman gasped, then spoke frantically:


    "Wait! Wait! I''m not Nooran! I''m not Nooran! I''m just a cleaner!"


    Silence.


    A Zenith cleaner?


    Lies!


    The group grimaced.


    "Then who¡ª"


    The water sphere burst apart, and a tick thebined height of two humans exploded through the point of impact.


    It had beady ck eyes and long antennae twitching left and right on its head. A massive shield covered its back. It was huge.


    An Abomination.


    An intelligent Abomination, judging by how it shrieked out aprehensive sentence:


    "You chose the wrong tick to mess with, suckers!"


    Ticks gushed from its body like swarms of filthy mist, which swarmed the group.

 Chapter 395 Explosion

    <h4>Chapter 395 Explosion</h4>


    Liam had no clue what he was seeing.


    A talking Abomination!


    It was huge. Bigger, taller and meaner looking than Ryu.


    And it spoke to them!


    This wasn''t a normal creature by any means, and all of Liam''s guards were up.


    A small voice in the back of his head told him it was a Rank 5, but he couldn''t be sure.


    As soon as the swarms of ticks gushed through the Abomination''s body like mist, Liam''s response came instantly.


    Ryu, Verium and Jax were incredulous, but ready to act.


    Everyone converged to where Liam was.


    A shrieking, crackling noise resounded in Liam''s hand as Chaos surged from his body.


    BOOM!


    Liam threw his sphere of chaos towards the swarm of ticks and bugs, aiming close to the wall.


    The filthy mist of insects recoiled instantly, with a huge cluster of them dying on the spot.


    At the same time, the wall burst apart, creating an escape from the confined space.


    Fire surged and roared as it reached Jax''s hand, forming a zing spear.


    A stream of condensed water gathered at Verium''s feet, propelling him through the gate.


    Ryu raised a wed hand, and arge, earth-made w-like structure burst from the stone.


    Liam shot towards the opening he made, and his group followed closely while shooting attacks at the massive tick.


    WHOOOSH!


    The fall from a 12 story building wasn''t low at all.


    But not a while back, Liam had fallen from the clouds!


    This was nothing!


    ¡­And, well, Verium, Jax, Ryu, and Orisa could fly.


    They pulled him along as though he was some sort of bag, before they gentlynded on a patch of t ground.


    It looked to be some yground of sorts, made with harmless, ''cute'' Abominations.


    As theynded, they were all crushed and turned to mush.


    Now, the view was strange.


    The Tick Abomination looked at them from twelve stories above, his gaze strangely cold and human, and definitely pissed off.


    The entire colony had sprung into chaos.


    Explosions and deafening booms resounded from the north, east, west and south sides of the colony.


    The fire elementalists filled the colony with explosive colors.


    The wind elementalists sent gusts of sharp wind in all directions.


    The earth elementalists caused tremors to spread across the ground.


    The water elementalists drownedrger Abominations.


    And inscriptions were also being used.


    Mainly Abyssal Needles, since it was the Temple''s fan-favorite inscribed item. That, and Parasite Worms.


    Here and there, streams and floods were beginning to gush from individual battlefields.


    Buildings were being ravaged.


    Abominations produced the eeriest, most disgusting cries known to man.


    An array of colors filled the Istion Barrier, paired with gunshot-like sounds.


    And yet, none of that concerned the main group.


    The Tick still looked at the five as though they were the insect, not it.


    "That has to be the ugliest, most disgusting thing I''ve ever seen!" Ryu snarled, making a vomiting movement with his mouth.


    Nooran, the human-sized tick, chirped in loud intervals.


    Mockingughter, it seemed like, judging by the familiar rhythm.


    ''Never thought Abominations were capable of human speech,'' Liam thought. ''Is it a human?''


    ''No.''


    ''No, it''s not. I can sense only its body and earthly element.''


    Abominations had their own element.


    But as Liam found out, their entire being was a center of power.


    Elements weren''t restricted to cores.


    Liam''s Chaos Pearl was a perfect example of that.


    ''It has no mental energy, either.''


    ''So it''s definitely not human.''


    ''It''s just an intelligent Abomination.''


    Suddenly, the Tick jumped down.


    BOOM!


    And dramaticallynded on the ground, like some sort of morbid superhero.


    Then, it raised its head.


    It ''smiled''.


    FOOOOOOOO!


    Instantly, a cluster of disgusting bugs formed a massive, living hive around the tick, producing a loud droning sound.


    BBZZZZZZZZZZ!


    At the same time, the horseflies stopped shooting overboard.


    They stopped mid-air¡­ slowly turning towards Liam and his group.


    They resembled ck snowkes,?covering the sky.


    Liam let out a long groan of annoyance.


    This was so unfair!


    Meanwhile, the hive of insects created solid tendrils around the Abomination.


    Then, it shot forward!


    Jax didn''t wait for it to continue, spreading his arms and forming ming spears that streaked the air.


    WROOSH!


    Orisa was charging a wind attack of some kind, pulling back her hands as though she was cocking an invisible bow.


    FFFFFF!


    Loud popping sounds echoed from Ryu''s muscr body, but instead of growing bigger, his muscles simply grew stronger.


    Verium began charging the Rank 5 water spear spell he''d used against the Iron Giant.


    SHHHHHHH!


    Water converged in the sky.


    The two forces connected!


    An unreal shockwave spread from the point of impact, instantly obliterating a few buildings in the vicinity.


    Just as the series of spells connected with each other, the tendrils of bugs exploded too!


    ''Yeah,'' Liam thought with a grimace as he twirled through the air like a yo-yo. ''He''s definitely in the fifth Rank.''


    There were several indications of Liam''s assessment.


    Abominations usually had one area of speciality. They could only really do one thing.


    But not only could this thing talk like a human, it could also change the functionality of its attacks!


    But still, Liam wasn''t too worried.


    An Abomination was just one center of power.


    It was the equivalent of having a Rank 5 body, but a Rank 1 core and sea of consciousness.


    Someone like that could easily be defeated by even a Rank 3 cultivator!


    Liam wasn''t underestimating it, but he wasn''t overestimating it either.


    Liam firmed his body andnded on the surface of a flea-shaped building.


    BANG!


    Then, he pushed himself off, ricocheting like a bullet back to the Tick.


    Liam nced at the four Zeniths, and they nced back.


    An understanding formed between them.


    ''Make me a path!''


    SHHHHHHH!


    Liam''s Rank 2 spell, Chaotic World, crackled in his hand.


    50% of his Chaos was used instantly.


    Tendrils of the hive were about to wrap around him and crush his limbs, but the four Zeniths used their elements to create a tunnel for Liam to pass through.


    As soon as he reached the Abomination, Liam kicked the sphere of Chaos towards it.


    The Abomination''s hard face twisted as the hive converged in front of it.


    A protective wall of sorts against the¡ª


    BOOOOOM!


    Explosion.

 Chapter 396 King

    <h4>Chapter 396 King</h4>


    Darius woke up with a long, raspy groan.


    His head felt like it''d been stuffed down a vise.


    Like someone had taken a nail and screwed it in his brain, then twisted as much as they could.


    As soon as his gaze stabilized, a well decorated room met his squinted gaze.


    Bright walls. Clean. Unmarked and newly painted. His bed ¡ª an actual bed ¡ª was perfectly ironed, even as he awoke.


    Strange.


    Darius wracked his head, but his memories were hazy. Like he''d awoken from a long dream, except he had no recollection of what it was about.


    He sat up, lingering there for a bit, a pensive look on his ashen face.


    Something''s wrong.


    Darius squinted his eyes, trying to delve deeper into his head.


    What was he forgetting?


    What was he¡ª


    The door opened, and a woman with lustrous, auburn hair and bright almond eyes held the handle.


    "Morning, sweetie," she said with a slight smile. "Sleep well?"


    Silence.


    Darius looked at her with squinted eyes.


    This was his mother.


    This was... Eve?


    Eve.


    Something''s wrong.


    Darius scratched his head, silent, squinting his eyes at her.


    "What''s wrong?" Eve said, concerned now with the prolonged silence.


    She approached the bedside, putting a hand on Darius'' back. "Did you have a nightmare?"


    Silence.


    Darius frowned. "I... don''t know."


    Something was fogging his brain. Was it just a dream?


    It felt too realistic.


    "You''re worrying me," Eve said, even more concerned. "Me and your father have already made the table. Come eat. You''ll get better, okay?"


    Father?


    Right¡­


    He had a father.


    Did he?


    Yeah.


    Yeah, he definitely did.


    What kind of human didn''t have a father?


    Yes.


    He was human.


    And humans had both a mother and a father.


    Darius wordlessly nodded his head.


    Eve lingered for a few seconds, before reluctantly leaving him.


    Something''s wrong.


    The dream.


    It was wing at the back of his head.


    Like he was forgetting something.


    Something very important.


    Maybe dinner really would help.


    Darius got up.


    He was dressed in¡­ blue pajamas.


    Strange.


    Passing through a series of corridors, Darius made his way to the decorated living room.


    Strange.


    Since when had his house been this big?


    Eventually, he arrived at the living room.


    Opposite to a far side of a small, rectangr table covered with food, was a broad-shouldered, muscr man with a sharp jaw and short ck hair.


    To the right, was a modern kitchen, merged together with the living room. Eve was organizing tes.


    "There he is!" the man eximed, smiling broadly with a set of perfect teeth. "What''s with the glum look, big man?"


    Malcolm.


    This was Malcolm King?


    Was he always like that?


    "Darius had a nightmare. Bad one," Eve said from the kitchen. "But he''s better now, right?"


    "You''re okay, boyo," Ma said warmly. "Come sit."


    Eve sat on the chair beside Malcolm.


    Reluctantly, Darius sat opposite to both of them.


    Something''s wrong.


    ''This all feels off,'' Darius thought.


    But Darius obeyed.


    He sat at the table.


    Fresh eggs, made to look like a smiley face, with a side of vegetables were in front of him.


    Fork to the left, knife to the right.


    Darius gripped the fork and knife tightly.


    All the while, Malcolm and Eve looked at him with broad smiles and lines for eyes.


    Silence.


    ''The dream,'' Darius thought seriously. ''The dream.''


    ''What was it?''


    ''Think.''


    ''Think!''


    ''What was it?!''


    ''Dig through the fog!''


    Think!


    ...Think!


    Darius didn''t think.


    Liam acted!


    Gripping the knife, Liam snapped around and jammed it into his mother''s throat.


    Blood sprayed in a wide arc as Eve clutched her throat with wide eyes, falling to the floor with a disturbing gurgle.


    Malcolm shouted in horror, rushing at Darius to disarm him with wide arms.


    Instinct kicked in.


    Reversing the grip on his fork, he ducked under Malcolm''s hug and stuck the fork right under his jaw.


    A stream of warm ichor painted Liam''s face, dripping down his neck, down his pajamas.


    He weaved to the side and let his father''s body fall to the floor.


    Both parents¡­ dead.


    Liam was breathing heavily.


    Something in him snapped.


    For a split second, he remembered who he was, and he took action.


    A momentter, Liam stuck the knife into his own head, and as soon as he did¡ª


    WHOOM!


    As though the world blinked, Liam had transitioned from the nightmare back into reality in an instant.


    Time seemed incredibly slow for a moment.


    The battle filled his vision.


    He was flying through a tunnel made of wind, fire, water and earth, formed with Ryu, Verium, Jax and Orisa''s efforts.


    Everything poured back into his memories.


    Now, he knew what happened.


    He''d been stuck in a Trapped Reality!


    A tiny little tick was dirtying his mind and biting his barrier, which somehow went past his guard.


    In the instant that Liam opened his eyes, he used his mental energy to insta-kill the tick.


    Liam had just experienced his worst fear.


    What was his worst fear?


    Being normal.


    Being mundane.


    Being average.


    This world of dog eat dog, kill or be killed was tailor-made for people like him!


    Liam smiled.


    And an unreasonable feeling to murder something grew in his chest.


    And he knew exactly where to direct it.


    Mental energy filled the sh in Liam''s sea of consciousness.


    shes of Honed darkness gathered around him in wide arcs.


    The Breaker de surged with power, turning heavier by the second.


    The Dusk des roared, absorbing fire from the tunnel Liam was passing through.


    The ck de hissed and split the air with shes.


    On the other end of the tunnel was Nooran.


    Horseflies shot at Liam like bullets, but ricocheted off his cloak.


    A glimmer of dread formed in the tick''s beady eyes.


    A momentter, Liam reappeared behind him.


    SHIIIING!


    An ''X'' shaped cross formed on Nooran''s chest, gently splitting him into four different sections.


    The hive spasmed, jolted and shrieked all at once as it fell apart like sand.


    Nooran was still alive.


    But the hive was no longer under his control.

 Chapter 397 Egg

    <h4>Chapter 397 Egg</h4>


    For a split second, the battle came to a halt.


    The Imperialists just saw their leader get split apart.


    Nooran was the strongest of them!


    Granted, its strength was in its ability to control and manipte Abominations¡­ but still.


    Seeing it divided equally in four parts was¡­ incredibly disturbing.


    A moment of hesitation was all the Elders needed.


    Ten minutester, the Zeniths of the Trapped Reality colony were all defeated, but not killed.


    Liam walked up to Nooran and lifted it up.


    At least, what remained of it.


    It looked pretty pathetic.


    A steady stream of ck blood poured from where it was cleaved apart.


    It moaned weakly in pain.


    Liam didn''t want to kill it straight away.


    No¡­


    He needed to study this thing.


    After all, didn''t Liam have illusion powers himself?


    What if he was able to learn it on a deeper level?


    That would make his King''s Eye much, much more powerful!


    Though, in all honesty, Liam knew the tick wouldn''t give up its secrets.


    Nor could he sneakily pull it out of the Abomination''s head.


    All he could do was study it.


    Liam put a palm on the tick''s armored chest.


    Then, he attempted to use Disfiguration.


    Amazingly, it actually worked!


    Well, why wouldn''t it?


    Ticks were bloodsuckers, after all!


    KRSH!


    KRK!


    CREK!


    The wounds closed.


    The tick''s exoskeleton slowly curved topensate for theck of body, and its legs and arms merged with its torso.


    The tick took an oval shape.


    Now, it resembled an egg of sorts!


    A name appeared in Liam''s head.


    Dumpty.


    Dumpty coughed a mouthful of blood, which Liam quickly sidestepped.


    The Elders watched with widened eyes.


    They''d never seen such an ability to transform things!


    Liam had never shown that ability before.


    "Someone bind this thing in some chains," Liam called out, before moving towards the stone building.


    Jax whipped out a bundle of the Ravenous Leash chains, then ensnared it.


    An egg covered with chains.


    All in all, it looked quite funny.


    But the time for jokes was over.


    "Save the Zeniths and the rest for me," Liam said.


    After a short pause, the Elders nodded.


    The cannibalism aspect of Liam''s personality was well known to them by now.


    But at least he hadn''t eaten any of them.


    Thus, they had no real issues with him.


    Now, it was time to establish the World Gate.


    Jax took out the perfect stone b from his ring, cing it above a t chunk of stone and taking ten steps back.


    A short silence ensued as Liam took out what looked like a ck Jade.


    It was a Rank 4, one-time use inscribed item.


    In reality, Jades could not be used over such incredibly long distances, just like their Teleportation tform counterparts.


    However, this one was different, since it simply notified the person on the other side.


    Liam activated it.


    CRKSH!


    In a split second, it glowed incredibly bright, before fracturing apart!


    Another silence ensued.


    WHOOOM!


    Abruptly, the stone b unfolded like a masterfully made piece of engineering, building upon itself.


    This wasn''t the first time Liam had seen something like this.


    The inscribed box he''d received during his trip to the Korsan Lands was simr to it.


    But instead of providing a small base, this had a much, much moreplicated function.


    The World Gate spread in a wide arc, expanding in size until it became a circr gate 7 meters in diameter.


    DOM!


    The gate flickered with a crystalized light, and the structure seemed to have concluded its transformation.


    It looked like a vertical, sparkling, crystal pond, since the light hadn''t dissipated in the least.


    YING!


    A momentter, a figure emerged from it!


    It was the Minister of Magic!


    The young, wizard-looking vampire with the funny-looking hat and wooden staff.


    "Liam Royce?" the wizard asked, scratching his head with squinted eyes. "Is that you?"


    Liam nodded.


    "Used to have two arms," the Magical Minister said tiredly, his gaze sweeping the now ruined colony. "See you''ve begun already."


    The Minister always looked tired and weak, but Liam knew he was strong.


    ''Probably stronger than all the others,'' Liam thought.


    A momentter, the Minister snapped his fingers.


    WHISH!


    A wave of blue energy stemmed from his fingers and bolted towards the gate, causing it to flicker and brighten.


    Following that, more and more figures emerged from the gate, following two different lines.


    On one line, was the Minister of Torture, Security, Defense, and all the others.


    They wore regal, ck and red robes that seemed to contain the same red energy as Liam''s Redirection Cloak.


    They looked excited.


    On the other, the remaining Elders of the Temple, each weed and put up to date with the events that already took ce.


    They also looked excited.


    And finally, there was Kitsu, emerging from the gate with a loud, cat-like yawn.


    Having such a giant beast with them might look unintuitive to the untrained eye, but in reality, Kitsu''s illusionistic abilities were far betterpared to Liam''s.


    She could camouge entire battalions if need be.


    "See you have them chained up, heh," the Minister of Torture said. "You wouldn''t mind me taking one, would you?" he asked Liam.


    The Torturous Minister was referring to the chained Zeniths lined to the side.


    "I would," Liam responded firmly.


    The Torture Minister narrowed his crimson eyes, a dark glint reflected in them.


    "Plenty of flesh for you on the other side of this ce," Verium said catingly, noticing the tense atmosphere.


    Everyone else seemed to have noticed it too.


    The Torture Minister was nkly looking at Liam, silent as night.


    And Liam looked back, utterly unfazed, daring the bloodsucker to deny his authority.


    Silence.


    The Torture Minister grinned, revealing a set of cruel-looking teeth.


    "I have a feeling you''dst a long, long time under my instruments," the Minister said quietly. "What a sight that''d be."


    Liam scoffed lightly, responding with a dismissive smirk.


    "Funny. I was gonna say the same," Liam said. "Except I don''t need to use instruments to cause pain."

 Chapter 398 Creep

    <h4>Chapter 398 Creep</h4>


    The Minister of Torture winced at thement, but before he could response, the burly Defense Minister held his shoulder, denying his chance to retort.


    A momentter, the two headed towards the rest of the group.


    "Ah," the Minister of Magic said, sighing tiredly.


    "He''s¡­ a bit of a creep. Forgive him, yes? Please don''tin to the Pashah. Makes my life harder, you know? I don''t want to deal with it."


    Liam scoffed, but he let his silence answer.


    He wasn''t one to snitch.


    Nor did he really care.


    Eventually, the Trapped Reality colony was brimming with life again, housing a humble 18,000 cultivators from the Temple, but just 12 Ministers from the vampires.


    When all introductions and briefings were done with, the two groups were ready to part ways.


    "We''ll be going, now," the Minister of Magic said, with the Security and Defense Minister to his side.


    "Blood Fang and Blood w are with the Pashah, and they''ll join us at the final battle."


    Liam nodded.


    He found it strange how the two strongest cultivators below Alucard himself didn''te.


    Blood Fang and Blood w still had this unnerving aura to them, burned into Liam''s memory.


    ''...And for some reason, I can''t even remember what they look like.''


    And he really couldn''t, he realized.


    Liam inwardly grimaced.


    No matter how much he wracked his brain, he couldn''t remember who sat on the chairs beside Alucard.


    Not even how tall they were, how they looked, or what clothes they wore.


    There was definitely nothing wrong with his memory.


    How could he remember Alucard, Usan, all the other Ministers, and Kitsu perfectly?


    Plus, a Rank 3 Magus had photographic memory, and even scents weren''t forgotten.


    Forgetting something didn''t happen, not even deliberately.


    No¡­ whatever it was, it was something magical.


    And it was terrifying.


    Hiding one''s abilities, appearance, and presence was rare¡­ but possible.


    Case in point: Liam himself.


    But hiding their literal existence?


    That was just¡­


    ''...I shouldn''t get ahead of myself. I remember their aura, at least. They can''t erase themselvespletely.''


    Nevertheless, Liam shook himself out of those thoughts and focused on the matter at hand.


    "Alright then," The Magic Minister said, adjusting his hat. "I bid you good luck."


    The Minister of Magic outstretched his staff and pointed it at the ground, upon which a spark of bright blue light touched it.


    WHOM!


    ¡­Upon which a perfect, incredibly long circr tunnel fit for their numbers opened up.


    Liam saw how it even barred other Abominations froming through.


    The tunnel walls crackled with that sapphire energy, insta-killing anything that got close, or that had lived in the ground already.


    Even Rank 4 Abominations¡­


    Wordlessly, the Ministers gathered at the tunnel and entered it.


    Right before he entered the tunnel, the Torture Minister threw a dark nce at Liam.


    Liam responded with a smile.


    The Magic Minister gave Liam a nod, before entering the tunnel himself.


    A momentter, the tunnel closed upon itself, like an earthly wound healing itself.


    They were gone.


    ***


    Liam lingered in the Trapped Reality colony for a while.


    He had a few things on his te¡­


    Quite literally.


    ¡­and learning more about the Trapped Reality''s special illusionistic powers would benefit the King''s Eye greatly.


    The vampires had already ventured out and were making a beeline towards the Empire of Courage.


    Day by day, Liam realized just howplex the vampires really were.


    Who knew the extent of their powers?


    ¡­Who knew how much they were really hiding?


    ''A concern forter,'' Liam thought to himself. ''There''s no need to think of toppling such an ancient, aged powerhouse.''


    As of now.


    There were much more pressing matters at hand, and the Dual Empire was a much easier target.


    Until then, Liam looked back at his dainty little friend.


    Dumpty.


    They were in the remains of the tick building, in its eye. At least, what remained of it.


    Everything had been ravaged to an unrecognizable degree.


    Meanwhile, the creature looked at Liam with a palpable amount of hatred in its eyes.


    From a glorious shield on his back, to an angr, hardened chitin covering the rest of its body like armor, paired with dozens of powerful arms he could use to crush stone into rubble.


    ¡­To an egg!


    It couldn''t even move itself!


    It simply rolled wherever Liam pushed it, and the humiliation was unbearable.


    Liam had restricted all of its organs by rewiring its insides, basically plugging wires into wrong sockets.


    Higher ranked Abominations actually housed much more easy-to-understand anatomies, since their functions were clear cut.


    On the other hand, the insides of a low ranking Abomination looked like a hectic mix of flesh, veins and viscera, thrown together to form whatever monstrous creature it could.


    Liam yanked out one of Dumpty''s ticks from its insides.


    The insects were produced from a special pair of nds located right beneath its stomach.


    An hour-long study session, with Dumpty cursing him to his nine generations, Liam managed to figure out how the fingertip-sized tick worked.


    When ittched onto the mental sphere barrier, it didn''t actually eat through it.


    Well, it did¡­


    But at such a slow pace, even if several years passed, it wouldn''t be able to kill or maim someone through that method.


    Mental barriers were able to regenerate, after all.


    It wasn''t too rare to have a few chips here and there after a battle, but they''d be gone after some time.


    Instead, the tick ''sucked'' onto the mind barrier, like a mosquito.


    Then, it sifted through the data provided to it by the iridescent ''scales'' of the mind.


    Then, it produced a poison-like substance from its behind, which contained what the individual considered to be their greatest fear.


    ''Its ability to identify which scales pertain to fear is actually amazing,'' Liam thought to himself, genuinely surprised.


    This brought him a little closer to his goal of permanent mental enhancements.


    But unfortunately¡­


    ''I won''t be able to do anything with this until my mental faculties get better.''


    ''As it is now, I can''t ess a person''s memories by studying their mind scales.''


    ''Maybe that''ll change¡­''

 Chapter 399 Spore Birds

    <h4>Chapter 399 Spore Birds</h4>


    3 weeks passed.


    Soon enough, Liam was done with eating the Rank 4 Zeniths of the Trapped Reality colony.


    All three dozen of them.


    Minus Dumpty, of course.


    The tick had to live.


    It''d also been interrogated, but gave up nothing.


    Even after suffering several doses of Corruption.


    Perhaps the fear of someone... or something, was far greater than whatever pain Liam put it through.


    Or maybe an Abomination or Binding Oath stopped him from discussing any details.


    Still, Liam kept it alive, since it was the only source of those Reality Ticks he studied.


    In a way, this invasion helped Liam out big time.


    Eating so many bodies back to back gave him a small boost in basically everything.


    Sea of consciousness.


    Blood.


    Chaos Pearl.


    Body.


    Core.


    But it still didn''t grant him an advancement in any of them.


    Not yet.


    Most of the weaker cultivators were basically snacks for him¡­


    With enough power to battle three Zeniths at the same time and win, it was a favor to the world that Liam''s progress was sluggishly slow.


    Otherwise, with the rate he trained with, and his peculiar method of simply devouring stronger beings to gain power, he would have far outgrown his peers.


    To an extent, he already had.


    But the Opposition would be failing miserably if Liam had be a Zenith at such a young age.


    ''It''s about time we moved.''


    Pretty soon, though, it was time to leave the Trapped Reality colony.


    Everything was pretty much in order.


    The acolytes were prepared, hungry for war and battle.


    All they waited for was Liam, but they didn''t have the courage to tell him to hurry up, nor were they allowed to.


    Liam was the authority.


    ¡­And, well, the threat Liam made of cutting off Neri, Johan and Ian''s hands echoed throughout the eighteen thousand.


    Yeah¡­


    They''d rather just give him time.


    Liam''s main concern was the Mega Colony, and higher ranking Abominations that could hinder their path.


    Though, all roads eventually led to there, one way or the other.


    Smack dab in the middle of the war between the two Empires.


    The Line.


    Right now, Liam was somewhere around the edges of the Empire of Fear.


    Around the curve where the baguette-shapednds were still moving upward.


    The deeper they went down, the longer, more difficult the fights would get.


    Navigating the raw, cursednds was also extremely difficult.


    ''If this stupid ck mist wasn''t there, the Empress''ir would probably be visible from here.''


    ''But it''s not.''


    ''We''ll take out at least a dozen colonies before we get to that point.''


    ''A few months will pass.''


    ''But by then, we''d have done enough damage.''


    ''There''s a limit to how much we could really do without being captured.''


    Imagining the grand battle that would ravage thesends, Liam''s lips curled slightly to form a subconscious smile.


    ''I wonder how many bodies I''ll be able to rake in,'' Liam thought, smiling. ''As long as that eye-twitching leech doesn''t touch any of them.''


    ***


    Liammanded the 18,000 battalion to leave the colony.


    Everyone was huddled together in a circr formation, with Kitsu in the middle, and Liam perched atop its head.


    On Kitsu''s forehead, was an amplifying device for its mental waves.


    It looked like a series of small andrge satellite dishes, which helped quintuple and spread the fox''s range for illusions.


    Though¡­ Kitsu looked extremely pissed off.


    Why?


    Well, she didn''t want to put the helmet on.


    In her own words, she felt extremely stupid when wearing it.


    But it had no choice.


    However, as a result, the 18,000 acolytes, disciples and Elders blended in perfectly with the ugly environment.


    Kitsu''s mental waves acted like a perfect invisibility cloak.


    However, that didn''t mean that the group was safe from Abominations.


    They were still attacked now and again as they moved forward.


    However, with her illusions, the fox could block out sound!


    There were special properties to her mental waves.


    Kitsu''s entire bloodline was specialized in making illusions as realistic as possible, and depending on how muchplexity she added to them, they could even have consistency.


    And with that came sound maniption.


    It was highly unlikely Liam could obtain the same ability.


    But one could hope.


    The tight-knit formation continued until the Temple arrived at a massive colony.


    On Liam''s orders, they''d actually avoided most of the weaker ones.


    It wasn''t because they weren''t worth his time.


    In reality, the lower ranking colonies were tighter knit together as they went deeper and deeper into the darknds.


    They visited each other daily.


    If Liam chose to attack them, they''d have to get rid of several colonies at the same time, and that would thin out their forces.


    The thinner their forces, the greater the risk.


    However¡­ therger, major colonies didn''t have this problem.


    Since they were deeper down, only ''elites'' filled them.


    This obviously meant that the battle would be much harder.


    But it was worth it.


    This one was six times as big as the Trapped Reality colony, and six times as strong, too.


    The Spore Bird colony.


    Creatures that could make deadly fungus grow on a person''s body with insane speed, then make it explode.


    But there was a ring difference.


    Before, there were 3 dozen Zeniths and no acolytes.


    Now, there was 18,000!


    Granted, the massive colony housed a simr number.


    But they didn''t know they were being attacked.


    It was another massacre.


    They mowed down the colony like wheats to a scythe.


    It took a while, though.


    The Spore Birds were disgustingly fast, and their fungus abilities actually killed off a few acolytes.


    But bombs, fire and wind proved to be their weakness.


    Like this, Liam and the Temple cleared open a path.


    Day by day, they were getting closer to the Line.


    4 months passed!


    At one point, bringing down colonies required excessive nning and arduous preparation.


    But they''d brought down twelve!


    And several changes happened.


    But it wasn''t long before Liam had finally nced at the so-called Mega Colony.


    And it was massive.

 Chapter 400 True Fear

    <h4>Chapter 400 True Fear</h4>


    Liam was now 22 years old, plus 7 months.


    During the four months, he''d been incredibly busy.


    Nothing changed feature wise.


    He was still the same, four-armed, tentacle-back, w-having creature as always.


    But the first thing of note that happened was Liam''s advancement to the solid-stage.


    Quite frankly, the sheer number of bodies Liam had gulped down was disgusting.


    Not taste wise, of course.


    Taste wise, they were actually pretty delicious.


    Literal wise, he was getting just a tad bored with the rinse and repeat pattern of eating, digesting and eating again.


    Nevertheless, as soon as Liam became a solid stage cultivator, his core rumbled with power, then filled him with warm, euphoric energy.


    The darkness inside was significantly purer, including the natural ''Ora'' that now pulsed throughout his entire being.


    With power like this, Liam wondered how it was that he ever won against a Zenith.


    Or how he even killed one.


    Or how he even killed three... at the same time, too.


    But that was easily exinable.


    The versatility that Liam could express was far beyond the norm of any man-made standard.


    He literally had a tool for everything!


    Thus, it was slightly more believable when considering just how great Liam''s arsenal really was.


    ''With this, I''ll be able to make Rank 4 inscribed items regrly,'' Liam thought, smiling.


    Truth be told, in favor of his other aspects of work, Liam had put off most of his Primordial Forging projects.


    And his Blood Weaving, for that matter.


    He hadn''t made a new technique in a while due to time restraints and pressing matters.


    What he needed urgently was actually a Rank 5 body technique, since his progress was far slower without one.


    After all, he''d pretty much spent years in the same, middle-tier substage.


    It was the only thing he had in the Zenith ranks!


    Hence why the rest of his centers of power were holding him back.


    They were too far behind, while Liam''s body was too far ahead.


    But since his Triumvirate Body was so different, Liam simply couldn''t have Usan or anyone else make a Rank 5 method for him.


    He had to do it himself.


    But something told him that doesn''t really apply to the Triumvirate Body.


    It was no longer something that functioned like a normal human body.


    Plus, having six arms was a major change, and it would obviously affect his future techniques.


    ''If I can just utilize my devour-and-digest method, it''ll be much, much easier than making a Rank 5 body tempering technique.''


    On the other hand, Liam had been wanting to make a new sword.


    Just to strengthen his sword style, if anything.


    Being too dependent on his Chaos, Corruption and Void wasn''t wise, especially when considering how his reserves weren''t too vast.


    Nheless, Liam continued on the downward slope.


    Soon enough it became like hiking down a steep mountain.


    But finally, theyid their eyes on the Mega Colony.


    Well, they were still thousands and thousands of kilometers away.


    In fact, the only way Liam could see it was through the King''s Eye, and the others could see it through vision enhancing techniques or inscribed items.


    The Mega Colony was a grim metropolis.


    It had no barrier.


    Why would it?


    It filled the horizon with morbid, imposing, menacing structures that dominated the skies.


    Spires twisted towards the dark clouds like snakes, monolithic obelisks were studded to the ground, which gave off a suffocating aura to any who saw it, deformed, teeth-like buildings that spread in all directions.


    Abominations were everywhere.


    In the sky.


    Perched on top of the buildings like gargoyles.


    Slithering under the ground like snakes.


    But in the center of it all¡­


    Was one tower.


    It was insanely tall, and got thinner and thinner towards its peak.


    Even from the distance Liam was at, the thing stuck out like a needle from all the others.


    By Earthly standards, it would be about¡­ 213 stories tall!


    And when Liam''s gaze barely fell on the peak of the tower¡­


    His vision swam.


    The color drained from his sight, turning into swirly lines of ck and white hues, like white mist blown in darkness.


    A momentter, Liam began vomiting his guts out!


    At the same exact time, everyone else who had the misfortune of gazing at the peak of the needle suffered the same fate.


    They began puking until they no longer could, some even passing out unconscious with their bowels emptying.


    Still coughing, Liam forced his body to rx and stabilize.


    He used all the mental defenses he could, but the nauseating feeling was still there.


    It was like his soul was pierced by¡­ whatever that was.


    Noticing his state, Jane tried to give him a pill, but he held up a hand, ushering himself into a small tent they''d erected a few minutes prior.


    Closing himself off, he fell on the ground, clutching himself.


    Slowly, whatever had affected him was starting to wear off.


    ''It''s just a mental trick,'' Liam thought, heaving for air. ''Just fear.''


    ''It''s just fear¡­''


    ''Just fear!''


    ¡­Slowly, Liam realized that his legs were trembling uncontrobly.


    And his hands.


    And his entire body.


    From fear.


    It was then that Liam realized something else.


    The Trapped Reality Tick worked depending on what that person considered their greatest fear.


    But for someone who lived rtively peacefully, their nightmare would be far tamerpared to what a hardened veteran of war would experience.


    And Liam wasn''t afraid of almost everything.


    Magical beasts, Rank 5 cultivators, Abominations.


    He''d been faced with everything, and fear was like poison.


    The more one was injected with, the more their immunity.


    But now?


    Now¡­ he realized he was overestimating himself a little too much.


    The Empress of Fear made him vomit his guts out from thousands of kilometers away, and was probably unaware of doing so.


    Still¡­


    A quietugh rose in Liam''s chest, even as he shook and breathed heavily like he''d been stung by a viper.


    Would Liam back out now?


    ...No!


    When life gives you lemons, you squirt them in your eyes and relish the pain!


    Besides, that wasn''t his battle to fight.


    It was Alucard and Usan''s.


    In fact, Liam was not entering the Mega Colony.


    Not yet.


    He was going around it and heading for the Line.


    A few colonies were left.


    Just a few more.


    All Liam could do was do what he did best.


    Killing things and getting stronger.

 Chapter 401 Strain

    <h4>Chapter 401 Strain</h4>


    When Liam left his tent, a few strange looks were shot his way.


    They''d never seen Liam experience something like that.


    Heck, they didn''t even see him express a groan of pain most of the time.


    And now he puked out his stomach and shivered like a cat in the rain?


    And if that happened to Liam and the Zeniths of all people¡­ what about them?


    "Are you fine, my liege?" Jargon appeared beside Liam.


    Dark circles were under his hardened eyes. Staying in thesends was a strain on the mind and soul. It wore people down.


    Verium, Ryu, Jax and the likes were there too.


    "Fine," Liam responded tersely. "Must''ve been something I ate."


    Jargonughed at the joke.


    Liam''s head creaked to look at the needle again¡­ but he stopped himself.


    A momentter, amand spread throughout the thousands of acolytes.


    ''Don''t look up.''


    With how sinister and eerie the order was, and how their strongest shook uncontrobly, they simply decided to obey.


    ''Now¡­''


    ''How do I get these people past the Mega Colony?''


    ''There''s not even a way to curve around it.''


    ''We''re basically on the edges of it.''


    ''This ce is huge¡­ and the colonies surrounding it aren''t weak.''


    ''Even if we choose to attack them, there''s no way we won''t be caught, since there aren''t any barriers to hide us.''


    Liam''s dark gaze surveyed the horizon.


    ''Not to mention¡­''


    ''There''s thousands and thousands of Abominations.''


    ''Everywhere.''


    Somewhere in the distance, Liam spotted a colossal, muscr flesh giant casually climbing one of the obelisks.


    Then, it just sat there, hugging its knees, looking down at the city, keeping watch¡­ with no visible eyes on its figure.


    Rank 5.


    The sky wasn''t safe either.


    Each of the structures had some kind of monster that stood watch.


    One looked like a half-breed between a dog and a cat.


    A dog¡­ and a cat!


    Mixed!


    Oh, and it also had the wings of a dragonfly.


    Another Rank 5.


    Some things were better off not being seen.


    But Liam could see how it sniffed the air, and how its ears twitched when the faintest sounds entered it.


    It even swatted away some Abominations from the air, and Liam didn''t know the reason.


    These were just the few among the countless others creatures that were clearly specialized in control.


    Liam rubbed his face with a groan.


    Quite frankly, it wasn''t like he wasn''t worn down by the cycle of killing.


    It was tiring, and if Liam''s body wasn''t automatically reinvigorating itself, heavy traces of it would show.


    ''I''m stumped¡­''


    Liam looked at Kitsu¡­


    Then, he looked at the Zeniths¡­


    Then, he looked at the acolytes¡­


    Then, he looked back at the Mega Colony¡­


    Liam hummed to himself.


    ''The best solutions are the simplest.''


    For a few more days, the Temple got as close as they could to the Mega Colony, but avoided even the Rank 4 Abominations.


    They were still an insane distance away.


    But one could never be too safe.


    Especially with that Dog Cat¡­ thing.


    And finally, the group stopped their travels.


    They were in between two ck mountains.


    Ryu looked at Liam with a confused gaze.


    "Why''d we stop here?" Ryu asked.


    The other Elders listened and nodded.


    "You''ll see," Liam said.


    A momentter, Liam went to Kitsu.


    After giving her a massive bucket of krill, he told her what he had nned.


    Kitsu went wide-eyed.


    "That would never work," Kitsu said with a slightly annoyed, slightly angry tone. "We''ll get caught."


    "You never know," Liam responded tersely. "Just do it."


    Silence.


    Kitsu grumbled loudly.


    "Fine. Bad enough that I have to wear this stupid thing."


    A momentter, Liammanded all the acolytes to mount the Kitsune!


    From afar, it looked like the Kitsune was being consumed by a pack of ants.


    But¡­ weren''t there 18,000 acolytes?


    What about the rest?


    Well, they would hang off its legs.


    And since the Kitsune couldn''t fly, the Zeniths were going to hold it up from its underside.


    All the while, Kitsu would disguise herself as an Abomination.


    Soon enough, all the preparations wereplete.


    The Kitsune looked incredibly pissed off at the humans riding on top of it.


    Meanwhile, the acolytes were actually excited!


    After hearing about Liam''s n, they reckoned it was about time they got a break.


    And Liam did this on purpose.


    Having demoralized soldiers was not a good thing.


    Sun Tzu said so.


    ¡­Probably.


    The Zeniths positioned themselves under the Kitsune, their palms connected to its belly.


    A few momentster, the Human Ranked acolytes of the Temple were hanging off the Kitsune like vines.


    They clung to each other like human ropes.


    Liam looked at Kitsu.


    He was sitting right above her jaw.


    "You can start now," Liam said. "Make it as ugly as possible."


    Kitsu grumbled.


    A wave of powerful mental energy rippled across the fox''s figure.


    Instantly, Kitsu''s features changed.


    From shimmering, golden fur, it went to filthy, tentacle-like protrusions.


    From four lustrous tails, it went to having eighteen.


    From two golden eyes, it went to twelve.


    As soon as the changes took ce, Liammanded for lift off.


    The Zeniths below Kitsu slowly flew upwards, lifting it above ground!


    They went higher¡­


    ¡­and higher¡­


    ¡­and higher, until they were just a few meters away from the dark clouds.


    Liam had to choose between going through the Dog Cat''s path, or the Blind Giant''s.


    ''I''d rather choose the giant,'' Liam thought. ''At least it doesn''t have wings.''


    Then, the Kitsune spun its tails like a rotor!


    But in reality, the hidden Zeniths below its belly were the ones pushing it forward.


    The ''human ropes'' at the Kitsune''s bottom were also transformed into Abominations.


    Like so, they hovered through the air.


    They were going to fly over the Mega Colony!


    Other Abominations shared the sky with them.


    But the Kitsune in particr looked quite powerful.


    If one looked at it with a measuring gaze, they''d think it was a peak Rank 5 creature.


    Thus, the Abominations created a sort of path for the Kitsune to pass through.


    And soon enough, the Kitsune was flying over the Mega Colony.


    Liam didn''t have time to admire the city below.


    As they continued forward¡­


    The giant raised his head.


    It had no eyes.


    Just a nose, human-like mouth, and ears.


    It tracked the Kitsune through the air.


    Seconds felt like eternity.


    Liam''s heartbeat was going to ramp up.


    The giant just continued looking at them!


    Suddenly, it lowered its head to the streets again.


    Liam heaved a long, long sigh of relief.


    They were through!

 Chapter 402 Empire of Courage

    <h4>Chapter 402 Empire of Courage</h4>


    Flying over the Mega Colony was a surreal experience.


    In all honesty, it seemed as though they were birds gliding painfully close to the crocodiles under them.


    It looked as though a hand might reach out and seize them out of the air.


    It was unsettling.


    Not to mention, all around them, were other Abominations!


    Thousands!


    They were all heading to the same ce Liam and the Temple was.


    The Line.


    For war.


    Liam couldn''t fly above such a height, either.


    There were still Cloud Leeches above.


    The acolytes were quiet throughout the ride, but happy nheless.


    Their excitement had been turned to fear.


    Not the morbid kind of fear.


    The kind of fear that one experiences in a haunted house.


    An ''enjoyable fear''.


    Though, they still didn''t look up.


    In the first ce, Liam had flown the Kitsune past the furthest corners of the Mega Colony.


    The needle-like building was, in his estimation, 3,350 kilometers away.


    ''We''re safe.''


    ''For now.''


    Liam''s eyes constricted towards the horizon.


    The Mega Colony, judging by the maps given to Liam by Alucard, was roughly 9,000 meters in diameter!


    That was no little number.


    But the Line was much further out.


    The map Alucard gave them featured 3 lines on the baguette-shaped country.


    The first line was the Empire of Fear, and the Mega Colony.


    Past this particr line were thousands of little circles.


    These weren''t colonies.


    They were stations.


    For battle.


    Then, there was the second line.


    This was the main Line, where the war was taking ce.


    Then, past this Line, was thousands and thousands of little squares.


    These were also stations, but for the Empire of Courage.


    Then, past that, was the third line.


    And that was where the Empire of Courage was.


    More precisely, where the Emperor of Courage was.


    But even at such a height, Liam couldn''t see past the Mega Colony.


    There was a single veil of darkness further ahead.


    Below, Liam could see thousands and thousands of people making a beeline for the Line.


    They were mounted upon Abominations, and it almost looked as though they were migrating.


    ''Soldiers.''


    A few of them had glum looks on their faces.


    ''They probably had no choice but to participate in the war.''


    ''None of these people did.''


    They were being drafted!


    And the ride continued wordlessly.


    No one exchanged mental transmissions.


    It was dangerous.


    Who knew what kind of creatures could detect thoughts?


    It was better to be safe than sorry.


    Everyone had their smells masked by the Kitsune. But Abominations smelled horrendous. And now so did they.


    Right¡­


    Kitsu had ''scent maniption'' as well, as if her abilities weren''t already strong.


    As the days passed by, more and more Abominations filled the sky, creating a terrifying, multi-colored swarm.


    Now, there was zero chance Liam''s group would get caught in such an environment.


    They were one of many, and they weren''t even the strongest.


    Liam was sitting on Kitsu''s maw when a call came to him from the vampires on the other side.


    Liam answered.


    "We''ve arrived at the battle zones," the Minister of Magic said instantly. "The war here is much more controlled than I imagined."


    Liam paused.


    "You don''t have to exin it," Liam said. "I''ll see for myself."


    "Very well. Do make it quick. The smell here is atrocious," the Magic Minister responded. "Until then."


    The connection had cut.


    Liam sighed.


    ''They got there much faster than I imagined,'' he thought. ''If they don''t piss around, this''ll be over faster than I thought.''


    ***


    Finally, after two and a half weeks, they were going to pass through the dark veil!


    Right now, they couldn''t stop or fly around this thing, even if they wanted to.


    They had already moved past the first line, the Mega Colony, and below them, there were only hordes and hordes of Imperialists that flowed like living rivers.


    As far as he knew, the veil wasn''t anything dangerous.


    It acted like a one way.


    You could go in...


    But you couldn''t leave.


    That was why this veil was erected here in the first ce.


    To stop deserters or loose Abominations from re-entering the Mega Colony.


    ...And this veil formed a circle around the Line!


    What did this mean, exactly?


    If you entered, you couldn''t leave.


    Either you killed them, or they killed you.


    Either you won, or you lost.


    There was no in between!


    Slowly, the veil wasing closer and closer.


    Liam braced himself.


    The Elders braced themselves.


    The acolytes slightly pissed themselves.


    Kitsu lightly growled.


    The air whistled in Liam''s ears.


    A momentter, he burst into the veil without stopping.


    There was no physical impact, but it felt like there was.


    WHOOSH!


    Contrary to expectation, the ck veil followed alongside them for several minutes.


    Until finally¡­


    Liam was able to see the other side.


    He quickly realized how grand this Line thing really was.


    From the inside, the veil wasn''t actually ck. It was transparent.


    And Liam could see the Empire of Courage outside of it!


    If the Empire of Fear was a grim deatnd made for creeps and morbid individuals¡­


    The Empire of Courage was theplete opposite.


    It was¡­


    Majestic.


    It consisted of marble pirs, sturdy, milk-white walls, towering spires made with a master craftsman''s hand covering its skyline. It followed sapphire-blue and gold ents, which contrasted with the Empire of Fear''s crimson and obsidian-ck. It built atop itself, rising to the skies.


    At its foot was a colossal, stone statue of an armored man, his hands resting on the pommel of a silver longsword, the tip of which was lodged into the ground.


    It almost¡­ radiated emotion. Like hope, resolve, grit and undying determination.


    A beacon for humanity itself!


    Thends itself were lush, filled with vibrant wildlife and tame magical beasts.


    It looked amazing.


    And in the peak of such a magnificent looking ce¡­ there was one building in particr that looked like a javelin with a golden tip.


    It was definitely where the Courage Emperor lived.


    Liam couldn''t help but look at it.


    Instead of vomiting, Liam simply felt¡­ nothing.


    Nothing in particr.


    Liam creaked his head back and looked at the Empress of Fear''s tower¡­


    But there was also no feeling.


    The veil probably blocked it out.


    But that was the least of Liam''s worries.

 Chapter 403 Dagger

    <h4>Chapter 403 Dagger</h4>


    There were several things that caught Liam''s attention.


    Very strange things.


    Liam''s eyes slowly trailed along, brushing past the thousands of Battle Stations that syed across the Line, each differing in size and power.


    Firstly, on one side, there were the Fear Imperialists, with their disgusting, threatening, morbid Abominations.


    Most of their Battle Stations were basically hubs for other Imperialists and Abominations to heal themselves.


    Liam saw special Rank 4 monsters that were specialized in healing other Abominations.


    Cockroaches wearing nurse outfits, Liam thought, and donkeys wearing doctor outfits.


    Doctor Donkeys¡­


    Liam never thought he''d see something like that, but the world was indeed a strange ce.


    Liam half-expected to be bombarded with deafening booms and bangs as he entered the space.


    But to his surprise, there was no such thing.


    As of now, there was no battle!


    On the other side of the battlefield, were the Couragists, of the Empire of Courage.


    The Battle Stations they lived in were¡­ normal huts!


    They weren''t even inscribed!


    Liam spotted a few Courage Imperialists and studied their features.


    They radiated a warm but fiery aura.


    Their bodies were strong and well-built.


    Obviously, no two people looked the same.


    They wore heavy sets of armor on their bodies, the material of which seemed like crystalized marble.


    They also had gigantic, brass gauntlets on their arms!


    They were simr to Liam''s gauntlets.


    Regal, sturdy and ornate, but obviously not made with the same material.


    Some were just bare naked, wearing only their undergarments and gauntlets.


    There weren''t any magical beasts or creatures they relied on for battle, either, unlike the Fearists.


    A muscle-head''s dream, Liam thought.


    Though, the Line was shaped really weird. Uneven.


    It looked as though some of the territories belonging to the Fearists were seized by the Couragists.


    And some of the territories belonging to the Couragists were imed by the Fearists.


    And yet, they kept at least a hundred meters between each other.


    Then, there was the third thing.


    Past everything else, one thing in particr took the icing on the cake.


    Above the very center of the battlefield was a radiant, sun-like object that sent ring rays of light in all directions.


    It hovered in the center without any support.


    As though it really was a star.


    However, its shape was not circr.


    It was just eight inches in length, cylindrical in shape, with some parts of it thinner than others.


    It resembled¡­ a dagger?


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    Just then, a Rank 5 Imperialist flying atop of a vicious-looking vulture appeared in front of Liam, then raised a hand, signaling for them to stop.


    Kitsu stopped.


    Liam stopped.


    The Zeniths stopped.


    The Acolytes stopped.


    Was this it?!


    Were they caught?!


    Here?


    Now?!


    "To the right," she ordered with a war-hardened frown. "You''ll do well in the corners with your size."


    A short silence ensued as all the parties present tried to digest the words.


    Kitsu said nothing.


    She just stared at the Fearist in her Abomination form.


    [What am I supposed to say?!] Kitsu transmitted to Liam in a panic. [Tell me, quick!]


    Liam furrowed his brows.


    [Nothing. Be quiet.]


    Silence.


    The Rank 5 woman grimaced, then surprisingly let out a groan, which turned into a tired sigh.


    "Sorry," she said, genuinely apologetic.


    "Been doing this a long time. I keep forgetting to exin the basics to the newbies. No knowledge of this gets out of this ce. Not alive, at least."


    She sounded mncholic and slightly bitter.


    [Nod slightly,] Liam told Kitsu mentally.


    Kitsu nodded subtly.


    "We''re going through what''s called a break period," she exined in a memorized tone.


    The woman made a wide gesture at the ground below.


    "As you can see, we won''t fight those meat brains during this time."


    "However, this peace willst until morning."


    Another look at the sky made Liam realize it was night time.


    But the sun made it look like it was a sunny day.


    "Once that continues, we''re going to unpause our attacks and continue pushing forward."


    "See that little glowy thing?" she asked, pointing at the radiant ''star''.


    On Liam''s order, Kitsu slightly nodded again.


    "That''s your goal. If we take that down, we win the war¡­"


    "But if it was that simple¡­"


    The woman sighed.


    "There''s a Rank 6 Force Bubble stopping any outside forces from reaching it."


    Force Bubbles.


    They were basically like Istion Barriers, except invisible, and smaller.


    And made out of sheer force.


    A Rank 6 Force Bubble had to be broken by something with the force of a Rank 6 attack behind it.


    In short, it was incredibly powerful.


    "Unless we find a way to take it out, or until we beat these animals, we''re stuck here," the Zenith said.


    "You''re the new batch. Try tost longer than your predecessors."


    "You can go now," the Imperialist said, heading to intercept another group of neers. "Take the empty Battle Station in the corner."


    Kitsu said nothing and made her way towards the corners of the Battle Stations.


    It worked like a charm!


    They were fighting the enemy, for the enemy!


    With how Liam was positioned on top of Kitsu''s face, he looked like some sort of parasite.


    Thus, the Imperialist didn''t pay too much heed to him, even though a closer inspection would have definitely alerted her.


    Liam took another look at the Line.


    This entire battle was centered around that¡­ thing in the sky.


    That star.


    And Liam wasn''t stupid.


    Something to cause two powerhouses to fight over?


    Something like that had to be a priceless treasure.


    And Liam''s mind fell to one thing in particr.


    Minadyon''s Dagger.


    One of the five Worldly Artifacts!


    The cloak, the dagger, the staff, the ring, and the crown.


    And this had to be one of them!


    ''No wonder they''ve hidden this off so well,'' Liam thought. ''The General would wage war if he knew about it.''


    The Imperial Legion''s goal was finding these five Artifacts.


    Liam didn''t know if they already had a few.


    They probably did.


    Maybe¡­


    ''Maybe Alucard already knew about this,'' Liam thought with a deep frown.


    That would be problematic.


    ''Why wouldn''t he try and im the five artifacts himself?''


    Slowly, Liam nced at the dagger with a sinister gaze.


    A grin appeared on his face.


    ''I just have to beat him to the punch.''

 Chapter 404 Four Arms

    <h4>Chapter 404 Four Arms</h4>


    After they were let go by the Rank 5 Zenith, Kitsu flew over to the corner.


    ''The Battle Stations in the center are way smallerpared to those on the sides,'' Liam thought.


    It seemed as though the further they were from the starry object in the sky, the bigger their buildings were.


    There was a reason for that.


    ''The battles in the center are way stronger.''


    ''Rank 5 cultivators and their likes probably fight there.''


    ''The number of Rank 5 and Rank 4 cultivators is obviously less than Rank 3 cultivators.''


    Mortal Ranked cultivators couldn''t hope to survive in the same battle as a Zenith.


    A stray spell from a Zenith could easily wipe away a battalion of them.


    Thus, there had to be rules in ce to avoid that sort of oue.


    ''There''s only about¡­ thirteen of them.''


    Twenty-five Rank 5 cultivators.


    But Liam looked over to the Couragists.


    They also had twenty-five Rank 5 cultivators!


    More than that, there seemed to be a number of rules beyond that.


    The number ofbatants seemed to be an equal amount.


    Obviously, Liam didn''t count everyone.


    But the number of Battle Stations were the same wherever he looked.


    Two thousand in total, but their numbers numbered the millions.


    There weren''t any Rank 6 Abominations present, though.


    But then again, Liam doubted anyone could tame a Rank 6 Abomination other than the Empress of Fear herself.


    And he was pretty sure it was against the rules for them to participate, as dumb as that sounded.


    Then again, having their armies fight in their stead was a surprisingly responsible decision.


    After all, what use would a country be if it wasid to waste?


    Not much.


    Finally, the Kitsune arrived at the end of the line, then slowly descended.


    Sparing a final nce at the battlefield, Liam noticed how it was tter than a pane of ss.


    A secondter, he spotted wide blotches of dried blood smeared across its grounds.


    As though someone, or something, had forcibly cleaned its surface, then reformed the earthly wounds as though nothing had happened on them.


    The Magic Minister was right.


    This really was a controlled war.


    Eventually, Kitsu descended on a massive Battle Station and entered it through the fitting circr gate on its front.


    Inside the wide, dimly lit stone corridors, a human-sized cockroach standing on two legs and wearing a nurse''s outfit greeted them.


    Strangely, the interior of the Battle Station looked farrger than on the outside.


    The ceiling was see-through, giving Liam a clear view of the shiny dagger way out of his reach.


    The main lobby was massive.


    There were thousands of little corridors that led to different sections of the dome.


    There were more than a thousand simr Nurse Cockroaches skittering this way and that, some standing on hind legs, others parallel to the ground.


    "Please separate the lower specimens from your body. They''ll each be given a room," the nurse said, sounding surprisingly feminine. "I count¡­ ugh, thousands."


    Kitsu growled a bit. On the ground, the acolytes were dragged on the ground like a long cloak, holding their breaths.


    The cockroach made a sputtering noise between its maw, interpreting Kitsu''s silence for defiance.


    "They cannot fight alongside you!" it shrieked, obviously frustrated. "They have their own Zones to fight in."


    Zones?


    The stupid Imperialist didn''t exin it!


    "What Zones?" the Kitsune growled, its voice guttural and grim.


    Since Nooran could speak, it wasn''t strange for strong Abominations tomunicate verbally.


    The cockroach didn''t seem fazed, though. This wasn''t a rare urance to her, it seemed.


    "When it begins, you''ll see," the cockroach said. "Do I have to call someone, or will you listen?"


    Liam silently contemted whether or not to kill it, and the rest of the cockroaches there.


    ''No. Keeping them alive should be fine. We can''t rece them.''


    ''Besides, I fit in quite well already. As long as I make myself look more inhuman than I already am, they won''t notice much of a difference.''


    Liam transmitted an order to the fox.


    "Fine," Kitsu growled slowly, prompting the acolytes to slowly drip off its figure.


    The Kitsune didn''t need to be around them for the illusions to work. If Liam could sever off a chunk of his mental energy, so could the fox.


    That said, the acolytes were obviously ufortable. Till now, they''d been hiding in between the fox''s fur-tentacles, away from danger.


    The Elders were given more-or-less simr appearances to Liam, minus the four arms.


    Illusions were¡­ well, illusions. Passing a hand through them would render them into harmless mist.


    The acolytes awkwardly scattered towards the hallways in groups, and Liam was among them.


    Meanwhile, the Kitsune followed the cockroach into thergest room, looking pretty pleased with itself.


    There were no strange looks thrown Liam''s way.


    Pretty standard stuff for an Abomination.


    He made his way through the eerie, stone corridors, and picked a small room which looked surprisingly modern.


    Bookshelves lined the wall.


    ''What''s an Abomination gonna read?'' Liam thought to himself, but to his disappointment, the books were hollow. ''Sad. They''ve eaten through the pages.''


    A slight silence ensued.


    Liam took out a Jade that the Minister of Magic had given him, then imbued it with ''Ora''.


    The vampire answered.


    "We''re in," Liam said quietly. "They haven''t figured it out yet."


    There was silence.


    "Is that so?" the Minister of Magic said. "Well. They haven''t found us out, either¡­ though that''s only because we''re living in the dirt."


    The Minister sounded tired, as though teetering on the edge of falling asleep.


    "We''ve been here for long enough. Should we call in the cavalry at dawn?"


    Another silence ensued.


    The World Gate was with the vampires.


    That was the only way for the lian allies and the rest of the vampires to enter the fray.


    But obviously, not all the Ministers were inside the Line.


    The Minister of Transportation was on the outside, and once given a ''signal'', she''d activate the World Gate.


    But Liam had a few qualms with that.


    "That might work against us," he said. "There are just twenty-five Rank 5''s here."


    "There''s no way that''s all the Rank 5 Zeniths they have. It''s just a limit on what they can bring."


    "We''ll be stuck in here unable to help while the real battle happens on the outside."


    "Is that what you want?" Liam asked at the end of it all.


    There was a rustling noise.


    Instead of the Magic Minister, the Minister of Torture responded with a dark voice:


    "Get to the point, Four Arms."

 Chapter 405 Hook, Line and Sinker

    <h4>Chapter 405 Hook, Line and Sinker</h4>


    Hook, line and sinker!


    Liam threw a bone, and they bit down as hard as they could.


    Liam had absolutely no doubt in his mind that he couldn''t break through the Force Bubble on his own.


    Not even the strongest Zeniths onboard, Verium and Jane, could do such a thing.


    Perhaps not even the 18,000 members of the Temple could do so.


    However¡­


    The Minister of Magic certainly had a few tricks up his sleeve.


    But not just him.


    All the Ministers were incredibly strong.


    Jades didn''t work at all once inside the Veil, and yet the Minister of Transportation could somehow contact them.


    But that alone did not suffice.


    Arge mass of Void could maybe, just maybe, rip a hole into the Force Bubble.


    Then, all Liam had to do was swoop in and yank it out.


    But Liam didn''t want to reveal his Void abilities.


    Nor his Chaos or Corruption.


    Hiding it wasn''t impossible. Kitsu and the Elders could help him with that.


    Vampires had no special eye abilities that he knew of, but it''d be foolish to assume they didn''t.


    Back to the topic at hand, two seconds of silence passed since the Minister of Torture spoke.


    "The star in the sky," Liam said, "protected by the Force Bubble. If we im it, I''m pretty sure the veil will open."


    Liam feigned ignorance.


    There was no doubt in his head that the Ministers knew about Alucard, if the Pashah himself had knowledge of the item.


    But when strong, one must act weak.


    And when weak, one must act strong.


    Sun Tzu said that.


    ¡­Probably.


    "The star''s protected by something in the sixth Rank, genius," the Minister countered. "We can''t damage it."


    "Howe you''re so sure, anyway?"


    "We''ll see," Liam said. "Just wait until tomorrow."


    The connection was cut.


    The Minister of Torture cursed loudly.


    All the other Ministers were quietly listening in.


    The vampires weren''t stupid. If it was up to them, they''d call for the allies toe through in a heartbeat and get this whole thing over with.


    But the alliance worked both ways, and they couldn''t act without their king''s permission.


    And they couldn''t actually contact him.


    The so-called ''signal'' the Minister of Transportation could provide was a simple ''on-off'' connection.


    Keeping it on for more than 10 seconds would alert the Minister of Transportation, who would contact Alucard and by extension, the lian allies.


    But they couldn''t actually talk to those on the outside.


    Nor could they speak to their king!


    The Tortuous Minister heaved a long, angry sigh.


    "I hate this prick."


    ***


    Liam heaved a long sigh and began cultivating until the inevitable dawn came.


    His gaze fell to the transparent ceiling, where the radiant dagger reflected in his multi-colored eyes.


    Time passed.


    Due to the dagger, it looked like daytime all throughout.


    And slowly, the atmosphere outside the Battle Station was growing rowdier.


    DOMP!


    Something heavy was thumping against the ground, causing the ground to rumble violently.


    KRKRKRKR!


    Something was crackling like lightning.


    Liam rushed outside. The nurse cockroach was about to stop him, but he was already out, along with thousands of acolytes and elders.


    There, in the distance, the Couragists were punching the ground in unison!


    Their gauntlets caused tremors to spread across the earth, despite the vast distance between them.


    Meanwhile, on the Fearist''s side, a lightning-type Abomination crackled with lightning.


    It looked like a mix between a peacock and an owl, with bright yellow fur and sharp ws.


    DOMP!


    KRKRKRKRKR!


    ''It''s starting,'' Liam thought seriously.


    Now that he was up close to the Line, an invisible barrier kept the two parties apart.


    Certain areas of thend lit up with different colors, showcasing a mist-made number above them.


    Larger areas said 3, middle-sized areas said 4, and those in the center said 5.


    These were the Zones!


    They were pretty self exnatory.


    Each number corresponded to the Rank one had to be in order to survive in that area.


    Higher ranking cultivators couldn''t go past their zones, from what Liam deduced.


    But there was nothing stopping the lower ranked cultivators from heading into the former.


    Ryu, Verium, Orisa and Jane appeared on Liam''s side.


    "We''ll observe," Liam said, and the four nodded.


    ''No need to get high strung.''


    Just then, right below the blinding dagger, a timer appeared, creating a loud pinging noise as the seconds ticked down.


    Ten¡­ nine¡­ eight¡­


    Liam tensed his body. Kitsu came to his side, and all the acolytes were herded into little groups.


    ¡­seven¡­ six¡­ five¡­


    The Couragists had broad smiles on their hardened faces, crouching low, prepared to burst forward.


    ¡­four¡­three¡­two¡­


    One.


    The invisible barrier was lifted, and what followed was raw, unfiltered savagery.


    Kitsu charged into the Rank 4 Zone with Liam mounted on its head.


    The greatest source of noise and pandemonium was in the center.


    The twenty-five Abominations flowed upwards like a bloodthirsty tide of demons looking for prey


    At its helm was the lightning-type Abomination, which was a peak Rank 5 specimen.


    On the other side, the Couragists roared with all their might as they streaked through the air.


    Both parties were flying upwards!


    To the dagger!


    What followed after was too much for the eyes.


    Lightning bolts, whirlwinds of fire, beams of water, cyclones of wind, and meteors rained from the air!


    Blinding shes of light made even the King''s Eye recoil from their radiance.


    Dazzling but dangerous colors painted the sky, and the battlefield was already bodies on its surface.


    Liam''s entire figure trembled from the shockwaves that spread through the battlefield.


    Thankfully, the sounds were muffled, otherwise his eardrums would have definitely burst by now.


    Ryu picked Liam up on his shoulder and ascended, while a dozen or so Zeniths lifted the Kitsune above ground.


    The starry dagger was out of view due to the barrage of attacks clouding the skies.


    But when Liam saw the Force Bubble, a trace of encouragement appeared in his eyes.


    The Force Bubble didn''t negate any physical attacks.


    When a Rank 5 Couragist attempted to punch through it, the bubble flickered violently, but didn''t burst.


    Liam''s thoughts were interrupted when a squad of furious-screaming, armored men descended from the sky and interrupted his group.

 Chapter 406 Glorious

    <h4>Chapter 406 Glorious</h4>


    The battle raged on. There were so many sounds blended together, no one could urately identify any of them.


    Meanwhile, Liam used Mind Edge instantly.


    The Couragists were too fast!


    They were like streaks of light that targeted each Zenith on the battlefield separately.


    Though he was no Zenith¡­ not yet¡­ Liam was a threat as any other.


    As his vision and senses sharpened, Liam realized he couldn''t get out of the Couragist''s range.


    He had his two arms stretched forward, as though they guided his flight.


    If Liam dodged, the Zenith could grab him.


    If he jumped, the Zenith could just change his trajectory and punch him.


    If he ducked, it would make him an easier target for the Zenith to punch through.


    The Elders weren''t going to save him.


    Not by their own choice.


    Liam had told them not to!


    He didn''t want to be restricted and protected in the middle of a fight, unless he was faced by something above his pay grade.


    Apparently, being charged by a maniacally shouting, six foot, heavily armored Zenith didn''t fit the category.


    In the first ce, the Elders had their own people to worry about.


    Liam decided to face collision head on.


    The four des glimmered darkly as dense waves of darkness ''Ora'' gathered on their peerless edges.


    All four swords swung in an ''X'' shape, meeting the two brass gauntlets head on.


    An ear-splitting mix of ngor and reverberation shook the air.


    Liam was sent flying, the world spinning around him, but he steadied himself mid air.


    Instantly, Liam was separated from his group,nding on a patch of ground where a dozen or so Abominations were flying overhead.


    The Couragist who attacked Liam descended lightly a dozen meters in front of him.


    Liam''s four separate attacks only managed to chip a bit of metal away from the gauntlets, but that was enough for the man''s eyes to widen in shock.


    Most of the battles happened mid air. They were Zeniths, and they had the privilege to fight above the earth.


    But Liam''s inability to fly made the Couragist realize he was a simple Mortal.


    And that Mortal managed to damage his incredible gauntlets.


    "You''re out of your depth, little reaper," the man growled, but it sounded like apliment. "Little fish don''tst long here."


    The man in question had no helmet on his head, but a full set of crystalized marble armor, making him look like a regal diator from ancient times.


    With the Redirection Cloak, Liam chose to hide the tentacles on his back.


    The hood on his head also obscured his features with ayer of darkness, making him look like some sort of... ''Reaper''.


    Hence the sarcasticment.


    Liam remained silent.


    Reaper.


    Had a nice ring to it.


    Sensing Liam''s silence, the towering specimen took slow steps forward, a hardened look on his chiseled face.


    Liam didn''t cower from another head on battle.


    With a calm gait, he took slow steps towards his opponent.


    A slight smile appeared on the Couragist''s stony face. He smashed his gauntlets into one another, causing a shockwave to spread from the point of impact.


    "It''s tradition to know each other''s names before a duel in my country," the man said proudly. "I''m Goro. Tell me yours."


    Lousy intimidation tactics didn''t really work on Liam, but the Couragist didn''t seem to have that intention.


    Liam didn''t say his name out loud, but he mouthed them.


    "Liam¡­" Goro repeated under his breath.


    "Thy name be glorious!"


    The talk was over.


    Both crouched, thenshed outward at each other like whips.


    What followed afterward was a bloodthirsty brawl, each aiming to rip through their opponent.


    Liam''s savage sword art matched Goro''s berserker style of fighting with wide swings, lightning-fast jabs and charging uppercuts.


    The Empire of Courage was right to boast of their country''s physical strength.


    Each punch Liam blocked sprained his wrist, but healed a moment after due to Transfiguration.


    Liam''s physical strength didn''t match Goro''s, but the disparity wasn''t too deep.


    CLING!


    Liam redirected both of Goro''s gauntlets with the twin Dusks and Breaker, then aimed to pierce his neck with the hissing odachi.


    All the vital organs were protected by the crystalized marble armor, except the head, and the joints, where the armor tes connected to each other.


    BOOM!


    Instead, the gauntlets abruptly exploded in a wave of windy force, sending Liam twirling through the air, slightly disoriented.


    WHOOSH!


    Goro kicked the air and reappeared behind Liam''s trajectory of flight, prepared to knock him down with both gauntlets.


    Instead, what happened was the opposite.


    A Honed sh of mental energy threatened to lop off Goro''s mind, forcing him to bend his upper body towards the sky in order to dodge.


    An opening formed.


    Liam took it.


    His w-like hand tensed, and as his trajectory continued, he managed to ram his fingers in between Goro''s under arm and shoulder.


    Corruption surged through his nails, which pierced through the diator''s dense flesh.


    A stifled shout emerged from Goro''s mouth, but he gritted his teeth and managed to punch Liam away.


    BANG!


    Liam blocked the blow with his swords, and using his tentacles from his back, attached himself to the gauntlet!


    Goro''s eyes widened in a mixture of pain and shock.


    And in a battle, those feelings had no ce. A secondter, the odachi whistled in Goro''s ears, and his vision turned into a spiral descent into darkness.


    Death.


    Liam crashed into the ground as he stood over Goro''s decapitated body. The man''s head rolled on the ground a few steps away from him.


    Amidst the grandness of the war, this battle was just one among thousands.


    It went byrgely unnoticed by the Zeniths at the frontlines.


    And yet, the vampires watching from afar, hiding beneath one of the huts, caught every little detail.


    Liam''s gaze shifted towards them, his lips curling into a cruel smile.


    The battle didn''t end, though, and he entered the fray immediately after quietly storing Goro''s corpse.


    And head.

 Chapter 407 Reaper

    <h4>Chapter 407 Reaper</h4>


    Although Liam won his battle with rtive ease, the same couldn''t be said for the rest of the Fear Imperialists.


    Goro was just one fighter among the thousands.


    The crystalized, marble armor the Couragists wore seemed to be a perfect counter to the Abominations the Fearists used.


    They seemed to redirect attacks made by Abominations, even if it was any of the six elements, or anybinations produced by mixing them.


    The gauntlets were in the same boat.


    Most of the Abominations actually fought from a long range, using spells in unison, paired with mental distortion attacks.


    Getting physical was an incredible disadvantage to the Fearists.


    Especially when the two armaments couldy waste to a Rank 4 Abomination in four or five solid punches.


    ''Now¡­ where to go?''


    Liam spotted Ryu having a wrestling match with another Couragist, both of them roaring withughter as they tried to overpower one another.


    They looked less like enemies and more like long-lost, idiotic brothers who happened to be on opposite sides and decided to kill each other anyway.


    He didn''t need Liam''s support. Neither did Jane, Aki, Kitsu or any other figurehead of the Temple.


    Except Jax seemed to be having some trouble with a 7 ''3 feet tall, cruel bear of a human.


    Jax never was much of a fighter. He was isted from the rest of the group, and he was getting beat down pretty badly.


    Using his inscriptions would possibly give him the upper hand, but how many Abominations could do such a thing?


    Granted, fighting with four swords wasn''t something an Abomination did, either, but there were some who achieved more or less the same feat.


    Plus, Liam had altered his swords'' appearance, adorning them with slitted eyes on their bodies and jagged teeth for hilts.


    They looked less like swords and more like Abominations.


    ''Guess it''s a good chance to use it here.''


    Shadowy tendrils shed across Liam''s figure. In milliseconds, he was covered.


    Liam appeared behind the Couragist in the blink of an eye, as though he''d been there the entire time.


    Ever since Liam had put more effort into harnessing the sub-power of darkness, his understanding of the shadows had gradually improved.


    Enough for a new power entirely.


    Liam called the ability ''Shadow Blink'', which essentially teleported him from one short distance to another in exactly 0.3 seconds.


    But it came with a catch.


    Upon using the move, 10% of Liam''s total blood reserves were sacrificed almost instantly.


    It gave him a total of 9 Shadow Blinks to use, depending on how much blood remained.


    Liam made the move bybining Expel with his shadows.


    Thanks to both having unique properties, the oue was something unbelievably amazing.


    In the first ce, Liam''s Blood Shadow was exactly that.


    Darkening his shadows made it revert back to its abyssal-ck shade, but the properties remained the same.


    And with each body Liam consumed, his purified ichor was turning into an entirely new substance.


    Liam merely scratched the surface with what he could do with something so unique.


    Liam called the next move execution.


    The hulking Couragist was raining down a barrage of punches at Jax''s figure, when his senses perked up.


    Panicked, he snapped around fast, swinging strongly with the gauntlet outstretched.


    He hit only air.


    Liam had only ducked, then jammed the odachi into the man''s nose, splitting it open as it pierced through the back of his skull.


    That was that.


    ''Shadow Blink is actually amazing,'' Liam thought as he pulled back his sword, producing a soft squelch. ''Though, using it more than four times in a real fight is dangerous.''


    Liam silently stored the man''s corpse, then picked up the incredulous Jax from the ground.


    "What''re you gawking for?" Liam told him in a drill-sergeant''s ent. "We''re in a war, son!"


    Jax took his words seriously, nodding firmly and regrouping with the rest.


    Liam inwardly chuckled to himself. The joke didn''tnd all that well.


    Though, a momentter, Liam questioned why he joked in the first ce.


    ''I''m just¡­ a little excited for some reason.''


    Now that he noticed, a smile had been stered on his lips as he witnessed the carnage unfold.


    Violence and brutality didn''t hold a special ce in Liam''s heart¡­ not that he knew of, anyway.


    A means to an end, like everything else.


    But now that he witnessed a war with his own two eyes, there was a certain¡­ morbid fascination involved.


    War was both chaos, and order. It was both terrifying, and beautiful¡­ to some. It could be a force of good, or a force of evil. The oues were life, or death. A win, or a loss.


    It was this¡­ duality that Liam was enamored with, since it resonated with him quite well.


    ''Maybe that''s where my Path is. Duality. Order in chaos. Chaos in order.''


    Liam put the thoughts in the back of his mind, but he didn''t forget them.


    Paths were something that defined the future of a cultivator. They were, in a sense, what allowed them to move to higher ranks.


    Liam''s gaze snapped back to the center of the battlefield, where the priceless dagger still hung above reach, as though it really was a star.


    The brawl between the fifty Rank 5''s was still ongoing, without a moment''s respite.


    Both sides suffered no losses despite the magnitude of attacks being exchanged, but the battle no longer had the same momentum it did in the beginning.


    The end goalid there.


    ''If I use Shadow Blink while they fight¡­'' Liam thought, then instantly dismissed it. ''No. I''ll die instantly. I have to get protection.''


    As strong as the Temple was, getting between fifty Rank 5 cultivators was tant suicide. No matter who it was.


    The vampires fit the bill, but they couldn''t support him from the other side without exposing themselves.


    Not to mention, making things irreparably worse.


    But¡­


    What if he had the protection of the Fearists themselves?


    To do that, Liam required a pristine reputation, built on the backs of corpses and adorned with blood.


    ''The Reaper'' had to be a symbol.

 Chapter 408 Reputation

    <h4>Chapter 408 Reputation</h4>


    Liam''s understanding of power had grown as time passed.


    Enough to realize reputation was a branch of it.


    After all, the only reason Liam had authority was because the acolytes revered who he was as a person, and what he''d do if they disobeyed.


    It was his reputation, which came as a result of his power, that gave him such a high status.


    Despite him not even being the strongest in the Temple.


    But reputations, rumors, and fears could be inted above and beyond the norm.


    Propaganda was dangerous for this reason, since a lie could be masked as truth, and a truth could be made out as a lie.


    If Liam''s reputation managed to supersede his actual strength level, whose to say he wouldn''t be allowed to participate within the Rank 5 Zone?


    But first, he''d have to build that reputation.


    And he''d have to start by iming some ground.


    Judging by how the Line worked, one side could actually im the other''snd, and or Battle Stations.


    Sort of like a push-pull, ebb and flow kind of motion.


    Though, the Imperialists didn''t actually focus on this aspect of the war, since it didn''t constitute victory.


    The dagger did.


    But the morend one had, the greater advantage they had in securing the dagger.


    It gave them a head start in racing to the sky.


    And as of now, the ones closest to the center line were the Couragists.


    ''That''s where I build my reputation.''


    Wasting no more time, Liam pulled the hood over his head and bolted towards the Couragist''s huts.


    The Rank 4 Zenith Zone was where he could express his prowess to its limits¡­ but Liam wasn''t barred from entering the Mortal side, either.


    Liam pursed his lips momentarily, as all sorts of shockwaves caused his hood to flutter.


    ''Let''s start from the beginning.''


    Since it was behind their own line, Liam spotted a few Zeniths in those Mortal Battle Stations.


    Probably for protection.


    Liam gave the nearby Elders a transmission message of his n.


    Before they could respond, Liam had already run off like a bolt of lightning.


    A momentter, Liam leapt up high and clutched onto a vulture, causing it to sway like a ship amidst heavy waves.


    It was a Rank 3 Abomination, but there was already someone riding it.


    Not anymore.


    Liam pushed her off!


    There was disbelief written on her face, but a momentter, she fell harmlessly into a mushroom-type Abomination.


    As Liam flew deeper into the Mortal Zone, a storm of curses trailed after him.


    The vulture didn''t seem to care who rode on it, though.


    Using the two reins below its neck, Liam pushed them forward.


    Air hissed past his ears.


    The pungent smell of blood entered through his nostrils.


    A battle raged on below him, but Liam continued flying unhindered by any major attack, dodging the minor spells shot his way.


    The Fearists watching him go deeper and deeper hectically screamed for him toe back.


    Was the Abomination suicidal?!


    It''d die back there!


    The Abomination continued flying atop the vulture.


    Before long, Liam was behind enemy lines!


    The Couragists below were Rank 3, pointing at the vulture like hungry wolves spotting a chicken.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed with focus.


    There was a time where a Rank 3 cultivator seemed like the zenith of the cultivation journey.


    And now?


    Fish in a barrel.


    Liam dropped himself amidst a circr formation ofrge huts,nding with a light step.


    This was an outpost. A major Battle Station with several Zeniths.


    The hood still obscured most of Liam''s face.


    Hundreds of Rank 3 gauntlet-wearing, broad-shouldered, heavily built warriors surrounded him, including a few Rank 4.


    Malicious, ear-to-ear grins were on their grim faces.


    What kind of heroplex did this cloaked idiot have?


    A painful beatdown was in ord¡ª


    Tongue-like tentacles burst from Liam''s back in a wide spread, grabbing onto an unsuspecting Couragist before he could even think of reacting.


    The scene that followed was absolutely terrifying.


    The tentacles pulled the man in and wrapped around his limbs, then wrung him like a wet cloth.


    KLRSH!


    There was a soft squelching sound, followed by the gentle pouring of liquid on t ground.


    Instead of water, there was blood.


    The man had died.


    ''That¡­ happened easier than I thought it would,'' Liam thought. ''Probably a Rank 3 body.''


    The atmosphere changed.


    Shock spread across the Imperialists'' expressions.


    Liam didn''t wait for them to process everything.


    Using Shadow Blink, Liam vanished, then reappeared in a tight cluster of unaware Couragists.


    Loosening his grip on the Dusk des, Liam swung in a wide circr arc, ripping through several necks at once.


    SHING!


    Liam didn''t stop.


    He cleaved, cut, sliced, ripped through the crowds, all while being bombarded with explosions and physical attacks.


    SHING!


    BOOM!


    WHOOSH!


    SHHHH!


    BRKH!


    KRSH!


    ***


    It took him 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 13 seconds to wipe away an entire Battle Station.


    By the end of it, Liam looked like a wreck.


    His cloak had turned almost entirely white due to him using it repeatedly.


    It was on the edge of turning into tattered pieces, but the cloak seemed to be imbued with some sort of self-repairing property.


    Two of Liam''s arms were missing, pulled off in the heat of battle.


    From his estimation, just 8% of his blood remained.


    Shadow Blink saved his skin more than a few times in that brawl.


    Whenever he was about to be overpowered, Liam used it, but the Couragists weren''t weak at all.


    Liam fought without using any of his major abilities, though. Just in case someone stronger was watching.


    All that aside, thanks to his efforts, an entire battalion of Couragists were cleared.


    ''Time to get out of here,'' Liam thought with heavy eyes.


    ***


    Those fighting in the Mortal Zone slowly realized they weren''t getting support, and the Fearists pushed them back.


    Before long, the Fearists imed that patch ofnd!


    But as they saw the mutted bodies littering its grounds, they took deep breaths.


    They remembered the Abomination that flew atop the vulture.


    The hooded figure.


    With the cloak.


    Was that what caused the carnage?


    And so many of them?


    Rumors were spread.


    A legend was being born.

 Chapter 409 War

    <h4>Chapter 409 War</h4>


    At dusk, the war came to a halt.


    The Line flickered with an invisible wall of force, and the two sides were instantly separated.


    A momentter, the once t, now ravaged ground between them opened up, swallowing all the corpses on its surface.


    Abomination and humans alike.


    It wasn''t a physical opening though.


    A thin, ss-like barrier held up the living that stood on top of it, while allowing the dead to plunge into an umbral abyss.


    That was that.


    No one had managed to touch the star in the sky.


    Neither side was able to!


    And there were massive casualties.


    21,300 from the Couragist''s side, and 19,000 from the Fearist''s side.


    Yet, the battle of fifty Rank 5 Zeniths resulted in 3 deaths.


    2 from the Fearists, and 1 from the Couragists.


    That was no small loss. It was even worse than losing 10,000 Mortal cultivators!


    New batches of cultivators came once every 2 weeks.


    This meant that, for the next two weeks, the Fearists would have to fight with 48 instead of 50!


    While the Couragists would fight with just 49!


    When considering this fact generally, this wasn''t a big deal.


    But the reality of it was different.


    The lives of the Fearists got way harder.


    They needed to use strategy and tactics to close the gap between them.


    Although the gap was small now¡­ it could be made much, much worse over the next two weeks.


    In fact, this rule was made for that exact reason.


    What use would a war be if both sides kept replenishing their numbers?


    This battle wasn''t just battle prowess.


    One side had topletely dominate the other!


    During the nighttime, there was unrest.


    Within the corners of the Line, on the Fearist''s side, pretentious rumors of a legendary Abomination were spreading to other Battle Stations.


    They called it¡­


    The Reaper.


    The Cloaked One.


    The White Assassin.


    ¡­So pretentious!


    And stupid!


    Who would believe such a thing?


    Dropping behind enemy lines and killing hundreds?


    Stupid!


    A mere soldier killing several Zeniths?


    Stupid!


    A children''s story was more believable.


    Most of the Fearists were unamused by the gossip.


    Especially the Rank 5 cultivators.


    They weren''t even aware of such a thing.


    They had their own problems to worry about.


    Mainly about winning the war!


    Not engage in silly talks about something that probably didn''t even happen!


    Thus, the rumors remained as mere rumors.


    Then came dusk.


    More death.


    More corpses.


    More blood spilt.


    Booms.


    Bangs.


    Shockwaves.


    Chaos.


    Then¡­


    There it was.


    The vulture¡­


    And the Cloaked One above it!


    The Fearists barely caught a glimpse of it before it flew behind the enemy''s line.


    A momentter, his shrouded form hadpletely disappeared.


    Hours passed as the battle raged on.


    ¡­But just likest time, the Couragists realized they weren''t going to receive support.


    Their battalion was quickly cut down.


    And the Fearists imed yet another major Battle Station!


    But when they investigated the ce in question¡­ they saw the same thing.


    Mutted bodies.


    Separated limbs.


    Flesh ripped apart.


    Some were twisted like cloth.


    A few had their lower jaws cleanly severed off, as though they never had one in the first ce.


    Some deaths were more graceful than others.


    Needless to say, the rumors started to surge with newfound believability.


    It spread from one Battle Station to the next, like a virus infecting a cell.


    Then, it was dawn again.


    A pause was granted to both sides.


    Unfortunately, it was another loss for the Fearists.


    They lost two Rank 5''s, while only killing one in return.


    But the rumors continued.


    "The Reaper¡­ could he actually exist?" a Zenith Fearist said to another. "I haven''t seen many Abominations with cloaks."


    "Everything has a basis," the second said with a sage-like expression.


    "If so many people are saying they''ve seen it with their own eyes, then they probably have."


    "But in war, things get blown out of proportion."


    "People see what their minds want them to see."


    "But there''s proof of it, so¡­ there is a high chance this¡­ so-called Reaper exists."


    The first one nodded seriously, as though this was a very serious topic.


    Just as important as the war itself.


    "We''ll have to see."


    Before long, it was dawn again.


    Then, dusk.


    It happened again!


    Except this time, three major Battle Stations were imed, along with more than a dozen smaller stations!


    They were all killed in the same manner as before. Gruesomely mutted and dispatched.


    At that point, the rumors could no longer be called rumors.


    They were real.


    The Reaper, the Cloaked One, the Assassin in White¡­ was real.


    Dawn.


    Dusk.


    Dawn.


    Dusk.


    There was no question about it anymore.


    This Reaper was a serious problem.


    After a while, no one saw where he was anymore!


    In a week and a half, more than 15 major Battle Stations were picked apart!


    In fact, because of it, the Rank 5 Fearists were able to close the gap after a couple of days!


    They''d received so muchnd over the other side, that they could set up defensive strategies with rtive ease.


    Even with their inferior numbers.


    The Fearists gained a major boost in morale.


    Whoever this Reaper was, it didn''t matter.


    Most important of all, the Reaper was on their side.


    Though, the Reaper was just as famous on the other side.


    "I heard if you look at it for more than ten seconds, you''re bound for death!"


    "They say it can change shape! It can take any form! It could even be you or me!"


    "I''ve seen it blink from one ce to another! Seen it melt into the shadows!"


    The Couragists now numbered 30!


    Against 38 Fearists!


    They were under mountainous pressure.


    So much so, they seriously considered the issue of this mysterious figure.


    In truth, there was a way to end the war in the case of an emergency.


    In case of foul y or otherwise.


    Both sides had a device to do so.


    But the side that used it would end up automatically losing until the case was resolved.


    And contacting their emperor, or empress, also had a simr penalty.


    There was no way this Reaper was legitimate.


    But if they caught the Reaper itself?


    They could win the war¡­ and they wouldn''t even have to fight!

 Chapter 410 Protection

    <h4>Chapter 410 Protection</h4>


    The n worked like a charm.


    The past week and a half was exhausting, but with effort, came reward.


    All the acolytes participated in spreading the propaganda.


    The goal was to make Liam sound as terrifying as possible.


    It was funny how easy it was to do so when having 18,000 people at your disposal.


    In a week and a half, both sides believed the Reaper to be some sort of invisible killer!


    And with each Battle Station he wiped out, his infamy reached new levels.


    Heck, as the days passed by, the number of Zeniths guarding the Battle Stations grew higher in number.


    Their deaths only cemented his growing reputation.


    Liam felt a pang of regret for letting all those bodies go to waste.


    And there were so many of them!


    But he had to. He had to leave behind evidence of his kills. They had to know.


    No one was safe.


    After a while, Liam had to take a different approach to the n.


    Since his side was losing, he had to request a bit of support from the vampires hiding beneath the earth.


    During theing battles, they subtly, silently, indirectly caused the death of a handful of Couragists.


    Once, Liam saw an instant sh of invisible blue energy cause a Rank 5 Couragist to suddenly fall asleep mid attack!


    Well, to anyone else, it was invisible. To the King''s Eye, it was not.


    By the time the man was awake, a charged thunderbolt struck him square in the face, turning it inside out.


    That power was just¡­ stupidly strong.


    After a few more days, the gap was closed, and the Fearists were winning.


    And now, the Reaper, the Cloaked One, the Assassin in White were names to be both feared, and revered.


    And yet, Liam hid himself quite well.


    The Rank 5 Fearists tried to look for him, but were unable to.


    Liam dormantly hid himself inside the shadows until they dropped the case.


    But¡­ what now?


    What was next?


    After just one more day, a new batch of Dual Imperialists would arrive.


    And all the progress Liam and the Temple made would go up in smoke.


    But Liam couldn''t just keep imingnd. It was no longer necessary, and it didn''t make sense.


    The advantage they had was stronger than ever, but there was still a chance to lose all progress.


    Desperation was the kryptonite of superiority.


    It often led groups to higher risk, higher reward scenarios that made, or broke them, regardless of who had the advantage.


    This was why a cornered animal was so dangerous.


    They would put everything on the line, including their lives.


    ¡­But that was part of the n.


    ***


    In his dimly lit room, Liam had his eyes closed as the Psionic Rune filled his head with pressure.


    ''Well¡­ the n is in its final stages,'' Liam thought seriously. ''Tomorrow is the final day.''


    Once upon a time, his head nearly split apart when merely ncing at the Rank 4 Rune.


    Now, he could maintain a clear line of thought, even as his mental sphere steadily expanded.


    The pain was the same.


    The tolerance was different.


    ''I''ve already told the vampires their jobs.''


    ''Whether or not they follow it is a different matter entirely.''


    ''I need to make sure Kitsu and the rest know what they''re doing, too.''


    ''I can''t have them mess everything up at thest second.''


    So much weighed on this, and the burden on Liam''s shoulders was almost crushing.


    There wasn''t much left to do except prepare as best he could.


    ''Haven''t made anything new for some time now,'' Liam thought. ''Haven''t even looked at the Couragist''s armor¡­''


    Liam essed his ring and took out a series of shimmering, ornate gauntlets paired with full sets of crystalized armor.


    Looking at them with an assessing eye, Liam studied both as the night slowly passed.


    ''These really are amazing,'' Liam thought. ''They''re not inscribed. Just forged. And yet, they somehow amplify the physical damage and speed output.''


    ''The armor does the same, but defensive wise.''


    ''Not just to Abominations, either, but it''s definitely stronger against them.''


    Unfortunately, he couldn''t use either of them.


    ¡­Not in their base form.


    The gauntlets were too big and clunky.


    A swordsman needed the full flexibility of their arms to perform a wide range of swings.


    Using them was akin to a swimmer putting a cinder block around his neck when swimming.


    However¡­ if he chipped them down and made them flexible?


    Quite frankly, Liam was tired of having his arms ripped off so many times.


    That was the only disadvantage that came with having four arms.


    It gave his enemies four different ways totch onto him.


    Breaking the gauntlets down would bring down their power amplification abilities, but it was a decent alternative to having his limbs torn.


    Plus, he could just inscribe them.


    The armor, on the other hand, was a no-go.


    There wasn''t a weight problem, but it conflicted with Liam''s Redirection Cloak.


    For the remainder of the night, Liam tinkered with the gauntlets, tuning it to his tastes.


    Though, on the side, Liam tinkered with the armor.


    But instead of making it for himself¡­ he was improving it for another person.


    At the same time, Liam exined to Kitsu and all the other Zeniths of the Temple their jobs for the final battle.


    Entering a Rank 5 Zone was extremely dangerous, even to the strongest Rank 4 Zenith, let alone Liam.


    Their job was simple.


    Protection.


    Both if the Fearists didn''t protect Liam, and if the Couragists targeted him.


    ***


    Soon enough¡­


    It was time.


    Sounds red outside of Liam''s Battle Station, and all the Fearists rushed out of their homes in preparation for thest and final battle.


    Liam heaved a sigh, then put on the two pairs of gauntlets he''d inscribed for himself.


    Instead of the silvery white, he''d colored them with a dark-crimson hue using his blood.


    A demon wore them now. Not a warrior. Its entire aura changed, and not just its purpose.


    They were perfectly lightweight, and resembled armguards more than they did cannons.


    Liam threw on the cloak and left.

 Chapter 411 Arrival

    <h4>Chapter 411 Arrival</h4>


    Outside, the putrid, blood-tainted air was so tense, one could cut straight through it with a knife.


    Liam could see it.


    The desperation on the Couragists'' faces as they left their huts in unison.


    They didn''t even smash their gauntlets against the ground as they did the first time.


    Liam also saw the confidence on the Fearists'' faces.


    That wasn''t good.


    Overconfidence was idiotic and dangerous.


    It made people think they were greater, smarter, better than they actually were.


    Was Liam overconfident?


    Of course not!


    But he knew exactly what his capabilities were. And all his actions were based on that.


    He was confident.


    Not overconfident.


    There was a big difference!


    Nevertheless, that wasn''t the point.


    Ryu, Jane, Verium, Kitsu and the rest of the Elders gathered around Liam and hid him from view.


    To everyone else, he was just another person in the crowd.


    "Is it today? It''s today, right?" Ryu said, rubbing his dark, tired eyes. "Please tell me it''s today."


    Turns out, Ryu''s greatest fear wasn''t waking up as a skinny person.


    It was insects.


    But the coward couldn''t admit it, even though some acolytes said he screamed like a girl in front of a Nurse Cockroach.


    Nevertheless, even the Berserker Hound, and a few others, had garnered a reputation in the war.


    Elder Jane was known as the ck Witch, due to her alchemic abilities disguised as a toxic-type Abomination.


    Elder Verium was known as the Old Demon, due to his aged appearance and vicious fighting style.


    And Ryu?


    Ryu was known as¡­


    Angry Man.


    That was it.


    Liam took out the set of Couragist armor he had inscribed a moment earlier, then gifted it to Ryu.


    Ryu had a dumbfounded look on his face as he looked up and down the suit of armor.


    It fit his size perfectly!


    The once glorious suit of armor now had ents of sinister ck mixed with dark crimson.


    Vampiric characters were etched onto its surface, which made it look like a forbidden treasure.


    All Liam had to do to make the color transition was douse the thing in his blood.


    His ichor had be incredibly potent, and even Rank 4 materials were easy to taint.


    "For me?" Ryu said, his voice cracking with happiness. "I knew it. You do like me!"


    "Don''t be stupid."


    Liam made an annoyed groaning noise and dodged Ryu''s attempt to hug him.


    A momentter, the group was forced to put their attention on the task at hand.


    Dusk was approaching!


    The timer was ticking down, starting from minute one.


    Liam looked for a specific part in the ground where the vampires lived under.


    There, the Minister of Defense poked his head through, exchanging a firm nod with him.


    A secondter, his head plopped back into the ground.


    Liam''s eyes snapped towards the center.


    The Rank 5 Fearists were going all out for this battle.


    Most of their Abominations were actually centered around defense.


    After all, the only way to win this thing was if either side had enough time to urately dispel the Rank 6 Force Bubble.


    Either by charging a joint attack centered on it, or by slowly and steadily breaking it down.


    Lives were being put on the line.


    It wasn''t just that the Couragists were desperate.


    So were the Fearists.


    No one wanted this war!


    Except those two monsters living above their ivory towers.


    But having an advantage made one lose their edge. The resolve on their faces was not as hardened as the former.


    As the seconds ticked down, Liam inwardly rehearsed his own n.


    What was this n?


    Patiently waiting.


    A few secondster, the timer hit zero.


    The final battle began instantly.


    BOOM!


    BOOOOM!


    BOOOOOOM!


    Three massive, back to back explosions echoed from the center of the battlefield, courtesy of the Couragists.


    But as soon as they took ce, they abruptly froze, as though time had stopped!


    Then, they retracted into the ground.


    A momentter, the Fearists deployed a ''wall of flesh'' Abomination that built upon itself, turning into a gory barrier that spread outward like an unfurling curtain.


    BOOOM!


    In unison, ten Rank 5 cultivators of the fire element pushed the wall with ming fists.


    The wall exploded inward, dousing the entire Zone with gobs of blood.


    But in that moment, the Fearists had created a ''nest'' over the Force Bubble.


    Now came the defensive part.


    From thirty-eight Rank 5''s, more than twenty-three of them worked on defense.


    They positioned themselves in a circr formation around the Force Bubble.


    The rest charged up a joint attack which consisted of one sole element.


    Lightning.


    KRKRKRKR!


    The Abomination in question was a Storm Eagle, gathering ck electricity within their beaks and ws.


    As it continued charging, a chain link of electricity was created between each of the Storm Eagles.


    KRRRRSHT!


    It was getting stronger and stronger!


    All 30 Couragists abruptly stopped engaging.


    The Fearists felt their stomachs fall.


    The attack was only getting stronger!


    Why weren''t they stopping them?!


    All 30 of them grouped together as tight as they could, shoulder to shoulder, forming a diamond-shaped attack.


    Then, they kicked their feet in unison.


    BOOOOOOOOM!


    Their shin armor exploded, giving them enough momentum to push past every defense and cut straight through four Storm Eagles in one go!


    The Couragists no longer had shins.


    From the knee down, they missed an entire body part.


    But wicked smiles were on their faces.


    This was an all or nothing move!


    The chain of electricity was broken, but there were still twelve of them remaining!


    All the arcs connected, then condensed into a single lightning bolt shooting straight towards the Force Bubble.


    KRRRSH!


    A terribly loud thunderp resounded across the entire battlefield.


    As soon as the ck lightning made contact with the Force Bubble, a huge chunk of force was chipped away from its surface.


    The beam of electricity lingered for several seconds, even after the initial bolt had dissipated.


    And yet¡­ and yet¡­


    It wasn''t enough to break the Force Bubble down.


    Slowly, the Force Bubble was healing its gaping wound, and all progress would be turned to zero.


    The despair in the air was palpable.


    But just then¡­


    A figure suddenly appeared on top of the Force Bubble, his cloak fluttering in the wind.


    The Reaper had arrived!

 Chapter 412 Purple Light

    <h4>Chapter 412 Purple Light</h4>


    As soon as Liam appeared above the Force Bubble, he got to work.


    Beneath his cloak, hidden from sight, a mass of Chaos was forming on his left hand.


    On his right, the ck Hole gently grew bigger.


    On the spare arms were his odachi and Breaker de.


    Time seemed to slow.


    As soon as the Reaper appeared, there was a pause.


    An actual war just¡­ stopped. It seemed like an eternity, but the reality of it was different.


    Hundreds of thousands of eyes converged on the radiant star. Except this time, their attention was on the person beside it.


    There was a difference between hearing about something and seeing it.


    The Cloaked One was real!


    No one could deny it anymore.


    The Fearists'' eyes shone with various emotions. Admiration. Awe. Amazement.


    The Couragists'' eyes shone with the opposite. Anger. Disdain. Fear.


    And suddenly appearing like that made everyone realize that this was no normal Abomination.


    After all, teleportation was something few cultivators were capable of doing.


    Only those of the upper echelon could ever do something like blinkingrge distances.


    Half a second of silence passed as both sides were dumbstruck and silent.


    Utilizing the moment of silence, four figures flew over to the center.


    Old Demon.


    The ck Witch.


    Angry Man.


    And a fleshy, tentacle monster with onerge tail at its back.


    Angry Man took a deep, deep breath of air and squared his chest. Then, he let out a long,manding roar that echoed like thunder:


    "PROTECT THE REAPER!"


    The soundwaves spread throughout the Veil, violently shaking the air inside.


    On those words, reality kicked in.


    They were in a war!


    Why were they gawking like retards?!


    Instantly, the Rank 5 and Rank 4 Fearists sprung into action with renewed vigor and strength.


    They surrounded the Force Bubble from all directions, in a tight-knit defensive formation.


    They didn''t even question what, or who, the Reaper was.


    All they knew was that he was an ally, and that he was fiddling with the Force Bubble to take out the treasure inside.


    That was all they needed.


    The Couragists weren''t idle, either.


    Their strongest was a bare-naked man wearing nothing but an undergarment on his groin, and two massive, tinum gauntlets on his hulking arms.


    An aged beard sat on his chin, and his eyes were like iron.


    His title?


    The Centurion.


    His face looked extremely severe. Sort of like an aged general that knew nothing except war.


    "TAKE THE REAPER''S HEAD!"


    Compared to Ryu''s bellow, the Centurion''s shout directly caused Liam''s eardrums to burst. Not just his, either.


    Liam flinched, but he didn''t stop thebination required to make his Void.


    A momentter, his ears healed on their own.


    This was no normal version of his Void. It had to be strong enough to poke a hole through a Rank 6 Force Bubble.


    However, the Force Bubble was significantly weakened.


    It was doable.


    Kitsu cast a few illusions to hide Liam''s figure from view.


    Verium waved his hands and a sphere of foamy, dense water encased him and the Force Bubble at once.


    Right after, Jane hurled an elixir filled with some sort of transparent liquid at it, which made the water bubble condense and thicken with severalyers.


    Now, the war had turned into something else.


    A game of protecting the g.


    The ''g'' in this case was Liam himself!


    BOOOM!


    One Couragist smashed both gauntlets together and caused apressed shockwave to shoot straight at Liam.


    A Rank 5 attack.


    No matter what his defenses were, Liam couldn''t afford to live from that.


    An ''Ooze'' ¡ª a toxic slime-type Abomination consisting of melting virulent green filth ¡ª positioned itself in front of the attack.


    BOIIING!


    The shockwaves caused it to jiggle and bounce like jelly¡­ but the attack was rendered null.


    But by the time it finished digesting the deadly soundwaves, the Couragist ran a fist right through its stomach, killing it.


    Just then, another Murder Moth Abomination whizzed by from the side.


    WHOOOSH!


    The name was self exnatory.


    It was a Rank 5, whale-sized moth with vermillion wings and a terrifying appearance.


    On the ends of its countless arms were scythe-like ws dripping with blood.


    The Couragist blocked with its gauntlets, but the Murder Mothtched onto its body and started ripping away like a crazed maniac, releasing a fast, shrill cry that sounded like augh.


    By the end of it, the Couragist looked like a chewed piece of meat.


    But just then, two Couragist shot at the Murder Moth at the same time. One from above. One below.


    Both punched with as much might as they could muster.


    BRSH!


    Instantly, the Murder Moth was crushed like apressed can, spraying wet guts and shredded viscera.


    A secondter, four Death Dancers ¡ª beautiful, humanoid spiders that looked strikingly close to ballerinas ¡ª gracefully danced through the air with fluid, eye-catching movements.


    Amidst the filth of war, they were like diamonds. Eye candy.


    It was beautiful¡­


    The Couragists felt their worries melting away.


    Perhaps watching them dance for the rest of their lives wasn''t such a bad thing.


    It was so¡­ so beautiful.


    The beauty was a facade.


    A pretty little lie.


    The Death Dancers had hypnotic abilities.


    They closed the distance in seconds, and by the time the Couragists snapped out of their daze, the Death Dancers gracefully detached their necks.


    CRK!


    But a momentter, the Death Dancers were ripped apart limb from limb by the Centurion.


    The Centurion was a light elemental.


    He was incredibly fast.


    His presence alone forced several Fearists to put all their attention on him. The defenses were falling apart as a result.


    The Couragists were slowly carving paths towards Liam with terrifying speed.


    They were running straight towards death and pain with no regard for their lives!


    ROAAAAAAR!


    Roaring like a wild animal, the Centurion turned into a streak of light, shoulder-bashing everyone in his path.


    Ryu, Kitsu, Verium and Jane tried to stop him.


    But they didn''t stand a chance.


    BANG!


    They were flung away, broken in one way or the other.


    Eventually, the Centurion arrived at the water bubble, breaking away the fortifiedyers with ease.


    But by then, an unmatched sense of pure, life-threatening danger caused the Centurion to recoil and stop his charge.


    Purple light.

 Chapter 413 Worry

    <h4>Chapter 413 Worry</h4>


    The purple light exuded through a crack in the water bubble, casting a vibrant hue on the Centurion''s shocked face.


    From how it was angled, only he could see it. His dominating, hulking frame blocked out the rest from seeing what he did.


    Lights danced in his iron-like eyes.


    The mass of Void was 9 inches in diameter, and the space around it visibly curved.


    Liam held it outward from his body.


    Right after, its circr form ttened, turning into a sh.


    Then, it spread out in a wide arc, slicing through the top half of the Force Bubble.


    The sh was slow. The Force Bubble was pushing it back. It was like a hot de through a hard block of ice.


    The first point of contact was fast... but it was getting slower and slower the further it went.


    But at the end of it¡­.


    The top half had split!


    The radiant dagger was in full view!


    Liam reached for it!


    Meanwhile, the Centurion looked at the Abomination in a new light.


    Could it really attack this thing?!


    Something that could rip through a Rank 6 Force Bubble?


    Something that could make him, the Centurion, feel fear?


    Although the Abomination seemed weak, no one could urately determine the strength of something at first nce.


    What if that purple mass was directed towards him?


    Would a Rank 5 body endure the attack?


    Could he steal the dagger first without being attacked?!


    Nanoseconds passed. The Rank 5 mental sphere was incredibly fast at calctions.


    ''I''m the Centurion, damn it! Curse it all!''


    sping his fists and raising them up high, the Centurion made a downward strike with all the power in his body and core.


    BANG!


    Silence.


    Confusion.


    The Centurion''s face twisted like a bad smell entered through his nose.


    The strike hit¡­


    Nothing.


    It hit the air itself, like some sort of invisible barrier had been there the entire time.


    The Centurion used a mental attack.


    It didn''t go through, either.


    Turns out, the hunched-back, snaked-eyed, shifty Minister of Security had a few tricks up his sleeve.


    Liam had grabbed the dagger. His fingers curled around its shiny pommel.


    It felt like grabbing the sun.


    ''Have I touched the stars already?'' Liam thought as his grip tightened. ''There''s no heat, though.''


    There was nothing unusual about it, either. It felt like any other dagger, except that it was imbued with rays of sunshine.


    A momentter, his shadows sucked the dagger into his Inner World.


    The rays were gone.


    Silence.


    WHOOOOOOM!


    The Veil slowly unraveled.


    The circr, dome barrier that separated the outside world dissipated.


    Shock. Regret. Silent joy. Victory. Loss. Freedom. Despair. There was an influx of all kinds of emotions.


    Cheers from the Fearists.


    Silence from the Couragists.


    It was over.


    Liam nced at the incredulous Centurion, who looked at Liam like he grew out a second head.


    Liam smirked menacingly.


    A secondter, he used Shadow Blink.


    The Reaper was gone.


    ¡­


    Uh¡­


    What?


    ¡­What about the treasure?


    Was that it?


    Was the Cloaked one not¡­ with the Fearists?


    The Dual Imperialists looked at each other with confused expressions.


    "What''s happening?"


    "Is this part of the war?"


    "Who was the Reaper, anyway?"


    "Anyone know him?"


    "Where''d he go?!"


    "Emperor!"


    "Empress!"


    As the seeds of pandemonium were just beginning to bloom, Liam teleported to where Ryu fell, then grabbed him by the chest te.


    In quick session, he teleported to Kitsu, Verium and Jane, too, grabbing onto each of them as though they were baggage.


    Liam used his tentacles to grab onto the giant fox.


    Using Shadow Blink while holding another person allowed that person, or thing, toe with him.


    The size gap didn''t matter too much, since Liam''s shadow was extremely stretchable.


    But it sacrificed roughly twice the blood!


    Thus, with a total of four teleportations, plus the initial Blink to appear above the Force Bubble, Liam had used 99% of his blood!


    He looked pallid. Ashen-skinned and anorexic. His eyes drooped from exhaustion.


    But he was finally regrouped with the vampires, acolytes, and the remaining Elders who were positioned towards the rims of the Veil.


    They were all hiding behind a Battle Station, the furthest from the center.


    On the side were two massive, circr gates ced right outside the Veil''s range.


    This was where the Minister of Transportation had hid.


    From one of the gates, all kinds of Zenith vampires were pouring through.


    From the other, Rank 5 n Leaders and their Sects were pouring through.


    It was happening.


    The Minister of Magic, Torture, Defense, Security and Transportation looked at Liam with a conflicting gaze.


    Liam recognized the sinister re in their eyes.


    They were wondering, ''What would happen if we just killed him here?''


    It didn''t take a genius to realize they were considering it.


    But they couldn''t.


    If their king ordered Liam''s death, it would have happened by now.


    But it didn''t.


    Before anyone could speak, Jax threw Liam a Zenith Fearist''s corpse.


    KRSH!


    Hiding his figure with illusions, Liam sank his teeth into the woman''s head.


    A stream of brain juice, blood, bone and brain washed down his throat.


    Slowly, life returned to him.


    It was like watching a fast-forward video of a person going from skinny to muscr.


    In a few more bites, the woman was gone, except her core which Liam stored.


    10% of his blood returned, making him seem human again.


    ¡­Not that he was a human, though.


    The illusions dissipated.


    Liam looked back at the vampires.


    No more sinister res.


    The Minister of Magic was the first to speak.


    "You didn''t look too well there, friend."


    "You don''t say?" Liam retorted, wiping his lips.


    As soon as the n leaders saw Liam, they rushed to his side and gave him a terse salute, before lining up behind him.


    They were Rank 5''s.


    But Liam''s word was basically Usan''s.


    "Not him you should be worried about, foolish boy," the aged Minister of Transportation said. "It''s them."


    She gestured to the two distant towers.


    Two silhouettes had emerged from their peaks.

 Chapter 414 Good Hands

    <h4>Chapter 414 Good Hands</h4>


    Two silhouettes.


    One from the Empire of Courage.


    And the other from the Empire of Fear.


    At once, the atmosphere turned into somewhat of an enigma.


    It felt like two strings were pulling at each other.


    The air turned both scaldingly hot and chillingly cold.


    Both terrifying and courageous.


    On the left, colors drained from everyone''s vision.


    Most couldn''t look up. They began vomiting as the malevolent aura grew stronger and stronger.


    ¡­Nearer.


    On the right, a warm, sunny feeling washed over those who felt its presence.


    Most suddenly felt their ambition rise to new heights.


    They wanted to get stronger.


    They wanted to pursue their dreams.


    They wanted to live the rest of their lives with the person they loved.


    The feelings were pr opposites, yet worked so well in tandem.


    They basically bnced each other out.


    Subconsciously, Liam slightly tensed.


    The stakes were at their peaks. And quite frankly, he''d always been a little nervous around powerhouses.


    He couldn''t help it. It wasn''t a fear thing¡­


    ¡­Not entirely..


    But it was more about being faced with something insurmountable. An immovable object.


    Rank 6''s were those who stood at the peak of mountains, and were a handspan away from touching the sky.


    And¡­ well, sitting there in his shadow, was the thing they waged a literal war over.


    Not exactly reassuring.


    Eventually, the rims of the Veil were filled with both vampires in humans.


    The numbers continued pouring in in an orderly fashion. The vampires would line up behind the Ministers.


    The Sect Patriarch''s would line up behind the Temple.


    Six of the Seven ns had also arrived, each of them giving Liam an assessing gaze before saluting him.


    Water Dragons swarmed through the gates and circled the hordes of people above ground.


    Beside them were the swarms of dragon-sized bats and Skeletal Dragons.


    They filled the sky with their numbers.


    Miasma Queen, Myriad Brush, Cerulean Dragon, Sun''s Spear, Unmoving Mountain, Felling Wind.


    All of them were present except the Luminous Light n.


    As expected, Kuan really wanted nothing to do with this battle.


    Before the two silhouettes got any closer, the gates suddenly flickered.


    Emerging from them were two distinct individuals.


    Usan and Alucard had arrived.


    The former obscured his face with the shadow demon mask, his body more muscr than usual.


    ck wrappings were bandaged around his body. They were of a higher qualitypared to the usual. A peak Rank 5 item.


    This was the Unforgiven Shadow.


    To the rest, it just seemed as though it was his war attire.


    To Liam and those who knew better, Usan was hiding his pallid sickness with the usage of pills and clothing.


    More than seven months had passed since they''d set foot on the Dual Empire''snds.


    And the only reason Usan had remained alive till now was because he''d entered a dormant,atose state to extend his life.


    ''His aura looks solid,'' Liam thought. ''But it''s struggling to stay that way.''


    Beside him was Alucard, Pashah of Korsa.


    He looked¡­ spine-chillingly scary.


    As soon as he appeared, there was a palpable silence as everyone processed who it was they were looking at.


    Alucard had more or less the same appearance asst time, with minor differences.


    He was still youthful, with pearly smooth skin and a dark goatee on his chin.


    He wore his usual red and ck robe, the folded cor of which arched around his neck.


    Lanky, corvid-ck hair ¡ª parted from the middle ¡ª fell to his shoulders.


    His piercing, blood-red eyes were like an endless abyss.


    Staring into them for too long could make someone lose themselves in their depth.


    The Rank 5 Sect Patriarch''s watching felt their heart rates quicken.


    This was the first time they''d seen a Rank 6 powerhouse besides Kuan Moyong and Usan.


    They were witnessing an aged monster.


    The Ministers rushed to their king''s side and gave him a strange salute, putting a fist over their hearts.


    Was that worry Liam saw on their faces?


    Or was it relief?


    He couldn''t tell.


    ncing to the side, Alucard gave Liam a terse nod and short smile.


    Then, his gaze fell to the sky where two figures were readily approaching, flying directly over the Veil.


    Usan walked over to where Liam and the Elders were.


    Liam couldn''t see his face, but he had a feeling the Unforgiven was smiling behind his mask.


    Despite the looming threat, he somehow made the time to make small talk with the Elders.


    "This is what we have been working towards," Usan said, his voice muffled and distorted. "I''m proud of you all."


    The Elders held back tears. Jane and Aki silently let it all out, though.


    Meanwhile¡­


    [Sure took your time, scoundrel,] Usan transmitted to Liam alone.


    Despite his outward seriousness, he was definitely smiling.


    [Worked out in the end,] Liam said, smiling simrly. [Got one of the Worldly Artifacts. Dagger.]


    Usan''s eyes widened slightly, but a momentter, his face grew hard. [You¡­ can''t hold onto that.]


    Liam arched his brow.


    [What?]


    [Keeping it makes you a target,] Usan responded firmly. [If you''re thinking of holding onto it, don''t. No reason to. Doesn''t work without the rest, anyway.]


    [If that invasive maniac finds out, he''lly waste to all of li just to get his hands on it.]


    [Just use it as a bargaining chip.]


    There was a pause.


    Liam eventually nodded.


    Parting with the artifact before even knowing what it did was a bit heartbreaking.


    But sacrifice was a requirement for the greater good.


    [Good¡­ good. d you understand,] Usan nodded to himself, his gaze creaking to the side.


    The Emperors were dangerously close now.


    Well, they were still an incredible distance away, flying directly above the center of the Veil.


    But even from there, the danger the lower ranks felt was unreal.


    Usan gave Liam and the Elders a serious nod.


    "Go," Usan said firmly, then smiled. "You''re in good hands."


    The Elders felt like something had caught their throats. They held back tears.


    Giving Usan a salute, the Alliance membersplied, perching on the Water Dragons provided by the Cerulean Dragon Sect and flying to safety.


    But the Elders couldn''t help but stay in ce, reluctant to leave. Some had already begun crying.


    Usan was a mentor.


    A leader.


    A friend.


    They wished there was more time between them. To share an ale. Reminisce.


    But there was not.


    [Take care of them.]


    With that final transmission to Liam, Usan and Alucard left the ground and flew towards the Emperors.

 Chapter 415 Therapy

    <h4>Chapter 415 Therapy</h4>


    The clouds were gradually fading, for reasons Liam didn''t know.


    As they spread apart, the first sunlight he''d seen in months reflected in his steely eyes.


    Four powerhouses.


    The Temple of Shadows'' eyes watched as Usan grew further and further away, Alucard at his side.


    They were approaching the Emperors.


    Seeing Usan flying away, Liam perched atop a free Water Dragon, andmanded the others to do the same.


    ''I doubt anyone except them can deal with each other,'' Liam thought. ''All we can do is piss off and wait until they''re done.''


    ''There''s a chance we won''t even have to fight once they''re done with their fight.''


    Liam nced at the thousands of acolytes lined across the horizon.


    They wept silently. But the Elders were doing their absolute best to keep their emotions in check.


    They had to keep a strong face.


    If they broke down, that would only make them look weak and devastated.


    Especially when the enemy ¡ª and the temporary allies ¡ª were watching.


    Liam gave them all a firm stare. Truth be told, he couldn''t just shout at them to get a move on.


    That was extremely inconsiderate to the situation at hand. And unwise. But he also had to do something.


    But no speeches!


    That wasn''t him. No way. Not at all.


    ¡­


    Liam let out a long sigh.


    ''Damn you, Usan. But you''re already damned.''


    But then so was he.


    Taking out a Voice Amplifier from his ring, Liam ced it on his throat.


    The Voice Amplifier was a coin-shaped item that had no purpose, other than to increase the volume of something.


    "I''ll say this once," Liam said, his terse voice spreading across the 18,000 acolytes.


    Countless eyes snapped towards him. Even those of the alliance.


    "If you ept me as the Temple''s Head, then don''t question my decisions and obey my orders."


    A serious pause.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed and his face tightened.


    "And if you don''t, then stay here and die."


    Silence.


    Blunt¡­


    A few processing seconds passed.


    ¡­but effective.


    Immediately, the acolytes and Elders sniffed up all the mucus and tears streaming down their faces.


    Then, they looked for Water Dragons inrge groups.


    Most of the Elders flew outside the range of the Rank 6''s, with acolytes trailing behind them.


    The figureheads, on the other hand, perched on the same dragon Liam did.


    Then, Liam pulled the Water Dragon''s reins. It echoed with a shrill roar, then took to the skies.


    The Temple of Shadow was not based upon love and care. Nor equality or emotion.


    It was based upon brotherhood and respect. You didn''t ask questions. You just did things and were rewarded ordingly for doing them.


    A momentter, they were soaring through the air and heading as further away as they could from the Veil.


    Liam tried catching a glimpse of the four powerhouses, but a nauseous feeling grew in his stomach, denying him the chance.


    They were in the dark.


    ***


    "Do this often?" Usan asked Alucard as the two slowly approached the center.


    "Ha ha. You have the wrong perception of me, friend," Alucard said conversationally with his gaze forward. "With age,es wisdom. I prefer negotiations."


    "Spoken like a true pacifist."


    "Ha! Pacifist," Alucardughed to himself. "Funny word, that one."


    As they got closer, the two were forced to save their chat for another time.


    Usan''s eyes honed in on the appearance of the two Emperors.


    The Empress of Fear was first.


    To any other person, they would not be able to see her clearly.


    Their vision would swim with ck and white colors, and they''d vomit out their insides.


    But this didn''t apply to Usan or Alucard.


    Strangely, the Empress of Fear had a beautiful appearance.


    She hadrge, blind eyes. The pupils of which swirled like a hypnotizing, foggy vortex.


    Exceptionally long, smooth corvid-ck hair that spanned roughly 1.20 meters fluttered behind her back.


    She wore a ck roman toga, wrapped around her slightly short frame.


    Merely looking at her invoked some nasty fears in Usan''s mind, but one he could easily toss away.


    On the other hand, the Emperor of Courage was a stark contrast to his counterpart.


    He was 8''1.


    A goliath of a man.


    On his monstrous arms were two, silvery cannons etched with beautiful ridges and harmonious patterns.


    Technically, they were called gauntlets, but when does one draw the line?


    They were practically human sized, glistening with a pearly sheen as rays of sunlight fell on them.


    Adorning his dominating body was a set of glorious crystalized, marble armor. Definitely a Rank 6 inscribed item.


    The Emperor himself didn''t have too many eye-catching features.


    Besides his square jaw, bushy eyebrows, slightly tanned skin, brown eyes, short brown hair and pronounced cheekbones, nothing was out of the ordinary.


    An annoyed look was on both their faces.


    "I told you so many times we should have kept the Veil transparent for us to see through," the Emperor said, his voice as deep as could be.


    "Now what?"


    "What was the point of even waging this war if you didn''t see who won and how?"


    "Oh, shut it," the Empress rolled her blind eyes. "If you so much as nced at those meat-head soldiers of yours, they''d roar even after death."


    The Emperor scoffed in disdain.


    "Yeah. And they''d vomit if they saw you."


    "Exactly," the Empress said, clearly annoyed. "You just proved my point, idiot."


    The Emperor growled to himself.


    "Heartless wench."


    The Empress snorted derisively.


    "Ugly bull."


    ¡­


    Usan''s eyes widened with rage.


    He had never wanted to stick a sword up someone''s neck before, but the two fit the criteria quite well.


    Obviously, despite this little back and forth bickering, the two were clearly on edge.


    The distance between them was roughly 500 meters, but both parties had their gazes fixed to each other.


    "Children, children," Alucard interrupted catingly.?"I offer couples therapy. Maybe you two ought to sit down and air out your problems in a civilized, adult manner?"

 Chapter 416 Love

    <h4>Chapter 416 Love</h4>


    The joke was so sudden, the two Emperors instantly stopped their bickering and gave Alucard a hard re.


    "And what does a leech know about love?" the Empress said, tilting her head curiously.


    The Emperor of Courage threw his head back andughed unpleasantly.


    His voice was too deep.


    Alucard smiled. There was no visible shift in his mood, but his deep-red eyes weren''t smiling. "Enough to know when to end things. Clearly you two don''t."


    "Enough talk," Usan said loudly, at the end of his patience.


    Shadows shrieked around his form, producing 8 different clones of himself, each wielding a different weapon.


    A sword, mace, spear, ive,nce, and several variations of the de.


    Each of them had their own consciousness, it seemed, spreading around Usan''s sides.


    The Empress clicked her tongue. An ethereal ck substance swirled over her hand, producing a shriek-like noise.


    Smiling with a set of perfect teeth, the Emperor cracked his knuckles and stretched his shoulders.


    With each pop of his ligaments, an audible shockwave echoed out.


    Truly a monster among men.


    On the other hand, Alucard didn''t move an inch from his ce, but a sinister and stomach-turning aura grew stronger.


    "Wait!" the Emperor said suddenly.


    Silence.


    Even the Empress looked at him with annoyance in her eyes.


    "Is this a brawl or a duel?" the Emperor asked genuinely. "Who am I fighting?"


    Silence.


    A strange question to ask in the heat of battle.


    The Empress clicked her tongue.


    "I''ll take this one." She gestured to Usan. "You can take the leech."


    A momentter, the Empress flew to the side. Looking over her shoulder, she sent the Emperor a nce. "Don''t die."


    The Emperor of Courage chuckled under his breath.


    Right after, Usan followed after her, the eight Shadow Clones trailing behind him.


    After a while, they simply disappeared over the horizon.


    A Rank 6 battle was much, much more devastating than one might imagine.


    The least they could do was fight over the ocean, since it would minimize the damage done to thends.


    Alucard heaved a long sigh.


    But when he looked back at the Emperor, he was no longer there.


    BOOOOOOOM!


    A silver gauntlet made a wide, diagonal swing through the air, followed by a sonic boom.


    With a wide smile on his face, the Emperor had attacked without warning.


    His arm swung across Alucard''s hip, torso and shoulder.


    And as it made contact¡­


    Time slowed.


    In slow motion, Alucard exploded like a popped zit!


    So much blood!


    Pure ichor spread in all directions.


    Like a balloon filled with water had suddenly burst from within.


    Alucard''s upper body was just¡­ gone.


    His legs were still hovering in the air, but above the hip, there was nothing!


    The Emperor felt like he had tough.


    Alucard!


    The Pashah of vampires!


    The so-called Immortal!


    Boom!


    One shot!


    Just then, the Emperor realized the blood had stopped mid-air.


    Like time had abruptly frozen it in ce.


    SHRR!


    The Emperor''s eyes widened in disbelief.


    All the blood was reverting to its original position!


    Like time was being rewinded!


    As it all poured back to its original position, blood and bone was reforming at an unreal rate. Even the clothes.


    In just a few moments, Alucard was back in one piece, as though he hadn''t burst apart a nanosecond prior.


    Alucard had an uncharacteristically pissed off look on his face.


    Wordlessly, Alucard grabbed onto the Emperor''s gauntlet with one hand.


    Then, he clenched.


    KRSH!


    Cracks spread across the Rank 6 gauntlets like it was made out of wood!


    WHOOOSH!


    Shocked, the Emperor swung again, even faster this time, on Alucard''s face.


    BANG!


    A long streak of blood sprayed to the side.


    Alucard''s face had been wiped off.


    Above the lower jaw, there was nothing but ripped off flesh.


    But once again, the blood that spurted off just¡­ reeled itself back in, reforming a brand new head without so much as a scratch on it.


    This time, though, the Emperor flew backwards and created space between him and the vampire.


    "That''s one disgusting ability if I''ve seen one," the Emperor said dejectedly, grabbing his broken gauntlet. A ripple of silver light passed through it, repairing its cracks. It was back to peak condition. "Can you even die?"


    Alucard''s face suffered an abrupt change.


    He no longer smiled.


    No longer had the same sarcastic, yful demeanor.


    No¡­


    Now, his face was sinisterly dark.


    It was like watching a soft-spoken, gentle, kind person suddenly get angry.


    It was terrifying.


    The Emperor wasn''t too afraid, though.


    There was a reason ''courage'' was in his name!


    "I''ve seen scarier. Have you seen my type?" the Emperor joked.


    There was no response from Alucard.


    Instead, the Emperor''s arms released sparks of yellow light.


    Fire.


    At once, the awesome gauntlets surged with an outburst of crimson mes, burning with an unreal amount of heat and ferocity.


    Next, the twin mes expanded with a fierce gust of wind, slowly growing into two titanic arms of fire mid-air.


    Each arm was roughly 9 meters in length and width, and they hovered to the Emperor''s sides like an extra pair of limbs.


    With how bright they were, those watching from thousands of meters away thought two suns had abruptly spawned.


    It seemed like the Emperor was a Dual Elemental of wind and fire.


    Instead of producing anything new, they simply empowered each other to a devastating level.


    "If I can''t kill you the good ol'' fashion way," the Emperor said with a bright, toothy smirk, "I''ll burn you to ash."


    Alucard said nothing.


    BOOM!


    An explosion echoed throughout the world as the Emperor kicked his feet, propelling him forward.


    Alucard sped his hands, then unsped them.


    Forming in between his fingers, was a thinyer of bright blood that expanded outward, transforming into a great wall.


    CKRSH!


    Two pairs of fists, two from the gauntlets, two from the me-made arms, collided with the wall.


    However, instead of the wall breaking apart, its consistency was stic instead of solid.


    Still, the strikes poked through it like needles through rubber, while the fiery arms caused them to slowly burn away.


    SHHIG!


    But just as the Emperor emerged from the other side, the wall turned into thousands of little dots of blood, which then turned into spikes, which then shot at the Emperor, impaling him in a thousand different spots.

 Chapter 417 Enough

    <h4>Chapter 417 Enough</h4>


    There was no grunt of pain, nor panic or shock. Just clear, steady action that followed.


    As soon as the spikes dug into his body, the Emperor could sense them wriggling deeper and deeper, intent on inflicting the most damage.


    It was as though the blood had a mind of its own. Either that, or Alucard himself was manually controlling it.


    But they barely went half an inch deep, while the crystalized, marble armor simply denied entry.


    mes swirled through the Emperor''s muscles, melting away the bloody substances from his body.


    Up.


    Alucard was above now, releasing a torrent of condensed blood bullets heavily raining down upon the earth.


    The pair of titanic me arms rose above the Emperor to protect him, casually melting away the countless bullets before they could cause any real harm.


    But the blood monsoon didn''t stop. It was pouring over the entire ind, harsher than a thunderstorm.


    A small portion of Abominations had remained behind as the armies fled from the Dual Empire. They were either too big to bring along, or they were untamed.


    Nothing survived.


    Thends were now overflowing with rivers of red.


    The Emperor''s gauntlets produced a metallic chime. A momentter, he kicked his feet and swung with both arms at Alucard''s unsuspecting back.


    A thicker wall of crystalized blood formed between them once more, but the Emperor was faster.


    All four of his swings exploded forward, crushing the sturdy wall, eviscerating part of Alucard''s body, while incinerating the rest.


    Just likest time, bloody matter burst outward, while his remains shot past like a broken ragdoll. Ashes fluttered in the wind like snow.


    But even as he flew the distance, Alucard''s body rapidly reformed.


    The Emperor''s features twisted in anger.


    What followed was painful to watch.


    Roaring furiously, the Emperor performed a series of brutalizing attacks on Alucard, giving not a millisecond of respite.


    As soon as a punch wouldnd, he''d teleport to Alucard, and he''d punch again. Rinse and repeat.


    However, whenever a major fire attack was about tond on him, the Pashah would erect a barrier of ichor to protect himself ¡ª even when he was reduced to sshes of blood.


    This meant two things.


    Fire was the vampire king''s weakness. And his Nexus was definitely somewhere in his body.


    The Emperor knew what Alucard was trying to do.


    Vampires had amazing abilities, but with them, came ring disadvantages.


    Their way of attaining strength wasrgely different due to their centers of power.


    To them, power literally equaled time.


    However, hard work didn''t pay too big of a part in determining their abilities.


    After all, just sitting idly and doing nothing slowly but steadily made them stronger.


    Sure, consuming the blood of a higher ranked creature benefited them greatly to an extent.


    But it was barely a boost.


    The liters of blood and kilos of flesh required for a Higher Vampire to make a significant breakthrough was stupidly high, which is why they didn''t bother. Nor were powerful humans in high stock.


    Regr human meat was reduced to a delicacy for this reason.


    Cultivators, on the other hand, had to earn their progress with blood, sweat and tears, but the gaps in between ranks were not as vast.


    A vampire''s reflexes, bodily strength, speed and overall strengthrgely depended on the power of their blood.


    But all their physical and mental aspects paled inparison to a human''s, since they weren''t dedicated to each of them.


    In broad terms, it was like having a factory dedicated for several items, versus having a specialized factory for just one thing.


    The qualities were different.


    The sea of consciousness was a powerhouse of a thing.


    Though vampires were immune to mental attacks ¡ª due to them not having any mental sphere ¡ª their thinking speeds were abysmalpared to a human cultivator.


    But their regeneration¡­ their regeneration was out of this world.


    In short, Alucard was simply biding time until he understood the Emperor''s fighting style, relying on his incredible healing factor to do so.


    But the Emperor could not afford to take his enemy lightly.


    Alucard was an enigma, judging by how he broke the Emperor''s gauntlets with such ease.


    Such physical strength was notmon among even the strongest of vampires.


    Why was he not attacking then?


    Fear of fire?


    Alucard was suspiciously protective of his groin area.


    But he''d turned that ce to ash already.


    The Nexus was somewhere in his body.


    Where, though?


    All the while, the fierce, crimson, needle-like droplets of blood continued to shoot at him, puddling below the earth.


    Enough.


    Hundreds of sparks sputtered below the Emperor''s feet. Each little spark then swirled, growing, zing, expanding, forming a series of titan me-arms.


    If two suns were bad, now there were a hundred.


    It was blindingly bright, and several countries bordering the Dual Empire thought it was the end of the world.


    Like inverse meteors, hundreds of those mountain-sized arms roared over the sky.


    There was no ce for Alucard to escape.


    Ever so slightly, the vampire''s eyes widened. A spherical barrier of crystalized, ruby-like ichor encased his body as the spells closed in on him.


    It felt like the end of the world. Like two stars had collided, and the earth had to suffer its consequences.


    More than five thousand meters away, a strip of Liam''s skin had been swiftly melted off, followed by his eardrums bursting apart, and his insides bleeding.


    The air rumbled, the ground rumbled, the seas rumbled. Temperatures skyrocketed, and dozens of earthquakes were shooting to different areas of the world.


    Slowly, the world stabilized.


    The Emperor smashed his gauntlets together, causing a powerful shockwave to sweep away all the debris and smog from the skies.


    The Emperor scanned the sky with hard eyes.


    Ash fell like snow.


    He flew a little higher, then looked below. Thends were leveled to the ground, with an ocean of red blood flowing through its ravaged corners.


    "No way you died from that alone." the Emperor said to himself, frowning. "I''m not stupid."


    The red ocean churned.

 Chapter 418 Regenerate

    <h4>Chapter 418 Regenerate</h4>


    The Emperor gnashed his teeth.


    He was clearly being looked down upon. All Alucard did was defend and block, barely even doing his best to retaliate.


    Despite being pissed off, he kept his emotions under control.


    Emotions had no ce in a fight. Especially in a battle as big as this.


    The Emperor''s arsenal was vast.


    He was barely using 30% of his overall strength!


    He wasn''t backed into a corner. Not yet.


    The red ocean gurgled, as though something had awoken within its depths.


    The coagtions of blood gathered around the center of the battlefield, then slowlybined.


    Then, it rose above the ground, defying gravity and heading for the sky.


    Slowly, it divided.


    Small clots of blood separated from it, taking on humanoid forms.


    ¡­It was Alucard himself!


    Then, there were more clots of blood¡­ and more¡­ and more¡­ and more.


    Each of the clots formed an Alucard.


    "You can''t be serious," the Emperor shouted incredulously, as though given a bad hand in a card game.


    The reason he was so shocked was because the clots of blood weren''t clones.


    They were reiterations of Alucard, and each one was identical to the one the Emperor had fought.


    Hundreds.


    The Alucards gave a hint of a smirk, before making wide gestures with their hands, forming countless walls of blood.


    The Emperor cursed.


    Dense mental waves surged around the Emperor''s mind, which immediately shot towards each of the clones.


    It passed through their defenses and impaled them ethereally.


    Although using mental attack spells on a vampire''s mind didn''t work, the same couldn''t be said for general uses.


    The tendrils of mental energy held most of the Alucards in ce, despite there being no damage on their bodies.


    As his mind raced, countless thoughts appeared in the Emperor''s mind:


    ''I need to burn away all his blood. As long as it flows, he''ll just regenerate himself over and over again.''


    ''Even if I burn it all away, though, there''s a high chance he just has blood stored somewhere else. Probably back in his little cave.''


    ''This guy¡­''


    ''He really can''t die, can he?''


    WHROOOOSH!


    The tendrils holding onto the vampires sparked, then burst in mes, burning them alive.


    Blood rushed over their bodies in an attempt to puff the mes out, but the Emperor smashed his gauntlets together.


    BOOOOOOM!


    A heavy cone of force spread outward and directly shredded through the closer Alucards, despite their defenses.


    Like a juggernaut, the Emperor bulldozed his way through the blood-made structures hindering his path.


    BOOM!


    BANG!


    WHOOOSH!


    FFFFFFF!


    CLAANG!


    Countless Alucards were shredded apart, with barely any injuries forming on the Emperor''s body.


    Besides a few spots of his skin being cut apart and stained with little kes of blood, he had no grevious wounds.


    They would heal right after.


    But the longer the fight went on, the more the Emperor was frustrated at Alucard''s tactics.


    No matter how much blood he burned, how many Alucards he''d mowed down and brutalized, another would take its ce.


    By now, thends below them was a deste wastnd. Perhaps not even bacteria could live in such a ce.


    "Coward!" the Emperor bellowed, swinging furiously like a rabid animal. "Stop running!" he demanded.


    Despite his anger, the Emperor''s mind was crystal clear.


    The two were fighting on the ground, now.


    The Emperor''s fists caused entirendscapes to shatter like ss and mountains to crumble apart.


    Abruptly, the sounds of flowing liquid rose in volume.


    Seeping through the cracks of earth, was blood.


    And it was gushing like a fresh wound.


    The Emperor''s eyes slightly widened in surprise.


    A momentter, it erupted like a volcano, sending tsunami-sized waves over both their figures.


    Alucard shed a fangy smile.


    Annoying.


    With furrowed brows, the Emperor moved both arms in a circr fashion, spawning two cyclones.


    Of fire.


    Both rotated on their axis, looking as beautiful as they were dangerous.


    They expanded to the size of a small ind, and they continued increasing in power.


    Alucard narrowed his eyes.


    This was above what a Rank 6 cultivator could produce.


    The Emperor was using his Path.


    The Path of Courage.


    From what Alucard understood, the Emperor''s path made his abilitiesst much longer than usual, and have multiplied power behind them.


    That was over simplification, but Paths were way tooplicated for a deeper dive.


    The Emperor had been using it the entire fight, but now, he was straining his centers of power to produce an attack capable of true harm.


    The Emperor grimaced with anger.


    The cyclones met the tsunami head on, swirling over the Emperor like the yin and yang symbol.


    WRRRRRRRSSSSSSHHHH!


    As they rammed through the tides, the waves of blood were evaporating!


    Like butter to a hot skillet!


    Despite that, droplets of blood cut deeper into the Emperor''s body as it did so.


    His marble armor was a mess.


    His gauntlets had been broken several times throughout the fight, but he repaired them every time.


    There were just a few cuts on the outside of his body. Nothing too deep. He was safe.


    The cyclones continued on their trajectory for an entire hour, raging through every crevice and mountain.


    Shhhhhhh.


    The cyclones softly puffed out after a few hours.


    The wreckage was horrible.


    The entire Dual Empire had been reduced to ash.


    Including the two Mega Colonies.


    The Emperor took a deep breath.


    If there was a droplet of blood remaining, the Emperor had probably eviscerated it.


    It was impossible for the Pashah to ever recover from that.


    The Empress would kill him for ruining her empire¡­ but at the end of the day, he was fighting for his life.


    Besides, no one kept their resourcesying in a secret vault somewhere.


    They used space rings like normal people.


    The Emperorughed.


    He knew Alucard was still alive somewhere, but he just imagined the annoyed look on his ugly face.


    "Try regenerating from that, you stupid little bloodsucking son of a¡ª"


    There was a pang of horrible pain that seared throughout his body, cutting his words short.


    The Emperor clutched his chest, coughing violently. He gazed back at his hands with a crestfallen face.


    Blood.


    ¡­Wait!


    It wasn''t his!


    "Fool."

 Chapter 419 Fool

    <h4>Chapter 419 Fool</h4>


    "Fool."


    A word was hissed with a sharp rasp.


    The source?


    Somewhere within the Emperor''s own body!


    Something was emerging from within him.


    The Emperor already attempted to use his mes and his Path.


    But he couldn''t.


    Something had seized his powers!


    The Emperor ground his teeth and tried to swing once more.


    But he couldn''t.


    His entire body was frozen.


    Paralyzed.


    The only thing he could use was his mental sphere.


    So he did!


    His mental waves spread.


    It took the shape of two massive, ethereal hands.


    Then, both hands sped tightly around his body.


    The pressure was high enough to produce real diamonds.


    Even the average peak Rank 5 Zenith would slowly turn to paste if that attack was used on them.


    But for the Emperor, only his breathing had constricted.


    But his intent wasn''t just to choke himself.


    It was to stop Alucard from bursting out of his body!


    The Emperor dismissed the few cuts on his body.


    They were just cuts.


    Even a normal human would dismiss such a thing.


    Even a child.


    He was a bloody Rank 6 cultivator!


    Why would he care about a few scratches?!


    Besides, they would close up and heal almost instantly.


    But a simple overlook allowed the king of vampires to seize the upper hand!


    Speaking of which¡­ Alucard was still growing out of the Emperor''s body!


    The mental energy held the vampire tight as he grew out of the Emperor''s body¡­ but it was like he was pulling himself out of mud.


    Before long, a head formed, growing out of the Emperor''s shoulder like a disgusting deformity.


    Then, a neck.


    Followed by a spine and a torso, slowly growing.


    Next was the groin and limbs.


    Then, the robes.


    Alucard lightly kicked himself off the Emperor''s face, then hovered in front of him.


    An aloof, disdainful expression was on Alucard''s face.


    Like he was looking at an insect and not a cultivator at the peaks of power.


    "Leech! Coward! Face me like a man!" the Emperor snarled angrily.


    Silence.


    Alucard''s face twisted.


    "This is why you humans revolt me," Alucard said through his teeth.


    "You can''t see beyond the tip of your nose," Alucard hissed with leaking anger. "And yet you im superiority?"


    The Emperor''s eyes widened with anger.


    He was grinding down his teeth to powder.


    But he was unable to speak.


    Alucard continued, growing angrier the more he spoke.


    "You''re all like mere fleas to me, buzzing around feces and seeking to spread your vile disease."


    "Do you know how little it took from me to defeat you?"


    "Do you have any idea? Any idea at all?!"


    "What was your name again? Ah. Ceaser the Great¡­ the Emperor of Courage, the Beacon of Hope."


    "So much for that."


    Alucard''s face was dark. Murderous. Evil, sinister, and every other word associated with malevolence.


    He turned to the sides.


    There was no one around.


    He looked to where Usan and the Empress were.


    Then, he looked back towards the Emperor of Courage with a cruel smile.


    Both of his hands crackled with red energy.


    Sensing the sheer danger radiating from that mass, the Emperor didn''t feel so courageous anymore.


    Alucard raised his arms over the man''s face, and the red energies connected to the Emperor''s eyes!


    PAIN!


    The Emperor wanted to scream from the top of his lungs, but even his mouth was against him.


    Then, Alucard''s palm seized the Emperor''s face, his wed fingers digging into his skin.


    It felt as though he was burning inside, but there wasn''t any fire burning with him.


    Dread.


    Amidst all the pain he was going through, only then did the Emperor realize the Pashah could have ended things straight away.


    It wasn''t cowardice.


    It wasn''t ack of power, either.


    It was patience¡­


    For the Empress'' fight to finish.


    ''Please.''


    ''Please tell me you won, Rhea.''


    ''Please. Just run.''


    "That little voice telling you there''s hope?" Alucard said as the Emperor''s vision darkened, his very soul burning to shreds. "It''s lying."


    A momentter, the Emperor''s eyes crackled with a sh of light, and he fell limp.


    His mental sphere wasn''t broken.


    His body wasn''t injured.


    His core was still intact.


    But the Emperor was dead.


    A powerhouse.


    Gone.


    Wiped out.


    Alucard took a deep breath and rposed himself.


    "Humans," he said with disgust in his voice, grabbing onto the Emperor''s limp body. "Worthless."


    ***


    A few hours prior.


    Usan and Rhea, the Empress of Fear, had moved above the ocean.


    They stared daggers at each other, but for different reasons.


    Usan despised the Empress because she had invaded his country, resulting in the deaths of countless people.


    The Empress hated Usan because he interrupted the wager of who gets to keep the Worldly Artifact.


    But it wasn''t as simple as that.


    "The invasion wasn''t personal," Rhea, the Empress, said vaguely, guessing Usan''s identity. "You know it wasn''t."


    "It was for me," Usan responded, voice distorted and equally angry, "and the countless women and children you butchered."


    The eight Shadow Clones were itching to swing their weapons and draw blood.


    Truth be told, past a certain point, everyone treading on the cultivation journey dedicated their lives to power.


    Attaining power, harnessing power, perfecting power.


    The ends justified the means.


    Always.


    What else could they do?


    Have children?


    And what, watch them all die from old age while they live decades older?


    Make them a target?


    Forsake themter on?


    It was a mistake to involve oneself into such proceedings.


    He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword.


    "I see," the Empress said, sighing. "Shame."


    ck energy swirled around her fingers, taking the shape of an elegant rose flower. Just as fast, it blossomed, spreading far too fast for Usan to do anything about it.


    Darkness was epassing the horizon. From Usan''s perspective, it looked as though a dark jaw was mping over the skies, blocking out the light.


    Except, the two were clearly visible to each other.


    Ominous silence.


    The Empress smiled coldly.


    "Can''t have you running now, can we?"


    Usan scoffed derisively.


    "Didn''t n to."

 Chapter 420 Baleful Expanse

    <h4>Chapter 420 Baleful Expanse</h4>


    Slowly, the eight clones spread apart from one another in groups of two.


    For each direction, there were two Shadow Clones.


    Right, left, front, back.


    Usan didn''t bother hiding himself amidst them.


    They all looked the exact same and their faces weren''t visible. Whether or not the Empress knew who the real Usan was, didn''t really matter.


    There was a fragile pause as both parties looked each other up and down.


    There was no doubt about it.


    Usan was far weaker than the Empress.


    Right now, his Rank 6 mental sphere wasn''t close to the real thing in the least.


    His body was a mess.


    It may have looked sturdy and solid, but there were waves of pain washing over him.


    However, the Empress had to be careful.


    After all, the analogy of an old man holding a rocketuncher still fits here.


    She had to be careful of getting too close to Usan.


    And when considering the hate Usan had for her, she knew this wouldn''t end unless one of them died.


    Usan was aware of this too.


    At the same time, the Empress couldn''t detect Usan''s aura.


    It was like he was invisible, despite how she was looking straight at him.


    But the time for unnecessary thoughts was over.


    It was time to draw blood!


    SHHHH!


    WHOOM!


    ck energy swirled around the Empress'' hands as Usan and his Shadow Clones closed the distance in barely a second.


    From below, above and the sides, a spear, ive and several other weapons were closing in on her.


    At the same time, Usan''s wakizashi was just about to slice into the Empress'' neck, easily severing her head from shoulders.


    It was a Rank 6 item. One Usan made by sacrificing a bit of his lifeforce.


    Even a Rank 6 body wouldn''t be able to bear the brunt.


    It was just a few minutes away from decapitating the woman, when the mass of ck energy exploded outward, apanied with a shrill cry of something in pain.


    SHREEEEE!


    Usan was blown away, but he quickly steadied himself mid-air.


    His Shadow Clones were a bit injured, but instantly healed themselves after.


    The Empress, on the other hand, was unharmed.


    But there was a new addition to the battlefield.


    A Rank 6 Abomination.


    It had an alien-like, long, curvy head, the back of which was covered with writhing tentacles.


    There weren''t any eyes where its ''face'' was, but a nk te.


    Its mouth was almost as long and wide as its face, shaped like a diamond.


    It had long, spikey teeth, but few and far in between its gums.


    7 teeth above. 6 teeth below.


    It was skinny but muscr, with white skin, roughly 7 meters tall.


    Its ribcage could easily be seen through its tall, bony frame.


    It had two arms on its upper body, which ended with two hands and long nails.


    However, below its hip, there were no legs. Instead, it was one thick tail, covered with dense muscle.


    It looked like a mix between a human ¡ª if one could even call it that ¡ª and a snake.


    Usan groaned.


    The thing looked incredibly strong, despite its unorthodox shape and strange appearance.


    Shadows flowed from Usan''s body, forming hundreds of shadow-des.


    Compared to its Rank 5 counterpart, the Shadow des attack had grown immensely.


    Instead of little daggers, they were full blown odachis, and much higher in number.


    The eight Shadow Clones did the same.


    Although they were separate from the real Usan, they could use his ''Ora'' reserves at any time, including his spells.


    Before long, 9 separate swarms of rotating shadow-des shot towards the Empress and the Rank 6 Abomination.


    "Show them, Moon," the Empress ordered, pointing forward, unfazed by the threats.


    The Abomination ¡ª Moon ¡ª took a deep breath.


    Then, it shrieked with all its power.


    SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!


    All of the shadow-des were shredded apart, and Usan''s ears would have imploded if not for his shadows protecting him.


    Just then, the Abomination appeared in front of Usan, pping him away with its crushing tail.


    BANG!


    It was too fast.


    Usan attempted to block with his sword, but the tail wrapped around its edge and hit him on the side.


    He was sent towards the ocean.


    The Abomination shot towards him again, intent on using its tail for another blow.


    But just then, as he was flying towards the ocean like a bullet, Usan snapped his fingers.


    WHOOM!


    BANG!


    As the Abomination swung its tail, it quickly realized that the person it was aiming at had a mace instead of a sword!


    Usan had switched ces with its mace-wielding counterpart.


    As the tail swung around the clone, the shadow mace spiraled around its muscr tail and tightened around its frame.


    Its tail and body was ensnared.


    But its fists were free.


    It punched the clone with all of its power!


    BANG!


    Parts of the clone broke apart, but the chain and mace exploded.


    BOOM!


    Clouds of darkness gushed forth, epassing the Abomination.


    However, the Abomination exploded into mes a momentter¡ª


    WROOSH!


    ¡ªdispelling the corrosive gas.


    The mace-wielding clone was fully reformed a momentter.


    But this time, the seven remaining clones had surrounded the Abomination.


    Meanwhile, the real Usan had reappeared behind the Empress.


    Instead of swinging his sword, Usan flicked his fingers forward.


    The Empress snapped around with a frown.


    She expected the attack, but for just a moment, she was caught off guard by the back to back teleportation.


    Another mass of ck energy shot at Usan in a straight line.


    But a ck sphere that curved the space around it met its charge.


    A ck Hole.


    SHHHHHHHHHHH!


    The ck Hole sucked in the ck energy as though it was dust to a vacuum, growing in size.


    Then it continued forward.


    BOOM!


    The ck Hole exploded in the Empress'' face, flinging her the distance.


    Usan was about to attack again, but stopped suddenly.


    Moon, the Abomination, was fighting against his eight clones, but it didn''t bother protecting the Empress, her master.


    Something was wrong.


    As the Empress steadied, aligning herself upright, she sent Usan a deathly re.


    The right side of her face was missing skin and muscle, leaving only bone.


    But a momentter, it healed entirely.


    With a quiet, nk tone, she spoke under her breath:


    "I''ll show it to you, then."


    The Empress made a diamond with her hands.


    "The meaning of fear."


    DMMMMMM!


    There was a loud, echoing thud, followed by drumming creaks. Like an ancient, forbidden gate had just opened.


    Then, she chanted the words:


    "Baleful Expanse."

 Chapter 421 Dread

    <h4>Chapter 421 Dread</h4>


    WHOOOOOSH!


    As soon as the words were spoken, Usan''s hair and body was pushed back.


    A fierce gale was shooting past him, strong enough to put pressure on his Rank 6 body.


    Vague murmurs apanied the winds like an ill omen, the words of which were to faint for Usan to understand.


    But the way they were uttered made him think it was a curse of some kind.


    ''I''m already cursed,'' Usan thought randomly. ''What''s another?''


    Following the winds was an umbral darkness. As if there was even a mote of light to begin with, now, it was closing in on him like a box.


    Usan''s gaze snapped towards his clones, but they were no longer there.


    But neither was the Abomination, nor the Empress.


    It was just him.


    Gripping his de, his urge to act was hanging on a thread, but the less light there was, the stronger Usan was.


    That''s why he didn''t resist it.


    Before long, everything was covered in shadows, and Usan was stronger than ever.


    DOM!


    A spotlight suddenly illuminated Usan''s figure, as though he was on a stage.


    He flinched and subconsciously gripped the sword tighter, but he couldn''t sense anything.


    DOM!


    DOM!


    A momentter, two more spotlights appeared in the distance, illuminating a scene.


    One ahead, one directly to his right.


    Usan looked forward. There was an ornate, sinister shrine there. At its feet were bones and skulls of various monsters, piling atop one another.


    Beads of sweat formed on Usan''s face.


    He didn''t sugar coat it. If he went through that, he''d die. No doubt about it...


    No!


    He couldn''t fall prey to his thoughts. What stopped this from being a mental illusion?


    But then, Usan looked towards the right.


    A pleasing, worry-melting scent of vani and ripe peaches drifted past his nose.


    A smell familiar only to him.


    This couldn''t be¡­


    There, amidst a lush expanse of sakura trees, a graceful, well-dressed, beautiful silver-haired woman stood with a young baby in her arms.


    She gave a dazzling smile to Usan.


    Usan''s heart sank. A tremor ran through his body and determination at once.


    A pang of pain shot through his heart. It wasn''t physical, but it hurt a lot more.


    A loud voice echoed amidst the domain, and continued echoing. It was the Empress:


    "Choose. Live the rest of your life in blissful ignorance, but forsake the world? Or bitter truth, and inevitable death?"


    Silence.


    "I''ll make you suffer eight times as much for using my wife and daughter," Usan growled from the depths of his soul, his eyes widened with sheer anger. "Eight times."


    The handle of his sword bent from the pressure he exerted on it.


    ¡­And yet, he didn''t move from his ce.


    When his gaze fell on the silver-haired woman and child again, the rage slowly melted away, turning into sadness and desire.


    ''She''s not real,'' Usan thought with pity. ''She''s not real. She''s just a fake rendition.''


    "Life''s been hard to you, hasn''t it, dear?" the woman said with a sad but warm tone. "Your weary eyes have lost their light."


    A painful silence.


    "I know it''s been hard, my little light."


    Usan''s eyes widened.


    Little light.


    That''s what she used to call him.


    It sounded just like her.


    "He never got the chance to be born, did he?" the woman said, raising the baby in her arms. "I''ve named him Veran. Do you remember? Just like we agreed upon."


    Smelled just like her.


    Was just like her.


    And the baby¡­


    The baby had Usan''s eyes and his mother''s hair.


    Thends the two were in were just as he remembered.


    Pink trees. Lush, tall grass. Blue skies and lovely clouds.


    Pre-war li.


    A safe haven.


    Subconsciously, Usan''s right foot took a step forward. There was no mental tinkering. It was of his own volition.


    Instantly, he stopped himself.


    What was he doing?!


    It was fake!


    But¡­


    Did that really matter?


    Sometimes, dreams were more appealing to people than reality. Fantasy more than real life.


    And the burdens on Usan''s shoulders were heavy.


    Why couldn''t he take a rest?


    He killed those who deserved it. Killed a few that didn''t. Did good things. Did bad.


    He was a hypocrite. A selfish man. A ve to his revenge.


    Another slow step forward.


    But at the end of the day, it didn''t matter. He was going to die soon. Time was running out.


    One more step forward.


    Another step and he would enter through the gate.


    His wife outstretched her lithe, gentle hand, urging him inside.


    Usan reached out.


    And severed it with his sword.


    There was no blood, and the woman didn''t scream.


    She didn''t react.


    She was nk.


    Empty inside.


    It didn''t expect that.


    Usan heaved a tense breath he didn''t know he was holding.


    Then came the anger.


    "You think I''d ept a fake if you''d killed the real one?" Usan growled.


    His shadow demon mask was zing with ck mes, and his voice was even more distorted.


    "Do you think I''m as green-hatted as your emperor?!"


    Faster than sound, Usan''s body burst through the ck gate on the other side.


    The anger in him was enough to boil oceans.


    He let his body express the anger, and let his mind control it.


    As soon as he approached the shrine, something slowly emerged from behind it.


    The ground was covered with skulls, bones and skeletons, belonging to various monsters.


    "Should have taken the deal, fool. She would have been the same as the one in your mind. Would have felt the same. Could have raised the child. Shame."


    Fury red in Usan''s chest, warming his body.


    A momentter, the figure appeared in full view.


    It was the Empress¡­ except, she was no longer human.


    Instead, she was 6 meters tall.


    With a female, muscr, broad-shouldered, humanoid form.


    She retained a human-shaped head, but without eyes. Other than long, snake-like tentacle hair.


    She still had a mouth, though. Filled with square teeth pressed together.


    Instead of ears, little white wings sprouted from the side of her temples.


    "I am Rhea, Mother of Abomination," the Empress announced, spreading her arms proudly. "Empress of Fear."


    Her voice was too deep to be called feminine.


    Entering through the shrine and crushing the skulls below her monstrous feet, she spoke two words:


    "Now dread."

 Chapter 422 Ego

    <h4>Chapter 422 Ego</h4>


    Usan''s eyes narrowed at her words.


    He''d been a Rank 6 cultivator for a while now, but he''d fended off the urge to grow an inted ego.


    Partly because he didn''t earn it, and partly because he wasn''t the hard-headed type.


    The same couldn''t be said about those who got to that point with their own two hands.


    They were all egoists, and the Empress of Drama was the same.


    Except for that one kid. He was always a damn egoist. With serial killer tendencies.


    KRSH!


    CRACK!


    KRK!


    The Mother of Abomination took slow steps towards Usan, as though wanting the dread to sink in.


    No such thing happened. Strangely enough, the rage in Usan''s body drowned out any fear in him.


    His hands and legs trembled, but Usan didn''t know whether it was from anger or fear.


    A small symphony yed in the background, alternating between high and low octaves.


    It was slow, ancient, grim and eerie, paired with a choir of young girls chanting strange words that echoed throughout the space.


    It was like the prologue to a horror story.


    Or a funeral.


    "Do you even know how weak you are?" the Empress said with a little snicker. "You''re so angry it''s cute. Like a puppy pretending to be a lion."


    Usan cursed her and her seven generations in the lian tongue.


    "How mature," the Empress said with disdain.


    Usan''s shadows worked just fine.


    This¡­ ''Domain'' wasn''t a 100% killing move.


    It had rules of its own.


    For one, the choice the Empress gave Usan wasn''t fake.


    If he wanted to, he could have actually lived the remainder of his life beside a fake version of his dead wife.


    Even if she was an Abomination.


    But he chose not to.


    The thirst for revenge was stronger than the desire for family.


    But now, he had to fight the Empress under her own rules and regtions.


    His mind raced for the next line of action.


    He couldn''t fly. He tried already, but it didn''t work.


    He couldn''t sink beneath the shadows either, and there were bones for as far as the eye could see.


    If the rules of this ce applied to him, then surely it applied to her?


    One had to know the Opposition''s Law of Bnce didn''t just affect cultivation prowess.


    It affected the boundaries of what one could do with their powers and abilities.


    If it wasn''t the case, battles at the peak ranks would be settled incredibly fast, just because one party got the first hit.


    If one looked at it from another angle, it could bepared to a game.


    Participants may be weaker or stronger than each other, but there was no cheating involved.


    ''I can''t teleport.''


    ''I can''t use my Shadow Clones, either.''


    ''She''s just gonna keep bombarding me with Abominations, isn''t she?'' Usan realized with a frown.


    ''Her Abomination Form doesn''t look like it''s made for battle, but for maniption.''


    As though answering his thoughts, Usan''s theory proved correct a secondter.


    KERKERKERKER.


    The skeletons and bones below Usan''s feet chattered and rose above the ground.


    Rank 5 Abominations.


    Well, he called it.


    Usan groaned in annoyance.


    Each skeleton rushed at him, reaching for his limbs and sword. A few were close enough to clutch his shins, pulling him under.


    Usan raised his sword above his head, then made a diagonal, spiral sh downwards.


    SHIIIIING!


    The surrounding skeletons resembled peeled fruits made of bone and brittle.


    To his Rank 6 wakizashi, they weren''t worthy opponents.


    A single swing was enough to render most of them motionless.


    BOOM!


    A skeletal hand burst from the ground below Usan''s feet, sending him flying!


    WHOOSH!


    Had he not strengthened his body with shadows, he would have gotten crushed under its monolithic size.


    Each bony finger was the size of a small building.


    There was no doubt in Usan''s mind.


    This was the hand of a giant.


    Arcs of darkness and swarms of shadow-des shot from Usan''s sword and body, cutting through bones and giving enough time to dodge.


    BOOM!


    Another giant''s hand emerged from the mountain of bones, forcing Usan to retreat.


    ''She''s creating space for herself,'' Usan thought as he dodged. ''I can''t let her force me into a corner like this.''


    For several minutes, Usan continued jumping backwards as the hands exploded from beneath the mountains of bones.


    Then, just as he dodged another as it exploded from the ground¡ª


    BOOM!


    ¡ªhe changed trajectory, using his shadows to wrap around the giant''s wrist and slingshot his way around it.


    A momentter, he was shooting through the air like a warlock.


    Another series of hands burst from his path of flight, attempting to p him down.


    But using his shadows once more, he simply swung around them.


    Before long, the gap between the Empress and Usan had been closed.


    But just as he readied his de to strike at her neck, the Empress'' stomach bulged to an almost pregnant-like state.


    Usan''s eyes widened in disgust.


    In the same instance, her stomach ttened again, but her neck bulged with veins, and her cheeks puffed up as much as possible.


    A momentter, a foul, ck mixture of gas and liquid sprayed from her mouth in a wide spread.


    "BLUERGH!"


    It was too fast to dodge.


    Obviously, Usan stopped breathing, and his shadows covered him from top to bottom.


    But as soon as the gas made contact with him, pangs of pain struck him like lightning.


    It felt like eggs had grown within each of the pores of his skin, hatching with swarms of insects burrowing into his flesh.


    His eyes.


    His nose.


    His teeth.


    His jaw.


    His intestines.


    Biting, wing, ripping into his skin.


    It wasn''t actually happening, but it felt just like it!


    Usan gnashed his teeth.


    But he didn''t stop!


    His flight continued, albeit wobbly now, until the wakizashi managed to form a diagonal cut from the Empress'' left shoulder.


    SHING!


    A pound of flesh left the woman''s body, and a slight groan of pain left the Empress'' throat.

 Chapter 423 Forgiveness

    <h4>Chapter 423 Forgiveness</h4>


    The twonded opposite to each other.


    Though, Usan couldn''t stop.


    With every second of staying idle, the skeletons below his feet pulled him down.


    He had to keep moving his legs and swinging his arms.


    But the feelings of bugs crawling in and out of him was relentless. Even with his shadows, it did little to protect him from the morbid sensations.


    Anger.


    More rage.


    Anger was the kryptonite of fear. It heightened one''s urge to act before they ever got a chance to act again.


    If anyone else had been in his ce, they''d sumb and scream from the top of their lungs.


    Not him, though.


    With newfound strength, Usan turned around and shot at the Empress again.


    Strangely, the wide gash on her shoulder hadn''t healed. It was still leaking with ck blood, and it made no effort at reforming.


    ''She can''t heal,'' Usan realized, then spared a nce at his own body. Wounds and bruises weren''t healing. ''Neither can I.''


    That was a grim realization.


    Although this put both bodies'' healing factors on equal footing, Usan''s frame was not as rigid and powerful as Rhea''s.


    Wounding her was going to be hard.


    The symphony and choir was tenser now. Louder and faster, rising to a climax.


    Abruptly, the bones below Usan''s feet were melting away, turning into hardened liquid.


    Usan jumped and wrapped his shadows around the wrist of a giant, but it was melting like a towering candle shaft.


    The floor wasva!


    The Empress sank alongside her melting bones, sending Usan a faint smile before disappearing below the white sea.


    Inwardly, Usan cursed up a storm. The hand of the giant was sinking like a broken ship, and it would take him along with it.


    Frustration.


    Rage.


    Anger.


    He was tired of being dragged along. Treated like a lesser and looked down upon.


    His father was a prime example of that. His entire family, as a matter of fact.


    Thinking of them did nothing to quell the rage in his soul.


    Enough!


    All of Usan''s shadows condensed around a shadow-sword.


    His shadows were no longer being divided between offense or defense.


    All of it had gone to offense, transforming into a single spear that burned with darkness and swirled with shadows.


    This left him basically defenseless.


    Just as the final fingers of the hand were going to drift under the white sea, Usan leapt into the air.


    WHOOSH!


    Then, he hurled the spear.


    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    The spear let out a sharp hiss as it split the air, then made contact with the thick white sea, booming with tides of unbelievable power.


    Instantly, severalyers of the white sea were peeled open. And as his eyes brushed over it, he quickly spotted the Empress herself, taken aback by the sudden move.


    She attempted to swim deeper into the waters, turning tail like a worm running from the gardener''s hand.


    As if he''d let her.


    Although Usan couldn''t teleport himself, the same couldn''t be said with switching ces with an inanimate object.


    He''d done the same with his Shadow Clones.


    ¡­But since the Empress had denied him their usage, she thought the switching ability was blocked out, too!


    She thought wrong.


    Usan switched ces with his spear, then immediately hurled an empowered shadow-de at the Empress'' back.


    CHING!


    It struck.


    The shadow-de pierced through her back and spread corrosive roots on her muscr skin.


    Despite that, she tried digging deeper into the white sea, but Usan switched with the shadow-de!


    Usan locked his legs around the Mother of Abomination''s waist, and his hands around her neck, tightening them as hard as he physically could.


    Rhea bit down on his arm, sending another series of traumatizing images in Usan''s head.


    A momentter, she ripped off the limb entirely.


    He almost let go. The pain was too much to bear. Too much for the human mind.


    Almost.


    Instead, Usan''s Inner World washed over the two like a thin wave, transporting both into a void separate to the one they were already in.


    The shock visible on the Empress'' face was a delight to Usan that trumped many.


    Now, they were in his world.


    The Empress ducked and headbutted Usan as she rose to her feet, shattering a few of his teeth on impact and breaking his shadow mask in half.


    He lost his grip.


    The Empress was free, and she created as much space as she could within the ck void.


    As she snapped around with a violent gaze, her eyes widened in shock.


    The mask was off. So were the bandages and most of the wrappings covering Usan''s body.


    Usan looked¡­ severely anorexic. There was not a muscle visible on his body except that it clung to the bone underneath.


    His cheekbones were sullen, his eyes dark and drooping with heavy exhaustion.


    He looked more like a decrepit old man than a nigh-rank 6 cultivator.


    Each breath he took made it seem like it would be hisst, before his chest would rise again for another.


    Rhea blinked with pure disbelief.


    "You¡­ you''re a corpse!"


    Despite his pathetic state, Usan managed a jagged, toothless smile.


    "Takes one to know one."


    His quiet voice was incredibly raspy, like two sheets of sandpaper rubbing against one another.


    Rhea started to panic.


    Despite how meek and weak Usan seemed, the certain confidence that radiated from him was incredibly unnerving.


    Terrifying, even.


    Like he was watching a man running into a fire of death, and smiling as he did so.


    Wordlessly, Usan took out the Rank 6 wakizashi, raising it into the air and smiling at it.


    He heaved a long breath.


    "Noraey. Veran," Usan said under his breath, his eyes slowly closing. "Forgive me."


    The Mother of Abomination let her shock remain for no longer.


    Her stomach bulged as big as it could, and dense, thick-bodied Abominations burst out from her mouth and surrounded her figure.


    The wakizashi exploded with the might of a Rank 6 item.


    The Inner World, the Empress'' Domain, and patch of the ocean visible from space, had all exploded in quick session.

 Chapter 424 Egg

    <h4>Chapter 424 Egg</h4>


    The view was dazzling, but equally destructive.


    There was a sh of ck light at first, followed by a boom that directly killed thousands of cultivators indiscriminately.


    Unfortunately for them, they were a little too near to the st zone.


    How near?


    Well¡­ 3,500 kilometers near.


    They had let down their guard for merely a moment, since the fight between Alucard and the Emperor had slowly died down.


    In truth, most of them were low ranking Imperialists, hoping to return back to their leaders.


    Following the boom, the earth and sky rumbled for several minutes.


    The shockwave itself had circled the earth a total of five different times, directly killing Rank 2 and Rank 3 organisms in surrounding countries.


    And countless civilians.


    Essentially, the explosion was six times as powerful as the strongest bomb detonated on earth.


    Tsar Bomba.


    A nuke so powerful, the scientists behind it had to wisely dial it down to 50 megatons from 100 in fear of destroying the.


    And now, well, that meant nothing in the face of something so incredibly powerful, the heat produced caused a patch of the ocean to evaporate.


    Watching from the distant horizon, at a ''safe'' distance of about 4,800 kilometers, Liam''s eyes narrowed to slits.


    He''d been in the dark throughout both battles.


    In reality, he wanted to linger a little closer to the inds to witness the fights.


    He didn''t reckon it was often that Rank 6 powerhouses fought, and he always felt his ambitions soar when witnessing grand events.


    But Elder Aki''s wise words woke him up:


    "You''ll die," she said nkly, "and so will we."


    And so they continued flying and flying.


    Still, with the distance between the two parties, Liam still managed to catch the major details.


    The fiery fists, the cyclone of mes, the hundred suns, followed by the darkening of the horizon and now, its explosion.


    It was like watching night and day take ce right beside each other. Like the sun and a ck hole were shing against each other.


    ''Four people,'' Liam thought with entranced eyes as the battle was concluding.


    Blood gushed from his ears, eyes and nose, and his insides were an ugly mess, but he couldn''t care less.


    The umted damage came as a result of withstanding the shockwave with minimal protection.


    As weird as it sounded, he wanted to feel the pain. Of just being in the vicinity of such powers.


    ''Just four, average height and stature.''


    ''And that''s the impact they have on the world.''


    ''That''s their power.''


    ''So many people died just from that.''


    Liam''s greed got stronger anyway.


    Just a few minutes after the explosion, there was a sudden pause. A reprieve from all the chaos.


    Still on his Water Dragon, Liam lingered mid-air for a few minutes. The oceans below him were boiling.


    SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!


    From a wide radius around him, the waters surged forward as though attempting to fill a cavity.


    Heat scalded Liam''s skin and body, enough to cook his flesh to a crispy texture, which emitted an awfully appetizing smell.


    In a panic, the swarms of thousands of Water Dragons hovering mid-air around and above him, flew as fast as they could from the heatwave.


    The Zeniths amidst them applied defensive spells and inscriptions to protect their weakest.


    Otherwise, they''d catch fire and most likely die.


    The Temple was no different.


    They scurried off¡­


    But Liam remained.


    "I''m going in," he shouted with his gaze still forward.


    And a momentter, he flew head-first into the heatwave.


    "Not again!" Aki shouted from her Water Dragon. "You''re gonna die, idiot!"


    "Someone stop him!" Jane and Verium shouted from behind, but Liam was already gone. "I hate it when you do this!"


    Their voices trailed off as Liam grew further.


    As he flew into the heatwave, parts of Liam melted off. A loud buzzing noise filled his ears.


    It was like he was flying straight into an oven!


    The further he got, the deeper he melted.


    A few minutes into it, Liam had to use Transfiguration to cover his eyes, ears and nose with ayer of flesh.


    And groin.


    Liam didn''t have a suicide wish. He knew the battle was over, but he had to be the one to witness what came of it.


    His brows furrowed.


    ''Is Usan still alive?''


    With an explosion like that, Liam felt dumb for thinking that¡­ but one could hope.


    Maybe he used a spell of some kind¡­ or teleported out of the st zone?


    These possibilities weren''t unrealistic.


    But he had to find out.


    As he continued on his flight path, Ryu, Verium and Jane appeared behind him.


    "I hate it when you do things on your own!" Jane said with clear annoyance in her tone. "At least warn us!"


    Liam wanted to say that he did, but decided the conversation was pointless.


    Elder Verium covered Liam with a membrane of liquid tobat the heat.


    Giving him a nod of thanks, Liam snapped his attention ahead.


    Before long, they were soaring through the air and heading to where the oceans converged.


    The Water Dragons were fast.


    Although they weren''t the strongest, with their skinny frame and thin sapphire scales, their speed was unmatched.


    The mushroom cloud of darkness slowly dissipated into wisps, along with the hot air.


    In reality, the explosion wasn''t made of fire. It was made of darkness, hence its ck hue.


    However, the wave of heat was a result of the sheer amount of power produced by a Rank 6 item.


    A few momentster, Liam forced his dragon to stop. The others stopped with him.


    As the final wisps of the mushroom cloud had gone with the wind, it allowed for a clear view of the surroundings.


    There was no Usan.


    And no Empress.


    Panic.


    Liam''s eyesnded on something floating above the ocean.


    It looked like an egg of some kind, made from some kind of organic material or rotten flesh.


    BOOM!


    Just then, a white fist punched through the egg''s shell, sending fleshy bits flying out.


    Liam''s eyes widened with shock.


    Right after, it hatched with a soft, wet squelch¡ª


    PLERGH!


    ¡ªand the Empress slowly emerged from it.

 Chapter 425 Dragon

    <h4>Chapter 425 Dragon</h4>


    The Empress looked nothing like Liam had remembered her.


    The only reason he even thought it was her, was because logically, it couldn''t be anyone else.


    Unless, of course, it was some kind of Abomination that she left behind as a seed.


    As she broke through the egg, her full form came into view.


    She was a mess.


    Parts of her were missing.


    Her right arm was turned to ash.


    Her entire skin was corroded, as though someone had poured a bucket of acid on her head.


    Her chest had been torn into.


    And her lower body had been crushed.


    She looked incredibly weak in her Abomination Form.


    Liam''s vision no longer swam when looking at her, though his legs and body still shook recklessly.


    Although the Empress was gravely injured, she was still slowly healing, though it was barely visible to the naked eye.


    Liam and the rest would die if they didn''t turn tail and run.


    But they didn''t.


    From the side, a familiar figure flew over. A massive limp body was gripped to his side.


    Alucard and the Emperor of Courage.


    Alucard had won.


    And from the looks of it, it was overwhelming.


    There wasn''t even a single scratch on his clothes.


    Alucard looked towards Liam and the group, sending them a vague frown.


    From the looks of it, Liam wasn''t supposed to be here.


    Neither of the parties spoke, though, and Alucard''s piercing gaze fell back to the Empress.


    The Empress slowly rose above the ground.


    Despite having no eyes, her gaze snapped towards the Emperor.


    Her jaw visibly fell, a vague moan of painful anguish leaving her throat.


    In the same instant, her face twisted into an unearthly, ugly expression.


    She let out a nasty curse and shrieked from the top of her broken lungs, causing Liam''s mental sphere to vibrate.


    It was on the cusp of shattering.


    Two seconds more, and it''d crumble apart.


    Her stomach bulged in the blink of an eye, and her cheeks puffed up, but¡ª


    Alucard was too fast.


    He snapped his fingers forward, and a bolt of red energy shot through the woman''s stomach.


    There was no explosion or visible wound of any kind.


    But after spasming for a brief moment, she fell weightlessly into the ocean below, her attack stopping mid way.


    The waves were pulling her this way and that, but Alucard made a rising gesture with his free hand, and the Empress rose above.


    Then, she hovered over to his free hand.


    Liam was stunned with shock.


    Just what was that red energy?!


    It was ridiculously strong. Liam didn''t know if the Empress died or not, but she definitely wasn''t moving anymore.


    Holding the Emperor on the right hand, and the Empress on the left hand, Alucard looked terrifying.


    Like his business was death and he''d done the perfect job.


    "You have my condolences," Alucard said with a pitiful tone, his eyes running past the oceanic debris. "I don''t suppose he made it."


    Jane, Verium and Ryu felt their hearts shrivel a bit. A mix of bitterness and anger bloomed on their grim faces.


    Liam furrowed his brows. Indeed, there was nothing indicative of Usan''s survival. Not even a trace.


    Liam heaved a solemn sigh. He knew this would end in Usan''s death one way or another.


    It was unavoidable.


    But still.


    ''At least he aplished what he set out to do. Especially with the state he was in.''


    Not many could boast about that.


    At least this way, Usan had some closure knowing he''d finally quenched his thirst for revenge.


    And now, the mess was all Liam''s to clean up.


    Liam inwardly sighed.


    ''Thanks a lot, you bloodthirsty revenge maniac.''


    ''Hope it was worth it.''


    Back at the issue at hand, Liam was faced with a massive, massive hurdle.


    A nice fellow by the name of Alucard.


    How the heck was he supposed to talk to this person like an equal?


    The dagger that two empires waged war over was idly sitting in his Inner World.


    But Liam looked at it as a bargaining chip, like Usan had advised him to.


    It was clear that he couldn''t hold onto something so dangerous. The harms outweighed the benefits.


    But lucky for Liam, a trade didn''t sound so bad. Not when there were two Rank 6 corpses up for sale.


    In fact, had Liam not known that this would have been a viable oue, he would have outright denied participating in the war.


    After all, Usan had promised him a Rank 6 corpse.


    Alucard looked at Liam with a searching gaze.


    He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, sounds grew louder.


    Iprehensible shouts, shrieks and other noises.


    Alucard clicked his tongue, lowering his head with a dark expression.


    It was the Dual Empire.


    Swarms of Imperialists had filled the horizon. Hundreds of thousands of them.


    The Fearists were flying on their Abominations, and all the Couragists were air-walking through a special usage of their armor.


    "I hate interruptions," Alucard said with a quiet growl. Liam noticed his hands twitching in fragile restraint.


    From behind, opposite to the Imperialists, were the allied martial art ns and the vampires!


    And in the center of this ramping carnage, was Alucard, Liam, Verium, Jane and Ryu.


    They were more or less equal to the number of Dual Imperialists. Clearly, Alucard hadn''t ordered all his forces to support the war.


    Just him was sufficient.


    But as soon as the Dual Imperialists arrived close enough, their focus fell on the two familiar corpses Alucard held in his hands.


    Their chests sank.


    Their Empress¡­ their Emperor¡­ limp.


    They were defeated, and attempting to fight a Rank 6 powerhouse like Alucard was tant suicide.


    They didn''t run, though.


    They were actually considering it.


    A million ants could bring down a dragon.


    But¡­ there wasn''t just a dragon.


    There were also a million ants.


    WHOOM!


    Above the sky, there was a sudden sh of luminous light that sent rays of blinding light in every direction.


    A figure appeared.


    Liam cursed under his breath.


    Another dragon.

 Chapter 426 Address

    <h4>Chapter 426 Address</h4>


    Inwardly, Liam cursed. He''d swear physically, but not when under such scrutiny from all four angles.


    There were four parties involved.


    The vampires, the Dual Imperialists, the allies, and the Temple.


    And now, Kuan had arrived.


    He wore his usual tinum robe, a mane of glorious golden hair falling over his shoulders.


    ''Stupid prick was biding his time,'' Liam cursed. ''And now he shows up.''


    And there was probably nothing Liam could do about his presence.


    ''I''m gonna lose my mind if another powerhouse appears.''


    No matter how tight knit the alliance was with the Temple of Shadow, a Rank 6 powerhouse had too much authority for it to matter.


    In general terms, this meeting was between Liam and Alucard, giving them more or less an equal ground to negotiate on.


    Power dynamics were a thing.


    And now, with Kuan''s arrival, that equal ground had shifted significantly.


    If one saw this as a meeting between shareholders, the percentages between Liam and the other two would be ringly different.


    To Liam''s disadvantage, of course.


    For that, Kuan was marked for death. Sooner orter.


    Kuan''s gaze fell to the left, where the Imperialists were.


    Then, it fell to the right, where the vampires and the alliance was.


    And finally, it arrived back at the center of the field, to Liam and Alucard.


    "What a brat," Kuan shook his head with a solemn look. "Perhaps I treated him too harshly."


    A blind man could tell the rtionship between Usan and his father was not normal.


    The two were deeply estranged, and had even been enemies at one point.


    Liam could rte.


    But still, rtionships between kin are not easily severed in the cultivation world.


    Despite their fights, Usan and Kuan were still father and son.


    "You''ve caught us at the wrong time," Alucard deadpanned with a nk look. "This doesn''t concern you, friend."


    There was a silent pause.


    Other than the whistling of wind and the folding of ocean waves, nothing was heard.


    Kuan gave a toothy smile.


    "You''re right. It doesn''t."


    A pause.


    "Except¡­ all this barren ground," Kuan''s gaze fell on the remains of the Dual Empire. "I don''t think you''ll have much use of it."


    Liam hid a grimace.


    Thend was up for grabs!


    "Said who?" Alucard said with a small frown. "Acting like a vulture is bad manners, Mister Kuan."


    "Ha!" Kuanughed, but it sounded more like a bark.


    "Vulture, he says. Might I remind you what you just did to those two corpses? If that wasn''t vulturing, I don''t know what is."


    Fair point.


    Alucard''s eyes went dead. "Then you don''t know what it is," he retorted. "I killed them. You did nothing."


    Kuan shrugged with a sarcastic face, still unfazed by the threats.


    "Tomato-tomahto. What use do you have fornd anyway? Authority has its reach. You''ve built yourself a cushy nest back in Korsa. What''s the point of moving?"


    There was another silence.


    Kuan''s point was true.


    Korsa was already massive, and the more one stretched out their authority, the less authority they had.


    That didn''t meannd was useless, though.


    It gave more jurisdiction over surrounding areas, if the powerhouse in question had enough strength to protect them.


    "If you think I''ll just gift you a country," Alucard said with dead eyes and a monotone voice, "you''ve thought incorrectly."


    Liam was silent throughout the ordeal. He just hoped the two would give him safe passage before they shed.


    "Woah, woah," Kuan said catingly, raising his hands in a ''calm down'' gesture. "I never said anything about a fight. I''ll offer something in return."


    The fact that Kuan avoided a fight with the Pashah was a testament to his power.


    But Liam had a feeling he knew what that ''offer'' was.


    "I''ll give you the Sacrosanct Tree."


    A pause.


    Alucard actually looked like he was considering it, behind the dead mask he wore as a face.


    He looked at Liam.


    "What about you?" Alucard asked. "You want no part in this?"


    Liam was taken aback from the offer, but he didn''t let it show.


    Liam wouldn''t really mind the free space.


    One, to amodate the growing forces of the Temple. The ind was getting too cramped.


    Two, the Dual Empire was in a perfect ce, geographically.


    It was distant from Echoria and the Imperial Legion, which was a major, major plus.


    After all, with Usan gone, Echorian forces could get brave. Sure, Alucard''s support was there, but it wasn''t like the vampire king would live with him.


    And three, if given the Dual Empire''snds, Liam could actually pave his way into making the Temple of Shadow a separate, independent country.


    That way, he could distance himself from politics as he got stronger.


    But there were several things wrong with this line of thought.


    Seizingnd came with politics!


    It was unavoidable when pulling himself into that sort of thing, unless he was a Rank 6 powerhouse.


    Damned if he did, damned if he didn''t. It was a catch-22 situation in a nutshell.


    And with no powerhouse to his side, he wouldn''t be able to maintain such a vast country on his own.


    Liam looked at Kuan. "Are you nning to move from li, then?"


    Kuan hummed to himself in thought. "Maybe. Maybe not. I want to expand, not restrict myself."


    A momentter, Kuan realized the purpose of the question.


    Liam was just worried that Kuan might snoop around his work, since Usan could no longer provide that support.


    "Ha! Don''t think so mighty of yourself, kiddo. I don''t care enough to meddle in your affairs."


    Reassuring, if not a little condescending.


    But if they wanted to y politics, two could y that game.


    Liam looked back to Alucard. "Mind giving me a minute?"


    Alucard raised a brow, but he slowly nodded.


    The trading session came to a strange stand-still.


    Liam nced at Ryu. "Do you have your voice amplifier?"


    Ryu fumbled for a few seconds and nodded hectically.


    Ryu had a powerful Rank 4 voice amplifier, which he used to ''motivate'' undisciplined acolytes with his grand speeches.


    He took it out and handed it to Liam.


    Raising its volume to the max, Liam ced it on his throat.


    Then, he flew his dragon a little higher, where the Dual Imperialists could see him clearly.


    The cloak... the hood... the wed hands...


    It was him!


    The Reaper was to address them.

 Chapter 427 Good Haul

    <h4>Chapter 427 Good Haul</h4>


    Not all the Imperialists were aware of who the Reaper was.


    After all, not everyone had participated in the war. Just a small portion of them did.


    But as soon as Liam came into view, shouts of all kinds spread among both the Couragists and the Fearists.


    They weren''t saying nice things.


    In fact, they were cursing him pretty badly. After all, it was Liam''s fault they lost!


    Both sides!


    The Fearists thought that the Reaper was on their side, but turns out, he wasn''t.


    And the Couragists¡­ well, they always hated the Reaper.


    Both sides equally hated him.


    Liam inwardly braced himself.


    He made an oath to himself not to make any grand speeches.


    None!


    But now¡­


    With his voice amplified to an ear-splitting volume, Liam spoke in an matter-of-factly, authoritative tone:


    "The Emperors are dead."


    The two limp bodies to Alucard''s sides were evidence.


    "You no longer have a home, nor a leader. You''re divided. Lost."


    Kuan and Alucard slowly realized what Liam was attempting to do.


    And they didn''t like it.


    "The Temple of Shadow extends a helping hand. Fearist or Couragist. I couldn''t care less."


    "You won''t have to worry about marital quarrels or waging pointless wars. I won''t send you to your death."


    "As long as you obey, of course."


    The reactions were varied.


    "You cloaked runt! You kill our Emperor and try to take his ce?! Never!"


    "We follow an Empress! Not a snake! You deserve to hang for your crimes!"


    However, that was actually the minority''s reaction.


    They were among the strongest, and by extension, the closest to the powerhouses.


    The majority were silent.


    It was true.


    With an army as vast as them, there was no way for a single leader to rally such a powerful army.


    Besides, they weren''t one faction. They were two.


    Each Imperialist had a life of their own.


    In fact¡­ the Fearists and Couragists shared those lives.


    Love, they called it.


    Unity was incredibly hard to achieve, especially when in war.


    And yet¡­ the Reaper offered them the shade of his banner. Sure, he''d caused the death of the Emperor and Empress.


    But what kind of leaders waged an artificial war over a dagger?


    And it wasn''t the first time they did so, either. It was sadistic. It was cruel. And it wasn''t fitting for a leader.


    Some Fearists flew forward.


    Some Couragists moved forward.


    The Rank 5 leaders of the Fearists and Couragists had their eyes widened in shock.


    "Traitors!"


    The leaders instantly intended to attack the deserters.


    But then, they saw Liam looking at them with nk eyes. Daring them to do it.


    They couldn''t bring themselves to. Liam was allied with Alucard and thousands of other cultivators.


    Before long, swarms of Fearists and Couragists were switching sides!


    Storms of curses and abuses flew behind them from those still loyal to the Empires.


    Temple Elders weed them with open arms, making the transition even smoother than Liam realized.


    Ryu had a broad smile on his face as he weed the Couragists. He and them were cut from the same cloth.


    Jane, Aki, Orisa, and Kitsu, herded the Fearists.


    Turns out, his n was pretty damn good at managing themselves.


    Zeniths poured in by the dozens, guilty and pained looks on their faces.


    They didn''t want to do this.


    This wasn''t a good thing.


    They weren''t happy.


    But this was an easy way out of a difficult situation.


    ''No Rank 5''s want to join?'' Liam thought. ''Shame. I could have used¡ª''


    Just then, a Rank 5 Fearist flew to Liam''s side.


    The Fearist was a graceful woman with long white hair and tanned skin. Her blind eyes were hooded, and her features sharp.


    Liam recognized her.


    She was the lead fighter within the Rank 5 war for the dagger, and a formidable one at that.


    A fire elemental.


    She probably knew what Liam did to seize the star and the sky, and possibly respected him for it.


    However, this didn''t mean Liam could trust her, or any of the Imperialists joining their n.


    Not yet, at least. Not until they were urately assessed.


    "Name," Liam asked curtly, "and reason for joining."


    "Kerian, Sire," the woman responded, lowering her head in respect. "My husband died in a pointless war. I have not a shred of loyalty remaining for the Empire."


    "I pledge my undying allegiance."


    There was a moment of silence.


    Liam nodded at her.


    "You may leave."


    Immediately after, she joined the crowd.


    As Kerian joined, so did a chunk of low to mid ranking Fearists and Couragists.


    They no longer felt guilty about it!


    But unfortunately, no other Rank 5''s joined the Temple.


    ''Probably for the best. If too many of them join, they could easily stage a coup and get revenge.''


    59 Zeniths and 6,000 Mortals.


    One Rank 5.


    A solid haul.


    The rest had scattered with the wind, their motivation broken and their leaders reduced to corpses.


    It was done.


    Liam lowered his dragon back to Alucard and Kuan, who looked just a little more annoyed than usual.


    The power dynamics had changed a bit more.


    This time, Liam wasn''t as backed into a corner!


    "I don''t think the ind can suffice anymore," Liam said to Kuan, sighing.


    Kuan let out a deep breath. "Fine. I''ll give you a better ce."


    "And I get to keep the ind," Liam added.


    Kuan took another, deeper breath.


    "Fine."


    WHOOM!


    A sh of light reflected in Liam''s eyes.


    Kuan had taken out a light-made sapling, brightening and dimming in slow breaths.


    He threw the sapling over to Alucard, who promptly waved a hand and caused it to disappear.


    Alucard got the Sacrosanct Tree.


    Kuan got the Dual Empire''snds.


    And Liam had a¡­ dagger.


    But the trades were not over.


    "You can let us be," Alucard said to Kuan. "You''ve got what you wanted."


    Kuan scoffed.


    SHING!


    A momentter, he teleported away, leaving just Alucard and Liam.


    "The dagger," Alucard said. "What''ll you take for it?"


    A pause.


    "One of their bodies," Liam gestured to the Emperor and Empress.


    Another pause.


    It was longer than usual.


    Alucard let out a tired sigh.


    "I''m keeping their space rings. Choose which one you want."


    Liam felt like a kid in a candy store.


    Except, he had just two choices.


    A long, long silence of contemtion followed.


    "Give me the Empress."

 Chapter 428 One Banner

    <h4>Chapter 428 One Banner</h4>


    There was a reason Liam chose the Empress over the Emperor.


    The Emperor''s body was marred and tainted with Alucard''s blood.


    Liam was notfortable drinking Alucard''s ichor.


    If he knew it would make him stronger, perhaps he''d ask for a few droplets¡­ if the Pashah wouldn''t kill him right away, that is.


    But in reality, he was worried it might entail something different. A fatal side effect, or worse.


    The Empress, on the other hand, had a much more ''delectable'' appearance.


    Her Abomination Form had melted away, reverting her back to a rtively normal state.


    Even her wounds were healed up, and her ck and white roman toga covered her body.


    Despite the grand difference between the Emperor and Empress'' sizes, Liam felt safer going for thetter.


    Alucard threw over the Empress'' body to Liam as though she was a bag of dirt.


    Liam grabbed her by the arm before she fell below the ocean, giving her a quick inspection.


    ''Her space ring isn''t with her,'' Liam thought. ''Did Alucard take it? Can''t ask for something like that, anyway.''


    Regret.


    Rank 6 resources were¡­ well, Rank 6 resources. It was self


    ''This just means that Alucard has the space rings of two Rank 6 beings.''


    Yikes.


    ''The danger he poses now has to be beyond measure,'' Liam thought. ''We''ve made an alliance with a walking cmity.''


    A momentter, Liam stored her in his ring, which caused the storage device to wobble and shake, as though unable to contain her power.


    Even past her death!


    After a few seconds, though, the shaking stopped, limiting itself to a constant tremble.


    The space ring itself was a rank 4 item with 200 cubic meters in space, and Liam wasn''t too worried about it breaking.


    ''In the first ce, it doesn''t matter if it breaks or not,'' Liam thought. ''Everything inside would just explode outward like an uncoiled spring if it did, but nothing would be lost.''


    Then, Liam focused back on the situation at hand.


    Reaching into his shadows, he pulled the luminous dagger out of his Inner World.


    It still retained its brilliant brightness, reflecting in the awed eyes of those present.


    Liam slowly threw the dagger towards Alucard, who caught it instantly and gave Liam a terse nod.


    A momentter, it was gone.


    "Now then," Alucard said. "I suppose that''s all for today."


    The sun was setting over the horizon, casting vermillion shades over the skies.


    It was a long day.


    There were still matters to be dealt with, and ns to formte.


    Liam nodded.


    "Didn''t the Dual Empire have allies?" Liam asked with a serious look. "They''lle for revenge."


    Alucard made a cold smile.


    "The only allies they had were the Echorians. And don''t think I forgot our agreement. We''ll be giving them a visit soon. You and me."


    Inwardly, Liam sighed.


    Right.


    He''d forgotten about why Alucard had given them the alliance in the first ce ¡ª through exposing the Royals'' schemes.


    Starting another war straight off the bat was stupid and unwise. There was no way Liam, or Alucard, was going to do so.


    Not without preparing.


    "Prepare well," Alucard said as he turned around, flying towards Korsa. "Until we meet again."


    And that was that.


    Liam spun his Water Dragon around and flew as fast as he could towards li, swarms of Acolytes, Fearists and Couragists trailing behind him.


    All under one banner.


    ***


    Soon enough, the figureheads, Elders and acolytes of the Temple soon touched down on the ind.


    There was a staggering number of people avable now, and there wasn''t enough room for the space.


    Of course, there was a temporary fix of having the earth elementals to extend the ind''s length by a bit.


    But turning it into a permanent solution would be too much of a hassle.


    They''d have to go beneath the ind and start building from the roots up, which was incredibly dangerous due to the magical beasts living beneath the depths.


    Kerian was beside Liam when they touched down.


    She''d flown closely behind Liam throughout the whole ride, making sure not to go in front of his Water Dragon.


    Perhaps it was a respect thing for the Fearists, but Liam still didn''t trust her. Not fully.


    "You can choose a ce that fits your needs. Or have someone make it for you. Until then, that building over there is mine."


    Liam pointed to the Temple beside Usan''s. Space wasn''t an issue to him, so he didn''t mind staying in the same ce.


    "I don''t have demanding living requirements, Sire. I would prefer to guard at your side."


    Liam rubbed his face.


    This was another Jargon situation.


    Liam''s gaze fell on the acolytes of the Temple.


    They were still grieved. Mourning the loss of their leader. They hadn''t even said theirst goodbye to him.


    Liam took a deep breath.


    He wanted to begin eating the Rank 6 corpse straight away, and perhaps enhance the King''s Eye through Humpty¡­ but wounds could fester if left untended.


    Just then, a low-ranking acolyte ran up to Liam with tears in his eyes.


    "Master Liam! Master Liam!" he shouted, snot running down his nose and dribbling down his chin.


    He was carrying something in his hands.


    A half broken mask.


    Usan''s.


    The Elders watching had their pain-filled eyes widened.


    "I spotted it drifting past the ocean waves," the young man said, wiping his tears and snot.


    Liam slowly took the mask from the boy''s hands. It was cracked diagonally. Ripped in half.


    "Jane," Liam called out, and the Elder''s face grew serious. "You can rally everyone and have a proper burial."


    "There''s no body, so you''ll have to make due with the mask."


    After a short pause, Jane nodded solemnly.


    Liam handed her the mask, which she caressed gently.


    They left, preparing for the funeral.


    A momentter, Liam was moving towards his quarters with Kerian beside him.


    "Sire, is there a reason why you asked for the Empress'' body?" she suddenly asked. "Are you perhaps¡­ a necr¡ª"


    "No."

 Chapter 429 Friend

    <h4>Chapter 429 Friend</h4>


    Kerian had a confused look on her hardened face.


    "Then¡­ why need her body?"


    Liam contemted whether or not he should answer.


    Judging from Kerian''s mental waves ¡ª at least, what Liam could understand from them ¡ª she wasn''t intending betrayal or deception.


    In fact, she was suppressing her aura in order not to intimidate Liam.


    "I eat people to grow stronger," Liam answered.


    "I see," Kerian said with a serious face. "I am almost jealous. And kind of scared."


    A pause.


    "What Abomination can you control?" Liam asked her as they continued walking, changing the topic. "I wasn''t able to see you fight properly."


    "Two types, Sire," she answered. "A Physique Enhancer, and a me Shooter."


    Instead of exining further, she outstretched a hand, causing it to transform into a vicious, oversized w, swirling with crimson mes.


    "This is just one hand. I can do the same with the rest of my figure. Makes me stronger and tougher to kill."


    The Elders watching from afar were rmed, trailing over Liam and Kerian in fear of an assassination attempt.


    "I can see that they''re worried about you," Kerian said seriously. "I don''t mind being disliked, but do I have permission to defend myself?"


    "Without inflicting serious injury or murder," Liam answered, "yes."


    "I like this ce already," Kerian smiled with fangy teeth.


    Her w reverted back to normal, but immediately after, fire swirled around her right shoulder, spreading to her arm and hands.


    A fire-type Abomination had formed. It was one with Kerian''s arm like a parasite.


    Like tentacles of fire, it twisted from her shoulder all the way to her hand, converging onto her palm and forming a circr mouth.


    It had no eyes of any kind, but it kept breathing in fire, judging by the intermittent dimming and brightening glow it released.


    SHHHHHH!


    Fire shrieked around her hand, condensing.


    Then, Kerian aimed it towards the sky.


    BOOOM!


    An insanely fast streak of fire shot towards the night sky like a sniper bullet, producing a deafening shockwave.


    Then, it exploded in an upward cone, causing sparks and embers of fire to spread outward right after.


    Out in the distance where li was, an audible cheer rang out.


    "Not bad," Liam said, nodding to himself.


    "Thank you."


    Finally, Liam arrived at his front door.


    Kerian was about to enter alongside him, but he quickly denied her from doing so.


    "You''re new around here, so I''ll give you a few tips. Rumors spread faster than sound. The acolytes are gambling addicts, so don''t get roped into their shenanigans. Elder Jax is a sadistic torturer, Aki is bipr, Jane is rtively normal, minus the potions she concots from dead things. And the rest, you''ll slowly find out. Ask Jargon for more details, if you''re ever confused."


    "Wee to the Temple of Shadow."


    Kerian blinked wordlessly.


    And Liam closed the door.


    ''She looks like the hardened, grim-faced, cynical type,'' Liam thought. ''She''ll fit right in.''


    A momentter, Liam secluded himself in the basement of his home.


    There wasn''t much to do, really, other than cultivate and wait until the ceremony was over with.


    Sentimentality was still a waste of time in his opinion. Dwelling on the past changed nothing.


    Neither did worrying about the future, but at least one could still affect what wasing.


    The past was the past. You couldn''t get it back, no matter how hard you tried.


    All you could do was lift your chin and move forward.


    This was one of the reasons why Usan put Liam in charge.


    Perhaps he needed someone who wouldn''t falter or give into emotion, no matter how affecting it was.


    Liam caressed his trembling space ring.


    ''After this¡­''


    Lips curled to a smile.


    ''I''ll be a Zenith. My mental sphere''s already close to advancing, but there''s no way I''ll still be stuck in the Mortal Ranks after eating her entire corpse.''


    ''The Self Tribtion will be the hardest to undertake. As long as my core and Chaos Pearl don''t advance at the same time, I''ll be fine.''


    ''I can''t even imagine the Tribtion that coulde with a Rank 4 Chaos Pearl.''


    ''Perhaps it''s even harder than the Self.''


    ''There''s also my blood!''


    Liam was getting giddy just thinking about it.


    Rank 4 Blood.


    Rank 4 Chaos Pearl.


    Rank 4 core.


    Rank 4 mental sphere.


    ¡­Rank 5 body?


    Maybe, maybe not.


    A few hours passed, and an Elder came to inform Liam of the ceremony.


    He left the quarters and made his way to a specific patch of the ind.


    When Liam arrived there, he had to admit the scenery was quite beautiful.


    Glowing pink sakura trees were visible as far as the eye could see. The only source of light in the dimly lit area.


    Here and there, crystalline rivers and bodies of water harmonized with the docile fauna and lush nts, producing a calming ambience and pleasing aroma.


    Tranquility was everywhere.


    And in the center of it all, an obsidian headstone, below which was Usan''s broken mask.


    Thousands of Elders and acolytes were huddled around it.


    Liam watched from afar, crossing his hands over his chest as he leaned his foot against a tree.


    "Not gonna say anything, my liege?" Jargon appeared at Liam''s side.


    Liam pursed his lips.


    "Nah. This isn''t about me."


    Jargon nodded with a slight smile.


    Hours passed as elders and acolytes said a few words of prayer before leaving towards their duties.


    Their moods looked upliftedpared to before. No longer as glum and dark.


    One after the other, they began scattering in different directions, having said their final goodbyes.


    Eventually, all the figureheads and Elders had departed.


    Except Liam.


    He approached the obsidian headstone. Little engravings were on its surface, made by other acolytes and Elders.


    ''Teacher.''


    ''Mentor.''


    ''Leader.''


    ''Brother.''


    ''Drinking buddies.''


    ''Gambling partner.''


    Liam looked at the headstone pensively, then crouched below.


    Using his sharp finger, he etched something on its surface, chuckled to himself, then headed straight back to his quarters in case anyone saw him.


    ...


    The etching read:


    ''Friend.''

 Chapter 430 Euphoric

    <h4>Chapter 430 Euphoric</h4>


    A few days passed.


    With Usan''s passing out of the way, Liam had been crowned Sect Leader of the Temple.


    There was no grand ceremony of any kind.


    Well, they tried to host one, but Liam instantly denied it. He had matters to attend to, and problems to solve.


    Other than that, there were a few things of note.


    The defeat of the Dual Empire had spread across the human world.


    History books were being filled with new pages, recording the event for future generations to visit.


    The ''ck de'' had also been credited for being a part of it, which was another mark of infamy on Liam''s name.


    Besides that, there was peace and quiet, with the Temple''s steady growth.


    The Couragists and Fearists were no longer referring to themselves as such. They had been indoctrinated.


    Kuan had also held up his end of the agreement.


    A corner patch of the Main Lands had been given to Liam and the Temple of Shadow.


    In fact, it took roughly 20% of the entirety of li.


    That was more than what the Seven ns had!


    This obviously put the Temple of Shadow on a greater standingpared to the rest of li.


    It was a force to be reckoned with now.


    However, the Luminous Light n had left li all together.


    Now, they lived within the Dual Empire''snds!


    Ever since the war had concluded, Echoria had been strangely silent, despite their alliance with the two empires.


    Even Aiho, Neren, and the Imperial Legion hadn''tmented on it.


    The silence was worrying. An enemy you couldn''t see or hear was the most dangerous kind.


    But with all that out of the way, Liam entered his home and had Nooran and Kerian enter with him.


    ''I''ll be out ofmission for a long time. At least with an updated King''s Eye, I could prepare for what''s toe.''


    Whether or not he could actually use his abilities was a different thing altogether.


    But it was better to be safe than regretful.


    The human-sized tick was abhorred at Liam''s sight.


    Not only was Liam a direct cause of her Empress dying, but he was wretched enough to pull her forces to her side.


    "You''re scum of the earth, you know that?" Nooran snarled as Liam studied her illusionistic ticks. "Both of you."


    Liam didn''t respond. He''d been called worse.


    "I''d rather serve a just tyrant than a drama queen," Kerian retorted.


    Since Kerian was an expert on Abomination, Liam asked for her expertise on the topic.


    Although she wasn''t specialized in mental Abominations, the tick was an entire rank below her.


    After two and a half weeks, Liam''s understanding of the King''s Eye and mental sphere had grown significantly.


    Through a process of trial and error, Liam could now pinpoint where exactly the ''data scales'' of the mental sphere were.


    They had certain characteristics that separated them from the rest.


    Thus, through learning those characteristics, Liam could figure out what that person feared the most!


    Except, the King''s Eye still wasn''t powerful enough to ''trap'' such a person in a good enough illusion.


    With the usage of a single spell, they could blow the illusions away with ease.


    ''Things''ll be different once it advances, though,'' Liam thought, smiling. ''Speaking of which¡­''


    ''It''s time.''


    To eat a Rank 6 cultivator!


    Except this time, the figureheads of the Temple, and hundreds of Elders, would guard his unconscious body.


    The Self Tribtion would render a person powerless unless they woke up.


    If they ever woke up, that is.


    There were a few more details Liam had learned about the trial during the past few years.


    Firstly, as long as the Tribtion wasn''t centered around a time based task, there wasn''t any time limit restricting him.


    During that time, his body and core would naturally be nourished, even without any external support.


    Secondly, simr to the Struggle Tribtion, the more difficult the Self Tribtion was, the more powerful his mental sphere was going to be.


    It was a fine between blessing and curse.


    ''I just hope Mind Edge works¡­ but that could just make my life even harder.''


    Liam entered his vast underground basement, followed by hundreds of Elders.


    Then, he sat down in the center.


    Liam nced at all the people present.


    A few seconds of silence passed.


    "I don''t feelfortable eating in front of someone else."


    There was a short silence, but the Elders left a momentter.


    Liam took out the Rank 6 corpse andid it down, heaving a sigh.


    Liam grabbed the woman''s hand.


    ''A fingertip.''


    ''Just a fingertip should be fine.''


    ''Wait, what about the nail?''


    ''Can I even dig into her?''


    It sounded wrong.


    Liam grabbed a finger, then slowly gnawed at the tip of the Empress'' nail.


    KRSH!


    A few of his teeth were instantly cracked.


    Liam groaned and clicked his tongue in annoyance. ''Not this again.''


    Thankfully, Kerian was a Rank 5 cultivator, and the one most capable of damaging a Rank 6 body.


    Liam requested her presence.


    A momentter, she arrived.


    Then, she approached and inspected the Empress, a disdainful look on her face.


    "Don''t burn it," Liam said. "I don''t want anything to go to waste."


    Kerian nodded.


    Then, she used her Physique Enhancer, transforming into a fire wraith with vicious looking ws.


    However, her fire slowly subsided.


    Using the sharp edge of her ws, she scratched the base of the Empress'' index finger.


    A full hour passed!


    The skin was incredibly rigid and hard.


    Eventually, droplets of blood seeped from the wound.


    However, they weren''t wasted.


    Below the Empress was an inscribed ss container, which absorbed the ichor and stored it.


    Eventually, the fingertip came off.


    Liam took the tip and nodded. "You can leave now."


    Kerian nodded and left.


    ''I should start with the blood first.''


    Liam patiently gathered all the droplets of blood from the container.


    Then, he sipped it like wine.


    Liam''s eyes constricted to a thin line and his skin went red.


    His blood burst with new energy washing through each individual cell.


    It felt euphoric.

 Chapter 431 White Void

    <h4>Chapter 431 White Void</h4>


    Instantly, Liam moved to digest the drops of blood.


    It was much more potent than Liam imagined it would be.


    He felt like a balloon that was slowly expanding, and would eventually explode if he didn''t digest the nutrients in time.


    If this was just the blood¡­ what about the rest?!


    Thankfully, Liam had nowhere in particr to be, so he could take his sweet time.


    Slowly, the boost of power came to a stop.


    He was still at the peak of Rank 3 of his blood, since the nourishment was equally divided between his other centers of power.


    But still¡­


    ''I just need to advance my mental sphere first. Blood, body and core can wait.''


    Liam put aside the body for the moment.


    Instead, he took the Psionic Rune and trained with it for the next few weeks.


    That''s literally all he did.


    He didn''t eat or drink or cultivate.


    He didn''t socialize.


    He didn''t leave his room.


    He slept.


    Woke up.


    Trained with the Rune until his eyes were red.


    Then slept.


    Then repeated the cycle again and again.


    Two weekster, and he was confident that his other centers of power weren''t near advancing as much as his sea of consciousness was.


    Upon which, Liam drank the remainder of the blood.


    Then, he slowly digested it.


    After he finished doing so, taking a short break, he threw the fingertip into his mouth!


    Instead of chewing, he just swallowed it, bracing his stomach as much as he could.


    Chewing was pointless.


    His teeth would break apart before a nick appeared on the finger''s skin.


    The fingertip tumbled down Liam''s esophagus like a rock down a well.


    Then, it plopped into his stomach acids.


    Like a mentos to a fizzy drink, Liam''s insides were boiling!


    Liam''s stomach visibly expanded to a fat size.


    His ribcage and heart was pushed back.


    Some of his bones cracked out of ce until he forced them back into their original position.


    There was a tug of war taking ce within his body!


    It was painful.


    But the more he endured, the stronger his body, mind, core and blood felt.


    Liam''s pores started to leak blood, causing a puddle of crimson to form below his feet.


    Liam''s entire figure looked as though someone threw a bucket of red paint over him.


    As the seconds ticked down, Liam''s mind expanded at a visibly noticeable rate!


    Well, ''visibly noticeable'' didn''t sound the fastest.


    However, one had to remember how slow the mental sphere progressed.


    It would take entire months for the barrier to move just a few centimeters from its ce.


    Tremors ran through his core and Chaos Pearl, while his body shook like an active guitar string.


    On the other hand, his blood was literally on fire, his cells on the cusp of bursting apart.


    This tug of war, or wars to be precise, continued for the next hour or so.


    Until finally, it came to a stop.


    Liam greedily gasped for air until he no longer had to.


    Then, he looked down at the filth and grime that puddled beneath him.


    ''...This is going to take time.''


    ***


    Twelve hours passed.


    The Elders felt their hearts sink as a puddle of liquid seeped through the closed door of the basement.


    They rushed inside.


    Instantly, their eyes widened in horror.


    What¡­ what was that thing?!


    Liam looked less like a human and more like a croaking frog.


    His stomach bulge was bigger than a pregnantdy''s, and veins ran all over his naked, blood-covered body.


    Blood was everywhere. On the walls. On the floor. On the ceiling.


    The Empresscked a right hand, and it didn''t take a genius to know where it went.


    Despite his brutal state, the Elders didn''t rush to help him.


    "Uh¡­ you good?" Ryu asked from afar.


    Liam didn''t respond. Blood continued oozing out of him as his eyes were closed shut.


    Ryu coughed into his fist.


    "Well¡­ uh¡­ we''ll be here," Ryu said ufortably, giving an awkward thumbs up.


    Liam''s mind buzzed as it grew. Each thought was painful. Like a sharp needle stab to the brain.


    Then¡ª


    HMMMMMMMMMMM!


    ¡ªthere was a sudden droning noise that drowned out every other sensation within his body.


    Liam half-squinted his eyes, gazing over the Elders that watched him vigntly.


    Starting from his toes, a cold numbness spread throughout his body.


    Liam fell backwards as a powerful drowsiness caused his thoughts to waver and sway.


    Jane, Aki, Verium, Jax, Ryu, Jargon, Orisa and Kerian crouched over his face as darkness crept over his vision.


    They spoke words, but all Liam heard were muffled, distorted murmurs.


    ''Damn it¡­ I''m¡­ fading¡­''


    Liam''s mental sphere reached an invisible threshold, then abruptly stopped expanding.


    His eyes were closed, and he felt like his consciousness was plucked like a rose from its stem.


    This was it!


    The Self Tribtion!


    ***


    Liam opened his eyes.


    Deafening silence met his ears.


    He wasying t across the ground when he snapped awake, rising to his feet and hectically looking around for danger.


    Silence.


    As far as Liam''s eyes could see, there was pure whiteness in every direction.


    Above, below, left, right, front, back.


    A nk canvas. A white room filled with nothing but invisible lights.


    That was it.


    Liam grew confused. He didn''t dare let his guard down, though. He took another look at himself.


    He didn''t have his powers. He tried to release his darkness, but nothing happened.


    The same thing went for his Chaos Pearl, blood abilities, and his shadows.


    He didn''t even have a shadow!


    However, his sea of consciousness and body were the same.


    He had four arms, ws, and a tentacle-covered back.


    But other than that, he was bare naked.


    Nor did he have any of his swords.


    Great¡­


    ''What is this ce?'' Liam asked himself as though he knew the answer.


    He really didn''t, though.


    With nothing else to do, Liam took slow steps forward amidst the endless white void.


    And yet¡­ he just couldn''t help but feel unnerved.

 Chapter 432 Nothing

    <h4>Chapter 432 Nothing</h4>


    Liam looked left.


    Liam looked right.


    Then, his gaze fell forward.


    Not having the King''s Eye made him realize just how important the sensory organ was. The difference between that and a normal eye was staggering.


    He continued forward, each of his steps slow and careful.


    As far and wide as his mental energy spread, he didn''t sense anything out of the normal.


    His nose smelled no particr aroma. Other than the low thuds of his footsteps, there were no other noises.


    It just felt like he''d spawned in a world that hadn''t loaded yet.


    ''No, no,'' Liam frowned. ''I can''t let my guard down.''


    There was always something to worry about. Something that wanted to kill him.


    He just¡­ couldn''t see, hear or feel it yet.


    Liam stopped wandering heedlessly and tried to get a better understanding of where he was.


    Clenching his arms and empowering his fists, Liam hit the ground as hard as he could.


    BOOOM!


    There was a loud thud.


    But the ground was unharmed. Not a scratch formed on its white surface.


    Well then.


    Wandering it is.


    ***


    The seconds turned into minutes, which turned into hours.


    Liam felt like he was stranded in the middle of a desert.


    There was nothing!


    Nothing at all!


    White skies, white ground, white air. Everything was bright white, and Liam missed thefort the shadows provided him.


    Quite frankly, if there was one thing this white void seeded in doing to him, it was boring him out of his mind.


    But this was a Tribtion for a reason. Unique just to him and him alone.


    ''Please don''t tell me this is another test of patience. I''ve had enough of that.''


    Liam stopped walking and started jogging, which then turned into a full-speed sprint forward.


    Six hours of running passed!


    Liam plopped to the ground and just sat down.


    Despite running for so long, he didn''t need to take a break or even catch his breath.


    ''I''ll let a day pass at least,'' Liam thought, making himselffortable.


    Right now, Liam couldn''t even cultivate or train.


    All he could do was wait until something presented itself to him, or until he eliminated one line of thought for another.


    Silence.


    Seconds felt like hours. Hours felt like eternity.


    Liam let his back touch the ground.


    Quite frankly, with how silent his surroundings were, his thoughts were deafeningly loud.


    ''Will I get out of here alive?''


    ''What if I''m trapped forever?''


    ''I haven''t explored enough of the world. I haven''t gotten strong enough to touch the stars.''


    Liam silenced his mind as much as he could.


    An entire day passed.


    Still nothing.


    ¡­


    "Alright," Liam said quietly, clearly annoyed. "I''m pissed."


    Liam shouted into the air from the top of his lungs, cursing.


    His voice barely echoed.


    A bright idea suddenly surfaced in Liam''s head.


    ''Hey¡­ that''s not bad.''


    Liam tensed one of his arms.


    Then, he stabbed himself in the thigh!


    Blood leaked from the wound in a steady stream, painting the nk white surface of the ground.


    It worked!


    What exactly did Liam want to do?


    Well, the whole ce was white.


    Using his blood, he could simply track where he was going, and whether or not the white void was as vast as it seemed.


    As the blood flowed behind him, Liam started moving forward.


    A trail of ichor followed him.


    He ran and ran, and as the wound slowly closed up, he stabbed himself again to refresh it.


    ''Thankfully, my body''s regeneration is still the same.''


    ''I don''t have to take breaks in order to refresh my blood or anything.''


    But in reality, Liam''s blood regeneration and his bodily regeneration were vastly different.


    The former was incredibly potent and powerful¡­ but that''s not what Liam had. Here, his blood didn''t


    After a solid five hours of running while dripping a trail of blood, Liam spotted something in the distance!


    It was a red dot.


    As he got closer, it became a line.


    Then, a trail.


    A blood-red trail.


    Liam looked back.


    Then, he looked back at the trail of blood.


    Liam grimaced.


    ''I was walking in a straight line! How did it connect back to where I stabbed my leg?''


    The ce was looped together somehow.


    Liam had no idea how that was possible, but somehow, directions didn''t matter in this dreadful, deste ce.


    At least he figured out something, though.


    Another moment of silence followed as he mulled over what to do next.


    ''The blood isn''t drying,'' Liam thought. ''Now that I think about it, there''s no temperature here at all.''


    Stabbing himself and running like a limp idiot wasn''t the brightest n, but it was all he currently had.


    Thus, that''s what he did.


    CHIG! KRSH! SHG!


    Except this time, he stabbed himself everywhere.


    The shoulders, legs, arms and hips.


    Now, he basically resembled a piece of swiss cheese, through which blood leaked like an open faucet.


    Strangely, the pain he felt was amplified somehow. He could ignore it like always, but it made him feel fatigued and drained of energy, which would inevitably slow down his progress.


    ''I''ll ''map'' this ce out first. Vertically, it''s roughly¡­''


    Liam paused, calcting the distance.


    ''...3,000 meters¡­''


    3,000 meters.


    That was no small distance.


    ''Now, I''ll work on the horizontal distance.''


    Liam got to work.


    He ran as hard as he could. He couldn''t actually use Transfiguration, since his blood abilities had not entered the white void alongside him.


    When the wounds squirmed together and reformed, Liam brutalized himself to renew them.


    ''Damn it. I''m getting tired,'' Liam thought. His skin was ashen, while his breathing grew heavy. ''I need¡­ to rest¡­''


    To think that Liam would have to revert to resting!


    How the mighty have fallen!


    After connecting the x-axis and y-axis of the white void, Liam was on the verge of falling unconscious.


    ''3,000 by 3,000 meters,'' Liam thought as his vision dimmed.


    The void was huge.


    And it had him trapped.


    But what now?!


    With a low curse under his breath, Liam fell unconscious.

 Chapter 433 Entity

    <h4>Chapter 433 Entity</h4>


    Liam squinted open his eyes, blinking a few times until his vision returned to him.


    "This can''t go on," Liam said, cursing under his breath.


    Groaning, he sat upright and took a short look around.


    He was alive.


    That was good news.


    His circumstances were still the same. That was the bad news.


    And he felt a little different for some reason.


    Liam didn''t know what it was.


    He just felt a bit disconnected in this¡­ cage.


    It felt like he wasn''t even alive. Like he was dreaming and, any second, he could wake up from it.


    ''Is this what aa feels like?'' Liam thought. ''Shame I can''t hear anything, though.''


    Nevertheless, Liam saved those strange thoughts forter.


    3,000 meters on the x-axis¡­


    And another 3,000 meters on the y-axis¡­


    What exactly could Liam do with this knowledge?


    Well, one, the space he was in definitely wasn''t infinite. That was a good thing.


    It was looped around, which¡­ in hindsight, wasn''t much different than having an infinite space, but still.


    At the very least, the answery within this 3,000 x 3,000 space devoid of any features.


    The Opposition was a bncing force.


    No matter how difficult or impossible a task appeared, it was doable with the tools at hand.


    Doable didn''t always mean easy.


    In fact, for someone like Liam who''d defied so many cultivation rules, his task was very close to what was defined as ''impossible''.


    ''What tools do I have?''


    ''Just a strengthened body.''


    ''And my mind.''


    ''I don''t have the King''s Eye, though.''


    ''Why?''


    ''I should have been allowed to keep it, damn it.''


    ''My blood trails are the only thing different to this ce.''


    ''Does the answery there?''


    ''Definitely¡­ it definitely does.''


    ''My mental energy can''t sense anything out of the ordinary.''


    ''Despite being a Tribtion centered around the sea of consciousness¡­ there''s not much I could do with it.''


    ''So much for bnce.''


    ''Or am I doing this wrong?''


    ''I can use Hone¡­''


    When Liam entered his sea of consciousness, the sh given to him by the Eternal Sword was still there.


    Other than that, the golden barrier of his mental sphere hadn''t gone any change.


    It was normal.


    But Liam was barred from using any spells, and his mental waves seemed to be a little darker than usual.


    ''So I have my body, my blood, and my mind.''


    3 tools.


    Liam''s eyes went distant.


    Silence.


    Liam''s eyes were aimed towards the white ground, but it seemed like he wasn''t focused.


    ''Right¡­''


    ''Right. I should get up now.''


    ''Should I just douse this ce in blood?''


    ''There''s nothing else to do except that.''


    ''I just need to¡­ ''conquer'' the whiteness with blood.''


    ''Blood is the only way.''


    ''Except now, I have to worry about falling unconscious and exhaustion.''


    Liam got up.


    Then, he dug his ws into his left arm.


    Blood gushed out from five different holes punctured into his flesh.


    Pulling out his w from the wound¡ª


    SQUELCH!


    ¡ªLiam rubbed the bits of flesh and blood between his fingers.


    The consistency of blood was just perfect in Liam''s opinion. Not as thick as water, not as viscous as honey.


    ''Right. Back to the task at hand.''


    He was about to stab himself once more, but then quickly remembered that he wasn''t supposed to.


    One stab was enough.


    Right after, Liam started running as fast as he could in different directions.


    He was a painter with a red brush, and the white void was his nk canvas.


    He ran this way and that way, leaking bits of blood and grime.


    After a full day and a half ¡ª at least, by Liam''s estimate ¡ª he''d reced just 1,200 meters of white with red.


    And that was a lot!


    It was only possible through pushing his body to its utmost limits and utilizing his blood loss.


    But it was¡­


    Out of 9,000,000 square meters.


    How in the world was he supposed to get all of this cleared out?!


    ''Calction wise, if I clear 1,200 meters a day, out of the 9,000,000 remaining, I''d need¡­''


    ''7,500 days to finish the whole thing.''


    ''That''s¡­''


    ''More or less¡­


    ''20 years.''


    Liam slumped to his knees. Partly out of exhaustion, partly out of mild despair.


    To his knowledge, the longest recorded time a person had remained inside the Self Tribtion, was roughly 7 years.


    For the average Zenith, most trialssted barely a month or two.


    It may seem short, but being in aa made it feel longer than it was.


    And now?


    Well, Liam had broken the world record for longesta, that was for sure.


    But the more Liam thought it over, the less dramatic it appeared in his mind.


    ''As long as I''m able to wake up, that is.''


    ''I''ll work on clearing as much ground as I can and I could probably cut down those years by a bit.''


    ''There''s also Hone to use.''


    Liam''s thoughts trailed off as his eyes closed, and his consciousness slowly fell into an abyss.


    Weeks passed.


    As if he wasn''t already a self-isting person, being stuck with just his morbid thoughts was too much.


    Even for him.


    He even began talking to himself!


    Usually, there was some sort of background noise that drowned out his paranoia and ring mind.


    Now, there was nothing.


    ***


    One and a half yearster.


    Liam woke up from his sleep and instantly sat upright ¨C a practiced movement he''d done thousands of times already.


    There was a dark, distant look on his face.


    Thousands of cut wounds scarred his body, making him seem like some sort of tortured animal. His hair was long, unkempt and dried with red blood.


    In front of him was a purely white space.


    Behind him, was a fresh coat of red paint as far as the eye could see.


    Using a hand, Liam caressed his arm.


    Then, dug his nails into it.


    The skin came off like dirt under a fingernail, followed by strips of blood trickling down his forearm.


    Liam smiled.


    A momentter, he dug into his stomach and caused a wide gash on his abdomen!


    Right after, he did the same to his legs, torso and chest, essentially marring himself.


    Then, Liamughed.


    With how disconnected he now was to himself, Liam didn''t see himself as a person anymore.


    Now, he saw himself as an entity.

 Chapter 434 Mad

    <h4>Chapter 434 Mad</h4>


    Liam felt like he was in the backseat of his own body.


    As though his primal desire, soul and intellect had been fragmented into thousands of little pieces.


    A broken piece of ss.


    He could sense it within himself.


    He knew he was going mad.


    Parts of his brain weren''t clicking together anymore.


    He didn''t know what his purpose was anymore.


    And life without purpose was meaningless.


    But the only way he could affirm that he was still alive was through feeling pain.


    But over time, even pain felt fake.


    It felt unreal.


    Thus, Liam had to move to extreme muttion just to feel a semnce of existence.


    There was no other feeling!


    There was no food, temperature, sounds or smells of any kind!


    Liam ripped off his top right hand.


    "It''s okay," Liam said to the hand. "You''ll grow back. It''s no big deal. Stop crying."


    Using the stump of his bleeding hand, Liam walked through the line where the wet blood met the whiteness.


    It wasn''t dried.


    After all, there was no temperature!


    He slowly whistled to himself.


    More time passed.


    Liam stuck a hand through the gash on his abdomen and pulled something out.


    It was his entrails, slurped out of his guts like a singr noodle.


    In reality, Liam was not supposed to have any guts.


    They had been converted into dense muscles¡­ and yet, for some reason, the white void had reverted some parts of his body back to a human form.


    Liam looked at the guts nkly.


    They say the eyes were windows to the soul.


    And yet, if one looked at Liam''s eyes, they wouldn''t associate him with a living being.


    Liam continued yanking out his entrails until his body felt half empty.


    Using those entrails, he began scrubbing the white floor, like he always did.


    Time passed.


    Liam didn''t know how long.


    All he knew was that he was no longer Liam.


    Liam Royce was Darius King.


    Darius killed his dad.


    Liam killed his dad too.


    But they had also killed their moms!


    It was a funny parallel.


    Both times, they had caused the death of their mother''s indirectly.


    Liam cried.


    Liamughed.


    Liam smiled.


    Liam felt regret.


    Liam felt disgust.


    Liam felt love.


    Liam felt envy.


    Liam felt shame.


    Liam felt anger.


    Liam felt sadness.


    Liam felt pride.


    Liam felt humiliated.


    Liam felt rejected.


    Liam felt bitter.


    Liam felt betrayed.


    Liam felt respected.


    Liam felt anguished.


    Liam felt mentally unstable.


    Liam felt hundreds of different emotions in quick session.


    Like wearing a mask, he could alternate between them like an actor.


    Liam cut off his finger and pretended it was a cigarette.


    Then, he smoked it.


    Right after, he had a lengthy conversation with his therapist about the decisions he''d taken that led him to this point.


    The therapist was, of course, himself.


    A heated argument followed.


    The conversation ended with Liam sticking his w into the therapist''s stomach.


    Of course, he was the therapist, and he had stabbed himself in the stomach.


    Liam looked like a donut.


    Heughed at the sight.


    Then, Liam sang to himself.


    As his entrails and bodily organs slowly healed, he used his intestines to skip-rope!


    It was actually fun!


    Liam didn''t know what he''d be.


    Was he always like this?


    Or did he be like this, through a series of self-inflicted tortures?


    When would it end?


    All he had was whiteness.


    Yes, the whiteness!


    He had to drown it all out!


    Drown out the whiteness!


    It felt like eternity had passed.


    Liam''s ck hair had gotten incredibly long.


    It was four times the length of his body!


    He used it as a brush to spread the redness.


    His body appeared rotten with blood.


    Cut, open, cut again.


    But eventually, there was just a circr patch of whiteness left.


    Just a little bit.


    Liam cried in joy!


    But he didn''t feel either of those emotions.


    He didn''t feel happiness nor did he feel joy.


    He just imitated them.


    The only real emotions he felt were disgust, disdain, hatred, revilement, bitter irony, sarcasm and abhorrence.


    And he didn''t know why he felt only those.


    Slowly, only a handspan of whiteness remained!


    SHIG!


    Liam formed a wide gash on his forearm, then let it drip over the whiteness.


    Now, there was not a patch of white ground that wasn''t covered with blood.


    Liam sat on the ground, waiting patiently for something to happen.


    Silence.


    A menacing, dark look was on his scarred face.


    For one minute straight, nothing happened.


    And then¡­


    WHISH!


    All throughout the 9,000,000 square meters of space, little clots of Liam''s wet blood rose above the ground.


    They swirled like a miniature cyclone, growing in width and height.


    As they did so, a monstrous form emerged from them.


    "Right, right. I''m not surprised anymore. Just quickly get on with it," Liam said with a loud yawn. "This is getting repetitive."


    The little clots of blood formed versions of Liam.


    As they finally formed, their faces turned into pure rm and confusion.


    So much so, they looked extremely wary of one another.


    And there were thousands upon thousands of them, as far as the eye could see.


    Liam raised a brow.


    "You¡­ you do realize you''re all clones, right?" Liam asked a nearby version of himself. "Do you not know where you are?"


    As the real Liam spoke, everyone''s attention simultaneously snapped towards him.


    Silence.


    "We''re¡­ clones?" the Liam clone muttered with widened eyes. He looked to the side. "...All of us?"


    A wave of shock passed through the Liams present.


    "Awkward¡­" Liam said with a pained look on his face.


    If all the Liams present were actually Liams¡­ then the real Liam had a feeling he knew what they''d do.


    "But¡­" another Liam clone said. "You''re real, aren''t you?"


    Silence.


    Liam sighed regretfully.


    "Indeed I am, friend. But how does one differentiate? What if I''m fake... and you''re real?"


    The army of Liams suddenly had dark looks on their faces, sinister lights in their eyes.


    Just what in the world caused him to be like this?!


    The difference between them and the real Liam was staggering.


    Unlike the real Liam, the fakes were all in pristine condition, uninjured and nourished.


    And the real Liam¡­ well, he looked like something that was born in solitary confinement, and slowly went crazy along the way.


    And yet¡­ the fake Liams felt a certain danger from the real Liam''s form.


    "If we kill you¡­ do we take your ce?" another asked quietly.


    Silence.


    Liam smiled coldly.


    "Wanna find out?"

 Chapter 435 Civil War

    <h4>Chapter 435 Civil War</h4>


    As he saw the thousands of copies intent on killing him, Liam''s gaze calmly assessed each and every one of their faces.


    They were all worried. Anxious. Paranoid. There were so many versions of himself! What was he going to do?! How was he going to get out alive?!


    But the real Liam was calm.


    He had no such worries.


    He hadn''t even gotten up from his seat.


    It wasn''t like he wasn''t thinking things over.


    Of course he was.


    But now that he looked at himself less as a person and more of an ''entity'', Liam found that human behaviors were outdated for someone like him.


    He could still sense those specific emotions. But he could never express them genuinely again, nor go back to how he originally was.


    ''Was my sanity sacrificed for a Rank 4 sea of consciousness?''


    Silence.


    Liam scoffed under his breath.


    ''I''m not an Ashura. I''m not a human. I''m definitely not a Shifter.''


    ''I''m not Liam Royce. Not Darius King, either.''


    ''I''m something else.''


    ''What use is sanity if it holds you back?''


    On the other hand, all the Liams were actually real!


    The previous copies Liam faced werecking in one department or the other.


    Yet, the ones before him were undeniably the real thing.


    Perhaps formed through his own consciousness.


    "Living is overrated, boys," Liam said as he rose to his feet, cracking his shoulders and stretching his torn muscles.


    "Now, hear me out for a second. I haven''t seen another soul in quite some time, and I''d love to have a friendly chat."


    "Why don''t we sit down and have a brief talk? I''ve always wanted to know what a conversation with myself would look like."


    "This doesn''t have to end with a fight. We''ve always been civilized, right, guys?"


    The other Liams were absolutely shocked at the real Liam''s sight.


    After all, they had never thought they could turn into something like this!


    No matter how much torture or pain Liam had gone through, he had made it out in the end as more or less the same person.


    Burned alive, frozen alive, stabbed through every orifice of his body, and much more, had never been enough to render his mind broken.


    And yet, here he was, a sarcastic menace that was a ring contrast to Liam''s real personality.


    "This... couldn''t have happened through normal means," one Liam said with a grimace.


    "This is the Self Tribtion we''re talking about. He was being changed and he didn''t even realize it."


    The other Liams paused with conflicted expressions, each one processing it in their own way.


    But they were all the same, so the thoughts that ran through their heads were more or less identical.


    The real Liam raised his brows in slight surprise.


    "Maybe. But I don''t think I could have done anything against it."


    "I mean... you''re all literally me," Liam added with a smallugh. "Given the same circumstances, you would have done the same things in the same exact way."


    There was a moment of silence.


    "I can''t deny that you might be right..." one Liam said in response, "and there''s a chance that we both might just die if I kill you."


    A pause.


    Liam felt a ''but''ing.


    "But what if that wasn''t the case? What if I could kill you and take your ce, reverting this change entirely?"


    Liamughed.


    "Unreasonable, selfish and stupid. You just want to be the one to live and take my ce." Liam spread his arms. "Look around you. They''re all thinking the same thing."


    Silence.


    The Liam copies were stunned for words.


    "I see," a Liam further ahead said under his breath. "I... actually agree. Think of the bigger picture."


    Just then, the Liam in question stabbed himself in the head, dying. He fell to the floor with a faint thud.


    "Wow. I, uh... didn''t actually expect that," Liam said, pleasantly surprised. He smiled. "Well, there''s an example we should all follow."


    Since all the Liams were the same, Liam presumed that they''d all follow the same line of action.


    But there were slight deviations that emerged amidst their thought processes.


    Like branches of a growing tree splitting off the trunk, their decisions were in slight contrast to one another, despite being from the same idea.


    "No use risking mutual destruction for a small chance of survival," another Liam said. "For the greater good."


    SHIG!


    Another had killed himself.


    Liam made a grin. It was different from the usual kind he would make. Less cold but somehow more eerie.


    Quite frankly, seeing himself kill himself for himself was a strange delight.


    CHIKH!


    SHK!


    CHIG!


    A wave of thuds rang out as more Liam''s killed themselves one after the other.


    They were wise. Sacrificing themselves for Liam''s guaranteed existence was the safest option.


    After a while, though, the thuds stopped.


    By then, more than 1/3 of the Liams present had died.


    ...But the rest stubbornly remained alive.


    "No more for the greater good?" Liam asked out loud, but the only responses he got were murderous looks.


    "Fools," Liam growled, but there was no anger in his voice. Just disgust. "Come, then."


    Liam clenched his four wed fists.


    He waited patiently for the first move.


    Who doesn''t love a ssic brawl?


    A pair of Liams slowly approached him from the sides, their four ws outstretched.


    And yet, just as Liam contemted rushing them, another pair of copies hadunched themselves upon the two!


    SHIGG!


    KRSH!


    The first two Liams spun around to try and block, but the element of surprise was not on their side.


    SPLURT!


    One of them had died, while the remaining Liam lost three arms, but managed to kill one of the assaulters by the skin of his teeth.


    Unfortunately...


    "What... are¡­ you doing?!" one of them gurgled with blood as a w jammed his throat.


    "We''ll eventually betray each other. I''d rather give the real us a fighting chance," said the other.


    A secondter, the two jammed their ws into each others'' necks, essentially turning the exchange into a kamikaze move.


    Both died.


    Silence.


    A secondter, the simple assault prompted a massive battle between the thousands of Liam copies.


    1/3 wanted to kill Liam and take his ce, and another 1/3 wanted to fight for Liam''s survival. Another 1/3 had already killed themselves.


    Liamughed loudly in the middle of it all.


    It was a civil war!

 Chapter 436 Civil War

    <h4>Chapter 436 Civil War</h4>


    A civil war of Liams.


    Liam never thought he''d see the day.


    Then again, he never thought he''d go a little coocoo and lose his sanity, but what''s fair is fair.


    He was the epicenter of all the carnage. In all four directions, blood and grime sprayed in the air, coloring even the skies red.


    Liam smiled to himself.


    "I feel the urge to say something edgy, but I can''t find the words."


    He spotted a ripped off hand a few footsteps in front of him, trampled on by a group of Liams as they tore each other''s guts out.


    "What do you think, hand? Are we the good guys?"


    The hand remained silent as blood continued to spray.


    Liam nodded in agreement.


    "You make a good point. Of course we are! We''re the¡ª"


    "Stop talking to the hand, bastard!" a copy shouted from behind Liam, lurching at him like an uncoiled snake.


    "I''m literally you," Liam said with augh, easily dodging to the side with a quick step, then ducking to evade another two swipes at his neck. "Jeez. Have a little grace, man."


    "I''d never say things like that!" the copy shouted with narrowed, murderous eyes, a disbelieving look on his face. "You''re not me!"


    Liam gave him a hurt expression, clutching his chest and staggering backwards.


    "My feelings..."


    The copy rushed him again. Angrier this time.


    Liam didn''t dodge. That''s what the copy would do, and that''s what the copy expected Liam to do.


    But Liam was not the copy.


    Instead, as the four ws swiped at his head, torso, hip and shoulder, shing into them, Liam didn''t counter with his arms at all.


    He countered with his mouth.


    Fangs sank deep into the jugr vein. Blood gushed into his mouth like a juicy fruit. Teeth mped around the copy''s neck like a rat trap.


    Light from the copy''s eyes faded. He fell to the side with a thud, joining the pile of corpses littering the filthy ground.


    Liam spat out the lump of veins and muscle, then cleaned his lips, before moving to the next victim.


    The previous Liam would never be able to do that.


    He probably would have fought for twenty straight minutes, then maybe won by the skin of his teeth.


    Too rigid. Too focused. Too narrow minded and anxious.


    Liam had evolved!


    He could just avoid thinking altogether.


    He was no longer bound by the same things his lower versions were bound by!


    No longer restricted or contained!


    He could ugh''!


    He could ''joke''!


    He could ''smile''!


    But he wouldn''t feel anything but pure disgust and abhorrence, and a slight bit of unhinged sadism.


    "This is getting boring now, though," Liam said, frowning as he looked over his copies fighting for his sake. "Let''s get this wrapped up."


    On both sides, there was just 1/3 remaining.


    Liam patiently waited for the two sides to duke it out. There was no point in getting involved. It would alle to an end, soon enough.


    Instead, Liam was scrolling through the piles of corpses, tearing out pieces of bones and shaping them together using fibers of muscle.


    He was making a sword!


    Out of the dead copies'' flesh!


    Using a femur as the edge, and turning the ulna ¡ª the forearm bone ¡ª into a handle worked best.


    Slowly, Liam used his sharp nails to scrape the weapon into shape.


    A few momentster, it waspleted.


    Liam looked at it with awe.


    "The Liam de¡­" Liam muttered under his breath, raising the macabre weapon into the air.


    Liam''s bones were naturally ck due to the Dark Wraith tempering method, which he unfortunately couldn''t use any more.


    Wrapped around dense flesh, the ck sword had a jagged, serpentine form, but was on par with even the ck de in terms of sharpness.


    Some timeter, the vicious sounds of flesh being ripped apart and blood sshing against the ground came to an abrupt stop.


    Just 2 copies remained, a few hundred meters away.


    Liam sent them a questioning look, subtly nodding towards the sword in his hands.


    He had a sword.


    They just had their fists.


    They were not the same.


    The Liams cursed quietly¡­ but they made it this far.


    "If you can''t kill two of me," one Liam said seriously, "you don''t deserve my body."


    Liam clicked his tongue in annoyance, then sighed.


    A secondter, Liam slowly crouched, tensing his muscles and preparing tounch forward.


    The copies narrowed their eyes and did the same.


    But with his three free hands, he grabbed handfuls of guts from the visceral floor, mixing them with broken nails and shards of bone.


    Only after that did he shoot forward.


    WHOOSH!


    All three of the Liams present used Hone.


    As soon as Liam was close enough to the two of them, he feinted a sh with his sword at the first copy, causing him to dodge.


    CHIKH!


    Just then, the remaining copy shed off his lower right arm, then moved to stab him in the rear.


    But Liam''s facial expression didn''t change at all.


    Instead, he swiftly altered his sword''s trajectory mid-swing, while flicking a handful of intestines in the copy''s eyes.


    SHING!


    The copy''s eyes were instantly blinded as nails and sharp bone fragments tore through his eye sockets.


    A momentter, his head was severed by the bone sword.


    The remaining clone reappeared behind Liam''s back.


    KRSH!


    A w burst through Liam''s back, exploding through his chest, causing immense pain to shoot through his mind, body and soul.


    ...Good.


    Pain made him feel alive.


    Liam smiled broadly with a mouth full of bloody teeth.


    He reversed the grip on his de, pointing the tip towards his stomach, then stabbed himself as deep as he possibly could.


    The sword seared through his stomach, but managed to skewer the remaining copy like a kebab at the same time.


    The copy attempted to release his grip on Liam''s chest, but Liam gripped it firmly in ce with his free hands.


    A momentter, the bone sword twisted, then made a wide arc out of the clone''s stomach, causing the Liam''s entrails to pour out.

 Chapter 437 Horrors

    <h4>Chapter 437 Horrors</h4>


    Liam coughed a mouthful of blood. Warm blood dripped down his scalp all the way to his tippy toes.


    He stood above mounds formed through versions of his own corpses, and the victory felt all the more greater.


    He had beaten thousands of himself. Proved that he was the strongest iteration.


    Proved that the previous Liam was still too hung on remnants of humanity. Outdated.


    What remained of that, Liam burned it. Tore it to shreds and shed his skin.


    Liam looked around.


    There was silence.


    He waited for the dramatic moment when something burst from the ground. Or when something shot at him from the sky.


    Or a ''ding!'' followed by a massive reward for the feat he just aplished.


    Nothing of the kind happened.


    "I didn''t just kill a thousand versions of myself for no reason, did I?" Liam asked seemingly no one, a bit of annoyance in his voice.


    "Where''s my reward?"


    Silence met his words, but Liam wasn''t worried.


    After exactly a minute of absolutely nothing happening, the corpses below Liam''s feet started to jitter and move.


    "Well¡­" Liamughed, but remained calm.


    The copies of himself that Liam had killed were slowly rising on their own, as though they were puppets being raised by a string.


    Liam carefully maneuvered his way over to a patch of ground where there was a rtively safe distance between him and his bodies.


    Then, he waited to see how it all unfolded, the femur sword in his hand.


    Though, the more they rose above, the more Liam realized that they weren''t actually alive.


    They were definitely dead, but even as their feet left the ground and they levitated mid-air, their heads were hung downwards.


    The sky darkened.


    From white, it went to a dreamy, midnight color, reflected with beautiful little stars that made Liam''s cold heart skip a beat.


    But the scene was straight out of a horror movie.


    Thousands of corpses, wearing his face and body, no less, rising above air with no support whatsoever.


    Suddenly, their heads jolted upright, and their eyes fluttered open in unison.


    Stars.


    Their eyelids opened, but there was no human eye, or any eye behind it.


    Instead, there was a ck background with thousands of little gxies dancing within their eye sockets.


    Liam felt entranced. Sucked in by the mesmerizing patterns of those cosmos.


    This was otherworldly.


    To him, it wasn''t scary or morbid. This was the very definition of beauty. The purest form in his dead eyes.


    In unison, the corpses opened their mouths, their tone matter-of-factly as they said four words:


    "You have chosen war."


    The voices were surreal, as though young, old, male and female had spoken at the very same time, forming a sole, contradicting cacophony.


    Liam was stunned.


    Even for his new ''entity'' form, Liam didn''t have theprehension to understand what was happening.


    "Your kind was a mistake. An uncured infection I have yet to eradicate fully. Soon, you too, will understand."


    Liam''s gaze snapped from one corpse to another, but they all had the same starry eyes.


    They weren''t separate beings. It was just one.


    And Liam had a funny feeling he knew exactly what he was talking to.


    "Is this¡­"


    A dramatic pause.


    "The Opposition?"


    Silence.


    No response, but Liam had his answer.


    A slow smile crept across Liam''s lips.


    The Opposition was a bncing force.


    Everyone knew it was the thing that allowed for ''Ora'' to live on, and for a semnce of order to exist within the realm of cultivation.


    Other than that, it had zero control or dominion over the affairs of heaven and earth.


    It was not divine, nor was it worshiped by even the most regr of people.


    Liam found it strange how the Opposition referred to itself as ''I''.


    ''It''s not just a force. It''s a living thing. What kind, though?''


    "No one told me you could talk," Liam said, suppressing his surprise the best he could. "Or were you just shy until I came along? Am I that special?"


    Silence.


    The Opposition ignored hisment, choosing silence.


    Liam lingered on its words for a second.


    This wasn''t something that just happened to everyone.


    Perhaps it was an encounter unique to him.


    Him wasting time with pointless jokes were not for anyone''s benefit.


    Instead, he could use that time to understand why the Opposition said what it said to him.


    "My ''kind''. There''s more than one, you see," Liam said with another smile, a little forced this time.


    "Do you mean the octopus, the Ashura or the human?"


    Silence.


    The skies got just a little darker.


    "You."


    Liam blinked, then suppressed the urge tough.


    Despite the vague answer, the Opposition was definitely talking about the Ashuras.


    What else?


    Only the Ashuras fit the bill of ''your kind was a mistake'', and ''an uncured infection.''


    But Liam was missing the context!


    Why did the Opposition choose to say that at this exact moment?


    Liam felt like the meeting wasing to an end.


    He felt a pressure slowly rise within his sea of consciousness.


    He had to dig deeper.


    "You referred to yourself as ''I''. Why? What ''war'' have I chosen?"


    A terse silence.


    "They have forgotten. The horrors. The uninhabitable world. You have been fighting the war all along."


    Liam furrowed his brows.


    He didn''t understand this. He didn''t understand anything. What horrors? What uninhabitable world? What war?!


    "Our time here is over. I have taken your sanity. I will take much more."


    Liam felt like something had burst within his very mind.


    It was very painful.


    Liam loved it. That was part of the problem, but there were bigger issues at hand.


    The walls of Liam''s mental sphere slowly tore apart from itself, as though it was shedding ayer of translucent skin.


    The expelled golden barrier walls weightlessly floated into Liam''s mental energy, dissolving within it.


    Seconds felt like years.


    Years spent in pain.


    But soon, it was over.


    Before Liam could assess the proper changes, he felt tired.


    Drowsiness.


    Eyes closed.


    Darkness.

 Chapter 438 Meal

    <h4>Chapter 438 Meal</h4>


    Liam''s head felt like it''d been shoved through a vise.


    He had no feeling in his body.


    All he currently consisted of was a wisp of consciousness which drifted in and out of reality like a broken boat floating up and down a merciless tide.


    Slowly, these ''tides'' became gentler as the seconds ticked past, giving him a chance to gradually rein in his scattered mind.


    Liam didn''t know how long had passed, but slowly, he was snapping back to reality.


    His nerves were finally responding to hismands.


    His muscles still felt cramped and weighed down like iron, but a connection finally formed between his mind and body.


    Liam''s eyes opened. A resplendent glow emanated from his King''s Eye, crackling like miniature suns.


    The temple roof was above him.


    He was still in the basement.


    Around him, Elders, each with their own little station where they did their own thing, either reading a book or cultivating.


    WHOOM!


    Abruptly, Liam''s mental energy exploded outward!


    It bloomed, shooting past the basement, seeping through the cracks and walls, and continued spreading.


    The dozen-some Elders stationed beside his body simultaneously grimaced as an incredible pressure formed around them.


    The mental waves were spreading like an unstoppable tide.


    500 meters.


    1,000 meters.


    1,500 meters.


    2,000 meters.


    2,500 meters.


    And...


    2,700 meters.


    In a radius of roughly 2,700 meters, Liam felt grass sway with the lightest wind, saw boulders fall down one of the eastern mountains, sensed a Horned Bear running after a Four Tailed Deer.


    Among thousands and thousands of different processes that urred all at once, which he could track all at once.


    The average sensing ability of a Rank 4 mind was 2,000 meters.


    Liam''s mind was above and beyond that.


    Honestly speaking, it felt as though he had another mind to assist him with his thoughts.


    Liam didn''t doubt for a second that he could beat a superputer in terms of intellect and processing speed.


    At the same time, there was something different about his sea of consciousness.


    A strange feeling he couldn''t put his finger on, but he knew that it had something to do with his Zenith mind.


    Liam entered his sea of consciousness.


    The shape of the mental sphere was the same. The shimmering golden hue of his barrier walls were brighter than ever, making it seem like a hollow sun.


    The water below was a strict contrast. It was pitch ck, like a sea of ink, reflecting no light whatsoever.


    These were just the base improvements.


    There was much, much more that Liam couldn''t wait to find out about.


    But as of now, he heard the Elders rushing over to the basement with wide-eyed looks.


    Slowly, Liam sat up.


    The King''s Eye¡­


    It felt like Liam was looking through the tip of a rapier de.


    It was incredibly sharp, and that was a massive understatement.


    Sitting up from the silk bed he was lying on, Liam creaked his body left and right, giving the Elder beside him a careful look.


    It was a woman with long ck hair and a tall stature, who blinked incredulously at Liam''s sight.


    Tilting his head, Liam zoomed in on her, and the woman instantly blushed, staggering backwards.


    "I didn''t mean it like that. Get your head out of the gutter," Liam told her seriously.


    But¡­ apparently, he had a strange x-ray vision now.


    Subconsciously, he could separate his vision into a different ''mode'', which acted as a filter.


    It basically turned people into silhouettes, revealing only their centers of power, skeletal system and organs.


    He could even see their sea of consciousness.


    Clothes did little to hinder his super-sight, but he''d have to get that under control¡­


    He looked around.


    A few non-familiar faces were present. The Temple was still kicking it in his absence.


    Liam let out a long groan, lowered his head, and exhaled a deep sigh.


    At the end of it, an ear-to-ear grin formed on his face.


    ''I''m free! I''m finally free!''


    One after the other, the figureheads of the Temple had swarmed the basement.


    Ryu, Jane, Verium, Jax, Aki, Orisa, Kerian, Jargon, Ruth, Maeve and everyone else had emerged through puddles of shadows.


    They looked more or less the same, except Jargon was now a full fledged Zenith!


    The rest were generally stronger.


    Liam surveyed each one of them differently, the grin no longer on his face.


    The room went dead silent.


    No one uttered a word.


    Ryu would have already given Liam a bear hug and congratted him on his advancement.


    ¡­But he didn''t.


    Liam''s aura just felt so off.


    Like long nails repeatedly scraping against a chalkboard.


    Was that Liam really Liam?


    What was that dead look in his eyes?


    And why were his eyes so bright?


    They were like little suns!


    Everyone felt bare-skinned and defenseless under his unreal gaze.


    Even Kerian, a Rank 5 cultivator, felt that way, albeit way lesser than the rest.


    Not to mention, the pressure they felt!


    That was not normal!


    Silence.


    Liam continued surveying them up and down for several minutes, before he suddenly realized what he was doing.


    His mental waves had retracted, relieving the zeniths around him of that pressure.


    He yed it off the tense and gloomy vibes.


    "What''s with all the gawking?" Liam said with a frown as he got up from the bed, stretching his hands in different directions.


    Verium and Jane made a bitter face.


    "I''m guessing this has to do with how long I''ve been out? Or did someone die?"


    Kerian was the first to speak.


    "6 and a half years."


    Liam''s jaw opened dramatically.


    "You''re joking."


    Kerian shook her head.


    "I wouldn''t joke about this, Sire."


    6 and a half years.


    Liam had just hit 23 years old before he underwent the Self Tribtion.


    And now¡­ he was 29 and a half.


    Liam took another look at himself.


    His monstrous body was still the same, other than being a little strongerpared to before.


    His core and blood hadn''t advanced yet.


    His ck hair wasbed and well taken care of, but it was incredibly long. Rapunzel would be envious.


    A few seconds of silence passed as Liam processed the news.


    "Enough of that. Where''s the Empress? I haven''t finished my meal."

 Chapter 439 Enjoyment

    <h4>Chapter 439 Enjoyment</h4>


    6 and a half years.


    It was a long time, Liam had to admit.


    But honestly, he wasn''t too sad about it.


    After a while, cultivators really stopped paying attention to time.


    If they did, they''d eventually go crazy.


    After all, the higher ranked they were, the more time it took for them to advance.


    Time didn''t move slower or faster for them.


    But a powerhouse and a non-cultivator obviously viewed time through different lenses.


    Days would pass in the blink of an eye, and they wouldn''t pay it any heed.


    Jax''s face fell with shock. "You''re¡­ not worried?"


    Liam tilted his head. "Why would I be?"


    The real Liam would never be able to let that go.


    At least some semnce of worry and frustration would show on his face.


    And yet, not a trace of it showed.


    Then again¡­ 6 and a half years had passed.


    What exactly happened during those years?


    The Elders honestly couldn''t bring themselves to ask.


    Not right now, at least.


    "The Empress is in your ring, my Liege," Jargon said, suppressing his shock as much as he could. "She''s been perfectly preserved."


    Liam nodded. "Thank you, Jargon."


    ¡­


    Jargon''s eyes widened slightly.


    It wasn''t in Liam''s personality to say ''thank you.''


    Then again¡­ it was nice being appreciated.


    Jargon liked the new Liam better.


    At the same time, with Liam''s x-ray vision, he could see strange energies around the Zeniths.


    Liam called it Spirit Sight.


    Calling it x-ray vision was boring.


    The reason why he called it Spirit Sight was because he could see the vague Paths that the Zeniths were forming!


    It was most prominent for Kerian.


    It made sense.


    She was a Rank 5 cultivator after all.


    Liam saw reddish colors swirl around her core and body.


    And her mental waves had a strange quality to them that Liam barely understood.


    It was like she triedbining the qualities of fear and heat together.


    At the same time, Liam could read the intention, emotion, and thought of a Zenith much clearer.


    Emotions and intentions had their own colors.


    Well, not exactly.


    Emotion was the only one with color, but intention gave it a shape.


    For example, the color red was associated with anger.


    Intention gave the mental waves a wild, fire-like quality that looked like it might explode at any moment.


    That was the rtionship between emotion and intention.


    Like paint to a paintbrush.


    Thought, on the other hand, was imbued within the mental energy itself.


    Little words and statements that appeared like tiny ambers of fire, before puffing out.


    And now, theysted both longer, and were clearer to see.


    That was why Liam gave them such eerie looks.


    He was reading their thoughts.


    Lying to Liam was no longer possible.


    Punishable by death, even if they thought about it.


    ''They''re afraid of me,'' Liam thought.


    ''Good.''


    Liam could also peer through a Zenith''s mind, essing their vision.


    That''s what Liam was doing to Jane right now.


    "I''m guessing I missed quite a bit," Liam said.


    Verium''s face ¡ª which looked younger and more handsomepared to his aged appearance before ¡ª grew a little darker.


    "A lot," Verium said with dark eyes. "Temple-wise, some snakes thought you would never wake up, and they were organizing a change in leadership."


    Liam hummed to himself, cracking his knuckles.


    "I''m guessing they''re led by someone?"


    Verium nodded firmly, reining in his anger.


    "Neren and Johan."


    Liam felt the need tough, but all he felt was disgust.


    "The two idiots from back then? I didn''t even cut off their hands. Why haven''t you crushed them already?"


    Verium lowered his head.


    "I¡­ didn''t want to impede on your authority, master. They''ve gathered two thousand to their side, and I didn''t know what you wanted to do with them."


    The Elders went silent.


    Liam didn''t respond.


    As it was, Liam''s mental waves unfurled again, scanning each and every corner of the plot ofnd the Temple owned.


    ''Found you.''


    Liam used Shadow Blink.


    He was gone.


    Ryu let out a tense breath.


    "I called it! I called it! Who called me crazy for saying he''ll go mad?"


    ***


    Liam had reappeared above a ck temple made from obsidian brick.


    All around the temple were roughly two thousand acolytes paired with a few Elders.


    Even Aore and Ian ¡ª who Liam saved ¡ª were there, bitterness on their faces.


    Shadow Blink was no longer restricted to short distances.


    Liam felt like he could perfectly utilize his shadows and blood now.


    However, it took roughly 23% blood because of how far the distance of the teleport was.


    Liam could easily utilize that amount if he put some effort into it.


    In fact, he could make some much-needed improvements to his Blood Weaving and Primordial Forging!


    But first, he had vermin to exterminate.


    Liam slowly merged through the temple walls and arrived into a bedroom.


    There he was.


    Neren and Johan, ying a game of cards as they cheered andughed.


    When they saw Liam, their eyes widened in shock.


    "Y-You''re a-alive," Neren stuttered, dropping his cards.


    "Y-Yeah, I-I a-am," Liam mocked abhorrently


    Johan frowned and rose to his feet, clenching his fists.


    "You''ve been gone long enough. You don''t hold all the power anym¡ª"


    Liam was too fast!


    He appeared behind Johan.


    Johan and Neren simultaneously spun around to attack.


    But two pairs of ws, two for each, had pierced through their sides.


    Before the two could continue their attack, Corruption red through Liam''s nails.


    Shrill cries of anguish rang out from the temple.


    The acolytes felt their hearts drop.


    The screams continued for several minutes!


    But the deserters couldn''t even muster the urge to run in and do something about it!


    As the seconds ticked down, those who watched felt their hairs rise out of sheer terror.


    The screams were so dreadful.


    But eventually, they stopped.


    Silence.


    Slowly, Liam emerged from the temple''s walls, his sun-like eyes weren''t golden anymore!


    They were red!


    The acolytes and Elders who watched widened their eyes in shock, terror and dread.


    In Liam''s hands were Neren and Johan, who seemed to have urinated and defecated themselves post-death.


    He dropped the corpses, then took slow steps towards the two thousand acolytes.


    Liam would enjoy this very much.

 Chapter 440 Fill

    <h4>Chapter 440 Fill</h4>


    Neren and Johan didn''tst too long.


    Even without using his new mental energy abilities.


    Liam contemted using his new Rank 4 mental energy and pairing it with Hone.


    Corruption broke down their bodies and slowly killed them off.


    But now, the Reaper hade for the rest, and it was time for a harvest.


    Liam unsheathed his ck de, which instantly squirmed with pure joy.


    It hadn''t been swung in so long.


    It never saw the light of day.


    It refused to be held by anyone else, not that anyone dared to touch his weapons.


    It almost lost its mind when in istion with the other 2 swords.


    Then, he took out the Dusk des, which roared in pleasure.


    Right after, the Breaker de was stretched to the side, silently brooding.


    But when Liam used Sword Connection, their personalities experienced a sudden shift.


    It was like their base qualities had been amplified with a newyer of sadism and disgust.


    They not only hated their victims, they were disgusted by them.


    They were appalled by their mere existence, wanting nothing more than to inflict pain.


    The ck de wanted to slice through flesh, but with the least edge-to-skin contact possible.


    The Dusk des wanted to y and rip it apart, brutalize it, then chew it back out.


    The Breaker de wanted to shatter bones and break bodies and bones apart.


    No words were exchanged between them and Liam.


    The des were an extension of himself.


    There was no need for a speech or talk of any kind.


    He himself was the de.


    Liam took slow steps to the closest acolyte.


    Cornered prey.


    She was barely a Rank 3 cultivator.


    Tears swelled in her eyes.


    She staggered backwards.


    Liam felt a little bit of enjoyment from this.


    He didn''t enjoy it before.


    It wasn''t a hobby or something he loved to do.


    But now, he wouldn''t mind inflicting pain and fear or even reveling in it.


    Calling him a masochist was one thing. Calling him a sadist was another. Both were valid.


    That was part of his ''duality'', Liam supposed.


    Liam stuck the ck de through the acolyte''s chest.


    Blood spurted in a straight line.


    The acolytes'' eyes widened in shock.


    Liam ignored the pleas.


    The ck de shed upwards, cleaving her head apart in a glorious, gory spray of bloody fireworks.


    Shocked silence.


    She was just an acolyte!


    A low ranking acolyte!


    What was this cruelty!?


    Liam''s eyes moved towards the rest who watched.


    Ian was there. Beside him, his wife.


    These two disgusted Liam the most.


    Why?


    They''d bitten the feeding hand.


    Spit on it.


    Then pped it away.


    For them, one death was not enough.


    Ian felt his body shrivel in fear, but in protection for his wife, a condensed sword of wind formed in his hand.


    Aore made a few gestures with her hands, causing tremors to run across the ground below Liam.


    They knew it was toote for apologies.


    They wanted to apologize.


    But they knew Liam was past that.


    Ian burst forward with incredible speed, using a spell to bolster his swiftness.


    The sword was aimed straight at Liam''s heart.


    SHRIFF!


    It stabbed through!


    Ian''s sword actually went through Liam''s heart!


    There was blood!


    There was a wound!


    It felt solid!


    ¡­The Liam in question slowly melted apart like wax, wrapping around Ian''s hand and spreading over to his body, burrowing into his skin.


    Ian screamed hectically, attempting to rip off parts of his own body to stop the cruel sensations.


    Those watching felt their chests shake in fear.


    ¡­To them, nothing was happening to Ian!


    And yet, he was screaming his guts out!


    It was all an illusion!


    Liam''s King''s Eye had reached new heights.


    Instead of actually conjuring his mental energy, Liam could naturally usurp control of a cultivator''s vision.


    But not just vision.


    Their senses, too!


    Hearing, smell, taste and touch.


    Unlike the Kitsune, he couldn''t do it to arge group of people, nor was it as proficient and clean as her''s.


    Instead, he could only manipte one person''s senses at a time.


    ''I can''t imitate pain, though. Just severe difort using heat and cold.''


    Ian''s screams came to an abrupt end.


    He had ripped off so much of himself, he looked like the chewed leftovers from a wolf''s hunt.


    Liam appeared behind Aore next.


    As she turned around, the Breaker de was already descending.


    KRSH!


    She was crushed like a can.


    Aore was a kind woman.


    She was dead now.


    What happened next could only be described as a massacre.


    The Elders fought back the best they could.


    They charged their strongest spells and tried their hand at an offensive formation.


    And yet, Liam was too fast, too cruel, too strong.


    Essentially, he was an unstoppable force against a movable object.


    ***


    Soon, it was over.


    What remained of the two thousand were dismembered corpses, the air a thick stench of blood and grime.


    Jax and Ryu were the first to arrive at the scene, feeling a shiver crawl down their spines.


    Shaking off the filth dripping over his entire body, Liam sheathed his weapons and looked up.


    The Elders had filled the skies, and they couldn''t help but feel pity for those Liam dispatched.


    It was the way of the world, they supposed.


    Liam took a look around. The bodies could provide a tiny cultivation boost.


    But he was too disgusted by them.


    They didn''t deserve to be eaten by him.


    Liam sent Jargon a knowing look. Using Shadow Blink, a sh of ckness rippled across his form, and he disappeared instantly.


    ***


    Reappearing in his room ¡ª which seemed to be refurbished and given a nice touch of luxury ¡ª Liam spotted his space ringying on a mahogany table.


    Grabbing the ring, Liam peered through its contents for a brief second.


    There it was.


    The Rank 5 Psionic Rune!


    From what Liam remembered, there was only one person with a Rank 5 Psionic Rune, and that was Usan.


    The Runes were incredibly expensive and rare.


    Just one of them could warrant millions of ''Ora'' Stones.


    Made from grey rock and barely fist-sized, the rune was in the shape of a rhombicosidodecahedron, with more than a hundred sides glowing with sapphire runic letters.


    Even the word was a mouthful, and Liam avoided looking at it.


    He learned from his mistakes.


    A momentter, Jargon had appeared in his room.


    "Alright," Liam said. "Fill me in."

 Chapter 441 Eagle’s Nest

    <h4>Chapter 441 Eagle''s Nest</h4>


    Liam''s room honestly resembled a presidential office more than it did a warzone, which was usually how Liam left the state of his rooms.


    Seating himself on the posh seat behind the mahogany desk, Liam reclined and waited for Jargon to exin the events of the past six years.


    Testing his brand new sea of consciousness was on the back of his mind, but it could wait.


    "Take a seat, if you''d like," Liam said. "We might be here a while."


    "I''ll stand, sir," Jargon said firmly, crossing his hands behind his back. "Where do I begin?"


    "Beginning, of course."


    Jargon took a brief pause.


    "Well, the alliance is still up and running. The Pashah sent you a get-well postcard once he realized you were in aa."


    Liam arched his brow. Jargon gestured at his ring with a wry smile.


    Liam peered through it again, taking out a little ck card, made of regr paper and colored with regr red ink.


    He pulled it out of its casing, which was just a smaller version of it.


    It had a cartoonish drawing of a crude thumbs up, the hand belonging to a skinny, ashen-skinned vampire.


    On the side, it said, with disproportionate letters:


    "By the time you''re reading this, several years of your life have been torn to shreds! Unlucky, little Reap!"


    A moment of silence.


    "Did you see Alucard deliver this?" Liam asked quietly.


    Jargon shook his head, confused a little. "It came through a tiny bat¡­ which could speak, actually. We didn''t open it up until now."


    Liam quietly hummed to himself.


    "Then it didn''te from him," Liam said, sighing. "It came from someone else."


    Minister of Torture, most likely.


    How kind of him. Liam would have to pay him back some time.


    "Nevermind that. What else?"


    Jargon nodded, continuing.


    "I''ll just spitball the major events."


    "Hand of Light has renamed the Dual Empire into the New Republic."


    "He''s closed off his borders to everyone else but his own n, and we don''t really know what he''s nning."


    "Aiho, Neren and Echoria still haven''t taken any action against li or Korsa in retaliation for the war."


    "The Imperial Legion has also been silent, but they''ve been inactive for quite some time now."


    Jargon made a slightly bitter face.


    "But... Echorian Royalty has publicly promised revenge. They''ve already blocked out all trade and denied anyone from visiting li."


    Liam made a surprised face.


    "Oh... how mysterious and sinister. Have they done anything more than that?"


    Jargon shook his head. "No, sir."


    ''Makes sense,'' Liam thought. ''All Aiho cares about is alchemy, and all Neren cares about is knowledge and inscriptions.''


    ''Echorians are powerful, but they''re idiots. Whatever they''re plotting, they should''ve acted when I was sleeping. Alucard wouldn''t bother with my death. He''d like it very much, in fact.''


    Liam honestly questioned why the Royals were so stupid. What was holding them back fromying waste to the surrounding countries Definitely not benevolence.


    ''Only thing to worry about is those pesky Imperialists,'' Liam thought. ''I feel like the only person Alucard doesn''t want to fight against is the General.''


    After a short pause, Jargon continued.


    "Also, two new countries have announced their status as a powerhouse."


    "Xoltrah and Rurunia."


    "The former hails from an amazonian-type country, and thetter is a tribal, desert type."


    "I''m pretty sure they were just keeping quiet about their powerhouse status, but were probably worried about an invasion like the Dual Empire."


    Liam arched a brow.


    For 23 years of his life, no country had announced their new status as powerhouses.


    And yet, for the 6 years he''d been under, such grand events had taken ce back to back.


    Liam felt like he had skipped a day of school just for a world famous celebrity to visit.


    Not that he liked celebrities.


    "What else? That can''t be all there is to it."


    Jargon nodded.


    "Well, the Temple has gathered a lot of knowledge and information about the world for the past six years."


    "Lesser powerhouses, Oceanors, magicalnds and other organizations have been listed down. Would you like to browse through them?"


    Liam pursed his lips.


    Right. He had certain responsibilities as a leader.


    A momentter, he shook his head.


    "No. Not right now. I''ll get into thoseter. Anything else?"


    "Not much," Jargon said. "Rin, the Dragon''s me, and Nord, the Giant''s heir, have also obtained Zenith status. Including the little one. Quite famous, too, sir."


    Liam sighed.


    Who cares?


    Nobody!


    Not Liam!


    Not anyone with more than two braincells!


    "Other than that, the Pashah asked you to contact him once you woke up."


    "Unless you want me to tell you the lesser details throughout the years, that''s all."


    "No need," Liam said. "I''ll work on eating the rest of the Empress. I''ll ask you for thoseter."


    Jargon nodded firmly, then excused himself.


    Alone again.


    Liam pursed his lips in thought.


    Of course, eating the Empress'' corpse was next.


    But what after? The biggest threat to his life was, to his dismay, the Echorian Kingdom and, to his disdain, his attachment to Alucard.


    Right now, Liam was like a finch living under an eagle''s nest. It had its protection, but for how long? What if the eagle decided it wanted a little snack? A little desert?


    "I have to distance myself from him. One way or the other."


    Bing a Zenith was not a bad idea, though. Starting by nomming down some Rank 6 meat.


    ''I''ll have Kerian give me some tips on how to form my Path,'' Liam thought. ''It''s different for everyone, though, so I''ll ask the rest too.''


    With a Rank 4 consciousness, paired with strong blood, Liam was pretty sure he could alter where the nourishment of his body could go.


    A bit of blood had slipped into his mouth during the massacre, and he could ''redirect'' it where to go.


    Only slightly, though, so he''d have to be careful.


    Liam got to work, and time slowly passed.

 Chapter 442 Flashlight

    <h4>Chapter 442 shlight</h4>


    As time passed, Liam adjusted to his new mind.


    His mental waves were incredibly dense, and were enough to affect physical things!


    Liam could shatter a Rank 1 and Rank 2 mind with funny ease.


    However, a Rank 3 mind may or may not take longer to crush.


    However, contrary to expectation, the mental sphere did not improve Liam''s spell arsenal.


    Rank 3 mental spells functioned the same before, only they had more range and could be used heavier.


    Other than that they were the same thing. They weren''t built for a Rank 4 mind, otherwise they definitely would have improved.


    Also, Liam finally tinkered with his King''s Eye.


    He could finally change the color of it to whatever he wanted.


    From golden yellow, to sapphire blue, to ruby red, to in white.


    He could also constrict and dte his pupils to fill out the sclera, which was a neat little party trick.


    Pretty useless, but otherwise neat.


    However, out of all of Liam''s spells, the Shadow Clone spell had advanced!


    Apanied by the Empress, Liam used the spell and watched as his core produced an identical copy of himself.


    Just one.


    Liam raised a brow.


    The Shadow Clone looked at Liam with a nk expression.


    It was still fully ck, made from darkness, but its form was much more rigid and sturdy.


    "Do you... have your own mind or something? This seems like a downgrade."


    Silence.


    Then¡­


    The Shadow Clone nodded!


    It seemed to have some part of Liam''s consciousness.


    Liam could still control it.


    Except other than that, the clone could control itself and move wherever it wanted to.


    "Can''t speak, though?" Liam asked the shadow.


    The Shadow Clone shook his head.


    Still a little surprised, Liam nodded satisfyingly to himself.


    "Good, good."


    If speech was from silver then silence was gold. A wise saying by wise men.


    "You can''t¡­ stab me in the back, right?" Liam asked again, a little seriously this time.


    The Shadow Clone raised a brow, shaking his head silently, then making a quiet chuckle.


    The Shadow Clone didn''t seem like it would dissipate any time soon.


    Wondering how long it wouldst, Liam sent the Shadow Clone outside, but not before adorning it with his King''s Eye.


    The clone would notst indefinitely.


    It had a timer ingrained into it, and once it ran out, the darkness-made fellow would crumble apart.


    Liam just didn''t know when.


    "Just don''t cause too much havoc, yes?" Liam told it. "I''ve had enough problems on my hands."


    The Shadow Clone smiled broadly, then nodded before leaving.


    As it left, Liam couldn''t help but feel a little bit worried.


    "Shouldn''t it have been a nod, then a smile? He did it out of order."


    Oh well, what''s the worst that could go wrong?


    Liam looked back at the Empress with an assessing gaze. Now that he realized, he never really did use Spirit Sight on her!


    Just then, Liam used Spirit Sight.


    It was like his vision was filtered with a lens.


    ''Damn it, I can''t see her insides clearly...''


    To his dismay, the Empress'' body was too powerful.


    It treated Liam''s Spirit Sight like it didn''t matter.


    Liam pursed his lips in thought.


    He had an idea.


    Shuffling through a few items in his rings, Liam found an inscription device some nifty Elders had invented.


    It was a ck cylindrical device, the top of which was t and covered with a piece of mirror.


    Behind the mirror was a tiny Sun Stone, which absorbed light.


    On the side of the device was a tiny switch.


    Liam flicked it on.


    WHOOM!


    The Sun Stone shed with blinding light, filling the entire office with ring radiance.


    Essentially, it was a giga-powered shlight!


    Rank 4 to be precise.


    Liam put the shlight straight on the Empress'' figure, then used his Spirit Sight again.


    He could see through her now!


    Just a little, though.


    A few minutes of adjusting the perfect position, Liam ced the shlight under her to brighten her entire figure.


    Now, he could see her perfectly!


    Liam focused.


    The first thing Liam noticed was how jam-packed the Empress'' body was with ethereal dark energy.


    It swirled through her being like human nerves, but it wasn''t disorderly or jumbled together.


    ''It''s steadily weakening, though.''


    In the center of her chest was where it was most prevalent.


    The sr plexus.


    All the energy was emerging from there, like a small coal burning with violent mes.


    The anatomy of her body was rtively normal.


    She had a regr skeleton with the necessary organs, like the heart, brain and lungs.


    Her core was dormant, and the Empress'' darkness aura wasn''t visible because of it.


    Since she was dead, her mental sphere had long cracked and disappeared.


    ''I can''t see what''s in her chest, though,'' Liam thought. ''Is it unique to her path or something?''


    Liam didn''t know.


    But a bright idea surfaced in his mind.


    What if he used the ck Hole to suck all that energy out?


    ''And do what with it, genius?''


    Indeed... Liam had no surefire way to entrap and secure such an energy.


    Could he even do so?


    ''Maybe once it weakens to a certain point... until then, I can find a way to ensnare it somehow.''


    A momentter, Liam ordered Kerian to help him cut a bit more of the Empress'' flesh.


    Despite 6 years passing the Empress'' hands were just slightly softer than normal. He was barely at her wrist in terms of progress.


    After hours and hours of groaning effort, Kerian managed to rip out a small thumb-size amount of meat, before excusing herself.


    Months passed idly as Liam slowly digested more and more pieces of the Empress.


    His mind scattered like clouds in every direction.


    Liam wanted to make new techniques.


    He wanted to update his arsenal.


    Make a new weapon.


    A new sword perhaps!


    Or something entirely unique.


    He could definitely do it. Make something in the middle-tier or upper-tier of Rank 4.


    After all, Blood Weaving and Primordial Forging went hand-in-hand, boosting each other in amazing ways.


    In fact, Liam was intent on upgrading the inscription and forging methods themselves!


    But once his blood advanced, it would take it to new realms.


    And not long after, Liam''s blood churned.


    It was happening.

 Chapter 443 Mayor of Mount Mayhem

    <h4>Chapter 443 Mayor of Mount Mayhem</h4>


    After three months, around the two week mark, Liam''s blood churned violently.


    Like always, it had to inflict the worst pain on him as he advanced.


    ''The Opposition again, eh?'' Liam said as he curled around himself. ''Ah, it hurts.''


    He slowly reached the fetal position, convulsing like a shrimp having a seizure.


    WLOOSH!


    Liam''s blood hardened within his body and shed through his skin.


    Razor-sharp spikes burst from all over his body.


    JHIKH!


    The nails on his quad arms shot off like bullets.


    ZZZZZZHHHRRRRR!


    It was like his blood had turned into a flesh-shredder, cleaving apart his insides.


    The only thing that was safe was his Chaos Pearl and core.


    His heart and lungs were literally ripped apart like pieces of paper.


    His skeleton cracked all over as blood seeped into it, causing it to explode and shatter from within!


    Except his King''s Eye, all his organs were being shredded.


    Even his left eye was sucked in like a vacuum, then crushed like a soft grape.


    He was heartbroken!


    He was crushed!


    He was liquidated!


    Liam almost chuckled as he thought of that, but he had no teeth or mouth, or throat tough with.


    It had all been shredded.


    Liquidated.


    Stretched.


    Crushed.


    Twisted.


    For several minutes, Liam had turned into a ravaging urchin, turning his office to shreds.


    So much for that.


    But the thing with losing one''s sanity is, you don''t have to lose it again.


    Otherwise, Liam was pretty sure he would lose his mind if he hadn''t already.


    Obviously, the Opposition was responsible for causing his blood advancement to be such a cancerous process.


    To Liam''s knowledge, vampires didn''t have to go through this when they advanced...


    But that was because the Law of Bnce was already applied to them ¡ª their snail-paced progress.


    ...To Liam, there was no such thing.


    This was already harder than the Struggle Tribtion!


    One had to remember that Liam''s Struggle Tribtion was harder than most.


    But this was many times that!


    And quite frankly, the Opposition had the opposite of a soft spot for him.


    For reasons he had yet to figure out.


    What uninhabitable world? What horrors? What war?


    ...As if he knew.


    The process continued for several minutes.


    It was very, very painful.


    ...But slowly, his heart and lungs were put back together, reced with renewed blood tissue.


    His heart was shaped weird. It was less like a nted oval and more like an uneven circle.


    Smaller too, but instead of tube-like arteries, little tendrils emerged from its surface.


    It was resembling the heart of a vampire!


    But it was not a Nexus.


    Nor a new, special center of power.


    That was foolish to think.


    A circr heart that pumps blood through the usage of thin tendrils seemed to be the most efficient way of transporting blood.


    But unlike the vampires, it was not as potent and powerful.


    Still, this was an amazing perk to have.


    Liam''s new heart nerves connected to the rest of his body.


    Slowly, Liam''s organs were slowly regenerating.


    His liquidated insides condensed together and formed his left eye.


    His skeletal matter was slowly solidified, reforming with back to back cracking noises.


    Liam''s bones were covered with a strange dark crimson hue.


    A momentter, his lungs, stomach, and other organs had eventually reformed.


    All of his organs had a vermillion theme to them.


    Like they had be one with Liam''s blood!


    Eventually, the shredder stopped... well, shredding.


    Liam was still in a fetal position when the pain stopped.


    He was in the backseat of a roller coaster of death, and it had finally ended.


    ''Still alive, though.''


    Slowly, Liam sat upright.


    Blood colored the floor, walls and ceiling, as though a massive balloon had exploded at its center.


    But there weren''t any droplets of blood on Liam''s naked body


    Liam had to calm his mind for a second.


    His nerves were incredibly sensitive.


    Even someone like him had to take a breather and rx for a second.


    One second passed.


    ...He was done rxing!


    Liam felt the effects of his new body straight away.


    Liam felt like he was pure liquid.


    ''A certain martial artist would be proud.''


    Blood was circting throughout him in incredible ways, reaching every morsel of his body.


    Stretching out a hand, Liam used Transfiguration.


    His arm twisted and turned, as though it was a piece of wrung cloth.


    But there was no blood or wound.


    Slowly, the arm was transforming!


    Lengthening and expanding in size, Liam''s right arm took the form of an oversized demonic w, adorned with ck scales topped off with fierce talons.


    It was twice the size of his body!


    And yet, Liam was only using 50% of his ichor!


    Unheard of.


    But it didn''t end there.


    Liam''s hair retracted back into his scalp, and his arm reverted back to normal.


    "I have so much control over myself. It feels unreal."


    Liam''s entire body was being transformed.


    Slowly, his torso grew longer. His bones stretched, and he even formed more of them!


    Liam''s blood literally converted into bone matter!


    From 5''6 in height, he grew to a freakish 7''3 stature!


    With his frame and skinny ribcage elongated as well, the result was an otherworldly look.


    Also, his hair grew longer, mop-like and unkempt, making him seem like some eldritch spawn.


    A secondter, a pair of eyes burst from the back of his head!


    Liam could see through them!


    Right after, two more pairs of hands burst from Liam''s side!


    He could easily control them!


    Laughter.


    Liam couldn''t help butugh a little.


    Well, maybe not a little.


    It was theugh of a maniac who reveled in gaining power.


    It was theugh of Liam Royce.


    Full bodily control.


    Transfiguration had expanded to his organs and overall skeletal system.


    Now, Liam could more or less change his form entirely whatever he wanted.


    He was in the middle of hisughter when the door opened.


    It was Jargon.


    "Sir, we''ve just recie¡ª"


    Jargon''s jaw dropped.


    Liam furrowed his brows a bit.


    "What is it, Jargon? I''m busy."


    Jargon fumbled his words and tried to regain himself.


    "Sir, you''ve just received an invitation from... from the Mayor of Mount Mayhem."

 Chapter 444 Important People Convention

    <h4>Chapter 444 Important People Convention</h4>


    When Jargon made the sudden deration, Liam arched both his eyebrows in confusion.


    "The... who of what?"


    Liam knew none by that name.


    Mayor of Mount Mayhem.


    And yet, Jargon spoke his moniker as though an esteemed gentleman had invited him for a feast.


    Jargon attempted to speak, but stuttered as he tried to find the correct words.


    Studying his thoughts, Liam realized his appearance was too terrifying.


    ''What is that form?!'' Jargon thought, hiding the fear and panic from appearing on his face. ''I''m gonna hurl if I look at it any longer.''


    ''I put so much time into polishing this ce¡­''


    Jargon let out an inward sigh.


    ''Rude,'' Liam thought. ''He''s lucky I''m in a good mood.''


    With his body twisting, turning and cracking all at the same time, Liam''s form slowly returned back to a humanoid shape.


    As humanoid as could be.


    He still had four arms, ws and tentacles on his back.


    But the thing with this form was that it didn''t require blood to transform into.


    It was his base body, but he could still alter it at will, which was a nice thing to have.


    But he didn''t have to stick with it anymore.


    Liam felt like he could be even a magical beast!


    Opposite to Expel, Admit had to work marvelously now.


    And Expel must be stupidly powerful.


    As Liam finally reverted back to his usual appearance, Jargon was visibly relieved.


    "Thank you, my liege... forgive my rudeness, but I was just surprised by¡ª"


    "It''s fine, Jargon," Liam interrupted, sitting straight. "Continue."


    Jargon cleared his throat.


    "The Mayor of Mount Mayhem is a powerhouse, sir. One without a country or following. He''s¡­ known to be an entric of some kind, but there''s no record of him fighting."


    Liam creased his brows.


    A powerhouse that didn''t fight?


    How was that possible?


    And what did a person like that want to do with Liam?


    "He''s sent a¡­ talking owl that came to deliver an invitation. Requested your presence by name and all your monikers."


    Liam raised a brow.


    "All my monikers?"


    Jargon nodded.


    "Young Butcher, Blood Demon, Golden-eyed Vagrant, Shadow Demon, ck de, Reaper, and all the others."


    Liam was genuinely surprised. He hadn''t heard those nicknames in a while.


    He grew pensive.


    "Is the owl still here?"


    Jargon nodded. "Yes, sir."


    Liam nodded in response.


    "Let it in. Not so fast, though. I need a few people to put this ce back together."


    Appearances were important!


    Jargon nodded and took out a Jade.


    A few momentster, a few earth elemental Zeniths entered the office and restructured it perfectly.


    They suppressed their initial shock as they saw all the blood and filth there, but got to work not long after.


    Eventually, the office was fully reformed.


    Recliningfortably in his cushy seat, Liam ordered for the owl to be let in.


    As it entered Liam''s mental wave range, Liam confirmed that it was indeed an owl.


    A few shouts of annoyance belonging to a raspy, squeaky, foreign voice grew louder in the hallways of Liam''s temple.


    "Hmm¡­ that''s quite strange, if I say so myself," Liam uttered under his breath. "It doesn''t even have a mental sphere."


    It was the owl shouting curse words!


    "Damn you, I''m not a toy! Stop grabbing my feathers like I''m some sort of doll!"


    "What''s with you people?!"


    Several curse wordster, the owl stumbled into Liam''s office floor, hectically shutting the door behind him with a free wing.


    The owl took deep breaths as he held the door shut with both wings, but there was no one on the other side.


    It was just Liam and the owl.


    Liam looked at the entric creature with assessing eyes.


    The hooter was on therger side of the spectrum.


    One could call it human-sized, but calling it a midget would be more urate.


    It had fluffy, now roughed up, yellow and orange feathers, which had a lustrous glow on their own.


    It hadrge beady ck eyes, a tiny, white curved beak, and perked up little ears.


    It wore a ck and white tuxedo suit on its chest, the coat of which dragged behind it.


    A ck tophat was on its head, and a monocle on one of its eyes, giving it a gentlemanly look.


    ''A talking owl wearing a tuxedo and a tophat,'' Liam thought. ''I''ve truly seen it all.''


    As it saw Liam looking at him with dead eyes, the owl visibly shuddered and refined its mannerisms, adjusting its roughened feathers and tophat.


    A momentter, it managed what looked like a smile.


    "Esteemed sir," the owl said with an outstretched wing, another wing curved behind his back.


    A respectful gesture of some kind.


    "I, as a messenger of Sir Cornelius Mehro III, also known as the Mayor of Mount Mayhem, invite you to the first ever, Important People Convention!"


    Silence.


    A long silence.


    Liam made no reaction.


    And the owl felt incredibly ufortable, but he didn''t show it.


    It was such a grand announcement!


    Why was there no response?!


    Not even a question?!


    Damn you!


    But the owl obviously didn''t speak his mind.


    In fact, he knew who he was talking to!


    The Reaper had gone quiet for a very long time.


    But news of him waking up from the Self Tribtion had surfaced.


    And yet, the world had never seen hime out during that time.


    Now that he did, the exaggerated rumors proved only to be watered down.


    The owl felt more than a little terrified of that primordial dread leaking from Liam''s gaze.


    The owl hated his job.


    ''Curse you, Cornelius! Curse you!''


    ***


    After quite a long silence, Liam realized he was looking at the owl a little too fiercely.


    There was no malice in his gaze. At least, to his knowledge.


    He was just enamored by the sight of an owl wearing a tophat and suit.


    He was using Spirit Sight, too, but the owl was perfectly normal.


    ''I still don''t sense a sea of consciousness within him. I don''t think he''s a magical beast, either.''


    Done with his scrutiny, Liam reclined on his chair, put a fist to his cheek and rested his head on it.


    "What is this¡­ Important People Convention?"

 Chapter 445 Loner

    <h4>Chapter 445 Loner</h4>


    The owl heaved a tense breath he didn''t know he was holding.


    With the atmosphere finally mellowed a little, he managed another smile and adjusted his monocle.


    "The Mayor has always been fond of new personalities and renowned celebrities," the messenger owl said, gesticting with his wings.


    "He considers himself a graceful host for the ages. A people-knower, a middleman, the ''connector''."


    "He brings people together through parties and feasts, but in exchange, they have to give him a demonstration of their powers without hiding a single thing."


    A hint of annoyance and disgust appeared on Liam''s face.


    What kind of deranged person would agree to such a thing?


    Not Liam.


    Slightly panicked, the owl quickly continued before Liam got the wrong idea.


    "Of course, the Mayor''s reputation would be rendered null if he were to ever let another soul know what you show him."


    "In fact, he''ll tell you everything about his own powers and more, under a Binding Oath."


    "Subsequently, the sole reason he has be a powerhouse was due to his trustability."


    "I''ll have you informed, Esteemed Gentleman, that the Mayor has lived for roughly two millenia!"


    "His connections are insurmountable."


    Liam rubbed his bottom lip with his index finger.


    The owl was speaking in a posh, gentlemanly ent, and Liam was inclined to believe the cute little thing.


    At first nce, the Mayor of Mount Mayhem seemed like an honest person.


    The guy who knew a guy, who knew another guy, who also knew another guy.


    Having a person like that on one''s Jade was not a bad thing.


    And quite frankly, Liam''s issue at the moment was exactly this.


    Ack of connections!


    Who did Liam know other than the Temple and the alliance members?


    ¡­Nobody, really.


    They were all his enemies¡­


    What a loner.


    Connections were necessary when wanting to grow one''s n, sector or organization.


    Be it natural resources, artifacts,nds to seize, wealth to reap, enemies to kill, ces to conquer.


    For someone that was 2,000 years old, the Mayor must have made a mountain''s worth of connections!


    To be fair, it was a little eerie how this came to Liam at the perfect time.


    Liam was a little lost on what to do, but he supposed this was the next step.


    Not so fast, though.


    What did the Mayor gain from this?


    It was foolish to think he wanted to be the middleman because it was fun.


    What good was a cultivator''s powers if all it did was depend on others to get stronger?


    That was very strange to Liam, and quite frankly, a bit weird and foolish.


    ''He wants to be a fixer of some kind,'' Liam thought. ''Ask people for a ''favor'' of some kind now and again, is it?''


    That made the most sense, and so Liam went with that.


    ¡­Important People Convention.


    ''Did he not have a better name avable?'' Liam thought. ''Can''t judge, though.''


    Liam glossed over the details of this little get-together.


    Events like parties, feasts and celebrations were hardly enjoyable for Liam.


    They almost always consisted of people who needed their egos stroked, or required validation for their achievements.


    Disgusting!


    One had to look at what happened to thest party Liam went to.


    A war was waged!


    A vow of bloodshed was sworn!


    But parties of the cultivation world weren''t the same as any other.


    They were either to discuss newfound knowledge about the countless fields ¡ª inscriptions, formations, or alchemy ¡ª or to trade cultivation techniques and advice.


    Or, like the Important People Convention, to share connections.


    Liam pursed his lips.


    He had to confirm a few things first.


    "Who''sing to this¡­ convention?" Liam asked the patient owl.


    The owl smiled. Proudly, too.


    Liam felt a boast iing.


    "Starting with the most popr, the General, the Queen of Echoria, the two new powerhouses of Rurunia and Xoltrah, Eyes of Knowledge, and the Sage."


    Silence.


    "Oh, and Pashah will being, too."


    Liam actually had his breath taken away for a second.


    All those people really agreed to show the Mayor all their powers?!


    That was unheard of, quite frankly.


    Eyes of Knowledge was Neren''s leader and powerhouse.


    The Sage was the moniker that belonged to the so-called ''father of alchemy'', and was also the head of Aiho.


    Not to mention, Alucard wasing to this too?!


    Liam didn''t expect that at all.


    ''Maybe that postcard was from him after all.''


    ''This Mayor guy¡­ he might not be that bad,'' Liam thought. ''Not if so many important people wanted toe.''


    Just then, Liam understood the Important People Convention.


    ''Genius¡­''


    There was a short second of silence.


    "Please keep in mind that these people are owners of countries," the owlmented firmly. "They have their own privileged spaces."


    Liam hummed to himself.


    As he thought. The strong were favored. Unavoidable.


    "If they feel like you''ve annoyed them, they have the power to request an Eviction, which the Mayor could choose to ept or deny depending on the circumstance."


    Silence.


    "I see," Liam said. "I see¡­"


    Another pause.


    "What stops the powerhouses from killing me?" Liam said suddenly.


    "What stops them from understanding my powers?"


    "What stops me from understanding theirs?"


    The messenger owl smiled once more.


    Liam felt another boast iing.


    "That''s the thing with the Mayor, Sir," the owl said proudly. "All those who live on Mount Mayhem are more or less equal in strength."


    "It is a Pacifying Zone."


    "All their special abilities are already taken into ount, and are promptly taken away."


    "Once we''re there, even me and Alucard could be on the same level of strength!"


    The owlughed heartily, but once he saw that Liam wasn''tughing, it turned into an awkward chuckle, followed by silence.


    The owl coughed into his wing.


    "Apologies, sir."


    Though, in reality, Liam wasn''t actually trying to mock or make the owl ufortable.


    This was just part of conversing with him now.


    Liam made several considerations of whether or not to go.


    ''I guess I really do need to go out more,'' Liam thought. ''Won''t get any stronger living like a hermit.''


    Liam tilted his head at the owl.


    "When''s this taking ce?"

 Chapter 446 Letter

    <h4>Chapter 446 Letter</h4>


    Looking at the owl, Liam realized he was quite lucky to be considered for an invitation to such a stacked meeting.


    He wasn''t even a full Zenith yet, and here he was, dipping his toe in the big pond.


    A big part of it probably had to be Liam''s alliance with Alucard.


    The situation was simr to being an associate with the richest man in the world.


    Just knowing the man would bring one in contact with filthy rich individuals.


    But one had to remember that Liam was not too far behind in terms of infamy.


    He was the (somewhat) heir of the Eternal Sword.


    Ever since his sea of consciousness entered the fourth rank, his eyes were sharper than ever.


    Making eye-to-eye contact with someone could actually make them feel a sharp pain!


    There was that tiny sigil on his skin, too, which was a brand of an odachi.


    He could change its color, but never wipe away the mark itself.


    Other than that, Liam was also famous for being the masked young man that fought in the lian tournament, and managed to kill a Zenith.


    Thus, it wasn''t too far of a stretch to say that Liam earned his right among these people.


    More or less.


    "It''ll take ce in a month, sir," the messenger owl said in response to his question. "At Mount Mayhem."


    "And this Mount Mayhem is where exactly?"


    Just then, the owl took out something from his breast pocket.


    The tuxedo had pockets!


    How cute.


    What the owl took out was a little postcard, awfully simr to what the Minister of Torture had sent him.


    But instead of being matte-ck, and filled with sarcasm, this one was made out of pure gold.


    Etched on its thin metallic surface were little inscribed letters. Cursive. Posh. Neat.


    A blind man could see how highly the Mayor valued gentlemanliness.


    An engrained quality, just like Liam''s unloose hinges.


    Liam took the card from the owl''s outstretched wing, giving it a thorough examination.


    Dear Liam Royce,


    I, Sir Cornelius Mehro III, would like nothing more than to make your acquaintance at my personal abode, the Mountain of Mayhem. Fret not about the name, dear friend, there is no chaos here. None to your displeasure, of course. It''ll be a splendid evening, tailored to your tastes, with amenities a powerhouse cannot be disappointed with. See you there. Cheers.


    Signed,


    Cornelius.


    The postcard ended there.


    On the side of the card, there was a bright golden arrow that pointed towards the northwest.


    Towards Mount Mayhem.


    ''I can hear his ent already,'' Liam thought with a hidden smile.


    "Can I bring anyone?" Liam asked.


    Not that he really wanted to bring anyone. Having protection made him seem weak.


    The owl made a bitter face. "I''m afraid not, sir. Only those with an invitation cane."


    Silence.


    "Very well," Liam said after a few seconds. "I''ll be there."


    The owl beamed happily.


    His job was finally over!


    He could go home!


    He could curse Sir Cornelius to his eleventh generation where no one could hear him!


    "One more thing, hooter," Liam said, and the owlically raised a brow. "Are you a naturally talking animal?"


    The messenger owl chuckled slightly.


    "That knowledge belongs to the Mayor, sir. Once you meet with him, he''ll tell you everything he knows."


    "So long as you do the same, that is," the hooter added with a small smile.


    There was a short pause.


    "If there''s nothing else," the owl said, "I''d love to take my leave now."


    Liam nodded. "Feel free."


    Turning around, the owl was about to open the door, when it suddenly shivered.


    He turned back to Liam with a wry smile.


    "You¡­ you wouldn''t happen to have another exit, would you?"


    Liam hid a grin.


    "Why?"


    Pausing, the owl wanted to pick out the correct words without offending Liam in any way.


    It struggled.


    There was no kind way to put it!


    The entire temple consisted of ruffians and madmen and women!


    Particrly, the women wanted to pick his perfect little feathers and cuddle with him like a teddy bear!


    Sensing that the creature grew ufortable, Liam pointed to the window adjacent to a few bookshelves.


    The owl looked at Liam like he was his savior.


    A secondter, he shot out the ss like a bullet.


    Liam heard vagueughter as the owl got a certain distance away. Augh of joy.


    Reclining in his chair, Liam reckoned it was time he prepared seriously for this massive event.


    But he had a feeling he shouldn''t continue eating any more of the Empress'' body.


    At least, until this party was over with.


    Why?


    Well, if Liam were to give out an entire list of what he could do, all those powers would get stupidly powerful once his core was Rank 4.


    In the first ce, a month was not enough for Liam to advance. It would take two or three months in total, and even that was not guaranteed.


    One had to remember that after the Self and Struggle Tribtions, there was the Defense Tribtion.


    It consisted of just defending himself against darkness attacks as his core advanced.


    Arguably, it was easier to aplishpared to the rest.


    But who knew what the Opposition had in store for Liam?


    He certainly didn''t want to advance in the middle of a party. How embarrassing would that be?


    Instead, there were three things Liam had in mind that he wanted to do during this one month.


    Obviously, testing Expel, Admit, and Disfiguration was an honorable mention.


    One: hunting a Rank 5 beast.


    Yes, yes, it was cocky and foolish, but he wasn''t actually hopeful in killing it.


    He just wanted to test his strength in the most difficult way possible.


    Two: improving his Blood Weaving.


    There was untapped potential there. A massive amount. He just needed to tinker around and make it happen.


    Three: improving his swords.


    It went without saying that his swords were a little out of touch with the rest of his powers.


    After all, Liam''s own hardened blood could be a Rank 4 inscribed item!


    These three were lofty goals, and Liam didn''t think he could aplish all three of them during the short period of a single month.


    But he would try.

 Chapter 447 Too Slow

    <h4>Chapter 447 Too Slow</h4>


    Liam used his Shadow Clone.


    A copy was formed instantly.


    There was a moment of silence as Liam gave it a firm, dark stare that bore into the iteration''s soul.


    The clone looked back with a wry smile.


    Thest time Liam had let the clone do its own thing¡­ it had mingled amongst the acolytes and romanced a young zenith!


    But not just one...


    Several!


    Liam''s face fell when he realized that.


    And people were congratting him on making a harem!


    A note was left in Liam''s office that day, ced on his desk.


    ''Just a prank bro.''


    Followed by an awfully realistic depiction of the cloneughing his heart out, pointing at Liam.


    It took some time, and a few sticky situations involving the woman in question, for the problem to be resolved.


    From that day on, Liam made a silent vow never to use the Shadow Clone ability.


    He allowed the damn thing to split off and didn''t monitor his movements, but that idiot ended up stabbing him in the back.


    But now¡­


    Well, he needed to avoid everyone''s gaze at the moment.


    They would never allow him to fight a Rank 5 creature entirely on his own.


    Of course, he could justmand them to stay behind, and they would most likely listen.


    But they''d still linger closeby and watch him from a distance, annoying him.


    No.


    He needed to risk his life doing this!


    It had to be authentic!


    "You understand why I''m pissed, right?" Liam asked the clone darkly.


    The clone nodded, unfazed.


    He was not scared of Liam.


    He was Liam.


    What man feared himself?


    They only hated themselves.


    But they never feared themselves.


    Liam controlled the clone and forced him to sit in his seat. Despite being made out of darkness, Liam''s chair wasn''t corroded, scratched or broken.


    It was made with sturdiness in mind.


    "Just sit quietly," Liam said seriously, not an inch of amusement in his tone, "and don''t move a single limb¡­ retard."


    Liam just couldn''t suppress it.


    He had to curse at himself.


    The clone creased his brows, flipping both fingers at Liam and keeping them up.


    Night fell.


    Quietly, Liam slipped through his office from the Sea of Darkness and used Shadow Blink to teleport himself as far from his temple as he could.


    WHOOM!


    His shadows and blood wrapped around him, giving him a brand new view of the world each time he teleported.


    With his new blood, Liam could blink far vaster distances.


    Before, it was roughly 450 meters.


    Now, it was 1,250 meters!


    Obviously, the blood usage was also lesser. But since the distance was greater, Liam used roughly 25% of his ichor to travel 750 meters.


    At first nce it may not have seemed like much, but it couldn''t be underestimated.


    The cruel Law of Bnce had obviously kicked in.


    After all, this ability basically allowed Liam to abort a fight whenever he felt like it!


    Though, if his opponent was ever fast enough to disrupt the process, Liam wouldn''t be able to teleport sessfully.


    In fact, when he teleported long distances, it took a little longer than blinking a short distance.


    Roughly 1.5 seconds.


    This seemed like a very small amount of time.


    But to Zeniths, it was a massive window of opportunity that was impossible for them not to exploit.


    That meant that even if Liam initially teleported out of fighting range, there was a high chance for him just to be chained with back-to-back attacks, denying him his teleportation.


    That is¡­ if the fight eversted that long.


    Liam used Shadow Blink two more times, passing a total distance of 1,800 meters, before stopping.


    50% of his blood was lost.


    But hisplexion wasn''t ghastly and his figure was still normal. Mostly. He was just a tiny bit skinner.


    Liam appeared on top of a ck mountain.


    All around him were massive dark mountains, creating a chain that ringed across a thousand meters.


    In the center was thergest mountain, with a massive gorge that wasyered with an intricateyer of shimmering silk webs, glowing under the moonlight.


    In fact, within all these mountains were thousands of little caverns and holes, clogged with cobwebs.


    A noxious ck mist naturally wafted in the air, slightly stinging Liam''s nose.


    Skittering noises entered his ears.


    As soon as he appeared, dozens of red eyes appeared within the holes of the thousands of caves.


    This was a Rank 5 danger zone.


    Liam''s Shifter Sense, Shadow Sense and mental energy picked up on thousands of little creatures, differing in size.


    Spiders.


    Slowly, spiders crawled out of their holes, revealing their gruesome forms.


    Red Fangs.


    The name came from the distinct two fangs on the spiders'' front jaw, designed to grab, rip and scythe through flesh, before sucking it down like a mosquito.


    Also, they had wide, freakishly long limbs that could cause one to shudder uncontrobly.


    For the Rank 3''s, their limbs reached a total of 12 meters when outstretched!


    And for their Rank 4 counterpart, it was twice that length.


    But their bodies were only 7 meters in length, the size of a massive bear.


    Their cephalothorax and abdomen ¡ª covered with a dark crimson chitin ¡ª were t and parallel to the ground.


    There were distinct patterns on their backs, as though ancient drawings depicting death.


    Before long, Liam was swarmed from all directions.


    ¡­Liam made a wide grin, spreading his arms.


    His eyes fell on the towering mountain in the center, where his King''s Eye pierced through the veils of cobwebs and darkness.


    He could see it.


    He was being watched.


    By the disgusting, huge, fearsome Rank 5 creature.


    Liamughed loudly.


    "SCARED?!"


    And that''s what Liam shouted at it.


    As Liam unsheathed all four of his swords, the nearby spiders lurched at him from all four directions.


    Poison shot at him from a distance, while the Red Fangs swung their ws with all their might at him. Above him. Below him.


    Too slow.


    SHIIING!


    Spider corpses fell and curled up. ck blood colored the air. A foul stench apanied it.


    Followed by a thrilling smile.

 Chapter 448 Spider Man

    <h4>Chapter 448 Spider Man</h4>


    It went without saying that Rank 1 creatures were nothing in Liam''s eyes.


    Neither were Rank 2 or Rank 3''s.


    Only Rank 4 creatures could pose somewhat of a threat.


    ¡­Who was he kidding?


    Not even Rank 4 beasts could do anything!


    Not unless they outnumbered him one to a thousand.


    But then again, Liam could just teleport to safety!


    So, not even an enormous swarm of Rank 4 beasts could threaten his life seriously.


    Not unless they had superspeed of some kind that could nullify his Shadow Blink.


    Making another arc with his swords, crushing, ripping, slicing another wave of Red Fangs, Liam abruptly stored his swords back into his ring.


    Just as fast, he rushed at the spiders'' corpses, forcing them into his own body.


    He was using Admit!


    Liam''s body naturally allowed the wed limbs and viscera from the spiders to enter through skin.


    He was like a sponge. A filter.


    All their ck blood, disgusting guts, and hardened pieces of crimson armor flowed into his body.


    Liam felt his blood contents rise again.


    Using so many Shadow Blinks back to back was tiring.


    However, the blood wasn''t purified and converted into his own.


    Unlike consuming humans, drinking the blood of a magical beast or other race, didn''t result in replenishing ichor.


    Instead, it was simply stored until Liam decided to do something with it.


    The more ck blood and spider corpses Liam absorbed, the more he realized there was something strange going on.


    A strange process.


    Instinctively, precise knowledge about the Red Fang Spider''s anatomy entered his head.


    ¡­His Triumvirate Body, paired with his blood, was studying the spider''sposition!


    As it did so, it felt like an invisible percentage bar was rising higher and higher.


    A few momentster, it hit a strict threshold, and his Triumvirate body hadpleted its ''scan''.


    Instinctively, Liam felt as though he''d ''unlocked'' a different form he could slip into.


    He could turn into a spider himself!


    Liam''s Shifter abilities had been enhanced when Liam''s blood had reached a Zenith level.


    Even before, he could take the properties of other magical beasts.


    Not their cores, obviously, nor their inherent abilities.


    However, back then, he could only take some of their defenses or physical powers.


    They were separate identities within the same body.


    Like having a mechanical arm as a prosthetic, despite the rest of the body consisting of flesh and bone.


    It could still have the functions of a hand. It could grab, push and pull.


    But it could never be the same as a real arm.


    It was more of a substitute, not a recement.


    But now, Liam''s entire body could be one with the mechanical arm!


    His physical strength as an Ashura wouldn''t go anywhere, either.


    One had to remember that although the exterior of Liam''s body was made out of a Shifter, the interior was still Ashuran.


    Through the usage of his Rank 4 blood, the incredibly rigid muscles of his Ashuran side could change shape and texture.


    ''No reason to dy it then,'' Liam thought with a slight smile.


    The waves of spiders slowly lurched backwards as they sensed danger.


    Liam contemted whether or not to dere a cringey catchphrase as he transformed, but decided against it.


    Liam''s skin and body slowly cracked, changing color, texture and size.


    His quad arms and human legs twisted and turned, shredding the clothes on his back.


    His form slowly became thinner.


    His skin turned a shade of dark crimson, gaining a hardened consistency that of stone.


    Liam''s torso turned t and streamlined, turning into a cephalothorax!


    His lower body expanded like a balloon, bing an abdomen.


    Thin and wide limbs emerged from his cephalothorax and abdomen.


    Two red fangs burst from his mouth.


    Eight beady ck eyes fluttered open from his front.


    Silence.


    Bing a spider was¡­ strange.


    Liam''s perspective was parallel to the ground.


    And he had several perspectives, as though he was looking through cracked ss.


    One of his eyes was brighter than the rest.


    It was the King''s Eye, with a slit-like shape and miniature size.


    Each of his irises twirled in different directions.


    His Pearl and core were in between his thorax and core, nicely protected and fortified.


    The two red fangs emerging from his gruesome maw had a vein of poison that led to its tip.


    The source of the poison were two nds located in where Liam''s shoulders were supposed to be.


    At the same time, he felt¡­ nimble.


    Lethal. Hungry for blood.


    Maybe that was just a side effect of turning into a predatorial beast.


    His abdomen was filled with red silk, made from Liam''s own blood. In fact, he could form Sanguine Strings from them!


    Although the Red Fangs were fire elementals, since their strings could catch fire, Liam didn''t gain their powers.


    All he had was their form, and their bodily functions.


    That was it.


    Despite that, he wasn''t ufortable in the least.


    He didn''t feel like a monster.


    He didn''t feel like a human.


    He didn''t feel like a demon.


    ''I''m a... spider man.''


    Meanwhile, the spiders watching were visibly stunned.


    They had no facial expressions.


    But they were screeching violently earlier, and now they were abruptly quiet.


    If they were to have a human-shaped face, it''d be one of pure confusion mixed with shock.


    "Nothing to see here, folks," Liam said in his spider form.


    His voice was unpleasant and sounded more like a hiss due to having no tongue.


    "Don''t mind me. Just another spider."


    Silence.


    Although initially confused, the spiders realized that this was not a member of their species.


    Thus, they screeched in anger and encircled him.


    ''Worth a try,'' Liam thought with an inward shrug.


    The time to y was over.


    Shrouded with shadow, Liam lurched into the crowd of spiders with a swiftness and speed he didn''t have before.


    In terms of size, he was still human shaped.


    But his streamlined and narrow body gave him more versatility in terms of movement.


    PKSH!


    His abdomen shot out a streak of silk, which directly shot inside a Rank 4 Red Fang''s thorax, killing it instantly.


    Liam felt the Rank 5 creature''s gaze burning into his back.


    It was getting impatient!


    ''I wonder how long I have until hees out.''

 Chapter 449 Fine

    <h4>Chapter 449 Fine</h4>


    Rank 5 Zeniths were very proud creatures.


    The magical beasts and humans alike.


    All their base qualities, like what they liked, enjoyed, disdained and found pleasurable, was multiplied as they reached the higher ranks.


    And that meant that, for something that wasn''t equal to its level, the Rank 5 Red Fang didn''t deem Liam worthy enough to face.


    Contrary to popr belief, spiders were actually quite pragmatic, not thrill-seeking hunters.


    Well, with the exception of some species.


    They were cold blooded creatures that fed only when necessary, secluded themselves in uninhabitable zones, and didn''t even value kinship.


    Like the ones Liam was ripping apart and had be.


    ''Am I unworthy in your eyes?'' Liam thought to the spider, strangely serious. ''You want me toe to you?''


    That''s exactly what the spider wanted him to do.


    If Liam walked into that cave, he''d be dealt with instantly.


    Pragmatic as they were, spiders didn''t ept disrespect like every other animal.


    Not even a Rank 1 would be spared.


    Rarely did they leave their caves for an attack on its pack, which could more or less take care of itself.


    ¡­Liam wanted to test that out.


    "I''ll use your fangs to pick my teeth!" Liam shouted at the towering mountain, but there was no response.


    A momentter, Liam appeared next to a massive Rank 4 Red Fang.


    The creature instantly whipped around with its whole body.


    They were fast!


    A scythe-like w aimed to rip Liam in half.


    But Liam was faster.


    The King''s Eye felt everything in slow motion.


    And Spirit Sight gave him ess to the spider''s weak spots.


    Through his special vision, he could see how their cores were lodged in between their thorax and abdomen.


    However, the cores also fueled their abdomens and other areas of strength.


    Since the silk they produced wasbustible, it was obvious their fire element came from their cores.


    For other magical beasts, even if their cores were shattered, they could still continue fighting with their physicality.


    However, the same couldn''t be said for spiders.


    Their bodies were weak.


    Their strongest points were their fangs¡­ but the poison nds depended on their cores!


    That just left them with two pointy spikes emerging from their mouths.


    It was pointless.


    Despite their obsidian armor, they still had visible weak points.


    All they had was immense speed.


    In a swift, fluid motion, Liam used his spidery limbs to twirl around the spider''s swipe.


    The spider shot a condensed mouthful of ck poison at him.


    Liam dodged to the side with ease, but to evade, required him to move his entire body.


    He wasn''t used to that.


    It was like losing the ability to creak one''s neck to look to the side.


    A bit of poison shot past one of his spidery limbs, causing it to sizzle like cooked meat.


    A momentter, it melted off.


    Unfazed, Liam reformed it with his blood.


    ¡­But something was amiss!


    Instead of being reced with the spider''s dark-red armor, it was reced by a patch of human skin!


    It looked off putting and out of ce.


    But just then, as he saw the scythe growing closer and closer, Liam''s mind raced to find out why this was the case.


    And it didn''t take him long to find out why.


    What melted off was the spider''s flesh, which Liam had taken over through the usage of Admit.


    It wasn''t his own.


    For the same reason, Liam couldn''t actually just conjure more of the spider''s anatomy.


    He had a limited reserve of the spider''s biological mass.


    To reform it clearly, he''d have to absorb more of the spiders'' flesh.


    But Admit was actually on a ''cooldown'' of sorts, and Liam felt that it was much, much longer than before.


    Damn Opposition.


    Just as the scythe was about to give a kiss, Liam used his limbs to propel himself over the Red Fang''s thorax.


    Then, he sank both his fangs into the Red Fang''s hardened chitin.


    Just where the abdomen met the thorax.


    The Red Fang shrieked in pain as its core was slowly liquidated.


    But a momentter, a cocoon of crimson strings surrounded Liam.


    True to their pragmatic and cold nature, they had included their fellow spider within the cocoon.


    Liam knew they were creating a cocoon around him the entire time.


    But he didn''t mind!


    What was the worst that could happen?


    A secondter, the cocoon instantly burst with fire.


    Everything inside had been filled with zing mes.


    SHHHH!


    Liam felt as though he was inside the sun.


    Whiteness filled his vision, and fire screamed in his ears.


    It was then that Liam realized, taking the form of another creature, also meant taking their weaknesses.


    He was burning alive.


    Although the Red Fangs were fire elementals, their weakness was, surprisingly, fire!


    But they couldn''t harm themselves with it.


    But, didn''t Liam have the same form as the spiders?


    He did.


    But was he an actual spider?


    Did he even have the same element?


    No, he didn''t.


    And thus, he was slowly being melted alive.


    Despite that, Liam could still think clearly.


    ''This is fine.''


    It was not fine.


    He was gonna die.


    BOOOOM!


    There was a massive explosion where the cocoon of fire had formed.


    But it wasn''t the result of fire or any particr spell.


    It was Chaos.


    All the mes had dissipated instantly, revealing a grim and ugly scene.


    Liam was no longer a spider.


    He had reverted back into a human, if one could even call him that, since all of the biomass he had stored had evaporated.


    But the time for y was over.


    Within his sea of consciousness, Liam''s mental waves surged violently.


    They were pouring into the sh on his golden mental sphere.


    Hone activated, and it was like the world stopped.


    Just 0.03 seconds passed.


    Liam used Shadow Blink to teleport around the towering mountain five times in quick session, eventually returning him back to his original position.


    Each time, he used his destructive Chaos World spell on the spider infestedndscape.


    1 second passed.


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    Five thunderous booms echoed through the air back to back.


    Thousands of Red Fangs died almost instantly, seeing just a quick sh of red energy before death.


    At the same time, Honed shes of darkness and barrages of blood wiped out hordes that managed to survive.


    Just like that, 75% of a Rank 5 death zone had been wiped out!


    1 second!


    But Liam looked like a husk.


    A lot of his blood was used in the teleportation.


    But a momentter, a Zenith''s corpse appeared in his hand, and he bit into it, slightly replenishing his health.


    Liam looked at the mountain in the center.


    He smiled.


    He didn''t have to go to the Rank 5 spider.


    The spider wasing to him.

 Chapter 450 Dancing in the Moonlight

    <h4>Chapter 450 Dancing in the Moonlight</h4>


    There was a rapid clicking noise as the Rank 5 Red Fang took its time leaving the web-infested gorge.


    The first thing Liam saw poking through the entrance was its freakishly long limbs.


    There were two.


    Then four.


    Then eight.


    Each one of them was the length of a 6 story tall building!


    Thousands of little spikes covered them.


    In reality, they were just hairs.


    But obviously, they were not normal.


    The quill-like hairs were excreting some sort of slimy ck liquid.


    Poison, probably.


    Even from that distance, Liam could smell the spider''s stench, causing his nose to sting.


    It smelled absolutely horrible.


    Like fermented corpses left out to rot.


    What slowly emerged into view next were the two, dark red fangs.


    They were freaking massive!


    Like smooth, shimmering tusks, they were curved inward, dripping with the same ck poison.


    Then, the spider''s full form came into view.


    It was huge.


    Massive, even.


    Colossal, if one dared to say.


    But it was still smaller than the average Rank 5 magical beast.


    Its thorax was streamlined and narrow, adorned with tiny little red hairs.


    It had twelve button-like eyes, clustered together on the front of its face, right above the two fangs.


    Its long joints grabbed the entrance of the mountain crevice.


    Like some ancient evil that slowly escaped its enclosure.


    Wrapping its limbs around the tower, the spider crawled over it, dominating most of the mountain''s surface with just its body!


    As it did so, Liam saw the back of the Red Fang''s thorax.


    What he saw was just a little terrifying.


    Beside the macabre artistry on its hardened back, all kinds of skulls were neatly stuck to the spider''s oval abdomen.


    They were stered onto its body through a thin thread of crimson silk.


    One could think they were an armor of some kind.


    ¡­But Liam knew they were not.


    They were trophies.


    The spider smoothly spiraled around the mountain, producing a chattering noise as the skulls clicked against each other.


    One could feel a sense of unease from the scene.


    Seeing a spider crawl up a wall was scary.


    Seeing a spider crawl up a mountain and make it look like an anthill was something else.


    Eventually, the spider circled the peak, towering over it like an eagle.


    Then, it looked at Liam with a quiet, nk stare.


    Liam looked back with a simr gaze.


    Silence.


    Who was the prey, here?


    Who was the predator?


    To anyone else, it may seem obvious.


    But to some, they could argue it was ambiguous.


    After all, Liam wiped out 75% of the colony in roughly a second!


    What normal person could do that?!


    Of course, the Rank 5 Red Fang could aplish that if given the chance.


    More or less.


    But could a Rank 5 really bepared to its lower ranked counterparts?


    The fact that Liam was even considered for aparison was mind boggling.


    But spection was spection. Just opinions without fact.


    Liam unsheathed his swords, his quad arms growing empowered with Transfiguration.


    Just then, he activated Spirit Sight.


    Liam''s vision turned the spider into a silhouette.


    But its vague insides were visible for him to see.


    Although the spider had a Rank 5 body, it wasn''t as dense and powerful as a lion''s thick skin or a dragon''s rigid scales.


    Speed and defense did not go hand in hand.


    Its core was in the same ce ¡ª between the thorax and abdomen.


    However, poisonous hairs covered its entire body, protecting it heavily.


    Liam smiled coldly.


    ''I wonder if a few hairs could protect you from my Void.''


    There were also poisonous nds above the spider''s head, which Liam had to be careful around.


    "Don''t be shy now!" Liam shouted at the spider. "I''ll give you first strike."


    There was no response.


    Just a dead, sinister stare.


    Quietly, a tentacle on Liam''s back transformed into a fifth hand.


    From its fingertips, crimson threads softly flowed and danced across the ground, weaving an intricate web.


    If the silence was tost a long time, the least Liam could do was prepare for it.


    A momentter, a sixth and seventh hand also emerged from his back!


    But they were just hands without the arm.


    On one of the hands, a tiny but violent mass of Chaos churned.


    On the other, a soft and gentle ck Hole.


    For several moments, the spider didn''t do anything.


    Then¡­


    Slowly, the spider''s limbs raised into the air, shaking left and right, curling up and down.


    Liam furrowed his brows with a little bit of shock.


    ''Is¡­ is it dancing?''


    Just then, Liam realized that this must be a ritualistic dance of some kind.


    Spiders had that sort of thing.


    To mate with each other, they used dancing to seduce the opposite species!


    But what the heck was this supposed to be?


    Liam was no breeding partner, damn it!


    A momentter, Liam raised his swords and the air, imitating the same dance as the spider''s.


    "Dancing in the moonlight," Liam said in a melodious tone, then shook his head.


    "Never thought I''d have a dance off with a spider but here we are."


    Just then, the spider strangely stopped.


    Confused, Liam stopped too.


    The atmosphere turned tense.


    Slowly, the spider lowered its limbs and dug its ws into the mountain below.


    ''Oh,'' Liam thought, realizing something. ''That wasn''t a dance meant for a partner.''


    Silence.


    ''It was a death dance.''


    With absolute silence, the spider lurched out from the mountain faster than a wraith, causing bits of the tower to break off.


    For something that was longer, bigger than 9 meters, the speed it possessed could be called insane.


    A distance of 400 meters was rapidly closing in the blink of an eye!


    Even Liam was surprised, but only for 0.08 seconds.


    He used Shadow Blink.


    He had to.


    Otherwise, the two red fangs, which were actually retractable, would have scissored him in half!


    As he teleported a short distance away, the spidernded upon the strings Liam wove a moment prior.


    On Liam''smand, the strings exploded outward, shooting into the spider''s underbelly.


    CLINNK!


    There was a clunking noise.


    The strings didn''t do a damn thing.

 Chapter 451 Minor Threat

    <h4>Chapter 451 Minor Threat</h4>


    The Sanguine Strings didn''t go through the spider''s chitin.


    It wasn''t even a particrly hardened section of its body, either.


    But Liam had expected as much.


    He wanted to see how rigid and powerful the spider''s armor really was.


    And now he had his answer.


    But that wasn''t the terrifying part.


    Just as Liam used Shadow Blink once more, the Red Fang''s entire body creaked towards that direction¡­ before he actually teleported there!


    It was the equivalent of someone guessing what you were going to say, before you thought of saying it.


    The spider could use its spider-sense to find out where Liam''s shadows were heading.


    And its reaction time was unnaturally fast.


    Liam felt the hairs on his skin rise.


    Challenging a Rank 5 creature was¡­ a little cocky of him.


    It was clear who the predator and the prey was.


    There was no more ambiguity left.


    But Liam didn''t relent.


    Since he was only teleporting short distances, only small percentages of his blood were being used.


    Roughly 6% was used for a distance of 180 meters, which was far better than the previous 10%.


    Just as the Shadow Blink waspleted, the spider grew bigger and bigger in Liam''s vision.


    Again!


    Liam sent a quick barrage of Honed darkness at the spider''s eyes and limbs.


    The spider blocked them instantly using a curved w at the tip of one of its limbs.


    Liam had to use Shadow Blink once more.


    A little further this time.


    230 meters.


    It took 9% of Liam''s blood, for a total of 15% of his ichor being depleted.


    Liam took out the Zenith''s corpse again and took arge bite, before storing it again.


    Liam didn''t take a bite from his mouth.


    He literally formed a mouth from his hand, then swallowed it through that.


    But in a fraction of a second, the spider was on him again.


    Even faster than before!


    Liam groaned in annoyance.


    The spider slowly took up more and more of his vision.


    Its disgusting mouth was opened wide, dribbling with saliva, while its fangs extended and intended to snap him in half.


    WHOOSH!


    Just then, Liam threw a crystalized coin of blood in the air.


    The spider was an inch away from slicing him into pieces.


    Just then, Liam used Shadow Blink.


    Except, he wasn''t on the ground.


    He had teleported above!


    Obviously, the reason Liam threw the coin upwards was to teleport to the shadow it cast.


    Shadow Blink was restricted to¡­ well, shadows.


    Air didn''t cast any, and Liam couldn''t materialize mid-air.


    Thus, using a medium ¡ª like the coin in this case ¡ª gave him the indirect ability to do so.


    Another 6% of his ichor was depleted.


    21% of his blood was gone.


    And, well, now he was flying.


    And plunging.


    And swinging all four swords with as much darkness as he could muster.


    SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING!


    The Red Fang raised its body to the sky, giving Liam another dead look as Honed shes, needles, were raining down upon it.


    Time slowed.


    Suddenly, the hairs on the Red Fang''s narrow body subtly twitched.


    Liam smiled like he expected that.


    He saw thating from a mile away.


    He wasn''t an idiot.


    Flying in the air left him open to thousands of different attacks.


    But by now, the spider knew that Liam could teleport.


    That''s why it was going to shoot its hairs at him.


    But in reality, the spider''s attention was on where Liam would teleport next!


    That''s how smart these creatures were.


    They were able to adapt to the battle at hand.


    In fact¡­


    The spider was actually weaving its crimson threads all over thendscape!


    Using Spirit Sight, Liam could see red hair-thin lines streaking across the entire earth.


    And he knew exactly what those threads could do to him.


    If he stepped foot on them, they''d trigger, explode, and kill him instantly.


    In fact, most strings were already woven before Liam arrived, barely visible even to the keenest eye.


    But these weren''t the same as the new threads the spider was forming.


    If Liam didn''t have the King''s Eye, or his Spirit Sight, he would have already been ensnared like a trapped fly.


    But¡­ why hadn''t the spider used them till now?


    It was for a very, very simple reason.


    ¡­What kind of professional hunter uses an RPG to kill a rabbit?


    No matter how fast, annoying or smart the bunny was, no one used explosives to deal with a minor threat.


    That''s what Liam was to the Rank 5 beast.


    A minor threat. An annoying bunny.


    Smiling, Liam dared it to think that after what was going to happen next.


    Thousands of little streaks shot at the sky, like a volley of arrows aimed at heaven.


    Simrly, Liam''s flurry of attacks rained down at the earth, at a slightly slower speed.


    The two sides shed.


    KKKKRSSSHHHH!


    The result was one-sided.


    The Rank 5''s hair attacks absolutely shredded the shes that Liam shot at it.


    No sharpness, technique or speed could overwhelm that sheer power!


    But Liam used Shadow Blink onest time.


    8% of his blood was used.


    A total of 29%.


    But one had to remember that Liam teleported several times back to back in order to kill most of the Red Fang colony!


    In reality¡­ there was just 20% of his blood left!


    Thus, this was thest teleport that Liam would do.


    WHOOM!


    Abruptly, the spider leapt straight above the air as strongly as it could.


    Liam had teleported beneath it!


    The spider felt an eerie danger radiating from underneath itself.


    It was in danger!


    Finally, Void wasplete.


    But the hardened chitin was hindering its path.


    Thankfully, Liam had a skill he''d been itching to use.


    And the space created by the spider leaping into the air gave him enough space to use it rtively safely.


    SHRKH!


    Using Transfiguration, Liam severed off a lump of his flesh and hurled it at the point between the spider''s thorax and abdomen.


    Then, he used Expel.


    BOOOOOOM!


    It was louder than a thunderp, and just as fast.


    The spider recoiled as a shockwave echoed through its entire body.


    A subtle smile formed on Liam''s face.


    There was barely any damage¡­ except a tiny little dent on its underside.


    WHOOOM!


    Then, there was a spherical mass of purple light shooting straight at the spider''s core.


    What happened immediately after made Liam curse in frustration and pain.

 Chapter 452 Cocoon

    <h4>Chapter 452 Cocoon</h4>


    All of Liam''s focus had been honed for this precise moment.


    Forming a mass of void took quite some time, and it was difficult to maintain the process until it finally concluded.


    But it finally did.


    And Liam shot it forward.


    The sh of purple light caused the shadows to dance.


    It was closing in on the core!


    It was about to dig through!


    Just a few centimeters more!


    What happened next was just¡­ stupid.


    So, so stupid.


    In one quick movement, the spider just¡­ dodged mid-air!


    In reality, it had just shot out a streak of silk from the tip of its abdomen, then yanked itself towards it!


    The sphere of void missed narrowly.


    It passed through the air, consuming a patch of reality¡ª


    SHHHHH!


    ¡ªthen puffing out and causing air to shriek as it repaired itself.


    At the same exact time, hairs shot out from all over its body like stray shrapnel.


    It was too fast.


    Even for Liam.


    He sank into the shadows in the nick of time, covering himself with his Blood Demon armor.


    But a stray hair shot into his tight just then before his armor fully formed.


    The hair in question was the size of an adult armor.


    Its tip was sharp, and it was dripping with poison.


    As it entered his body, Liam epted the pain it gave him with open arms, despite his body spasming uncontrobly.


    In the span of just a few seconds, Liam''s entire right thigh was gone.


    It sizzled out of existence, and continued to do so from both sides.


    It was as though Liam had be a burning piece of paper.


    Simrly, the rest of his leg was turned to ash, and so was his right hip.


    Instead of blood dripping from him, most of his flesh had turned to ash.


    The fire-like poison wanted to spread even further.


    But using Transfiguration, Liam stopped it from doing so.


    The pain was unimaginable.


    Even though his right hip and leg were gone, it was as though he could still feel them burning.


    ''So this is what it feels like to get hit by a Rank 5,'' Liam thought calmly. ''It''s almost enjoyable.''


    But it really wasn''t.


    It made him realize how lucky he was to have protection during the war between the Dual Empire.


    And it also made him realize that he wasn''t at the level to challenge a Rank 5 creature.


    Using the same string it yanked itself on, the Red Fang propelled itself onto the peak of the mountain once again.


    Then, it looked at Liam with the same dead eyes.


    Except, if Liam''s vision didn''t fail him, he could sense¡­ anger from it.


    That made him smile.


    Despite obviously being in a worse situation, the spider was pissed, and Liam was smiling.


    That was a victory in his book.


    A secondter, Liam was about topletely reform his leg.


    But he stopped himself.


    Looking at the spider again¡­


    Did Liam even inflict any significant damage to it?


    Any damage at all?


    ¡­Just a tiny dent.


    And a few scratches where his shes of darkness hadnded upon.


    But then, something happened right after that made Liam realize the Death Dance was not over.


    The Red Fang bent its abdomen and positioned it to the moon, then shot out a long, powerful stream of red silk.


    SHHHHHHHHHH!


    It was like a geyser, except with pure silk acting as a pir to the moon.


    As it reached its zenith, the stream of silk slowly spread outward!


    Now, it was like a volcanic eruption.


    As it left the beam of silk, Liam quickly realized something.


    That was a web of silk.


    And it was encircling the entire Rank 5 danger zone!


    Liam admired the view for a few seconds.


    It was beautiful.


    The web of silk was patterned intricately, and as it continued spreading, the gaps slowly filled themselves.


    This was a cocoon. And it was breathtaking if one could look past its real purpose.


    ''You''ve gone past using an RPG to kill a rabbit,'' Liam thought to the Red Fang. ''You''re using an entire nuke.''


    Sheathing his swords, Liam stood on one leg and heaved a sigh.


    In a few more moments, the cocoon would beplete, and he''d be incinerated along with everything inside.


    "That''s my cue to leave," Liam shouted at the spider. "It was fun dancing with you, friend."


    There was no response.


    Flipping the spider off, Liam used Shadow Blink just as the cocoon waspleted.


    The world changed in his vision once more, transporting him out of the Rank 5 danger zone and into a swath of red trees.


    A 500 meter Shadow Blink.


    98% of his blood was used in total.


    Just 2% remained.


    Now, Liam looked anorexic almost.


    But he was just outside of the cocoon''s range.


    He turned around, looking at the massive cocoon that now dominated the Red Fang''s territory.


    Liam heard a faint screech of frustration echo from the inside.


    Liam smiled broadly, still standing on just one leg. "Eat your heart out."


    Liam lingered there for a few more minutes.


    "I''ll give you another visit soon, my eight-legged friend," Liam said. "Expect me."


    ***


    Soon enough, Liam skedaddled back to the Temple''s quarters.


    On the way there, he killed a few Rank 4 magical beasts to feast upon.


    Regr Zenith beasts didn''t require much effort to kill anymore.


    A burst of Sanguine Strings were enough to make them bleed out and die.


    Through eating them, his anatomy was more or less back to normal.


    Since his blood purity was higher, it would require a lot more than just a few Rank 4 corpses to bring him back to full health.


    Liam entered his office, and his Shadow Clone was¡­ strangely docile, drawing something on a piece of paper.


    Liam was initially worried his Shadow Clone might have been up to something.


    ¡­But this was even stranger.


    Approaching the clone, Liam looked over his shoulder to see what he was drawing, and¡­


    Instantly, he shook his head with a tired sigh.


    "Why are all my clones like this?"


    The clone gave a lecherous smile, but said nothing.


    A momentter, Liam made the clone explode¡ª


    BOOM!


    ¡ªand shredded this¡­ ''drawing''... with his darkness.


    Liam shook his head.


    Now was not the time for foolishness.


    It was finally time to put some improvements on his Blood Weaving!

 Chapter 453 Cotton

    <h4>Chapter 453 Cotton</h4>


    Liam hadn''t inscribed anything ever since his mind had advanced to a Zenith''s level.


    But now, both his blood and mind were Zeniths!


    Something had to be different, right?


    Blood Weaving had served Liam incredibly well throughout the years.


    Oftentimes, it had sharpened the sword that saved Liam''s life.


    In fact, it was the reason why Liam had lived for as long as he did!


    How did Liam even get his Blood Maniption abilities?


    Through the blood nails that Revel had inscribed for him.


    Sure, he had eaten and purified the Nexus of a vampire by himself, but the nails were what allowed him to do so.


    Not only that, but Blood Weaving was the reason he had so many techniques at his disposal.


    It was also the reason why he had attained a Rank 4 mind rtively quickly despite the Law of Bnce working heavily against him.


    In short, Liam couldn''t live without Blood Weaving.


    That being said, it wasn''t without its own little ws.


    Blood Weaving gave Liam the ability to produce enhancements, techniques and spells.


    It was amazing.


    But¡­ it was a little too broad in some aspects, and the process of inscribing was very long.


    Although Liam could enhance an item''s speed, durability or power, he couldn''t make unique spells .


    As in, he couldn''t invent a particrly awesome sword with special properties.


    Say, a sword that could grow alongside him.


    Or a technique that could advance with his sea of consciousness.


    But didn''t all of this depend onprehension?


    Mostly, yes.


    However, ever since Liam advanced, he could spot a few ring issues in his inscription method.


    Blood Weaving was made with a Rank 3 mental sphere.


    Revel''s specifically.


    A Mortal ranked cultivator could not possibly understand the mind of a Zenith.


    Now that Liam had be a Zenith, his Blood Weaving seemed like an aged, broken down car that somehow managed to work.


    And now, it was holding Liam back.


    Liam ran a hand through his short hair. "Somehow, Revel always seems to have thestugh. Even after death."


    There was a moment of silence as Liam contemted the best way to improve his Blood Weaving.


    ''In a sense, it''s simr to cotton,'' Liam thought strangely.


    ''The further the cotton is spread out, the weaker, less useful it gets.''


    ''Should my goal be to gather all the cotton in one ce or something?''


    ''Maybe¡­ inscribe everything in the form of one character?''


    That actually sounded¡­ pretty usible.


    Except, Liam was essentially renewing the base form of Blood Weaving itself!


    Of course, inscription methods had their own moments of evolution.


    Sort of like how a center of power advances, inscription methods went through a simr ''upgrading'' phase.


    Till now, everything Liam had ever inscribed had been with the usage of chained sentences and words, not just one character.


    Why would he make his life more difficult by changing his method so drastically?


    ''Having all the Meanings stacked into one character sounds¡­ incredibly powerful.''


    ''But it gives more sheer power than it does versatility and speciality.''


    ''I can''t imagine what a forged Abyssal Needle could do paired with such a thing. Maybe it''d destroy arge-size state.''


    ''But that''s not what I''m looking for.''


    ''I already have the best possible explosion device.''


    Chaos.


    Liam pursed his lips.


    ''What, then?''


    ''Turn the cotton into hundreds of thousands of individual threads?''


    Liam''s inscription teacher in the academy, Richard Nesht, had a simr inscription method.


    He could use his threads of hair to concoct an amazing instantaneous enhancement.


    What would hundreds of thousands of characters do for Liam''s inscriptions?


    ''...Same issue.''


    ''It would give me more versatility and range¡­ but it would take its power.''


    That was also bad.


    Too much on one side, too much on the other.


    It had to be done carefully.


    ''I should just practice it at least once before I figure something out,'' Liam thought. ''Maybe there''s a different process or something involved.''


    Droplets of blood converged onto his forefinger, growing to the size of a fist.


    Liam was no longer scared of pain!


    If he had to suffer, so be it!


    ¡­And it helped that his mind was in the Zenith ranks, capable of withstanding his ichor.


    A momentter, Liam put the finger to his forehead, allowing it to seep through.


    Eventually, it made contact with his mental barrier.


    There was a pang of ethereal pain, but it was perfectly bearable.


    At least, by the Liam Royce standard.


    Slowly, the blood poured through the sun-like barrier.


    Eventually, it flowed into the sea of consciousness, humming in its center.


    There was a steady, pulsing pressure tugging at his mind.


    He could still think clearly, but his thoughts were strangely dyed. Just a tiny amount.


    ''The pressure it emits pushes down my mental waves,'' Liam thought as pulses of pain shot through his brain. ''That''s why my thoughts form slightly slower.''


    But as soon as it entered Liam''s mind, Liam realized something, causing his eyes to widen.


    His blood had special properties.


    It could transform.


    It could mimic.


    It could absorb.


    It could expel.


    And do much more.


    Why was Liam trying to change his blood around his Blood Weaving, when he could change his Blood Weaving around his blood?


    So stupid!


    It all made sense now!


    ''I don''t need to spread the cotton, or cut it, or condense it in any way.''


    Liam smiled broadly.


    ''I can pour liquid over it, and it''ll absorb it all the same.''


    With his n set in motion, Liam''s mind raced to fix the lesser mistakes of the Blood Weaving method first.


    ''I''ll let the gob of blood cook in my head,'' Liam thought seriously. ''When it finishes, I''ll work on my swords, next.''


    Just 2 and a half weeks remained for the Important People Convention.


    That''s how long Liam had to renew his Blood Weaving!


    But he wasn''t worried.


    After all, he could just use Hone in the parts he had trouble fixing.


    And like so, time gradually passed, and the Important People Convention grew nearer and nearer.

 Chapter 454 Ancient, Cursed, Forbidden

    <h4>Chapter 454 Ancient, Cursed, Forbidden</h4>


    Just a week remained for the Important People''s Convention.


    Liam was working double time.


    He had momentarily set aside his cultivation in hopes of gaining enough time to fix Blood Weaving''s little ws.


    Firstly, the overall ''cooking'' time had been improved.


    Unlike before, it would take roughly 4 to 5 hours for a clot of blood to fully cook.


    Now, it took¡­ much longer.


    7 hours.


    But that was actually an improvement!


    In reality, it would have taken 8 or 9.


    But Liam had added new and improved Meanings, rerouted the Links, and obviously used his Rank 4 blood as Ink.


    Both the mind and blood had improved, after all, and even an hour or two to save was a big deal.


    This obviously meant that Liam''s inscription rate would be less.


    But they''d be much more powerful!


    If there was more time, Liam would have definitely made improvements to his Primordial Forging method, too.


    There was no doubt in his mind that it was just as outdated and worn down as Blood Weaving.


    But there wasn''t much to do in a week.


    There was already enough on his te.


    After several days, he was finally done with it!


    Liam raised the inscription method to the air.


    Then previous parchment had been with him for as long as he could remember.


    He always changed it between rings, and its surface had been aged visibly.


    But to Liam, it didn''t feel like that long.


    It felt like yesterday.


    He renewed the parchment paper and reced it with a thin b of crystalized blood. Of his own, of course.


    The result was¡­ quite amazing.


    Liam smiled at his work of art.


    A momentter, he took out his odachi.


    Then, Liam put a finger on his forehead.


    As he slowly pulled the finger away, the long glob of blood followed it like a bright-red thread.


    When stretched, it looked like aser!


    That was how bright it was!


    The Meanings Liam had put within the fist-size mass of blood gave it that quality.


    What Meanings did Liam put into it?


    A very simple function.


    But it was a surprise.


    Liam took out his odachi.


    ''Would it be better on this?'' Liam thought. ''Yeah. Probably.''


    First, he stripped off its inscriptions.


    The ck de let out a yelp of shock.


    "Rx," Liam said. "I''ll fix them."


    With the ck de pointed to the ceiling, Liam began writing the Links down on its peerless edge.


    Liam didn''t change his base inscription technique.


    Except, his hand was a lot more fast moving, as though he was writing in the air itself.


    A few hours passed.


    ***


    By the time Liam was done, the sword looked more like an exquisite piece of art than it did a lethal weapon.


    The characters written in the vampirguage looked more fluid and stylish.


    It was the difference between practicing calligraphy for one year.


    And practicing calligraphy for twenty years.


    But¡­ what did the inscriptions do?


    Liam''s nails red with wisps of brown and ck Corruption.


    Next, he lowered the sword and slowly, as though lighting up a cigarette, let his fingers touch the blood writings.


    WHSH!


    Instantly, the characters lit up one after the other, the blood gaining the same hue as Liam''s Corruption.


    A creepy, ear-to-ear smile formed on Liam''s face.


    That was the power of his blood!


    What the inscriptions did was simply spread his Corruption evenly across his entire sword.


    Liam outstretched the sword and shed the air.


    SHING!


    A sh of darkness shot from the sword''s edge.


    Except, the darkness had a strange hue to it.


    A little bit of brown had been mixed with it.


    A bit of Corruption!


    SHIIING!


    The shnded on the wall, forming a wide, diagonal cut across its surface.


    However, the inscriptions on the odachi were just a little dimmer.


    Despite that, Liam smiled.


    ''As long as I fill it up now and again, it''dst for several hours. At least a full fight.''


    Satisfaction. That was the emotion Liam felt.


    "You changed something again," the ck de said with a strange voice. "I feel like I''ve just been dipped in¡­ death."


    Silence.


    "Well," Liam said. "You''re stronger. All that matters."


    "What about us?" the Dusk des said. "Do you bear gifts?"


    The Breaker de was silent, but it obviously wanted something too.


    Liam didn''t respond.


    Instead, he gathered another fistfull of blood, then let it cook for the rest of the day.


    7 hours passed.


    After performing the same Meanings, with minor differences and deviations, Liam applied them to the Dusk des next.


    Then, through the same process of ''lighting'' it up, Liam added a touch of Chaos to it.


    ZHHHR!


    It buzzed with Chaos!


    The Dusk desughed gutturally.


    Now, not only could it wield fire, it could also harness and fight with Chaos!


    But, didn''t it already fight with Chaos?


    It did.


    However, that was clearly different.


    Now, there was no need for Liam to strain his core due to his demanding sword-style.


    He could use his Chaos spells and his chaotic sword-style.


    That being said, these qualities weren''t actually ingrained in the weapons themselves.


    ¡­Only Primordial Forging could do that.


    Blood Weaving, on the other hand, gave him the ability to switch these qualities on and off, without actually using his Corruption or Chaos reserves constantly.


    Besides, Liam didn''t want to showcase his Pearl abilities in every fight.


    Up next was the Breaker de.


    As the biggest sword in Liam''s arsenal, it was also the strongest due to its shape.


    Chaos and Corruption didn''t fit well with it.


    Instead¡­ his shadows were perfect for it.


    And Liam''s shadow reserves were¡­ well, undepletable!


    Another 7 hours passed.


    Followed by another.


    And another.


    The Breaker de was freaking massive.


    It had to be inscribed several times due to how tall it was.


    But it was done.


    And it looked menacingly beautiful.


    All three swords had their own uniqueness.


    The odachi looked like an ancient treasure.


    The dusks looked like a cursed treasure.


    And the breaker looked like a forbidden treasure.


    Liam''s shadows flowed into the titanic sword''s inscriptions.


    Liam raised the sword¡­ then dropped it!


    ¡­Instead of crashing against the ground, it had entered the Sea of Darkness!


    Then, on Liam''smand, the sword swam through the ground!


    The Breaker''s biggest w was maneuverability.


    Not anymore.

 Chapter 455 Suit

    <h4>Chapter 455 Suit</h4>


    Giving the Breaker ess to Liam''s shadows, Liam could make it ''swim'' beneath the Sea of Darkness!


    He could control it!


    As it swam through Liam''s office, it caused the shadows to ripple, as though a shark was lurking beneath its depths.


    A momentter, Liam made a rising gesture with his hand.


    WHOOSH!


    In an instant, the sword shot out of the Sea of Darkness.


    A little too fast.


    BOOM!


    It burst through his ceiling!


    A massive hole was formed there, and rubble flew everywhere.


    So much for leaving rooms in one piece.


    Except, Liam knew that would happen.


    He could have easily made the Breaker de merge with the ceiling and continue swimming from there.


    He just wanted to see how fast he could move it.


    As the Breaker de continued flying in the air, Liam outstretched a hand to the side.


    Shhhhhhh.


    It was plunging back to the ground.


    As it slowly came back to the earth, it shot back to his hand, like his palm had be a ma.


    CHK!


    SHING!


    A momentter, his fingers wrapped around its hilt, and he swung through the air.


    WHOOOSH!


    The air caused by the swing caused a violent breeze to shoot through Liam''s room.


    Not only did Liam add those inscriptions on his swords, he also improved the base enhancements!


    ''Good enough,'' Liam thought with a nod. ''Once my core arrives at the fourth rank, I''ll finally get to work with Primordial Forging.''


    ''I think it''s about time I make something entirely new. Unique.''


    ''Something the world would be better without, though.''


    Liam pursed his lips.


    Just five more days until the Important People Convention.


    Until then, Liam was free to do whatever he wanted. Although cultivating until then sounded good, this party was important.


    The figureheads of the Temple were extremely worried for Liam''s sake.


    Evidently, Liam sucked at parties and social gatherings.


    He avoided literally every celebration that the Temple hosted, and rarely spoke to people of his own volition.


    That wasn''t really a problem anymore, as Liam wasn''t so short-sighted and tense.


    Before, he was a tumultuous sea.


    Too many waves.


    Too much chaos.


    All the danger was on the outside.


    Now, he was a pond.


    Serene.


    Calm.


    Gentle.


    ¡­But beneath the surface, monsters silently awaited their next meal.


    ''Requirements for a party. Clothes. Suits? There was no specific dress code. I can go naked if I so please¡­''


    Liam shook his head.


    ''Nevermind. Coming off too strong is also bad.''


    ''Come to think of it, Alucard had something simr to a suit. He''ll probably wear that to the convention.''


    The General also had a simr piece of attirest Liam saw him, with minor differencespared to the suits on Earth.


    Can''t go wrong with that.


    Suit it was.


    Liam was about to head to Jargon''s ce.


    Tailories, among countless other businesses, thrived within the Temple''snds thanks to him.


    Since he came from a poor background, and since Revel taught him everything he knew, Jargon had a business mindset.


    He was Liam''s Economic Minister.


    Just then, Jargon knocked twice on his door!


    "Come in," Liam said, and the door opened.


    Jargon''s gaze first fell on the broken roof and trashed surroundings.


    ''Again¡­'' Jargon thought in distraught, and Liam could see it in his mental waves.


    "Jargon," Liam called out. "Perfect timing. Do you know what a ''suit'' is?"


    Jargon paused for a few seconds, then shook his head. "No clue, sir. Is it a food of some kind?"


    "Clothing," Liam corrected. "I''ll need a pair for the Convention."


    Jargon''s eyes lit up.


    Was Liam finally taking his responsibilities seriously?!


    Was he?!


    "Give me specifics, sir," Jargon said with an enthusiastic tone. "I''ll make sure it¡­ suits your tastes."


    Jargon smiled, proud of the pun.


    Liam nodded. Taking out a thin piece of paper, Liam drew a perfect replica of a three-piece suit, paired with a long overcoat.


    He had to look different to the General and Alucard.


    Copying their attire could seem disrespectful.


    And quite frankly, Liam didn''t want to make it seem like he was trying too hard.


    At the same time, he added a few more modern clothing styles for Jargon to replicate and copy.


    A reward.


    Throwing a bone to a loyal hound.


    Then, he handed the paper to Jargon.


    "Off you go."


    Jargon smiled broadly and dismissed himself.


    Liam heaved a long sigh and looked up at the hole in his office ceiling.


    "...Who''s fixing my roof, though?"


    ***


    Unbeknownst to Liam, while Jargon worked on the suit, Jane worked on the perfume, Aki worked on the adornments, which Jax would inscribe.


    It was obvious to say, but smelling like an unwashed rag used to wipe feces and dirt was not good.


    Though, Liam smelled like blood most of the time. Of his own and others.


    Just a day remained for the Important People Convention.


    The Temple was very excited for Liam''s sake, even though they weren''t going.


    "Boss, please tell us stories when you''re back!"


    "And who you meet!"


    "And descriptions of how the women loo¡ª!" shouted a young man, promptly silenced by a group of acolytes.


    After a while, the Elders'' jobs werepleted.


    Jargon brought the three-piece suit.


    The waistcoat was matte-ck, while the undershirt beneath was a crisp white.


    Made from the fur of an expensive magical beast, the long overcoat that draped over his shoulders was a smooth, silky ck, but its interior was crimson.


    From a mixture of chemicals and rare herbs, Jane made Liam a perfume that smelled absolutely amazing.


    Somehow, it made him pleasant to look at.


    Unbeknownst to Liam, that was done on purpose!


    Jane was worried no one would approach Liam due to him being dead inside.


    But with this, at least there was a chance.


    Aki brought an ornate stopwatch made from ck metal, inscribed to look as posh as possible.


    It was also connected to a golden chain on his breast pocket, giving him easy ess to it.


    There was no special function to it, other than telling the time in a traditional way.


    Realizing something about his attire, Liam scoffed.


    ''I look like a british gangster from the 1800''s,'' Liam thought. ''Just missing the cap.''


    But finally, he was ready for it.


    The Important People Convention!

 Chapter 456 Quartz Dragon

    <h4>Chapter 456 Quartz Dragon</h4>


    Donning his new clothes, Liam felt a strange urge to fill his lungs with smoke.


    Except, Liam had never used a drug other than when it helped him cultivate faster.


    Addiction was not something he struggled with. Other than power, of course.


    But better not fall into that slippery slope.


    Just a day remained for the Convention, and Liam would be amidst the most powerful people on the.


    How exciting.


    To Liam, at least.


    Those who knew Liam were worried sick for him.


    What if he went back and forth with a powerhouse?


    What if he offended someone by mistake?


    What if he made a potential enemy of someone important?


    What if!


    What if?!


    One had to remember that, just like these parties could connect and create bonds between countries, individuals and races, it could very well do the opposite.


    They were potential death traps that could seal the fates of entire countries.


    And Liam was¡­ excited for it.


    Right.


    And that idiot Ryu was daring him to insult the Echorian Queen while wearing a wizard''s hat to the party.


    Thankfully, before Liam could be fully convinced, the Elders gagged him in one of the torture chambers beneath the Temple''s domain.


    And as the remaining hours ticked down, nothing out of the ordinary happened.


    Finally, it was the day of the Convention!


    ***


    The sun rose, then slowly fell, casting scarlet rays of light to wash over the endless sea.


    Standing over a cliff that bordered the vermillion ocean, Liam took out his ornate stopwatch and checked the time.


    The long hand of his watch was not the ticking type. It was the smooth kind that made no noise.


    And it just passed the 6 P.M mark.


    It was time to go.


    A gentle wind blew past him, fluttering his coat.


    Strangely enough, his short, corvid-ck hair was neatly trimmed,bed and styled.


    With broad, square shoulders and a tall, strong frame, the overcoat and three-piece suit gave him an amazing, eye-catching presence.


    But beneath those eyes¡­ there was nothing.


    No soul.


    Just nicely decorated clothes, a quaint smell and an appearance arranged to be pleasing for the outside eye.


    That''s all there was.


    No matter what one put on the outside, the inside was ultimately what mattered.


    In the first ce, Liam didn''t want to do any of this!


    If it wouldn''t be too much of a hassle, Liam really would just go naked.


    Liam put the watch back into his waist pocket and looked towards the distance, hearing something pping.


    A form slowly grewrger amidst from where the sun was the brightest.


    A dragon.


    The Mayor of Mount Mayhem didn''t specify what form of transportation Liam was allowed toe with.


    He couldn''t fly since he wasn''t a Zenith, but this was the next best thing.


    At the same time, Liam''s time for arrival was actually much earlierpared to the other guests.


    Why?


    Because Liam still had to showcase his powers and abilities.


    The actual party began at a crisp 7:00 P.M. Until then, Liam would have a nice chat with Sir Cornelius.


    Zooming in with the King''s Eye, Liam had a good look at the dragon that was approaching.


    That¡­ wasn''t a Water Dragon like he was told it would be.


    It had pointy, crystalized ck scales, with a narrow, streamline frame that made it shoot through air like an arrow made from gems.


    Each of the ck scales sparkled like little ck diamonds.


    Except, its crystal eyes looked like it was made from ruby.


    Under the sun, it looked absolutely marvelous.


    Liam raised a brow.


    "Hope you like it," Verium said with a smile, materializing beside Liam through his shadows.


    "I wasn''t able to get you a gift for the party, but at least I could fix you a ride."


    Liam recognized the dragon.


    It was a Quartz Dragon!


    A docile darkness elemental dragon that wasn''t exactly strong, but extremely rare, swift and expensive.


    It used pulses of darkness to ''boost'' itself mid-air.


    Sort of like how a jet uses its burners.


    Even Echorian Royalty coveted such a thing!


    "Thank you," Liam said. "Looks glorious."


    The dragon circled above Liam''s head, slowly pping its wings as it descended a few meters away from him.


    WHOOSH!


    Quartz Dragon''s were extremely fast, but physically weak. Those crystals did nothing defensive wise.


    Liam didn''t mind it.


    With his hands still in his pockets, Liam made a wide leap onto the dragon''s head,nding with a light step.


    "We''re runningte," Liam said to the creature, patting its hardened head. "Up we go."


    As the acolytes and Elders waved at him goodbye, the crystal dragon pped its wings¡ª


    BOOOOOM!


    ¡ªand he was soaring through the air at the speed of sound.


    It took just a few minutes for the ind to grow distant in his vision.


    Evidently, the Quartz Dragon was faster than a jet, leaving a trail of darkness in the sky.


    Liam firmed himself on the dragon''s back.


    Then, he took out the golden postcard and paid attention to where the arrow pointed.


    The sky was slowly dimming.


    The worldly terrain changed a few times in Liam''s vision.


    A few inds passed him.


    Pagodas.


    Archipgos.


    Small-sized countries.


    A few aerial creatures flew past him. Fellow dragons and even an albino wyvern.


    Air whistled through his ears, but he could still hear just fine.


    Before long, something appeared way out in the distance. Roughly 5,000 meters away.


    Surrounding it was nothing but the ocean.


    Except, the purity of the water was so clear, Liam could see a terrifyingly long distance below the waters.


    By his estimation, he could see 7,000 meters deep!


    The amount of ocean life he saw was breathtaking.


    By no means was this water normal.


    But the water''s beauty paled inparison to the mountain itself.


    In reality, it was just a 9-star hotel disguised as a mountain.


    Even Liam was surprised by just how magnificent the thing looked.


    All the amenities and buildings he saw looked modern and?almost?futuristic.

 Chapter 457 Gentleman

    <h4>Chapter 457 Gentleman</h4>


    An architectural marvel it was.


    Liam slowed down his ride to a leisurely speed.


    He wanted to survey the scene before approaching, and maybe understand what he was seeing.


    Firstly, the mountain was incredibly tall, shaped like the sharp end of an ice cream cone!


    Strangely, it floated above the water like a raft, rather than an ind. It bobbed up and down like a buoy on the crystalline sea.


    It could actually traverse through the waters like a yacht!


    By Earth standards, the cone-shaped mountain would be 400 stories high, while the base was just 600 meters in length.


    The base was the thickest, and as it ran across the peak, it thinned out.


    Here and there, beams of light poked holes through the sky, the source of which was¡­ the mountain itself.


    At the foot of the mountain, huge, lush gates made from wood in the shape of aurel nt allowed for guests to enter the premises.


    Past the entrances were long, spacious red carpets that led upwards¡­ inside the mountain itself!


    Mount Mayhem was actually hollow inside!


    Of course it was!


    Why not?


    Engrained within the surfaces of the mountain itself were lush tapestry, wide panes of crystal ss, and modern, open pavilions.


    The pavilions were shaped like various flowers, but made through the lens of a minimalist.


    Roses.


    Lotus.


    Lilies and more.


    There were levels to it.


    Sort of like a terrace farm, there were t rings around the mountain.


    It looked like the perfect resort straight out of fantasy.


    And that was just the outside of it.


    Liam couldn''t actually see through those panes of crystal ss, not even when zooming in or using Spirit Sight.


    It was probably a one-way.


    Finally, there was the peak of the Mount, which housed a teau 200 meters wide.


    In the center of that teau was an ornate mansion which looked like a king''s pce, made from gold and adorned with various crystals.


    Show off.


    With a name like ''Sir Cornelius Mehro III'', one could tell the man was born with a golden spoon in his mouth.


    Other than that, there were servants that offered a wide assortment of drinks and luxury food, walking this way and that way.


    In terms of clothing, they wore the standard butler and maid attire.


    Except, as Liam looked closer, they had¡­ no core.


    Nor a sea of consciousness.


    ¡­Nor did they have any bodily organs!


    They were utterly empty inside, despite looking, acting and having human characteristics!


    ''Have I met my match?'' Liam thought. ''But they look perfectly alive.''


    It was the same situation with the messenger owl. It had no sea of consciousness, nor any special centers of power.


    Yet it could speak to him like a regr human being.


    ''He''ll tell me in a bit, anyways.''


    That being said, Liam spotted a few people that already preceded him bying early.


    The gates were being flooded with people.


    All kinds of beautiful people, wearingvish, unique attire adorned with jewelry entered in groups.


    Most were from countries without powerhouses to boast of. Others were clearly from known countries.


    Liam even spotted a few Echorian-looking fellows. Celebrities, probably.


    Though, they didn''t seem to have any affiliation with royalty.


    Excitement, anticipation and pride permeated the air.


    The conversations and intermingling began immediately.


    Liam recognized none of these people.


    He scoffed.


    Bunch of no-name losers they were, hoping to meet someone powerful and suckle off their powers.


    Disgusting.


    One had to remember that Liam wasn''ting into this party thinking of himself as inferior, or for seeking honor through these people.


    He was here because there was an opportunity for growth. Nothing more, nothing less.


    ''Where''s the parking area?'' Liam thought.


    ¡­Where the heck was his dragon supposed to go?


    There were a few ces that ships and other aerial beasts had gathered, but they were filled to the brim.


    Granted, the Quartz Dragon wasn''t thergest dragon.


    Maybe Liam could take it with him?


    Just then, as Liam grew nearer, the Gem Pce atop the teau started glowing with an emerald light, illuminating a holographic path.


    It was shining upon Liam!


    It lit the air in front of him like a green carpet.


    ''Is he inviting me in?'' Liam thought. ''Weirdo.''


    Changing the trajectory on his Quartz Dragon, Liam made a beeline for the mansion.


    A few secondster, he was at its gate.


    Liam ''parked'' his ride to the side of the grand entrance.


    Then, he jumped off the magical beast.


    Then, he entered through the front of the stupidly extravagant mansion.


    Suddenly, he was teleported!


    It was instant.


    Liam felt his surroundings change in the blink of an eye.


    Now, he was in a spacious, cozy, ornate, wooden office. Portraits were hung off the walls.


    There were bookshelves and furniture to the sides.


    Right ahead, was a desk.


    Behind it, sat a middle-aged man with exquisite features.


    He had a ck gentleman''s mustache that swirled at the tips.


    He was¡­ a little overweight.


    Just a little.


    Enough for his stomach to bulge through.


    He wore a white-and-ck tuxedo, with a crisp blue bowtie as the cherry on top.


    Very gentlemanly!


    Sir Cornelius Merho III had ocean blue eyes.


    He had big lips.


    A round nose.


    Puffy cheeks.


    A double chin.


    Short brown hair, atop of which was a small tophat.


    There was a golden monocle on one of his eyes.


    Despite his otherwise¡­ heavy looks, the man looked like the very definition of ''gentleman''!


    Wait¡­


    Wasn''t this just the monopoly guy?


    Liam suppressed hisughter.


    "Mister Liam!" the host eximed happily, raising to his feet with a grand gesture. "A pleasure to finally put a face to the name!"


    Liam nodded with a slight smile.


    "Likewise. Thank you for the invitation."


    "Oh," Sir Cornelius waved his hands, gesturing for Liam to sit down, "and why wouldn''t I invite one of the youngest, most talented cultivators on the?"


    Chuckling in what sounded like embarrassment, Liam shook his head, taking a seat.


    "You''re much too kind."

 Chapter 458 Drink

    <h4>Chapter 458 Drink</h4>


    Sitting opposite to a Rank 6 powerhouse, Liam actually felt quitefortable.


    The atmosphere was just perfect.


    The smell of fresh books, the lighting, the ambient silence.


    It was as though this setting was hand-made and designed just for Liam''s sake.


    Sir Cornelius'' aura wasn''t intimidating or overbearing, either. In a sense, it was warm, like the uncle Liam never had.


    It helped that his appearance was so¡­ docile and non-threatening.


    Compared to someone like the General, for example, Cornelius looked harmless.


    But there was no doubt about it.


    Sir Cornelius Mehro III was indeed a spectacr host.


    "Wow¡­ it''s just like they say," Cornelius said. "It stings a tiny bit looking straight into your eyes."


    Liam smiled lightly.


    "I hope the journey wasn''t too long?" Cornelius said with a wide smile, showcasing his pearly white teeth.


    "I''ve positioned my ind a little closer to all the surrounding countries, but I had to maintain equality between them."


    "Not at all," Liam reassured, smiling lightly. "I''ve got a fast ride myself."


    Nodding, Cornelius then gave Liam''s suit a good, scrutinizing look.


    "I''ve¡­ never quite seen such attire before, Mister Royce," Cornelius said, adjusting his monocle. "It''s¡­ quaint. And stylish, if I do say so myself."


    A pause.


    "A talented tailor could get you far in life," Liam said, as if he knew what he was talking about. "You would know."


    Sir Cornelius nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly!"


    "Friends always tell me that I''ve hired too many tailors, but what can I say?" Cornelius added with a conversational voice. "Each suit grants me a new quality I didn''t have before."


    The two exchanged solemn nods of agreement.


    "Oh!" Cornelius eximed suddenly, facepalming. "How rude of me. I haven''t even offered you something to drink!"


    Liam raised a hand. "Please. Don''t bother. I''m not one to drink in the first ce."


    The Mayor shook his head.


    "You misunderstand, Mister Liam," Cornelius said in a somewhat serious voice, leaning forward.


    "These are not alcoholic. They''re made from mermaid tears and sun strawberries. And I''m afraid you cannot refuse."


    Liam didn''t know either of those ingredients. "If you insist."


    A momentter¡ª


    WHOM!


    ¡ªthere was a sh of emerald ight.


    Two champagne sses appeared on the host''s desk. They fizzed and bubbled, as though they were carbonated.


    One side of the ss glowed, as though it was a piece of the sun, and the other gushed as though it was a patch of the ocean.


    A strange duality.


    "Please!" Cornelius said, grabbing one ss as Liam grabbed the other. "Cheers!"


    CLINK!


    The two clinked their sses together, then gulped down the drinks in one go.


    As it flowed down Liam''s throat, a myriad of vors made his entire body shiver.


    It was really, really good.


    No doubt, the tastiest thing that ever graced his pte, warming his entire body.


    But it was very, very heavy.


    It was as though he''d wolfed down a feast that his monstrous stomach couldn''t digest in time.


    Still, it made his muscles tingle in satisfaction, and if he was anyone else, he''d ask for another drink straight away.


    But he didn''t.


    It was just taste.


    So what?


    He wasn''t a glutton.


    Nor a drunk.


    Cornelius let out a long sigh of refreshment.


    Seeing Liam''s mild reaction, Cornelius smiled lightly and nodded to himself.


    "Now!" the Mayor eximed, then made a slightly serious face. "Would you mind if I ask you a few questions pertaining to your life?"


    "Not at all," Liam responded.


    For the next few minutes, the Mayor continued asking Liam a series of questions, starting from his birth, up to his current situation.


    Liam spoke the truth.


    There was no reason to lie, really. The powerhouse could easily tell if he was.


    Liam told him most of the details and kept some to himself.


    Especially his side goal of finding the Ashuras, his revenge against the Royce family, and how he attained most of his powers.


    Unless the Mayor asked him those questions himself, Liam would answer.


    He also kept his meeting with the Opposition a secret.


    That wasn''t getting out, even if Liam was asked.


    Thirty minutes passed.


    Liam exined everything with concise and clear terms.


    His entire life story of 29 years was shortened to 30 minutes.


    At the same time, Liam snuck studying nces at Cornelius'' Path.


    Everyone''s Path was unique to their abilities and strengths. For some individuals, it was clear as day what their Paths were.


    Case in point: the Empress of Fear.


    Another case in point: the Emperor of Courage.


    The former radiated a natural sense of primordial fear, while thetter emitted a feeling of protection and warmth to those that looked at him.


    And yet, Cornelius'' Path was a little too vague for Liam to truly grasp and understand it.


    Most of his aura was actually translucent, and his mental waves were invisible.


    At the end of Liam''s story, Cornelius had a bewildered, amazed look on his fat face.


    "Wow," he said under his breath, subconsciously twisting the end of his mustache. "Have you ever thought about writing a book?"


    Liam made a snort that sounded like a chuckle. "Not yet. Maybe I will."


    "And¡­ how are you not dead yet?" the Mayor muttered with an aghast voice. "How does everything you do go wrong in some way?"


    Liam shrugged with a smile.


    "Sorry, that was rude of me," Cornelius said apologetically. "I''ve never heard of a story with so much torture involved."


    Silence.


    "Can we exchange a demonstration of power now?" the Mayor said bluntly, a slight smile on his face.


    "I''ve never been one to beat around the bush, quite frankly."


    Liam could agree with that.


    Except, he had a strange question.


    "Hasn''t the party started already, though?" Liam asked. "It''s well past 7. The mountain''s being filled up with people."


    Corneliusughed.


    "They''re not expecting a grand speech, are they? As a host, I''ll treat my guests like kings so long as they don''t believe themselves to be one."


    "Besides, I despise those kinds of talks. I''d rather meet my guests personally than address them like amon crowd."


    Liam liked Sir Cornelius a little more because of what he said.


    "I''ll begin," the Mayor said. "I wouldn''t want you to feel like you''ve been fleeced."


    Liam reclined and listened intently.


    Exchanging demonstrations of power with a Rank 6 cultivator would no doubt give him insight on the intricacies of one''s Path.

 Chapter 459 Path

    <h4>Chapter 459 Path</h4>


    "I''ll be absolutely blunt and say I''m perhaps the weakest powerhouse out of them all," Sir Cornelius said with a wry look. "And here''s the shocker¡­"


    Silence.


    Cornelius paused for dramatic effect.


    "I can''t even cultivate through normal means anymore."


    Silence again.


    Liam raised his brows in slight surprise.


    What?


    How¡­ was that even possible?


    How was that even allowed?!


    What did Cornelius do to have the Law of Bnce imposed so harshly on him?


    Noticing Liam''s surprise, Corneliusughed, causing his double chin to jiggle a bit.


    "The truth is more boring than you think," Cornelius said. "It was actually my own choice."


    Now, Liam was a little more than surprised.


    How could one even do that?


    Liam didn''t ask, though.


    This wasn''t an exnation of abilities.


    It was a demonstration.


    That''s all it was, in reality.


    In the first ce, speaking in-depth to others about one''s Path could affect another''s.


    But that was specific to lower ranking cultivators, who might get obsessed with a certain power.


    To Zeniths that had a general idea of who they wanted their powers to be, knowing about another person''s Path could actually be more beneficial.


    But Liam wasn''t inclined to exin his abilities, and neither was the Mayor.


    A few seconds passed in quiet silence.


    "In reality, my cultivation depends on this very mountain!"


    Liam raised his brows.


    This was even more surprising.


    Were Paths so broad and diverse?


    How the heck did that even work?


    Liam hadn''t used Spirit Sight on the Mayor, since it might seem a bit rude, and the Mayor could probably find out.


    "I actually specialize in Formations and Inscriptions more than anything," the Mayor continued conversationally.


    "I''m sure you''ve wondered why my butlers and maids don''t have any particr power?"


    Liam gave a slow, firm nod.


    The Mayor smirked.


    "They''re actually just inscribed puppets," Cornelius said. "They''re not actually alive."


    Silence.


    Liam was genuinely amazed.


    Did the Mayor invent the first robot ever?


    Well, theycked the vestigial flesh and metallic frame, but they were formed from the same idea.


    Not only were they robots, they were also paired with artificial intelligence!


    The Mayor was a little bigger in Liam''s eyes, and not just because of his fat stomach and double chin.


    "I would dly show you a live demonstration of me building one, but they take quite a bit of time, you see."


    Liam was a little bit disappointed in that.


    Noticing his expression, the Mayor instantly made amends.


    "Don''t worry! I''ll go a little more in depth to make up for it."


    Liam hid a smile, limiting himself to a nod.


    "Battle-wise, even a peak Rank 5 cultivator could kill me with a bit of effort," the Mayor said.


    That was¡­ sad.


    Despite that, the Mayor smirked proudly.


    "But in my own domain?"


    "On this mountain?"


    Cornelius smiled broadly.


    "Not even the Queen, Alucard or the Generalbined couldy a finger on me!"


    Absolute silence.


    No wonder they epted the Mayor''s invitation.


    If the Mayor spoke the truth, which he definitely did, they had to realize the sheer strength that the Mayor possessed.


    ''But that power is specific to his ''domain''.


    Essentially, his defense and offense was absolutely impregnable within Mount Mayhem.


    Mount Mayhem was one massive superweapon!


    Except, that superweapon could not fire from a long distance.


    And the Mayor himself was much, much weaker when he wasn''t holding it.


    That was a good thing, though.


    If it wasn''t, Liam was pretty sure the Mayor would have ruled the world by now.


    A choice that the Mayor seemed happy with.


    There was a slight pause.


    "Oh, and I have absolute control over this ce," the Mayor said proudly, waving his hand. "It''s part of me, after all."


    Wherever the Mayor''s hand moved, the room''s interior transformed.


    The bookshelves retracted into the walls, while the t ceiling expanded, growing out a ruby chandelier shaped like a rose.


    Pirs burst from the ground and connected to the ceiling.


    From a wooden office, it quickly turned into a marble hall lit by a rosy light.


    The Mayor smiled again.


    Liam wasn''t too surprised by this ability.


    From his knowledge, even Alucard had that ability, since the Pashah''s castle had changed forms from the first time he had entered it.


    It was also simr to Liam''s Inner World spell.


    Except, that didn''t extend to the Outer World.


    This did.


    In short, it was just amazing.


    "Just to add," the Mayor continued, "my Formations allow everyone to be equal in strength once under my domain, and all forms of power will be disabled."


    Wait¡­


    "Meaning you, me, Alucard and the Queen will all be the same level of strength as a regr person."


    Time after time, the Mayor kept shocking Liam to his core!


    What kind of stupid ability reduced a powerhouse''s ability to a normal level?


    Not to mention, take away their powers entirely?


    Albeit, it was only doable under the Mayor''s domain, but wasn''t this a bit too much?


    "It''s for a valid reason," the Mayor said firmly. "Otherwise, the powerhouses could just study your powers and use them against you."


    Silence.


    True.


    Very true.


    In fact, Liam appreciated the man more than ever.


    After that, the Mayor didn''t add anymore.


    That was an overview of his strongest powers, and each one was more ridiculous than the next.


    Now, it was Liam''s turn to share.


    Sir Cornelius was doing his best not to show his excitement.


    But it definitely showed.


    "Well," Liam said after a short pause. "As you know, I''m a darkness elemental."


    Liam raised a hand, and dense mes of darkness surged from them.


    The Mayor nodded profusely again, and Liam''s eyes fell on his chin as it jiggled.


    "I can also manipte my blood contents."


    Liam raised a finger to the ceiling. A clot of blood emerged from his nail.


    Then, it slowly took the form of a mini-Liam!


    Then, it crystalized, turning into a pop-figure, which Liam put on the Mayor''s desk.


    The Mayor''s eyes widened in shock and amazement.


    "I¡­ I get to keep it?"


    Liam paused, then smiled.


    "No."


    The figurine shattered apart.

 Chapter 460 Explode

    <h4>Chapter 460 Explode</h4>


    [A/N: Adjustment-fromst-chapter. Mayor-didn''t-keep-the-blood-figurine.]


    ***


    As the Liam figurine shattered into a million motes of red glitter, a sour look bloomed on the Mayor''s face.


    Liam gave him a wry smile, but under the ruby-red lighting from the rose chandelier, it looked sinister.


    "I''m sure you understand, Mayor. My blood is¡­ a little too important for me to give to others so casually."


    The Mayor raised a hand, shaking his head. His chin jiggled again.


    "No, no! It''s my fault. I shouldn''t have made an esteemed guest ufortable with such an unreasonable request. You have every right to refuse. In fact, thank you for refusing."


    Liam nodded.


    Thankfully, the Mayor wasn''t an unreasonable or stingy person.


    Had it been anyone else, they would have thrown a temper tantrum and acted like they were entitled to Liam''s gift.


    It wasn''t surprising anymore.


    The rich and powerful were so used to getting what they wanted, their brains shut down when they didn''t.


    ¡­Huh.


    That sounded just like the Royce family.


    The Mayor looked back at Liam with a light smile and made a ''please, continue'' gesture.


    Right. Liam wasn''t done with the demonstration.


    He outstretched a hand to the side.


    "Thanks to my blood¡­ andbining with a Shifter octopus, I could freely manipte my body into any form I want to."


    SHING!


    Liam''s right hand twisted and turned, bursting into a single, jagged spike made just from his dark-crimson bone matter.


    The Mayor''s crystal-blue eyes shone with amazement.


    There was a long moment of silence.


    "You¡­ you''vebined with an octopus?" the Mayor said incredulously.


    "It''s a long story," Liam said with a wry smile. "I doubt speaking about it here would be appropriate."


    After a quiet pause, the Mayor nodded.


    Obviously, Liam hadn''t included the details of how he gained his powers in his story.


    Perhaps there wasn''t a way possible for him to urately exin it in the first ce.


    At least, without sounding like an absolute madman.


    Which he was.


    But the Mayor didn''t push for details.


    Slowly, the arm reverted back to a normal humanoid hand.


    Next, shadows flowed from Liam''s arm and enveloped his entire body.


    "You can guess where the name ''Temple of Shadow'' came from," Liam said.


    "I can manipte their mercurial form, and enhance, sharpen or strengthen anything I want."


    The Mayor watched intently as Liam slowly submerged into the floor, then reemerged from the ceiling head first.


    Silently, the Mayor''s eyes sparkled once more as he idly twisted the tip of his mustache.


    A momentter, Liam sat back on his chair.


    Liam pointed to his right eye.


    "There''s also my right eye," Liam said, conjuring a quick illusion of himself on the Mayor''s desk. "It could do¡­ that."


    Slightly amazed, the Mayor leaned in and looked at the illusion from different angles.


    Then, he looked at Liam with a nod.


    Illusions were just illusions.


    They could never be used to kill anything, hence why the Mayor didn''t over exaggerate and praise him.


    Liam continued.


    "As you know, I''m the Eternal Sword''s heir," Liam said, unsheathing his odachi.


    SHIING.


    "This is the ck de."


    The Mayor''s wide eyes ran along the peerless edge of the ck odachi, quietly studying its near-perfect form.


    By now, Liam realized the Mayor loved entertainment.


    Sort of like how some rich individuals enjoyed keeping lions in their backyards.


    Sir Cornelius enjoyed seeing the most dangerous, powerful people on the showcase their abilities.


    "May I hold it?" the Mayor asked, hoping it wasn''t an unreasonable request.


    Liam gave him a wry look.


    "I would¡­ but the sword itself doesn''t want to be held by anyone other than me."


    The Mayor raised a brow.


    "One of the Eternal Sword''s abilities," Liam said. "I can speak to my des."


    The Mayor chuckled incredulously.


    "What''s it saying now?"


    Liam nced at the odachi.


    Silence.


    Please don''t let him hold me! Please don''t let him hold me! Please don''t let him hold me!


    Liam looked back at the Mayor.


    "''Don''t let me go,''" Liam said.


    Technically, it was the truth.


    Except, the odachi wanted nothing to do with the Mayor.


    Saying that t out was a little blunt.


    And quite frankly, bad for the mood.


    So, Liam switched up the words a little.


    The Mayor hummed in amazement, twisting his mustache.


    "A Celestial''s inheritor¡­ you''re among a tiny, elite group of people, Mister Liam."


    Liam arched his brow.


    "Who else inherited a Celestial''s work?"


    Sir Cornelius tutted, thenughed cheekily.


    "I wish I could say, my friend, I really do."


    The Mayor grew serious for his next few words.


    "But my very life depends on it."


    Silence.


    Liam brushed that topic aside.


    It had to be one of the top five powerhouses.


    There had to be a reason they were so damn strong and revered.


    "Nevermind that," the Mayor said in a lighter tone. "Please, continue. I''m sure you''re just about to conclude."


    Liam nodded.


    There was no need to talk about the Eternal Sword anymore.


    Liam would just show his greatest powers and get the meeting over with.


    "By the way," Liam said suddenly. "What happens if you tell someone else a lie?"


    The Mayor smiled.


    "I instantly explode."


    "My Path denies any deceit or dishonesty, and there are already Truth Formations all around the Mount."


    "The Law of Bnce will cause me to outright die if I betray that covenant."


    Liam hummed to himself.


    That was good to know.


    "But if it makes you feel any better, I''ll add some more protections around the area."


    A momentter, the Mayor waved his hand again.


    Any faint sounds echoing from the outside grew muffled and distant, before fading into absolute silence.


    An invisible Istion Barrier had formed around the two.


    ''Good enough,'' Liam thought.


    Liam raised a hand.


    Red sparks gathered on his palm and crackled like lightning as it expanded, gradually repulsing the space around it.


    SHHHHHHH!


    "This," Liam said, "is Chaos."


    The Mayor''s jaw fell.


    His chin was jiggling on its own!


    Liam wasn''t done though.


    On his left, a ck Hole expanded in size.


    The Mayor''s tophat was nearly yanked off his head, but he used his hand to hold it in ce.


    The Mayor''s eyes widened even further.


    What was that thing?!


    And why was it pulling him towards it?!


    The ck Hole and Chaosbined, slowly forming a tiny mass of Void on the tip of Liam''s index finger.


    "And this," Liam said, "is Void."


    The Mayor''s monocle fell off his face.

 Chapter 461 Mortified

    <h4>Chapter 461 Mortified</h4>


    Sir Cornelius'' eyes were filled with shock.


    Just what was he looking at?!


    "What¡­ what is that?" the Mayor said under his breath, leaning forward.


    From what Liam saw, the Mayor had goosebumps.


    But they weren''t goosebumps of danger.


    They were of excitement, and if Liam''s senses were on point¡­ fear.


    The tiny marble of Void shot towards the ceiling, where it collided with the rose chandelier.


    WHOOM!


    CHIK!


    SHHHHhhhh¡­


    Silence.


    Void¡­ didn''t do anything against the chandelier!


    It didn''t leave a single scratch.


    To its credit, it wasn''t arge amount in the first ce.


    But this whole ce was definitely made by Rank 6 materials.


    Liam nced at the Mayor''s reaction.


    But the Mayor''s dumbfounded gaze was still pointed up at the chandelier, to the spot where the mass of void had hit.


    Liam didn''t even show him Corruption.


    But in reality, there was no need to.


    After all, this wasn''t a run down of abilities.


    It was just a demonstration of the strongest of them.


    And in reality, Liam hadn''t actually made any spells for his Corruption!


    Besides some testing with mixing it with his darkness and Chaos, he didn''t have the time to make new techniques for it.


    So, it wouldn''t be a lie to say it wasn''t one of his strongest powers.


    And as it turned out, Corruption didn''t mix with Chaos in the least.


    It didn''t mix with darkness either.


    But didn''t his ck de sh with both Darkness and Corruption?


    It did.


    However, it didn''tbine the two elements.


    It merely used Liam''s blood as a threshold between the two elements.


    In short, the two elements were shing together at the same exact time.


    Not darkness and Corruption shing as one entity.


    For several moments, the Mayor''s eyes didn''t move from that spot on the ceiling.


    But slowly, he looked back at Liam, still dumbfounded.


    Realizing how stupid he looked, the Mayor coughed into his fist, adjusted his tophat and fixed the monocle on his eye.


    "Ahem, my apologies," the Mayor said. "I¡­ I''ve only been this¡­ mortified three or four times before."


    The Mayor sighed deeply.


    "And I''ve lived for more than 2,100 years."


    ***


    Liam took that as apliment.


    For a second, he wondered who the three or four might have been that terrified him to that extent.


    That said, Liam didn''t know whether or not the Mayor had seen anything simr to his Chaos before.


    Everyone believed the Ashuras had perished during the Thousand Year War.


    But Liam''s existence proved that they were still alive.


    He had to find out where.


    ''If he knows anything, I doubt he''ll tell me.''


    Silence.


    "I don''t need to see any more," the Mayor said, raising a hand.


    "I''ve¡­ seen enough for the day. Just answer one thing for me."


    Liam tilted his head as the Mayor leaned forward.


    "Do you have anything stronger than what you just showed me?"


    Silence.


    Liam paused for a second.


    Then, he shook his head.


    There was no need to lie.


    It was the truth.


    Void was way stronger than all of Liam''s abilitiesbined.


    Well¡­ it came as a result of two powerful elementsbining.


    The Mayor let out a tense breath.


    "If anything, Mister Liam, your reputation has only been watered down."


    Liam made another snort that sounded like a chuckle.


    For that, he would have to thank the royals.


    "It wouldn''t be fair for someone like you to hang around the lower sses," the Mayor said suddenly. "I don''t usually do this, but¡­"


    "I''ll make an exception just this once."


    Liam raised a brow as the Mayor snapped his fingers.


    WHM!


    Out of nowhere, a crystal ribbon firmly wrapped around his right wrist.


    It was wafer-thin, but had the width of two fingers side-by-side.


    Liam raised it to his face.


    It had the consistency of silk, yet shimmered like a river of flowing diamonds.


    A ribbon had no right looking that good.


    "You''ll have the same privileges of the elite ss," the Mayor revealed with a smile, "and you''ll be able to enter the highest floors."


    Liam raised his brows in mild surprise.


    The ribbons represented ss.


    Some of the guests Liam saw entering through the gates wore ruby ribbons, and others had emerald.


    "Are you sure?" Liam asked. "What if one of them doesn''t want me there?"


    The Mayor chuckled, making Liam think he said something stupid.


    "Most powerhouses are not manchildren, dear friend. They''ll look at you more like a tiger cub without fangs or ws."


    Suddenly, the Mayor grew serious.


    "But I warn you. Some of them, you do not want to patronize, no matter how insulting or rude they seem."


    "Please don''t put me in a position where I have to take a side."


    Liam nodded in agreement.


    The Mayor beamed.


    "Great! We''re done here then. Please, I''ve taken enough of your time already. Go, enjoy! Have some drinks, make new friends! I''ll be with you if there''s ever an urgent matter."


    "We offer a wide array of games, but don''t get addicted!"


    The Mayor winked.


    Liam nodded.


    WHOM!


    A momentter, Liam''s surroundings changed in the blink of an eye.


    He looked up.


    He was at the foot of the colossal mountain, at the red carpets where guests were being epted into the hollowness of Mount Mayhem.


    Liam instantly put his hands in his overcoat''s pockets to hide the crystal ribbon.


    There was no need to show it off and catch unwanted attention.


    Not because he was scared of being found out.


    The world knew Liam Royce pretty well by now.


    But because he just didn''t like to speak with anyone unnecessarily.


    In controlled lines, well-dressed individuals were entering through the exquisitely decorated entrance.


    The sides of the red carpets were barricaded off with ornate little poles connected to one another.


    It was like a screening for an academic award ceremony.


    And Liam absolutely abhorred celebrities.


    ''Let''s quickly get this over with,'' Liam thought. ''I need to kill something or I''ll lose my mind.''


    At the same exact time, all of his powers were sealed!


    Liam''s King''s Eye looked like any normal eye.


    His body didn''t feel as strong as it usually did.


    He lost the ability to transform, to use his core, to use his mental waves.


    He was just a regr Joe, now.


    Without any further dy, Liam walked inside the mountain.

 Chapter 462 Games

    <h4>Chapter 462 Games</h4>


    Stepping foot into the entrance of Mount Mayhem, Liam felt like an ant entering a lighthouse¡­


    ¡­which just so happened to be the most luxurious hotel on the.


    The walls were a shimmering golden, reinforced and covered with all types of ancient artwork embroidered within them.


    Some depicted a hero''s triumph over a treacherous monster.


    Others depicted wars.


    Few depicted stories of love.


    All of them were easy to read and understand, just from a glimpse!


    At the same time, they flowed into each other seamlessly, forming one continuous diagram, no doubt drawn by a master.


    Such embroidery continued for as far as the eye could see, eventually converging onto the tip of the cone-shaped ceiling.


    The inside of the Mount was even more spacious than the out.


    ''Dimensional magic?'' Liam thought. ''Space rings exist. Can he do the same thing for his domain?''


    It wasn''t too far-fetched to think so.


    Warm lights spiraled around the base of the entrance lobby, circling around the vast golden walls until it arrived at the peak.


    The air was crisp and sterile, as though there was an invisible air conditioner blowing from somewhere.


    It wasn''t too cold.


    But it wasn''t hot.


    It hit just the spot.


    Ingrained within the walls, though, were countless floors, each one slightly differing from another as they rose above.


    But even the base lobby had so much going on, Liam didn''t know where to begin.


    It was circr in shape, but incredibly vast, and flowing with all kinds of life, both human and not.


    It was simr to a busy airport terminal, bustling with rich folk.


    Wide, tunnel-like corridors and spacious stairways here and there allowed for people to traverse up the floors.


    The tunnels themselves looked like wormholes to another, adorned with thousands of little lights resembling stars.


    Inscribed post-signs pointed to different amenities.


    Looking around, Liam gazed over the ribbons of everyone present.


    By now, he''d realized that ruby ribbons were ranked just below crystal, judging by how strong their wearers looked.


    Below that was emerald, followed by quartz, tinum and gold ribbons wrapped around their wrists.


    ''It kinda defeats the purpose of a convention if everyone can unt their status, doesn''t it?''


    Except¡­ the more Liam looked, the more he realized differently.


    Those with ruby ribbons didn''t sneer and curse away the gold ribbon wearers that approached them.


    In fact, they responded with smiles and cheers and whatnot.


    It seemed like everyone was on their best behaviors.


    Liam had his crystal ribbon hidden, hence why nobody had approached him yet.


    They were probably wary of him being a gold ribbon wearer or something.


    ''Did he forget to tell me something?'' Liam thought. ''Or is it the threat of expulsion that scares them so much?''


    Probably thetter.


    One had to remember that not everyone in the cultivation world was as used to seeing powerhouses as Liam was.


    He seemed to always get in trouble with them.


    The warning that Cornelius had given the rest probably sounded much more menacing than how Liam perceived it.


    Plus, they desperately wanted to feel important.


    ''There''s no way all these people are so important,'' Liam thought.


    ''Maybe important for their level of power.''


    The king of a small country was not the same as the


    Nevertheless, now was not the time to dwell on needless things.


    ncing around, Liam didn''t see anyone familiar, but he could tell who was a Zenith and who wasn''t.


    Although his centers of power were sealed, Liam could instantly tell who was strong and who was weak.


    Just vaguely, though.


    However, just because he didn''t have his King''s Eye or his mental waves didn''t mean Liam couldn''t tell based on appearance, demeanor and gait.


    He still had his sea of consciousness.


    His brain was still capable of instantaneous, rapid thought and deduction.


    A polished swordsman could tell how a person fought just by looking at his gait.


    Physical fighters often walked with long, strong steps, and their shoulders seemed to be in parallel harmony with their feet.


    Swordsmen had a very subtle nt in the way they walked, as though it was a passive stance in case they wanted to unsheath their weapons.


    Spell fighters walked slowly, since they were cowards who always fought from a distance.


    Inscription and Formation masters had this sparkling curiosity in their eyes, often giving everything a studying look.


    And, well, they took notes.


    ''Nerds.''


    ¡­Truthfully though, everything Liam saw was extremely impressive.


    Liam didn''t deny that.


    Every part of this ce was like an architect''s dream and an engineer''s nightmare.


    But to be fair, luxury was not a thing he chased, nor cared about.


    As in, he really, really didn''t care.


    It made no difference to him whether he lived in a cave or lived here.


    It was the same.


    Liam contemted whether or not to head for the highest floor straight away, to the powerhouses.


    But a momentter, he decided against it.


    ''I don''t even know if the powerhouses are here,'' Liam thought.


    Liam was quite early to the scene.


    Perhaps entering first could be considered rude.


    Looking at the post-signs indicating the various amenities the Mount offered, Liam studied a few of them.


    ''Dragon Wars Fighting Pit! Floor 18.''


    ''Drink off Game. Floor 26.''


    ''Pain Endurance Game. Floor 60.''


    ''Race to the Peak. Floor 230.''


    ''Aquarium. Floor 90.''


    ''Terrarium. Floor 130.''


    ''World Vige. Floor 13.''


    Liam hummed to himself.


    There were hundreds upon hundreds of floors, each one offering a different service of some kind.


    Drinks, food and entertainment.


    So much so, Liam would definitely be unable to visit them all.


    ''Interesting. So this is what the Mayor meant by having fun.''


    Liam slightly narrowed his eyes.


    ''Where''s the killing game? Or Death Ind?''


    ''I don''t think I''ll find anything more fun than that.''


    As he stood idly for a prolonged period of time, a few people eventually took notice of Liam.


    "Is¡­ is that him?"


    "What''s he wearing?"


    As though a spark was lit, more people looked at him like they''d seen a mythical creature or something.


    "The descriptions I''ve heard are¡­ so wrong," a middle-aged woman said. "Who was it that said he was one-eyed and uglier than a goblin?"


    Liam''s lip subtly twitched.

 Chapter 463 Fire Head

    <h4>Chapter 463 Fire Head</h4>


    Murmurs grew among the crowd, but Liam couldn''t hear most of it.


    "What''s he wearing?"


    "Wanna go and talk to him?"


    "What are you, crazy? Have you heard the things he''s supposedly done?! You go do it!"


    "What''s his ribbon? Someone check!"


    "I''m gonna talk to him! Did hee alone?"


    Thankfully, before anyone managed to approach him, a slightmotion grew at the entrance of the lobby.


    A crystal ribbon had arrived.


    ***


    Those looking at Liam instantly snapped their attention to the entrance.


    Since they didn''t know Liam''s ribbon, they couldn''t verify who he was 100%.


    In the first ce, as renowned and infamous as he was, his reputationpared to a powerhouse was still tiny.


    Thus, they quickly turned their heads away.


    Liam didn''t mind.


    He didn''t care, quite frankly.


    Instead, he was also interested in who came through the entrance.


    Through the crowds of people, a sole individual walked in with a stoic look on his chiseled face.


    The man radiated a sense of importance and authority, and¡ª


    Oh.


    It was just Kuan.


    The Hand of Light was dressed for the asion.


    His hair was not like a lion''s mane anymore.


    It was short with a military cut.


    A leather fur coat draped over his broad shoulders, reaching shin length.


    Underneath it, he seemed to have an updated version of the lian robe.


    It was made from ck and white silk, wrapping around his body tightly.


    Strangely enough, the pants and the upper robe were separated.


    There was even a belt on his waist to hold it all together!


    ''Are regr robes out of touch or something?'' Liam thought. ''Why is everyone trying new things?''


    Well¡­


    It was a little hypocritical for Liam to say that, but he still found it strange that the trend for clothes were shifting.


    As Kuan entered, his gaze slowly swept above to admire the scenery.


    It was just him, and the rest of his n was not with him.


    Still looking above, Kuan was subtly amazed, but didn''t make any dramatic expressions.


    Then, he lowered his eyes and looked at those present.


    Instantly, his gaze connected with Liam''s!


    Kuan raised his brows widely.


    It seemed like he was more amazed by Liam being there, rather than the scenery and the luxury.


    ''Oh, please don''t tell me he''s going to do what I think he is.''


    A momentter, he made a beeline towards Liam!


    Kuan was approaching him!


    ''Oh great,'' Liam thought.


    He was just about to turn around and head straight towards a tunnel, when a massive hand was ced on his shoulder.


    Kuan was a massive man.


    Just his hand covered his entire shoulder.


    "One second, boyo," Kuan Moyong said with a friendly voice. "Last I heard you were still asleep. Let''s talk."


    Silence.


    Liam didn''t look back instantly.


    Instead, he looked towards Kuan''s hand with dead eyes.


    One word was spoken.


    "Off."


    Silence followed.


    Liam''s words were quiet enough that those nearby didn''t hear it.


    It was also spoken under his lip, and they couldn''t read what he said.


    Two seconds of quiet passed.


    Slowly, the hand was removed, and Liam nced backwards.


    Kuan had a slightly cold smile on his stony face.


    Hand of Light knew Liam said what he said without humiliating him.


    Liam said it under his lip on purpose.


    And he said it quietly so no one could hear.


    If that wasn''t the case, the situation could go from bad to worse.


    Onlookers always created pressure around a situation and made it worse.


    And after that, it could only derail into a mess that Liam honestly didn''t want to deal with.


    But if there was no one nearby, Liam probably would have bit the powerhouse''s hand.


    Just then, Kuan rubbed his crystal ribbon.


    WHOOM!


    The air around Liam and Kuan grew silent and blurry, separating them from the crowds.


    They were in an Istion Barrier!


    Liam inwardly frowned.


    ''He didn''t tell me there was a function like that.''


    "I see my son''s effect on you," Kuan said with a serious voice. "Now you know why I exiled him."


    Liam scoffed lightly, thenughed for a second.


    "Father of the year. Have a bad son? Just exile him! He''ll learn, that pesky little brat."


    Kuan frowned darkly.


    "You''ve grown quite the ego, boyo. Think Alucard will run to save you when I arrive at your doorstep?"


    "Nah," Liam said. "But he''d have a good excuse to arrive at yours."


    Liam grinned maliciously and leaned forward.


    "Wanna give it to him?"


    There was a long pause.


    A momentter, Kuan burst intoughter. He pped Liam''s shoulder heavily repeatedly.


    Liam inwardly grimaced, but kept a neutral face.


    "You have grit, boyo," Kuan said, but grew serious. "But there''s a fine line between bravery and idiocy. Watch your step."


    The talk was over.


    Kuan rubbed his crystal ribbon again.


    WHM!


    And the Istion Barrier dissipated.


    By then, arge crowd of people had gathered around the spectacle, but scattered when Kuan and Liam had exited the barrier.


    "I''m serious, though," Kuan said. "We need to have a serious talk."


    "About?" Liam asked.


    "The reason this party was even made," Kuan said. "I''ll drag you. Don''t make this difficult."


    Liam grunted. "Fine."


    A momentter, the two made their way towards a tunnel.


    There was a figure who approached the two just then.


    It was a middle-aged man with fiery red eyes and¡­ long burning hair.


    As in, it was literally on fire, but it seemed to be a part of the man''s appearance.


    The man smiled as broad as he could.


    He had a ruby ribbon, marking him as a celebrity.


    "I''m Fire Head!" eximed the man. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir! May I apany you two?"


    An awkward pause.


    A cricket could be heard chirping in the background.


    Kuan slowly looked at Liam.


    Liam slowly looked at Kuan.


    And the two burst with mutualughter at the idiot''s name.


    "Head the opposite direction, boy," Kuan said, stillughing as he walked away. "And change your retarded name."

 Chapter 464 Piss

    <h4>Chapter 464 Piss</h4>


    It seemed as though Kuan hated celebrities just as much as Liam did.


    It was just something about their narcissistic, self-loving, overly boasting, self-righteous demeanors that made his skin crawl.


    But the two found themselves in avish cafeteria with tables shaped like living jellyfish.


    ¡­Probably because they were.


    The caf¨¦ was themed with dim blue colors, and everything on the stupidly long menu was free.


    Looking through the wide windows opposite to him, Liam''s eyes were met with a breathtaking view of the waters.


    It looked less like an ocean and more like a sea of stars, due to how clear the crystal waters had be.


    It was floor 139, even though Liam and Kuan definitely didn''t travel those many floors by foot.


    As Liam thought, the use of dimensional magic was being used here.


    Kuan didn''t seem too surprised, though, making Liam think this was somethingmon among Rank 6''s.


    ''I mean¡­ I can teleport already. Can''t imagine what these people could do.''


    Those seated around Liam and Kuan snuck nces in their direction, but looked away as Liam''s gaze met theirs.


    ''Weirdos.''


    Liam looked at Kuan, who was currently sipping down a sulent yellow drink that strangely kept multiplying itself.


    It looked like piss.


    And seeing Kuan enjoy it gave Liam a strange sense of childish satisfaction.


    "So?" Liam said with a little impatience in his voice. "Tell me the big secret reason this meeting was made."


    Kuan gave Liam a displeased look, then proceeded to sip up the remainder of his urine, even letting out a sigh of refreshment.


    Liam nearlyughed, but his expression didn''t change.


    Kuan activated the Istion Barrier once more.


    Then, he heaved a long sigh.


    "Never thought I''d discuss this with you of all people," Kuan said. "But here we are."


    Liam said nothing.


    But Kuan had to be the least self-aware person on the.


    "I think there''s something sketchy going on," Kuan said quietly, even though no one could possibly hear him.


    "Someone is nning something, and I can''t put my finger on what it is."


    "You think?" Liam said with a slight frown. "You''re not even sure?"


    "I am," Kuan said with a mild re. "Otherwise, there wouldn''t be so many powerhouses, literal enemies,ing together like this."


    Kuan narrowed his eyes.


    "Echorians would never enter the same room as their sworn enemy, unless it''s to kill them."


    "And yet, the Queen just decided to swing by? She didn''t do this for fun."


    "It''s probably because of the two new powerhouses."


    "A new alliance could be made here."


    "A power imbnce that could lead to war..."


    Kuan''s face was heavy, and his tone was grim.


    Except¡­


    Liam really couldn''t make himself care.


    "I think you''ve forgotten who you''re talking to," Liam said. "I''m not even a Zenith yet. None of this concerns me."


    Well, in one sense, it did.


    However, it was far too early for Liam to get involved in world-scale conflicts.


    He couldn''t affect them, so why bother?


    These weren''t his waters.


    It was better for him to stick to issues pertaining to Rank 4 and Rank 5 Zeniths.


    Rank 6 was too far away for the likes of him.


    Even Rank 5 was, but at least he could more or less survive when around them.


    Kuan paused for a second, then sighed.


    "You''re not wrong."


    A pause.


    "But you know you''re marked for death, right? Echorian Royalty are a vicious breed of people."


    Right.


    The promise for revenge.


    Liam almost forgot about that.


    But he was still breathing, right?


    Maybe they had a change of heart?


    ¡­As if.


    "I''ll deal with that when ites to it," Liam said. "I don''t think they''ll send the Queen herself to kill me."


    Kuanughed to himself.


    "You never know. Regal as you think she is, appearances could be deceiving."


    Liam didn''t know what Kuan meant. He paused, then arched a brow.


    "Don''t you rule over the Dual Empires''nds? You know, the one the Queen was allied with?"


    Liam grinned.


    "The way I see it, your namees before mine on the kill list."


    Silence.


    Kuan gave Liam a cold look.


    "Who do you think you''re talking to? I can defend myself just fine, boy! Do you think my inaction equals weakness?"


    Liam shrugged.


    "It is still inaction."


    Silence.


    Kuan scoffed. It seemed as though he forced himself to calm down.


    Liam was purposely pulling his leg, after all.


    "You remind me of him more and more," Kuan said with a frown, rising to his feet and preparing to leave.


    "Why take over the Dual Empire''snds?" Liam asked suddenly. "Was it the Abominations you wanted to study?"


    Kuan shook his head.


    "Most of the Abominations slowly died off after the Empress did. Just a few remain now."


    ¡­Shame.


    Liam would have liked to study a wider array of Abominations to understand why they were so¡­ morbidly unique.


    But there were a good number of Fearists that joined the Temple. He could still analyze them, albeit on a weaker scale.


    ''He probably enved one or two Rank 6 Abominations,'' Liam thought. ''Lucky dog.''


    "But now, it was never about thends themselves," Kuan said, then paused for one second.


    "It''s about where thends themselves are."


    Liam raised his brows slightly.


    "You know nothing, boyo. Nothing at all."


    The talk was over.


    The Istion Barrier puffed out, and Kuan left without another word. Probably to look for other powerhouses or ces of interest.


    How rude.


    ''Politicians,'' Liam sneered. ''Just as vile as celebrities.''


    Just then, Liam felt a pair of eyes on his figure.


    His gaze snapped around¡­ but there was no one there, and the feeling disappeared.


    If it was just any other pair of eyes, Liam would have dismissed them.


    People snuck nces now and again.


    But he could feel something strange behind this pair. Was it killing intent? Or something else?


    He didn''t know.


    Having his powers sealed, even momentarily, frustrated Liam to no end.


    It was like having a scratch that you couldn''t itch.


    ''They''re still watching me from somewhere,'' Liam thought. ''Where?''


    Before he could root out where the gaze came from, a massive form circled the waters in the distance.

 Chapter 465 Stalker

    <h4>Chapter 465 Stalker</h4>


    Walking over to the window side of the cafeteria, Liam watched as a sea creature the length of two buildings arrived at the ind.


    It was an octopus.


    Except, at that monstrous size, width and length, it couldn''t be called an octopus anymore.


    It was definitely a kraken.


    But it was still a peak Rank 5 magical beast.


    Atop the kraken was a middle-aged man with short aqualine hair and hard, ocean-blue eyes.


    All signs pointed to the man being an Oceanor.


    A few folks in the cafe seemed to recognize the man.


    Another celebrity?


    ¡­Disgusting.


    "It''s Bill!" a woman said. An inscription master by the looks of it. "Bill McGill!"


    Liam creased his brows in confusion.


    He had never heard a name so stupid in his entire life.


    Nevertheless, he didn''t care about some small-time celebrity.


    Liam began treading his way through a tunnel.


    A few people recognized him, vaguely whispering behind his back.


    And yet, the strange pair of eyes burned a hole in his back.


    Liam turned around.


    Silence and a few faces met his gaze.


    But the strange feeling was gone.


    ''Am I¡­ being stalked?'' Liam thought with confusion. ''Who?''


    Liam turned around and continued on his path like normal.


    Was he being paranoid?


    No.


    He was definitely being followed.


    But there were so many ways to root out a stalker.


    Why rush?


    ''Maybe they''ll stop being shy and show themselves by then.''


    Until then, Liam wanted to find someone actually useful to talk to.


    Like a Forgemaster, Inscriptionmaster, a Formationer or otherwise.


    If they shared the same methods of inscribing as him, such as using blood as a medium, perhaps Liam could exchange a few pointers with them.


    Heck, maybe Liam could recruit such a person to join the Temple? Only if they weren''t a celebrity. Or annoying.


    If.


    Slowly, Liam was rising through the floors. Eventually, he''d arrive at the peak, but not before he browsed through a few things that caught his eye.


    A few momentster, Liam had arrived on floor 211.


    The whole floor consisted only of cksmiths and hard-eyed forgemasters.


    The entire floor was a smithy, after all, with state-of-the-art tools up for sale.


    Except, for Liam, most of these tools would never prove useful.


    Liam forged using just his mental waves and his core, which wasn''t particrlymon for many.


    A hammer to a cksmith was like a sword to a swordsman!


    Except, magical beasts were not as rigid and powerful as metal, and could be softened through ''Ora''.


    Looking around, Liam realized something.


    Compared to all those present, Liam looked incredibly out of ce.


    All forgemasters had a certain gruffness to them.


    Their metallic aroma, their thick beards, their bulging, tanned forearms and shoulders, and, most of the time, their bald heads.


    ¡­Except, Liam bore no resemnce to anyone of that type!


    His hands were slender.


    His hair was trimmed and styled.


    And he had no beard.


    Despite that, the cksmiths didn''t really hassle his presence too much.


    They didn''t even know who he was!


    Liam remembered Rogan.


    Then he remembered Lloyd.


    Then he remembered Revel.


    If it was one kind of person that Liam liked, it was their kind.


    But he no longer felt solemn remembering them.


    "Interested in forging, kid?" a gruff voice beside Liam called out. "A hobby''s not a bad thing to have."


    Liam looked at the source of the voice.


    He fit the cksmith stereotype perfectly.


    The man had a short, graying beard.


    His hair swept up to the side of his head, like wings raised to the sky.


    He was elderly, but still muscr.


    He was on the shorter side, but didn''t look too beefy.


    And his iron-gray eyes had a vigor that didn''t match his age.


    "I''m already a forgemaster, old man," Liam said, and the man arched his bushy white brow. "A damn good one, too."


    The man paused for a second, thenughed. "You have the characteristics of one. Look like a swordsman, too. Got a piece you could show me?"


    Now that Liam had a closer look, the man had a ruby ribbon, while most of the other forgemasters present had emerald and below.


    This was no normal individual, it seemed.


    Liam paused for a second, then rubbed his ribbon, activating the Istion Barrier.


    As the air turned blurry, the old man raised a brow.


    "He didn''t tell me it had something like that," he frowned.


    When it formed entirely, Liam unsheathed the odachi from his space ring.


    Space rings were still allowed under the premises.


    Weapons too, it seemed at first nce, but when Liam ran a finger across the ck de''s edge, it didn''t draw any blood.


    At the same time, he couldn''t use his Sword Connection and speak to his swords.


    The Formations here were incredibly restrictive and protective, after all.


    Liam outstretched his ck de to the old man, who grabbed it by the hilt and examined it with an interested look.


    He expressed a bit of surprise.


    "Magical beast parts?" he asked.


    Liam nodded. "Indeed."


    The man hummed to himself. "Not bad, not bad. You''veyered its edge¡­ five times?"


    Liam nodded.


    Layering was when Liam used the same material over and over, while condensing it as he forged the weapon.


    Five times was the limit he had done with the ck de.


    Anymore, and it would have broken.


    The old man guessed it with just his normal eyesight, which even Liam wouldn''t be able to do.


    "You could have gone for seven or eight. Tell me, though¡­ why is this sword so¡­ in?"


    Liam''s lips twitched.


    "Huh?"


    The old manughed, disying a few missing teeth.


    "I mean¡­ it''s iner than bread, son! It has no specialty¡­ wait, no, it does. Ah, shes. Just shes? Do youck creativity, or are you just stupid?"


    Ah.


    Liam forgot one of the characteristics of a cksmith was to be as insulting as they could when it came to weapons and forging in general.


    One couldn''t me them.


    Their insults came from a ce of fashion. Chefs viciously cursed at their co-workers all the time.


    Thus, Liam didn''t curse at the man straight away.


    Instead, perhaps this was finally a chance to learn something beneficial.


    "Exin."

 Chapter 466 Canvas

    <h4>Chapter 466 Canvas</h4>


    Swinging, stabbing and cutting with Liam''s ck de a couple of times, the old man heaved a long sigh.


    It was clear that he wasn''t a swordsman.


    He didn''t even seem like a fighter of any kind.


    "It''s simple, really. You''ve added nothing to this weapon. Nothing at all! It has no individuality. It''s just a sword that you swing left to right, up to bottom."


    Liam pursed his lips, as though he was thinking deeply.


    "Now, correct me if I''m wrong," Liam said, "butst I heard that''s exactly what a sword is."


    "Ha!" the old manughed. "Youck creativity, son."


    A momentter, the man''s expression grew heavy and serious.


    "A sword is what you want it to be. You could be the sword itself! If your two hands can change one shape into another, what stops you from changing the idea itself?"


    There was a moment of silence.


    Liam didn''t even know the old man''s name yet.


    And yet, there was something about his words that held weight. Importance and wisdom.


    In short, he was asking Liam to redefine what a sword really was. Not just confine himself to what the norms were.


    ¡­Didn''t Liam already do that with himself? He distanced himself entirely from humanity, and all its behaviors.


    Beneath those sharp, golden eyes were nothing but vile disgust, cruel sadism, unending greed, bottomless hunger, merciless violence and pure bloodlust.


    Among other things, of course.


    What stopped him from doing the same for his swords?


    Sword Connection already altered their personalities, but their base functions were the same as normal.


    That had to change.


    Liam would have to make them unique!


    However, Liam had already done that with the Breaker de.


    Perhaps no other sword could do what the Breaker could.


    It flowed through his shadows, which not too man


    "What''s your name," the old man said. "Mine''s Kamjin, or the Iron Hammer, if you were gonna ask at all."


    "I wasn''t," Liam responded, causing the old man tough at his joke, only to realize that he was serious. "Liam Royce."


    Liam didn''t recognize the man''s features.


    He was probably from a smaller, less known country thatcked a powerhouse.


    "Oh¡­" Kamjin raised his brows in surprise. "I''ve heard about you. To think you were a forgemaster all this time."


    The man didn''t seem ufortable around Liam.


    Nor did he have any scorn or admonishment in his eyes when knowing who Liam was, or what he did.


    ''Not as annoying as I thought,'' Liam thought.


    A secondter, Liam took out one of his Dusk des and the Breaker.


    As soon as Kamjin saw them, his eyes widened with interest, and he gestured for Liam to give him the weapons.


    Liam gave them to him.


    Why not?


    It was a free assessment from an experienced Forgemaster.


    But a secondter, his eyes scrutinized the weapons deeply.


    A few minutes passed as the gruff old man analyzed the weapons.


    "Same issue," Kamjin said at the end of it. "You''ve designed these with different purposes. But at their core, they are the same."


    He gestured at the Dusk des. "This is meant for ripping and tearing. Pure savagery, basically."


    He gestured at the Breaker. "This is meant for breaking and crushing. Brute force."


    "So, the first sword is the most lethal. The second causes the most pain. And the third is the strongest."


    The man shrugged. "You''re painting a ck canvas with different shades of gray."


    "Color exists, you know."


    Liam wanted to spit on the cksmith''s face for just a second.


    His words weren''t even that insulting, but he spoke as though Liam''s greatest effort was¡­ mediocre.


    "The only thing I''d call slightly more unique than the rest is this titanic sword. You''ve added something to it, but I can''t tell what."


    "It can flow beneath the shadows," Liam said. "And phase through walls."


    Kamjin''s eyes widened. "There you go! That''s more like it. Why don''t the other two swords have functions like that? You''re a neglectful person, Liam Royce."


    "Yeah, yeah," Liam said dismissively. "I''ve shown you mine, show me yours."


    Kamjin scoffed proudly.


    WHOOM!


    A wooden sword appeared in Kamjin''s hands.


    Liam was taken aback.


    It was¡­ just a wooden sword.


    Like a regr bokken used for sword practice.


    It was clean, but the shape was a little uneven.


    It wasn''t even sharp!


    Despite that, there was something off about the weapon that Liam didn''t understand.


    It was dangerous.


    "This," Kamjin said with a broad smile, "is a sword of its own. Iparable to others."


    "Mhm. Now exin what it does," Liam said impatiently.


    Kamjin sighed. "Follow me to the testing range."


    Kamjin started moving, and Liam followed.


    ''I''m still being followed,'' Liam thought. ''They''re a dedicated one.''


    Both of them arrived at a controlled area with hundreds of wooden target dummies stationed apart from one another.


    Liam instantly felt some of his powers returning to him.


    For one, his physical strength and his sword techniques.


    Here and there, groups of people were testing their weapons on the dummies.


    And no matter how viciously they shed them apart, they couldn''t break the humanoid target dummies.


    They were obviously inscribed.


    ''They suck,'' Liam thought as he assessed their sword techniques.


    Eventually, Liam and Kamjin arrived at a free target dummy.


    Groups of people paid particr attention towards them.


    "You go first," Kamjin said. "I want to embarrass you in front of the others."


    Liam red at him. "You know I''m not a Zenith right? Your weapon is Rank 5 item, isn''t it?"


    "This ce is special," Kamjin countered. "It puts all the weapons under one level. All that matters is how they''re made and the techniques you use."


    Silence.


    Liam didn''t know that.


    But okay.


    Why not?


    "Fine," Liam answered, lightly gripping his odachi and bending his knees.


    SHING!


    A ck streak made a wide arc around the wooden dummy''s head.


    Liam reappeared behind it.


    And slowly¡­


    The head rolled off.


    A few secondster, the severed head wobbled, then an invisible force pulled it back to its head.


    There were a few gasps.


    And people started pping.


    "Wow," Kamjid said, pping his hands slowly. It was hard to tell if he was genuine. "I''ll be honest, I didn''t think you''d actually cut it."


    Liam scoffed.


    "My turn," Kamjin said, taking slow steps towards the dummy with the wooden sword in his hand. "Watch closely."


    Then, with no particr form or special technique, the cksmith mmed the wooden sword across the inscribed dummy''s chest.


    BOOOOOOOM!


    The dummy was disintegrated almost instantly, and not a trace of it remained.

 Chapter 467 Bill McGill

    <h4>Chapter 467 Bill McGill</h4>


    A long, quiet silence followed.


    Liam had no clue what he just witnessed.


    What exactly happened?


    The puppet that countless Zeniths couldn''t damage, the old man erased from existence.


    The onlookers had dumb expressions.


    The Iron Hammer gave Liam a broad, cheeky smile.


    "Hahaha! The dumb look on your face makes this little pissing contest worth it."


    "That''s not even a sword," Liam said with a frown. "It''s a bomb. You can''t just change a concept of a sword so¡ª"


    "Where''s the mes?" Kamjin interrupted with a cheeky expression. "Did you see a wisp of fire?"


    There was a pause.


    In truth, Liam didn''t see any element being used.


    But due to the way the dummy was incinerated, he assumed fire was used.


    Except, it wasn''t.


    Now that he thought about it for a second, he realized something.


    The puppet didn''t disintegrate all at once, although it seemed like it did.


    It disintegrated from the point of impact first, then continued rapidly across the entire wooden puppet.


    Meaning, something had spread from the weapon as it made contact with the wood!


    Two seconds of silence passed.


    Liam vaguely figured it out.


    And it was a little shocking.


    Although the sword was wooden, and looked extremely blunt, this was not the case.


    In fact, it was actually stupidly sharp.


    But it also had a special ability.


    When the bokken hit the puppet full force, the sharpness spread across it evenly from the point of impact!


    It continued like so, festering like a disease, until it seemed like the puppet was instantly eviscerated.


    Forging-wise, this weapon was a wonder.


    And the material was actual wood!


    Other than being more durable than regr materials, it wasn''t special or magical in any way!


    That meant that the sharpness was made through pure Meanings alone.


    ''It''s not even enhanced with inscriptions,'' Liam thought. ''Everything is imbued within the weapon itself.''


    "Go on," Kamjin said with a cheeky smirk, storing the wooden sword. "Hold back no praise. I''ll wait."


    Liam scoffed in slight disdain.


    But he had to be honest.


    The weapon was amazing.


    "It''s decent. But aren''t you 300 years old? Why are you boasting to someone a fraction of your age?"


    Kamjin burst out inughter.


    "You struck me as someone older. Was I too harsh, son? Need a band-aid? Or should I kiss where it hurts?"


    How nice.


    "I think I''ve had enough of this ce," Liam said with a long sigh.


    He had learned a few important things from the Iron Hammer.


    The conversation gave him insight.


    A few ideas for his ck de and Dusks that might be a little too ridiculous.


    But knowing a wooden sword could erase things with a simple touch raised his standards.


    "What country are you from, even?" Liam asked Kamjin.


    Liam was a little curious about the cksmith. Not many people in the cultivation world were as direct and blunt. And impressive.


    "An ind up north. And I don''t ept visitors!" Kamjin said firmly. "Don''t try and show up announced requesting a sword or something. I kill on sight."


    Silence.


    Huh?


    "You don''t have any affiliation with a country?" Liam asked, a little surprised.


    The Iron Hammer responded by clicking his tongue in affirmation. "Can''t be annoyed."


    That was surprising.


    But on second thought, the Iron Hammer did seem like an anti-social hermit.


    "I''d ask you to join my n, but I know you''d decline," Liam said.


    The Iron Hammer smirked approvingly. "Smart."


    "Well. Have fun annoying the others," Liam said as he turned to leave.


    Kamjin smiled with a few missing teeth. "Will do. Maybe one day I''ll embarrass you once again."


    ***


    Liam headed to the next tunnel.


    Slowly, he was moving up.


    A few hundred floors remained until the final one.


    The next stop?


    The Aquarium!


    Liam wanted to meet with a few Oceanors.


    There were several reasons that sea exploration was more beneficial than thend.


    There were more magical beasts to eat.


    More magical environments.


    And there was less of a threat from doing so.


    At least, from humanity.


    Liam wanted to distance himself from politics.


    In fact, he was thinking he could give the reins to Jargon or Verium or Jane for a while.


    Maybe go back to his roots as a lone cultivator.


    Forming a Path wasn''t a group activity, after all. The less effect others had, the better.


    The aquarium was no doubt a gathering ce for these kinds of people.


    Liam changed floors once again, and the environment changed from a smithy, to a beautiful disy of enclosed sea creatures, swimming this way and that through ss walls and huge tubes.


    Octopus Sharks, Gem Fish, Ice Axolotls and incredibly rare animals were being showcased.


    As they swam by, their shadows were cast through the mirrors.


    Tables were stationed here and there, overlooking the aquarium ss.


    People were freely socializing. Food and drinks were offered, too.


    Quite frankly, Liam was bored out of his mind.


    He wanted nothing more than to begin his Path already!


    But here he was, not killing things.


    Sigh¡­


    Looking around, most of the tables were actually upied. The Aquarium was avable to people of all ribbons, not just ruby or emerald.


    Liam looked left and right.


    Just then, he spotted a free table.


    And it was the only table that had just one person on it.


    The rest were all busy with groups talking to each other.


    But¡­


    It was a person that Liam didn''t really want to interact with.


    The person had an emerald ribbon, but that wasn''t the problem.


    ''Is there no one else?'' Liam thought, his gaze sweeping the area.


    Liam sighed.


    ¡­Bill McGill it was.


    Carefully, Liam approached the man''s table, putting on a socializing expression.


    As soon as the man saw Liam approach, he expressed mild surprise, then rose to his feet and spread his hands.


    "Ah! Is that the infamous Reapering my way? Or is it finally my time?"


    Liam smiled. "Please, call me Liam. Mind if I sit down? I was hoping to ask you a few things."


    "Of course not! Come, please. You were actually just the man I was looking for."


    Not knowing what that meant, Liam sat down opposite the smiling man.


    He ordered two drinks and looked back at Liam with a toothy smirk.


    "Mister Liam, have you ever¡­ invested in something?"

 Chapter 468 Investment

    <h4>Chapter 468 Investment</h4>


    Recliningfortably on his barnacle-shaped chair, Liam crossed his legs and shook his head.


    Investment?


    Liam had never heard of that term in the cultivation world.


    Stocks didn''t exist here. The only time you invested in something was when you put up money for a horse race or otherwise.


    "What kind of investment are you talking about?" Liam asked curiously.


    Bill McGill smiled cryptically. Just then, the drinks arrived, and he put one ss in front of Liam, and gripped the other himself.


    The drinks looked translucent, but had an incredibly pungent odor. A whiff sharply stung Liam''s nose.


    "If you''ve never heard of me, you''re probably wondering what it is I do," Bill said, then casually took a sip.


    Revolted, he red at the ss of liquid. "Ugh, disgusting. White Brine doesn''t taste like this. This is Shark Salt!"


    Bill wasining about his drink in typically entitled celebrity fashion.


    ¡­But what the heck did these Oceanors usually drink?


    Noticing Liam''s strange expression, Bill shook his head and put the ss down, coughing into his fist.


    "Nevermind that. Apologies. I lost myself for a second there," Bill said. "As I was saying. What my job is."


    Bill leaned closer and smiled slightly.


    "I''m a problem solver. Not for the people above ground, no, no. I don''t think their problems could be solved, in the first ce."


    "I''m talking about our buddies living in the depths."


    Liam raised a brow.


    "Mermaids? What kind of sentient creatures live below the waters?"


    Billughed knowingly, subconsciously taking another sip of his drink and spitting it back out again.


    "...Sorry, force of habit. Anyway, the majority of people don''t actually know about theplex ocean systems below."


    "Almost everything is sentient there, man! Even Kraky is."


    Liam raised his brows. Till now, the only talking beasts he''d met were Kitsu and the talking messenger owl.


    Except, the former was a one in a million magical beast, and thetter wasn''t even real. It was just a puppet made from the Mayor''s Path.


    Perhaps the depths weren''t as wild and untamed as he thought.


    If there were civilized societies, that probably meant that they had trading systems with those above ground.


    "Who''s Kraky?" Liam asked, not knowing the strange term.


    "Oh, it''s my pet kraken," Bill said with a grin, then he leaned in and whispered.


    "It can talk?" Liam asked, a little surprised.


    Bill nodded enthusiastically. "If you want, I can bring you out for a ride. Though¡­ it has a habit of drowning people it doesn''t like, so..."


    Liam chuckled.


    "I''ll take you up on that some time, thanks. What kind of sentience are you talking about? Do they have mental spheres? Civilizations?"


    Bill McGill took another sip, except he wasn''t disgusted this time.


    "Entire Kingdoms. This isn''tmon knowledge, but most of the countries you know already have connections with them."


    "Most of the world''s treasurese from the deep, not the surface."


    "The oceans have their own zones and quadrants, each ruled by different species."


    "I myself haven''t been able to score any connections with the big fish, but I''m way more connected than most people."


    ''And yet, you were sitting alone,'' Liam thought. ''Is it just your personality that''s annoying?''


    "And no, they don''t actually have mental spheres tomunicate with," Bill said, crossing his legs.


    "It''s¡­ a long story, but in short, one of their lizard ancestors found an artifact that allowed them tomunicate with those onnd."


    "After a few back and forths, they managed to create aplex system that has been developing for centuries upon end, benefiting both sides equally."


    "But¡­ well, the lizard guy ended up ughtering the humans that helped it grow, which prompted a lifelong hatred between the two races."


    "Only a few trusted Oceanors venture the waters now. There seems to be a certain treaty between the powerhouses not to poke their noses where it doesn''t belong."


    "But as long as they let us in, we''re cool."


    Liam raised a brow.


    Indeed, this was new to him.


    "What kind of problems do you solve, then?" Liam asked.


    Bill chuckled. "The ancient issue that''s been guing us all, friend."


    "The issue of racial conflict."


    Liam arched a serious brow. "Racism?"


    "Woah, woah. Not the skin color type," Bill corrected. "As in, literal species differences. These sea friends of ours are more territorial than us humans, believe it or not."


    "Although they live under one sea, they despise one another. In fact, most of the time, they wage war over the stupidest things."


    "They''ve separated themselves into Quadrants, which are basically miniature oceans¡­ within the ocean."


    Bill leaned forward with a smile and steepled his fingers. "But that''s where Ie in, friend."


    "My organization, the Nautilus Oceanique Company Limited, or NOCL for short, provides protection and safety for those who can afford it."


    Now, Liam was seriously taken aback¡­ what kind of shenanigans did Oceanors get into?


    "I arrange secret meetings between enemies, provide 24/7 protection for smaller kingdoms, execute search and rescue for those held hostage by rogue Oceanors, and have¡­ other services, if you know what I mean."


    Bill winked.


    Silence.


    Heck was that supposed to mean?


    ''Illegal stuff?'' Liam thought. ''Pretty sure the oceans are aswless as thends.''


    For a second, Liam reassessed Bill McGill as a whole.


    He wasn''t a celebrity.


    He was a CEO!


    That was¡­ more or less the same thing.


    "Are the oceans really that dangerous?" Liam asked, a little surprised. "It sounds worse than thends above."


    "It is worse," Bill confirmed. "Much, much more cutthroat."


    "For the past 200 years or so, thepany has been flourishing exceptionally. Our branches have even spread across four total Quadrants!"


    From the enthusiastic tone Bill said that with, Liam assumed four Quadrants were a lot.


    Suddenly, Bill''s face grew severe, and his tone turned dark and quiet. The enthusiasm melted off, reced with sinister concern.


    "But I''m under pressure, Liam. Recently, a new organization, Aquafina Global, has been preying on my life''s work. They want what''s mine, and they''re imitating all my methods!"


    "So much so, some of my clients have left me because of them. They came out of nowhere, and are probably led by a spineless prick too afraid to show his ugly face."


    Bill looked left and right, making sure no one heard his following words. Then, he leaned forward and whispered:


    "Tell me, Reaper¡­ are you as skilled in killing as they say you are?"

 Chapter 469 Eyes

    <h4>Chapter 469 Eyes</h4>


    Hearing those words, Liam nearlyughed.


    A CEO of a renowned organization hiring an assassin to eliminate a rivalpetitor?


    ¡­Who could have seen thating?


    In short, the Nautilus Oceanique Company Limited was no doubt a good idea.


    It was the perfect example of selling water to a thirsty man in the desert.


    However, the first person to invent something often had the most copycats.


    Although they weren''t as renowned and authentic as the original thing, if backed by a powerful individual, could result in the opposite.


    Unfair as it might be, that was the way business went.


    The ocean was a dangerous ce.


    By growing a protection service like Bill did, there had to be intricate nning and exceptional leadership involved.


    And Bill fit¡­ the bill.


    At the same time, there was something off with Bill''s request.


    Why would he need Liam to kill someone for him when he was already a Rank 5 Zenith?


    Even his riding beast was a peak Rank 5 kraken!


    Did Liam''s infamy and reputation outgrow his actual strength?


    ¡­Propaganda was indeed a terrifying tool.


    "Wait, don''t give me an answer yet," Bill said, raising a hand and sighing. "Sorry. I''m no murderer or anything¡­ and I''m not saying you are, either, ha ha¡­"


    Liam raised a suspicious brow.


    Bill coughed into his fist and smiled wryly.


    "Why can''t you just deal with it yourself?" Liam asked. "It''s not like you''re unable."


    Bill shook his head. It seemed like the history between humans and fish-kind was much moreplicated than that.


    "If Aquafina Global turns out to be run by a sapient sea creature after I eliminate them, then I can bid farewell to my entire business," Bill exined.


    "No one will trust me anymore. I''ve reached where I am because of the trust I''ve built with them. They like me. Somewhat¡­ I think."


    Liam hummed to himself.


    This situation was indeedplicated.


    "In the first ce, I''m not actually telling you to kill anyone," Bill reassured with an awkward chuckle.


    "That''s¡­ more like ast resort sort of thing. This requires delicacy."


    A fragile silence hung over the air. Liam remained silent.


    "Tell you what," Bill said, taking out a blue Jade from his ring. "Why don''t you think it over? My door''s always open. Being an Oceanor is way more fun than you think."


    Bill winked again, but all Liam felt was annoyance.


    Nodding, Liam took out his own Jade and tapped against the CEO''s, saving his contact.


    "There we go. We''re officially friends, you and I!" the CEO said with a broad smile. "A pleasure speaking with you, friend."


    "Likewise," Liam responded with a smile. ''Not really.''


    The talk was finally over.


    Liam rose to his feet and bid the man adieu, taking out his stopwatch and assessing the time as he walked away.


    ***


    Liam went through a series of floors following his chat with Bill McGill, which nothing too drastic came out of.


    He went through the renowned Dragon Wars fighting pit, which was just a massive colosseum but for magical beasts to duel one another.


    The previous Liam would have enjoyed the sight for a simple reason.


    Because it was a showcase of power and might.


    The blows being exchanged were enough to incinerate entire cities to ash.


    And yet, the current Liam enjoyed the scene because of the pain both sides were going through.


    They were ripping each other apart ferociously, and Liam loved every second of it.


    After that, Liam entered the Racing Game and came in third out of a hundred.


    During the Racing Game, you could only use your speed-based abilities.


    The Formations around could figure out if you were using anything that was contrary to that.


    So, strengthening your legs was not allowed.


    Only speed.


    Buting third was nothing.


    Losing wasn''t in Liam''s dictionary!


    Thus, he entered the Racing Game again.


    And he came in fifth.


    So he entered once more.


    And came second.


    After six races, Liam just called it quits.


    He kept losing to a speedster called the Red sh, who had a severely annoying smirk each time he won.


    He wore a yellow skinsuit with bolts of lightning painted on its surface.


    Despite his idiotic appearance, Liam couldn''t beat him, even though both parties were roughly nerfed to the same level.


    The man''s element was literally lightning, and all his powers were based around speed and agility.


    The Red sh was associated with the Echorians.


    Some new celebrity.


    ''So the Echorians are here?'' Liam thought after leaving the Racing Game. He didn''t win any race.


    ''That means they''re probably here.''


    Liam grinned.


    ''I''ll probably meet them. If they''re important enough, of course.''


    Just then, two familiar figures appeared on the same floor Liam was on.


    The first was a beautiful violet haired woman wearing a long overcoat. She had purple eyes, the iris of which was vertical.


    The second was a handsome, red-haired man with a rigid build and wise features. His vermillion irises seemed to have a profound light in them.


    Of course, these two were none other than Rin and Nord.


    Groups of people flocked to them almost instantly, swarming them in a stream of unending questions.


    But, wasn''t Liam equally famous?


    Yes.


    But for different things.


    Liam was famous for murder.


    Nord was famous for being the Giant''s heir.


    And Rin was famous for being an incredible forgemaster and fighter.


    Nord had a ruby ribbon.


    And¡­ strangely, Rin had a crystal!


    That was strange.


    Liam chuckled to himself.


    The two didn''t notice him, but Liam was out of there.


    He wasn''t about to hear another hypocritical speech about his morality by an idiot.


    He was treading through yet another tunnel, intending to head to the peak, when a figure appeared beside Liam.


    "Truth or dare?"


    A quiet, slightly melodious voice belonging to a middle-aged man whispered to his side.


    Annoyed, Liam looked to his side¡­


    ...and the most breathtaking pair of eyes met his gaze.


    It was as though the two irises consisted of thousands of little cogs made from a priceless sapphire, functioning in hypnotizing harmony.


    This was no doubt a powerhouse, and the crystal ribbon on the man''s wrist was more than enough proof.

 Chapter 470 Truth or Dare

    <h4>Chapter 470 Truth or Dare</h4>


    Liam was hypnotized by the eyes for several seconds, before he forced his vision to constrict, revealing the rest of the man''s attire.


    It was a slim, slightly short man reaching 5''5 in height.


    He had smooth, baster skin and slender, unblemished hands and limbs.


    His long hair was a smooth, corvid-ck color with streaks of pearly white ¡ª styled to a loose man bun.


    His attire reminded Liam of a modern scientist well-versed in biology and chemistry, but with ents that made it seem like it came from the past.


    An air of knowledge naturally permeated around this man.


    Like it was attracted to him by nature.


    At the same time, there was something witty about his expression.


    It wasn''t arrogance¡­ or maybe it was.


    But it was deeper than that.


    It was like this person knew that he was better than everyone, and nothing one did could convince him otherwise.


    Even Liam felt like he was just a subject in the man''s hypnotizing gaze.


    It was certain.


    With the eyes.


    With the aura of knowledge.


    With the attire.


    It was him.


    Eyes of Knowledge.


    And¡­


    He asked Liam for a game of truth or dare?


    Why him?


    Why so suddenly?


    Was there a deeper plot involved?


    Was Liam being tested?


    One second of silence passed.


    "Any rules?" was all Liam asked.


    Eyes of Knowledge grinned.


    His teeth were sparkling white.


    And they were slightly sharperpared to regr teeth.


    A tiny ss orb appeared in the inscription master''s hand.


    "The orb will dictate whether it''s in your ability or not. It''s built with fairness in mind."


    "But if you lie? Then¡­"


    A dramatic pause.


    "Nothing happens," Eyes of Knowledge said with a bored tone. Liam raised a brow.


    "I''m not a forceful person. I''ll just deem you not interesting enough and move on to someone else."


    Right. It made sense for someone who''s life was based upon knowledge to strive for things that fascinated them.


    Perhaps Liam''s aura enticed the man toe over and y a game of truth or dare.


    Liam paused for just a second.


    What was more dangerous?


    Giving someone who loved knowledge the truth?


    Or giving him the chance to impose a dare?


    Liam was ufortable with both choices.


    But, well, he was in the thick of it now.


    ''I could just refuse¡­ but maybe I can get something valuable in return.''


    This was ying with fire, and the previous Liam would weasel out of it just to be safe.


    But this wasn''t the old Liam!


    This was the new and improved Liam!


    "Truth."


    In the end, Liam chose truth.


    Eyes of Knowledge chuckled. "I was sure you were going to choose dare, but that''s fine."


    "Tell me, what does your strongest ability allow you to do?"


    Slowly, the orb changed to a green hue, meaning the question was fine to ask.


    "Erase a small patch of reality."


    The eyes of Eyes of Knowledge widened. "Fascinating," he muttered under his breath.


    He put a finger on his chin in deep thought.


    Liam''s answer was vague, but it wasn''t false. He could leave the powerhouse to interpret it whatever way he wanted to.


    "Alright," Eyes of Knowledge said, running a hand through his hair. "Your turn. I choose truth."


    Liam paused.


    "What does your greatest ability allow you to do?" Liam asked.


    Slowly, the orb flickered red.


    Eyes of Knowledge giggled.


    As in, hisugh was literally a child-like giggle.


    "Do you think you canpare your powers to mine?" Eyes of Knowledge said, still giggling. "Try again."


    Liam definitely put Eyes of Knowledge on the future Kill List. Annoying bastard.


    "What''s the best, most efficient way to form a Path?" Liam asked.


    ¡­Slowly, the orb went green.


    Bingo, baby.


    Eyes of Knowledge grinned coldly. "Analogies and studying with ''Ora''. You visualize your goal, understand it, then put it to practice."


    "What do analogies have to do with anything?" Liam asked, burning the powerhouse''s words into memory.


    But Eyes of Knowledge said nothing. Right. This was still a game.


    "Another round?" Eyes asked, and Liam nodded. "Except this time, we choose each other''s options."


    That¡­ was a curveball, but whatever. It was even better for Liam, since all he wanted from the powerhouse was for him to choose Truth.


    Who better to give advice than a powerhouse?


    What use was a dare? A simple party trick that garnered someughs, that was all.


    "You go first," Eyes of Knowledge said. "I''ll follow."


    Liam was a little confused as to why he was given precedence, but he couldn''tin.


    "Truth," Liam said. "What are the fastest ways to improve your Path?"


    All of Liam''s questions were about the Path. What else? In the Zenith ranks, that''s all that really mattered.


    The orb went green, not interjecting to Liam''s request.


    Eyes of Knowledge rolled his eyes in annoyance. "What am I, your teacher?"


    Despite sighing over and over, the powerhouse didn''t withhold his answer.


    "Environments and hardship help. Try to find locations that bring you closer to what you want to know, and don''t receive any support."


    Liam burned the words into his memory.


    No doubt, these were valuable pieces of knowledge!


    If Liam was told otherwise, he''d probably ask the Temple to help him do everything, not knowing what a detriment it was to hisprehension.


    Hardship and pain always brought development. Why hadn''t Liam seen that till now?


    ''This man is a gold mine,'' Liam thought, hiding a smile. ''This is probably the best thing that''s gonnae out of this little party.''


    And like pieces of the puzzle clicking into ce, he realized why the rulers of countries were so disconnected from their people.


    They were useless to them!


    Politics and everything else was a mere hindrance to their Paths.


    "My turn," Eyes of Knowledge said calmly. "I dare you to¡­"


    There was a pause, and just then, a figure appeared on the same floor as them.


    Eye''s of Knowledge''s eyes sparkled with a sinister light as he saw who it was.


    Liam''s focus shifted towards the entrance, and a bad feeling grew in his chest.


    Oh no.


    This wasn''t a good idea.


    Eyes of Knowledge finished his sentence with a muffled giggle.


    "Dere your love for the Echorian Queen."

 Chapter 471 Challenger

    <h4>Chapter 471 Challenger</h4>


    The person who arrived at the same floor as them was none other than the Queen of Echoria herself.


    She wore an eye-dazzling, graceful white dress made from silk-like threads that covered her shoulder to ankle, leaving her sparkling, shin-height silver hair in full view.


    Her icy silver eyes half-drooped, as though everything was uninteresting and not worth her time.


    A tiny golden crown sat on the top of her head, glistening like the priceless treasure it was.


    Her presence overwhelmed the room. Some people just didn''t know how to react, averting their gazes while sneaking nces at her direction.


    Quite frankly, the dress itself was not that special.


    It was Her Majesty''s natural beauty that seemed to enamor the eyes.


    No one dared to approach.


    A momentter, she entered a rose-like booth that separated her from the masses, reserved only for crystal ribbons. A maid entered with her, and a curtain closed behind them.


    The floor Liam was on was avish restaurant on one of the upper floors.


    Just a few people were here, including the Red sh, the Ice Witch and a few other big names.


    Only ruby ribbons were allowed here.


    Till now, Liam didn''t have a shred of knowledge about what the Queen''s powers entailed.


    But she was definitely dangerous.


    "Piss off," Liam told Eyes of Knowledge rudely. "No way that''s fair."


    Except¡­


    The orb stagnated. It didn''t show a color for several seconds, but after a tense pause¡­


    It turned green.


    Liam paused with a nk look on his face.


    All the while, Eyes of Knowledge continued giggling like the manchild genius he was.


    Liam wanted to use Eyes of Knowledge of cheating.


    ¡­But would the man really bother?


    A powerhouse, attempting to trick some small-time cultivator that had a slightly infamous reputation?


    Not likely.


    In the first ce, an usation wasn''t a small thing. A likeness could be a son using his father of cheating with his mom¡­ with no proof.


    There was a big chance for the father to whip out his belt and leave the kid with a few broken bones.


    Figuratively, of course. Or literally in some cases.


    ''She just had toe at the perfect time,'' Liam sneered. ''Do I really have to do this? What stops me from refusing?''


    A lot of things.


    For one, and this was the weakest reason, but Liam didn''t want to do something a celebrity would do.


    Secondly, Liam had never willingly retreated from a battle, be it physical or mental.


    This was a challenge!


    Whatever.


    Thirdly, if Liam did this sessfully, without being killed, then maybe a third round of truth or dare could give him even more knowledge about Paths.


    Liam took a deep, deep breath and braced himself.


    ''I can bid farewell to my reputation,'' Liam thought.


    Eyes of Knowledge pped Liam''s back in encouragement, giving him a cheekyugh.


    "Don''t worry, there''s a .00000000001% chance she''ll return your feelings. Oh, and you have to say it in front of her, not outside her booth."


    ''I''ll kill him. I know I will. One day.''


    As such, Liam took slow steps towards the Queen''s booth. He was calm, of course, but annoyance was clearly written on his face.


    A few people took notice of Liam.


    Was someone finally approaching the Queen? It was a sacrificialmb!


    And it was the Reaper, no less! The ck de! The Butcher!


    In the background, Eyes of Knowledge was giggling like a child.


    And somewhere within the Temple grounds, Elder Jane was gnawing on her nails.


    Arriving at the Queen''s booth, Liam waited patiently until she came out.


    Several minutes passed with this awkward, tense atmosphere.


    And finally, the maid and the Queen exited from the booth.


    The Queen''s cold gaze connected with Liam''s.


    It was happening!


    Liam coughed into his fist.


    Then, sparing a nce in Eyes of Knowledge''s direction, spoke with a monotone voice.


    "I, Liam Royce, hereby dere my love for Her Majesty, the Echorian Queen¡­"


    ***


    A long, deafening silence descended upon the scene.


    Jaws fell open, dumbfounded.


    Despite everything, Liam''s face was perfectly calm and monotone.


    His deration didn''t match his demeanor in the least.


    Even Eyes of Knowledge stopped giggling, limiting himself to an amused smile.


    The Queen herself had no visible reaction. Not a trace of emotion appeared on her face.


    Instead, her piercing eyes bore into Liam''s very soul. He felt naked under those beautiful irises, which radiated supremacy.


    A secondter, her eyes shifted focus from Liam¡­ to Eyes of Knowledge.


    "This is a new low, Reiner," Queen Thyress said with a chillingly cold, but reserved tone. "Maybe it''s time Neren suffered another Devastation."


    Her quiet voice was gentle, almost melodious to the ears.


    Inwardly, Liam felt pure gratitude.


    The Queen wasn''t dumb!


    She realized who the real criminal was!


    Except, Liam didn''t recognize the term ''Devastation''.


    Judging by the name, and the context it was used in, Liam deduced that it had something to do between Echoria and Neren.


    A war of some kind? Probably.


    Eyes of Knowledge raised his hands in surrender, still smiling yfully. "Please, please, Your Majesty. All I had were good intentio¡ª"


    "A challenger to my name cannot breathe the same air as me," the Queen interrupted coldly, voice low but regal with authority. "Let alone bitter my mood with their voice."


    The Queen red sharply at Liam, and if her powers weren''t sealed, he''d probably die then and there. "Why are you still here? Leave."


    Liam was more than happy toply, and he wasn''t really offended.


    The situation was already rotten to its core, and it wasn''t going to get better with his presence there.


    ''Better leave before I get expelled.''


    However, just as he turned to leave, another figure appeared opposite him.


    Dressed in an immacte ck-and-red suit, with ashen skin, crimson eyes and a well-trimmed beard, the perfect person to make the situation worse had just arrived.


    This person, of course, was none other than Alucard.


    "There''s more than just one challenger, youngdy," the Blood Lord said with a cold tone. "But they''re not aspliant and suppressible."


    Silence.

 Chapter 472 Worse

    Chapter 472 Worse


    As the three powerhouses found themselves on the same floor, the atmosphere tightened to a razor''s edge.


    Alucard''s presence forced Liam not to obey Queen Thyress''mand and leave. If he did, that''d probably make the Pashah look bad. And by extension, offended.


    Those who found themselves there of the non-powerhouse variety wanted nothing more than to leave¡­ but they couldn''t find the correct opportunity to do so.


    Instead, they lowered their heads and pretended they were busy eating or drinking.


    The air was too heavy.


    Liam wanted no part in this either, but not because he couldn''t handle the rigid atmosphere. In reality, there was no secret pressure weighing against everyone''s chest. With their strengths sealed, the powerhouses were just regr people as of now.


    It was just their psyche ying tricks on them. Liam, on the other hand, just couldn''t be bothered making things worse for himself. All of this was just nting the bombs that would eventually explode in his face.


    ''Well¡­ let''s ride the waves and see where the tide takes us,'' Liam thought, but a bitter taste fell on his tongue. ''...That sounds exactly like something Bill might say.'' In response to Alucard''s usation, Queen Thyress remained quiet, not a trace of emotion in her eyes.


    Liam was just a bystander here. There was nothing he could add, nor wanted to add, nor had to add.


    A momentter, the Queen spoke with a silver tongue forged in arrogance.


    "Don''t address me like an equal. There''s only so much grace and patience I have for you and your ilk."


    Alucard''s eyes grew colder. Heughed loudly, then sent her a condescending, reserved look.


    "How quaint,ing from you. Your failing continent would have been a mass graveyard had it not been for my indifference."


    A brief silence followed.


    The Queen''s lips curled to a small smile. "And how times have changed."


    Another deadly silence hung over the air.


    Alucard''s slitted eyes were filled with quiet, reserved malice. And the Queen''s beautiful irises contained nothing but arrogance.


    Alright¡­ maybe it really was time to leave. Some did already. Red sh, the Ice Witch and a few others utilized the chance to slip off unnoticed.


    After a while, just a handful of people remained in the same room, with a few maids and butlers here and there that watched with no particr interest in their eyes.


    Eyes of Knowledge, who''s name was apparently Reiner, interjected for the first time.


    He wasn''t giggling anymore.


    "Let''s just skip to the part where both sides wage war on each other, yes? This is getting a little boring and too serious for my taste. What started as a joke shouldn''t break the peace between our borders." Despite lighting the fuse that led to this, the genius manchild was as apathetic and uncaring as ever.


    Who cares about your taste, you utter buffoon! The Queen lingered around for a few seconds, looking at Alucard first, then Eyes of Knowledge, before her gazended on Liam. "Every period of peace is preparation for war," the Queen said with a tinge of distaste in her voice. "Prepare well, insignificant ones." A momentter, Queen Thyress turned her back to the group and gracefully made her way towards the exit.


    Like so, with her crisp footsteps fading into silence, she was gone. ***


    As the Queen left, Liam snuck a nce at Alucard''s gaze, and the sinister darkness clouding his ashen face was absolutely bone-chilling.


    Reiner looked at Liam and back at Alucard with aplicated glimmer in his hypnotizing sapphire eyes.


    "Is this a good time to talk, Alucard?" Eyes of Knowledge asked with a cryptic tone. Alucard sighed as he shook his head. His expression had reverted back to normal. "Of course."


    Then, the Pashah looked at Liam. "But I need to have a small chat with a friend."


    Reiner nodded with a grin. "Alrighty, then. I''ll wait for you on the final floor. I hear everyone''s already gathered up there."


    Eyes of Knowledge looked at Liam, and his mocking grin grew. "Had fun chatting with you¡­ uh¡­ I forgot your name. Anyways,ter."


    Like so, Eyes of Knowledge was also gone, giggling as he entered a tunnel.


    ''I''ll make him suffer,'' Liam thought. ''I just know I will.''


    There was no way that Reiner actually forgot Liam''s name. He was just a massive prick.


    Now, just Liam and Alucard remained.


    "Apologies," Alucard said to Liam as the two approached a table to sit on. "I would have preferred not to involve you in such matters, but¡­ well, there''s no realistic way to avoid it."


    "I understand," Liam said with a sigh, sitting opposite the vampire king. "I just wish this didn''te so soon."


    There was a slight pause as Alucard raised his brow. "I think you''ve misinterpreted something," Alucard said, gesturing for a maid to bring them two drinks. "Oh?" Liam said. "Despite her haughty words, the Queen has been inactive for centuries." "You don''t have to worry about a cataclysmic war taking ce so soon."


    So soon.


    ''So it''ll eventuallye?'' Liam thought with an inwardugh. ''How reassuring.''


    "These matters areplicated," Alucard said, epting a pair of blood-red drinks a maid brought over. "I''ll worry about them for now." Right. "I sent you a message to let me know when you''re awake," Alucard said, pushing a ss to Liam. "Did you not receive it?" "Oh, right, I did," Liam said, as though just remembering. "Sorry. I got caught up in work. Six and a half years of being asleep took a toll on me."


    Liam grabbed the ss and took a small sip. It was berry juice¡­


    Of course, what Liam said was only a half-truth. Obviously, he remembered Alucard''s request to talk, but he was busy and needed to polish his newfound abilities. Alucard nodded understandingly, then paused for a second, giving Liam a scrutinizing look.


    It looked like he wanted to ask about what exactly Liam did in his Self Tribtion¡­ but he chose not to. It maye off as rude or overbearing if he did so.


    "It seems like the six years have changed you," Alucard said with a small smile. "For the better, of course."


    Liam chuckled under his breath.


    ¡­Or for the worse.

 Chapter 473 Crazy

    Chapter 473 Crazy


    After expressing a bit of interest initially about Liam''s change in personality, Alucard chose not to delve into it any further.


    It seemed like this chat really was just an ''up to date'' talk.


    "What do you n on doing next?" Alucard asked after a while. "I suppose this is when you begin your¡­ Path, is it?"


    Liam raised a brow. Was Alucard''s Path somehow different? Was it a race issue?


    "I thought all Zeniths had Paths?" Liam asked the vampire king in a roundabout way. Alucard chuckled a bit at Liam''sck of knowledge.


    Then, his tone grew a little more serious.


    "Not that simple," Alucard exined. "Races have their own peculiarities that aren''t found in other species." "For my kind, our blood naturally does the work. It''s not as arduous andbor-heavy inparison to humans, but it''s not as precise, either."


    Liam paused for a second. Did that mean¡­


    "You can''t control what you want to be? And¡­ does that mean all you have to do to get to the Celestial Ranks is just¡­ sit around?"


    Silence.


    Alucard grinned cryptically, choosing not to answer. "Who knows?" If that was the case¡­ Alucard was basically guaranteed Celestial status if he just remained alive!


    That was unheard of!


    Liam was just a tiny bit jealous. Except¡­ there was a catch. And for that reason, Liam would ultimately prefer not to be in Alucard''s ce.


    The catch was simple.


    If Liam was unable to choose what his Path entailed, nor add anything to it¡­ then what was the point of cultivating?


    The same couldn''t be said for vampires, since they all shared basically the same element and whatnot.


    But that obviously left them in a disadvantageous position against the humans, who could alter and grow their Paths however they wanted!


    ''The Opposition''s got it out for him too,'' Liam thought with augh. ''Good. I don''t feel as left out anymore.''


    Alucard nced at Liam from the side. "But you¡­" Alucard said, pausing with a strange expression on his face. "I don''t reckon you are a human."


    A terse silence apanied Alucard''s statement. This was the first time race was ever mentioned between the two. Why now? How strange.


    ''Is he probing for something?'' Liam thought. ''Does he know I''m an Ashura?'' "Why do you ask?" Liam questioned.


    Alucard smiled lightly as he took another sip. "Your blood. I can sense it. It''s stronger, but strangely distant from my progeny."


    "You''re not one of mine, despite eating a vampire''s heart. And you''re not a human. What, then?"


    Liam suddenlyughed, speaking one word. "Octopus."


    Silence¡­


    Alucard blinked. "What?"


    "Octopus," Liam reiterated. "Ibined myself with a Shifter Octopus to get their transformation abilities."


    "I think that''s what you mean."


    Alucard blinked a few times, thenughed. Probably at how stupid that sounded. "I see. Apologies. It wasn''t my intention to interrogate or belittle you. I suppose I''m at that age where anything mildly interesting gets me curious."


    Liam exchanged a terse chuckle with him.


    But inwardly, he felt like he''d dodged a massive bullet! Conversing with Alucard always made him feel like he was ying with fire. A misstep, and Alucard could find out something that he could use against Liamter.


    But for now, he was in the safe zone.


    Alucard rose to his feet. "I''ll be leaving now. A pleasure."


    Liam nodded. "Likewise."


    Adjusting his suit and giving Liam a nod, Alucard made a beeline for the tunnel leading to the upper floors. Probably the peak.


    As he left, Liam lingered for several seconds, calmly sipping on his immacte berry juice.


    "If you''re gonnae out, now''s the time to do it," Liam said, seemingly to himself. "Stop lurking."


    Silence followed, but a hesitant shadow slowly emerged from the corner wall. Liam nced over to who it was¡­ and he saw a face he never recognized before.


    It was a tall, middle-aged woman with long obsidian-ck hair, streamlined ck eyes with a gentle ck dress.


    In her right hand was a massive pencil¡­ and clutched closely to her chest was a book the size of a human torso. She wore a ruby ribbon.


    Liam heaved a deep sigh. He didn''t like where this was going.


    She approached hesitantly, blushing as she did so. Eventually, she sat opposite to Liam, hiding half of her face with her book.


    "H-Hi¡­"


    Ah. It was another one of those. Liam gave her a dead look. "You are¡­ who exactly? Why were you trailing me for so damn long?"


    The woman hid her face.


    "I-I''m sorry¡­ I just couldn''t find the correct time."


    Liam clicked his tongue lightly.


    Quite frankly, he didn''t like the blushy-blushy kind of people that weren''t direct with whatever they wanted to say.


    "What do you want?" Liam said bluntly.


    After a short pause, the woman took out her book andid it in front of Liam.


    "I''m¡­ just a very big fan," the woman said, lowering her gaze and flipping through the pages of her book. "Please don''t be weirded out or anything."


    ''Weird thing to say, but okay.''


    Liam grabbed the book and flipped through the first page.


    The only thing he saw were the words, ''LIAM ROYCE'', in wide, blotched letters. Liam furrowed his brows lightly.


    ''Okay¡­ a little weirder.'' Liam flipped through another page.


    Then another, and another, and another, quickening his pace. And the more Liam saw the more his eyes widened in confusion, shock and¡­ sheer bewilderment.


    This book had crazy psychotic tendencies written all over it. It was filled with incredibly precise details of Liam''s life!


    Not only that, there were countless drawings of him doing various¡­ poses.


    There were also statements from those who served in the academy at the same time as him.


    As he continued flipping, he eventually got to thetest page¡­ where it was another drawing of him donning his suit!


    The ink was inscribed, and the drawings themselves looked animated.


    Slowly, Liam lowered the book and looked at the woman, piercing her soul with his eyes.


    "...Who are you?"

 Chapter 474 Hair

    <h4>Chapter 474 Hair</h4>


    Face to face with the unknown stranger who knew him in such detail, Liam felt incredibly weirded out.


    He wasn''t afraid or anything.


    The woman before him didn''t look too strong.


    She looked like an inscription master judging by her book and pen, both of which were heavily inscribed.


    The pages weren''t just filled with pictures of Liam. There were also formation diagrams andplex systems that Liam took a glimpse of.


    ''Is she a Rank 5 Zenith or what?'' Liam thought.


    And why was she so damn obsessed with him?


    One had to be sick in the head to love an unhinged, murderous maniac hungry for power. Especially to such an unhealthy, sick degree.


    Blushing, the woman lowered her head.


    "My name is Valerie. I''m¡­ just a very big fan¡­ I''m so d to finally speak to you like this¡­"


    Her tone was reserved and timid¡­ but Liam knew what crazy people looked like.


    This was one of them.


    "Say, can I have a lock of your hair?" Valerie said enthusiastically with a broad, sunny smile, showcasing her sharp canines. "I promise not to do anything weird with it."


    Yup. Definitely sane.


    Liam gave her a heavy look.


    Ringed around her obsessive eyes were dark circles, as though she hadn''t slept for a very long time.


    She looked like the type to reside in the corner of the ssroom.


    In short, she was a total creep!


    "Where do you even know me from?" Liam asked her. "I''ve never seen you in my entire life."


    Valerie blushed a little again, idly fiddling with her fingers, sharp nails painted ck.


    "I was there when you fought as the Blood Demon, back in Echoria."


    "I watched as you were bloodied, marred in wounds head to toe¡­ and yet you still won!"


    The woman''s tone grew enthusiastic.


    "I''ve been looking for you ever since¡­"


    Silence.


    That far back?!


    That meant that this person¡­ had been following him his entire life?


    From the tournament, to the academy, to his escape from li, and all the following events, up to now?


    But she didn''t seem malicious at all.


    Quite the contrary.


    But that still didn''t justify this stalker-like behavior.


    "Okay¡­ and?" Liam said a little impatiently. "What do you want?"


    "Can I join the Temple?" she asked instantly, stars shining in her abyss-like eyes. "Please?"


    "No."


    Silence.


    The denial was too fast!


    Valerie''s face was crestfallen. She hadn''t expected such an outright refusal.


    On the other hand, Liam honestly couldn''t care.


    This behavior was borderline disgusting.


    What if it was a man who did the same thing to a woman?


    Yeah¡­ it didn''t sound too pleasing.


    Liam rose to his feet, intending to leave.


    "Wait!" Valerie blurted, panicking. "I don''t intend to join just because I want to die by your side! I have a lot of expertise that could be of service to you! Just hear me out!"


    Liam recoiled a bit in disgust. ''Die by your side?''


    "What expertise?" Liam asked.


    Valerie calmed down a bit, but still looked unstable, even as she tried to look calmer than she was.


    "I''m a dual-specialist with inscriptions and formations. I''m just a few years away from perfecting my Path to the next level and bing a Rank 5 Zenith. I can break down different methods and techniques, study them and imitate them to a small degree. I''m an exceptionally hard worker too. And a lot, lot more!"


    There was a brief pause¡­


    Indeed, that was a long resume.


    Copying methods and techniques were perhaps one of the hardest things for an inscription master to do.


    Each inscription method was more unique than a snowke. Even a ''small degree'' of copying them was marvelous.


    Even Liam with his King''s Eye couldn''t do much with it.


    There was a major difference between the ''Meanings'' of a method and its overall structure.


    Not to mention, she was about to be a Rank 5 cultivator?


    ''Wait¡­'' Liam thought.


    A light bulb flickered above Liam''s head.


    An idea!


    ''I still need to have the Temple run by someone if I''m gone somewhere.''


    ''And there are Abominations to study and analyze¡­ but I won''t be able to multitask so many things at once.''


    As Liam considered it, Valerie looked like she was resisting the urge to bite her nails.


    She seemed worried about Liam''s response.


    "What do you want in exchange?" Liam said.


    "A lock of¡ª"


    "I''m not giving you my hair," Liam interrupted with a slight frown.


    "A few pairs of your bloodiest clothe¡ª"


    "I''m not giving you my clothes either," Liam interjected again. "Or anything pertaining to me."


    "Okay, okay! But I get to join, right?" Valerie said with newfound excitement.


    Liam had a feeling she was going to do those things anyway.


    "You''re not allowed to annoy me, either. And you do know this benefits me more than it does you, right?"


    Valerie nodded repeatedly, like her head was gonna fall off. "Am I in?"


    Liam shrugged his shoulders. She seemed happy with it. "Yeah. Whatever."


    Valerie jumped up and down in joy.


    Liam honestly questioned her age. Zeniths were supposed to be old and wise, yet this one was anything but.


    "I''m leaving now," Liam said. "You can find the Temple and tell them I sent you."


    "Can Ie with you on the dragon instead?" Valerie asked pleadingly.


    "No," Liam responded instantly. "You can walk."


    Despite the harshness in Liam''s voice, Valerie just blushed in response, albeit a little bit sad.


    ''What a strange creature,'' Liam thought.


    Then, he made a beeline for the tunnel that led to the peak of the floor.


    Just then, a familiar, mock-filled voice rang out to the entrance of the restaurant.


    "Look who it is," a handsome young man with red eyes said,ughing. "The desperate loser that confessed to the Queen."


    Liam looked at the source of the voice, letting out a tired sigh.


    It was none other than Nord and Rin.


    Liam was about to retort just then¡­ but chose to remain silent.


    At times, silence stung more than hurtful words!

 Chapter 475 Test of Courage

    <h4>Chapter 475 Test of Courage</h4>


    Liam said nothing.


    He genuinely didn''t care.


    Nord looked at Liam with dark eyes and a malicious grin.


    ¡­But Liam didn''t.


    Instead, he ran a hand through his hair, shing the crystal ribbon on his wrist.


    Nord grimaced, since he only had a ruby ribbon.


    Valerie gave Nord and Rin a dead-eyed look.


    All the joy on her face was gone, reced with chilling malice.


    ''A loyal hound,'' Liam thought. ''How nice.''


    A secondter, Liam turned around¡­ and just left!


    Just like that!


    Nord looked a bit dumbfounded¡­ but he frowned heavily a secondter.


    He was being ignored!


    And Liam''s expression didn''t change.


    Rin chuckled to herself, then made her way to the peak floors, too.


    Besides them, and a few maids, the tunnel leading to the upper floors was empty.


    This was where the real ''Important People Convention'' was!


    The crystal ribbons!


    Liam felt two pairs of eyes burning into his back as he left the floor.


    One of Nord''s, and another of Valerie''s.


    "I think you''re underestimating Nord a little too much," Rin said suddenly, appearing beside Liam as they walked side by side. "He''s not weak. Just a little retarded. You''re the chip on his shoulder."


    Ah. Poor Nord. Hated by his own group. Almost pitiful.


    ¡­Almost.


    "Didn''t ask," Liam said with his face forward. "I''m the chip on all your shoulders. Where''s the runt?"


    Rinughed.


    "Nessa? Didn''te once she knew you would be here," Rin said. "It''s good to see you, by the way."


    "Can''t say the same," Liam retorted, his face still forward.


    Rin chuckled in response.


    "You look less and less human each time we meet. Who knows, maybe next time you''ll grow horns."


    "Takes one to know one," Liam said. "You''re a magical beast and human hybrid, aren''t you?"


    There was a brief pause.


    Besides the crisp tapping of Rin''s heels, there was nothing audible in the tunnel.


    Liam''s footsteps didn''t make any noise.


    Rin grinned from the side. "How long have you known?" she asked curiously.


    "You think a lousy concealer could hide your reptilian irises?" Liam questioned with a disappointed look.


    "Ah," Rin said with augh, holding her elbows as she walked. "Since the party."


    "Aren''t you curious as to how I did it?" Rin asked with a cheeky tone. "I know you are. Don''t lie."


    Liam scoffed, but remained silent.


    He actually was. Just a little, though. Mainly because Rin looked incredibly strong, and she was a Zenith, too.


    There was a reason she had a crystal ribbon on. She earned it. And she didn''t even obtain a Celestial''s inheritance.


    In one way, her talent was on par with Liam''s.


    "I really hope we get to fight sometime soon," Rin said. "For fun, if nothing else."


    After that, there was silence.


    Liam realized that they were walking for a good five minutes, and yet the tunnel wasn''t at its end.


    ''How long is this thing?'' Liam thought, annoyed.


    Eventually, a white light appeared in the distance, growing closer with each step.


    Liam had no clue what to expect, walking into a room full of powerhouses.


    But here he was!


    The light was shrouding him!


    Stepping into the light, Liam''s vision adjusted to envelop thest and final floor.


    ''Not what I expected,'' Liam thought as his gaze scoured the floor.


    The ground was made out of nks of amber wood, sort of like what modern gymnasiums were made out of.


    In fact¡­ the center of the ce looked like an actual gymnasium.


    A vast court of some kind.


    Rose, lotus and lily-shaped chandeliers gently glowed overhead, filling the court with dreamy lights and exceptional smells.


    Furnished with private sitting areas and topped off with a long bar, piano was being yed in the background.


    In short, it was luxury.


    Liam had seen so much of it, he wanted to puke.


    Looking around, he quickly noticed a few new faces, and a few familiar ones. Not everyone was here yet, it seemed.


    Eyes of Knowledge and Alucard sat on a table, exchanging remarks that Liam couldn''t hear.


    He couldn''t read their lips either, since the air around them was a little blurry.


    By the bar side, Liam spotted a tall, muscr woman sitting by herself.


    She had long, unkempt leaf-green hair that flowed over her back, and she was drinking something.


    She was over 7 feet tall!


    Her arms were exposed, revealing theyers of powerful, tanned muscle underneath, covered with unhealed scars.


    Her clothing was simr to something the amazonians might wear in the forest.


    Except, the amount of exposed skin was very little, other than the arms and shoulders.


    Her eyes were dark-green, and hardened for war. Her face also had a few scars that contrasted with her skin.


    "That''s the Xoltrah powerhouse, I''m guessing," Rin muttered beside Liam. "Spirit of Nature."


    Made sense. That exined the tanned skin and hulking form.


    As expected, the Queen was here too, sitting beside a foreign looking man.


    He had a native look to him, with ancient, aged attire adorned with little trinkets that hung off his figure.


    At the same time, he wore a red blindfold around his eyes, with animalistic tattoos covering parts of his exposed skin.


    "And that¡­ is the Dragonmancer of Rurunia."


    Liam had never heard that term before. ''Is he actually blind?''


    "Well¡­ we say goodbye here, Reaper," Rin said with a sinister smile as she moved away, waving at him with her fingers. "C''ya."


    A momentter, Rin walked over to the space the Queen and the Dragonmancer sat in, greeting both respectfully, before the air around them grew blurry.


    Liam scoffed.


    Well¡­


    Now what?


    Alucard was busy with Eyes of Knowledge, and the Queen''s table would never ept him.


    ¡­That left the hulking figure sitting by herself over the bar.


    ''I never approach anyone¡­ but standing around like an idiot won''t aplish anything.''


    The goal was finding a backup in case the alliance with Alucard fell apart.


    Liam was still a pigeon living beneath the eagle''s nest.


    As Liam approached the bar, Spirit of Nature made a gesture for two¡­ empty sses from the bartender?


    Why?


    "Mind if I sit beside you?" Liam asked respectfully.


    Spirit of Nature let out a deepugh that belonged to a demon, not a woman. "Of course not."


    Her voice was also quite deep¡­ but was still somewhat feminine.


    A momentter, the bartender brought over the two empty sses.


    Just then, Spirit of Nature took out a strange, noxious vine from her ring¡­ and squeezed its poisonous contents into the two sses!


    "But first..." the woman smiled ear to ear. "...A test of courage."

 Chapter 476 Drink of Death

    <h4>Chapter 476 Drink of Death</h4>


    The sound of thick, viscous liquid pouring into two separate sses rang out for several seconds, beforeing to a stop.


    A whiff of its smell passed through Liam''s nose, causing his face to wrinkle in disgust.


    One had to remember that Liam was indifferent to even the most severe of pain.


    And this was just a smell!


    And yet, it made him recoil with just how vile, noxious and nauseating it was.


    Spirit of Nature¡­ yeah, right. Aren''t the Amazonians supposed to be friendly or something?


    So much for that.


    "We call this¡­ the Uruaz," Spirit of Nature said with a sinister grin. Her teeth were blindingly white.


    "The ''Drink of Death''."


    Spirit of Nature''s ent was a little thick.


    She was speaking to Liam in the lian tongue, meaning she had studied it probably moments prior to this party.


    It was the equivalent of a Russian person speaking English.


    "How charming," Liam said with a monotone voice. "Have anything named the Drink of Life?"


    Spirit of Natureughed deeply for one second. "We do," she confirmed. "But we serve those in weddings and ceremonies. Moments of happiness. This is not one of them."


    "Well, I have quite a few rings if you''re willing to tie the knot with me," Liam said with clear sarcasm in his voice. "But I warn you, most of them are filled with corpses. Mostly of beasts¡­ but some might be of the human variety."


    "Confessing first to the Queen, and now me?" Spirit of Nature scoffed heavily. "If you can joke, you can enjoy a drink."


    She nudged a ss towards Liam, and grabbed one herself, raising it and waiting for Liam to pick up his own.


    It was merely 25 ml of¡­ whatever the vine juice was, but it still looked lethal to swallow.


    Green and viscous, it bubbled and gurgled, as though the drink was alive. If it was, it was being tormented and begging to be put out of its misery.


    ''Ah, aren''t we all, friend,'' Liam thought to the drink. ''Aren''t we all.''


    A secondter, Liam drank it all in one gulp.


    The consistency felt simr to murky pond water.


    As it passed through his poor gullet, it singed his esophagus but didn''t melt it. On purpose, of course.


    It wasn''t as though the Drink of Death wasn''t incapable of liquidating his insides. It certainly felt strong enough, but that didn''t happen.


    Instead, it flowed down into his belly, shooting pulses of pain to his nervous system, circtory system, digestive system and every other system in his ruined soul.


    Spasms and convulsions ensued, nearly rocking him off his chair. Thankfully, a firm but gentle hand held his back in ce.


    Spirit of Nature looked surprised momentarily, but a proud smile grew on her face a secondter. "That is what I am talking about! Well done, well done!"


    A secondter, with her free hand, she put the drink to her lips.


    Except, just then, Liam swiftly yanked it out of her hand.


    "Huh?"


    As she muttered a word in confusion, Liam drank her ss in one go, too!


    The pain doubled, and Liam lost control of his body, causing him to drop the ss and fall limp.


    One might question why he would do such a stupid thing, and that was simple.


    Some people, like Spirit of Nature, solely relied on their instincts to judge and characterize a person.


    In short, the more they respected you, the more they were willing to share their friendship and their knowledge.


    Of course, this little act of his was gonna take a toll on his body¡­ but truth be told, he enjoyed the pain.


    Like always, it made him feel alive.


    He was having a seizure, though, and Spirit of Nature had to wrap her powerful arm around his neck just to make sure no one saw him dying.


    Looking at him from the side, she wasughing under her breath as though she had witnessed something spectacr.


    "You!" she whispered with an excited smile. "You are interesting! I have never seen a human from the Outer Lands to be so daring. Not bad, not bad at all."


    Liam was still convulsing, unable to answer. His stomach acid was sun-hot, forcing him to breath in short, strained breaths.


    A secondter, Spirit of Nature took out what looked like a glowing, perfect leaf from her ring.


    She rubbed it once against Liam''s nose, and miraculously, the pain slowly simmered to a halt.


    It took a few seconds for Liam''s breathing to revert back to normal¡­ but he was covered with sweat all over.


    Liam gulped with a numb mouth. Mockingly, he sighed as though he was refreshed. "Lovely. Have anymore?"


    Spirit of Nature blinked.


    Then startedughing as loud as she could, uncaring of the other powerhouses that may or may not have felt annoyed.


    "Do not dare me to bring out something stronger, little one," Spirit of Nature said, clearly bantering. "I certainly have more."


    She released Liam''s neck from her grip, then turned to himpletely, cing her elbow on the bar table.


    "You look more like a¡­ how do they say it in yournguage¡­ ''yboy'' than you do a real man. I stand corrected."


    Silence.


    Liam sighed dramatically.


    "What can I say? Of all the sins I''m guilty of, my charm has to be the greatest of them."


    "No," Spirit of Nature said pitifully. "It would be your cold blooded killings, Reaper."


    Silence.


    Liam slightly scoffed. "So you knew who I was all along."


    "How can I not?" Spirit of Nature said with a solemn tone, running a hand through her unkempt, long hair. "But I would be a hypocrite if I held who you are against you."


    Then, her tone grew a little heavier, and a malicious glimmer shed in her green eyes.


    "I have killed more."


    ¡­Fair enough.


    Spirit of Nature¡­


    Liam wondered if her name coincided with her personality.


    Not killing unless it was absolutely necessary, sort of like the processes urring within nature itself.


    Though¡­ when the killing did happen, it was vicious and cruel beyond the realms of man.


    Certainly, that''s what she looked like. At first nce, at least.


    That made Spirit of Nature just a little more menacing by Liam''s assessment.


    "You''ve killed more because you''ve lived longer," Liam retorted with a little smirk. "Give me time. I''ll break records."

 Chapter 477 A Success

    <h4>Chapter 477 A Sess</h4>


    The talk with Spirit of Nature was going¡­ surprisingly well.


    She seemed to have taken a liking to Liam despite his morbid reputation and tant sarcasm.


    Liam imagined that the Amazonians were the superstitious, secluded type that never bothered except with their own.


    Part of that was true. Why else would Spirit of Nature push him to gulp down a ss of poison before choosing to speak with him?


    Her demeanor reminded Liam of the Spartans.


    Serious folk built and raised for war, butughed at the grimmest of times.


    But he had passed whatever test she was putting him through. And she wasn''t hard to speak with.


    "So?" Spirit of Nature said, reclining backwards and running a hand through her wild hair.


    "What brings you to me? Besides my feminine charm, of course."


    She winked.


    "I don''t think you possess any," Liam said bluntly, and the womanughed. Spartan. "I can''t call you Spirit of Nature. Give me a name?"


    "Naomi."


    Liam raised his brows. "You sure it''s not¡­ Jack or something?"


    "You are pushing it, Reaper," Spirit of Natureughed slowly, daring Liam to continue with her fearsome eyes.


    He did not.


    "I wanted to know more about Xoltrah," Liam said, changing the topic. "What kind of ce is it?"


    "Big forest," Naomi answered tersely. "Lots of rain, bugs and animals."


    How descriptive.


    "You said something about the Outer Lands," Liam repeated. "What is that, exactly?"


    "Allnds besides our own are the Outer Lands," Spirit of Nature exined, cracking her scarred knuckles.


    "We excluded ourselves from your societies ages ago¡­ but our tribes unanimously agreed on entering the political field."


    Tribes.


    So they were a tribal country. The way Spirit of Nature spoke also indicated that she wasn''t the only one who made the decisions.


    "You''vee here to build rtions with other countries?" Liam asked with a raised brow.


    "Somewhat," Naomi answered. "Not in terms of an alliance, but neutrality. We still want nothing to do with you people."


    Spirit of Nature smiled lightly. "No offense, of course."


    "None taken," Liam answered.


    If the tables were turned, Liam wouldn''t want to do anything with him either. Or the Queen, General or Alucard, for that matter.


    But neutrality did not always mean safety.


    Having no backup or connections left countries bare, making them easy targets for the big dogs.


    Due to the chaotic event that urred with the Dual Empire, Rurunia and Xoltrah were quick to adapt.


    "Well, the Temple of Shadow wouldn''t mind having a rtionship with your country," Liam said with a shrug, giving her a sunny smile.


    "I mean, we''ve hit it off, haven''t we?"


    Silence.


    Naomi had a smug look on her stony face, leaning forward.


    "But you would benefit more from it, wouldn''t you?" she whispered, sneaking a nce at Alucard''s direction further away.


    "The way I see it¡­ you do not wish to keep ties with him, correct?"


    Silence.


    Liam scoffed a bit in disdain.


    "What gives you the right to assume that?" he asked with dead eyes and a t tone. "This is beyond banter."


    It didn''t mean she was wrong, but Liam''s expression gave no indication she struck the hot spot.


    In fact, he looked quite offended.


    Another short silence ensued.


    Spirit of Nature leaned a little too close forfort, her face deathly serious.


    "Because I know the kind of monster he is. You are wary of his betrayal."


    Liam''s face didn''t confirm nor deny Spirit of Nature''s statement, devoid of emotion.


    Not receiving any answer, Naomiughed lightly and reclined back.


    "Except¡­ I don''t think you realize how docile and peaceful Alucard really is. At least, to my knowledge."


    ¡­Hmm?


    What now?


    Liam remained silent, yet Naomi continued her exnation.


    "The Korsan Lands aren''t too far from Xoltrah. There are nonds or physical barriers that prevent them from invading us except the sea."


    "And yet, we''ve had no problems with that continent at all."


    "Throughout history, he''s just been¡­ a spectator."


    Spirit of Nature habitually ran a hand through her wild hair once again.


    "Well, some countries were brave enough to try invading Korsa, but¡­ well, not even a memory remains of them."


    ''...That kinda makes sense,'' Liam thought.


    Alucard did mention his ''indifference'' with Echoria, which prevented it from bing a so-called ''mass graveyard''.


    "If it was his intention to kill away up anding powerhouses to further his own strength, he would have already done so."


    And that was just a little more terrifying.


    Liam nced at Alucard, whose figure was obscured with a blurry barrier.


    Liam imagined him calmly watching the world behind a dark pane of ss, biding his time.


    Like a spider in its web.


    "Cheer up," Spirit of Nature interrupted with a smug smile. "It wouldn''t hurt Xoltrah to have you as a contact."


    Naomiughed under her breath. "The lesser of the two evils, I suppose."


    She had no clue.


    "Thanks," Liam said.


    A few minutes passed after that, and there was no talk between them.


    Eyes of Knowledge continued conversing with Alucard, and Queen Thyress, Rin and the Dragonmancer likewise.


    However, after a while, Kuan arrived at the scene.


    When his eyes met Liam and Naomi''s, he raised his brows, but didn''t approach.


    Instead, he chose a private corner to sit at.


    "What''s his deal?" Naomi asked with a disdained frown. "And why am I being avoided? You were the second person to approach me the whole time I have been here."


    Liam raised her brow. "Did you give the first person poison?"


    "Yeah?" she said. "I didn''t force him to swallow it. He did it himself. So?"


    Silence.


    "Nothing," Liam said with a shrug. "No reason at all."


    ''Maybe if you didn''t look like you ate bricks for dinner, you''d be approachable.''


    But in reality, Spirit of Nature was perhaps the weakest of all the powerhouses present.


    It was between the Dragonmaer and her, since both were new to being Rank 6''s.


    Nevertheless, the talk was a sess!


    Liam now had a crutch to lean on in case the alliance went up in smoke.


    A momentter, several figures entered through the tunnel one after the other.


    They were all here.

 Chapter 478 Adjudicator

    <h4>Chapter 478 Adjudicator</h4>


    Liam watched intently as several figures entered through the tunnel one after another.


    By then, Alucard, Eyes of Knowledge, the Queen and the Dragonmancer, had all dispelled their Istion Barriers.


    The first person to walk in had bone-white hair, twisting into a single braid flowing across his back.


    His gait was incredibly haughty.


    It was like the world revolved around this individual.


    As though he had a gravitational field of his own.


    This was none other than the General.


    He was wearing an ornate general''s coat, through which his square shoulders were outlined.


    Walking to his side was a sharp-eyed woman with long ck hair.


    She walked with a certain grace and poise.


    Her sharp nails were also painted ck, and the mark of a ck, eclipsed moon was stamped in the center of her forehead.


    Some sort of tattoo.


    Their eyes didn''t even brush past the floor.


    They simply chose a private sitting area, and activated their Istion Barrier.


    Naomi leaned in beside Liam and wrapped her arm against his neck.


    A little too close for his taste, and he resisted the urge to unsheath his ck de.


    But he didn''t.


    It wouldn''t cut anything, anyway.


    "That''s the General, eh? First time I''ve seen him," Spirit of Nature whispered, her breath smelling just a little bit like alcohol mixed with poison.


    "He looks like quite the aged monster."


    "Know the woman beside him?" Liam asked quietly, just enough for no one to hear him.


    Spirit of Nature paused for a second. "That must be¡­ ah, the Shadow Weaver."


    Now that the two were ''friends'' ¡ª if they could be called that ¡ª Spirit of Nature wouldn''t mind sharing some of her knowledge.


    "To my knowledge," Naomi said, "she''s an inscription master. One of the strongest. Not a powerhouse, but the General''s right hand."


    Liam heaved a sigh of relief.


    For a second there, he thought that the Shadow Weaver was also a powerhouse.


    It was a testament to both the Imperial Legion and the Echorian''s forces that each of them had two crystal ribbons.


    Rin and the Queen.


    Shadow Weaver and the General.


    But obviously, the Shadow Weaver was way stronger than Rin.


    But the Imperial Legion''s overall forces were smallpared to the monstrous Echorian Royals.


    And then¡­ there was Liam and his group of ragtag crazies.


    And with the new addition, it was only gonna get madder.


    "Did he ever try to conquer yournds?" Liam asked Naomi, who shook her head in response.


    "Not really. Xoltrah is not particrly ancient. I''m barely¡­ right, nevermind. Never ask ady her age."


    Naomi gave Liam a proud grin from the side.


    ''But you were just about to tell me, you oaf.''


    A few momentster, another figure walked in.


    It was a handsome, middle-aged man with¡­ incredibly white features.


    ¡­He was an albino!


    His long, lush hair was milk-white, tied with a zanzi hair pin.


    His lips, too, albeit on a slightly darker shade, were white.


    His skin, and even his ornate robe, lined with gold and fluid patterns, was all white.


    Strangely, even his eyes were white!


    "Oooh," Naomi eximed with slightly wide eyes. "That''s him."


    "The Sage."


    Truth be told, Liam expected an aged old man with a mustache long enough to touch the floor.


    But that wasn''t the case.


    The Sage''s white eyes swept the floor calmly.


    For just a second, his gaze connected with Liam and Spirit of Nature''s.


    Liam didn''t feel any sort of malice or overbearing feeling from the man.


    In fact, the person''s demeanor looked quite gentle and calm, like a schr or ascetic.


    Then, when he saw Eyes of Knowledge, his face wrinkled in pure disgust.


    Simrly, Eyes of Knowledge had a look of abhorrence on his face.


    It was clear that the two hated each other very much.


    One was an inscription master, and the other was an alchemist.


    Both were perhaps the absolute best at their fields!


    Liam didn''t know if they hated each other due to the differences between their specializations, or something deeper.


    ''Judging by how childish Eyes of Knowledge is, it''s probably the former.''


    The Sagepletely ignored those present and walked over to the Queen''s table.


    They greeted each other respectfully, and the Sage sat down at her table a momentter.


    Liam silently assessed all the groups present. The fact that they were sitting together gave a little insight to the rtionship they had.


    He lowered his head in thought.


    ''The person who supplied Alucard with those human corpses was most likely Eyes of Knowledge.''


    ''The Sage having contact with the Queen isn''t something too strange.''


    ''He''s probably the person who supplies them with pills and whatnot.''


    ''Kuan is sitting by himself for some strange reason.''


    ''And I''m stuck with¡­ this person.''


    So, as of now, the groups had split off into several.


    The General and the Shadow Weaver.


    Hand of Light, who sat by himself.


    Liam and Spirit of Nature.


    Alucard and Eyes of Knowledge.


    The Queen, Rin, the Dragonmancer and the Sage.


    The air was incredibly tense.


    Other than the piano ying in the background, there was no audible dialogue.


    Then, something sinister broke the silence.


    CLINK.


    CLANG.


    CLNQ.


    The sound of chains nging against one another grew louder.


    One more figure had appeared.


    And it was perhaps the eeriest and strangest of them all.


    The first word that appeared in Liam''s head when looking at them was:


    Chains.


    It was a tall, skinny woman with sunken cheeks and dark eyes.


    Long, ck, spiked chains nged and clinked as they dragged behind her.


    They were attached to her wrists, as though she was born with them.


    She had short hair and scary-looking, ck and red tattoos riddled across her exposed arms, neck and face.


    With her presence alone, the room grew a little heavier, causing Liam to question whether or not her powers were really sealed.


    Strangely, she looked at Liam for a few seconds, her gaze t, but undyingly powerful.


    ¡­It made Liam feel incredibly guilty.


    A secondter, she made her way to¡­ Kuan''s table?


    "Ah, there she is," Naomi whispered with a wary tone, as though she knew her. "Never thought she would actuallye."


    "Who is that?" Liam asked.


    Naomi leaned closer.


    "The Adjudicator."

 Chapter 479 Vigilante

    <h4>Chapter 479 Vignte</h4>


    Liam raised a brow as he heard that name.


    Adjudicator meant someone who judged between people.


    That somewhat exined why Liam felt so guilty under her sunken eyes.


    It was as though he was being judged for all the crimes he''dmitted.


    ''That''s a long list,'' Liam thought. ''I wonder what her Path allows her to do.''


    "Do you know her personally?" Liam asked Spirit of Nature.


    "No," she responded, then red a little at Liam. "You''re asking too many questions, little boy. Don''t think I don''t notice your intentions."


    Liam gave her a sunny, innocent smile.


    Spirit of Nature shook her head, leaning backwards.


    "She''s just a mythical figure that appears now and again."


    "I heard that despite her looks, she''s a just, albeit strict person that judges between major world disputes if it gets to that point."


    "A lookout for the weak, sort of thing."


    Liam furrowed his brows. "That doesn''t make sense."


    A little confused, Naomi gestured for Liam to continue.


    "If that was the case, what about the hundreds of thousands of innocents that die everyday?"


    Not that he cared.


    He just knew that it didn''t make sense.


    Spirit of Nature paused for a second, then burst into loudughter, momentarily gathering the attention of all those present.


    She was wheezing like it was the funniest joke in the world, uncaring of the res sent her way.


    Liam sighed tiredly.


    After a few seconds of wheezing and gasping for air, theughter piped down.


    "You misunderstand," Naomi said to Liam, still chuckling between words.


    "She isn''t some vignte that fights petty crime. I didn''t think you were that naive."


    Liam realized that his question was a little dumb, but he wasn''t offended.


    Naomi paused for dramatic effect, then smiled smugly.


    "She''s there to make sure humanity itself isn''t wiped out by some raging maniac with the power to pull it off."


    "Other than that, she''s antisocial and doesn''t like to show herself."


    ...So Liam couldn''t casually wipe out generations of innocent people on his whims?


    Damn you, Adjudicator!


    Looking around, Liam realized that nobody else wasing.


    This was the full lineup of people.


    In total, there were 12 individuals present.


    The Sage.


    The Dragonmancer.


    The General.


    Shadow Weaver.


    Hand of Light, or Kuan.


    Queen Thyress.


    Alucard.


    Eyes of Knowledge.


    Spirit of Nature.


    The Adjudicator.


    Rin.


    And finally, Liam.


    A room filled with the most powerful, influential people in the room.


    At least, those who were known. Perhaps someone out there was much stronger that simply chose not toe.


    The question remained¡­


    ¡­now what?


    Everyone had their own little groups within this floor.


    But as the minutes ticked by, there was no indication that they were going to visit each other.


    Tense animosity lingered in the air. Each of these people had a rich history with one another that Liam had little knowledge of.


    But due to his lone standing, he couldn''t benefit from this as much as¡­ Rin, for example.


    She had the Queen by her side, and could benefit from whatever questions Thyress asked the other powerhouses.


    In fact, Rin''s rtionship with the Queen had to be a student-master kinda thing.


    If only Usan was alive¡­


    Liam sighed tiredly.


    ''Where''s that fat dobber?'' Liam thought, remembering the Mayor. ''I bet he''s watching like the creep he is.''


    Just then, Alucard''s eyes met Liam''s.


    He gave him a wave, and gestured to a free seat at the table they sat upon.


    ''How kind of him.''


    In response, Liam subtly gestured to Spirit of Nature hanging to his side.


    Naomi noticed the exchange and quietly nced at Liam and Alucard, who sat beside Eyes of Knowledge.


    Alucard nodded firmly with a slight smile, giving Liam the ''OK'' to bring her along.


    Liam nced at Spirit of Nature as he rose from his feet. "Do you want to join their table?" he asked.


    Spirit of Nature gave Liam a smirk.


    If Liam had said something snarky like, "Let''s go" or "Come", she would have relinquished their rtionship straight away.


    One had to remember that this was still a powerhouse!


    They had to be given the utmost respect!


    Despite their banter and back and forths, it was impossible for the two to be equal to each other.


    Liam knew this.


    And Spirit of Nature knew this.


    Since Liam kept that in mind, Spirit of Nature gave him a smirk of approval.


    "Why not," Naomi said with a smug look, slowly rising to her feet, revealing her towering form. "Since you''re so well-behaved."


    Liam''s eyeline was right¡­ ahem.


    Right.


    Averting his gaze and making a beeline for Alucard''s table, Spirit of Nature followed closely behind.


    The two sat side by side, opposite to Alucard and Eyes of Knowledge.


    "Pleased to meet you, Miss Naomi," Alucard said with a smile. "My apologies for not inviting you sooner. Me and Reiner were discussing something."


    Something¡­


    Liam wondered what.


    Spirit of Nature gave Alucard a simr smile. "Likewise, and no worries. I was having a lovely chat with a little Reaper here."


    Reiner giggled quietly like the man-child he was.


    Liam smiled faintly, but his eyes didn''t.


    "I never knew you two had connections with one another," Naomi bluntly told Alucard and Eyes of Knowledge. "Are Neren and Korsa allied?"


    Silence.


    The two were taken aback by her bluntness and sudden question.


    Inwardly, Liamughed.


    ''It was a good idea to bring her along.''


    Good manners dictated that Naomi didn''t question Alucard and Reiner''s rtionship.


    Who was she toe and question them like that?


    Except¡­ this was a party to socialize.


    And she was blunt by nature.


    Plus, she could get away with it.


    Alucard chuckled and didn''t seem offended.


    "Reiner here helped me and my progeny invent our own inscription method. We''re not particrly allied, but we are on good terms."


    "Wow," Naomi eximed genuinely, raising her brows at Eyes of Knowledge.


    "I wouldn''t suppose you could help us make our own inscription method, could you? Xoltrah is¡­ embarrassingly, still in the stone age."


    Eyes of Knowledge gave her a cryptic smile, his hypnotizing eyes swirling.


    "Depends. I would no doubt love to visit a foreign country like yours."


    Reiner paused for dramatic effect.


    "In exchange, you have to give me the most valuable thing you possess, and allow me to study it in private."

 Chapter 480 Star Dust

    <h4>Chapter 480 Star Dust</h4>


    In response to Eyes of Knowledge''s ridiculous request, Naomi simplyughed in his face.


    That request was in stupid, and it benefited Reiner more than it did Naomi.


    Sure, an inscription method made by possibly the best expert in the world was something priceless.


    And quite frankly, the offer was too alluring to give up without a second or third thought.


    But all powerhouses had exceptional treasures and wonders in their belongings.


    One had to remember the kind of person Eyes of Knowledge was.


    It was in his name!


    Who knew what he could do with studying ancient artifacts?


    Replicate them?


    Remake them?


    Duplicate them?


    No one could tell.


    There was just something dangerous about that deal that everyone instinctively felt.


    Maybe it was the ''private'' aspect of it.


    But there was a good reason Eyes of Knowledge probably made that a condition.


    He wouldn''t want any interruptions to his studies and annoying monitorization of his work.


    In that sense, he was simr to Liam.


    Spirit of Nature chuckled under her breath and shook her head lightly.


    "I''m afraid that''s not possible."


    Eyes of Knowledge shrugged nonchntly, losing interest in the topic.


    "Shame."


    A brief silence descended on the table as neither side chose to break the ice.


    A maid came through and ced four individual drinks for everyone present.


    Alucard gave Liam an inquisitive look.


    "Had a good night?"


    Liam sighed. "So-so. Nothing too dramatic. I''ve lost more than I gained, I think."


    Alucard, Naomi and Reinerughed as they each took sips of their drinks.


    Noticing their cheerful demeanors, if any of it was genuine or not, Liam had a thought.


    Looking around the floor, it was a bit surreal knowing that, sooner orter, the people gathered here would eventually kill one or the other.


    There was no avoiding it. The world was always in a state of conflict. Peace was preparation for war, as Queen Thyress put it.


    The question was, who would kill who?


    Was Liam''s killer in this room?


    Or his victim?


    It was a little scary to think about.


    "You gave the Sage a sour look," Spirit of Nature suddenly asked Reiner. "But I''ve never heard of Aiho and Neren being enemies."


    Remembering the Sage, Reiner''s face turned ugly.


    He shook his head.


    "To think we were friends once," Eyes of Knowledge said with a cold tone.


    "We promised each other to pursue our arts to death, bing the best at what we did. Until that stupid idiot fell in¡­"


    Reiner made an disgusted face and gagged.


    "Love¡­ yuck. Even saying it makes me hurl."


    Liam could rte.


    Spirit of Nature suppressed the urge tough. Alucard and Liam remained silent.


    Reiner said nothing after that, ncing venomously at the Sage''s direction.


    To Liam''s eye, these two were probably best friends who grew estranged over time.


    Stuff like that usually happened.


    Most of the time, there was no way two friends from childhood could remain the same when growing up.


    Usually, when one of them found someone they liked, they would converse with each other less and less, before eventually leaving them entirely.


    Most of the time, that sparked animosity or hatred.


    ''That''s probably what happened.''


    After that, there was a brief silence.


    The minutes passed, and Liam''s group spoke about nothing important in particr.


    It was just a few yful back and forths that Liam didn''t partake in, choosing to remain silent.


    The other groups were idle as well.


    Everyone stuck to themselves.


    The Queen, Rin, the Dragonmancer and the Sage didn''t approach the General or the Shadow Weaver.


    And Liam, Eyes of Knowledge, Alucard, Spirit of Nature didn''t approach Kuan and the Adjudicator.


    It was just a strange limbo.


    At one point, Liam flicked out his stopwatch and examined the time, nodding to himself.


    "Sorry to interrupt, but does anyone know when this ends?" Liam asked. "I think it''s time for me to head back home if there''s nothing else."


    ''I''ve benefited enough from this ce,'' Liam thought. ''I need to head out and kill things.''


    "I agree," Spirit of Nature said, yawning like a lion. "I''ve had my share of fun. The others don''t seem interested in chatting."


    Alucard didn''t say anything, but one could tell that he wasn''t too excited to be here either.


    Just then, crystal rays of light shimmered within the center of the floor, growing into a human silhouette.


    The Mayor had appeared.


    His smiling eyes shot left and right, assessing his guest''s mood.


    "Forgive me for beingte," the Mayor said apologetically.


    "I had¡­ several issues to take care of. A certain¡­ Pungent Stink had to be expelled. What was I thinking?"


    He shook his head.


    "I would be a fool if I didn''t make this trip worthwhile for you all. I propose a game!"


    With the enthusiasm the Mayor spoke with, one would expect an outcry of cheers and roars.


    But there was just silence.


    This was not themon crowd.


    It was filled with killers and crazies.


    No one shared his excitement.


    The Mayor didn''t seem fazed, though, and he continued with the same giddy voice.


    "But before I get to what this game is, I''d like to disy the reward ites with."


    WHOOM!


    The Mayor made a circr gesture, causing a crystal portal to form in front of him.


    A momentter, he stuck his arm into the portal.


    And slowly, he pulled it out, along with a small, perfectly spherical object that crackled like lightning and shimmered like crimson blood.


    Liam''s interest was piqued.


    Reiner''s eyes widened as much as they possibly could, faced with a foreign object.


    Spirit of Nature raised her brow in confusion, not knowing what it was.


    Alucard''s slitted eyes narrowed in an attempt to understand what that was.


    The General looked calmly amused.


    The Queen tilted her head.


    Kuan looked surprised, but didn''t know what was happening.


    The Adjudicator''s face didn''t change.


    Shadow Weaver''s lips curved into a smile.


    The Sage squinted his eyes to see what it was.


    Rin''s irises constricted vertically.


    And the Dragonmancer''s face remained neutral, his eyes still hidden by a blindfold.


    The Mayor grinned broadly seeing so many reactions to the object.


    "I call this¡­ Star Dust."

 Chapter 481 Touch Ball

    <h4>Chapter 481 Touch Ball</h4>


    The item looked incredibly potent with magic.


    A halo of silver moonlight surrounded its perfectly spherical shape.


    In reality, its surface was made out of a brass color, but reflected sharper red light.


    It was as though it didn''t belong in this world.


    There was no doubt about it.


    This was a one of a kind item.


    "Stop teasing and tell us what it is already!" Eyes of Knowledge snapped.


    It was clear that he, of all people present, was the most excited about this thing.


    And quite frankly, everyone was.


    Liam, too.


    ''Star Dust¡­ has it actuallye from outer space?'' Liam thought.


    The Mayor grinned broadly, seeing Eyes of Knowledge''s reaction.


    But just before he answered, Reiner interrupted him again, raising a hand.


    "Wait! I''ll give you 3 different treasures in exchange for that. How about it?"


    Almost everyone in the room simultaneously red at Reiner, but the enthusiastic seeker of knowledge was unfazed.


    Then, they red at the Mayor, daring him to agree to the trade.


    The Mayor felt a little smaller under so many powerful eyes. He chuckled awkwardly.


    "Haha¡­ ahem¡­ that''s¡­ unnecessary. I''m afraid I cannot do that, Mister Knowledge."


    The tense, heavy atmosphere softened.


    Eyes of Knowledge had a gloomy look on his face.


    ''What a stingy person,'' Liam thought. ''Most of all, stingy with knowledge.''


    A momentter, the Mayor continued, adjusting his monocle and tophat.


    Using some sort of telekinesis, he raised the object into the air for all to see.


    "As you can tell by the name, this little thing does not belong on this."


    The Mayor spoke in a proud tone.


    "It''s a meteor with Rank 6 magical properties!"


    Shocked silence.


    Even a Rank 4 item that came from outer space was bound to be interesting.


    This was Rank 6?


    It wasmon knowledge that meteorites turned into motes of ash once they entered the''s atmosphere.


    The friction caused by the world''s gasses caused it to burn apart.


    It was rare for a meteorite to actually hit the square on.


    However, for the cultivation world, that was even more true.


    Why, exactly?


    Because of the sheer amount of things that lived in the sky!


    Dragons, Wyverns and all kinds of aerial beasts swarmed amidst the clouds, even if they were dormant at times.


    If they saw a meteorite, it''d most likely mistake it for an invading species, then attack it viciously until they were sure it was erased.


    However¡­


    Meteorites were just rocks in space that managed to enter the''s gravitational orbit.


    They weren''t Rank 6 materials!


    And this thing was?!


    Not to mention, it contained magical properties?


    It was clear that everyone wanted the Star Dust.


    Liam was no exception!


    He imagined what a weapon made from a Rank 6 material would be like¡­


    Could it cleave a mountain in one single swing?


    No¡­


    It could do much more!


    "What does it do?" Spirit of Nature asked innocently. "Other than being Rank 6, of course."


    The Mayor smiled wryly.


    "We¡­ don''t know."


    Silence.


    "I''ve brought several renowned archeologists¡ª"


    "But not me?!" Eyes of Knowledge interrupted.


    "¡ªto look into the item and understand its purpose," the Mayor continued, unfazed by Reiner''s interjection.


    "None have truly found out what it contains, nor understood its special properties."


    A pause.


    "I have a sneaking suspicion that this has been birthed from an actual star!"


    "A dying one, at least. I''m not too wise on the anatomy of the celestial bodies, but I''m sure they have something to do with¡­ whatever this is."


    A moment of silence ensued.


    ''I must have it,'' Liam thought seriously. ''I must.''


    The core of a dying star?


    Are you kidding?


    Liam would want nothing else!


    The Mayor grinned broadly.


    "But I''ve washed my hands clean of it."


    His smile grew deeper.


    "It''s the prize for our big game."


    The ''game'' no longer sounded as nd and stupid as before.


    With this as the carrot, the stick could be whatever the Mayor wanted it to be.


    "Any questions before I begin exining what the game is?" the Mayor asked. "You''re¡­ all participating, right?"


    "I haven''t left yet, have I?" the General said in a husky voice and a charming tone.


    Funny enough, Liam noticed how the General said ''I'' and not ''we''.


    As though he was the only person that mattered.


    "Very well," the Mayor said with a nod. "Let usmence!"


    As everyone rose from their seats, the Mayor made a wide sweeping gesture with his palm outstretched.


    Wherever his hand moved, the floor''s structure transformed.


    The flower-like chandeliers regressed into the ceiling.


    The private seating areas were sucked into the floor, before turning entirely t a secondter.


    And the bar precisely broke apart into smaller pieces, before turning t as well.


    Now, the floor perfectly resembled a gymnasium!


    The wooden nks had spread throughout the ground.


    The ceiling was decorated with cozy white lights.


    The floor itself was divided into two sides.


    In the center was a long, wide held up by two poles.


    The ''arena'' was rectangrly shaped, with a white strip of painting marking its precise boundaries.


    Liam''s eyes widened in mild surprise.


    This¡­


    ¡­looked like a volleyball pitch!


    An indoor volleyball pitch, of course.


    All those present looked confused.


    They had never seen such a thing before!


    When one thought of a game in the cultivation world, they would either think of something involving violence, gambling or dares.


    Not this.


    "I call this¡­"


    The Mayor paused for dramatic effect.


    "Touch Ball!"


    A crystal portal shimmered from above, through which a small ball made from a rubber-like material emerged.


    Striped with ck-and-white colors, it was perfectly circr, yet looked incredibly durable.


    It floated mid-air, bobbing up and down idly.


    "Please forgive me for doing this, but I swear, it''s because I want the yers to be absolutely fair."


    CLICK!


    A secondter, the Mayor snapped his fingers.


    At once, Liam''s suit, overcoat and undershirt transformed into an athletic attire suited for¡­ well, volleyball!


    Looking around, Liam realized that it was the same for everyone!

 Chapter 482 Trip

    <h4>Chapter 482 Trip</h4>


    The athletic attire fit Liam perfectly.


    Colored ck, it was basically a slightly loose shirt which exposed his toned shoulders and arms.


    For his lower body, it was just a pair of shorts past knee-length, exposing his calves.


    It seemed to be made from some sort of flexible, rubber-like material, but was rigid at the same time.


    Surprisingly, he even had shoes on!


    They were made just for the asion,ced up and tightened around his soles.


    Liam looked around, examining each person individually.


    Seeing a mighty, incredibly powerful vampire king in athletic attire was something Liam didn''t expect to see.


    But he was seeing it.


    Alucard examined his shirt and shorts with interest.


    He was probably wondering why the shape and style was so different.


    Quite frankly, it didn''t look bad on the man!


    Eyes of Knowledge looked¡­ well, he looked like how one would expect someone who never ran in their life would.


    Skinny and slim, one could mistake him for a charming but timid librarian rather than a genius powerhouse.


    The Sage was simr to him in this regard.


    They both looked like the two smartest kids in the ssroom, who were absolutely horrible at physical education, and were subsequently bullied for it.


    ''Nerds.''


    Kuan, on the other hand, looked like the giant he was.


    His muscles burst through his stic clothing, but he didn''t look beefy.


    The General''s face expressed no annoyance in particr, other than his natural arrogance and superiority.


    He was no exception to the change in dress code, but the sports look didn''t look bad on him either.


    "What¡­ is this?" the Dragonmancer said, confused. "Why have my clothes been shortened?"


    Even after his attire had been changed, the Dragonmancer''s blindfold hid his eye line.


    His shirt seemed to have the trinkets imbued into them, but they seemed tock the glow that previously emanated from them.


    Their power was sealed.


    On the other side¡­


    Spirit of Nature looked like an absolute monster.


    There was no one better suited for this sport than her, it seemed.


    No thanks to her terrifying physique.


    Except¡­


    ''Yikes¡­ Thyroid and Naomi look pissed,'' Liam suppressed augh, looking at their unnervingly dark expressions. ''Rin and Shadow Weaver too, haha.''


    Thyroid was the nickname Liam gave to Queen Thyress.


    Of course, he''d never say that out loud¡­ not now, at least. Maybe once he was stronger.


    Their clothing wasn''t revealing at all, nor did the Mayor tailor it in a way that could be derogatory or unpleasing.


    The Queen still had her glistening crown on her head, and her shorts were more like elongated pants that elegantly covered her ankles.


    Shadow Weaver''s charm hadn''t gone anywhere either¡­ but that didn''t mean she wasn''t subtly pissed.


    A woman''s attire was a second skin.


    It was no surprise their moods were soured.


    Of all the women there, the Adjudicator was the least worried about the change in appearance.


    In fact, she wasn''t even fazed.


    She still had on her chains, though. They were basically a part of her.


    Rin looked like a popr school girl with her attire.


    ¡­In fact, everyone seemed to look like they had some sort of position in a highschool!


    No doubt, the General looked like the strict, authoritarian Principal.


    Hand of Light looked like the P.E Teacher.


    Spirit of Nature looked like the P.E Teacher''s grandmother.


    Liam and Rin both looked like the popr students.


    The Adjudicator looked like the Disciplinary Dean.


    The Sage looked like the Guidance Counselor.


    The Dragonmancer looked like the History Teacher.


    Eyes of Knowledge looked like the Mathematics Professor.


    Shadow Weaver looked like the teacher everyone had a crush on.


    And Alucard and Queen Thyress seemed like the rich, dysfunctional couple that owned the entire school.


    And this was a school trip.


    "Glutton," Queen Thyress said with dark eyes, addressing the Mayor. "Exin."


    With so many res being sent his way, a few droplets of sweat trickled down the Mayor''s fat chin.


    But worst of all, was the Queen''s gaze.


    ''Ugh,'' Liam inwardly groaned with disgust. ''Royalty.''


    The Mayorughed awkwardly, rushing to exin himself.


    "Please, calm down. It''s for the equality of all the yers involved. Otherwise, this wouldn''t be fair."


    With eyes still contemting murder, Queen Thyress nced at the Star Dust for a few seconds, before a stern look formed on her face.


    A momentter, she was silent.


    The storm had passed.


    The Mayor gulped audibly, wiping the sweat off his face.


    "Let us not dwell on the minor details and continue, yes?" the Mayor asked, and no one interjected. "Very well."


    WHOOM!


    Abruptly, twelve circr spots started glowing crystal on the field.


    Six on one side, six on the other side, neatly positioned to have three in front, and three in the back.


    Each spot was spacious enough for ten men to spread their arms across, side by side.


    They looked like indicators for each of the yers to go to!


    "Firstly, you''ll notice that the pitch is divided into two sides," the Mayor exined. "And since we''re a total of twelve, minus me, it''ll be a six versus six game."


    Silence.


    A few people frowned, including Liam.


    Didn''t that mean that¡­ they''d have to make teams?!


    Liam sensed a big argumenting.


    ''A pissing contest of who gets the leading position¡­'' Liam thought. ''You gotta love those.''


    "How are we supposed to win the prize when we''re ying as a group?" Spirit of Nature asked innocently, slicking back her unkempt hair.


    "Do we split it into six pieces, or¡­?"


    Naomi was always the first to ask questions, dumb as they were.


    The Mayor smiled.


    "No. Touch Ball is very, very concise and quaint."


    "In short, all both teams have to do is exchange the Ball over the, without touching it twice."


    "Each of the circr zones, Positions, as I call them, are the anchors to each yer."


    "If you leave the Position, you''re disqualified."


    "If you touch the Ball twice, you''re disqualified."


    "If the Ball hits the, you''re disqualified."


    "If you grief your teammate on purpose, you''re disqualified."


    "If the Ball goes out of the pitch, you''re disqualified."


    "Once a yer is disqualified, the game is restarted with updated positions."


    The Mayor spread his hands, brimming with excitement.


    "Now, to choose the teams!"

 Chapter 483 Teams

    <h4>Chapter 483 Teams</h4>


    As soon as the Mayor announced the requirement for teams, Liam let out a long sigh.


    ''This''ll be fun to watch.''


    All that was missing was a bag of popcorn to watch the carnage unfold.


    Firm nces were spread from one person to another.


    Of course, there had to be one person on each team that dictated the locations of each individual.


    Otherwise, it''d just be chaos.


    Of course, the Mayor could just relieve them of that duty and grant one of the positions to someone strong.


    ¡­But everyone was strong!


    Plus, if he gave one person the authority to choose, then another could be offended.


    Even a raffle or random pick was dangerous.


    What if it was one of the new powerhouses?


    Wouldn''t that offend the older, stronger, more experienced cultivators?


    ¡­However, it was clear that not everyone was meant for the leading role.


    The two new powerhouses were definitely not fit for it.


    Spirit of Nature wanted no part in it.


    Neither was Liam or Rin, since they were the weakest present.


    Eyes of Knowledge and the Sage didn''t seem like they cared too much about it, yet the former had a pensive, distant look on his face.


    He was already constructing a n of some kind!


    That made him dangerous¡­ and also a valuable asset for whoever wanted him on his team.


    The Adjudicator didn''t want anything to do with a position of authority, either.


    She was standing by herself, separate from the groups¡­ with Kuan by her side.


    ''Wonder what they''re talking about,'' Liam thought. ''They''re having a mental conversation, aren''t they?''


    In fact, judging by the tense silence, everyone was having a private conversation with each other.


    Alucard approached Liam with a bitter, slightly annoyed look on his face.


    "Must be nice being able to speak telepathically," Alucard said with slight annoyance. "Saves one the embarrassment of asking."


    Alucard sighed as Liam smirked a little.


    "I disdain pissing contests like these, but I must say, the reward for this little game has intrigued me. Same team? I won''t haggle or anything if you win."


    Liam nodded with a smile.


    "Of course."


    Then, Liam looked at Spirit of Nature, who had a strange look on her face.


    "Would you care to join us, Miss Naomi?" Alucard said nicely. "You could choose any Position you''d like."


    It didn''t take much to convince her.


    Spirit of Nature instantly gave a thumbs up.


    "I''ll go convince Reiner and maybe the Adjudicator and Hand of Light to join," Alucard said as he turned around. "Try to pick a Position you''d like until then."


    Then, Alucard left.


    Looking around, Liam could tell what the lineups would consist of.


    For starters, Rin and the Queen were obviously going to be together.


    Obviously, Liam was on Alucard''s team, with Spirit of Nature together.


    Thus, five of the remaining seven were already fixed.


    Queen Thyress was already on the move. Her, the Dragonmancer and the Sage were near one another.


    It looked like they were having a mental conversation.


    ''Yeah¡­'' Liam thought, just a little disappointed. ''This is tamer than I thought it would be.''


    He expected a fight!


    A war!


    A massive argument!


    Yet, the Queen''s group already had four.


    The Dragonmancer, the Sage, Rin, herself.


    Just two more remained for her entire team to form!


    Meanwhile, Alucard was speaking with the Adjudicator and Kuan, convincing them to join.


    From that distance, Liam couldn''t hear anything.


    His powers and senses were still sealed off, after all, and their lips were unreadable.


    Just then, the Adjudicator snuck an eerie side-nce at Liam during their conversation.


    Then, she looked back at Alucard and nodded.


    ''That makes five, if Kuan isn''ting,'' Liam thought, looking at the other groups.


    Except¡­


    The General was still in neither team.


    The Shadow Weaver was to his side, a disappointed, slightly disdained expression on her face.


    Queen Thyress obviously didn''t approach these two.


    And the General was too prideful to approach anyone.


    Obviously, the Shadow Weaver was his right hand, which made them a dangerous duo to have on either team.


    ''If they and the Queen get together¡­ then I don''t think we''ll be able tost.''


    Just then, Liam chuckled under his breath as he saw the Adjudicator and Kuan walking over.


    They had joined the team,pleting six.


    ''But it''s inevitable.''


    It was clear what the teams were, now.


    Alucard, Liam, Spirit of Nature, Kuan, Eyes of Knowledge and the Adjudicator were going to be on the same team.


    ¡­And the General, Queen Thyress, Rin, the Dragonmancer, the Sage, and the Shadow Weaver would be in the other team.


    That lineup was just¡­ stupid!


    Two of the strongest powerhouses in one team was just overkill.


    The General paused for a second, then grinned mischievously, spreading his arms.


    "The Bloodsuckers and the Rag-tag Royalists!"


    Hearing his exmation of fitting team names, Liam hid a chuckle.


    It really was a rag-tag group.


    An Albino, a magical beast hybrid, a Queen and a Dragonmancer.


    It was almost a bar joke.


    No one else wasughing, though.


    Alucard and Queen Thyroid''s face was void of emotion.


    The General''s mocking smile deepened.


    But no one responded to him.


    It appeared as though this wasn''t the first time this happened.


    A momentter, he proudly walked over to the Queen''s side, with the Shadow Weaver behind him.


    A brief silence descended.


    ''Their lineup is powerful,'' Liam thought. ''But they''re just regr joes now.''


    ''As long as there are no powers involved, I''m the same as them!''


    It was winnable!


    "Oh, right," the Mayor said under his breath, raising his fingers to snap them. "Before I forget¡­"


    CLCK!


    As soon as the Mayor snapped his fingers, a surge of power shot across Liam''s body.


    Slowly¡­ his powers were being unsealed!


    His King''s Eye gained back its sharpness, but not all of it. Spirit Sight was still locked.


    Most of his Transfiguration was back, along with his distinct physical strength.


    However, his mental waves were still sealed, remaining in his mental sphere.


    But he could use Mind Edge.


    However, he couldn''t use his darkness or spells.


    Slowly, Liam raised his head.


    He sighed.


    From the looks of it, Liam wasn''t the only person who had his powers unsealed.

 Chapter 484 Positions

    <h4>Chapter 484 Positions</h4>


    The first thing Liam realized was that he was much, much stronger than he was supposed to be.


    ''Do I¡­ have a temporary Rank 5 body?'' Liam thought. ''It has to be. It''s not my mind ying tricks on me.''


    A fast look around paired with quick thinking brought Liam to a likely conclusion.


    ''Cornelius has made us all average in power¡­ but since almost everyone here is Rank 6, that average is above and beyond my current cultivation level.''


    That made the most sense, and so Liam went with that.


    To think that Cornelius had such powers¡­ Paths were indeed amazing.


    Even Liam''s intellect and mental capacity was far sharper and precise, just not as much as his mind was.


    Except, not everyone shared Liam''s sentiments.


    In particr, some of the powerhouses seemed to be mildly annoyed.


    Which brought Liam to another conclusion.


    If his power level was raised¡­


    ¡­their power level was lowered!


    "Wow. I can''t remember thest time I felt this weak," Spirit of Nature said, tensing and clenching her fists experimentally. "Sucks to be you, Reap."


    Liam didn''t respond. He was overdosing on sheer ecstasy. It was a shame this level of strength was only temporary.


    Oh well.


    Liam hid a smile.


    He''d have to make it count.


    Looking at Rin, she had the same ted smile on her face.


    Queen Thyress didn''t look too pleased, but she didn''t voice her displeasure.


    "Please choose your Positions before starting," the Mayor said, flying above the court. "I''ll activate two Istion Barriers for a discussion."


    WHOOM!


    A blurry Istion Barrier covered both sides of the pitch, silencing the air.


    Now that they were isted from the rest, the group could freely discuss whatever Position, or team n they had.


    "I''ll settle for any of the three front positions," Hand of Light said, cracking his knuckles. "I can''t y guard."


    "Why not?" Spirit of Nature retorted.


    Kuan gave Naomi a wry shrug. "Too boring."


    By now, everyone had the gist of the game memorized.


    They weren''t stupid.


    They understood the rules straight away.


    Those standing in the corners would have much more difficulty shooting the ball over the.


    But the center back and the three front positions would have the most action.


    However, those in the corner would be much safer, and couldst for more rounds.


    Alucard hummed to himself, then shrugged.


    "ying in either of the corners doesn''t make a difference to me."


    Kuan and Liam nodded, while Spirit of Nature and the Adjudicator were silent.


    "You, Reiner?" Alucard asked Eyes of Knowledge.


    Snapping out of his trance, Reiner rubbed his chin in thought, saying nothing for several seconds.


    "The front-most position would have to set up our offense," Eyes of Knowledge said with a dark look.


    "If this was anything else, I''d have said nothing. But I''d rather kamikaze myself than let that prick win."


    The Sage, he meant.


    Liam said nothing.


    Indeed, in a team game like volleyball, setups and executions were very important.


    In fact, they were a major part of the game.


    Blindly smashing the ball as hard as they possibly could would never grant the team victory.


    Teamy was important!


    "I would y the set-up role¡­ but all I''ll be able to do for this game is strengthen your throws and assist you from the sides."


    No one asked each other for their powers.


    No one would answer, of course.


    Alucard nodded firmly.


    This wasn''t a game.


    This was serious.


    "I''ll y in the back corner."


    The words belonged to the Adjudicator.


    Her strict, low voice was coarse, like two sheets of sandpaper rubbing against stone.


    It was enough to make someone feel ufortable and scared.


    "Anyone want the front-most role?" Eyes of Knowledge asked with sharp eyes. "You''ll have to set it up for the person behind you, though."


    "It''s the easiest way to score."


    The childish demeanor was gone.


    Spirit of Nature was about to raise her hand, but Liam spoke first.


    "I can try," Liam said. "I don''t think I''ll do too bad."


    Silence.


    "You better not try any shy attempt to score points solo," Eyes of Knowledge said firmly. "No matter what kind of bait they dangle in front of you."


    Liam shrugged, unfazed by the threat.


    "I''m not gonna tie my hands behind my back. If I see a chance to score, I''ll score."


    Silence.


    Talking back to a powerhouse was an unthinkable act.


    But Eyes of Knowledge couldn''t force Liam into anything.


    In fact, they were equals here.


    Reiner clicked his tongue in annoyance. "y for the win, not because you want attention."


    Eyes of Knowledge then looked at Spirit of Nature.


    "That leaves you, then."


    Silence.


    Spirit of Nature grinned.


    It seems as though she was built for the offensive role.


    Eyes of Knowledge''s hypnotizing irises grew a little distant.


    "I know which Positions they''ll choose," Reiner said, the corner of his lips curling to a small smirk. "Here''s the n..."


    ***


    The roles were made.


    Liam was in the front.


    Eyes of Knowledge was to his right.


    Kuan was to his left.


    Behind Liam was Naomi.


    In the right corner was Alucard.


    And in the left corner was the Adjudicator.


    Slowly, the Istion Barrier puffed out, revealing the other team''s positions.


    Queen Thyress was in the same Position as Liam!


    Except¡­


    Liam quickly realized something.


    She definitely wasn''t there to set up ys!


    She was there to make them!


    ¡­But Eyes of Knowledge already knew that!


    In fact, his predictions were spot on!


    As predicted by Reiner, ying behind the Queen was the General himself.


    To the right and left of the Queen was Rin and the Sage.


    ying in the corners behind Rin and the Sage, was Shadow Weaver and the Dragonmancer.


    All predicted.


    But just because their Positions were predicted didn''t mean that Liam''s group had won.


    It just meant that they had a slightly bigger advantage.


    "Before we begin," Eyes of Knowledge said, "are inscriptions and weapons allowed?"


    The Mayor nodded. "If you can take them out of your storage devices, it''s allowed."


    Liam raised his brow.


    He reached into his space ring.


    When he tried to take out the ck de¡­ he couldn''t!


    The same thing urred with the Dusks.


    But when he attempted to do the same with the Breaker de¡­


    It left his ring.

 Chapter 485 Butchered

    <h4>Chapter 485 Butchered</h4>


    As the monstrous sword came into view, Liam ran a hand along its edge. It didn''t cut him. In fact, it was duller than rock.


    However, Liam realized why the weapon was allowed in the first ce.


    It was the size.


    And its function.


    Lowering the sword''s tip to the floor, Liam let go of the handle, causing the Breaker to merge into the ground like liquid.


    Controlling it via his shadows, Liam made it swim like a shark around the boundaries of his Position.


    This was why he could take it out.


    It could be used as a defense!


    Of course, Liam could just use Transfiguration to be a creature consisting of nothing but hands.


    But that would involve showing off too much than he wasfortable with.


    Using a bit here and there was fine.


    It was impossible for the powerhouses to win this if they withheld their strength, let alone him.


    But being conservative was wise.


    Liam looked around.


    Alucard was still the same.


    Most of his powers came from his body and blood.


    Kuan looked the same, along with the Adjudicator and Spirit of Nature.


    On the other hand, Eyes of Knowledge took out a small coin-shaped item that had twelve little circr engravings on it.


    It looked like any other coin.


    That''s all he brought out.


    In fact, he was the only person to take something out, other than Liam.


    Just then, the Dragonmancer removed one of the trinkets from his clothes.


    Then, he crushed it in his hand!


    WRSH!


    Crimson hot mes surged behind the Dragonmancer''s back, roaring as it blossomed like a flower.


    Slowly, the burning silhouette of a pair of wings emerged from the ze''s sides.


    A long, curved beak followed from its front.


    Along with long, fiery ws.


    It was a phoenix!


    Burning fiercely, it hovered just behind the Dragonmancer''s back.


    The lower half of its body was connected to the man''s torso, like it was emerging from him!


    It was twice the size of an adult human.


    Silence ensued.


    "That''s¡­ allowed?" Kuan muttered under his breath, arching his brow. "How?"


    The Dragonmancer grinned, disying his sharp teeth. "Do you feel its heat?" he asked.


    ¡­Despite burning fiercely, there was no warmth radiating from the phoenix''s form!


    But that didn''t make it any less strong.


    In fact, this was borderline cheating!


    But no oneined.


    They all had a few cheat codes they could use.


    Liam took out the gauntlets he had reaped from the Dual Empire.


    They were also allowed.


    The Sage''s white eyes crackled with lightning.


    ''Ah,'' Liam thought. ''So he''s a Dual Elementalist.''


    "The Formations dictate whether or not something is fair," the Mayor cut in firmly. "Please trust its reliability."


    Liam sighed, but didn''tin.


    "Why are you called Dragonmancer if you use a phoenix?" Spirit of Natureughed. "That defeats the purpose of your name."


    "It''s a tranted moniker that I didn''t even authorize," the Dragonmancer said with a deep frown behind the blindfold. "My real name is Urzek."


    "Enough talk," Queen Thyress said with subtle annoyance in her voice. "Don''t waste my time."


    "Hahaha!" the Generalughed sonorously. "A little girl roleying as monarchy will never not be funny."


    "I''ll have you hung, rat-lip," the Queen said calmly, not even looking back. "You and the little Legion."


    The General had thin lips, hence the insult.


    "Oh, please," the Shadow Weaver responded with a sharp re. "As if your pathetic family is worth the dust on our shoes."


    The Queen gracefully chuckled to herself.


    "Remember, Vanessa," Queen Thyress said with a calm, almost happy smile, still not looking back. "It was I who butchered your sisters."


    Silence.


    Woah¡­


    That was¡­ that was too harsh and heavy to drop at once!


    ''The Queen butchered the Shadow Weaver''s sisters¡­'' Liam thought pensively. ''Is that why she''s with the General now?''


    ''Or was she with the Queen, then joined the General?''


    ''Or did her sisters get executed because she had defected to the General?''


    Too many questions ran through his mind.


    In an instant, the air turned heavier than stone.


    Shadow Weaver remained silent.


    But the distant look in her eyes suggested that she was imagining the Queen being killed repeatedly and in the most gruesome of ways.


    Sweat formed on the Mayor''s concerned face.


    "Please," the Sage said catingly. "Don''t fight one another, we''re a tea¡ª"


    "Be quiet, Milkie," the General responded with an acrid insult. "Let us watch."


    Naomi leaned towards Liam''s Position a little and whispered past his ear.


    "I think I lit the fuse to all this."


    "You did?" Liam asked, surprised.


    Spirit of Nature raised a brow. "You don''t think I¡­ oh. You''re ying with me, aren''t you?"


    Liam said nothing.


    The Adjudicator said nothing either, watching with bored eyes.


    Eyes of Knowledge suppressed his giggles.


    Rin remained silent as her team slowly degenerated deeper into their insults.


    She gave Liam a nce, who responded with a smug grin.


    Despite his attempts to hide it, a tinge of enjoyment appeared on Alucard''s face.


    "Can we start already?" Hand of Light said loudly with a frown. "This is getting out of hand. If the world knew what we were really like, they''d never believe it."


    DING! DING! DING! DING!


    Just then, a loud pinging sound resounded above the court, simr to the sound of a pinball machine''s chime.


    Above air, the volleyball was rapidly being bounced between the two sides of the court.


    And slowly, its speed was lessened the more it bounced.


    "Get ready!" Eyes of Knowledge shouted, a little excited. "It''s starting!"


    The ball was going to fall on either side, which would mark the game''s beginning!


    To distance himself from all the drama, the Mayor had already started it!


    The ball continued slowing.


    The tension mounted.


    Liam crouched lightly.


    Everyone''s focus was on the ball.


    DING! DING! DING! DING!


    Left, right, left, right, left¡­ right.


    Time slowed.


    And slowly¡­


    ¡­it settled on the Queen''s team, falling gently towards her.


    The Bloodsuckers versus the Rag-tag Royalists¡­


    Begin!

 Chapter 486 Brutal Sight

    <h4>Chapter 486 Brutal Sight</h4>


    As the ball fell towards the Queen, she leapt into the air.


    It was a 50 meter jump!


    But the that divided the two sides was 40 meters tall itself.


    WHOOM!


    Blinding light gathered in her left palm.


    It was the picture-perfect pose of a volleyball yer as they were about to strike the ball mid-air.


    BANG!


    There was a loud shockwave.


    The ball was heading straight for Liam''s Position!


    Fast!


    It was at the edge of his boundary too, where it was the furthest from him!


    Had that ball hit a regr pedestrian, or perhaps even a regr Zenith, they would be shredded into pieces.


    But Liam was empowered.


    He had already moved before Queen Thyress struck the ball towards his boundary.


    His body was parallel to the ground as heunched himself forward, his arms outstretched.


    He reached it!


    With his hands sped together, Liam shot the ball upwards with his knuckles.


    BOOM!


    It was very painful.


    As soon as it made contact with his hands, it shaved off ayer of skin.


    However, there was no blood, and theyer of skin reformed a secondter.


    The ball whistled through the air as Liam redirected it towards his team.


    It was falling towards Kuan.


    Hand of Light smiled.


    Then, he leapt into the air, ready to strike the ball as hard as he possibly could!


    BOP.


    Unexpectedly, something else happened.


    Instead of shooting it forward, Kuan pped the ball towards Alucard!


    A few people on Queen Thyress'' team frowned.


    The Bloodsuckers were working together.


    Had the Queen thrown the ball backwards to her own team, this wouldn''t have happened.


    At the same time, the ball was traveling incredibly fast.


    It had turned into a blur, even to the powerhouses.


    However, that just meant that they had to react just as fast.


    With a focused look on his face, Alucard stood in his ce until the ball reached him.


    Then, when it did, he spun around and kicked it with incredible force!


    BOOOM!


    Kicking and punching or pping the ball was all within bounds.


    Next, the ball was heading towards Eyes of Knowledge.


    A bit of sapphire-blue energy exited from the tips of Reiner''s fingers.


    It had the consistency of smoke that didn''t fade away.


    As the ball came towards him, Reiner just¡­ pped it away with the back of his hand.


    BANG!


    It was like all the ball''s natural forces had been negated, then redirected in an instant.


    Next, it came to the Adjudicator!


    With a bored, unamused look on her face, the iron-strictdy whipped her ck chains at the ball.


    TIISH!


    A disk-shaped shockwave spread from where the chains hit the ball.


    It wasing back to Liam!


    ''At least soften it, you retard!'' Liam sneered as the ball came towards him faster than the speed of sound.


    BOOM!


    Liam smashed the ball upwards again, which was curved a few degrees to one side.


    It reached 280 meters in the air!


    The floor was vast, and the ceiling wasn''t even visible.


    Liam hit the ball with empowered wrists and hands.


    And yet, his wrist bone, and subsequently his arm, broke due to the impact.


    CRACK!


    Even through his gauntlets


    A secondter, Liam''s wrists fixed themselves in an instant.


    But now¡­


    This was the encore.


    It was Spirit of Nature''s turn.


    The ball was still rising in the air.


    With her eyes stuck to the ball, Naomi lowered herself like an eagle preparing for liftoff.


    After several seconds, the ball had stopped rising.


    Now, it was falling!


    BOOM!


    Naomiunched herself towards the sky.


    The ground shook upon her release.


    A momentter, her entire body flexed and worked together to form one single strike.


    Her hand pped the ball towards its edge.


    BOOOOM!


    WHSHHHHH!


    The ball shot forward and curved with the trajectory of a banana, passing through Queen Thyress'' Position in the blink of an eye!


    The Queen attempted to block it.


    She jumped in the air with her arm outstretched, yet the ball merely grazed the tips of her fingernails.


    It had shot past her!


    As the ball was midway through its curve, it entered the Dragonmancer''s Position.


    The phoenix behind Urzek screeched as the ball came through, outstretching its wing to stop its swift approach.


    WRRSHHH!


    The ball pierced through the phoenix''s wing.


    However, it only seeded in slowing it down.


    At the end of its curve, the ball arrived at the General.


    A toothy grin was on the vigorous old man''s face.


    Just as the ball was about to exit his boundary, it¡­ slowed on its own?


    Slowly, the ball curved around the General''s back, then rose above the air.


    What the heck was that?!


    ''Telekinesis or something?'' Liam frowned.


    This time, it was the General that served the ball.


    Except, he didn''t shoot it forward.


    Instead, it seemed as though the ball was condensing over itself.


    Like a dominating pressure was causing it topress!


    WHOOOOOOOSH!


    A secondter, the ball shot towards Rin at an insane speed, 20 meters above her head.


    The General had actually passed the ball?!


    And to Rin of all people?


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    Danger!


    He felt pure danger!


    In fact, everyone on Liam''s team felt it.


    Something had awakened.


    Rin let out a deep, guttural growl that echoed from the depths of her lungs.


    With constricted, violet irises, she nced over at Liam as she rose above the air.


    Now that Liam noticed, Rin''s hands looked more like vicious draconic ws.


    Liam''s hairs stood to no end.


    He was being targeted!


    This was it!


    ''So it''s personal, eh?'' Liam sneered, rapidly empowering every fiber of his being.


    His power tripled.


    Just then, Rin''s w struck the ball like a bolt of lightning.


    BOOOOM!


    SHHHHHHHHHH!


    Rin didn''t even try to shoot it towards the edge of Liam''s boundary.


    She shot it straight towards him!


    The ball spun like a drill as it arrived at Liam''s wrists.


    SHHHHHHHHH!


    In quick session, several things happened at once.


    Liam''s knees buckled as it opposed the unstoppable force.


    His spinepressed and a few ligaments cracked.


    His wrists broke instantly.


    Andyers of his skin rapidly shaved away, spraying blood on the court.


    The gauntlets shattered.


    His teeth were gnashing together as he grunted angrily with effort.


    It was a brutal sight.


    ¡­And yet, Liam was still standing!

 Chapter 487 Claw

    <h4>Chapter 487 w</h4>


    Time felt slow.


    Liam''s healing was fast enough to repair his skin tissue before it reached his bones.


    It felt horrible¡­


    Liam loved it.


    In fact, he had to hold back a smile from forming on his face.


    More and more of his flesh was being grinded to paste.


    But Liam healed it before it dug into his bones.


    This physical strength was not normal at all.


    Rin''s strike was stronger than Spirit of Nature''s!


    It was a clear reminder that size and muscle mass did not dictate strength and power.


    One thing was very clear.


    Out of everyone here, Rin had the strongest physical strength.


    Even till now, the ball''s speed didn''t slow down at all.


    SHHHHHHHH!


    However¡­the force became bearable.


    And Liam redirected the ball towards Hand of Light.


    Kuan was taken aback.


    The redirection was still too fast.


    Plus, it came at a low angle, denying him any opportunity to pass the ball to his teammates.


    Kuan let out a curse.


    Waves of light gathered around his powerful fists, which he sped together to smash the ball to the other side.


    BOOM!


    WHISH!


    The ball¡­ hit the.


    CHING!


    Silence.


    "Hand of Light," the Mayor said from above, "disqualified."


    Turning towards Liam, Kuan''s face turned very, very ugly with rage.


    However, his face slowly softened.


    Liam''s hands looked like¡­ well, they didn''t look like hands.


    More like leftover flesh dropped in a piranha infested pond.


    Liam had a pitiful expression on his face.


    But not because of his pain.


    ''Gauntlets broke,'' Liam thought. ''It took me time to make these¡­''


    ''Oh well. There''s a lot more where that came from.''


    Liam looked at Kuan with an unapologetic expression.


    Kuan had only himself to me.


    It was his fault.


    Not Liam''s.


    Taking a short breath to calm himself, Kuan clicked his tongue and turned to leave.


    "Are you leaving already, Mister Kuan?" the Mayor asked with a little concern in his voice. "Please forgive any shorings I''ve had as a host."


    Cornelius was probably worried if Kuan was offended or not.


    "You haven''t had any," Kuan said dismissively, then paused. "Except for one."


    Kuan turned around and pointed at Liam.


    "Inviting him."


    A secondter, Kuan left through the gate that connected the upper floor to those below, his footsteps fading to silence.


    An awkward silence followed.


    Liam didn''t respond to what Kuan said.


    And nobody replied on Liam''s behalf.


    ''Does he know?'' Liam thought to himself, hiding a smile. ''I think he does.''


    Know what, exactly?


    ¡­That Liam did what he did on purpose!


    He sent the ball as low and ufortable as possible for Hand of Light, knowing there was a high chance he could get disqualified for it.


    Of course, Liam could easily throw the ball backwards for Alucard to take care of.


    Or send it to Eyes of Knowledge, since the genius could easily think of a way to get out of the predicament.


    However, that could backfire.


    Kuan was an easy target.


    Liam saw an opportunity to get someone out of the picture.


    And he took it.


    ''Better him than me,'' Liam thought. ''He sucks anyway. Usan would haveughed.''


    A momentter, everyone''s attention fell on Rin.


    Liam included.


    Seeing their gazes, Rin gave a toothy grin, which shed her sharp canines.


    Her hands had turned vicious, white-scaled draconic ws that caught everyone''s attention.


    From their time at the academy, Liam knew that this was the dragon Rin had spoken about.


    The one that let her live, despite the fact that she was a sacrificial offering to it by her people.


    She had merged with it somehow!


    Did the Queen have a hand in that?


    There was no way a dragon would just let someone merge with it.


    ''Could she turn it off and on?'' Liam thought. ''It''s simr to my Ashura Form.''


    ''For the General to pass the ball to her meant that he knew of her physical strength.''


    ''He isn''t just a power-hungry creep with a massive ego.''


    ''He''s a power-hungry creep with a massive ego and cunningness to bnce out his arrogance.''


    It was no wonder he was called the General.


    He couldmand people effortlessly.


    Meanwhile, Queen Thyress gave Rin a rare smile.


    If Liam''s eyes didn''t fail him, he even saw a bit of pride on the Queen''s face.


    The Sage shook his head with a little fear in her eyes. "I swear¡­ they get more terrifying as the generations pass."


    Spirit of Nature had a concerned look on her face.


    "What freakish strength," Naomi said under her breath. "She is a monster."


    Obviously, everyone''s powers were made average.


    However, that was the terrifying part.


    If this was just Rank 5 power¡­ what about Rank 6 and beyond?


    "New positions, please!" the Mayor said. "Five versus six."


    "The Pashah''s team will serve."


    "I will make adjustments to the yground for the team with less yers."


    "If you lose one more yer, the teams will have to be adjusted."


    The Mayor threw the ball towards Alucard, who caught it with both hands.


    Then, the Bloodsuckers'' side of the court slowly shrunk.


    Now, the yers could amodate Kuan''s absence.


    Eyes of Knowledge looked disappointed, but Liam couldn''t tell with who.


    A secondter, Reiner looked at Liam. "You want to swap ces with Spirit of Nature?" he asked.


    There was a reason Reiner asked Liam and not the other powerhouses.


    He seemed to have a decent level of skill with how the game worked. Just a tinge better than the rest.


    Liam paused, then smiled.


    "Sure."


    Spirit of Nature gave Reiner a sour look, but didn''t really protest.


    "Good luck, Reap," she said to Liam as they switched ces. "I''ll set it up for you. Don''t fail."


    As usual, the Adjudicator said nothing.


    Alucard gave him a firm nod, then gave him the ball.


    "Fhoooooo¡­"


    Liam heaved a deep exhale and closed his eyes.


    Just for dramatic effect, of course.


    Transfiguration was slowly transforming his hands.


    Little skin-colored tentacles, barely visible to the naked eye, were forming on the surface of his palms.


    Then, those little tentacles grew hands!


    It was a hand-ception!


    Liam hid a smirk.

 Chapter 488 Disqualification

    <h4>Chapter 488 Disqualification</h4>


    Liam thinned himself as much as possible, hiding his two hands behind the ball.


    Liam obviously grew the miniature, tentacle-like hands for a reason.


    Hitting the edge of a ball, right at the moment of impact, would cause it to swerve at an unpredictable degree.


    Except, for regr hands, it would only curve one specific direction. From left to right, right to left.


    But Liam could bend that rule to his will now.


    He didn''t dy it any longer and shot the ball towards Alucard.


    BOF!


    Using a powerful, roundhouse kick, Alucard shot the ball towards Eyes of Knowledge.


    BHOF!


    Eyes of Knowledge pped away the ball with the back of his hand, towards the Adjudicator.


    BANG!


    The Adjudicator whipped it towards Spirit of Nature.


    TISH!


    Spirit of Nature pped it back towards Liam.


    BHOF!


    BANG!


    TISH!


    BOOM!


    PHF!


    THISH!


    Like this, there was a constant back and forth pattern the group followed.


    It was like a pinball machine, with seemingly no fixed set of moves defining the passes.


    At the same time, the ball gradually ramped up in speed, enough to look like a streak of light.


    The whistle it produced turned to a hiss, before loudening to a shriek.


    Looks of annoyance passed over the Queen''s side.


    Their defenses were fortified at once, preparing for whatever Liam and his group had nned.


    The Dragonmancer''s phoenix swirled with mes like a tornado. Slowly, it changed color and form.


    From vermillion red, to nature-green.


    From a phoenix, it became¡­ a turtle!


    A snapping turtle, to be exact. With a mean jaw and a massive brown shell, covered with hexagonal scales.


    Its defense looked impregnable.


    Lightning crackled around the Sage, beneath his feet and between his fingers.


    The air around the Shadow Weaver grew dark and murky, like an ethereal firmament had spawned around her.


    But the General, Rin and Queen Thyress hadn''t changed anything.


    For several seconds, the quickening sounds of the ball being smacked around echoed across the floor''s deep chambers.


    BANG!


    TISH!


    BOOM!


    BHOOF!


    BOPH!


    Each pass made Liam''s hands ache with searing pain.


    There was even steam blowing from his palms, and the ball itself felt like a mass of molten rock.


    It hit like it, too. Liam''s wrists broke several times, and his healing factor was too slowpared to how fast they were shattered.


    It came to a point that Liam was just ying with limp, broken wrists.


    From the looks of it, even Spirit of Nature and Alucard were, their hands and shins bent.


    Only Eyes of Knowledge was safe from it, since his back-handed ps somehow negated kic energy and redirected it.


    And the Adjudicator, of course, since she was ying with chains.


    But it was finally time to release all the umted energy.


    When the ball came to Alucard, his aim wasn''t low any more.


    His foot was aimed upwards, and the ball hit it as his leg made a wide arch to the sky.


    BOOM!


    A second prior, Liam shot to the sky.


    WHOOSH!


    A secondter, he pped the ball with all the force in his body.


    BANG!


    The little tentacle hands jutting from his palms rolled against the ball.


    Even though it was as though he hit it dead center, that was not the case.


    At the same exact time, Liam used Expel on a fingertip-sized amount of his flesh.


    BOOOM!


    WHIIIIIIISH!


    The exploded forward in a spiral fashion, resembling a coil spring.


    First, it entered through Queen Thyress'' Position.


    The Queen threw a thin disk made from pure light at the ball''s trajectory.


    SHIING!


    Queen Thyress couldn''t get there physically in time, so she resorted to her spells.


    But just as the disk of light was about to smash against the ball''s charge¡­


    It re-entered Rin''s Position!


    The Queen was forced to retract the disk.


    Otherwise, she would have been disqualified.


    With a guttural growl, Rin kicked herself off the ground.


    BOOM!


    She was just an inch away from smashing the ball back towards the Bloodsuckers.


    But the ball had re-entered Queen Thyress'' Position¡­


    Except, it was extremely low to the ground.


    Just a few inches away from touching it.


    If it touched her Position, Queen Thyress would be disqualified!


    Thus, she did the most sensible thing.


    The closest people to her were the General, the Dragonmancer, and the Shadow Weaver.


    Rin and the Sage were by her side, and the ball was the furthest away from them.


    Thus, she had 3 options.


    Disqualify the General, which was the hardest and least likely person to disqualify.


    Disqualify the Dragonmancer, who was a potential ally.


    Or disqualify the Shadow Weaver, who was a betrayer and defector and an enemy.


    What would the Queen choose?


    Well, the answer was obvious.


    The Shadow Weaver!


    With the tip of her foot, she kicked the ball to the Shadow Weaver!


    BOOM!


    With the momentum from both Liam''s attack and the Queen''s toe-kick, the ball caught fire!


    In the blink of an eye, the ball shot through the corner of the Shadow Weaver''s Position.


    It ripped through the pitch-ck firmament surrounding her.


    The red mes were like aet shooting through the night sky.


    Just then, the ck air gained a different form.


    It grew into a massive hand!


    As the ball whooshed by at an incredible speed, the hand of darkness reached for it.


    But it wasn''t doing a very good job at it.


    Vanessa grimaced.


    The fire from the ball was pushing back the shadows!


    She had to get there physically!


    Shadow Weaver kicked her legs and reappeared next to the ball, her arm outstretched to stop it from leaving her Position.


    Just a few more inches!


    ¡­But she was too slow.


    Had the ball not been zing with mes, and not so stupidly fast, the firmament would have halted it to a child''s throw.


    The ball merely grazed her fingers before leaving the crystal zone and smashing against the wall.


    "Shadow Weaver," the Mayor called out, "disqualified."


    Liam smiled broadly.


    Sowing a little internal strife and securing a win at the same time was a delightful feeling.

 Chapter 489 Fake

    <h4>Chapter 489 Fake</h4>


    Liam struggled to hold back a broad smile as he listened to the Mayor''s announcement.


    Other than Alucard giving him a little smile, nobody seemed too happy for him.


    Right. This little game didn''t make them friends. It made them group members.


    Even Spirit of Nature had a stony, firm face. Star Dust looked like an extraordinary item.


    A new country like Xoltrah could benefit greatly if they managed to secure such a reward.


    Though, that would incur danger as a result, hence the conflicted look that seemed to measure whether or not this game was even worth it to y.


    And of course, the Adjudicator looked disinterested in life.


    The Shadow Weaver looked calm despite losing.


    Children cried when losing. Men felt a pang of regret, but moved on. Zeniths remembered but would never forget.


    They paid back their debts.


    Judging by her distant, abyssal eyes, Shadow Weaver was clear she was imagining something morbid.


    A corner of the Queen''s lips curved to a mocking smile.


    "Don''t feel embarrassed, darling. You had no chance. Just like your sisters."


    Oof¡­ talk about adding salt to the wound.


    Still no reaction from the Shadow Weaver.


    "Count your days," Shadow Weaver said with a t voice as she turned to leave. "Count your days, Kisra."


    The repetition made the threat a little more terrifying.


    ''Wait¡­ Kisra?'' Liam thought, raising his brow. ''Is the Queen''s name? All their names begin with ''K'', apparently.''


    With the Shadow Weaver gone, the Mayor quickly made new adjustments on the pitch.


    It was five versus five again.


    No special talks were exchanged. The n was the exact same, and there were no position changes done to the lineups.


    Without dy, the third round started, except Queen Thyress got to serve.


    With the ball in her hands, and a stoic look on her graceful face, the Queen gently leapt into the air like a butterfly¡­


    And with both her hands basked in sunlight, she struck the ball like a vicious animal.


    Of course she didn''t pass. She had a whole persona of arrogance and pride to abide by.


    Looks of annoyance passed over her group, except the General who seemed absolutely undisturbed.


    And of course, the ball was directed towards Liam.


    WHOOSH!


    No rest for the wicked.


    Funny thing was, Liam expected it!


    He instantly knew he wasn''t going to reach the ball.


    It was too far away, and with its trajectory, Liam wasn''t gonna make it.


    But just as the ball was about to touch the ground and disqualify him¡­ the Breaker de burst from the floor gloriously, casually deflecting the ball towards Alucard.


    Instead of simply kicking it like he always did, Alucard used a little something more.


    He sprayed blood over the ball!


    A secondter, the blood crystalized, making the ball seem like a ruby gem.


    Liam wasn''t surprised, but the Queen''s group was.


    A momentter, Alucard''s palm gently swung the ball towards Eyes of Knowledge.


    The passes were no longer speed based¡­


    Something was fishy!


    Gently receiving the ball with the palm of his hand, Eyes of Knowledge immediately hurled it over to Spirit of Nature in the same move, who then passed it to Liam.


    Without dy, Liam threw it forward towards the Queen.


    It was a gentle throw.


    Even a child could jump over and catch the ball.


    Except, as it made a wide arch over the¡­ the ball split up into twelve different copies that scattered, each identical to a sphere of ruby.


    Now the Rag-tag Royalists realized why the passes weren''t speed based.


    This was much, much more dangerous than speed could ever be!


    Touch Ball was self exnatory. Each yer could touch the ball once.


    Except¡­ with twelve balls scattered like this¡­ which one was the real ball?


    Which one was fake?


    A strange realization dawned on the Queen''s group.


    The coin.


    The one that Eyes of Knowledge took out of his ring.


    That had exactly twelve circr engravings on it!


    The smart manchild could replicate things after all!


    If an item like this was allowed, that meant that the ''one touch'' rule still remained.


    They couldn''t just shatter all the balls at once, ying with the chance that the real ball might be among one of them.


    But they all looked the same!


    Even the General subtly frowned.


    Each yer had 2 or 3 balls above their Position.


    Time felt slower.


    Rin and the Queen gave each other a knowing nce.


    And the Sage and the Dragonmancer gave each other a terse nod as well.


    Only the General was alone, but he smirked to himself.


    They each had formted a n!


    Time resumed as normal.


    The balls were falling.


    Both Rin and Queen Thyress had 2 balls over their airspace.


    They were lucky.


    Their n was simple.


    Instead of shattering or breaking them, Rin and Queen Thyress immediately passed each other the one of the balls!


    As soon as they exchanged the first set of balls, they exchanged the other in one swift motion.


    All four balls were hollow!


    They let the ruby spheres fall to the ground, causing them to shatter into little shards of crimson light.


    Safe.


    Then, there was the General.


    And the General just¡­ stood there and crossed his arms with a grin on his face.


    Four balls were flying above him!


    Out of everyone here, he had the biggest chance of failure!


    And yet, he did nothing and closed his eyes.


    KRSHHH!


    All four balls shattered on impact with the ground.


    They were all hollow.


    Liam''s eyes visibly widened as he saw what the General did, but there were still four balls remaining.


    Two above the Sage, and two above the Dragonmancer.


    Instead of passing them over like Rin and the Queen did, the Sage just¡­ shot a beam of lightning through his eyes.


    KRKRKRKRK!


    An electric sound echoed through the floor.


    One of the hollow blood-balls shattered instantly as the two beams of lightning made contact with it.


    Unlike Rin and the Queen, Urzek and the Sage had a more awkward position that didn''t allow them to exchange balls like they did.


    Instead, they both had to split their risk fifty-fifty.


    With one ball gone, the Sage punched the remaining ball towards Rin, who punched it towards Alucard.


    KRSH!


    But it shattered instantly!


    There were still 2 balls left!


    The Dragonmancer had to think fast!


    He could only choose one!


    The turtle behind his backshed out towards one of the ruby spheres and clenched it in its jaw.


    KRSH!


    It was hollow.


    The remaining ball fell gently beneath his feet, bouncing several times before slowlying to a stop.


    "The Dragonmancer," the Mayor announced, "disqualified."

 Chapter 490 Tricky

    <h4>Chapter 490 Tricky</h4>


    The Dragonmancer looked a little sad being disqualified. Despite splitting the risk between him and the Sage, he ended up with the short end of the straw.


    Despite that, he didn''t look too livid or angry at all. He looked at the Sage, then the Queen, then Rin, giving each a small smile.


    A momentter, he left.


    Liam couldn''t help but feel a pang of awe seeing the General effortlessly pass the round alone.


    The man just¡­ stood in his ce, unyieldingly.


    ''Did he know that they were hollow? Impossible. Even I didn''t know, and I''m pretty sure Alucard didn''t either.''


    ''He just left it to chance¡­ and it worked. Respect.''


    As the Dragonmancer left, the court changed shape once again to amodate for the missing yer.


    Five versus four.


    Just the General, the Queen, Rin and the Sage remained on one side.


    And on the other, was Spirit of Nature, Alucard, Eyes of Knowledge, Liam and the Adjudicator.


    Except, with tighter Positions, theirck of numbers actually worked against the Bloodsuckers.


    They could cover for each other much easily.


    In fact, Liam wondered what a final battle between two yers would look like, since the pitch kept getting closer and narrower.


    Since they had lost a yer, it was the Rag-tag Royalists'' turn to serve the ball.


    "I''m starting."


    It was the General who spoke. Since the ball was with the Mayor, no one contested in time to oppose it.


    The Mayor threw the ball to the General, who clenched it with one firm hand.


    And he kept clenching it¡­ until the ball slowlypressed over itself, reduced to half of its original size.


    ''This guy¡­'' Liam thought. ''Earlier, too, he changed the ball''s trajectory on its own. Does he have some sort of telekinesis or gravitational powers?''


    It made the most sense seeing the General''s abilities now and again. But the old monster kept most of it hidden to himself.


    Or perhaps the Formations below Liam''s feet were denying him their usage, since they could be considered unfair.


    Yeah¡­ probably thetter.


    As the ballpressed between his fingers, the General raised it above his hand, then spun around and hurled it like some titan throwing a boulder.


    The ball remainedpressed, even after leaving his hand. It whistled through the air, passing over Spirit of Nature''s position.


    Just then, two stringy vine roots unfurled towards the ball, growing out of Naomi''s palms, in an attempt to wrap around it.


    It was the first time Liam saw her abilities. Her name rang true.


    Naomi had naturistic powers.


    Unfortunately, even as the vines wrapped around the ball in an attempt to ensnare it, it hadn''t stopped.


    In fact, it continued flying over her zone, ignoring her powers like she didn''t even exist.


    On a closer look, it seemed like Spirit of Nature was seriously exerting all the effort she could muster.


    Groaning like a rabid beast, she gnashed her teeth as she pulled back on her vines, all 7 feet of her tensing and exerting effort.


    She seeded in slowing and redirecting it slightly, forcing it to head towards the Adjudicator.


    Except, a secondter, she was forced to retract her veins.


    The ball had left her Position and entered the Adjudicator''s position.


    BHOOM!


    Just then, the ball had reverted to its original size, but instead of bursting with speed or bursting with any new power, it made a sudden downward arch to the ground.


    The Adjudicator was still clearly disinterested, but a pinch of distaste shed in her eyes.


    A ngor echoed through the air as the Adjudicator''s chains blossomed outward, seemingly stretching from thin air!


    What Liam saw next made his eyes widen just a little bit.


    As the ball fell¡­ its bottom crackled with orange sparks, which caught fire and gushed with red mes a secondter.


    Like a meteor!


    WHROOSH!


    It also made the noise a meteor made!


    Although the Adjudicator was to his side, and several hundred meters away, he felt a vague but firm weight pressing against his shoulders and knees.


    From that distance!


    Liam couldn''t imagine the burden the Adjudicator must have felt.


    And yet, the strict-faceddy snapped her chains forward like a whip. Each interlocking link tensed one after the other, no longer free-flowing like normal.


    If it was water before, it was now ice.


    Then, both opposing forces made contact with one another.


    KRKRKRKRKRK!


    Their sh produced a jarring, screeching noise that scraped the ears in an unpleasant way.


    Glitter-like sparks flew wildly in all directions. One could say it was a beautiful sight, but it''d be thest thing they''d say.


    Both the meteor-like ball and the tense chains were unwavering upon impact.


    An unstoppable force and an immovable object!


    Except, this was a little different. Both of them were unstoppable forces.


    But there could only be one winner.


    And a secondter, it was decided who the winner was.


    The chains wobbled for several seconds, their interlocking links unable to hold their weight against the ball.


    In just a few moments that seemed much longer than they really were, there was a loud¡ª


    CLANG!


    Followed by a milder, soft thudding noise.


    The ball was bouncing on the floor, beforeing to a stop.


    The match was over.


    "Adjudicator," the Mayor announced from above, "Disqualified."


    Silence.


    The General smirked broadly.


    The Adjudicator made a disappointed, disgusted face.


    A secondter, she forcefully yanked back her chains, which tightened around her wrists like a bandage.


    Sending onest re at those present, mainly the General, Liam, Alucard, Rin and the Queen, she slowly turned around.


    The faint ngor of her chains faded into silence¡­ and before long, she was gone.


    ''What a weirdo,'' Liam thought with a little frown. ''She didn''t even wave goodbye.''


    But with how the match yed out, Liam didn''t me her.


    In just one move, the General knocked out a yer.


    However, Liam realized something.


    ''Spirit of Nature should have redirected the ball downwards, then thrown it back to the General.''


    It was a tricky throw that everyone realized afterwards. Eyes of Knowledge looked like he knew already, though.


    ''Though,'' Liam thought, a little seriously, ''this is getting a little out of hand.''


    Liam gave Alucard a side-nce.


    The king of vampires was holding back. If the General had ridiculous powers like that, why couldn''t the Pashah respond in a like fashion?


    A little hypocritical, since Liam was holding back himself¡­ but still.


    ''It''s about time I force their hands¡­''

 Chapter 491 Plan

    <h4>Chapter 491 n</h4>


    Another quick adjustment was made to the court.


    Four versus four.


    Just eight individuals remained.


    And yet, when the Adjudicator left, Liam expected some sort of tension to be relieved.


    Instead, the air grew heavier.


    Not literally, of course. It was just that the stakes were extremely high, and the opponents were anything but easy to y against.


    Getting closer to victory meant that the loss of bitterness stung a lot more.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed.


    And he had no intention of losing!


    Just then, the Sage took a second to speak with Queen Thyress and the General.


    After a few minutes of strange back and forth, their lips unreadable through a blurry Istion Barrier, there seemed to be a Position switch.


    This time, the Sage took the General''s ce as the ''striker''.


    How the Sage managed to convince the old man of the switch was beyond Liam.


    ¡­But his name was ''Sage''. There had to be some semnce of wisdom of how he talked to people and whatnot.


    Or maybe he just offered the old man some drugs.


    Either way, the means were not important ¡ª the swap itself was.


    Reiner narrowed his sharp eyes at his once best friend. A momentter, he looked at Liam.


    "Something''s up," Eyes of Knowledge said seriously. "Switch ces with me."


    Liam paused for a second. He could refuse. It was well within his right¡­ but he didn''t.


    If the Sage and Eyes of Knowledge were going to go at it, he''d rather not get in between it.


    A decent n.


    Let them end each other, sit back and rx.


    Wait¡­


    Wasn''t that what Alucard was doing?


    "Fine," Liam told Reiner, then promptly switched ces with him.


    A secondter, the ball was thrown towards the Bloodsuckers.


    Liam grabbed it first.


    He and Spirit of Nature were side by side, and behind them was Alucard and Eyes of Knowledge.


    But Eyes of Knowledge was a little further back than normal, mirroring the Sage.


    Both Reiner and the Sage looked at each other with pure disdain.


    A fight between friends didn''t usuallyst as long as one might imagine.


    As long as it was a physical one, of course.


    Even with a face purple with bruises and red with blood couldn''t warrant the end of a brotherhood.


    However¡­ that changed when there was a third party involved. Especially if it concerned the opposite gender.


    ''Ah,'' Liam thought dramatically. ''What a gift being a loner is.''


    A secondter, Liam threw the ball upwards, jumped as high as he could, then smacked it towards Alucard.


    BANG!


    With decent force, Alucard kicked it towards Naomi, low and straight.


    BHOF!


    Naomi punched it towards Eyes of Knowledge, higher than normal, slightly resembling an uppercut.


    BOOM!


    Eyes of Knowledge jumped into the air.


    It looked weird.


    His jump looked like he was just negating gravity and floating upwards.


    But the passes were not speed-based once again, giving him some breathing room to do whatever he wanted.


    Rin''s violet eyes constricted.


    The Queen looked calm but subtly vignt.


    The General was utterly unfazed.


    But the Sage looked rmed.


    A secondter, a bit of blue smoke puffed from Eyes of Knowledge''s fingertips, seeping into the ball, giving it a strange luster.


    Next, he back-handed it towards the center of the Rag-tag Royalists'' court.


    With its trajectory, it would pass through all four Positions!


    Meaning, it would pass the air-space of the Queen, of Rin, of the General, and of the Sage''s.


    What would they do in this case?


    Well, the first two, Rin and the Queen, wouldn''t touch the ball at all!


    Of course, they could both easily touch the ball and pass it over to someone else, or even send it back.


    ¡­But what was that blue smoke?


    Why take the risk?


    Let someone else suffer!


    Like so, the ball casually passed over Rin and the Queen.


    Then, there was the General and the Sage.


    Except¡­


    The Sage was a little further back.


    If the ball continued without the General''s interference, it would eventually force the Sage into hitting the ball.


    Slowly, the Sage looked at the General with a hopeful look.


    The General smirked from ear to ear.


    He wasn''t moving a muscle.


    There was no way the General would lose in a game of chicken.


    Besides¡­ wasn''t the Sage the person who asked for a switch?


    The albino made his bed¡­ let him sleep in it.


    The Sage looked like he wanted to curse, but didn''t. Instead, he heaved a little sigh and put on a mask of tranquility.


    Yellow bolts of electricity crackled across his austere skin, making it seem as though he''d be lightning manifest.


    How did the Sage choose to respond to the unknown threat?


    Brute force!


    The Sage knew Reiner personally.


    The two would never fight physically.


    Their battles were always intellectual.


    Thus, when the Sage turned into lightning, itpletely nullified that notion.


    Did Eyes of Knowledge expect that?


    Perhaps.


    There was no expression on Eyes of Knowledge''s face, giving no indication whether or not that was the correct response.


    But he wasn''t done there.


    Just then, the Sage threw a tiny little pellet towards the ball, which had yet to enter his Position


    Circr in shape, the pellet was pitch-ck and iner than a piece of bread.


    As soon as the ball entered his Position, it met the pellet''s trajectory.


    PLRKH!


    Before it made contact, the pellet burst like a fruity grape.


    Except, instead of juice, the insides were a strange, sticky liquid.


    And the liquid instantly enveloped the ball.


    KRKRKRK!


    At the same time, the Sage turned into a literal bolt of lightning!


    Time felt a little slower.


    Then, the Sage struck the ball with all of his body.


    BOOOOOM!


    The ball was incredibly fastpared to Eyes of Knowledge''s throw.


    In fact, it was way faster than all the previous shots!


    Unnaturally so.


    It seemed like the ck liquid was a catalyst of some kind, causing the ball to be stic and faster.


    The Sage''s goal was simple.


    Whatever Eyes of Knowledge was nning didn''t matter if it wasn''t able to ur on their side of the pitch.


    WOOOOOSH!


    The ball was making a beeline for Eyes of Knowledge!


    One thing was clear.


    It was utterly unstoppable.


    Nothing could make it stop!


    Just as it was passing over the, it¡­ just stopped, as though someone had pressed pause on it.


    Then, it fell over the¡­ and bnced itself over it.


    It fell on both sides!


    And it stayed there!


    Who won?!


    Was it a draw?!


    Silence.


    The Sage''s eyes widened, and so did Liam''s.


    But Reiner smiled knowingly.


    "The Sage," the Mayor announced, "and Eyes of Knowledge¡­ disqualified."

 Chapter 492 Bloodlust

    Chapter 492 Bloodlust


    Liam''s eyes widened a little.


    What Reiner did was genuinely phenomenal.


    He did a kamikaze move!


    From what Liam understood, the blue vapor that left Eyes of Knowledge''s fingers didn''t hold a sinister purpose. It was essentially a timer that would nullify all the velocity and kic energy within the ball, which would activate after a set amount of time. That was all!


    Yet, despite that, Eyes of Knowledge turned that seemingly useless function into a way to disqualify both the Sage, and himself.


    If the Sage passed over the ball to the Queen, or the General, or Rin, he would not have gotten disqualified.


    But he did.


    But so did Eyes of Knowledge!


    ¡­But Reiner knew he would get disqualified, too!


    At least, that''s how Liam interpreted the broad grin on Reiner''s face.


    ''A 200,000 IQ move,'' Liam thought. ''Never thought I''d see the day someone did one of these.'' ''Was this the only oue he saw himself winning against the Sage in?'' Quite frankly, he was a little surprised how deep their grudges ran.


    Then Liam remembered the Royce family.


    Right. Some grudges would never fade, no matter how long time had worn them down. "Why did I get disqualified alongside him?" the Sage asked the Mayor with a calm but annoyed tone. "If it''s bnced on the when I shoot it back, it should be him that''s disqualified, not me."


    The Mayor looked at the Sage with a wry expression.


    "I''m terribly sorry, Sage," the Mayor said apologetically. "The game rules dictate that both you and Eyes of Knowledge are privy to a disqualification."


    "At least exin?" the Sage said with a slight crease in his white brows. "I can''t believe this." The Mayor nodded, then spoke in an exnatory tone.


    "Eyes of Knowledge was responsible for the ball stopping over the with his ability. That earned him a disqualification."


    "However, you were responsible for putting it there, in the exact way that Eyes of Knowledge had nned. Had your shot deviated even a little bit, it would have been just Eyes of Knowledge disqualified."


    "In short, you were both responsible for putting the ball over the." The Mayor stopped there.


    "All of this is backed up by the data stored within the Formations," the Mayor said. "Is that satisfactory, Sage?" Silence.


    "It is," the Sage responded curtly, then heaved a sigh and turned to leave. "Farewell."


    Eyes of Knowledge giggled.


    "You suck, loser." The corner of the Sage''s lip twitched, but he didn''t respond.


    A secondter, the Sage left through the tunnel.


    Eyes of Knowledge looked at his group, then the other, and smiled.


    "Whoever wins the Star Dust cane to me. I''ll help you with whatever weird things you want to do, in exchange for a moment alone with it."


    A secondter, he turned around and left, raising a hand as a friendly gesture to say goodbye.


    Well, that was that.


    ''Would have liked to y truth or dare at least once more,'' Liam thought with a little pity. ''Oh well. I juiced out some valuable knowledge from him.''


    In fact, he''d juiced out some sweet, valuable knowledge out of everyone present. Even if he didn''t win this game, he was a winner.


    And that''s all that mattered!


    A momentter, the ball was back in the hands of the Queen.


    It was a three versus three now.


    Spirit of Nature, Alucard, Liam.


    Queen Thyress, the General, Rin.


    The air was tense, and no one uttered a word. Several seconds passed in deafening silence before the ball was thrown towards the Rag-tag Royalists. Queen Thyress was the first to grab ahold of it, then casually pass it over to Rin. The General was silent.


    Liam clenched his muscles. All of his insides were twisting into a specific form he had in mind. To the outside eye, it was barely visible, but Liam couldn''t afford to hide everything if he wanted to win.


    Besides, as he was now, all his powers were going to be far superior in the uing years. He was barely dipping his toes in the Zenith pond, while these people were already oceans.


    Plus, Eyes of Knowledge was gone, so he didn''t need to stress about his powers being studied by the entric manchild. Gradually, Liam slowly converted his blood into both bone and muscle. Doing so didn''t actually make him bigger. It just purified his skeleton and skin tissue to a purer degree. After all, his blood wasn''t useful for just changing and shaping into whatever he wanted. It could also empower.


    ''It''s strange,'' Liam realized. ''Once I convert my blood, I can''t revert it back to whatever I want.''


    The little hand tentacle thingies that grew over Liam''s palm were still there. He couldn''t retract them¡­ meaning he could only go forward with change, not back. That was definitely the Mayor''s doing. Rapidfire transformations could prove too overpowered or unfair in a game of volleyball. But at least empowering himself was still possible. Otherwise, he was actuallycking unique abilities to use in Touch Ball.


    Of course¡­ Void, Chaos and Corruption were vastly different, since they were meant for killing and erasing things.


    In the span of a few seconds, Liam had used 85% of his ichor.


    The power that washed over him was both exhrating and addicting.


    ¡­But Liam forced down his unstable urges!


    Liam shoved them away, even though he was happier than he ever had been in his life. No need to put the cart before the horse. ''This is temporary,'' Liam thought with hard eyes. ''You''re not at this level yet.'' ''One day you''ll be.''


    ''But until then, don''t get used to it.''


    Subconsciously, a few emotions leaked through Liam. They came out without his permission, since his focus was sheerly on suppressing his enjoyment.


    Thus, what came out?


    Bloodlust.


    Cruelty.


    Menace.


    It was then that Alucard and Spirit of Nature felt an overwhelming presence behind them.


    Since they were three, their positions were triangr, with Liam at the back.


    And yet, Noami felt a little unsafe. As they snuck a nce towards his direction¡­ they saw a predator waiting to pounce. The sharp, dead eyes and steady posture, the primal aura and expressionless face.


    The bloodlust oozing from him was palpable.


    But of course, those present weren''t particrly scared.


    Alucard smiled.


    Spirit of Nature slightly furrowed her brows. The General and Queen Thyress didn''t react¡­


    But Rin¡­


    Rin''s hands trembled.

 Chapter 493 Another Disqualification

    Chapter 493 Another Disqualification


    Magical beasts sensed danger differently.


    Laser-precise instincts were ingrained within their very being. Contrary to mental energy, which stemmed from the sea of consciousness, their instincts came from their bodies. That meant that the thin barrier separating action and thought was removed, reced by just pure action. Sure, as the sea of consciousness grew stronger, this barrier was gradually thinned out and the connection between body and mind was faster.


    But there was still a thin barrier.


    For Liam, this was a little different.


    Since he had his Shadow Sense, Spirit Sight, Shifter Sense, and a lot more, the barrier was practically non-existent. Even Liam was one-third Spirit Beast ¡ª though, a Spirit Beast and a Magical Beast weren''t the same ¡ª which gave him his special Shifter Sense. Dragons were actually a level beyond that. Contrary to what one might expect, they weren''t mindless, violence-craving creatures that sought to kill things for no reason.


    They were instinctually smart, territorial, violence-craving creatures that formed roles in packs and worked together meticulously. And¡­ well, asionally, they might kill things for the thrill of it. And they may or may not kill them in very brutal ways. But why exactly did Rin''s hands tremble?


    Because she sensed what the others couldn''t.


    Of course, if their powers weren''t sealed, they''d know it too.


    But whatever she felt from Liam made her senses scream with danger. She even took a small step back.


    But then, she growled deeply.


    Then, she took a step forward.


    She also realized her breathing was unsteady.


    A momentter, she steadied it, forcing an unyielding look on her face. She was in a room with the strongest people on the!


    Why was she afraid of some former ssmate, damn it?!


    "Rin?" the Queen called out from the side with a subtly annoyed expression. "Hit the ball already?" Rin realized that she was gripping the ball tighter and tighter.


    A secondter, she nodded apologetically to the Queen, lowered her head, then growled angrily to herself.


    It was then that Liam knocked himself out of his reverie. The game was starting. How could he lose himself like that?


    ''Focus,'' Liam thought. ''What''s with you?''


    Liam looked at Rin. ''And why''s she acting all weird?''


    A momentter, Rin heaved a deep, low breath that sounded more like a hiss. Following it, hot vapor blew from her lungs like a cloud, which immediately wrapped around the ball in her grip. WROOSH!


    A secondter, the same smoke burst with radiant mes, lighting the ball on fire. Except¡­


    Her fire wasn''t amber, orange or red like normal. They were a bright shade of purple! ''That''s new,'' Liam thought. ''She isn''t even trying to hide it anymore.'' Now that Liam had a closer look, the pearl-white scales that transformed her hand into ws did the same to her arm and shoulder.


    The dragon had bared her fangs. Due to the newly produced heat, the room grew humid, but not ufortably hot. The Mayor still kept a tight leash on the extent of powers allowed, and no one would get needlessly harmed without his permission.


    Though¡­ Liam was pretty sure he gave the permission anyway.


    To his sensitive skin, he already felt like he was burning, and it was only getting worse With no warning, Rin pped the ball with an incredible amount of strength.


    Liam saw the ball fill his vision in an instant.


    as the ball of violet fire surged with growing strength.


    With no warning, Rin pped the ball with an incredible amount of strength.


    Liam saw the ball fill his vision in an instant.


    It was gonna hit his face!


    Just then, Liam used both palms to deflect it to Spirit of Nature.


    BANG!


    The violet fire cooked 4 inches of his skin in an instant, leaving it sizzling with a disgustingly appetizing smell.


    WROOSH!


    But the ball, still zing with purple mes, was received by Spirit of Nature.


    A cluster of thick-skinned interwoven vines and colorful nts burst from both her arms. It seemed as though they were fireproof, since the mes barely harmed them.


    A momentter, she used the vines as a slingshot to instantly redirect the ball towards Alucard.


    WHSH!


    Alucard finally did something other than kick the ball. A thick coating of blood covered his palms, which crystallized a secondter.


    Just as the ball was an arms length away from him, Alucard pped his two palms horizontally.


    BOOOOM!


    An earth-shattering wave of red force spread outward, propelling the ball across the and over all three Positions on the other side.


    Though¡­ things were not that simple.


    As it passed over the General''s head, the ball swerved back around with the same momentum.


    Except, it passed by Rin, who snapped her elbow and hit the ball with the back of her fist. BOOOOOOM!


    As always, the subject of her attacks was none other than Liam. The ball was still ame, and it was closing in on him. Except, this time, Liam made no effort in trying to deflect or receive it. He jumped in the air with an angled posture, then sent the ball straight back!


    With a single punch, strengthened with pure shadows.


    BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    All of Liam''s blood, bone and body had gathered to his fist to empower it beyond measure. Liam felt the ball tten instantly as his fist made contact with it. Ayer of skin was scraped away instantly.


    It was the first time he had used his shadows during the game, other than the usage of his Breaker de.


    In fact, this was all part of the n!


    Lowering the guards of his opponents.


    After all, till now, Liam had just used a little bit of Transfiguration.


    The ball boomed like an orbital cannon straight back towards Rin, who seemed aghast by the suddenness of power. Liam wasn''t known for his physical strength!


    He was just very fast, could swing swords dangerously, was cunning, smart, murderous, psychopathic and lied more than a politician. But his physique wasn''t strength based!


    And now, his physical power was somehow more than Rin''s?!


    While all her abilities were centered around her body?!


    Impossible!


    Rin let out a low growl to herself and kicked her feet to stop the ball from leaving her boundary, and her reaction time was perfect. It was like she knew where the ball was going even before Liam punched it.


    BOOM!


    But unfortunately...


    The ball whizzed past like a bullet, causing her long hair to flutter violently, and her face to fall with shock.


    "Rin, the Dragon''s me," the Mayor announced, "disqualified."

 Chapter 494 Crushing Weight

    Chapter 494 Crushing Weight


    The words sounded sweeter when spoken out loud. And Rin''s incredulous face was even more delightful.


    Even Queen Thyress seemed taken aback by the sudden outburst of power. She looked at Liam with a hard gaze.


    The General pursed his thin lips with no particr expression. Alucard smiled and Spirit of Nature looked at Liam with a raised brow.


    Naomi didn''t expect such power at all.


    Was it because Liam had temporary Rank 5 strength? What ability could possibly give him so much power?


    Since Alucard had blood powers, perhaps he already knew how Liam attained that power. But the others most likely did not.


    Despite the loss, Rin didn''t lose herself to anger or wild emotion. Instead, she looked humbled and epting of her mistake.


    The Queen looked at her for a few seconds with a strange expression and gave her a nod. It seemed as though she hadn''t expected her loss to Liam.


    And Rin herself looked just a tiny bit embarrassed.


    Then, she looked at Liam with aplicated gaze. Liam responded with a half-smug, half-mocking look. Subtly, her eye twitched. "Please don''t let this discourage you, Lady Rin," the Mayor cut in with a smile. "You''ve done extraordinary thus far."


    A pause. "Thank you," Rin said with a firm look. "Enjoy the rest of your game." A momentter, she left towards the tunnel, her clothing transforming back to normal. Then, she was gone. Silence.


    Another adjustment was made to the court.


    Now, there was only 200 meters of space covered by both the Queen and the General.


    They were practically side by side, with just 60 meters between them. Despite losing a teammate, their defense was practically impregnable now, so long as they looked out for one another. ¡­At least, at first nce. The General and the Queen working together?


    Impossible!


    The look on the Queen''s face said everything. She definitely hated the General more than Liam, by far.


    And the General probably hated her just as much, although he maintained absolute control over his expressions. The game was starting again, this time, the General had his hands on the ball. The authoritarian was dangerous and daring, even more so than the Queen and Alucard. No one knew what to expect. A secondter, the General casually hurled the ball over the.


    Just like that.


    There was no special ability involved.


    This was a normal throw, besides being just a little faster than normal!


    Liam furrowed his brows.


    Something was wrong.


    He felt it in his bones.


    Then his muscles.


    Followed by his entire body.


    A crushing weight!


    Liam''s knees and hip were buckling like a crumbling building during a powerful earthquake.


    Even with his new and empowered strength, he felt like boulders were stacked atop his back. Parts of him cracked.


    Liam felt a few bones shatter and chip in an instant.


    Each ligament of his spine pressed against the one under it. And since Liam had already used almost all of his blood on the empowering, there was very little ichor left for him to transform and counteract the damage done. Liam slowly creaked his neck up against the crushing weight. It felt like a ship anchor hung around his neck, pulling him down, beckoning him to kiss the ground.


    But he finally managed to raise his head.


    He wasn''t the only one.


    Alucard and Spirit of Nature were going through the same thing!


    It looked like they were in an active struggle against gravity, groaning with effort to oppose the pulling force.


    Except, it looked like they were having a far easier timepared to him.


    Time felt slow.


    The ball!


    It was flying past him!


    The closer it got, the heavier the pressure was!


    The General had cast some sort of curse on the ball for it to cause so much pressure on its surroundings.


    Using all the force in his soul, Liammanded the Breaker de to intercept the ball''s trajectory.


    BOM!


    Which it did! The titanic sword exited the shadows in the nick of time to act as a wall for the ball. As it left his Position, the pressure waned and faded away almost instantly. But that crushing pressure didn''t go anywhere. It simply went towards Alucard.


    The ball was flying to the side of Alucard''s Position, at the very edge. Alucard''s crimson irises constricted menacingly, veins forming in the whiteness of his eyes.


    He was pissed. Not at Liam.


    But at the General. BLRK!


    A thick stream of blood burst from Alucard''s wrist, directed at the ball.


    Except, the nearer it got to the ball, the same crushing gravity weighed it down!


    It was drooping!


    Then, it made contact with the ball.


    BANG!


    Except, it hit the ball at its very edge, causing it to swirl over to Spirit of Nature at an ufortable and awkward angle.


    SWISH!


    Alucard didn''t do it on purpose. Liam knew that for a fact. Yet the circumstances allowed him to inadvertently make things difficult for her.


    Unfortunately for her, due to the sad trajectory of the ball, the gravitational force that it released, and the awkward positioning, all she could do was shoot it back towards the Queen. Spirit of Nature made a weak rising gesture with her hand. BRRRHF!


    A cluster of rigid roots and powerful vines emerged from the ground like an earthly pir, smashing the ball at a 45 degree angle. BOOOM!


    It was fast!


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    At the same time, some of the nts at the tip of the terrene pir exploded straight away, bolstering the ball''s speed to a blur.


    WHOOOOSH! BP!


    Except¡­ by then, the ball arrived right in front of Queen Thyress, who leapt mid-air and gently tapped it over the with the flick of her finger. Awkwardly, the ball fell over Spirit of Nature''s Position, bouncing untiling to a natural stop. Naomi sighed heavily, then shrugged her shouldersically with a nonchnt look. "Spirit of Nature," the Mayor announced once again, "disqualified."

 Chapter 495 Sleepy

    Chapter 495 Sleepy


    For a moment, Naomi looked a little disheartened. As a new powerhouse, she''d gotten this close to obtaining such a strange and exotic item. Attaining it would have opened so many doors for the future¡­ Spirit of Nature shrugged once more. But a momentter, her face subtly grew annoyed.


    There was an easy counter to that ability that the three team members realized a little toote.


    It was just keeping their distance from it. It was the ball itself that radiated the strongest pressure.


    As long as they used distant abilities to control and manipte the ball, such as Spirit of Nature''s vines or Alucard''s blood, they would be fine.


    But thanks to Liam and Alucard''s misy, Naomi suffered the consequence.


    It was unlucky.


    Alucard looked at Naomi with a wry expression. "Forgive me, it wasn''t my intention to do so."


    It was quite gentlemanly for the king of vampires to admit his mistake. Whether he meant it or not was another topic.


    ''He probably doesn''t.''


    "It''s fine," Spirit of Nature said with a smile, raising a hand. "Fun game. I liked it."


    There was a short pause.


    "Well then," Spirit of Nature said with another look around. "Until our paths cross."


    Giving a little nod to Liam and Alucard, Naomi grinned cryptically before turning to leave.


    From six versus six, it was now two versus two.


    Quite frankly, a bnce of luck, circumstance and genuine ability brought Liam to this point.


    Otherwise, there was no way he would share a station with the top three strongest powerhouses on the. "Feel special, squirt?" the General asked Liam with a mockingugh. Liamughed coldly.


    "Quite a bit."


    Queen Thyress struggled to keep an annoyed expression from her face. Alucard gave Liam a subtle side-nce. It was clear that their cooperation was far better than the Queen and the General''s.


    Except¡­


    Only one person could keep the Star Dust!


    If they were forced to cooperate, they would.


    But if they didn''t have to cooperate, they would not.


    Liam and Alucard exchanged a knowing nod.


    Both knew this fact.


    No hard feelings were involved, no matter who won or how they won.


    A momentter, the ball was thrown towards them.


    "Do you want to go first?" Alucard grabbed the ball and outstretched it to Liam. "Doesn''t make a difference to me," Liam said with a shrug. "Feel free to choose."


    There was a moment of silence.


    "I think I''ll start," Alucard decided eventually, his eyes strangely distant and dark. As Liam traced his gaze, he realized it was aimed straight at the General. ''That exins it,'' Liam thought. ''A man must never forget his debts!'' A secondter, Liam gave him a nod of agreement. Turning his body to the side, Alucard spaced out his feet, putting his left in front of his right in a diagonal fashion.


    Liam watched in silent anticipation. It seemed like the Pashah was finally done with taking the back seat.


    With immacte form and clear dexterity, Alucard threw the ball up and jumped alongside with it.


    Sparks of crimson energy crackled in his menacing, blood-red eyes. A familiar but disgusting, emetic feeling churned in the depths of Liam''s soul.


    It felt as though death was looking at him from around the corner. Lurking. Waiting. Just then, the crimson energy crackled and merged with his hand with a bright sh of light.


    With the same hand, Alucard pped the ball over the ¨C the red energy instantly jolted from his palm and switched over to the ball. BANG!


    With booming speed, the ball swished in a curve towards the General. The General scoffed lightly¡­ but as the ball grew nearer, his lips turned into a thin line, and he clenched his jaw.


    Queen Thyress looked like she felt it too. That abominable sensation that blossomed in the pits of the stomach. Although the Mayor was above, droplets of sweat glistened across his face. It was slow, but the nearer the ball got, the deeper the General grimaced. It wasn''t particrly painful. Liam couldn''t put his finger on exactly what it was¡­ but it was far, far worse than pain.


    That crimson power felt simr to fire. Everyone knew not to stick their hand into a roaring ze, lest they get burnt or scarred.


    Except, fire lets off heat as a deterrent. The revolting feeling the red energy radiated was simr to that.


    It was a warning. But this was a game of Touch Ball!


    There were safety regtions!


    Pain was lessened to a significant degree!


    There was no reason to falter! In reality, the General could easily just¡­ redirect the ball mid-air.


    He had the ability to do so!


    But was backing down from a direct challenge something the General would actually do?


    The General grinned. ¡­Never! The General made a crushing gesture with his hand as soon as the ball entered his Position. GRP!


    The ball began twisting over itself! But the red energy that crackled across its surface had not diminished in the least. At the same time, it continued on its trajectory, even faster and stronger than before. A secondter, with a maniacal grin on his face, the General hit the ball with his closed fist. BOOOM!


    As he did so, the ball flew back towards Alucard at twice the speed.


    It passed over the, then made an abrupt adjacent curve. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Towards Liam!


    But Liam was already over the, using both hands to send it back. CRKH!


    Both Liam''s arms shattered upon impact. Every little bone. But he seeded in sending the ball back towards the General!


    Except¡­ the General had his head lowered.


    As the ball came to him, he simply¡­ did nothing.


    The ball hit the General directly in the chest.


    BOP!


    He didn''t move a single inch.


    Instead¡­ the ball bounced from his chest and fell to the floor below him.


    But the General''s head was still lowered.


    Silence.


    ''Did he fall asleep?'' Liam thought incredulously. ''What''s he doing?''


    Several seconds passed.


    "The General," the Mayor said hesitantly, pausing for several seconds and letting the tension mount. "...Disqualified."

 Chapter 496 Path

    Chapter 496 Path


    As soon as the Mayor said ''disqualified'', the General slowly raised his head. For two seconds, he looked utterly confused, as though he''d just woken up from a nap.


    On the third second, a look of realization and surprise fell on his face.


    On the fourth second, he sighed and rubbed his face.


    Finally, he startedughing wholeheartedly, utterly unfazed of the embarrassing loss.


    "Ah¡­ Alucard," the General said with a littleugh. "You know me so well, eh? Knew I''d take it head on?"


    Alucard remained silent, but gave him a cold smile.


    The General''sugh slowly turned into a light chuckle. Silence.


    "It''s a shame I was only allowed one ability."


    Silence again.


    Taking his time, the General made a beeline towards the exit tunnel, his wide back growing distant. Before long, he was gone. ¡­One ability?


    Everything the General used was just one ability?


    Impossible!


    Of course, he could just be lying.


    But the old man didn''t seem like the deceitful type. In fact, he probably dropped thatst line just to make Liam and Alucard realize how little he was trying. Or, at least, allowed to try.


    It was the Mayor that tied one hand behind the General''s back, after all.


    The Queen scoffed in disdain as she watched him go. "Sore loser."


    It was¡­ strange seeing Royalty say such words, but perhaps the grudge was so deep that titles and social standing didn''t matter ¨C even in front of others.


    Then, the Queen''s heavy gaze was directed towards Alucard and Liam.


    Even with two against one, an air of pure confidence oozed from the royal.


    However, even though she was outnumbered, her Position wasn''t particrly disadvantageous.


    After all, she had 150 meters that she could defend all by herself, while Liam and Alucard had 400 meters to cover in total ¡ª 200 each. The air turned tense.


    This was it!


    Just two little obstacles stood in Liam''s way to attaining the Star Dust. Well¡­ they weren''t little.


    One was a Queen and the other was a Pashah.


    The Mayor threw the ball towards Queen Thyress, who grabbed it with one hand and stared at it for a few seconds.


    Then, she raised her head resolutely.


    Light grew brighter in her eyes. WHOOM!


    A momentter, her irises had gotten so bright, they seemed like stars!


    At the same time, a slow glow rippled over her hair, causing each little thread to shimmer and float on its own. Liam''s hairs perked up.


    Danger.


    Liam felt danger.


    "Is she using her Path?" Liam subtly whispered to Alucard without using his lips. Alucard gave him a firm, silent nod. Liam had no clue what that path entailed. In fact, besides knowing that the Queen was a light elemental, there was nothing else he knew about her.


    ''Her progeny is weird,'' Liam thought. ''They all had iridescent energies recing their elements. Is that a by-product of her doing?'' Liam didn''t know. And there was no more time to think. Just then, the Queen jumped alongside the ball, just a few inches away from the.


    BOOOM!


    With a hand basked in pure light, the Queen pped the ball forward. WHOOSH!


    Other than the initial impact, the ball seemed to get faster the further it went! It bent the air around it, causing violet gales to spread everywhere.


    But truth be told, Liam didn''t expect that response.


    He expected a shy move like Liam''s response was instant.


    With one foot, he kicked himself towards the ball, and with the other foot, he kicked the ball towards Alucard!


    BANG!


    Simr red energy rippled over Alucard''s forearm, arriving at his palm as he struck the ball back to the Queen.


    BOOOM!


    WHOOSH!


    Crimson energy crackled across the ball''s surface. That energy made the General sleep!


    The General!


    Liam expected more or less the same thing to happen to the Queen!


    ¡­


    But that was not the case.


    As soon as the ball arrived at the edge of the, the Queen pped it back with both her hands sped with light.


    BHOOM!


    Faster now, the ball ricocheted back at Liam. It didn''t make her fall asleep!


    All it did was make a scowl form on her face. Was the red power repelled because of the light?


    BOOM!


    Within the same second, Liam kicked it back directly towards the Queen with a stylish downwards heel.


    BOOM!


    With light-covered hands, she sent it back towards Alucard, who received it with the crimson energy crackling between his fingers.


    A secondter, Alucard hit it back.


    BOOOM!


    WHOOSH!


    BANG!


    WHOOSH!


    BANG! WHOOSH!


    BOOOM!


    As the game continued, the ball resembled a bolt of lightning, shing to Liam''s side of the pitch or Alucard''s.


    Queen Thyress was a monster. As soon as the ball was an inch across the, she was already there.


    Then, she would smash it in with light covered hands, ignoring the pain or difort that came with touching that crimson energy.


    It wasn''t that she couldn''t feel it.


    She definitely could. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Each time it grazed her skin, her grimace deepened.


    And yet, as the game went on, instead of slowing or getting worse¡­ the Queen got stronger!


    Way, way stronger!


    Liam was falling behind!


    He had already used 99% of his ichor.


    He had hit the invisible wall that denied him the ability to do any more. His skin and muscles ripped while his bones cracked each time he struck the ball. Alucard looked much better off physically. However, he wasn''t even using physique-empowering abilities.


    In fact, he wasn''t using his blood at all!


    He was just using that red energy.


    Not more or less.


    Just the same amount.


    And there was no question about it. It was supposed to work as intended.


    Well, it did work as intended.


    But it wasn''t working on the Queen!


    BOOOOM! WHOOOOSH!


    BOOOOOM!


    WOOOOOSH!


    The speed, power and might of each pass was getting stronger and stronger.


    And yet, the Echorian Queen showed no signs of slowing down.


    ''Does she get stronger the more effort she uses?!'' He was struggling to keep up.


    And if Liam''s eyes weren''t failing him¡­ he was pretty sure he saw a tinge of pleasured sadism in the Queen''s expression.

 Chapter 497 Zenith

    Chapter 497 Zenith


    The Queen definitely looked like she was enjoying herself.


    Liam didn''t know what her Path entailed.


    But he could guess.


    Seeing how she got stronger the more pain, effort and power she exerted, it had something to do with resilience and grit. In truth, Liam had no clue why her Path was like that. She was Royalty! Why did her power resemble something that only brutes and savages could have?


    The Queen looked ferocious and almost savage as she smashed back the ball, grunting in anger with each strike. BOOM!


    WHOOSH!


    BOM!


    WHSH!


    BM!


    WSH!


    At one point, the ball was just a blur.


    And it almost seemed to have multiplied!


    Even the noise it produced sounded like the world''s fastest and strongest jackhammer.


    If a normal human watched the game, they''d just see three blurring silhouettes shing this way and that way with unreal speed. Also, they would struggle to hold themselves to the ground, since fierce gales would instantly uproot them and throw them away. And their eardrums would also pop ¨C among other things besides instant death.


    But to what end?!


    Liam''s hands were on the edge of bursting into mes.


    BRSH!


    A momentter, his hands really did catch fire!


    Out of all the rounds Liam went through, this had to be the simplest game.


    There was no special ability in particr.


    Nor tricks, like Eyes of Knowledge could do.


    Or a crushing gravity pulling them down. It was just: hit the ball.


    But unfortunately¡­ the game wasing to an end after the twenty minute mark. The game''s intensity went from a hot me to a roaring ze. A radius of destruction and mayhem epassed the pitch. It was a hazy bubble of burning-hot air. If a normal person walked through, they''d just be¡­ incinerated.


    Just like that.


    There would be no warning of any kind. Liam''s lungs burned.


    It felt like he was sucking in fire with each little breath he took.


    Warm sweat trickled all over his sizzling skin.


    Pain seared through his body.


    Mostly through his mangled arms and hands.


    It was the same with Alucard.


    A deep grimace was on his face. But at the very least, his body was in a solid state.


    Except, as the game went on¡­ more and more of the Queen''s sadism was poking through.


    So much so, a delighted smile had formed on her lips.


    But as the game continued, Liam noticed something.


    Her silvery hair had lost some of its glow!


    That could only mean one thing.


    She was getting weaker and weaker!


    But then again¡­ so was he!


    And so was Alucard! BM!


    WHSH!


    BHM!


    BOOM!


    WSH!


    Liam attempted to kick the ball back like he always did¡­ but a fragment of his shin broke.


    BOOM!


    He still managed to kick it back!


    But due to the sudden breaking of his leg, he was forced to kick it with his toes, altering its trajectory!


    However, a patch of Liam''s shadows enveloped the ball. Liam''s shadow abilities had gottenplex enough for him to sever off a piece of it.


    Except, with such minimal contact with the ball''s surface, he couldn''t apply anything special or powerful to it.


    All he could do was alter its trajectory by a few inches. WHOOSH!


    Liam looked at the ball as it traveled back to the Queen.


    Time slowed.


    Enough for Liam to see the broad, sadistic, cruel grin on her face.


    ''Ah,'' Liam thought with a bit of pity on his face. ''She got me.''


    BOOOM!


    With hands basked in blinding, iridescent light, the Queen struck it immediately to the edge of his Position.


    Even after the ball made an adjacent curve. Queen Thryess recognized its path instantly and was there in the blink of an eye. Liam''s Breaker de attempted to deflect it towards Alucard at thest second¡­ but it was toote.


    "Liam, the ck de," the Mayor announced, suppressing his joy and jubtion, "disqualified."


    Silence.


    Besides the sounds of the ball bouncing across the pitch, nothing could be heard.


    Just then, the Mayor waved an arm at Liam and the air. WHOOM!


    Almost instantly, the pain evaporated, reced by afortable warmth. His body had reverted back to normal. Before the power boost. Liam looked at his hands. All that strength¡­ gone.


    For a second, he felt a bit inferior.


    Like he had fallen from grace.


    Liam pursed his lips, a displeased look on his face.


    Winning the Star Dust would have been phenomenal for him.


    Heck, even without the item itself, the doors it opened for the future were plenty.


    ''Oh well,'' Liam thought, then nced at the floating meteor beside the Mayor. ''It''s a shame I didn''t get it¡­ but I had a feeling it''d turn out like this.'' ''If I used Transfiguration a little smarter, maybe there''d be a way I could salvage a win.''


    ''But then again, the abilities I can afford to use are not close ranged.''


    ''And even if I did win¡­ I''d have to go against Alucard next.'' n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''And my darkness is sealed to protect me from his crimson energy.''


    ''Shame¡­ how shameful.''


    The odds were stacked against him from the very start.


    Liam wasn''t gonna win this game.


    He sighed.


    Alucard exchanged a terse nod with Liam. Liam didn''t deign the Queen another look. She was probably smirking at him in disdain.


    "You''ve done remarkable so far, Mister Liam," the Mayor said suddenly. "Don''t hold it against yourself."


    ''Wasn''t going to, but okay,'' Liam thought to himself. "It''s been lovely. Thanks for the invitation."


    Liam meant it¡­ but not really. Not so much to call it ''lovely'', but enough for it to be beneficial. A secondter, he gave the Mayor a nod, then left through the tunnel.


    Alucard and Queen Kisra Thyress remained. Liam had no idea who would win¡­ but in either hands, the Star Dust could prove dangerous. Especially the Queen''s¡­ but maybe the vampire king was just as big of a threat. ''Can''t worry about that for now,'' Liam thought as he left the tunnel and made his way to the bottom floors. No¡­ he had a far more important job. Liam smiled.


    ''Time to be a proper Zenith.''

 Chapter 498 Winner

    498 Winner


    As Liam left, both Alucard and the Queen grew serious.


    "You have a soft spot for the kid, do you?" the Queen asked Alucard suddenly. "Seems that way."


    "And you have an obsession," Alucard retorted. "He outsmarted your family fair and square. Why haven''t you called off the vengeance quest?"


    Kisra Thyress scoffed in disdain.


    "As if you would."


    Silence.


    Fair enough, Alucard thought.


    A secondter, the Mayor threw the ball towards Alucard. Since Liam had been disqualified, it was his turn next. And the game began.


    ***


    For the next two hours, the Mayor watched as the two monsters went at it.


    His sea-blue eyes shed left and right, as fierce winds threatened to whip away the tophat and monocle from his head. His face was straight out of Two forces of nature were battling it out. Natural disasters, more like. Had the blows exchanged not been nerfed, the floor, and perhaps several others, would havebusted immediately.


    And, of course, a game like this could not go forth without wounds!


    This was the finals!


    Queen Thyress had vicious wounds across her hands and arms. Fingers were bent, nails were cracked. At the very least, they were still in one piece. Same with Alucard.


    His ashen skin sizzled with crisp burn marks, and a few sparks of light still crackled in between his wounds.


    ''Her Majesty has gotten even stronger!'' the Mayor thought with shock as he watched. ''And although Alucard doesn''t seem as strong, somehow he''s keeping up with the same tactics!'' But¡­ there could only be one winner.


    The final blow was imminent. The ball flew towards the Queen.


    Light gathered on her palms.


    She was trying something different!


    The light expanded in the shape of a palm.


    WHOOM!


    It became a giant light-palm!


    WHOOSH!


    Then, it shot forward. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    BOOOOOM!


    It was flying towards Alucard at an imperceptible speed. But as a result, the Queen''s Path seemed to be at the end of its rope. Her light-basked hair and sun-like eyes had reverted back to normal, reced with a pained expression and a look of anticipation. It was here!


    The decider!


    WHOOOOSH!


    A torrent of crimson energy swirled around Alucard''s hands, in between his fingers like a cyclone.


    Conjuring such arge amount looked painful, judging by the pissed off grimace on his face and the veiny, constricted irises.


    As soon as the ball reached him, Alucard''s hands cracked on impact as he sent it back towards the Queen.


    CRCK!


    BOOOOM!


    And the torrent of crimson energy followed it.


    As though it was lit on a ghostly, ethereal fire.


    Alucard immediately fell to his knees, using one hand to hold himself up. It seemed as though using so much power had siphoned away all the energy in him. Queen Thyress lowered her head.


    ¡­Then raised it with a sadistic smile.


    SHING!


    Just then, a halo formed over her head.


    It was made out of iridescent light.


    ¡­The crown!


    The source of light was the crown itself! There didn''t seem to be a sudden shift in her form.


    She looked the same.


    Except, something was off about that crown. It gave her an exotic, otherworldly aura that struck awe into those watching. Mainly Alucard and the Mayor. Although it wasn''t too fast, the dangerous aspect belonged to the ghostly red energy that swirled throughout it.


    With a gentle swing, Queen Thyress spun around and punched the ball back with light-made hands. BHOM!


    WRSH!


    All of the crimson energy seeped through her body!


    Queen Thyress grimaced, as though she was fighting back the urge to fall unconscious. Her expression softened at times, then hardened with awareness at other times. The Mayor couldn''t imagine her pain.


    Of course, the Mayor knew what that red energy was.


    And the implications it had were utterly terrifying.


    In fact, he was pretty sure no one else in the world could replicate that energy. ''Terrifying,'' the Mayor thought. ''How terrifying!''


    But there she was. The Queen was resisting it!


    Dramatically, the ball made its way towards the edge of Alucard''s position.


    But he was still on the ground.


    He had no energy whatsoever.


    A pissed off look was on Alucard''s face, and the Mayor heard him swear under his breath.


    Just then, the Queen went unconscious¡­ thudding to the floor.


    Except¡­ "Alucard," the Mayor said¡­ a little afraid of saying the next word, "disqualified." Silence.


    Slowly, the Queen rose up from the ground as she woke up from her sleep. It took a few seconds for her to regain rity.


    But when she did, she looked at the Mayor straight away.


    "Who won?" Silence.


    The Mayor smiled a little. "You, Your Majesty."


    Queen Thyress scoffed and smiled, outstretching a hand.


    Slowly, the Star Dust that floated beside the Mayor descended,nding firmly onto the Queen''s palm. A secondter, it disappeared from sight.


    Then, the Queen looked at Alucard, who rose to his feet with an aloof, disappointed face.


    "I hope you''ve had a lovely time, Queen Thyress, Master Alucard," the Mayor said as the room returned to normal. "The party has officially concluded."


    ***


    Hours earlier.


    As Liam left the gymnasium, he made a beeline for the Quartz Dragon next. A delicious meal awaited him back home. "What way points to the roof?" Liam asked a butler puppet, who nodded immediately. "I''ll guide you there, sir," the butler said. "Please, follow me."


    Like so, Liam passed through a series of floors and corridors before finally arriving at the roof.


    And there, a few familiar faces awaited him.


    Mainly, Kamjin, the Iron Hammer, Valerie, the weird... crazy woman, followed by Nord and Rin.


    ''Ugh,'' Liam groaned. ''Not this again.'' As he approached, all four flicked their attention towards him. When Nord saw Liam, he was instantly relieved. Even a smile appeared on his face. Rin must have told him about the game.


    And Liam joining them meant he lost!


    Phew!


    Safe!


    "Wipe that smile off your face, retard," Valerie reprimanded Nord harshly from the side. "You weren''t even a yer."


    priv

 Chapter 499 Enemies

    499 Enemies


    Nord went silent, a deep frown on his face. Liam added nothing.


    Rin was also quiet, but visibly annoyed. It was clear that she was frustrated over the loss. Worse, how Liam ousted her.


    Kamjin raised a brow at the viciousness of the insult, shaking his head a secondter.


    "Youngins, nowadays," Kamjin uttered. "Anyway. Kid, I wanted to ask, you don''t happen to have something called Vicirum metal in your n, do ya?"


    Vicirum¡­


    In fact, Liam did!


    It was an incredibly rare metal found in the midst of the original Temple of Shadow ind. Unfortunately, Liam couldn''t utilize it in the least. Even by magical-metal standards, it was incredibly robust, resilient and longsting. Aki specialized in working with it. "I do," Liam responded, and the old man beamed with joy. "Ya don''t say?" Kamjin smiled with his signature missing teeth. "Well, you should''ve begun with that!"


    "What?" Liam asked with a subtle frown. "You want to join?"


    Kamjin nodded shamelessly like the gold-digger he was. "As long as you give me ess to Vicirum, I''m down for anything, really."


    Liam sighed. Having a person like Kamjin on his side wouldn''t be bad¡­ but the man was even more shameless than Liam.


    Oh well. "Fine," Liam said, and the old man smiled uglily. "But the Vicirum supply doesn''t belong to me. It belongs to someone else."


    Well, that was a lie.


    Obviously, everything the n owned belonged to him. Plus, hismands were always listened to.


    But Liam didn''t want to deal with the hassle.


    "Put in a good word for me?" Kamjin asked as nicely as he could. "Whatever," Liam responded. "You have your own ride, right?"


    Kamjin nodded. "Yeah." Kamjin pointed towards a beast in the distance. A¡­ rhino, of all things. It was magical, though. Bulky, with a vicious looking horn on the front of its face. It looked bigger than a tank, and was even heavier armored! It was a water and wind elemental, perhaps capable of treading upon water and soaring through air. Liam gave him the directions to the ind, and the old man nodded.


    A momentter, he jumped atop the rhino and flew away almost immediately.


    It looked funny.


    Liam made a beeline for his Quartz Dragon next, passing by Rin and Nord as they red over at him.


    Silence.


    Liam still said nothing.


    And it stung even more! Valerie followed like an obedient dog.


    "I thought I told you to walk there," Liam red at the obsessed woman from the side. "I''m not letting you fly with me."


    Valerie whistled to herself, averting her gaze. "I tried to look for the ind but¡­ I suck at directions. I just thought we could go toge-"


    "I''m still not letting you fly on the dragon."


    "No fair!"


    "Quiet."


    Silence. Finally finding the Quartz Dragon, Liam leapt on its back and rubbed its head. "Fly," Liam told the beast, which instantly took to the sky.


    WHOOSH!


    Like so, he was on his way back. Liam looked towards the horizon. Dusk was nearing. Golden rays of sunshine illuminated his expressionless face as he watched the ocean waves.


    ¡­And there was Valerie, flying behind his dragon and scribbling something onto her massive book. She peeked over it when looking at Liam, only to blush when he red at her. Right. He had forgotten Zeniths could fly. And since she was nearing the fifth Rank, she wasn''t too far behind the Quartz Dragon. Once he was past Mount Mayhem, the crystal ribbon on his wrist disintegrated into motes of glitter.


    Along with it, all of his powers finally rushed back to him, like a baby running back to his mother. ''Ah, my lovely vision,'' Liam thought with a slight smile. ''How I''ve missed you.'' ***


    The Quartz Dragon rounded the edges of the Temple''snds. Below, Liam saw Kamjin''s rhino, and the cksmith was already conversing with Aki and Verium. Judging by their mutual smiles, it seemed as though Kamjin had already been epted as a part of the n.


    ''That''s not possible,'' Liam thought with a slight frown. ''Is my dragon somehow slower than a damn rhino?''


    WHSH!


    Liam descended alongside his dragon. Then, he jumped off its back. Jargon and Kerian were the first to arrive at his side, both making a respectful gesture unique tonds.


    "My liege," Jargon said with a smile. "Wee back." N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Sire," Kerian said with a slightly lowered head. "Wee back." Liam nodded wordlessly. Elders swarmed him from all sides, excited to see him back but wary of the strange woman that followed him.


    They bit back any questions they might have.


    Elder Jane looked at Liam with tears in her eyes. Liam furrowed his brows in confusion. They weren''t tears of sadness.


    They were of happiness.


    The perfume! Did Liam finally make friends?


    Jane pointed at Liam and looked at Jax. "I raised that man."


    Liam sighed. "We have two new people joining us," Liam said casually. "That one there is a cksmith."


    He pointed towards Kamjin, who smiled with his missing teeth. "He snorts Vicirum, so hand it over to him in careful amounts." Then, with his thumb, Liam pointed backwards at Valerie. "That one there is a Formation master. Don''t let her near any of my things, cause she''s a creep." Valerie blushed.


    Definitely a creep, the Elders agreed.


    "But they are trustable," Liam added. "Get the torture sessions over with and they can start tomorrow."


    Silence.


    Torture?!


    Kamjin and Valerie''s eyes widened a little. "Alright," Liam said, nodding to himself as he made a beeline to his home. "I go into seclusion now."


    Shocked silence.


    Just like that?!


    No stories?!


    No gossip?!


    No souvenirs?! No exnations?!


    The Elders parted to make way for him, still a little incredulous. "Figure things out until then," Liam said over his shoulder. "And tighten up on the defenses. I might have made a few enemies with a couple powerhouses."


    Silence again.


    Deigning no exnation to the worried figureheads, Liam closed the door behind himself. priv

 Chapter 500 Defense Tribulation

    500 Defense Tribtion


    "How long do you think it''ll take for him toe out?" in a Temple of Shadow bar, one Elder asked another. "Been 3 months already¡­"


    "I don''t know," the other Elder shrugged, sipping his drink. "He''s been closed up for far longer."


    The first Elder sighed. "Man, I just wish we had a closer rtionship with the person that''s leading us. Usan was a friend and leader, but Leader Liam is just¡­ a leader. And he''s damn terrifying¡­ not that I have a problem with that, y''know?"


    "If you have any issues with his leadership," the second Elder said sternly, a little worried someone might overhear, "say it to his face."


    "No thanks," the first Elder said immediately. "I value my life." "That''s what I thought," the second Elder said. "Besides, that''s the only kind of person that could keep people like us in check. It makes sense for our leader to be the worst of us all."


    "True, true," the first Elder said, nodding in agreement. "Can''t deny that." There was a brief moment of silence as the two took sips of their drinks. "Hey, you seen Kamjin around?" the first Elder asked suddenly. "Nah, he''s secluded himself somewhere."


    "Man, that old man is crazier than I thought he would be. He parties like an absolute animal."


    The two shared augh.


    "It''s that other girl that''s strange," the second Elder said. "Keeps trying to sneak into Sect Leader Liam''s ce, man. It''s weird. She''s gotten in trouble so many times already¡­"


    The two shared anotherugh.


    "True. Ever since she got her shadow powers, she doesn''t even try to hide herself anymore. Those Dark Stars really show the worst in people, eh?"


    The two shared yet anotherugh. "Well, can''t deny that they aren''t doing wonders for the n. Jin has already fortified our borders, and even built protective measures for Leader Liam''s Defense Tribtion."


    "Right, right." "And Valerie has been a massive help with it. Can''t deny that either."


    "Right, right."


    There was silence after that.


    Shhhhhhhhhhhhh¡­


    Then, something caught the first Elder''s attention. The bar was open-door, allowing for a clear view of the distance. It was daytime, and yet¡­


    "D-Do you see that?" the first Elder asked the second with narrowed eyes. The second Elder leaned forward a bit, then paled. "Oh my God," he muttered with widened eyes. "I do¡­" The two Elders weren''tughing anymore. "Go, go, go! It''s happening!"


    Something was approaching the ind! ¡­A massive freaking shadow!


    It was creeping over the horizon, engulfing the skies in a cloud of darkness. It was¡­ huge, and the danger it let off could be felt even from such a faraway distance. And it was making a beeline straight for the ind! ***


    A few minutes earlier.


    Just ? of the Empress'' corpse remained.


    Liam had eaten everything above the elbows and knees. All of his centers of power brimmed with power, but especially his core.


    However¡­ there was still that mass of strange energy that enveloped the Empress'' sr plexus. A jittery shroud of dark matter that protected something beneath, swirling in a circr fashion like a cloud of smoke. ''I''ve avoided it till now,'' Liam thought seriously. ''It''s weakened significantly over the past few months¡­ but it still looks dangerous.''


    ''Should I risk it and interact with it anyway?'' ''What''s the worst that can¡­ no, don''t say it. Just don''t. Don''t!''


    Silence. ''Ah, screw it.''


    Liam grinned.


    ''What''s the worst that can happen?''


    Liam put a palm on the Empress'' sr plexus and used his Spirit Sight. With his pristine, crystal-clear view of the Empress, Liam quickly worked to find the easiest way to manipte the energy. Controlled strands of ''Ora'' seeped through the Empress'' skin. Since she was¡­ well, diseased, her body didn''t resist his essence at all. It happened way too fast.


    As soon as his ''Ora'' engulfed the ethereal substance¡­ something lurched out of the swirling cloud and connected with his essence! n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It was a whitish substance that looked like melted wax, but ethereal and ghostly in nature. Liam attempted to sever the connection between him and the ''Ora'' before it entered through him. A sh of Honed mental energy tried to do exactly that. SHING!


    But it was toote!


    Like fire to a strand of inmmable gas, the parasitic energy ate through Liam''s ''Ora'' until it entered his body!


    Uh-oh. This was bad.


    This was very, very bad!


    Liam''s body was filled with natural ''Ora''.


    As soon as the wax-like substance made contact with his skin, it caused his muscles and skin to shrivel and dry up!


    And it continued unhindered, doing the same to the insides of his body, starting with his chest.


    If Liam let it continue, it would turn him into a mummified corpse!


    ''Pearly,'' Liam thought to the brass organ in his sr plexus. ''You haven''t failed me yet.''


    A momentter, Liam used his ''Ora'' as a lure to the ghostly, parasitic wax, baiting it straight into his Chaos Pearl!


    Well, once, it was called the Chaos Pearl.


    But after Corruption found its way inside it, Liam called it just the Pearl.


    Pearly was its nickname.


    And as soon as the wax-parasite made contact with the metallic walls of his brass organ, it seeped through!


    Liam froze like an ice sculpture.


    Then, he fell over like an ice sculpture.


    And he remained frozen.


    Obviously, Liam wasn''t actually frozen.


    But whatever was happening with his Pearl, had subsequently paralyzed his entire body. A momentter, the wax substance rooted itself onto the walls of Liam''s Pearl!


    Three substances.


    Chaos.


    Corruption.


    And now¡­ whatever this thing was. ...A new member to the Pearl family!


    But in the midst of all this chaos, as Liamy paralyzed... something else was subtly taking ce.


    A morsel of the Empress'' flesh that had entered his stomach prior to all of this had fully melted.


    And the nutrients it provided went straight to Liam''s core, causing it to bubble and froth with darkness ''Ora''.


    The Defense Tribtion¡­ ¡­had begun!


    chapter 500. party time.


    CovidCandy

 Chapter 501 Flight

    501 Flight


    Liam was still paralyzed when his core bubbled and boiled with darkness ''Ora'', overflowing with energy.


    It was a sensational feeling¡­ but one he couldn''t really enjoy.


    After all, the wax-like substance was still gushing around his Pearl. Since it rooted itself to the brass walls, it forced his Chaos and Corruption back!


    The process was sort of simr to how Liam gained his Corruption!


    However, unlike his Corruption that seemed to be attracted to Liam''s Pearl, the wax was foreign.


    It was not supposed to be inside the Pearl.


    And yet, Liam had forced the process anyway.


    Which was why he was lying on his face, paralyzed. But as the process unfolded, his Pearl contents were strictly divided between 3 sides.


    Chaos, Corruption, and¡­ whatever the white stuff was. But Liam had no time to think about that!


    He shifted his focus back to his advancing core! As it overflowed with ''Ora'', the outeryer of the core just¡­ exploded!


    BHM!


    All the ''Ora'' inside poured out and spread across his entire body. HM!


    And just as fast, another core formed on its own!


    Except, the material that it was made out of now was not flesh or bone.


    It was made from ''Ora'' itself!


    Dark ''Ora''. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    Before, his core''s natural color had the same texture and consistency as skin.


    And now?


    It was pitch ck! And it was¡­ powerful.


    Yet, there seemed to be something missing from it.


    Like half the puzzle was still unsolved.


    Obviously, that was because the Tribtion was not yet over! WHM!


    A strange, invisible force emerged from his core.


    "That''s not good," Liam said with a low, strained voice, his face still kissing the ground. "I need to get up."


    09:27


    "That''s not good," Liam said with a low, strained voice, his face still kissing the ground. "I need to get up."


    Any remaining nourishment that attempted to enter the tiny organ was blocked out.


    Seconds passed as a strange force expanded from his core''s center. If he wasn''t using Spirit Sight, Liam wouldn''t have seen it.


    The ''force'' was not tangible, it seemed. WHM!


    It pulsed continuously like a throbbing vein, growing in quick intervals. WHUM! HM! BHM!


    Before long, the ''force'' became one giant tentacle.


    And Liam was stillying with his face to the floor, paralyzed.


    ''Okay,'' Liam thought. ''I don''t like where this is going.''


    A momentter, the tentacle pierced through Liam''s chest!


    More specifically, his sr plexus!


    His Pearl!


    Except¡­


    There was no pain.


    In fact, there was no feeling whatsoever.


    However, there was something suspicious happening!


    Something very suspicious!


    A momentter, the tentacle slowly disconnected from his body.


    Right after, it looked at Liam for a few seconds¡­ then, it looked towards the ceiling.


    WHSH!


    It flew through the ceiling like some sort of ghostly firework! Just then, a bit of feeling returned to Liam''s fingers¡­ but he didn''t regainplete control over his entire body.


    He couldn''t use Transfiguration.


    And only with his mental waves, Shifter Sense and Shadow Sense could he sense his surroundings. If it was time to panic, Liam didn''t. He was calm.


    At times like this, one must be very careful not to lose their minds.


    But thankfully, Liam had already lost it!


    There was no issue!


    Thankfully, the process of his Pearl came to a stop.


    And he gained back all the feeling in his body.


    Liam rose to his feet, scratched his chest for a second, then used his shadows to emerge from the underground basement.


    ''I''ll check out my Pearlter,'' Liam thought as he emerged from the roof, and continued rising above the air. ''I''m not dead, so it''s a good sign.''


    As soon as he came outside, Liam noticed several things.


    One was that he lost track of time. 3 months he was in seclusion, but it felt a lot quicker than that. All he had been doing during that time was eating, resting and sleeping.


    Until then, his living area looked more like a fort than a slightlyrge pyramid. Seven distinct ck pirs surrounded him in a protective formation. An invisible Istion Barrier connected the seven points together, forming a dome of some kind.


    Amon strategy to dealing with the Defense Tribtion was just waiting it out! Of course, this was an option not many people could afford. It involved spending ridiculous amounts of money for protective inscriptions, formation masters to construct special areas and more. A powerful Defense Tribtion could raze an entire city to the ground, after all. Only the upper echelon of filthy rich individuals could protect themselves in this way. Apparently, Liam had be one of them.


    What he noticed next was that the Elders outside had already scattered as far away as they could. Nearly all of the Temple had evacuated to safety! From afar, Valerie waved at him with a sunny smile, Kamjin smirked at him with missing teeth, Jax and Jane paled, Kerian and Jargon looked amazed, Orisa looked shocked, and Ryu was dying ofughter.


    ''Wow. I wonder why.''


    ¡­Right after, Liam noticed that half of the sky was shrouded ck, and the other half was still warm and sunny!


    Of course, that ck shadow was none other than a huge mass of pure darkness! It wasn''t actually covering the skies. It looked more like a tsunami wave. Even while he was inside an Istion Barrier, protected by seven pirs that looked nigh-indestructible, Liam didn''t feel too safe from that thing. It was pretty damn huge, covered ? of the horizon.


    Despite all of that, Liam actually didn''t want to face the Tribtion this way. What kind of coward waited for their enemy to just leave them mid fight?


    He wanted to dispel it with his bare hands! That was one of the many ways of aplishing the Tribtion. Basically eviscerating whatever element was sent to kill you. And what he noticedst but not least¡­ was that he was flying! Above air!


    On his own!


    With no support! ''I''m a Zenith, baby!''


    And he could finally fly. Had he not been dead inside, Liam would have shed a tear. But no. He had to be serious for now.


    "Although I''d rush out and dispell the cloud straight away, it might be a little dangerous," Liam muttered to himself. "Let''s test the waters first." Soon enough, the tsunami wave of death had arrived at the edge of where Liam was. WHOOOOSH!


    It engulfed the invisible, see-through barrier and immediately began corroding it. priv

 Chapter 502 Familiar

    502 Familiar


    Liam watched as the cloud of darkness engulfed the dome in just a few seconds.


    The dome acted like an immovable rock against a violent, gushing river.


    And slowly, Liam saw the effects it had on the invisible barrier of force.


    ''I''d guess all these defenses are Rank 5 in power,'' Liam thought. ''The Iron Hammer is Rank 5¡­ so it''s no wonder.''


    Liam looked towards the ck metal pirs. ''They''re made out of Vicirum. They really held back no expense.''


    Then, Liam''s eyes eventuallynded on the ceiling.


    Thest rays of light were blocked out fully by now, casting dark shadows within.


    However, Liam could see perfectly fine.


    In fact, one could say it was quite cozy!


    It was like being tucked underneath warm nkets while a thunderstorm echoed just outside. As the seconds ticked down, Liam couldn''t help but feel a little disappointed.


    The cloud of brownish, ck darkness wasn''t going to get through the barrier!


    All Liam had to do was outlive it!


    ''Oh well,'' Liam thought. ''I guess this is fine, too.''


    ''It makes sense that a defensive mechanism made by a Rank 5 cultivator could overpower a Defense Tribtion of a Rank 4.''


    Even if the Tribtion was his!


    Except¡­ it definitely couldn''t be that simple, could it?


    After all, the Law of Bnce worked twice as hard against Liam.


    Just then, a slightly crimson glow brightened over the patch of darkness.


    Liam''s eyes squinted, then widened with shock. "Hm?" CRKSH!


    BOOOM!


    A bolt of vermillion lightning struck the invisible barrier, a violence shockwave rippling across its surface.


    In the same instant, the bolt of lightning dissipated.


    ¡­But more glowing red patches appeared on the cloud of darkness.


    KRSRKRKSH!


    BOOOOOOOM!


    09:28


    A dozen rods of lightning struck the dome at the same exact time!


    Liam''s eyes widened with shock.


    It was Liam''s Chaos!


    There was no doubt about it. Liam knew Chaos like the back of his hand.


    It had the same unstable texture, even if it came in lightning form, and its immense power was way beyond what regr lightning could do. In the first ce, a Defense Tribtion was a defense against one''s element. But that was for the core only! If you counted his Corruption, Chaos and¡­ whatever the wax thing was, Liam would have¡­ four. Four elements! Liam looked at the cloud again, zooming in and using Spirit Sight. Immediately, he caught the brownish hues woven into its pitch ck fabric of darkness. Corruption!


    Liam sat cross-legged¡­ mid-air.


    Flying felt amazing. As soon as a cultivator attained both a Rank 4 body and core, they could finally break the chain that held them to the ground.


    Also known as gravity.


    It was a subconscious thing. Liam''s ''Ora'' maniption had gotten so strong, he could just levitate himself.


    All he needed to do was imagine himself flying.


    But that was not the point. Not only was the invisible barrier being corrupted by darkness, it was also being weakened by Corruption!


    Liam quickly realized it was the tentacle thing that poked around his Pearl that caused this to happen. After all, Liam''s Chaos was unique to the Ashura. It was unreplicatable!


    ¡­Or so he thought. A dozen more bolts of red lightning struck the barrier. KRSHHH!


    The barrier was weakening. CRIK! CRIK!


    A few subtle cracks appeared on its surface!


    KRUSHHH!


    Again, lightningshed Liam''s enclosure, like a predator lusting for its prey!


    KRKRKSH!


    KRSH!


    Again!


    KRUSH!


    And again!


    KRAASH!


    Then, all the glowing patches of red lightning converged towards the center of the swarm of darkness. What came out as a result was one massive bolt of lightning shooting straight for the center of the dome. It shattered into a million pieces. KRRSSHHHHH!


    No longer held back by the barrier, the swarm of darkness rushed at Liam like a formless demon. Darkness filled his vision.


    Above, patches of the darkness were glowing red, crackling with Chaos Lightning. It had a catchy name to it.


    But there was no time to admire it.


    It was filling his vision!


    At the same time, the bolts of lightning shot at him.


    KRSH!


    Liam immediately used Shadow Blink.


    WHOOM!


    Instantly, he arrived roughly 350 meters away from the swarm of darkness.


    Now, he was over the ocean. Except, his core had basically be a ma of death.


    As soon as he changed directions, the swarm of darkness, Corruption and Chaos followed suit.


    ''I have to dispel it here,'' Liam thought with a serious face. ''Can''t let anyone see.''


    There was a reason Liam teleported here. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Right above where Liam was hovering, an array of Formations floated above the water. They served no purpose other than to keep outside eyes from prying over the Temple''snds.


    It was still a work in progress, but a project Liam had ordered to be built. ''Should be good enough to keep me hidden,'' Liam thought. ''For now, at least.''


    ''Strangely enough,'' Liam thought with a slight scowl, ''I can''t use my darkness.''


    ''It''s sealed until this is over.'' SHING!


    Taking out his swords, an extra pair of muscr arms emerged from Liam''s torso.


    In a fast, wild fashion, the swarm of corruption and darkness made a beeline towards him.


    At the same time, a few patches of it glowed!


    KRSH!


    Two bolts of Chaos Lightning shot at Liam from his left and right. Using his Breaker de and ck de, Liam used the former against the strike, and thetter to sever it.


    SHING! RKSH!


    As soon as Liam''s odachi sliced through the Chaotic Lightning, streams of red electricity crackled over his sword, causing waves of pain to flood his right arm. However, the bolt was sessfully cut.


    Transfiguration took care of any damage that the Chaos had caused. On the other hand, the Breaker was much better at dealing with the thunderbolt. As soon as the two forces made contact, the titan sword simply redirected its trajectory towards the ocean!


    BLRSH!


    It shot towards the ocean, and immediately exploded under its waters, causing a muffled shockwave to spread over its waves.


    But just then, a strange shriek resounded from within the swarm.


    It was¡­ familiar. "Hmm? Where have I heard that noise before?" Liam used his Spirit Sight, but somehow, the outeryer of the swarm was shrouded. Just then, an alien silhouette emerged from the cloud. Liam''s eyes widened.


    It was an Abomination.


    priv

 Chapter 503 Abomination

    503 Abomination


    What came out of the cloud was an Abomination. The first thing that Liam noticed about it was the vicious maw, which was what it mostly consisted of. The teeth! So many! Even in the Dual Empire''s grounds, Liam had never seen such an Abomination. It had ck, jagged teeth, 19 on the upper and 21 on the lower jaw. It had a brownish, greyplexion, with disgusting, throbbing veins across its rotten body.


    It had no legs.


    In fact, below the chest, it consisted of loose strings of dangly flesh. Sort of like a squid.


    On its sides, it had two skinny arms that didn''t look particrly powerful. In fact, they were quite skinny and looked easy to slice off. On each arm were three thin fingers.


    The three fingers made a w of sorts, since they ended with sharp, wet nails dripping with some sort of brown liquid. It had just one, diamond-shaped eye on the top of its circr head. The iris had severalyers of ''rings'' around it, colored red, brown and ck. The entire¡­ ''thing'' looked like a disease, but in Abomination form. In the first ce, what the heck was an Abomination doing here?! This was a Defense Tribtion, damn it! Not a fiesta!


    But wait.


    Wasn''t this a Tribtion that represented one''s elements? n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Why was¡­


    Oh.


    No¡­ no, but how?


    It couldn''t be¡­


    But oh, it was. ''The wax,'' Liam thought incredulously, looking at his own sr plexus. ''The Empress'' chest thingie!'' Liam had gotten the Abomination element! If it was the time to jump in joy, Liam would. Abominations were the bread and butter of the Empire of Fear! It was their trademark!


    In fact, Liam was pretty sure Abominations were the only thing that allowed her to get to where she was!


    And Liam plundered it from her dead body!


    But right now, he had an Abomination to kill and a Tribtion to pass.


    The swarm of darkness split.


    One side shot to Liam''s left, and the other to his right, barricading him in a ring-like formation.


    Obviously, Liam could use his Shadow Blink to escape with ease. However, using too much blood was not viable. He had to take this seriously.


    SKRAAAAAAA!


    Screeching demonically, the corrupted Abomination used its dangling flesh to whip the air behind it. The strange propelling motion and overall appearance made it look like a malicious alien. KRKRK!


    Behind it, two patches of the swarm brightened with a red glow, indicating two imminent Chaos Lightning strikes. Liam didn''t wait for the Abomination to sh with him. He did the honors himself. With his Breaker de and odachi outstretched, Liam used Shadow Blink to reappear behind the Abomination. WHOOM!


    Then, with his Dusk des, Liam brutally rent both of the Abomination''s arms, ripping apart the disgusting veins and festering flesh.


    Despite that, a bit of the Abomination''s brownish liquid washed over him.


    SSSSSSSS!


    However, they couldn''t go through theyer of dense shadows Liam had protected himself with.


    A tiny amount did anyway.


    Wherever the liquid touched, ck roots spread across his skin, forcing him to spasm and convulse. The liquid was none other than Corruption itself!


    But the Abomination had died, turning into wisps of dirty smoke. At the same time, Liam batted away the two streaks of lightning that shot towards him using the odachi and titan de, redirecting them towards the sea in an instant.


    KRSH! BHM!


    A momentter, Liam took a deep breath. A really, really deep breath, which made him inte and grow in size like some sort of parade balloon!


    Liam grew from 1.7 meters to 8 meters, then 15 meters and finally 23 meters!


    Then, he let out one massive exhale with enough force to blow back the swarm of darkness!


    WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH!


    ? of the swarm was blown away immediately.


    Liam smiled to himself. He was dispelling it!


    SKRAAAAAAAAA!


    SKRRRRRRRRRR!


    ¡­But eight more corrupted Abominations emerged from the swarm''s depths just then!


    Time seemed to slow. Other than them¡­ there was one more Abomination.


    This one was different. It was smaller. Just 2 meters in size,pared to the others that were 8 meters. However, its skin was blood-red and veiny, while its form was humanoid shaped. It had two eyes, both made from bright crimson energy. It had a muscr frame and big, powerful arms paired with thick legs. It had wed hands, too, and a long, thick tail which resembled a snake''s from its back. At the same time, it had a long, spiny back. The sharp ligaments were protruding from its body. If Liam''s eyes didn''t fail him, the Abomination was smirking at him with ck teeth.


    However, the most eye-catching feat out of everything, was the hollow center of the Abomination''s chest. It was a circr hollowness filled with arge mass of surging Chaos! It almost looked like the Chaos was the Abomination''s ''heart''. It broke apart and reformed repeatedly, as though suppressing the urge to burst. Even its eyes seemed to be made from Chaos! "This isn''t funny anymore," Liam said to the beast with a serious face. And it really wasn''t. "Are you sentient?" Silence.


    It didn''t respond, still smirking at him.


    ''I can''t even use Void since my darkness is sealed.'' Something was warning Liam not to let that Chaos Abomination approach him.


    If he did, it''d be bad news.


    Although it was the same with the other eight Corruption Abominations, the fact that there was just one Chaos Abomination made Liam wary.


    But Liam still had several aces up his sleeve.


    ''I can just Shadow Blink whenever things get tough,'' Liam thought, grip tightening around the four swords. ''Plus Mind Edge.'' More than a dozen Chaos Lightning strikes shot at Liam''s direction just then.


    KRRSSHHHHHH!


    As he dodged, the view was as beautiful as it was dangerous.


    But just then, the eight Abominations swarmed them from his nk, followed by a cloud of corruption and darkness engulfing him, and a Chaos Abomination making a beeline towards him on top of it all.


    Just then, Liam used Mind Edge¡­ and time felt like it had stopped. How was he supposed to get out of this one, exactly?


    since we''re at chapter 503 i''d like to take this chance to ask for any advice ya''ll might have for the story. danke


    CovidCandy

 Chapter 504 Explosion

    504 Explosion


    Time resumed.


    Several things happened in quick session, and in the span of just a few seconds. The cloud of Corruption enveloped Liam''s entire form in one second.


    To counter it, Liam used his Blood Demon armor. Ichor oozed from his orifices, coagtions forming sleek tes of crystalized armor. As an extrayer of protection, Liam used his shadows solely for defense. Despite all of this, Liam still felt the Corruption poking through his skin, which made parts of him convulse and spasm.


    It was a bearable, enjoyable amount.


    Then, Liam dealt with the Corruption Abominations. Although his darkness was momentarily sealed, the odachi could send arcs of corrosive gas through its edge. In the sh of an eye, Liam sent out 3 shes each for every Corrupt Abomination. SHING! SHING! SHING!


    Arcs of darkness flew wildly. Brown blood streaked across the air.


    With itsst breath, one of the rotten abominations used its jaw to tear Liam''s upper right arm.


    Its palisade teeth crunched through theyer of crystalized blood armor, tearing away his limb. KLSH!


    Almost instantly, Liam grew it right back, then killed it with a stab to the eye using a Dusk de.


    PLRGH!


    Right after, Liam used Shadow Blink to teleport above the swarm of darkness, dodging a barrage of lightning strikes and the Chaos Abomination''s charge. KRSKRKRSKRH!


    WHOOM!


    A momentter, Liam took another deep breath, using Transfiguration to increase his lung capacity to a ridiculous amount.


    His armor grew with him, using more of his blood. Then, he let out a massive exhale at the swarm of darkness. WHOOO¡ª


    Before Liam could empty his lungs, a bolt of crimson lightning struck him dead center, flinging him away like a ragdoll. 10:57


    KRSHHHHHH!


    "Urgh!" It struck him in the split second that he was preupied.


    However, his shadows, armor and Transfiguration softened the chaos lightning strike.


    Despite that, there was a hole in Liam''s chest big enough for a basketball to pass through. Had his protections not been there, his Pearl, core and other organs would have been eviscerated.


    Still, the opening allowed for darkness to seep through his insides. Liam''s Pearl, core and vital organs were protected.


    But as a mixture of darkness, chaos and corruption invaded his body, Liam grimaced. KRKRKRK! ZZZZZZHHH! WSHHHHH!


    Now, the pain was no longer enjoyable. At once, his insides were being eaten, infected and broken down. The darkness was especially powerful for some reason, burrowing deeper and deeper into his muscle.


    Liam''s eyes narrowed.


    BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!


    Liam was forced to use Expel!


    Several explosions ured within Liam''s own body.


    Wherever the three forces touched, Liam Expelled it altogether.


    Healing it would take too much time, and he was actively dodging lighting strikes, plus the Chaos Abomination''s charges. As a result, Liam was left with 35% of his blood remaining.


    The Expel alone used 30%.


    And Liam used Shadow Blink several times already to avoid being killed. Plus, his Blood Demon armor used 10%. But just half of the Tribtion remained. Those watching from afar felt their jaws drop.


    This was a Defense Tribtion?!


    It looked more like a death sentence!


    But since Liam was calm, it inspired confidence in the others. They didn''t intervene. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Nor were they allowed to.


    Nor did they want to.


    For Liam''s sake, the Elders in charge of Formations and Arrays rushed in and casted camouging screens around the battlefield. Kitsu was there, albeit reluctantly, blocking prying eyes from witnessing the devastating event using her illusions. Meanwhile, the Chaos Abomination let out a stupidly loud roar. Liam subsequently named it Meathead due to its muscr anatomy.


    ''I can''t get this over with if I keep avoiding him. If I use all the Chaos in my core, I can probably blow away the remainder of the Tribtion.'' In order to dispel the tribtion in peace, Liam needed to kill this thing.


    "Come then," Liam said as his Dusk des buzzed with Chaos, repelling the air. "Rip and tear!" the Dusks roared with pure ecstasy. "Rip and tear!"


    Liam grinned, and Meathead smirked. Then, the monster punched the air with a fist of Chaos.


    BOOOOOOOOM!


    The distance between Liam and the Abomination was closed in an instant. The humanoid monster used the shockwave produced by Chaos to propel himself forward.


    With eyes crackling with red energy and a slight smirk on its lips, it shot at Liam with insane speed.


    Liam readied himself. The Chaos Abomination seemed to possess some intellect.


    It wasn''t mindless like the corruption Abominations Liam had killed. Behind the Abomination, another six bolts of lightning were going to strike him in a second. Just then, the Chaos Abomination attempted to strike Liam''s chest with both its fists. With a hidden hand-tentacle, Liam used his Sanguine Strings to slightly alter the monster''s trajectory, causing him to miss by just a few inches.


    CHIG!


    Then, he stabbed straight into the creature''s throat, using his Breaker de as a shield to protect himself against the strikes of lightning from behind.


    To add insult to injury, Liam wildly swung his Dusks, ripping awayyers uponyers of flesh from Meathead''s body, brutalizing him. CHRGH! PLRG! CHIG! SHING! SHG! Except, Meathead was strong.


    His skin was strong. Perhaps at a peak Rank 4 level. And he wasn''t dead just yet.


    WHSH!


    With an abrupt boost of power and speed, Meathead sped two of Liam''s arms and pulled him into a tight embrace.


    Uh-oh.


    Liam knew where this was going.


    But he couldn''t use Shadow Blink.


    Immediately, he stored his swords and used Expel to explode both the arms that Meathead had grabbed, then used Shadow Blink with the remainder of his ichor. The Abomination made a sadistic grin, showing a mouthful of ck teeth.


    Liam''s arms didn''t explode in time. The hollow center of the Abomination''s chest stopped breaking apart and copsed into itself.


    Silence. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    A monstrous explosion took ce above the ocean. Meathead had exploded himself. In hindsight, it was incredibly stupid to let something as vtile and destructive as Chaose near him. Liam''s knightley blood armor shattered into a million pieces, leaving him at the mercy of his shadows and Transfiguration.

 Chapter 505 Drowning

    Chapter 505 Drowning


    Liam was drowning.


    He was under the sea.


    Tranquility.


    There was peace here.


    Sure, he was drowning, and water flooded his lungs. But the water made him feel safe.


    Like he was in his mother''s womb.


    But Liam''s mother was dead. How pitiful.


    Not that. How he still needed air to breathe! But that wasn''t the only problem.


    Right now, Liam was in several pieces. As in, the lower half of his body was torn apart. His eyes drooped with drowsiness. Even his mental sphere suffered a few cracks, despite him using his defenses in the nick of time. He was pretty sure something was boiling, too.


    But he didn''t know what.


    His thoughts were slow.


    But his mind was slowlying back to him.


    What was he doing?


    Right.


    Tribtion.


    Right.


    Tribtion.


    His mind was back now. He realized what was boiling. It was his blood. His Pearl was unharmed. His vital organs were¡­ gravely injured, but at this point, he''d take what he could get.


    Was he in imminent danger?


    No.


    Not yet, at least.


    Liam''s vision weakly returned to him. It was like seeing through murky water, which slowly parted with rity.


    Nothing was killing him just yet¡­ but he had a very, very small amount of ichor left.


    No one wasing to help.


    And quite frankly, Liam would prefer that.


    How embarrassing would it be to be saved like a damsel in distress?!


    ''Lame way to go out, though,'' Liam thought, light slowly returning to his vision. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Just then, the water waves rippled with movement that didn''t belong to him. Liam weakly moved his head to the side, a vague silhouette wiggling left and right towards him.


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    It was a magical beast!


    A sea creature!


    An Eight Eyed Limb Shark! It was obvious the smell of Liam''s blood had attracted it.


    It was also in the fourth Rank. The Eight Eyed Limb Shark''s description was self exnatory.


    It had eight blue eyes on both sides of its long, curved body. But what made it special were the two, human-like hands that emerged from its back.


    They were human-like in shape and anatomy, but were sharp, dangerous, and covered with glowing blue scales. And it was swimming straight towards him with incredible speed.


    Liam steadied himself. Slowly, his right arm turned into a huge tentacle, and he grew a curved fin out his back. Next, his fingers became webbed like an otter''s, granting him underwater maneuverability.


    Then, he waited patiently.


    Liam nced above.


    The tribtion hadn''t actually gone anywhere. It was still running. But since he was underwater, it faced difficulty getting through. That was gaseous darkness'' weakness! But slowly, the tribtion was adapting. It was bing liquid and solid. Not to mention, he still had the chaos lightning to worry about! Though, for some reason, he wasn''t being struck.


    Perhaps its chaos reserves were diminished. Liam had to move. Fast. Seconds passed as the movement beneath the waters grew more hectic.


    The shark was approaching faster and faster, until its dark silhouette was no longer vague.


    WHSH!


    With its monstrous jaw open, the shark lurched at Liam with a burst of power, all eight of its blue eyes glowing with malice. In response, Liam waved his left hand and propelled himself above, sessfully dodging the charge.


    Then, as the jaw mped a few inches away from him, his tentacle hand tensed into a scythe. SHING!


    Liam shed once across the shark''s head, slicing through the rigid scales and severing it cleanly in half.


    Safe from one evil, exposed to another. Jagged, sharp rods of darkness began to rain upon him by the tribtion like a flurry of arrows. A few managed to pierce his chest and arms. But Liam used Admit on the shark.


    Immediately, the shark''s scales, blood, organs and form was absorbed by him.


    Likewise, Liam''s skin, blood, organs and form changed into the shark!


    In just a few seconds, he had be a shark with limbs and eight eyes, and grew longer than 9 meters in length. Liam shot towards the bottom of the water, using his special limbs and long tail to ramp up his speed.


    SHHHHHHH!


    Then, he made an upward curve towards the ocean, straight towards the heart of the tribtion.


    The darkness that rained upon him managed to chink and crack his special scales, but he powered on.


    SPLASHHHHH!


    Even as he emerged from the water, Liam was kicking his tail and rising into the air, simr to how a crocodile might attack a seagull.


    Except, Liam''s victim was a swarm of darkness/corruption/chaos.


    Strangely enough, it was a mere fraction of its original size. Despite the focus being on Liam, the Chaos Abomination''s devastating explosion blew away most of it. But slowly, the cloud was transforming.


    Into an Abomination!


    ''No you don''t!'' Liam thought. In his shark form, Liam just¡­ devoured it.


    OMP!


    It felt like he''d just swallowed a rag that was used to clean feces and dirty vomit. As soon as it passed through his gullet, it exploded, melted and seared his anatomy. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! And it exploded over and over and over and over again. The Chaos inside it was detonating! Inside Liam, no less. Parts of his shark form reverted back to a humanoid shape since it was damaged beyond repair. Liam was losing consciousness. The damage on his mind, blood and soul were starting to weigh on him. Even if pain felt good now, that didn''t necessarily mean that his body didn''t suffer for it.


    His eyes drooped. His vision became hazy and blurry.


    His body was still exploding. Before long, he was back to his original form, with Expel and Admit on cooldown.


    But as the seconds ticked down¡­ the pain turned into nourishment, which funneled straight into Liam''s core!


    It was his darkness. True, pure, Zenith darkness that filled his new core and nourished it beautifully. The Defense Tribtion was over. Speaking of darkness, Liam''s vision was filled with it, and his mind went ck.

 Chapter 506 White Matter

    Chapter 506 White Matter


    Liam bobbed up and down the ocean waves before eventually washing ashore. Elders swarmed him immediately and brought him back home, bandaging his wounds and applying medicine across his body. Liam was out cold, but he was breathing. For three weeks, hey unconscious, but his wounds healed on his own and his sea of consciousness was slowly improving.


    Eventually, Liam woke up and let out a long exhale that sounded like a hiss. His entire figure was covered with bandages, including his face, making him look like some sort of mummy. Jane, Jargon, Valerie, Kerian and Aki were in the room. Valerie had Inkshadow tattoos on her arms and fingers. Jax was getting better at making them more pleasing to the eye.


    All of them immediately looked at Liam with rm.


    Had they been in his shoes, they wouldn''t have survived the Tribtion.


    Then again, Liam''s amazing healing factor paired with his shadow abilities and prowess was nothing short of amazing. "How long was I out?" Liam asked with a frown. He was getting tired of losing out on time. "3 weeks," Jane perked up and immediately answered. "Are you okay?" All five had the same question. "Fine," Liam said with a gritty voice and distant eyes. Looking at their Sect Leader, those present felt a pang of awe at Liam''s new aura.


    It was a double-edged sword. It made one feel safe, but simultaneously in danger. Liam was a monster before he attained perfect Zenith status. What about now?


    ¡­Scary.


    "All three of your Tribtions have been nothing short of crazy," Aki said with a sigh, then smiled. "Congrats on bing a Zenith." n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The other four smiled as well, but Liam''s mind seemed to be elsewhere. Right after, Liam looked at his core and Pearl using Spirit Sight. Both felt different, but for different reasons. Liam felt like his core had gained special properties, but he couldn''t put his finger on what it was. It wasn''t just that the darkness inside it was amazingly pure and strong. There was also something else. On the other hand, his Pearl had the wax-like substance in it¡­ but it had cut Liam''s Chaos and Corruption reserves.


    Since it was now 3 elements that took up Liam''s Pearl space, Chaos took ?, Corruption took ?, and whatever this element was took ? as well. "Dismissed," Liam said. "I''ll call if you''re needed."


    Valerie looked like she wanted to stay, but Jane sent her a re and grabbed her hand. Sort of like how a mother would grab her child before she misbehaved. "By yourmand."


    "Of course, Sire."


    "Without dy, my Liege."


    As such, all five of them left using their shadows.


    Liam unraveled the bandages from his arms. Most of his body was back to normal. His mental sphere had a few chips here and there, but they would heal on their own. WHRSH!


    Dark fire zed over Liam''s hands, covering the spacious, ornate room in a dark glow.


    Liam''s darkness glowed with an umbral light now. It also created a vague, static noise.


    Ffffffffffff¡­


    ''Primordial Forging''ll get much, much stronger now.''


    Of course, the real prize was the core itself. Spirit Sight allowed Liam to see a translucent energy imbued within its dark walls.


    Sort of like a nk canvas. This was probably the Path!


    At least, its building blocks.


    ''I''ll have to ask Kerian and Kamjin about their Paths. A momentter, Liam shifted his attention to Pearly. Hemanded the white substance to exit, arriving at his fingers.


    BLRGH!


    Ghostly, white and melting over itself, the ''wax'' was just as it left the Empress'' sr plexus, albeit weaker and less pronounced. It looked like a living glob. "What do I name you?" Liam asked the wax. It didn''t respond.


    "Cu¡ª no, let''s not go there," Liam said. "y? Abomination Sauce?"


    There was a short pause.


    "White Matter? As in, opposite of Dark Matter, because you''re white?" Liam asked the wax¡­ but it didn''t respond. "White Matter it is," Liam decided. "What do you do, though?" he asked again.


    It didn''t respond. "You don''t have to make things difficult," Liam said, frowning at the White Matter. For the following minutes, Liam fiddled around with it to try and figure out its purpose.


    Unfortunately, no matter how much Liam experimented with it, nothing unordinary came out of it. He couldn''t throw it around. He couldn''t shape it into a weapon. No Abominations spawned out of it. It was just¡­ a glob of wax that stuck to the palm of his hand.


    Liam made a disappointed face.


    Then, he hummed to himself pensively.


    SHHHHHHHH!


    On his free hand, a tiny sphere of Chaos shrieked. "Please work."


    Liam merged them together.


    BLURSH!


    There was a wet mixing noise. The White Matter immediately sucked in the Chaos and enveloped it as its center, then rotated over itself like some sort of blender.


    Liam took a step back and watched with awe.


    Slowly, the color and form of the White Matter changed. From white, it became ck. Two nubs grew out of its sides, which stretched into thick arms. Below, two more nubs grew into thighs and feet, strengthening and bing muscr.


    A circr shape on its top became a head, connected to the torso, while the mass of Chaos found itself within a familiar hollow center. It was Meathead.


    It was a tiny Meathead!


    Liam lost his breath for a few seconds.


    Meathead''s eyes crackled with red energy.


    But instead of being hostile or malicious, the Abomination remained idly in its ce.


    Except¡­ it was literally the size of arge squirrel.


    There was a reason for that, though.


    Liam had used a very small amount of White Matter and Chaos, hence why it was so small and insignificant. At the same time, Liam felt a link with the Abomination. An invisible thread that connected them together.


    Liam subconsciouslymanded the Abomination to move to the right¡­ and it obeyed.


    "Alright," Liam said. "Run at the wall and explode yourself."


    Meathead almost looked cute as it rushed at the wall. Then, the mass of Chaos in the hollowpartment of his chest copsed.


    BOM!

 Chaoter 507 Sumo, Meathead, Hollow

    Chaoter 507 Sumo, Meathead, Hollow


    Squirrel Meathead made a hole in the wall, even though it was covered in protective inscriptions made by Jane and Jax.


    It was just a tiny squirrel-sized hole.


    But it was still a powerful andpact explosion.


    ''Wow,'' Liam thought, amazed. White Matter really was a beautiful thing.


    Once more, Liam repeated the process.


    With his left hand, he used Chaos, and with his right, he used White Matter.


    Then, he merged them.


    Except, now, the two forces were much bigger in size and power.


    As they merged, the wet sounds continued for much longer than before. Quite frankly, it sounded pretty disgusting and dirty, like a continuous spew of vomit.


    But finally, it stopped, and another Chaos Abomination had formed.


    Except, this one was the same size as Liam.


    It looked at Liam with a nk, empty look on its face.


    It was empty inside.


    In reality, they were just puppets.


    They weren''t alive at all.


    They had no soul.


    They were White Matter and Chaos mixed together.


    A momentter, Liam made two more copies of the same Abomination, but with different amounts of White Matter and Chaos.


    For one, he put more Chaos in it than White Matter. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    And for the other, he put more White Matter than he did Chaos.


    All three results were not the same.


    The first Chaos Abomination Liam made was bnced. It looked the most normal, and had the most bnced characteristics. It was 1.7 meter tall, muscr, and had a powerful mass of Chaos in the hollow part of his chest.


    Not too much, not to less. The middle path.


    The second one, with which Liam used more White Matter than Chaos, was¡­ a little different.


    The hollowness of its chest was still there. However, the Abomination was¡­ veryrge and a little short. Its arms were as thick as a Sumo wrestler''s, and so was its thighs and legs.


    It was¡­ fat.


    Also, its skin was a little darkerpared to the bnced Abomination.


    However, that wasn''t to say it wasn''t muscr.


    In fact, it was very much so!


    Bodybuilders and Sumo had some of the highest, raw physical power a human could produce.


    This was realms beyond that.


    In fact, it was almost three times as strong as the bnced Chaos Abomination.


    But the hollowness that contained its chaos was actually in its sr plexus, and not in its stomach where it usually was. Plus, it was a very, very small amount of Chaos. Liam was pretty sure that, alone by itself, the explosion caused by that mass of Chaos would do absolutely nothing.


    However¡­ that didn''t mean the Abomination was useless.


    Quite the contrary.


    Since it had more White Matter than Chaos, the White Matter had converted into pure muscle and strength.


    Liam could think of several uses of this Meathead v2.0 straight away.


    And not just as a meatshield, either. Just like Liam gave Meathead, the bnced Abomination, a name, Liam did the same with this one.


    Sumo, he named it.


    Then, there was the third Abomination. For this one, Liam used more Chaos than White Matter, and the results were¡­ predictable.


    Between bnce, there were two extremes. Unlike Sumo, which was fat with muscle but low on Chaos, the third Abomination was incredibly skinny and slim.


    Not only that, but its skin was also red,pared to the darker tones of the other two.


    However, it was not anorexic or emaciated. But in a physical fight?


    It would lose ten out of ten times.


    However, that wasn''t the distinct feature it had.


    The hollowness of its chest was massive!


    It basically had no chest, stomach or abdomen.


    And it was filled with a dense ze of surging Chaos!


    More so, its eyes, skin and the rest of its body crackled with wild sparks of Chaos.


    It was literally overflowing with it. So much so, that it honestly looked like it was ready to explode at any time.


    But it didn''t.


    Somehow, White Matter managed to exaggerate Liam''s Chaos and utilize it in awe-inducing ways. Liam thought of a name. Hollow.


    So, in short, it was Meathead, the bnced ¡ª Sumo, heavy on White Matter, and Hollow, heavy on Chaos.


    "Alright," Liam said to the three Abominations, which he controlled mentally. "Let''s see what you three could do."


    Starting with Sumo, Liam ordered it to charge straight at him! BOM! BOM! BOM! BOM!


    Each step Sumo took towards Liam made the room shake and rumble. BOOM!


    Sumo shoulder bashed Liam with a mighty force. A few bones in Liam''s body cracked, then repaired almost instantly. Of course, Liam didn''t defend against the attack at all. In fact, he loosened his body to see the extent of the Abomination''s power. BANG!


    Liam smashed against a bookshelf in his room, a stack of books and papers piling over him as he fell over, limp.


    A momentter, Liam rose to his feet and dusted himself off. "Nice," Liam said, looking at Sumo with a slight smile. "You''re clearly not weak."


    "Stronger than the average Zenith, but youck maneuverability and grace. People could easily sidestep your charge, you know?"


    Silence.


    Sumo shrugged. Of course, it was Liam who was controlling it¡­but as it turned out, his subconscious imagined the Abomination shrugging, so it did. Liam didn''t know how long the Abomination couldst. However¡­ his Pearl wasn''t regenerating back the Chaos and White Matter he had expended. Liam raised his brows. He didn''t know for sure, but did that mean that Liam''s Chaos, Corruption and White Matter reserves wouldn''t replenish until the Abomination had died?


    That was¡­ both a good thing and a bad thing! "Well, Sumo," Liam told the Abomination, who perked up with a slight smile. "Time to die."


    Liam flicked up his ck de, and in one swift, fluid motion, Liam severed the Abomination down from nape to hip, killing it. Sumo fell down with a loud thud, a streak of red blood staining Liam''s floor. However, almost instantly, Sumo began melting into thin air, including the streak of blood.


    Also, the tiny mass of Chaos exploded, which¡­ was a little anticlimactic, all things considered.


    However, as the two process took ce¡­ Liam''s Pearl began regenerating its White Matter and Chaos.

 Chapter 508 Blight

    Chapter 508 Blight


    Liam nodded his head.


    "So that''s how it is," he said to himself. "As long as they''re up and running, both Chaos and White Matter are restricted."


    That was a good thing for one reason. Liam could send it to do errands and scout different areas. Pairing it with his shadow, he could make it even more dangerous than it already was. Not to mention, with his King''s Eye covering the Abomination from head to toe, he could even hide the Chaos from showing!


    Still, Liam had to be discreet when using these powers.


    What if one of the powerhouses figured out that Liam had such an ability?


    Liam had to be extra cautious.


    The only bad side to having his Chaos and White Matter restricted, was the limited usage of his Chaos spells.


    He wouldn''t be able to use his vicious sword art, nor Touch of Anarchy or Focused Havoc - since his Chaos reserves had been diminished to such an amount. But oh well. Next, Liam looked at Hollow.


    He didn''t bother figuring out what Meathead could do.


    He already exchanged blows with him.


    However, that Chaos Abomination the Tribtion spawned was much, much more powerful than Liam''s.


    Liam wondered what the attacking style of the Hollow was.


    One might think that, due to its overflow of Chaos, it was based upon exploding.


    This was not the case.


    In reality, that was Meathead''s job, since he had the two bnced forces to explode sessfully and fight physically. Hollow was too thin to explode. It wouldn''t have enough impact. Of course, it wasn''t to say that it wouldn''t kill something.


    It definitely would.


    However, the explosion radius would be lesser than Meathead''s.


    So, what could Hollow do exactly?


    Liam ordered the skinny Abomination to attack him. BRZZZZZZZZZ!


    Instantly, the surging Chaos in Hollow''s chest zed and slightly diminished. A bolt of Chaos-made lightning made a zig-zag line from his shoulder, down to his elbow, then shot from his arm. KRSH!


    The bolt of lightning struck Liam in his shoulder.


    KRK!


    Liam smashed into the wall, crashing against a table and breaking it in half. Liam groaned and rose to his feet again, examining the wound. The bone beneath broke, then repaired, and the fleshy muscles healed right after. Liam hummed to himself. "So that''s what you can do. You''re the long-ranged wizard guy. Nice, nice, not bad, not bad at all."


    Hollow''s Chaos was a little less than before, which meant that after it was entirely diminished, the Abomination would be rendered useless. Next, Liam wanted to test out Hollow''s durability.


    He sheathed the odachi, then smiled. "Give me your lunch money!" Liam shouted, then punched Hollow in the face with an oversized, inted fist.


    BOOM!


    This time, it was Hollow that was sent flying towards the wall, its body ragdolled through the air.


    However, Liam''s knuckles and hand crackled with pain, since Chaos was breaking down his skin.


    It felt like punching a very spiky cactus. KRSH!


    Hollow crashed into the wall, the sparks of its Chaos puffing out and disappearing almost instantly. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    It was limp.


    A momentter, it melted and shrinked in size, before puffing out of existence. Silence.


    Liam scratched his chin with a finger. "Damn, he was weaker than I thought. Well¡­ he is missing a chest."


    Nevertheless, it wasn''t weak in the least. Not if Liam could be wounded by it.


    Had Liam gotten just this as a power, it would have been enough.


    ¡­But it wasn''t just this.


    A momentter, Liam outstretched both hands again, using Corruption on his left, and White Matter on his right. Just like before, the White Matter absorbed the Corruption and blended with it like a slushy. The White Matter rippled with a brown hue, then began stretching into a new shape. From its bottom, fleshy tendrils simr to a jellyfish emerged. Two, emaciated limbs grew from its sides. And its front consisted of just one, massive jaw filled with rows of teeth, paired with a vertical, diamond-shaped eye on its head. All the while, it dripped with brown liquid. It was the Corruption Abomination.


    Liam smiled.


    To allow his Chaos and White Matter to regenerate, Liam killed Meathead with a stab to the face. It didn''t explode.


    That was one of the Abominations'' weaknesses. If someone killed them before their imminent explosion, the hollow Chaos would not copse. It would just puff out. Then, as Liam''s White Matter and Chaos slowly replenished, he made two more copies.


    Just like before, for one, he put more Corruption than White Matter, and for the other, he put more White Matter than Corruption.


    Except, unlike with his Chaos, the changes were not as drastic and deep. For the one with more Corruption, it looked more like a dying, rotten jellyfish. Its teeth were incredibly sharp and jagged, but quite thin andcking any rigidity. Its ws were sharp and deadly, but anorexic and thin. However, a deadly cloud of noxious Corruption oozed from its skin. But it looked very, very weak. A simple spell could kill it. For the one with more White Matter¡­ well, it looked more white than brown, and it almost looked cute. Its teeth were squishy and not sharp at all, like little nubs. Its hands were fat and pudgy, and its tentacles looked more like an octopus'' and not a jellyfish''s. In fact, both the extremes came out worse than the bnced Abomination, which had the best of both worlds. "Yeah¡­ it seems like that imbnce is unique to Chaos only. Probably due to its vtile and unstable nature or something." Liam paused. His Pearl was basically empty now, except two-thirds of his Chaos was starting toe back to him.


    Liam killed Meathead and two of the Corrupted Abominations just to free up some space in his Pearl. All that remained was the bnced Corruption Abomination, which also needed a name.


    "What about¡­ Blight?" Liam said. "What do you think?" Blight blinked once with its vertical eye, saying nothing.


    "Blight it is."


    Liam then paused with a pensive gleam in his eyes. "But¡­ what about Void and Darkness?"

 Chapter 509 Hive

    Chapter 509 Hive


    Right now, Liam was testing the limits of White Matter.


    After all, it was a brand new ability, and its power rivaled even Chaos and Corruption. But¡­ wasn''t his Shadow Clone and Blood Bonds simr to it?


    They were¡­ but the differences between them were vast.


    Quite frankly, Blood Bonds were quite redundant as of now. Unless Liam managed to subjugate a magical beast greater than him, there was no need for it. It was high maintenance, and required too much ichor. Not to mention, Liam could just be the magical beast itself! And not just that, he could transform his anatomy through Transfiguration. On the other hand, his Shadow Clones were no longer the same. Liam''s core contained Rank 4 darkness.


    And his Shadow Clone consisted of just that alone. Liam''s Shadow Clone now had the strength of a Zenith, and could fight against one without dying too fast. ''Yeah¡­ Blood Bonds need an update,'' Liam thought. ''But Valerie can help with that. I can''t sweat over the smaller stuff anymore.''


    Liam had a Path to begin. Standing opposite to Blight, Liam wondered what kind of Abomination darkness and Void could produce.


    If there was any time for them to appear, it would have been during the Defense Tribtion. But Liam saw no such thing. He didn''t know exactly why. Was it because he dispelled it before it could reach that stage?


    A stroke of luck allowed Liam to live despite drowning and being submerged within water. And while the Chaos Abomination''s suicide explosion gravely injured him, it also dispelled some of the Tribtion swarm for him. Either way, it wasn''t really important. Liam raised a hand and conjured his darkness. Glowing ck mes cast a sinister glimmer over his dark eyes. Liam had just a small amount of White Matter remaining. Perhaps enough to make a dog-sized Abomination.


    "Screw it," Liam said. "Let''s see if it works."


    Liam mixed White Matter and darkness together. Sort of like a scientist that smashed two new elements together and anticipated the result.


    He was somewhat of a scientist himself.


    As soon as the darkness made contact with the White Matter, it immediately colored it pitch-ck.


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    It was happening!


    Nine seconds passed as the two forcesbined.


    Then, instead of splitting into one, dog-sized Abomination¡­ it split into seven tiny ones! It was as though increasing it in size wasn''t allowed. Then, they finished forming. What Liam saw was¡­ strange, but weirdly fitting.


    The Abominations that formed resembled several things at once. They had the stinger of a scorpion, the jaws of a spider, the four wings of a dragonfly, and the limbs of a centipede!


    ck scales covered them from top to bottom, but their stinger was exceptionally sharp.


    They had sleek, narrow bodies and spider-like eyes. Except¡­ all seven of them were palm-sized!


    So tiny!


    All seven of thembined could probably equate to arge dog, which was the size that Liam wanted. "Hmm¡­ so that''s what it is," Liam uttered under his breath,ing to a realization. "Since my core has such a vast reserve of darkness, it only makes sense for the White Matter not to blow it out of proportion."


    "Otherwise, I could have just one massive mountain of¡­ whatever this thing is, and keep adding to it whenever my White Matter regenerated."


    Liam sighed. "The Law of Bnce strikes again."


    Liam felt like a video game character that kept getting nerfed, and he was starting to get pissed off.


    A momentter, hemanded the swarm of creatures to attack him.


    BZBZBZBZBZB! As one collective, they pped their wings, causing a droning, static buzz to spread through the air. A momentter, all of them shot at Liam and stung him with their stingers.


    KSH! PSH! SH! KSH!


    Wherever they stung, a corrosive wave of darkness would spread across the wound and prate deeper!


    It was as if Liam''s darkness had found a way to concentrate and utilize itself to a much finer degree.


    Then, with his bare hands, Liam crushed them one by one like fruity grapes, leaving just one alive. As he thought¡­ they weren''t strong physically. Though many in number, and lethally dangerous, their defenses were practically non-existent. Still, Liam couldn''t be mad. This was still an amazing thing. With the reserves of White Matter that Liam had, he could conjure at least 30 of¡­ whatever this thing was!


    Liam cursed. He hated naming things, but with the arsenal in his body alone, he had to ssify them. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    "Let''s see," Liam said with a sigh. "Death Wasp? Murder Flies? No¡­ too cheesy¡­"


    Liam paused, looking at the remaining Abomination with a heavy gaze.


    "Stingers?" He nodded to himself.


    "Yeah¡­ let''s go with that. And since youe in swarm-sizes, your sub-name could be the Hive."


    The Stinger chirped. Sort of like the clicking noise some spider-type magical beasts made.


    Then, Liam crushed it underneath his foot.


    After all this¡­ just one thing remained.


    Void.


    This was the peak of it all.


    Liam waited for his White Matter to regenerate.


    He killed the remaining Blight as well, just to have it all prepared and ready.


    White Matter replenished quite slowly. For it to go back to 100%, nearly 6 hours had passed.


    But Liam''s mind kept fading in and out. Most of his thoughts were on the future, not on the present. ''Would I need to make adjustments to my darkness?'' Liam wondered. Liam had made the ratio for Void when his darkness was still in the third Rank. Now, Void was bound to be stronger!


    But did that mean that Liam had to readjust the ratio?


    Liam began it anyway. Chaos shrieked in one hand and darkness in the other, forming a nice, round ck Hole. Since Liam hadn''t made the spell itself stronger, the ck Hole didn''t increase in power drastically, other than its base properties.


    A momentter, Liam slowly merged the two together. WRSHHHHhhhhhh¡­


    Bright purple light reflected in Liam''s eyes. As it turned out, Liam didn''t need to make any new adjustments, since the spell was still the same. However, that also meant that the Void wasn''t weaker or stronger. It was the same.


    Then, Liam took out his White Matter.


    Then¡­ hebined them together.

 Chapter 510 Murder

    Chapter 510 Murder


    WHOOM!


    To Liam''s surprise, Void didn''t eat through and erase the White Matter straight away. Like Chaos, Corruption and darkness, it was sucked in by the wax-like substance and began mixing on itself.


    WHOOM!


    A momentter, an Abomination had formed. Liam took a deep breath as he watched.


    What had formed almost looked regal.


    It didn''t have the disgustingness of his Blight, nor the viciousness of his Stingers, nor the rigidity and resilience of Sumo, nor the firepower of Hollow, nor the bnce of Meathead. This¡­ this was royalty. Its head was in the shape of a V, the ends of which ended with smooth curves.


    It almost looked like an ornate crown! But it was more like a mask. It had no eyes, no mouth, no ears. Just a V shaped head. Its body was incredibly streamlined and sharp. It had two, scythe-like arms and lean feet. But the most eye-catching feature was that its skin was a translucent-ck¡­ but within it, Liam could see countless little stars and cosmos adorning its surface.


    It reminded Liam of his Self Tribtion, when his clones freakishly rose into the air and the Opposition spoke to him.


    It had two feet, but it floated above the ground.


    But through Spirit Sight, Liam saw that it was nearing its life already.


    It was dying.


    Its lifespan had to be incredibly short if it was marked for death after just a few seconds of forming.


    Unlike all the others, Liam didn''tmand this one to attack him.


    After all, Void could seriously damage even him.


    Thus, Liammanded it to sh the air with both scythes.


    SHING! SWISH!


    SHHHHHH!


    The Void Abomination sliced through the air, cutting into the fabric of space itself. A momentter, the two cuts reformed, rapidly pulling air into itself. It was simr to Liam''s Honed Void shes!


    But now, Liam could perform those attacks and much more through a medium. The Abomination could just do it for him.


    Through this, it would bothst longer and be far more dangerous. Liam continued shing the air with insane speed.


    SHING! SHING! SHING! SHING! The air looked like a cracked piece of ss due to the countless shes it suffered. Except, after roughly 3 minutes of just idly standing around, the Void Abomination''s form turned ghostly and ethereal.


    Then, it just faded out of existence. Liam wasn''t mad.


    Even 3 minutes were huge. Although Liam would have to mix and match elements mid-fight to make it work, he was a force of nature now.


    Liam experimented a few times after that. Mainly with his ichor and shadows. Contrary to expectation, they didn''t form Abominations. His shadow wasn''t a tangible substance, hence two tangible forces could not mix together. His blood, however, did mix with the White Matter for a few seconds, changing it from white to a faint red color.


    However, the transformation started and ended there. "I guess it just doesn''t work. Maybe it''s not strong enough..."


    Finally, Liam was done with all the mixing and matching. All of this begged the question¡­ how did Liam even attain such a power? ¡­Did the Empress have something to do with a Pearl-like organ, simr to Liam''s?


    Surely not? Unless she had some sort of connection to the Ashura that Liam wasn''t aware of. In the first ce, why did White Matter seep into his Pearl so casually? Liam pondered over why¡­


    Was it because his Pearl was naturally a vessel for such powers and could absorb them? Or was it because the powers themselves met some sort of criteria for absorption?


    Liam was leaning towards the former. Had thetter been the case, Liam would have attained the other elements that he''d been smacked around and hit with, such as fire, light, water, wind and earth. But he still didn''t rule out the other possibilities. "I reckon that''s enough experimentation," Liam sighed and stretched his muscles, then smiled. "Let''s get this Path business going."


    ***


    "Alright, you can start exining."


    "Here?"


    "I don''t mind."


    "Uh¡­ I don''t know if I''mfortable watching you eat." n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Are you disobeying a direct order?"


    "No, Sire¡­ uh¡­ okay, I''ll begin."


    "Good, good," Liam said to Kerian, then took another bite of the Empress'' dead corpse. Kerian coughed into her fist and averted her gaze, looking a little ufortable. Liam had ordered her to exin how she developed and cultivated her Path. He would ask Kamjin and the others, too.


    But¡­ well, it was a little awkward with the tant cannibalism.


    "Well¡­ there''s no real way to say this, Sire," Kerian said. "It sort of¡­ developed on its own. Like a seed budding into a tree, then a forest. For me, at least." "Is it in the core?" Liam asked with an arched brow. "Well, no and yes," Kerian responded. "The Path can develop in the core, body and sea of consciousness. It''s ingrained within your very being."


    "Continue," Liam said, taking another bite and speaking with a mouthful of meat. "Can''t be that simple, right?" "Well," Kerian said, taking her time to answer. "I never stopped doing what I was good at. I burned enemies with my mes and made them fear it. There were times where I felt like my Path was hindered by something, or myprehension wascking, so I took the time to understand what it was."


    Kerian''s tone grew solemn.


    "Ever since I lost my husband in the wars, my Path grew¡­ resentful. My mes became stronger, violent and wild. I couldn''t even control it at times."


    "An obstacle to your Path?" Liam asked. Kerian nodded. Then, Kerian gave the queen a side-nce. It wasn''t as angry anymore. As though she had let off some of the trauma she had carried.


    "It was only after she died that it wasn''t as violent anymore, but I still had toe to terms with it." she said. "It still retained its power and wild qualities, though. I could just control it way better since I wasn''t as hateful."


    "I see," Liam said with slightly dark eyes. "Does a kill count make any difference in the progress of a Path?" Silence.


    Kerian paused for a second, as though her answer was a heavy decision.


    "Perhaps."

 Chapter 511 Qualities

    Chapter 511 Qualities


    "I have to note that you won''t naturally get stronger just because you kill more things," Kerian said. "But fighting against stronger opponents might force you to evolve." Liam looked disappointed.


    "In fact, when you awaken your core, your Path will take some time to develop and make it into something of your own. It took 31 years of being a Zenith just for unique traces of my Path to appear¡­ and I''m considered above average."


    That didn''t make Liam worry too much. If there was anything Liam had, it was time.


    Right now, he was roughly 30 years old.


    But he was nearing 31.


    But the resources, opportunities and reach that he had was nothing short of amazing. Of course, it was no match for Royalty or the big-hitters. But Liam outgrew the nobles of Echoria by a lot.


    For the next few minutes, Liam listened intently as Kerian exined Paths on a deeper level. In short, it consisted of several things. She had given him the same idea as Eyes of Knowledge ¡ª studying ''Ora'' and how it interacted with the environment and more. After all, Paths came from ''Ora'' ¨C the source of cultivation itself. Afterwards, she told Liam about ''Qualities'' ¨C the building blocks of a Path.


    If the Path was the road, the Qualities were the materials it was made out of.


    Qualities could also go by Principles, Concepts, Laws, Ideas or even Fundamentals.


    They were the properties and specializations that one''s Path consisted of. For example, Kerian''s mes had the Quality of Hate ¨C which made her fire wild and violent. They also had the base Qualities of Rage, which made her mes ze and burn for longer. They also had the Qualities of Loyalty, which gave her mes a healing factor, but only when used on herself and her Abominations. It went without saying that she had the Qualities of Heat, to further bolster and raise the temperature of her mes. All Qualities differed in utilization, and some were simpler than others.


    Kerian''s mes even had the Qualities of Greed, which allowed her fire to spread further and hunger for more things to burn. She exined how her hatred led her to understanding this Principle, which meant understanding some Concepts could actually pave the path to another. Sort of like how the roots of a tree could branch out. The sky was the limit.


    Of course, as the Ranks rose, these Qualities would be incredibly difficult and hard to develop.


    And just how some Qualities made it easier toprehend others, it could also block the path to another Concept.


    For example, if one were toprehend the Quality of Chaos, they would negate their understanding of Order.


    Otherwise, the powerhouses would have already mastered everything behind them. Liam was beyond excited, but several questions formed in his head.


    "What about the bigger Qualities, like¡­ Death? Can it be a Quality, even?" Silence.


    Kerian nodded firmly. "That''s another issue," she said. "The bigger and stronger the Quality is, the more difficult it''ll be to understand and manifest it."


    "Death is¡­ in a league of its own," Kerian said. "I don''t mean to discourage you, Sire, but I don''t think you should aim for that as of now. Many have tried."


    "No one has seeded?" Liam asked.


    Kerian shook her head.


    "None." Well¡­ He''d be the first, then!


    "Starting off your Path is very important, Sire," Kerian said firmly. "If the Foundations are not built correctly, everything else will fall apart. Please take your time and don''t rush things."


    "I''ll figure it out," Liam said casually. Of course, he had every intention of making it to the Celestial Ranks, and impatience was the bane of all that was good. Thus, as much as Liam wanted to get to the juicy bits straight away, he could afford to take his time.


    Of course, he already had quite a few ideas for what his Qualities were going to consist of. Chaos was surely one of them. Not only was it one of his strongest abilities, Liam embodied it. It was part of his nature. Whatever ce he ended up in was marked for ruination and discord.


    "I rmend starting with what you''re most familiar with, and what you want as the cornerstone of your Path." Hmm¡­


    What was Liam''s cornerstone?


    Well¡­ there wasn''t just one.


    Chaos.


    Fear.


    Death.


    Murder.


    Corruption.


    Pain.


    Discipline.


    Sharpness.


    Instinct.


    Invention.


    Sadism. Cruelty.


    There was much to choose from.


    Liam just gave her a nod. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Thanks." After Kerian hadid down all the basic information about Paths to him, Liam dismissed her and brought in Kamjin to tell him about his Path.


    Kamjin puckered his lips and raised his chin in pride as soon as he entered Liam''s room. "There he is," Kamjin said with a broad smile, showcasing his missing teeth. "Whaddya want?" Liam used Spirit Sight on Kamjin''s body.


    Unlike the Kerian and most of the other Zeniths that Liam hadid eyes on, Kamjin was special in the sense that his Path was most prevalent on his body.


    Mostly, his hands!


    No wonder. He was a cksmith, and his hands and hammer were probably dearer to him than his family.


    His Path came in the form of a silverish essence that weaved over his fingers and palms. "Tell me about your Path," Liam said.


    Kamjin groaned, raised his head and scratched his groin for a few seconds straight.


    "Dunno much. Kept making things and got better at it." A pause.


    "It has to be deeper than that." Kamjin groaned. Liam was clearly not satisfied with a vague answer.


    "I never focused on myself," Kamjin said with a sigh, crossing his arms.


    "I couldn''t care less about poprity, or glory, or honor. All I cared for was the weapon, and how mighty I could make it out to be¡­ and time passed." Kamjin uncrossed his arms and outstretched his calloused, overused palms.


    "I don''t know when it started," he said. "But these hands of mine just grew a will of their own. They forge and shape on their own ord."


    "I just give them the material."

 Chapter 512 Journey

    Chapter 512 Journey


    Liam furrowed his brows in confusion. "That makes no sense."


    "Aye." "You just provide the material, and your hands do the rest?"


    "Aye. Something like that."


    "Show me."


    Kamjin scoffed with pride. He took out a piece of vicirum metal, then took out his hammer. "This is going to take me out ofmission for at least one or two years¡­ but whatever," Kamjin said with a slow sigh. "A short price to pay for the hospitality."


    Liam didn''t understand what the man meant by that. But it was the first time Liamid eyes on the Iron Hammer''s iron hammer. It looked¡­ fairly normal. It was like any other tool¡­ albeit heavily stained by ck marks. However, looks could be deceiving. Liam used Spirit Sight, and a profound, ghostly silver energy radiated from it.


    Liam didn''t know what exactly it was¡­ but it gave him a strange feeling.


    A momentter, Kamjin started striking the ingot of vicirum metal. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! N?v(el)B\\jnn


    With each ng, white sparks flew wild, and a soft ripple of silver light spread across the ingot.


    However, despite the force and grit that Kamjin struck the ingot with¡­ it wasn''t ttening. In fact, it was morphing into a different shape!


    Liam furrowed his brows. The silver energy that radiated from the hammer connected to Kamjin''s fingers, then seeped into his hands. A momentter, the silver energy connected to the vicirum!


    Liam''s eyes widened.


    So that''s what it was.


    The hammer was basically an extension of Kamjin''s body, simr to how Liam''s swords were an extension of his hands. But Liam had techniques from Eternal Sword. A Celestial cultivator. Kamjin was just Rank 5. ''The amount of times he probably used that hammer might be uncountable,'' Liam thought. ''Are Paths really that vast? Three total hours passed as Kamjin struck the hammer the same way he always did, but in different spots. However, it really was as though Kamjin''s hands moved on their own!


    Soon, the ingot of ck metal had transformed from an uneven, unrefined form to a crisp, sleek longsword. Two, peerlessly sharp edges adorned it, which made the hair on Liam''s skin stand to no end.


    It was also incredibly thin. Just a fingertip could cover its width, and towards its tip, it was a hair''s breadth.


    But it had the length of two adult arms stacked atop one another.


    Itcked exaggeration and style¡­ but Kamjin didn''t seem like the type of cksmith to beautify his weapons. Not only did Kamjin shape, purify and fortify the sword meticulously, he had also imbued it with Meanings! All at once!


    However, the Iron Hammer looked exhausted. Sweat trickled from his forehead inrge drops. He also took in ragged, uneven breaths. The silver energy in his hands and hammer slowly dissipated, too.


    ¡­But the end product was a Rank 5 sword! The sword almost looked like it breathed, pulsing like a metallic vein of some kind. It was in the initial stage, sure. But the easiness and simplicity that Kamjin forged it with was breathtaking. It reminded Liam of Rogan.


    In fact, there were quite a few resemnces between the two cksmiths. "What drawbacks does this have?" Liam asked Kamjin, who took a seat on the floor and clutched his chest, storing his hammer. "Ah. It''s not gentle, I see." "You think, genius?" Kamjin sighed with a raspy voice, thenid down and slowly closed his eyes. "Torture¡­ it is¡­ ah¡­ I hate this part." As soon as he spoke those words, Kamjinid his head on the ground and fell unconscious, snoring like a pig deep in sleep. So that''s what he meant by ''out ofmission''. And for one to two years?! For just one weapon?! Using Spirit Sight, Liam saw how some of the silver energy in his hands and hammer were slowlying back.


    Except, it wasn''t even a fraction of itself. Like droplets that stuck to arge bottle after its depletion.


    In hindsight, making a Rank 5 weapon so fast and with such minimal effort did seem like it was fitting for a harsh drawback. ''Maybe he could heal himself faster if he takes some drugs.'' Then, Liam nced at the sword.


    He felt like the sword was calling out to him. Begging him to embrace it. Swing it. Kill with it.


    Liam himself felt a morbid lust towards it. His fingers itched just to feel its cold edge on his skin. Liam reached out for it.


    And stopped himself just as fast.


    Then, he reeled back his hand and took a deep breath.


    "I''ll make my own," Liam said with a quiet voice. It wasn''t really befitting for Liam to forsake his ck de after he had spent so long forging and improving it.


    In fact, the ck de had more than enough potential to be a Rank 5 item sooner orter, so long as Liam constantly improved it. Ever since Liam learned that hardship would be beneficial for his Path, he''d rather choose a long, thorny road than a short, clear one. That included not taking a Rank 5 longsword made by a master cksmith.


    Someone else could have it.


    Liam''s eyes grew cold and distant. "I''ll forge my Path to the cosmos alone. Even if I have to split moons to get there." In fact¡­ it was time for Liam to take a vacation and leave the Temple of Shadow. At least, for a while. A Path usually begins with a journey of some kind, either seeking out beneficial locations or challenging greater opponents. Kerian herself told him so. And Liam had the perfect ce to venture to. Sure, he had just gotten a Rank 4 core. A lot of his darkness spells and techniques were behind.


    Plus, Liam wascking a Rank 5 body tempering method. And a Rank 5 cultivation technique. Primordial Forging was alsocking, and as a consequence, so were his three swords.


    But he could worry about those on the road. Right now, the Path took precedence.


    First, he had to prepare the Temple of Shadow for his absence.

 Chapter 513 Billy

    Chapter 513 Billy


    The first thing Liam did was grab Kamjin''s limp body and throw him at Aki''s doorstep. For no particr reason, other than they were both cksmiths. Although Kamjin looked like a decrepit old man, Aki wasn''t exactly young, despite the lush red hair and supple skin. She was 131 years old, while the Iron Hammer was 251. Both were dinosaurs. After he was done with that, he called over the figureheads of the Temple and arranged for a meeting.


    ***


    "I''m gonna be leaving for a while."


    Those were the words that Liam chose to open the meeting with.


    Everyone who held an important role in the n was present, from Aki to Kamjin. There was a pregnant pause¡­ leaving only Kamjin''s snores to echo across the wide halls. "How long?" Jane asked with a tinge of concern in her voice. Liam wasn''t the strongest cultivator the Temple had, but he was its cornerstone and core. If he left¡­ the Temple wouldn''t be defenseless, but would stagnate in terms of development and power.


    "Years," Liam said casually. "Maybe more."


    Silence.


    Valerie looked like she was going to cry. "Is this for your Path?" Jax asked.


    "Yeah," Liam said. "Verium and Jane will be in charge. I''ll be in touch, but don''t contact me unless it''s an emergency." Valerie was crying now, but her quiet sobs blended in with Kamjin''s air-shaking snores, creating a funny bnce.


    Still, no one wasughing.


    Well, Liam wanted tough, but with how heavy the mood was, he held himself back. "And¡­ you''re going where, Sire?" Kerian asked curiously. "Will the Echorians not seek you out?" Liam paused.


    "The ocean," he said. "I''m not worried about them." "Will you take anyone with you, my Liege?" Jargon asked. Valerie raised her head with a hopeful look.


    "No," Liam denied, and Valerie hung her head in despair, crying. "I''ll be meeting with Bill McGill, and he''ll show me the ropes."


    "Take your time," Verium said with a proud smile. "We''ll spread the word and keep this quiet. Should Alucard know?"


    Liam paused. "No. But if he asks, tell him the truth." Those present nodded.


    "Meeting adjourned!" Liam shouted like some sort of judge, striking the air with an invisible gravel. "I''ll leave on my own tomorrow. Make the others think I''m in seclusion."


    They nodded again, then dissipated into the shadows.


    "Val, stay behind."


    Valerie''s sobs stopped instantly, as though switched off. She raised her head with a sunny look on her face. Val?


    That was a nickname! They were on a nickname basis now?!


    Just then, Liam took out a handful of cores, which belonged to humans, and several parchments covered with vampiric characters written in blood. One of the cores was brighter than the others, but its contents were purely dark!


    It was a Rank 6 core, resembling a ck diamond. It was the Empress''s core. "Could be in any way you know how. Maybe a direct way one could use it to nourish their bodies and cores?" Valerie grabbed the techniques from Liam''s hands and examined them. Her dark eyes seemed to glow on their own.


    And among the parchments were Liam''s Blood Bonds. "Could you find a way to utilize these cores?" Liam asked her.


    Valerie paused, a little confused. "Could be in any way you know how. Maybe a direct way one could use it to nourish their bodies and cores?" Valerie grabbed the techniques from Liam''s hands and examined them. Her dark eyes seemed to glow on their own.


    This was her Path, which allowed her to study other techniques and inscription methods, even copying them to a degree.


    This was the Path of Obsession.


    By now, Valerie had already been informed of Liam''s eating predicament. Using human cores in some dark alchemy arts wasn''t umon, like Jane''s specialization. However, eating it directly was akin to a death wish. Liam had eaten one of them once, and he spasmed and convulsed like a fish out of water. For two hours straight. After a solid minute or two of silence, she looked conflicted.


    "I''m¡­ not sure. Cores are what power a cultivator as a whole. Eating them raw is severely fatal to the body."


    "My body''s special." Valerie chuckled. "The parchments I gave you could serve as inspiration. Study what fits and whatnot."


    Liam spent the next few minutes exining what Blood Bonds were and the different methods she could improve it with. If Blood Bonds were deemed too useless to Liam, he could just give it to the Temple as a way to secure their protection.


    Otherwise, it was too much of a hassle for him to rework and renew, when White Matter was above and beyond its capabilities. "I''ll see what I can do," she said with a smile, which turned to a smug look. "But what do I get in return?"


    Liam sighed. "What? Hair?" "Something longsting, please."


    Liam sighed again.


    A momentter, he used his nails to sever off a finger. SHING!


    The finger leaked no blood whatsoever, since Liam had used Transfiguration to control it.


    Then, he handed the finger to her and grew another. Valerie epted it with a sunny smile. "Now leave."


    Nodding happily andughing under her breath, she used her shadows to disappear.


    Having Valerie take care of this little side project didn''t go against the independence of Liam''s Path. It was like nting a seed in hopes that it would bloom into a tree. Whether or not it would be ripe was another issue.


    With that done, Liam took out his Jade and called Bill McGill.


    Seconds passed in silence. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Minutes.


    Three minutester¡­


    And finally, he picked up.


    "Billy here," a voice said. "Who dis?" Liam furrowed his brows. Party music red from the background of the Jade. "Liam."


    Silence.


    There was a frantic whispering noise, which no doubt belonged to Bill himself, and the music suffered an abrupt stop.


    "Heeeey, Liam! Sorry for the dy, man! Ha ha, I was just¡­ y''know, doing¡­ things. Anyway, I assume you''ve called ''cause you''re interested in my proposal?" "Yes."


    Awkward silence.


    "G-Great! That''s good to know, man, good to know. I''ll¡­ uh¡­ I''lle and get you then, yeah?"


    "Okay."


    "Same ce, right? li?"


    "Yes."


    Silence.


    "Uh¡­ where is li, again?"

 Chapter 514 Ride.

    Chapter 514 Ride.


    Far away from the Temple''snds, Liam was hovering above a patch of the sea. The midnight moon cast a ghostly hue on his face, which was distant with deep thought.


    After a few back and forths, Liam had given Bill the coordinates to the Temple''s inds. But since he wanted to keep his vacation a secret, he obviously chose a discreet spot to meet. No doubt, the ocean was terrifying.


    Liam still hadn''t forgotten the Rank 6 leviathan that managed to strike fear into his soul. He''d never been closer to death than that moment¡­ even with Usan''s protection. Yeah¡­


    He couldn''t underestimate the ocean at all. But that was hard to do, knowing the sheer amount of unreal weapons that Liam had at his disposal. As he waited for Bill ¡ª who seemed to take his sweet time ¡ª Liam brainstormed ideas for Rank 5 techniques. It was a distant issue.


    But the earlier Liam worried about it, the more likely he''de up with a solution. Sure, his Pearl was still in the third Rank. But it wouldn''t be long before he eventually advanced.


    ''Just one-third of the Empress'' body remains,'' Liam thought, a little sadly. Surprisingly, Liam''s body was still in the peak of Rank 4. It had reached a strict bottleneck, and it wasn''t budging at all. ''My priority should be a Rank 5 body,'' Liam thought. It was between his core and body.


    And the obvious answer was taking care of his body first, since it was a breath away from the fifth Rank.


    But¡­


    ''But I still need to make the Rank 5 technique to advance¡­''


    If the cultivator was a car, the Path was the road, and the techniques were the stop-and-start signals that allowed them to go forward. In essence, that was the rtionship between the cultivator, the Path, and the techniques that they used. From what Kerian, the Iron Hammer and Valerie told him, one could not advance with their Path alone. At least, in the fourth and fifth ranks. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    But they couldn''t advance without it.


    It went hand in hand.


    The Path was what allowed the cultivator to shape, develop and express their uniquity. It was incredibly vast and theoretically, anything could be a Quality.


    It was spiritual and enlightening in nature. But the techniques, spells and methods were much more fixed.


    They were logical, requiring intellect and purely hard work. Otherwise, a vagabond monk could possibly be the strongest cultivator in the world just by thinking deeply about life. Likewise with an emotionless robot that ran on just logic. ''The Triumvirate Body will remain mostly the same,'' Liam thought. ''I can''t change that since I''m part octopus now¡­''


    ''How can I improve my body even more than it already is?''


    It was a difficult problem to solve¡­ but Liam had a feeling it had something to do with his ichor.


    And, well, his neglected Ashura Form.


    His gauntlets and superior Ashura strength was still magnificent, but the need to use it had diminished over time. GRGLGRGLGRGL!


    A bubbling noise pulled Liam out of his thoughts. Arge patch of the ocean in front of him gurgled violently, and the silhouette of a vague but familiar monster appeared in its depths.


    ''Finally,'' Liam sighed. ''Took him long enough.''


    FFFFFF!


    An ancient, dark-purple tentacle burst out of gentle waters, spraying the surroundings with violent waves. BRSHHHH!


    A wave of water almost washed over Liam, but darkness burst across his entire body.


    FFFFFF!


    The darkness erased all liquid before it could make contact with him.


    Shhhh¡­


    Then, the waters settled, and the Kraken floated above water, with Bill McGill at its head.


    "Heeeey!" Bill shouted with his arms spread, gazing up at Liam. "Liam, my friend! I see you''re as terrifying as ever!" Liam smiled but didn''t respond, using his Spirit Sight to study Bill McGill''s Path. Besides the blue energy that swirled across his core, indicative of his water element, Liam recognized a few new traits in Bill.


    Mainly, his sea of consciousness.


    Some blue energy swirled through his head! It was also interacting with his thoughts, making it extremely difficult to read his mind.


    ''Does his Path have something to do with Charisma or Charm? I know he hasn''t gotten this far by being annoying¡­''


    ''Damn. I really know nothing.''


    Then again, even when he studied the Path of Kerian and Kamjin, who told him of what their Path entailed, Liam wasn''t able toprehend most of it with his Spirit Sight. "This here is Kraky," Bill said, lightly tapping his feet at the Kraken''s monstrous head. "Stop acting. I''ve already told him you can talk."


    Disappointed, the Kraken slowly lifted its head towards the sky to look at Liam with its blue, squid-like eyes.


    Ancient was the perfect word to describe it with. Barnacles and moss covered some parts of its body.


    But it definitely looked dangerous.


    Liam felt like he was being studied and assessed.


    "Ocean creature?" Kraky''s question reverberated through the air. "I sense the sea in you."


    Its voice was feminine but old, and echoed repeatedly on its own. The source was its beak, hidden behind ayer of tentacles. Apparently, it had sensed Liam''s Shifter side¡­ but its tone was also strangely wary of him.


    Liam smiled.


    "Indeed."


    Bill raised his brows in pure shock. "You''re an ocean creature?" Liam''s smile grew cryptic.


    "Perhaps."


    The Kraken pped its tentacles on the water in a hostile manner, spraying water Liam''s way. "I do not like you," the Kraken said. "You have killed my kind before." Liam''s darkness erased the water before it could touch him again.


    Bill paled a little.


    He needed Liam''s help!


    And the stupid octopus was ruining it for him! "Stupid idiot!" Bill shouted as his eyes gained a bright blue glow. Through Spirit Sight, he saw how Bill was using his mental energy with the Kraken. As soon as the mental waves hit the sea creature, its eyes slowly went distant, as though losing consciousness. Bill was controlling it! Then, Bill looked at Liam with an apologetic expression. "Sorry about that. Her training is still a little iplete, it looks like. You have my word, she''ll be punished." "It''s fine. No need for that," Liam raised a hand. "I''d rather we make it quick, please." Bill smiled broadly. "Of course," he said, then grinned a little wider. "You''re in for one heck of a ride."

 Chapter 515 The Argonaut, Herald of the Sea

    515 The Argonaut, Herald of the Sea


    Saying nothing, Liam jumped onto the Kraken''s head. He wasn''t eaten.


    He wasn''t shaken off.


    He wasn''t insulted. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The Kraken was subdued and utterly controlled by Bill.


    ''Fitting power,'' Liam thought. "So¡­ seeing as you''re half fish, can you breathe underwater?" Bill McGill asked with a curious tone.


    Liam said nothing.


    A momentter, gills bloomed out of his neck.


    Eyes widened, Bill gasped dramatically.


    "No way."


    Liam smiled and added nothing. Bill stared at him in disbelief for several seconds, before chuckling incredulously.


    "Well¡­ you''ve certainly made the assassination part easier. If you''re part fish, the inhabitants of the seas won''t be too harsh with me. Even if they find out."


    Right. So Bill settled for killing his opponent. Who would have thought?


    That being said, Liam wasn''t entirely on board. As of now, he had several goals in mind.


    The first, and most important, was beginning his Path.


    The second, was improving Primordial Forging.


    The third, was enhancing and reworking all three of his des.


    The fourth, but just as important as all the others, was figuring out how to inscribe a Rank 5 body tempering method.


    Liam wasn''t just about to assassinate some rich fish just because Bill Buttface told him so.


    Bill knew that. To an extent. No one was naive enough to kill for a random person they met, least of all the Reaper.


    This would start off as a simple¡­ ''tour''. Then, if things went well, then Liam would consider whether or not to work for Billy.


    "Alright," Bill said, cracking his knuckles and cranking his neck side to side, before settling his gaze on Liam. "Ready? It''ll go zero to a thousand real fast, but I''ll slow it down if you can''t handle it." Liam scoffed. His feet transformed into ws that pierced itself into the Kraken''s skin, which was further strengthened through his shadows and Transfiguration.


    Liam looked at Bill with a smug face. "Shoot."


    And shoot he did.


    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!


    The Kraken used all twenty-four of its tentacles to whip the surface of the ocean, ravaging the sea with unimaginable might.


    Liam''s entire being rumbled to its core.


    It felt like he was trapped in the cockpit of a modern spaceship, but without the protective suit nor the extensive G-force training.


    ''¡­How droll.''


    Even as his hearing felt disconnected and his vision blurred, Liam didn''t feel like he was in any immediate danger. In fact, there was no pain, which was the most disappointing part. Bill didn''t actually want to harm him.


    It was just a harmless prank. Not long after, the kraken slowed down, and Liam fixed himself upright. The colossal sea beast continued to swim downward at a fast but steady speed after the initial burst of power, like a ne cruising a certain altitude after liftoff.


    Liam''s gills worked as intended¡­ except, he quickly realized that the surface of the Kraken''s body was riddled with glowing inscriptions, enveloping both him and Bill in a bubble of air.


    The bubble was reminiscent of Liam''s time at the academy, which made sense. Both were conjured through mermaid magic, after all.


    Looking around, Liam saw how pitch ck everything was. Neither the King''s Eye nor Spirit Sight saw anything. Just likest time.


    An ominous, static hum lingered in the background, as though something was watching them through the veil of nothing.


    The calm before the storm.


    "It''ll take a while before anythinges into view," Bill said from the side, peering into the absolute darkness. "This ce is called the Division. Absolute nothingness for hours. If you feel like you''re being watched¡­ well, it''s cause you are. This whole void is a barrier formed by Argonaut, Herald of the Sea."


    Liam furrowed his brow. "Who?"


    Bill looked at Liam in surprise, then gave him an apologetic look.


    "Sorry. I just assumed since you were part sea creature, you''d know more about the Great Tidals." Liam''s face indicated that he didn''t know what ''Great Tidals'' were, either.


    "The ocean is incredibly vast," Bill began exining. "I''m famous for sea exploration abovend."


    "But in the sea? Not even a fraction of the Fishkind know me. Out of just 4 Quadrants that I have control over, the oceans have an uncountable number of them."


    "...But despite that, there are some mythical figures that everyone in the depths knows of."


    "They''re called the Great Tides."


    "Among them is Argonaut, Herald of the Sea. This void was built by her to keep thend and sea divided, and the humans and Fishkind separate."


    Liam''s eyes widened a bit. The ckness was a little more awe-inducing in his eyes.


    Something as vast andrge as this required at least a Rank 6 being to construct. "And best of all?" Bill said, leaning forward. "She''s not even malicious! She appears now and again, heading to wounded Quadrants of the Sea to aid and nurse them back to health. Most Fishkind adore her."


    Liam hummed to himself. That was¡­ strange, but strangely fitting. Just as there were horrible specimens in the depths, not all of them were malicious and hostile.


    "You said most?" Liam asked, curious. "Why not all?" "Ah. Despite her aid of the weak, the Argonaut does not use her powers to fight. Not even to defend or repel an enemy. You can see why this pisses off some fishfolk."


    Can''t please everybody, Liam supposed.


    "I''ll tell you more about them once we''re there," Bill said. "If you''re lucky, you might even see one in the flesh!" That, Liam hoped.


    "We''re heading where, exactly?" Liam questioned. "The HQ," Bill said with a toothy smile. "NOCL Headquarters. I''ll show you the ins and outs of our operation."


    "How can you tell where you''re going in all this darkness?" Liam asked. "Navigation isn''t hard once you do the same thing for a hundred or so years," Bill said. "It''s just muscle memory at this point." Liam nodded, then patiently waited until the Transition was over.


    And before long, a droplet of color spread across the void, which bloomed to fill the entirety of his vision in the blink of an eye.


    Then, the HQ came into view. apologies for the chopped up crappy schedule. I doing best iovehrere. hard to think with 3 hours of sleep :|

 Chapter 516 HQ

    516 HQ


    Liam''s assessing gaze scoured the ocean floor. Instead of being met with underwater wilderness and untamednds, the scene ahead cemented Bill''s reputation as a CEO of the NOCL. The first thing that caught his eye was a blocky, square building made from an aquamarine, crystalline, iridescent material. From top to bottom, fluorescent lights made it seem like a stronghold of importance. At the top, a string of ethereal letters ¡ª ''NOCL'' ¡ª were disyed, hovering mid-air. Surrounding it was a coge of simr, but smaller buildings with various shapes, sprawled across thousands of kilometers! All of it brimmed with life. Sealife, to be exact. Here and there, upon fortified, coral reef-shaped towers made with natural azure crystal, Liam saw Hammerhead Sharks standing guard on two legs!


    Swimming this way and that, were a diverse range of oceanic creatures. No two were the same species, but all of them seemed to have roles of their own.


    Liam saw Swordfish.


    Their bills were sharpened to an unparalleled degree, and spanned dozens of meters in length.


    He saw Lionfish, covered withyers of cruel spikes that crackled with lightning. He saw broad shouldered humanoid Sharks, their muscles bulging through white, light-blue skin and light armor. He saw Eels that somehow zed with fire, despite swimming through water! He saw Piranha, Catfish, Seahorses, Guppy and more, all of which radiated a heavy, menacing air. On the seafloor, Liam saw mean-looking crabs and lobsters, traversing through their side. This wasn''t a society or an active civilization by any means.


    This was a private militia.


    Of vicious, scarfaced, war-hardened Seafolk!


    Bill McGill''s entirepany focused on security, escort and protection, after all. All the Seafolk present were on guard, rotating between the countless buildings with a fixed, repeated pattern.


    But out of all these buildings, the NOCL HQ was the biggest and most menacing of them all, a brooding piece of architecture that rose more than 400 floors. "Home sweet home," Bill said with a toothy smile, then looked at Liam and winked. "What do you think?"


    Liam resisted the urge to cringe. "Not bad."


    As soon as the Seafolk saw that Bill and the Kraken had entered the HQ, they immediately halted their tracks and looked at the CEO with respect.


    "Greetings, Oceanmaster!" All of the Seafolk screamed that sentence in unison.


    Liam had to bite back augh. ¡­Oceanmaster?


    He couldn''t pick a better name?


    Sure, Liam wasn''t one to talk.


    But¡­ Oceanmaster?


    Really?


    Bill gave back a stony nod at the Fishfolk, who quickly returned to their routines and paths. Then, together with the Kraken, Liam and Bill descended to the highest floor of the NOCL HQ Building.


    With a light jump, Liam and Bill bothnded on the roof of the building. Then, Bill used his mental waves on the Kraken once more, his eyes glowing blue and magical.


    Under hismand, the Kraken slowly twirled around and swam away.


    "Alright, follow me," Bill said, turning to Liam with a grin. "Let''s get this party started!"


    Liam gave a terse groan in response and followed Bill as he entered through a wide staircase, leading to a broad hallway furnished exquisitely and painted pictures hanging on the walls.


    "The Sharks are called Sharkmen, Squid people are called Squidmen and so forth," Bill said as they walked together. "You don''t have to be polite and remember all their names."


    "Good to know," Liam said, passing through corridor after corridor. "Is this just one Quadrant out of the four you have a hand in?"


    "Indeed," Bill confirmed. "Except, this is the smallest out of all of them. The average Quadrant is roughly 1,500 kilometers." Eventually, Liam arrived at a penthouse of sorts. In terms of luxury, it rivaled Mount Mayhem, albeit just a little more inferior.


    It was clean, modern and minimalistic. In the center were two chairs, divided by a single table.


    "Please," Bill said, taking a seat on one side. "Sit down."


    Liam sat down and made himselffortable.


    Then, Bill put his palm t down on the table''s surface.


    A low, steady hum rang out within the room. Slowly, the panes of ss around the room darkened, basking the room in pure darkness.


    Then, a white spark lit the room in a hazy, violet light. On the panes of ck ss, there were photos and pictures of all kinds of Seafolk, locations and even items. Below them, names and Quadrant numbers, along with a brief job description. ''Ah,'' Liam thought, looking around. ''How sinister and mysterious¡­'' "This," Bill said quietly with dark eyes, "is the War Room." He gestured to the photos.


    "Each picture you see is a mission."


    Liam narrowed his eyes. "I see no rewards," he said.


    Bill smirked. "That''s the catch, my friend," he said. "This is the first time I''m hiring an outside contractor. There are no rewards because there isn''t a need for a reward system."


    "But¡­" Bill said, winking. "I can make one tailored just for you."


    Liam furrowed his brow. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Exin."


    Bill grinned again.


    "Just tell me what you want, and I''ll see what I can do. Magical locations to make your Path learning easier? Treasures to help youprehend Concepts? Forbidden knowledge? You name it, we probably have it." Silence.


    This¡­


    Liam might have just struck gold.


    But he didn''t show anything on his face.


    "Tell me more about the Path part," Liam said. "Ah," Bill eximed, chuckling. "Of course, you''d start off with that."


    Then, Bill grew a little more serious.


    "The ocean is special because of the innumerable number of magical habitats it contains."


    "In fact, it''s quitemon for Zeniths to move here as soon as they awaken all three centers of power, using the environment to bolster their understanding of the Concepts."


    Pretty much what Eyes of Knowledge told him.


    Liam leaned forward. "Any of them?"


    Silence.


    "Most," Bill said. "I can''t guarantee the Quality you want to learn will be there¡­ but if it doesn''te in the form of an environment, it''ll be in the form of an enemy."


    "All of it depends on what job you do, and how well you execute it."


    "I''m guessing the ''secret job'' you have in mind for me isn''t on disy," Liam said. Bill chuckled. "Get a bit of experience first," Bill said. "Then I''ll tell you everything." This chapter might be edited a bit after its upload. Just a note.


    CovidCandy

 Chapter 517 Unholy Lamprey

    517 Unholy Lamprey


    Liam took a quick look at the mission types avable. Search and Escort, Search and Destroy, Escort and Protect, Track and Retrieve, Study and Report. These were the types of missions that were avable.


    The first type of mission, Search and Escort, involved finding a client and escorting them to safety.


    The second, Search and Destroy, would involve the opposite ¡ª tracking down something inanimate, like a treasure or keepsake, then destroying it. The third, Escort and Protect, involved escorting a certain individual to a certain ce, then protecting him for a certain duration.


    The fourth, Track and Retrieve, would involve either tracking down an inanimate object, or a Sapient sea creature, then retrieving them into safety. Usually, it involved trodding through hostile territories and shing with either Rogue Oceanors, or Renegade Seakind.


    The fifth and final option, Study and Report, was rtively less dangerouspared to the other types. Such missions involved simple, but arduously long tasks that required constant studying, experimenting and understanding, before reporting them back to HQ.


    "You have any maps I can take a look at?" Liam asked Bill, who immediately nodded. "Say no more," Bill said, then snapped his fingers. A map instantly appeared on the table.


    It was made out of clear, stretchy blue liquid, but it didn''t feel wet when Liam touched it. Instantly, Liam could see the Quadrants that Bill mentioned. Including the one they were in now.


    The map was also interactive and 3D.


    He could see various fish species swimming in specific parts, including the borders between their Quadrants. Quadrants had their own rulers and names, as well as their specific species.


    Some Quadrants had more than one species, but they were few and far in between. Quadrants also had differing water colors. They contrasted sharply, with some Zones even having red liquid instead of blue! But the map only showed the Zones in 20x20 form, with the Quadrant that they were in as the center. However, there were a few unique things that Liam noticed. One, was a long, thick redline that split across the entirety of the map, and continued going past it.


    No fishes or seafolk lived across the entirety of the path! N?v(el)B\\jnn


    However, Liam noticed how there wererge footprints across the entirety of the strip. The second thing he noticed was a pulsing, red dot in a certain Quadrant, roughly 12 Zones away. The letters ''AG'' were written on it with a red, dangerous font. Ringing it were smaller red dots. Liam instantly realized what that was.


    Aquafina Global. It was NOCL''s rival andpetitor. Who''s CEO Bill wanted Liam to assassinate.


    But the way it was now, Aquafina Global looked incredibly fortified. It almost matched Nautilus Oceanique Company Limited''s strength¡­ but it was just a touch weaker inparison.


    ''I definitely can''t take on something that strong,'' Liam thought.


    ''Not yet, at least.'' ''I''d need at least a couple of years of gaining some power.'' Then, Liam looked at the redline.


    "This," Liam asked, tapping the redline and ncing at Bill. "What is it?"


    "Ah," Bill said, crossing his legs. "That, my friend, is the Blood Strip." Liam raised a brow. "Like, for understanding the Blood Quality?"


    "No¡­ yes¡­ maybe, I don''t know," Bill shook his head and shrugged. "Anything that chooses to linger or settle there dies in a matter of minutes, and their blood seeps into its earth. Know why?"


    Liam shook his head tersely.


    "Because it''s where one of the Great Tides, the Unholy Lamprey dwells beneath."


    "I''ve seen it just once before¡­ and I still get goosebumps remembering it. The rows and rows of cruel teeth¡­ its dreadful form as it emerged from the crimson soil, devouring a Rank 6 beast in one single gulp¡­"


    Bill hugged himself and rubbed his arms, shivering in fear. "Avoid it at all cost."


    ''Wuss.''


    "What Rank is it?" Liam asked. A Blood Quality?


    Liam needed to study and attain it at all costs!


    A good chunk of his fighting prowess came from his ichor!


    "Towards the peaks of Rank 6," Bill revealed. "Like all the other Greats. Oh, and it''s not like you can''t pass over the Blood Path. We have Teleportation tforms here too." "How many are there in total?" Liam asked. "Great Tides, I mean."


    Bill smiled cryptically. "That''s not a cheap question to ask, my friend¡­ but I''ll answer anyway," he said. "There are six of them that I know¡­ and they''re all actual siblings!" Liam noticed Bill''s words.


    ''Six of them that he knows¡­ so there''s more than just them?'' Liam paused. "They''re all from one family?" Bill nodded. "Indeed. They all have unique characteristics and each affect the oceans differently."


    "Can''t tell who''s who, though. The Argonaut is rumored to be their mother, with the kindness and pacifistic qualities she possesses."


    "Can people speak to them?" Liam asked. "No and yes," Bill said. "They can choose to speak with you, if you''re lucky. But you cannot speak to them. Usually, people who try get eaten. The Argonaut hasn''t eaten anyone, but she''ll just ignore you until you can''t run after her anymore."


    "The Lamprey won''t even hear you out. The second you walk on her soil and remain, you''ll start suffocating, and your blood will seep." That was interesting.


    Liam would have to try once.


    Maybe he''d be fancied by one of them!


    Seeing that Bill was wary about giving too much knowledge and not receiving anything in return, Liam chose to browse over the avable missions. What caught his eye was the following:


    "Track and Retrieve."


    "Axolotl Princess kidnapped by a swarm of Dark Moray Eels. Stonehenge Deep Quadrant, but their true location is kept hidden. Retrieve, dead or alive. Mission Deadline: 6 months and 2 weeks. If exceeded, will be counted as failure."


    ''ssic kidnapping,'' Liam chuckled. There was no criterion that Liam had in mind when choosing the mission. Well, other than wanting to kill things. "Alright," Liam said, pointing to the mission in question. "I''ll take that one."

 Chapter 518 Shellings

    Chapter 518 Shellings


    "Good choice," Bill praised with a smile. "Not too hard, not too easy."


    Then, Bill took out a t, disk-like device from his ring and handed it to Liam. It was in, other than a simple arrow that pointed him towards a single direction.


    Apass.


    "This little thing here is important, alright?" Bill said firmly. "Try not to lose it. It''s called an Anchor, and it''ll point you towards here in case you get lost, or the Teleportation tforms somehow end up broken."


    "Jades don''t work under the waves unless heavy Formations like mine allow them to. It also acts as a tracker."


    That meant that, if Liam was stranded on the other side of a Quadrant¡­ well, he was stranded for good, unless Bill sent support his way.


    "Of course, I could just arrange a helper¡­ but¡ª"


    "I''m good," Liam interrupted, raising a hand. "¡ªyou don''t seem the type to ept help. Right¡­" Bill looked a little dejected, but not worried in the least. "Before you leave, I rmend a change of clothes. Your wrappings are strong, but they leave parts of you exposed. Trust me, you don''t want something crawling up your urethra." "Before you leave, I rmend a change of clothes. Your wrappings are strong, but they leave parts of you exposed. Trust me, you don''t want something crawling up your urethra." That, Liam agreed with. Bill pointed him to a changing room, upon which Liam took out the same skinsuit that he and Usan wore in their diving journey to the Korsan Lands.


    Wearing it, the ck suit covered the four corners of his body. Liam came back to Bill''s room, and the CEO gave him an approving nod.


    "Before you go, just a small tip ¨C don''t treat your abilities like you do above ground."


    Liam furrowed a brow. "Why?"


    "You''ll see what I mean," Bill said with a sinister chuckle. "Also, the underwater pressure is different between Quadrants, so be careful not to venture into Rank 5 areas."


    Liam nodded.


    "Also, one final thing," Bill said, snapping his fingers, which conjured a coge of pearly seashells on the table. "Store these. They''re the ocean''s currency ¡ª Shellings. This amount shouldst you at least 6 months."


    Liam stored them. Bill snapped his fingers again, and a circr tform on the floor shimmered azure.


    "That''s a TP to the Stonehenge Quadrant," Bill said. "Happy tracking, killing and rescuing, friendo!"


    TP in this case didn''t mean toilet paper. It meant Teleportation tform.


    A momentter, Liam jumped through it.


    ***


    WHOOM!


    Immediately, Liam''s surroundings changed.


    He was taken out of the luxurious penthouse of Bill McGill.


    Disgusting, lumpy water flooded his mouth, lungs and ears.


    A heavy pressure weighed against his spine, anchoring him to the floor. Liam immediately empowered his body and used Transfiguration to grow gills from his neck.


    The dirty sea water invading his lungs was instantly expelled.


    A thinyer of skin covered Liam''s irises, allowing him to see the surroundings in perfect rity, even with his eyes open.


    A momentter, he grew out another pair of eyes on the sides of his head, and his cheekbones.


    The first thing he noticed was how dirty the seawater in the Stonehenge Deep Quadrant was.


    It was like murky, dirty trashwater that hadn''t been cleaned out in forever. Even with the King''s Eye and Spirit Sight, there was still a dirty filter covering his vision.


    Liam looked below.


    He was on a blocky piece of stone that jutted from the dirty ocean floor.


    All around it were simr stony structures, some jagged, some uneven, but all shared the same rectangr form, covered with thick, ck algae and moss.


    However, further ahead, the stones turned razor-sharp and dangerous.


    If a person walked upon them or through them, their feet and bodies would be cut and sliced into.


    Still, the Teleportation tform remained. Liam memorized the surroundings, just in case he needed to get back here when the mission was over with.


    However, Liam quickly realized what Bill meant by the words, ''Don''t treat your abilities like you do above ground.''


    As Liam spread his mental waves, he felt incredibly disoriented and wobbly. The further it spread from him, the more his mind grew perplexed. He felt as though he''d suffered a concussion, and was seeing twice the number of fingers he actually had.


    The waters were doing this to him!


    But it didn''t end there.


    The same went for his Shifter Sense and Shadow Sense!


    The information that poured through his senses were hazy and blurry, as if he was experiencing them through a screen of shaky, tumultuous water.


    Clearly, the ocean was a much more difficult ce to work withpared tond.


    However, as long as Liam kept his mental waves, Shifter Sense and Shadow Sense close to himself, the disorienting feeling would go away.


    ''Is this another one of the Argonaut''s powers?'' Liam thought. ''Seeing as the Division was there to separate humans and seafolk, I''m pretty sure this was done on purpose to level the ying field between humans and them.''


    ''She looks out for her people, eh?'' Needless to say, Liam was at a disadvantage while he remained beneath the waves.


    However, he quickly made a few modifications to his body to improve his diving experience. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    His hands grew webbed, like an otters, and his fingers grew sharp and draconic. A long, thick tail emerged from his back, covered with ck scales and lined with tiny little fins.


    ''Good enough,'' Liam thought, then began swimming forward with no particr direction in mind. Judging from the map, the Stonehedge Deep Quadrant has exactly four species that lived in its midst.


    The first, was the Moray Eels. The second, were the Rock Frogs.


    The third, were the Stinger Stonefish. The fourth, were the Bulwark Barracuda. These were the culprits that had kidnapped the Axolotl Princess, who belonged to another Quadrant called the ''Pink Rosary''.


    Obviously, the reports stated that it was the Moray Eels who did it¡­


    But Liam would obviously take these reports with a grain of salt. There was no guarantee to their authenticity.


    Plus, this Quadrant was sketchy and cutthroat. Only ghetto species like those four lived here.


    If anything, perhaps some of them had ties with one another?


    Nothing was impossible!


    ''Everyone is guilty until proven otherwise,'' Liam thought. A momentter, Liam began swimming upstream, following the map to the nearest civilization.

 Chapter 519 Threat

    Chapter 519 Threat


    Liam used his thick tail to whip the water behind him, using his hands and feet in tandem to bolster his speed.


    The disgusting, murky, lumpy waters made him feel like he was swimming through thick mud. However, to his Rank 4 peak body, all it did was seed in slowing him down. Liam had to be extra careful passing through the sharp outcroppings. The Stonehenge Deep Quadrant''s unique but dangerous structure was not restricted to the ground.


    The ocean was not a t in. The spikes jutted even from above Liam and to his sides as he passed through rings and tunnels that led to deeper parts of the dirty Quadrant.


    Despite his utmost caution, Liam''s figure still suffered several cuts¡­ which revealed something else.


    Liam''s regeneration was slower underwater!


    Just by a few milliseconds. But it was noticeable. ''Not a weing ce, the ocean is,'' Liam pondered as he continued swimming. Judging by the map, the closest civilization to Liam was the Bulwark Barracudas.


    They didn''t live too far out from each other.


    In fact, But it was quite strange that Liam hadn''te across any fish species. ''Maybe they''re on vacation,'' Liam thought. Eventually, a vague light appeared in the midst of all the murky waters.


    Liam slowed himself down a bit and took his time approaching. As he got closer, the lights spanned out to hundreds of little sections that spanned across 200 kilometers.


    Below each light was a blocky chunk of stone with blunt, uneven sides. It looked as though the sharp ends of it had been bitten off and eaten, then turned hollow. ''They''re homes,'' Liam realized. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    From what Bill told him, the Fishfolk weren''t kind to unknown humans and Oceanors. Judging by their bad history, neither side really trusted each other that much. One had to earn their trust. Quite frankly, Liam didn''t me the fishes for that kind of attitude. Bill doesn''t do what he does out of the kindness of his heart.


    He wants power.


    He wants money.


    He wants authority.


    But then again, human beings were like that.


    The Seakind were right to fear for theirnds and properties. Thus, Liam didn''t want to make the wrong impression to the Seakind. ''If I pretend to be a fish, they''ll know something''s wrong. If I start off asking questions, they''d get defensive and look out for their fellow fish. If I threaten them, they won''t cooperate.''


    It was a thin rope to walk on, and Liam had to tread carefully to make sure the mission went well. Not only that, if Liam offended the people of this Quadrant, the neighboring Quadrants would also know.


    ''Can''t go wrong with a bribe,'' Liam chuckled. ''Let''s see, though.''


    Like so, Liam wore a cheerful attitude and made himself look just a little more human. It was better for them to think that he was a human that wanted to be a fish, rather than a human pretending to be one. And slowly, Liam approached.


    He waited for several seconds to see whether or not the fish spotted him. Ten seconds passed. Nothing happened. No fishes came out and started screaming at him. However¡­ Liam had a sneaking suspicion that he was being watched.


    From somewhere.


    Liam looked around. Using Transfiguration, he manipted his throat to adapt to the waters¡­ giving him the ability to speak underwater.


    "Ie in peace," Liam said, his voice reverberating across the waves. Silence.


    Liam could tell that the species that lived here weren''t weak in the least.


    They were all Rank 4. At the very least, judging by what his danger rms told him. But Rank 4 creatures were practically nothing against Liam.


    But this was underwater¡­ and he couldn''t assess himself like he did onnd.


    The silencested six seconds before something emerged from the cavities.


    Six of Liam''s eyes narrowed, constricting to get a better view of the Bulwark Barracuda through the murky waters.


    The first thing Liam noticed about it was its length. It was roughly 17 meters long!


    Its mouth was a horizontal V shape, lined with hundreds of thick, brown, palisade teeth. It had dark, murky eyes, and one of them was shed. Dirty, ck scales covered with barnacles and lumps of filth coated it.


    However, those protrusions on its body were all part of its defenses. From the remaining cavities, Liam spotted countless little eyes peering at him from the darkness¡­ watching.


    ''Ah,'' Liam thought. ''This must be their leader, then.'' The fish gave Liam a direct stare.


    Liam couldn''t read its mental waves.


    It didn''t have a mental sphere, so that was natural.


    However, Liam used Spirit Sight and saw the fish''s insides.


    Like all magical beasts, it had a core!


    However¡­ the fish had two cores!


    One of them was of water, and the other was of earth!


    However, they were shaped like little crystals instead of being spherical.


    Not to mention, the water core seemed to contain some sort of special property. It was as if it was connected to the fish''s body in a far deeper, intricate way. "You are not wee here," a deep, guttural noise left the Bulwark Barracuda''s mouth. "Leave immediately."


    Silence.


    "Ie in peace," Liam repeated, a little annoyed at theck of hospitality. "I heard you the first time," the one-eyed fish interrupted. "You are still not wee."


    Silence. It was¡­ a bit weird speaking to a fish. But strangely, the fish reminded Liam of a grumpy old man. "I''m with the NOCL," Liam said. "Heard of it?"


    Silence.


    A long silence.


    "Perhaps," the one-eyed fish said eventually, its tone still the same¡­ but Liam felt like it was just a little less hostile. "What do you want?"


    "Pink Rosary Quadrant lost their princess," Liam exined in a monotone voice. "I''m here to get her back. Point me in a direction, you get a reward. Lie to me, you get the opposite."


    Silence again.


    The fish looked at him directly again, his filthy gaze a little heavier.


    "Is that a threat?" the fish growled, its eyes narrowing dangerously. Liam smiled with sharp teeth. "Wanna find out?"

 Chapter 520 A Bad Omen

    520 A Bad Omen


    The one-eyed fish looked pissed.


    The Bulwark Barracuda that remained behind shook their tails in a synchronized, hostile fashion. But they didn''t attack.


    Their leader was dealing with the issue. Their involvement would escte things.


    Meanwhile, Liam smiled at the creature in front of him. Judging from the dark look in the Barracuda''s eye, it was contemting whether or not tosh out at Liam.


    A brief silence followed.


    "Tread lightly, mammal," the Bulwark said heavily. "The waters drown the weak."


    "How''re you still alive, then?" Liam retorted immediately, raising his brow. Silence.


    Well.


    So much for being respectful.


    But Liam didn''t lose himself in the moment.


    Right now, he wanted to test out his abilities. He still hadn''t fought underwater.


    This was a good opportunity to test out his powers!


    The silence ended. "GET HIM!" the Bulwark Barracuda barked.


    More than twenty-one Rank 4 Bulwark Barracudas shot at Liam from all around him!


    As they neared him with unnatural speed, they simultaneously unleashed a synchronized spell attack.


    It was a perfect killing move.


    Anywhere Liam would move or rotate, a wide-spread flurry of jagged, projectile teeth would pierce straight through him.


    But the biggest attack came directly from their leader. An entire pir of pure rock, which seemed to be a mixture of mud, dirt, soil and filth.


    And its tip was riddled with jagged spikes and vicious looking protrusions, enough to rip into him even if he dodged.


    SHING!


    The ck de, the Dusks and the Breaker left Liam''s ring and immediately curved to a sharp,bined sh, meeting the pir''s jagged tip with its unique edge.


    Swinging his swords underwater felt¡­ slower and stranger. He had topensate for theck of momentum and speed with brute force.


    The pir split in half.


    But the razor spikes were just a millimeter away from ripping him apart from all sides! Just then, Liam used Shadow Blink.


    Except, it didn''t work!


    It wasgging! n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The shadows that meant to teleport him to safety were hectic. Right¡­ the waters distorted Liam''s shadows, too. The only problem was, Liam used the same amount of shadows and blood as he would abovend.


    And that was a mistake. Liamughed.


    It was toote to use his swords to defend. CHIG!


    KRSH!


    KSH!


    CHKCHKCHKCHK!


    The jagged spikes pierced through Liam''s bodily defenses and burrowed into his flesh like bullets from a firing squad, painting the murky waters red with blood.


    At the same time, another jagged pir the size of a truck rammed into his chest, piercing through it and hurling him away.


    As it watched the projectiles shredding Liam alive, the one-eyed fishughed. It sounded¡­ incredibly weird, visceral and disturbing.


    But it was filled with pride of a sessful kill.


    Then, there was a crackling noise.


    The fish looked at the spot where Liam was hurled at.


    Gone.


    Only a trail of blood streaked the waters¡­ The Barracuda''s gaze tracked the trail, its eye widening as he saw the path it took, past the lumps of filth and dirt.


    It led to the side¡­ then curved around him¡­ then¡­ Behind!


    Panic seized the Bulwark Barracuda as he immediately turned his body around, only to feel something cold and sharp kiss its neck. Liam, riddled with holes with jagged spikes stuck to his body, had his odachi lined perfectly over the fish''s mouth. With just a push, Liam could insert his de into the barracuda and split him open. But he didn''t. The barracuda growled heavily, not daring to move. Slowly, he gave his pack a disdainful nce. Why were they not helping!?


    Was he betrayed?!


    ¡­Then, he realized why. Little, darkness-made creatures with the legs of a centipede, the stinger of a scorpion, and the jaws of a spider were holding them hostage. Hundreds of them! But they didn''t kill the fish!


    Immediately, the Bulwark Barracuda pack leader''s attitude changed.


    "I apologize," the fish said with an apologetic tone. Its voice was not as deep, either, which made Liam realize that it was faking it. "If you want a life, take mine. Let them live¡­ please."


    Liam remained silent, sneaking a nce at his Stingers.


    Had the barracuda given the creatures a closer nce, he would have noticed how they were slowly melting beneath the waves. That didn''t raise their survival chances in the least¡­ but it was sad to see that even his White Matter and darkness didn''t work as intended underwater.


    A momentter, Liam removed the odachi from the fish''s neck.


    Despite Liam''s want to kill the swarm and test his powers a little more in depth, killing them here was not smart.


    It would only sully his, and Bill''s reputation.


    And below the waves, reputation was very important.


    Besides, the entire mission depended on how smoothly hepleted it. That involved no kills. How unfortunate.


    A momentter, the Stingers had all melted, merging with the water before being swept away. As soon as Liam sheathed his sword, the barracuda''s eyes widened with shock. Mercy?


    He was being shown mercy?!


    This¡­ scaled, four-armed, tail-having human was not that bad of a person! In fact, the barracuda realized that he was quite a nice guy! "Thank you. Ask anything of me, I shall answer with only truth."


    Liam pulled out the thick stakes jutting from his body and flicked them away one by one. "Pink Rosary," Liam said with a nk face, pulling out another and giving the barracuda a heavy stare. "Princess. Eels. Tell me everything."


    The Bulwark was just a tiny bit scared now, seeing how casually Liam treated his wounds and how fast they healed.


    "Right," the fish said with a wry tone. "If you''d like, we can discuss this in my nest. I¡­ wouldn''t want the others to hear what I tell you."


    "Fine," Liam said. "Lead."


    With Liam behind him, the barracuda turned around and hastily swam to a cavity towards the edges of the blocky, jagged stones.


    As he swam by, the barracudas looked at Liam with awe and uneasiness.


    They felt as though there was something wrong with this¡­ human.


    Like he was a bad omen of some kind.


    my deepest apologies for thete uploads guys, I really am trying but its very hard with these conditions.


    CovidCandy


    Creator''s Thought

 Chapter 521 Curse

    521 Curse


    Eventually, Liam and the one-eyed Barracuda entered through arge underwater cavity, leading to a circr-shaped home.


    Fish furniture was¡­ weird. There were just lumps of filth crudely molded into chairs and tables designed just for a barracuda.


    The one-eyed fish was the pack''s leader, and it was actually a ''she''... somehow. Her name was also Vermin Eater, which was a crude trantion of whatever her name actually sounded in oceanic tongue.


    It was then that Liam realized that the waters automatically tranted whatevernguage he spoke, into the tongue the Quadrants conversed with!


    It was another masterful work of the Herald of the Seas. "Sorry for the mess, I wasn''t expecting guests," the barracuda, Vermin Eater said.


    "What part isn''t supposed to be messy?" Liam asked, confused. He shook his head. "Nevermind."


    "Haha¡­" the barracudaughed awkwardly. "Well, I''ll cut to the point¡­"


    The fish paused, her eye expressing graveness.


    "The Eels aren''t the only ones in on it."


    The words lingered in the air for a few seconds.


    Liam raised a brow.


    "Exin."


    Vermin Eater crawled over to a ''chair'', which looked more like a hotdog bun, the ''sausage'' of which had be the fish itself.


    "Let me start from the rtionship between our tribes. Our kind abhor the Rock Frogs and the Moray Eels¡­ but we''ve had no issues with the Stonefish. They just¡­ sit around and do nothing all day."


    "Uh huh," Liam said. "You don''t have to tell me why you hate them. Continue." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "Right. A few cycles back¡ª"


    "What''s a cycle?" Liam interrupted. Bill hadn''t told him, the prick. "Uh¡­ if I remember correctly, it equals a week of human time¡­ are you a human, even?"


    "Define human."


    Silence.


    "Nevermind," Vermin Eater said. "A few cycles back, our scouts reported a meeting between a couple of Rock Frogs and the Moray Eels. Except¡­ the two hate each other just as much as us."


    "Not soon after, whispers reached us that the Pink Rosary was losing their princess."


    ''The timing checks out,'' Liam realized. ''The princess was kidnapped a few weeks ago, too. There''s no way to figure out the time underwater, unfortunately.''


    The Division blocked out all the light from the surface, after all. ''But the Moray Eels that stole the princess are a separate group. They''re not associated with the tribe, are they? Or maybe they are¡­''


    Liam felt like Sherlock Holmes cracking a difficult case. He was just missing the smokepipe and the hat, plus the ent.


    He wasn''t going to tick off the Stonefish just yet.


    "Well," the barracuda said. "I''ll be honest and say¡­ our scouts were drunk on brine wine that particr night, so you''ll have to take their report with a grain of sea salt."


    Silence.


    "Drunk?" Liam asked, eyes widened a little. Silence.


    Vermin Eater ''coughed'' and averted her gaze. "...yes. It''s a once in a month sort of thing that we do¡­"


    Liam furrowed his brows.


    Party night?


    For fish?


    What kind of customs did these seafolk have, exactly?


    "Why do they think they abducted the princess?" Liam asked. The reasons were still a little unclear.


    The report didn''t mention why the princess was stolen, just that she was. "Gup if I know," Vermin Eater said with a ''shrug''. "But there isn''t one¡­ there''s many. Axolotls are considered ''Roses of the Sea''. But their beauty is more of a curse than it is a blessing."


    "Because of it, they''re a targeted species. In some Dark Quadrants¡ª"


    Liam raised a hand. "What''s a Dark Quadrant?"


    "ces unruled by a particr fish species. A hub for trade, service exchanges and entertainment. These are Neutral Quadrants. A Dark Quadrant is all of these¡­ but for way darker purposes."


    So¡­ a ck market for Seakind? Neat.


    Liam nodded, prompting Vermin Eater to continue.


    "As I was saying, in some ghetto Neutral Quadrants, Axolotls reel in a hefty price if sold alive. I heard they''re quite a delicacy."


    "Some cults even include them as sacrifices en masse to the Unholy Lamprey in exchange for a favor."


    Liam couldn''t help but raise his brows.


    Cults? Underwater?


    Heresy! "Does the Lamprey do what they ask?" Liam questioned.


    Vermin Eater expressed a bit of fear.


    "I think so. If it''s reasonable, and the sacrifice is equal to the request. If it''s not¡­ they just get eaten alive for daring to ask."


    Another silence followed.


    That was a little terrifying. But at the very least, it was a way for Liam to talk to one of the Great Tides. If he was ever feeling edgy on a particr day.


    ''If her whole shtick is about blood, maybe she could tell me one or two things about cultivating it as a Quality.''


    A thought for the future.


    ***


    What Liam did next was interrogate all of the drunkard scouts that saw the Rock Frogs and the Moray Eels, but the results were disappointing.


    Since they were drunk, the idiots were unable to make out most of the details between the vague silhouettes they caught glimpses of.


    The disgusting, murky environment of the Stonehedge Deep Quadrant didn''t help in the least. However, there was a silver lining. All of them confirmed seeing a rose-skinned creature amidst four other fish. What those fish were, they had no clue.


    But there were at least four!


    Four culprits!


    And Liam had a bright idea on how to fish them out. "I''m done here," Liam said to Vermin Eater at the end of everything, taking out a single Shelling. "I mighte back to ask more questions."


    He outstretched the Shelling.


    "Until then."


    Thanking him, the fish used her mouth to graciously ept the gift.


    A momentter, Liam took off, leaving the Bulwark Barracudas and heading straight towards the intersection where their viges connected. There, Liam could choose which vige to go to next. Starting with the Stonefish.


    ''There''s a tiny chance they were lying to me,'' Liam thought. ''But I can safely say the barracuda aren''t the guilty ones.''


    Liam Holmes, on the case!

 Chapter 522 Stonefish

    522 Stonefish


    A week had passed since Liam had spoken to Vermin Eater and the Bulwark Barracudas. For an entire week, he had done nothing except swim, train with the Psionic Rune, and cultivate. ''Cultivate'' was a loose term, though. Cannibalizing a woman''s corpse was more urate. The Stonefish''s territories were still a few weeks away. A ''+'' shaped border divided the four species that lived in the Stonehedge Deep, with 400 kilometers of raw, wild terrain between them.


    Until then, Liam was careful not to spill any nutrients from the Empress'' body into the sea. Thankfully, there were underground water bubbles that formed between crevices and caves in certain parts of the Quadrant, allowing him to eat in peace. Sitting by himself, Liam''s eyes went distant with thought.


    As of now, Liam had no cultivation technique for the fifth Rank, nor a body tempering method. The only way he could progress in both, was through eating stronger beings. As he ate in peace, Liam felt his mind scratch at various body tempering methods suitable for a Rank 5 body¡­ but nothing seemed to hit the mark. Had it been anyone else, they wouldn''t have as big of a problem inventing a body tempering method. But the Triumvirate Body gave Liam Shifter, Ashura, and Human characteristics, while his ichor had incredibly potent and unique properties on their own.


    However, the issueid here.


    There was too much to deal with!


    Had Liam been only a human, making a Rank 5 tempering method would be extremely simple, since he could get inspiration from other methods using his King''s Eye to study the Meanings.


    He could still do that¡­ But who else was half octopus, half Ashura? Probably no one, even if thetter weren''t extinct.


    One had to remember that a Body Tempering method and a cultivation technique has to be suitable for the cultivator in question. Either they were broad, focusing on too many aspects at once, or too narrow, focusing on too little.


    For example, Liam could delve further into each aspect of both his Triumvirate Body, and his blood. He could center it around Expel, increasing the devastation caused by his blood bursting. This could lead to his ichor gaining chaotic properties. ¡­but that sounded too mundane and simple.


    Wasn''t his Chaos chaotic enough? n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He could center it around Admit, allowing his body to scan and naturally absorb creatures to transform into at ater time, which could lead to permanent transformations¡­ ¡­but that sounded too nd. Couldn''t he already do so? He could also center it around his Transfiguration and Disfiguration, which sounded much better than the previous options, since itbined both his blood and body''s abilities.


    However, how it was going, Liam''s Transfiguration was already going to get better!


    All he had to do was eat and eat until the progress bar shot up!


    "Ugh," Liam groaned, chewing intensely as he nced over to the Empress'' corpse. "Why''s this so difficult?" he asked her.


    She didn''t respond.


    How rude. ¡­Just then, something dawned upon Liam.


    If he remembered correctly, the Empress'' body was not empowered by ''Ora'' when Alucard tossed her over to him.


    It was empowered by her own ckish energy, which coursed through her veins and muscle fibers.


    Something sparked in Liam''s mind.


    His eyes went distant with thought.


    ''How about¡­ I use my blood to nourish my body instead?''


    ''Till now, I''ve only used ''Ora'' to nourish my physique.''


    ''But what''s the point?''


    ''''Ora'' is the Opposition''s.''


    ''I used my teeth and jaw to obtain my blood!'' As heid there in a water bubble, with just the Empress keeping himpany, Liam smirked evilly to himself. He was getting there. He could feel a vague idea forming in his head¡­ something¡­ brilliant. But he''d have to start slow and perfect it. And maybe study ''Ora'' a little bit before continuing.


    A momentter, Liam gulped the remainder of flesh, stored the Empress in his ring, then left the bubble membrane that covered the entrance of his cave. Pretty soon, he was on the move again.


    ***


    Currently, Liam was passing through a forest of ck, underwater seaweed, resembling a million snakes slithering downwards. The seaweed itself had noxious qualities, which Liam had to actively use Transfiguration to counteract.


    But after two hours of constant, arduous swimming, Liam prated through the curtain of seaweed and came face to face with the Stonefishnds. Ringing them were the snake-like seaweeds, acting as a curtain to the outside. Below, across unevennd, dozens of massive Stonefish blended in with the floor terrain, each one roughly the size of arge hill. They looked like meteors thatnded from space ¨C circr in shape with gray, rock-textured, jagged skin. A long line of jagged spikes jutted from their spines, the tips of which were sharpened like barbed wire.


    Two dull, chameleon-like eyes were to their sides, resembling raw, uncut stone. Their jaws were a wide, horizontal ''C'' shape, spanning across a long 13 meters. Even on Earth, Stonefish were among the most poisonous, hazardous species on the.


    Each little orifice of their skin injected the waters around them with dark brown liquid.


    They were giant factories of poison. Here and there, smaller Stonefishid around their parents, like little pebbles gathered around boulders. As soon as Liam entered their zone, all their eyes slowly converged on his figure, but their bodies remained in one ce. Liam felt the effects of the poison on his body straight away. He swam upwards, using distance to weaken its potency. Then, he looked at the Stonefishes again.


    ''I''m guessing that big one over there is the leader,'' Liam thought, staring at the meanest one out of them all.


    "Ie in peace," Liam said with a diplomatic voice. No reaction.


    "I''m with the NOCL," he added. "There''s been a kidnapping, which I''m sure you''re all aware of. I''m the guy they sent to find out who did it."


    "I offer Shellings, too."


    Silence.


    One of the Stonefish, thergest and most poisonous of them, raised its head to look at Liam. Then, it visibly frowned.


    Bad sign.


    "We gave your kind what we knew despite your rudeness," the Stonefish said with a hostile tone. It spoke from the deep depths of its monstrous throat. "But you''ve done well toe back."


    Just then, the seaweed curtain expanded to cover its gaps, enclosing everything inside it.

 Chapter 523 Esponiage

    523 Esponiage


    Liam watched with aware eyes as the ring of curtains closed, turning rigid and enclosing him in. "Pretty sure you''re making a mistake," Liam said calmly. "I''m the only NOCL ''agent'' sent for this job." Truth be told, Liam wasn''t too worried. The Stonefish looked slow and dull. Their fins, although wide, were small and dainty, which is why their bodies were in contact with the ground. They couldn''t lift themselves up! Their strengthsy with the potency of their venom and the rigidity of their defense. If they were weak in one quality, anotherpensated for it. Not to mention, Liam couldn''t get too close to them due to the noxious atmosphere that surrounded them. In response to Liam''s words, the leading Stonefish red at Liam dangerously. "You lie," it said. Liam wasn''t sure if it was a she or a he. It was hard to know since they all sounded monstrous. "A tail, ck scales, ws and long, shaggy hair. You are the same."


    Silence. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Someone had taken his appearance and masqueraded as Liam. Liam hummed to himself in thought. ''So this is what Bill was talking about. Espionage between corporations.''


    ''I wonder how long they''ve been spying on me.'' A blind man could see that it was Aquamine Global, NOCL''spetitor, that mimicked Liam''s appearance in hopes of tainting his image.


    In a sense, they seed. The Stonefish were now purely intent on attacking him to prove a point, even locking him in this¡­ cage.


    But what Aquamarine Global and the Stonefish didn''t consider, was who they locked themselves in with.


    Liam creaked his neck upwards. There was a limit to how high he could swim up, since the seaweed canopied over his head.


    However, he still maximized the distance by bringing himself just a few inches away from the ceiling. Then, Liam looked back at the Stonefish. "I''ll give you a second to reconsider," Liam said calmly, but his eyes were dead. "Let''s talk it out."


    "No," the Stonefish replied with a visceralugh, before twisting its ugly face into a grim expression. "Calling us ugly, dirty andzy is one thing, but to call us¡­ Rock Blobs?"


    As it mentioned the word ''Rock Blobs'', almost every Stonefish, numbering 24 in total, growled with anger. But apparently, each sea species had their own racial slur that was taboo to utter. Rock Blob seemed to be a mix between Blobfish and the Stonefishes rockyplexion.


    The leading Stonefish ¡ª which Liam named Rock Blob out of spite ¡ª narrowed its protruding eyes to narrow slits. "There are lines you don''t cross."


    The talk was over.


    WHISH!


    It threaded the waters at imperceptible speed and almost pierced Liam''s chest had he not dodged at thest second.


    A trail of dark venom followed the spine, and Liam kicked his tail to swerve as far away from it as possible.


    The trail of venom festered within the waters and bubbled like carbonated soda, before dissipating and melting away. ''Like I thought,'' Liam scoffed in disdain. ''They can''t close the distance, but they can eject their spines at me like bullets.''


    As he thought that, yet another barbed spine whizzed past him, followed by two more and a fourth.


    Liam didn''t want to find out what that venom could do to his body¡­ as tempting as that sounded. If one of those spines incapacitated or paralyzed him, it could prove fatally dangerous. With his face twisting into one of focus, Liam took out a sword and outstretched it with his right. Just one. The ck de.


    Part of being a swordsman was knowing what sword to use at what time. Contrary to belief, using all four swords here was not the most efficient course of action. Each sword had its own role. Perhaps if he was abovend, it would be a different story. But since he was underwater, the Breaker de''s form would hinder Liam''s movement due to its massive size and width. As it was now, Liam couldn''t break thews of physics by negating the movement of the titanic de.


    It was like rowing a boat with a thick oar. If he swung it to the right, it would push him to the left. And if he swung it to the left, it would shove him to the right. On the other hand, the Dusks were not as good at severing things as they were at ripping them apart. Especially against things that were not organic or biological. Thus, it made the most sense to use the odachi, the thinnest, sharpest, and most lethal against heavy defenses.


    This time, as Rock Blob sent another barbed spine his way, Liam used the tip of his odachi to deflect it to the side, kicking his tail to the side immediately after to dodge the fuzzy trail of venom. This created a certain rhythm. A dance of death. Liam deflected a spine, dodged another, swerved to avoid the venom, then repeated the process from scratch. But just as the Stonefish couldn''t harm Liam, Liam couldn''t find the correct opportunity to cause any damage. ''With twenty-four in number, I won''t be able to kill them all,'' Liam realized, annoyed. ''I''ll end this fast, then.'' Rock Blob was in the upper tier of Rank 4, who was the highest ranking member of this pack. Even killing the leader would prove difficult, so¡­


    Liam had to y dirty. White Matter spiraled across Liam''s left arm, and through the same hand, Chaos crackled andbined with it. Unlike his Void and darkness, White Matter and Chaos could leave the same hand with no issue whatsoever. The two substances mixed, forming a muscr, beefy, humanoid Abomination with a small mass of Chaos crackling in its center.


    Even underwater, Chaos'' repelling force held strong. Thanks to its smaller, more concentrated amount, it crackled violently and stubbornly refused to mix with the murky liquids.


    As soon as it formed, Liam''s two feet ¡ª empowered by 30% of his total ichor ¡ª made contact with Sumo''s. Then, in tandem, both of them crouched, then kicked off one another.


    BOOM!


    Sumo was shooting straight towards a Stonefish baby.

 Chapter 524 Sightings

    Chapter 524 Sightings


    Obviously, this wasn''t the proudest of Liam''s crimes¡­ but he wanted to end this debacle as fast as he possibly could. Everything was on the table.


    Right before he catapulted Sumo towards a baby Stonefish, thin strings of blood rapidly unfurled through each of Liam''s left fingers, each of which crystalized almost immediately and wrapped around Sumo''s waist.


    Then, Liam was yanked forward alongside it!


    Like a sleigh of wolves pulling a carriage, Liam was using Sumo as a riding beast! He was already controlling the Abomination mentally, and with his right hand, he used the ck de to sever the barbed spines shooting his way. SHING! CRNK! SHING! SHING! One after the other, Liam swerved Sumo left and right, splitting in half the venomous spines as soon as they were shot towards him.


    "Stop him!" Rock Blob shouted with pure panic. It was clear that he figured out what Liam aimed for. "Stop him now!" The baby Stonefish that Liam aimed for was towards the outskirts of their habitat. It was still premature and quite dumb looking, staring at Liam and the Abomination with an open mouth and nk eyes. Still, a Rank 4 middle-tier Stonefish stood as its protector, eyeing Liam dangerously and daring him to approach. Not to mention, upon Rock Blob''smand, a group of furious Stonefish rapidly converged towards Liam''s location.


    Sure, they couldn''t swim at higher altitudes, but that didn''t mean they couldn''t swim at all. They were quite fast, too. Well. Not really. Liam and the Abomination was faster.


    But what kind of coward would focus on the weak?!


    As the distance between Liam and the baby Stonefish was slowly closing, it was getting increasingly difficult to dodge and split the spinal projectiles.


    Sumo suffered quite a few punctures, as well, which allowed Liam to see what exactly the venom did to flesh.


    Well.


    It wasn''t pretty.


    Sumo''s right shoulder, left hand and right leg had been pierced with the spinal venom¡­ which had subsequently turned those sections of the Abomination''s body into stringy, pus-oozing, filthy paste.


    The fizzing effect that the venom had on liquid was even worse on solids, making it seem like deformed lumps of cancer were multiplying over Sumo''s skin.


    Even to a hardened eye, it was hard to look at without gagging. Not to mention, the wounds slowed Sumo''s swimming speed by quite a bit, making it increasingly difficult to dodge and evade the venomous needles. But by then, most of the distance had closed. Just one Stonefish stood in Liam''s path.


    The other Stonefish had stopped shooting their projectiles at him for one simple reason. If they took a chance, they''d risk hitting both the baby and their fellow Stonefish.


    They had to trust their fellow fish! A momentter, Sumo fell apart into lumps of decayed, stringy flesh that lost the ability to propel itself forward. The small, hollowpartment in its chest filled with Chaos slowly degenerated¡­ and didn''t explode. The waters puffed it out.


    But there was no need for it to explode in the first ce. By now, Liam was just 30 meters away from the Stonefish and its baby. Almost immediately, the venom began to take its toll on Liam''s body, starting with his skin. Ulcers and lumps festered on its surface, bubbling and multiplying like a vicious cancer which continued to spread. 20 meters.


    Liam''s Transfiguration and his healing factor worked fast to counter it, but the deeper he got, the more potent the venom was. 10 meters. Liam''s shadows enveloped him, protecting his skin and empowering his body. Dodging a row of spines that shot past him, Chaos crackled on Liam''s back heel, which smashed against the top of the Stonefish''s head.


    Focused Havoc. KHRSH!


    A powerful shockwave spread throughout the waters, and a small patch of the blobfish''s armored head shattered.


    However, all the blow did was slightly dibobte the fish. Barely a secondter, it lurched out with its jaw wide open, filled with rows of disgusting teeth.


    But as its maw closed, nothing entered it except lumps of filth and dirt!


    The Stonefish panicked and whipped around, looking left and right for its baby.


    The human was gone!


    And so was the baby Stonefish!


    "You can stop now."


    The voice came from above.


    Way above!


    All of the Stonefish looked up.


    Liam had reappeared a few meters away from the seaweed ceiling, covered with ugly wounds and fetid skin.


    But wrapped around his hand, was a baby Stonefish, dumb, afraid and on the verge of tears. Liam had used Shadow Blink!


    In reality, he wasn''t hindered from using it, only that it took longer to execute and perform.


    Using the brief moment that the Stonefish staggered, Liam began his Shadow Blink and wrapped his hand around the baby fish.


    Now, the Stonefish were angrier than ever. But they didn''t dare attack. After all, the baby Stonefish''s defenses were barely Rank 1!


    A simple squish of the hand could spurt out its guts for all to see.


    Stonefish were actually quite familial and protective of each other. They valued each other''s lives.


    Liam smirked, dangling the baby left and right, which pissed off the Stonefish more than it was supposed to.


    Rock Blob, especially.


    "Let her go," Rock Blobmanded with a growl. "It''s a her?" Liam asked, bringing the dumb-looking baby''s eyes an inch away from his own.


    It was quivering, on the verge of tears. "Tell me what you know about the kidnapping," Liam said to Rock Blob with a t voice. Rock Blob growled in frustration. A momentter, it raised its fin, upon which a small, tattered parchment slowly floated towards Liam. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Liam grabbed it with his free hand.


    It was a map, with several sections of it marked with ''x'' shapes. "They''re sightings of the princess our scouts have marked. I''ve given you what your previous version didn''t have¡­ now let her go and leave!" The seaweed curtains opened, and Liam slowly swam backwards. Then, as he passed the veil, he threw the Stonefish baby back at her parents, before using Shadow Blink once more. He was out.

 Chapter 525 Weird

    525 Weird


    As he swam away, Liam examined the map with interest.


    The crude ''x'' shapes were sightings¡­


    Stonefish had immacte camouging abilities. Had Liam not used Spirit Sight, he would have actually mistook them for hills.


    It made sense for a few of them to hide around the quadrant and spy on other species.


    ''Should I check them out straight away?'' Liam thought, surveying his surroundings. ''There''s a chance I''m still being spied on.'' Due to the murky environment and restricted visibility, there was a small chance the fish that took his form was still watching him. Actually¡­ no. It probably wasn''t. If anything, it was attempting to beat Liam to the punch and find the princess before he did. What it wanted to do with her, Liam didn''t know. ''Either they would kill her and make the NOCL look bad, or save her and make AG look good¡­ either way, it''s bad for Billy.''


    Liam didn''t give a toss about what happened to Bill or his littlepany. ¡­But being framed? Being imitated? Unforgivable! Immediately, Liam''s heart began pumping faster. Shadows swirled around him, enrobing him with power, strength and speed. A momentter, he used a good chunk of his ichor to Shadow Blink to the nearest sighting. WHOOM!


    Liam''s surroundings changed. He found himself atop a ghetto outcropping of stone spires, stretching hundreds of meters into the air. The water was cold, and dirty, too. He began searching, using his Spirit Sight vigntly andbing through every nook and cranny. His shadow liquified and stretched, separating from itself and bing a smaller mass. It had split off, attaching itself to a spire. Liam looked at it with a small smile, then uttered a word.


    "Go."


    Instantly, the shadow shot into the distance, crawling across the spire and reaching its bottom, a tiny thread of shadows connecting it to Liam''s.


    Liam''s shadows had darkened and strengthened enough to send out on their own little expeditions! He could feel it swimming through the Sea of Darkness like a droplet of thick oil in liquid.


    Like this, Liam managed to clear hundreds of meters in a matter of seconds. Unfortunately, it was a dead end¡­ other than a few traces of pink, crystalline dust that Liam saw drifting past an obscure clearing. It belonged to the princess!


    However, there were no hiddenpartments or areas that Liam came across, even after three whole hours of arduous searching.


    Liam absorbed some of the pink dust into his own body. Clearly, it wasn''t enough to use Admit and take the Axolotl''s form¡­ but he could study its scent and form. ''Next.'' WHOOM!


    Liam used Shadow Blink again, appearing at the next sighting and scouring thendscape once again. An hour passed.


    ''Dead end.'' Next!


    WHOOM!


    An hour of searching.


    Nothing.


    WHOOM!


    Another half hour. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Nada.


    WHOOM!


    The final sighting.


    Liam looked around.


    This area was right on the border of both the Moray Eels and the Rock Frogs!


    However, it wasn''t on either territory. Thendscape itself had thousands of little holes in the ocean floor. They were tunnels and burrows that curved and dug into the ground, resembling swiss cheese. If there was a ce to hide, it was here. He lowered himself and split his shadow into four distinct masses, scattering them in opposite directions. Liam began with the center tunnel, shooting through it. It was barely 5 meters in breadth, but it continued for as long as Liam could see. Liam sniffed the waters as he swam. Now that his nose was biologically changed, he could easily filter out the different scents.


    A line of tiny eyes emerged out of his scale-covered tail, since spreading his mental waves made him woozy. Hours passed as he moved from tunnel to tunnel. It curved, continued and curved over and over again. The miniature shadows that split off of him had all reached dead ends, converging back to the main mass. Abruptly, three types of distinct smells entered Liam''s nose.


    Liam smirked evilly. "Got you."


    Like a rabid dog chasing after a bone, Liam hung onto the trace and didn''t let go of its waning scent. His tail whipped the water behind him violently.


    Countless fins grew out of his sides, each one increasing his speed to an insane level. A light appeared in the distance.


    An exit!


    Or was it an entrance?


    Liam unsheathed his swords ¡ª all four of them.


    WHSH!


    Then, he burst through! Then, Liam scanned what he saw. In the span of a seconds, Liam''s speed slowly came to a halt. What he saw was¡­ weird.


    ***


    What Liam saw was incredibly strange. He had walked into something he shouldn''t have, and all those present froze up immediately. On the right side of the vast, cave-like area, there was a group of Rock Frogs.


    Rock Frogs, as their names suggested, had a pretty self exnatory description. Their front legs were hriously short, but chunky and incredibly robust like two earthly gauntlets reinforced with rock and grime. Instead of soft, slimy amphibian skin, it was rocky with dirt-dark eyes. To be perfectly blunt, they had nothing charming or unique about their appearance, the ugly things.


    They were justrge lumps of stone with two long hind legs, and two chunky front legs. And there were six of them.


    But on the left¡­ were the Moray Eels, also six in number. Long, streamlined bodies, covered with ck, sword-like scales. Menacing brown eyes, slitted horizontally. A pair of jagged white fangs protruded from their lower jaws. Instinctively, Liam recognized the leaders of each party. The two were at the upper-stage of Rank 4, but a few features made them stand apart. The Moray Eels'' leader had six fangs instead of two, and the Rock Frogs'' leader had a tiny crown made of stone on its head. As soon as Liam arrived, all twelve of the fish species present snapped their rmed gazes at him. "Gup is this?" the crowned frog cursed in confusion. "Is he with you?" he growled at the six toothed eel.


    "No," the Moray Eel responded with a growl of its own, then red at Liam angrily. "Who''re you?"


    Liam remained silent, scanning the room one by one. The case got just a little moreplicated.


    PLEASE DO NOT BUY PRIVILEGE! NOT THIS MONTH, OR NEXT. CovidCandy


    Creator''s Thought

 Chapter 526 Orchestrated

    526 Orchestrated


    "Well, well well," Liam said as he slowly stroked his chin like a sage. "What do we have here, hmm? A secret underground meeting?"


    "I asked you who you are," the six toothed eel growled with hostility. "If I ask again, it''ll be with my teeth in your neck, mammal." Dainty threat.


    But instead of cleanly severing off its neck in that instant, despite a tiny urge to do so, Liam stored all four of his swords. He smiled diplomatically.


    "Calm yourselves, gentlemen," Liam said, taking out a handful of pearly Shellings. "I''m sure we can alle to a mutual agreement and sort this little dilemma out with no bloodshed. I''m with the NOCL." If there was anyone that could boast about not being afraid to fight, it was Liam. The sight of a mangled corpse and the shedding of blood was more beloved to him than actual wealth¡­ but he knew when to hold back. There was a time to murder, and a time to be political¡­ even if the line that separated the two was quite thin.


    Both the Rock Frogs and Moray Eels side-nced at each other with cryptic eyes, then looked back at Liam, giving him a terse nod.


    Liam threw both a Shelling each. "We''re not secretly meeting," the six toothed Eel said cautiously, grabbing the Shelling and just swallowing it. As Liam thought, it was the ocean''s method of storage.


    "We''re confronting one another," the crowned frog added. Silence.


    "Hmm?" Liam hummed curiously, leaning forward. "Do exin." There was another pregnant pause. The crowned frog gave Liam a heavy look. "There has been a murder." There was another silence. Everyone snuck suspicious looks at one another.


    Their wary posture indicated that they were ready tosh out at any second, but held back the urge in the slight chance they attacked an ally. Liam arched a brow, but realization dawned upon him a secondter. His face expressed nothing¡­ but his mental cogs were turning as his eyes subtly scanned the packed cavity.


    "Who''s the victim?" Liam asked curiously. Pause.


    The crowned frog and six-toothed eel stared at Liam for several seconds, perhaps weighing the benefits and negatives of pulling him into the loop.


    After a couple seconds, they seemed to arrive at a silent agreement. CURRK! N?v(el)B\\jnn


    The crowned frog croaked, and its throat bulged thick. What followed was a disgusting disy of regurgitation, as the frog''s chest rolled something out. At the same time, the six-toothed eel imitated it, waves of its muscle tensing and softening as something was inching its way out of its maw.


    ''What have I walked in on?'' Liam thought, weirded out as the retching and gagging sounds sounded out. ''Am I supposed to vomit something out, too?'' BLERGH!


    GRHSH!


    At the end of it all, the amphibian vomited out a dried out, mummified, mutted Rock Frog corpse. And, simrly, the eel vomited out a mummified Moray Eel corpse. The corpses were coated with a protectiveyer of viscous mucus, courtesy of both the eel and the frog. Perhaps it was their way of storing items, since the corpses, although mummified, were still a full-fledged Rock Frog and Moray Eel. The atmosphere grew heavy. Liam scanned the corpses with his Spirit Sight, finding such a particr killing method strange. Abilities and techniques that allowed their user to drain another person dry like this was notmon. In fact, most belonged to the vampires¡­ but Liam didn''t reckon the ocean housed many of those. Even Liam had just one ability that allowed him to absorb blood, and a major part of his arsenal was based upon his ichor ¡ª the vampiric nails¡­ an old technique, but one he hadn''t bothered upgrading. Maybe he should¡­


    Liam brought himself back to the task at hand, walking over to the corpses and giving them a closer inspection. Just then, his scale-covered tail split in two, wrapping around the corpses and spinning them around. 22:58


    Little bristles with snail-like eyes at the end of them emerged from its surface, which pierced the mummies and poked through them, getting an inside view. The eels and frogs watching felt a pang of shock. What kind of human had the ability to change their body so casually? What kind of human had a tail covered with eyes? What was this thing?


    Inwardly, both parties were grateful a fight hadn''t broken out. Meanwhile, as Liambed through the corpses'' details, he realized a few things.


    There were countless little puncture holes ¡ª each the width of a penny ¡ª across the corpses'' bodies¡­ which Liam could only deduce were the cause of death and drainage. ''Something with spiked tentacles,'' Liam thought. ''Something in either the jellyfish, or the octopus family.'' ''Why are there no traces of pink glitter on them, though? Have they been cleaned out?'' It was clear what this was.


    It was the AG agent. The thing that had taken Liam''s form was the same thing that killed these two fishes. If it could take the form of others so immactely, it had to be a part of the octopus'' family. But to Liam''s eye, he couldn''t actually see if the person who did it was among the twelve fishes present. Even with his Spirit Sight, which allowed him to see what the insides of the fish contained. ''Is it just one person?'' Liam thought. ''Or two?'' There were several questions unanswered!


    "Where''s the princess?" Liam asked the crowned frog and six-toothed eel with a subtle frown. "And who are these two, exactly?"


    There was a pause.


    Both the crowned frog and six-toothed eel tensed. "Answer," Liam growled quietly, losing his patience. A short pause.


    "My son," the eel uttered shamefully. "My child, too," the frog said, and with the same tone as the eel. Despite their literal sons being murdered, the two identified them quite shamefully, as though they weren''t heartbroken at all.


    Liam remained silent with a stony expression, which made the eel and frog ufortable enough to continue.


    "These two idiots orchestrated the kidnapping."

 Chapter 527 Sea Slang

    527 Sea ng


    Liam looked at the corpses again.


    "These two?" he asked. The frog and eel nodded reluctantly, still ashamed.


    "Why are you throwing them under the bus? Aren''t they your kin?" Liam asked the eel and crowned frog.


    They grew confused.


    "What is¡­ under the bus?" the eel questioned, confused. Right. These were still fish.


    Liam had to use sea ng.


    "Why would you throw them to the Unholy Lamprey?" he corrected, and the two understood what he meant. "I have like two hundred children," the six-toothed eel said. "This one was the eldest and the one that caused me the most trouble. I''m happier with him dead, to be honest."


    "Same here," the Rock Frog leader admitted. "Plenty of fish in the sea!" Heughed, and the eel shared a shortugh with him. Theirughs sounded incredibly weird. It was more of a ''kekeke''. "He was nning to overthrow me," the six-toothed eel growled suddenly. "That''s why he kidnapped the princess¡­ knowing they''d send someone like you." "So who killed them?" Liam questioned. "How am I supposed to know!" the eel said exasperatedly. "I can''t interrogate a corpse, can I?"


    Liam gave the eel a frown. "Where''s the princess now?" "Maybe try speaking to the Pink Rosary Quadrant?" the frog cut in with a proposal. "What makes you think they haven''t orchestrated the kidnapping themselves?" Liam''s eyes moved to the frog''s.


    After a second of thinking, he nodded nonchntly.


    "You have a point," Liam said. "I guess I''ll do that."


    The six-toothed eel and the crowned frog nodded their heads, and their pack subtly agreed. But stopped.


    Then, he looked back at the eel and frog with a piercingly dead gaze.


    "There''s just one little thing I have an issue with, though." The pack leaders tensed.


    "And what''s that?" the eel asked. A tense pause.


    "Why do I sense traces of pink glitter on your bodies?" Silence.


    The eel and frog both inspected their bodies, raising their fins and looking at their underside. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Then, they noticed the minute patches of pink glitter, barely noticeable and atomically small. The only reason they even noticed it was because Liam brought their attention to it.


    Judging by the pack''s surprise, even they weren''t aware of it. The six-toothed eel and crowned frog both sighed at the same time¡­ then raised their heads with a deadly re.


    "You had to make this difficult, didn''t you?" the six-toothed eel growled with hostility, its voice cracking and distorted.


    "No point in hiding it anymore," the crowned frog said with a long sigh. WRSH!


    Both the eel and rock frog exploded with spiked tentacles. Liam pivoted his foot and dodged to the side, immediately countering with a sharp vertical swing of his odachi. SHING!


    A tentacle was severed, spurting ck blood. Liam jumped back as another tentacle shot out from his side, which he severed just as fast. SHING!


    After that, there was a terse silence.


    Liam looked forward.


    Both the Rock Frogs and Moray Eels were killed by the sudden attack. Their bodies were pierced by dozens of tentacles, which had emerged from the crowned frog and six-toothed eel''s bodies. A momentter, the tentacle tips hissed, draining the frogs and eels dry and mummifying them. Speaking of which, the two creatures were undergoing a strange transformation. Their rigid skin, initially rock-hard, grew soft and changed color, while their bodies peeled off inyers. After a few seconds, their true forms had been revealed.


    Cuttlefish.


    Everything clicked into ce. Cuttlefish had immacte camouge abilities¡­ far greater than that of an octopus or squid. But the two in front of Liam were a league of their own. They could even replicate the centers of power of another creature, since Liam''s Spirit Sight didn''t spot any differences between them and the Moray Eels or Rock Frogs. Their streamlined bodies were an array of vibrant colors which put rainbows to shame, each of which interchanged in a hypnotizing pattern, including their slitted eyes. A cluster of spike-tipped tentacles covered their maws, which danced with the waves. "So you''re the two losers who impersonated me," Liam said with a frown. "Identity theft is not a joke. Millions of families suffer every year!"


    Silence.


    The joke fell on confused ears. The rainbow cuttlefish''s cast each other a weirded out nce, then looked back at Liam with a hostile gaze. Liam added nothing more and held just his odachi, silenting awaiting the first move.


    Against these two fish, the ck de sufficed. Sharpness was the ideal quality¡­ at least, for now. This was it.


    The Path began when Liam took his first steps. If he wanted to learn about the intricacies of the Path he envisioned, he had to delve deep ¨C either centering his fighting style around what he wished for it to be, or root his mind into what decisions befitted his morbid, vile personality.


    It was¡­ harder than it seemed. Through talking with the Zeniths of the Temple, it was clear that one''s Path manifested on its own ¨C either through constant repetition or painstaking effort, or an enlightenment that shone light on one''s mistakes or strengths. With Liam''s luck, it was probably going to be a mixture of both the former. ''Can''t be enlightened if I have no sanity, can I?'' Oh well.


    Liam gave the two cuttlefish an assessing look. With his acute judgement, Liam ced both at the upper tier of Rank 4. That made them formidable. However, with his Spirit Sight, Liam could also tell they had Paths of their own!


    Except, he was already having trouble understanding the Paths of those abovend, unless the Zenith in question told him personally what it entailed. Sapient sea creatures were much moreplex inparison.


    The cuttlefish looked practically the same, but Liam gave them a name just for convenience sake. The one on the left was Davy, and the one on the right was Jones. "Wait, before I kill you two," Liam said casually, "where''s the princess?"

 Chapter 528 What is Chaos?

    528 What is Chaos?


    Davy and Jonesughed mockingly, not deigning Liam''s question an answer. "You have no idea what you''ve pulled yourself into." "Try to survive." Slowly, their forms turned intangible, fading into the murky waters. They had turned invisible, even to Liam''s Spirit Sight and superior senses. Instantly, Liam pointed his finger at the cave entrance. A robust string of pure ichor shot through his nail, continuing for several seconds, before spreading outward and expanding across the entrance¡­ crystalizing a short secondter. The only form of escape had been plugged. If the two thought they were sly enough to silently disappear, they were gravely mistaken. With that being said, Liam had no clue where the two cuttlefish were! n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    He looked around. Shadow Sense, Shifter Sense, mental energy and Spirit Sight caught no trace of them ¡ª as though they''d gone invisible!


    Maybe if he was abovend the results would be different, but the waters suppressed him quite well. Now, there were several ways to get this fight over with as fast as possible, but each had its own issue.


    One: going berserk and wildly firing spheres of Chaos.


    Issue: a small possibility of his Chaos copsing the underground cavity and creating another escape route for the two cuttlefish. Two: sending Honed shes everywhere in hopes ofnding one. Issue: corruption and darkness were weaker underground, and the cavity wasrge enough for them to simply dodge. Three: wait for them to attack, then pinpoint where they were from there.


    ¡­That sounded the most usible, and most suitable to his personality. A fight wasn''tplete with a little pain. Liam didn''t bother overthinking, but shutting off his brain was never a trait of his, either. Standing idly in ce, with his sword hanging to the side, Liam resembled a grim, brooding statue, radiating cold confidence and unbridled danger. Lumps of filth circled around him, idly through the waters. Silence.


    Pure silence.


    A deathly silent tentacle shot at Liam''s heart and pierced right through. Just as fast, he used Transfiguration to relocate the vital organ to the side. A secondter, Liam felt mes searing his insides, burning him from within with an invisible fire. Liam''s sword shed. A single swing was enough to cleanly sever the invisible tentacle off, abruptly ending the scorching pain.


    From behind, something massive hit Liam full force. Something solid and very strong.


    BOOM!


    He was hurled away with a loud crunch, all the rigid bones in his body shattering. As he smashed against the cave wall, the few bones that remained intact crumbled apart. What strength was this?! It was not normal!


    But neither was Liam''s regeneration ¨C blood and bone quickly reformed his injuries, and he had rebnced himself upright with his sword at the ready. At once, his figure oozed with bright ichor, slowly enrobing him with a set of sleek, demonic, knightly armor. No attack followed. Liam had his back to the wall, his sword clenched, his gaze confident but wary.


    By now, he figured out what it was. If the cuttlefish could change their appearance, they could switch out their physical strengths and even their powers. That sounded familiar¡­


    Didn''t Liam have basically the same power?


    The answer was a quick yes, but the matter wasn''t as simple. Admit allowed Liam to take the form of another creature, but it came with restrictions. He was unable to take another life''s element or innate abilities, nor store them forter or keep them permanently.


    ¡­The cuttlefish were a league above that. They could do exactly that¡­and worst of all, remain utterly invisible to his superior senses, including whatever ability they used in such an intangible state. How sick was that?


    But there was no time for admiration. Heat red at Liam''s right. The ck de changed form as Liam swung instinctively, transforming into the Breaker mid-swing and smashing against the invisible threat. There was no sound, but judging by arge portion of the cave walls melting from sheer heat, he had sessfully redirected whatever invisible attack that threatened to burn him.


    But for every Davy, there was a Jones. Something with the consistency of condensed liquid drilled through Liam''s rear, where his liver was supposed to be. It twisted the flesh and mangled it bloody, but the Breaker transformed into the Dusks, and with their vicious edges crackling with chaos, he repelled the attack and reduced its intensity, then ducking and lurching forward immediately at the direction it came from.


    SHI¡ª An invisible beam of some kind burst from under Liam''s feet, which cracked his knightly armor and ripped off the foot beneath, stopping his charge and interrupting his dual swing. If he had to guess, one of the two cuttlefish had taken a light elemental creature.


    Liam growled in annoyance and used Shadow Blink, regenerating the lost foot and reinforcing his armor. KRSH!


    Somethingrge, heavy and rigid, most likely an earth elemental, smashed against Liam''s head, while something jagged and noxiously corrosive pierced his stomach ¡ª obviously a darkness ability. Disorientation and a semi-crushed skull, a lovelybo.


    Liam fortified his skeleton as a diverse storm of invisible bullets, beams and cuts rained down upon his body, cracking his armor and breaking him apart, repeating the same process over and over again as he regenerated. Was he¡­


    Was he being yed around with?! By a couple of fish with tentacles for mouths?


    Uneptable! Liam used Mind Edge, the cogs of his brain crackling like lightning bolts in all directions. Liam tapped into the Sea of Darkness and spread his awareness through it, resisting the tides of disorientation that flooded his chaotic mind. There had to be a crack, a weakness, in the cuttlefish''s Path. A time limit was too cliche to be true, but everything had a time limit ¨C Liam wasn''t kind enough to let them live for that long. It didn''t sound like the best course of action to follow, but it was¡­ chaotic. ''Am I doing it right?'' Liam asked himself. ''Chaos¡­''


    What is Chaos?


    Was it a force of nature?


    Or was it a state consisting of disarray and havoc? Maybe a vtile, bright red essence that exploded upon Liam''smand?


    Perhaps it was all three at the same time?


    The question was too vast, even for Liam''s 200,000 IQ supeputer brain¡­ but the longest of journeys began with the smallest of steps. ramadan is in 15 days guys, which means that i will have to fast the full month. I''ll write as many chapters as I can and schedule them to upload in theing days, but please do not buy privilege. CovidCandy

 Chapter 529 Conundrum!

    529 Conundrum!


    If the cuttlefish were able to turn their entire bodies invisible, including their elements and individual attacks, they had to sacrifice something in exchange.


    In his superior mind-flowing state, Liam used Shadow Blink to momentarily bring himself to a safe corner of the crevice, then conjured three Shadow Clones in one second, splitting away and camouging two of them with his King''s Eye and blending their forms with the water.


    The third clone, Liam didn''t bother hiding, instead opting to make it seem like it was regenerating its grisly wounds. He even coated it with ayer of hot ichor, adding a touch of realism. Following this, Liam yanked himself into the Sea of Darkness, then stood still, not moving a finger and closing his eyes. He didn''t even think.


    He''d entered a cold,atose state.


    However, he could sense and control what his Shadow Clones did. The visible clone put up a fight against the constant barrage of invisible attacks. But as the fight continued, more and more parts of it were being melted, cut and severed off. Yet the remaining two clones were perfectly safe and undamaged! Granted, they were out of the line of fire¡­ but what stopped the cuttlefish from attacking them?


    Liam understood what.


    Just as Liam couldn''t see the cuttlefish, they couldn''t see him or his clones!


    In fact, their vision was reliant on temperature and color!


    And cuttlefish, even on Earth, were utterly colorblind!


    Thanks to Liam coating the visible clone with his ichor, and hiding himself with ayer of shadows before pulling himself into the Sea of Darkness, the cuttlefish were unaware of his real presence.


    ***


    It didn''t take long for the Shadow Clone to be overpowered. Putting up a fight, itsted a good two minutes swinging his and defending against the tide of damage, before being ripped to shreds by another flurry of invisible threats.


    KRSH!


    Crumbling apart, all that remained of the Shadow Clone was a fleshy interior, further corroded into thin wisps of blood by a final darkness beam.


    What ensued was silence. For several seconds, Liam felt and heard nothing of the cuttlefish. The cave''s exit was closed, but there didn''t seem to be any reaction or urge to escape despite any threat ceasing to exist.


    Some more seconds passed, and slowly¡­ Davy and Jones finally faded into reality, turning corporeal. Both looked thoroughly exhausted, and their rainbowish colors resembled more of a dull white.


    "What the gup was with that guy?!" Davy eximed, wheezing heavily. A maw tentacle of his was ripped off, courtesy of one of the Dusks. "I still thought he was going to regenerate after all that!" Jones was in a pitiful state, his gills struggling for oxygen. "Some sort of vampire, I''m guessing," he wheezed. "Was he one of Gorock''s men? He said he was with the NOCL, though." "Whatever," Davy breathed heavily. "Let''s just retrieve the princess and leave. NOCL is bad¡­ but Gorock is much worse."


    As the two turned towards the crystalized blood-covered entrance, both grimaced. "Right¡­slimy blobface closed it off." "We need to rest," Davy said, visibly sweating. Apparently, fish could sweat underwater. How strange. "She''ll be fine. Theva won''t reach her, and she can''t escape the slime cocoon."


    Jones agreed, and the two closed their eyes in what seemed to be meditation. They were cultivating, judging by the iridescent energies that red across the surface of their white skin.


    Oblivious to two, the shadows a few inches away from them flickered subtly. A thread, coated with shadows, circled around both of them, building upon itself until resembling a loose cocoon. Two invisible humanoid forms helped redirect the loose strings, melting with a corrosive ck substance. A few strings looped around the crevice and hung from the ceiling, connecting to those below and creating an intricate web that only needed to be tightened to be lethal. The sanguine strings continued toyer upon themselves and thicken, until the two cuttlefish felt a strange fluctuation in the water flow.


    Their eyes opened.


    Shock and realization.


    The web tightened.


    Blood.


    ck blood spurted in countless thin streaks as the ichorous threads shed into the cuttlefish''s bodies, directly severing off their maw tentacles and blinding them. The fins on their mantle were also sliced off, and the threads wrapped around their gruesome forms like a tightrope. Just a few inches of flesh were spared on purpose, just in case Liam overdid it and identally ended their lives.


    Liam didn''t intend to kill them.


    Yet.


    Slowly, he emerged from the Sea of Darkness, still wounded and battered. He had purposely stopped his regeneration to hide his presence as effectively as possible.


    What remained of the cuttlefish were just two lumpy, bloody, mangled pieces of flesh, drifting in and out of consciousness. Perhaps they weren''t even aware of what happened. Liam spared a nce at his core, using Spirit Sight to further scan the empty Path within. For a second, he had felt it. A subtle change that brushed past his core. Yet it disappeared just as fast, not a trace of it remaining.


    As of now, his Path was still as empty as ever, manifesting no Qualities whatsoever. ''I was close¡­ but I missed the mark.''


    ''But I''m skipping quite a few steps.'' ''I still haven''t studied ''Ora''.'' Right now, Liam was just testing the waters¡­ no pun intended. If it was as Eyes of Knowledge told him, studying ''Ora'' was a hidden cheat-code to understanding the Qualities.


    ''If I had to guess, I was about to grasp something rted to Chaos¡­ or maybe Pain. Or maybe Blood.'' Liam quickly realized a major issue.


    What was he supposed to start with?!


    There were so many Aspects that Liam would find a connection with¡­ but truthfully, they were quite contradictory. He was insane¡­but patient. He was destructive¡­but he was also a forger.


    He was chaotic¡­but not disorderly. What a conundrum! Nevertheless, it was an issue to worry about at ater date, and after he''d gained a bit of insight on the issue. Liam brought back his attention to the two cuttlefish. It was time to deal with these two frauds.


    N?v(el)B\\jnn

 Chapter 530 Mediator

    530 Mediator


    There were a few things that Liam realized from the two cuttlefish''s brief talk. First, was the location of the Axolotl princess! Although it wasn''t explicit, there were a few keywords that he picked up on. ''Slime cocoon,'' va,'' ''still a few hours left.'' There was just one volcanic structure within the entirety of the Stonehedge Deep, which was located on the furthest boundary of the Quadrant. More likely than not, that''s where the original criminals had used as a hideout. The cuttlefish agents had found them, killed them, then took their forms to throw Liam off their trail. If he had been just a few more minuteste, perhaps they would have gotten away with it. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Perhaps.


    But they didn''t. And now they were bound by his cruel strings, their regeneration unable to heal or repair their disgusting wounds. They looked like tied pieces of chicken awaiting the rotisserie.


    There was also something else Liam picked up on.


    ''Who''s Gorock?'' he thought.


    They seemed afraid of him¡­ or her. Even more so than Bill and his organization. Judging by what they mistook his regeneration as, it probably had something to do with a sea creature with unique blood abilities. Liam pursed his lips. If they were particrly unique, he could track down and give this¡­ ''Gorock'' a visit. Just to ask him a few friendly questions, of course! Not dissect and rip them apart for a closer look!


    Not at all!


    Liam looked at the cuttlefish again. They were slowly waking up from their semi-unconscious state, drifting in and out. Liam gave them a second to get their bearings. Then, he rubbed his hands together, then smashed both their soft heads together.


    BANG!


    Instantly, they woke up dibobted, their eyes filled with shock, dread and confusion, mixed into one convoluted emotion. Liam crouched over them and smiled, their eyes meeting his own. "Who''s the CEO of Aquamarine Global?" Liam asked, still smiling. "Die," uttered Davy.


    "Kill yourself," cursed Jones.


    Both sounded like they were in morbid amounts of pain.


    Despite that, they still mustered the energy to curse him out.


    Liam had that effect on people. "Thought you''d respond as much," Liam said with a sigh. Liam''s right hand twitched. BLRSSHHHH!


    Jones exploded in a glorious spray of red, his innards spewing out like vomit from both ends. Turns out, when they aren''t taking the form of another creature, their base defenses are even weaker than most Rank 3 specimens. Liam didn''t even intend to kill him!


    Well, he did, but he wanted to make it slow and excruciating¡­ not so fast.


    This was fine too, he supposed. Davy''s eyes widened with shock and horror, a cold shiver spreading through his wounded tentacles and ribbon-like fins. "Who''s the CEO of Aquamarine Global?" Liam repeated as the viscera and innards tainted the murky waters. "I don''t know," Davy responded defiantly. "They aren''t one to show their face."


    "How do they order you to do your missions then?" The cuttlefish went silent for a few seconds. Subtly, Liam twitched his finger, and the strings tightened a little further. "Ugh¡­ we¡­ we have a Mediator!" Davy groaned through a bloody mouth, sounding very much in anguish. "I''ve never met them!"


    "Who''s the Mediator?" "A ck Razorfish!" Davy screamed in pain. "What''s his name?"


    "I just told you!" Davy cried. "ck Razorfish?" Liam arched his brow. That was a weird name.


    Of course, he knew the species. They were thin, vertical-swimming fish that resembled thin razors. At least, back on Earth. He had no clue what they looked like here.


    "Mediator! Mediator! He''s called the Mediator!" "Ah, I misunderstood you."


    "Yes, yes! Now end the pain! End the pain!"


    "Wait, I''m not finished yet¡ªwho''s Gorock?" The cuttlefish spasmed and screamed in agony. An aura of death was creeping over him now, dimming the faint light in his eyes. "Gup you!" he cursed.


    Liam sighed, then loosened the strings.


    Confused, Davy''s eyes suddenly shed with horror and dread.


    Liam grabbed him by the head¡­ then began absorbing him! Alive!


    "No!" Davy screamed as his face was sinking into Liam''s flesh. "Stop! Stop it! Stop¡­ sto¨C"


    By the time he finished uttering its final word, which was ''sto'', Liam had absorbed Davy''s mouth and lower body.


    Slowly, his form began to change¡­into a cuttlefish!


    Liam''s hands retracted, his feet sucked back into his body, his lips transformed into a mop of tentacles, his eyes swirled and bent into an ''W'' shape. And his skin was pulsing with waves of rainbow colors. Instantly, he felt the extraordinary shapeshifting abilities that came with the specimen. Contrary to how Liam''s blood transformed in tandem with his body, the cuttlefish''s body alone was responsible for the changes.


    Yet, his core was still the same, and he hadn''t gained the extra core that came with the sea creatures.


    However, he already knew what that was.


    It was a pseudo-core that guaranteed the Seakind to have the water element, along with their true core and spare element. That meant literally every creature in the ocean was a dual elementalist!


    Liam also failed to gain any insight into the cuttlefish''s Path¡­ which was disappointing, to say the least. A momentter, he gradually transformed himself into a Stonefish. Quickly, Liam realized something.


    Although he took their exact form, hecked their defensive abilities! That meant that his skin was still as soft as a cuttlefish''s. "So it was their Path that allowed them to take both the elements and physique, but in terms of everything else, they''re horrible."


    "If I had to guess, it had something to do with Manifestation and Invisibility." "It''s a shame my body can''t scan their Paths, too. Then again, I''d get nerfed again in some stupid way."


    Liam was self conscious about it at this point. Even if he gained an insane power like absorbing other peoples'' Paths, it''d probablye with some stupid side effect¡­ like losing the ability to invent his own.


    ''Right,'' Liam thought, immediately reverting to his original form. A momentter, he kicked his tail and shot towards the crystalized blood gate, shattering it from the center and bursting through the other side. KRSH!


    Liam was making a beeline for the volcano.

 Chapter 531 Rescue

    531 Rescue


    It wasn''t long before he arrived at the volcano site. It resembled more of a pointy crater, with a circr hole at its peak. Instead of churning out red-hot magma, it spewed out thick filth¡­which just so happened to be hotter thanva. It wildly spewed out its dirty magma in intervals, like a throbbing wound which no one bothered to clean. Its peak was awash with the dirty substance, with channels and rivers leading down its surface. This ce was also a magical habitat, despite the natural ugliness one saw wherever one looked. It wasn''t small at all¡­nearly the size of Udd, Liam''s birth ce. Even from roughly 500 meters away, tiny sparks sprayed his way. A bit fell on his skin, sizzling for a second before puffing out without so much as a trace. Liam''s eyes constricted with his Spirit Sight, leaving no patch of ground except that his gaze scanned it thoroughly. He circled around the crater, on the off chance that Davy and Jones might have attached the princess nearby.


    ''They must have done whatever they did with haste, otherwise they wouldn''t have just ''a couple hours'' to retrieve her.'' As he finished up the outward scanning routine, he sighed and made his way towards the peak of the volcano.


    PRSH!


    A beam ofva shot out of its peak.


    Liam dodged to the side and darkness-made scales surfaced on his skin tobat the heat. Slowly, the pir of magma fell back down on the mountain''s surface, like snowfall. As it did so, so did Liam, following just a few inches behind. Then, as it lowered into the hole, Liam lowered himself with it!


    He was inside the volcano!


    And it was hot!


    Very, very hot!


    The waters themselves were bubbling with waves of heat. In fact, his skin was sizzling and slowly burning up, which, of course, his blood worked to reform and regenerate.


    Quickly, Liam looked around. The inside of a volcano was both a dreadful, and beautiful, ce to be in. It stretched as far as the eye could see. Beneath, a sea of brown magma met his watery eyes, dripping off the sizzling walls and forming natural channels which resembled veins. And judging by what his danger senses were telling him, in just a few more seconds, the volcano would wildly surge once more and erupt. And burn him alive.


    In the distance, a dozen or so meters away, Liam spotted an oval shape that blended in with the surroundings. It was flickering in and out, as though weakened by the heat that surrounded it.


    Oddly enough, its protective encasing seemed to repel the heat¡­ but it was getting weaker as the seconds ticked by.


    The tremor shook the volcano violently. The magma was shaking again.


    It was going to explode!


    Liam used Shadow Blink.


    Theva was rising.


    Liam arrived beside the cocoon.


    RSHHHHHHHH!


    Theva below roared as it began surging upward.


    Using his odachi, Liam shed open the cocoon, careful not to cut too deep.


    But with his mastery over the sword, he had no issue doing so.


    As he slit open the cocoon, he saw the princess'' form in the open. Bright pink skin shimmered in his eyes for a brief second, but his gaze didn''t linger for long.


    RSHHHHHHHHH!


    Below, theva was just a few inches away from devouring Liam whole.


    Thankfully, Shadow Blink came in clutch once more¡­ N?v(el)B\\jnn


    And he was out.


    To safety.


    Liam wiped his face and used his darkness to clean off the sweat dripping from him.


    ''To think one could sweat underwater¡­'' Liam threw the thought aside and gave the princess in his grasp a look, in a way that a young father would look at his newly born child.


    She was unconscious, but alive.


    The first thing Liam noticed was the crown on her head, which had a profoundly regal quality. It was adorned with pearls and rubies, and was attached to her scalp. She had no legs, nor any feature that distinguished her from the male gender. Instead, she had three tentacles that stretched outward. ''Eat your heart out, Kisra,'' Liam thought, remembering the teensy crown the Queen of Echoria had.


    Granted, the value between them was the difference between heaven and earth.


    Shimmering glitter dust naturally drifted off the princess'' crystalline red skin, which the murky waters washed away.


    She was uninjured and safe, and he''d done a magnificent job ating at the right time. If he said so himself. ''If her blood''s a delicacy, it wouldn''t hurt to have a taste, would it?'' Liam thought¡­


    But he kept his urges in check. A momentter, he was making a beeline straight to NOCL Headquarters, through the teleportation tform that he''d arrived by.


    A blue hue covered him top to bottom, and a secondter¡ª


    SHING!


    He was back at the NOCL HQ building, with the princess flung over his shoulder. Liam''s eyes fell on Bill¡­who was currently smoking what seemed like a thinly wrapped piece of seaweed, his eyes drooping with calm rxation.


    When Liam abruptly arrived, Bill jolted and instantly threw away seaweed.


    Liam gave him a disapproving, disappointed look.


    "Reap, my friend!" eximed Bill,ughing louder than his usual chuckle. "I wasn''t expecting you toe back so fast! You''ve already finished the mission haven''t you, you absolute madd!"


    Liam said nothing, continuing with his judgemental appraisal of Bill''s party animal demeanor.


    With a disappointed sigh, he threw over the princess'' unconscious body to Bill, who tripped over himself as he gently grabbed her from the crown. He gave Liam a sour look. "She''s a princess, man! Her family is Royal!"


    "And? I have an entire after my head. Tell them to get in line." Silence.


    Bill arched his brow slowly in confusion, then made an exasperated, almost shocked face and sighed.


    "I''ll call over her family," he said, snapping his fingers. SHING!


    A heavily armored humanoid shark that looked like a crossbreed between a bull immediately teleported beside him. It had two white horns on top of its head. Without a word, Bill gave the beast the princess, and the bull shark teleported away. Bill looked at Liam with a honed gaze. "Run me over the details of what you aplished, then I''ll give you what you''re owed."

 Chapter 532 Pandemoniumania

    532 Pandemoniumania


    For the next few minutes, Liam went on a tangent of exining, with perfect rity, the details of the Search and Rescue. He didn''t add anything, nor did he y himself short. There was a slight chance that Bill could find out whether or not he was lying, but Liam honestly didn''t care enough to take the risk. It was a perfect arrangement that worked in his favor. Why ruin it?


    After the exnations were done with, Bill gave Liam a shocked look. "You did all that in under two months?" Liam raised a brow. "It''s been two months?"


    "And you weren''t even aware of it!" Bill pped his knee andughed. "Ah, my friend. I knew it was a good idea to bring you here."


    Liam genuinely didn''t realize the shift in time. Perhaps he was enjoying himself a little too much. Then, Bill''sx demeanor grew serious. "This is a major blow to AG." "You''ve just killed two of their most prized agents¡­ the Hypnotwins." Liam raised a brow and suppressed augh. ''What ame moniker.''


    "There''s going to be repercussions," Bill said gravely. "Once news of this travels back to AG, they''ll want to take revenge¡­perhaps with twice the lethality and force."


    "They''ll send someone over to investigate and ask questions. When that happens, they''ll figure out who did it."


    Liam hummed to himself. "Why didn''t you tell me to wear a disguise?"


    It was a preventable blunder, Liam realized. If he didn''t reveal his humanoid form, he didn''t have to be under any scrutiny.


    "No," Bill said, shaking his head. "Even if you didn''t, they''d know. Although the ocean may seem primitive, it certainly is not."


    "Not sure if you''re aware, but the first inscription master in the known history of cultivation was an Oceanor!" Liam''s eyes widened slightly. He must have missed that part in history ss. Before he could ask, Bill changed the topic.


    "Regarding Aquamarine Global''s response, we still have time until we deal with those peculiarities. I''ll clue you in if anything urgentes up." Bill''s demeanor had taken aplete 180. From a seaweed smoking numbskull to an eloquent professional strictly speaking business. "For now," Bill continued, "tell me what you''d like as a reward." "Do I get a bonus forpleting it four months earlier than normal?" Liam asked.


    "No," Bill said,ughing at the sly attempt to reap in an extra reward.


    ''Cheapskate.''


    "Tell me about what you can provide," Liam asked. "Well¡­it''d be faster to just say what you''re looking for, but I suppose this works."


    "As mentioned before, I can point you to habitats used by individuals looking to explore unique Qualities."


    "I''d warn you now, though, most of them are heavily controlled and require a regr fee to enter, and they charge hourly¡­while the few that don''t have some sort of deadly threat in them no one bothered to, or couldn''t, neutralize." ''I hate capitalism,'' Liam cursed inwardly. ''What happened to anarchy and raging against the system?''


    "Of course, theprehension of Qualities are not restricted just to habitats. Even fighting against a certain foe with specific Qualities could give you insight into them."


    Liam raised a brow. That sounded perfect¡ªkilling and attaining knowledge at the same time. Two birds with one stone.


    It also sounded quite simr to what he did with Davy and¡­well, the Hypnotwins. Although Liam didn''t understand anything specifically, he figured that their Path had something to do with Manifestation and Camouge. "On the other hand," Bill continued, "I can link you up with a person of your interest. Be it an inscription master, forgemaster, or otherwise."


    "Other than that, there are natural resources I can offer you¡­1 kilo of a Rank 5 item, for example." That sounded¡­okay. Rank 5 materials weren''t cheap, and past a certain point, most cultivators didn''t even sell them. Even those that did, often traded for something rather than ask for a sum of wealth. Wealth didn''t matter after bing a Zenith, after all.


    But that wasn''t Liam''s main cause of concern. He had already made an oath to himself to invent a Path unique to him¡­even if that meant twisting his arm and taking the long road. "That''s the gist of my services to you," Bill said with a terse smile. "Of course, if you''d done an even better job, perhaps there''d be more for me to offer."


    Of course, Liam did the best he possibly could. Bill was just pulling his leg, and subtly nudging Liam to ept another job. "I want to know where I can understand the Chaos Quality," Liam said after a short pause. "Whether it''d be by magical location, fighting an individual, or otherwise." That''s what Liam decided to settle on. After all, most of his power stemmed from this one little Quality.


    Chaos.


    And it would be foolish not to give it precedence over the rest. It wasn''t to say that he was neglecting the other Aspects, of course. Starting with Chaos was part of a grander goal, which would help him understand his Pearl, and why it was capable of iming other powers as its own.


    ''In the first ce, Chaos is the name I gave it,'' Liam thought. Its real name was Primordial Essence!


    Perhaps learning about the Qualities of Chaos, Liam would better understand its ''true purpose'', if it had any. "The Chaos Quality is actually not that sought after by cultivators," Bill confessed, then reclined on his chair with a pensive expression. "Why?" Liam asked, genuinely curious. "More often than not, it causes one to go insane and berserk," Bill exined, scratching his chin pensively. "Only those disciplined and hardened enough to work with it could tame its bewildering effects." N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Insanity?


    ''Sign me up!'' Liam thought. "It''s also extremely difficult to get a solid grasp of," Bill added, "as opposed to simpler Concepts like Control and Maniption, like I''m familiar with." That made sense¡­but the case with Liam was vastly different. After all, he spent most of his life practicing, fighting, and killing with his chaos. He was a force of chaos, himself.


    "I can handle it," Liam reassured with a wave of his hand. "Alright¡­" Bill said with a subtle smirk. "There''s a Quadrant by the name of Pandemoniumania."

 Chapter 533 Disciplinary Course

    533 Disciplinary Course


    Pandemoniumania. It was a mouthful, but it rolled off the tongue. Liam listened intently as Bill exined.


    "It''s run by a¡­well, his name should tell you enough about him: Absolutely Stronger Than All. Asta, for short." "The sooner you get used to his screaming, the better." "Is he Rank 5?" Liam asked. "Yes," Bill answered. "But he''s not particrly malicious, so you don''t have to worry." "In Pandemoniumania, you''ll be put through a sort of¡­disciplinary course. For about 10,000 Shellings, you can get the whole experience¡­but you''ll just be given one hour in total. It''s a bit brutal, so don''t say I didn''t warn you beforehand."


    Liam shrugged, stretching his ring finger. Bill waved a hand, transferring an exact 10,000 Shellings into Liam''srgest space ring. SHING!


    And like so, the transaction was done.


    "I''ll head there then," Liam said, rising to his feet. Bill nodded. "When you''re back," he said, "I''ll fill you in on what I''ve been keeping secret. And whether or not you''d want to take it up now orter." Liam nodded, then turned to leave. "Oh, before I forget," Liam said, turning around, "who''s Gorock?" Upon hearing that word, Bill subtly tensed. It was a reflex that would go unnoticed even by the keenest of eyes, but not Liam''s.


    "Ah, that," Bill said with a wary tone. "He''s a dangerous thing, that one. Rules over the Bloodharbor, a small Quadrant neighbor to the Red Line." The Red Line was sea ng for the Unholy Lamprey''s continuous path. From what Bill had told him, even living close to the Unholy Lamprey was not safe. Who could possibly feel safe living beside a Rank 6 creature whose entire power was literally dissolving anything with a soul?


    "Is there anything he''s known for?" Liam asked curiously. Bill scowled lightly. "His nickname is the Ripper, friend," he said with a grave voice. "Hemands a fleet of Blood Piranhas¡­not even the bones remain after they''re done with their vicious ravaging." That sounded formidable. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    But it wasn''t a satisfactory answer. Was that the only reason Gorock was feared?


    ''He''s not telling me something,'' Liam realized, wondering why. ''I''ll find out myself¡­ eventually.'' Bill made a few gestures, and another teleportation tform appeared opposite to the room.


    He smiled.


    "That''d lead you straight to Pandemoniumania. Good luck!" Liam nodded and stepped on the tform. A wave of blue energy enveloped him, and with a sh of blue light, he disappeared.


    As he left, Bill took out another paper of seaweed and began smoking it. Heughed to himself dumbly, imagining the torture that Liam would go through. ***


    As soon as Liam arrived on the other side of the teleportation tform, he felt the waves of water ripple with distant shockwaves.


    It was as if the entire Quadrant of Pandemoniumania was under a relentless siege from all angles.


    As his knees buckled and shook, Liam quickly realized a few things.


    The first was his location. It was clear to him that he was on the outskirts. He was situated atop a ruined mountain peak, covered with countless cracks. It was almost on the verge of copsing. Among that, muffled booms resounded way out in the distance. Liam scanned thendscape. The waters were crystal clear, minus the debris and rocks washing this way and that. Thend itself was a mixture of ck obsidian and grey rock. What he realized next, was that he was definitely under the effect of a Formation. Even standing took mighty effort. If he had to guess, he weighed roughly 137 times his original body weight!


    Liam weighed roughly 67 kilograms, which he could raise and reduce by altering his bodily anatomy.


    67 times 137 equaled¡­ 9179 kilograms! That meant that, at every second, he was pushing up roughly 9 tons. And these tons were not like regr tons.


    They were supported by the natural water pressure that weighed down on him.


    In total, it felt like he was holding up 100 tons of pure metal. Slowly, Liam''s muscles began burning with effort and strain. Ashuran strength came in handy in moments like these. Any regr Zenith would be crushed almost in seconds¡­yet Liam felt like he could edge on a little more. Liam creaked his neck and looked behind¡­just to see crowds and crowds of various sea creatures ¡ª in and not particrly strong, species without any distinctly powerful qualities ¡ª standing expectantly behind a thin, translucent barrier of some kind. Liam squinted and leaned a little forward, as though unbelieving of his gaze. There were thousands there!


    But judging by their carefree,x and simultaneously excited demeanors, they weren''t under the same Formation effects that Liam was. Which meant that the thin barrier acted as a threshold for those who wanted to enter Pandemoniumania, and those that wanted to¡­watch?


    As soon as Liam arrived, they threw him bewildered looks. ''This isn''t a tournament, is it? Not again¡­'' Liam thought, then quickly realized that he was wrong. The thin barrier that separated them acted as a crossing line. Anyone who crossed it met the conditions of participating in Pandemoniumania. These people were just curious onlookers catching glimpses on uing cultivators that may or may not seed whatever¡­this was.


    Most weren''t even ranked cultivators, from the looks of it.


    ''This isn''t another tournament, is it?''


    ''I''m getting sick of those.''


    Except, the more he thought about it, the more he realized that it wasn''t the case. The barrier was just a threshold to keep back unwanted guests who weren''t worthy of handling the mighty Quadrant.


    Just then, a distant figure began approaching Liam. It was a humanoid crocodile, with sharp, reinforced crimson scales adorning its bulky, heavy frame. His scaly jaw was long and pointed, with jagged teeth protruding from its sides. Simrly, his eyes were a sharp shade of vermillion. Liam could feel the creature''s power¡­even from such a vast distance. He considered using Spirit Sight to take a glimpse at the crocodile''s path¡­but stopped himself.


    On their breast was a tiny sigil in the shape of a jaw lined with sharp teeth. It looked like a logo associated with Pandemoniumania itself.

 Chapter 534 Grace

    534 Grace


    As Liam was subtly scanning the creature from head to toe, the crocodile was doing the same to him.


    Perhaps it wasn''t amon sight to see a human Zenith withstand such underwater pressure. At least, not with that dead, nonchnt, and slightly dumb look on their face. "Greetings," the crocodile said, his voice grim and monstrous. "I am Zro. Before you proceed, I must ask you for the entry fee."


    Direct and quick.


    Liam respected it.


    "How much?" Liam asked.


    Obviously, Liam knew beforehand that the price was 10,000 Shellings.


    But he wanted to know if the crocodile would attempt to fleece him for money.


    Hey, it didn''t hurt.


    "Ten thousand," Zro said with a t voice, "for one hour."


    Liam hummed to himself.


    Then, he outstretched his ring finger. "In here," he said.


    The humanoid crocodile nodded, then pointed his own ring finger at Liam''s.


    A thin ethereal energy connected the two, by their own consent, then the exact amount of 10,000 Shellings were extracted out of Liam''s ring.


    Then, Zro cut off the connection.


    "Alright," the massive crocodile said. "I''ll tell you the rules of Pandemoniumania."


    Liam was about to interject, but was interrupted.


    "Don''t worry, this won''t be taken from your time, and they aren''t particrly strict rules." That was exactly what Liam was going to ask. "First, you''re expected to wear this pin," Zro took out a tiny ck needle from his ring.


    If one squinted, one could see intricate lines of etchings lining it from tip to base. Inscriptions.


    "It''s just a small mechanism that disables some powers that go against the rules. Like teleportation, empowered regeneration, and enhanced thinking." That¡­sounded like all of Liam''s best abilities. Oh well.


    Liam took the pin¡­but paused. "Where do I pin it?" he asked. "Clothing''s fine," Zro responded casually, adjusting his ring. "We''ll be sure to remove it right after the course ends." Liam nodded.


    He grabbed the needle and thread it through his sleeve. A secondter, he felt something coil around him.


    It was as though a warm snake had slithered around his very soul, restricting some of his most profound abilities. It reminded him a bit of a Binding Oath. His physical strength and general powers were untouched, though. Then, the crocodile looked towards the distance, and pointed a sharp w at what looked like a red spire, jutting from a faraway teau. "Please head there. It''s the starting mark, and where Asta will instruct you. Thank you for participating in Pandemoniumania." Liam nodded.


    And that was that.


    Liam began swimming towards the red spire.


    From the sides, he could actually see a few vague figures doing the same. They were all converging on the red spire.


    Honestly speaking?


    He had no clue what to expect.


    He was going on a whim here. Maybe this was a bad idea¡­ n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    After all, what could he expect from a guy named ''Asta'' of all things¡­


    Oh well. ''Let''s see where this goes, I guess.''


    Slowly, the spire was growing in Liam''s vision.


    And so was the teau.


    And so were the destructive booms that echoed from every corner of the ce. It came to a point that each second¡ª


    BOOM!


    ¡ªa boom would¡ª


    BOOM!


    They happened way out in the distance, away from view. At that point, the waters grew hazy, and even Liam''s King''s Eye couldn''t prate through. Before long, he had arrived at the red spire.


    It was a giant, twisting tower of stone, which seemed to have some sort of magical power that caused it to pulse with red energies. ''It has no special ability as far as I can tell.''


    ''It''s just shiny rock.'' A small but powerful crowd surrounded him, numbering seven. Each of them had a few ring features that Liam recognized, which sharply stood out to him.


    They all looked like caricatures and utter crazies. Disproportionate body parts, giant fists, long arms, mutted skins, mismatched eye colors, mismatched eyes, and much more. The sea creatures at this Quadrant looked like dark experiments gone wrong. One was a hammerhead shark with their hammerhead shaped vertically, and not horizontally.


    However, it was very clear to Liam that they had one thing inmon. A murderous, bloodthirsty intent deep rooted in them. It practically tainted the waters dead. At least, to his eye. Even now, Liam was getting red at fiercely. Out of everyone, though, there were just three people who Liam deemed rtively strong. The weirdest, and the one that looked most out of ce, was a blonde, long haired, mboyant looking woman that seemed to favor beauty, grace and style over power and efficiency. In every sense of the word, she looked¡­colorful.


    Her aqualine eyes were sharp and pronounced, with long eyshes that glistened like diamonds, despite being submerged in water. She wore a long, morous cream dress that floated around her like a halo and glittered like the night sky.


    Liam creased his brows. He could tell she was strong through her delicate but firm aura. However, Spirit Sight was disabled, and he couldn''t peer any deeper than the surface. However, those present were more confused. ¡­What was a fashion model doing here, of all ces?


    If Liam had to guess, her Qualities would probably consist of Grace, Beauty and maybe Awe, judging by how smug she carried herself, and how unnaturally resplendent she was, even by cultivation standards. But one had to realize the difference between smugness and arrogance.


    Smugness was just knowing you were better, but without looking down at others.


    Arrogance was the opposite. This one was smug. Not arrogant, judging by how she shed a delicate but nonchnt smile at those who viciously red at her.


    It had to be said that Liam had no clue whether or not those Qualities ¡ª such as Awe, Grace or Beauty ¡ª even existed. He was spitballing whatever came to his sick little mind, but if the rules of cultivation were as he thought, everything could be a Concept, Law or Quality.


    Even smells. Paths were vast. That meant, possibly, somewhere out there in the cultivation world, a funny little character was making his opponentsugh to death.


    We back. I''ll do my absolute best to get the uploads on track :D.


    Bear with me :).


    CovidCandy

 Chapter 535 World Destroyer

    535 World Destroyer


    The other two were equally weird. One looked like a crossbreed between a mantis and a human, with spiky green hair and circr, bug-like green eyes. Craziest of all, his arms were a pair of grim scythes that curved inward, and even rivaled Liam''s ck de in terms of sharpness! That alone made the mantis quite dangerous. Then, Liam scanned thest one of the three. This was the strongest one of them all.


    And it was¡­


    A glob!


    A literal glob of translucent, viscous ck-red slime with a single eyeball in the center of its ''face''. And yet, Liam still felt a strange, mysterious feeling around the thing.


    Its eyeball flicked left and right, swimming through its liquidy mass to scan other participants. ''It could be a pill or inscription to keep their real identity hidden,'' Liam realized.


    Humans had the sea of consciousness, but that didn''t necessarily mean the sea was behind in terms of proficiency, expertise and ability. As the glob''s eyeballnded on Liam''s figure, it paused. Their gazes connected. WHOOM!


    Liam felt the intensity of the glob''s prating gaze. Had it been anyone else, he probably would have begun sweating.


    But he was not anyone else.


    After barely a second, the eyeball moved away and became idle. ''Weirdo,'' Liam thought, scoffing. Liam himself found it strange how nothing had begun yet.


    Suddenly, a booming voice echoed from above:


    "WELCOME TO PANDEMONIUMANIA!" ***


    Liam''s ears almost burst, but he cupped his hands around them halfway through the shout. Creaking his head, he looked above¡­to see a white haired, bare chested man with chiseled muscles staring fiercely at the crowd present. Veins popped in his twitchy, wide eyes. It was as though he was born with his eyes open, staring at everything fiercely. Strangely, his pupils were discolored. The left was ck, and the right was white!


    His white hair was actively pulling itself in different directions, as though an electric current ran through each strand. The man''s aura was an utter mess. It raged at times, ring with various energies, then reverted to a docile and calmed state in quick intervals.


    "BUCKLE UP! WORDS, INTRODUCTIONS AND WASTING TIME IS NOT HOW ASTA ROLLS. ASTA GOES HARD, AND NEVER SOFT!"


    Liamughed under his breath as a certain joke entered his head. He also found it weird how Asta spoke in third person like an idiot, and that his voice was unbearably obnoxious.


    "GET SET! GET READY! IN JUST THREE SECONDS, ASTA WILL BEGIN BEGINNER COURSE FOR BEGINNERS." The faces of those participating suddenly got serious, while others grew nervous and anxious.


    mboyant Woman, Mantis, and Glob ¡ª the three nicknames that Liam gave the strongest ¡ª had resolved expressions. Glob didn''t really have a face, but his slimy figure perked up a bit. Liam himself braced for whatever was toe. The crazy looking Astaughed loudly.


    "LET THE GAMES BEGIN!"


    Upon his words, the spire exploded.


    In mere seconds, the fragments of red rock scattered in all directions, each remnant the size of a grain of sand. From afar, one could very much call the view beautiful, as it looked like a glowing firework underwater.


    Some of it even stuck to Liam''s body. Liam looked around with a confused glimmer in his eyes. As did a few others.


    They had no idea what was going on.


    However, some looked like they were preparing for something.


    They''d definitely experienced the course once before. Liam furrowed his brows. But a momentter, there was a sound.


    The sound of something waking up.


    Something big.


    Very big.


    Liam looked left.


    There was nothing there.


    Liam looked right.


    There was nothing there.


    Liam looked up, and there was Asta, a giant, excited grin on his crazy face. Then, Liam looked down.


    And there it was. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The teau was moving.


    At least, a portion of it was.


    Slowly, it raised into the water. Then, it began to shake violently. Liam watched as chunks of stone andyers of dust washed away from the surface of its body. Slowly, its form grew visible. "HIS NAME IS WORLD DESTROYER, AND WORLD DESTROYER IS ASTA''S BEST FRIEND. DO NOT GET EATEN OR ZAPPED! IF YOU DO, YOU WILL BE FORCEFULLY REMOVED, AND ASTA WILL NO LONGER LIKE YOU!"


    "NEITHER WILL WORLD DESTROYER!" Liam''s eyes shone with amazement as he saw what came out of the teau. At the fifth Rank, magical beasts almost always had some sort of unique appearance that distinguished them from the inferior creatures. What Liam saw was something that closely resembled the megalodon from earth, with key differences. Firstly, the World Destroyer was covered with rigid scales that resembled peacock feathers. Butcking beauty, it made Instead of having a normal shark tail, a coge of long, kraken-like tails bloomed from its back, lined with spiny bones that crackled with red electricity. Their tips resembled hooks made to snatch prey¡­ and make them suffer. It had two slits on the sides of its head that glowed red ¨C eyes thatcked pupils. Some of the participants who were participating in the Beginner course for Beginners visibly paled. And even those who experienced the course once before had their heart rates rise a beat. One had to remember that all of these people were Zeniths.


    And they weren''t below average, or even average cultivators.


    Physically, they had strength beyond the norm. Plus, they were exploring a Quality that wasn''t exactly the safest, or easiest to learn.


    In short, they were experts.


    And now, they were paling.


    Liam''s interest was piqued.


    As the World Destroyer arose, it gently began sniffing the air. As bits of the glowing red rock neared it, the megalodon opened its massive jaw ¡ª filled to the brim with all kinds of horrendous teeth ¡ª and began to swallow it in mouthfuls. Quickly, Liam realized something.


    ''It''s blind,'' he thought with surprise. ''The rock was its food.'' Liam took another look at himself, and all the other participants with a look of funny realization.


    Heughed.


    ''And now, so am I.''


    sry for not uploading yesterday. Was sick


    CovidCandy

 Chapter 536 Discord

    536 Discord


    As it continued sniffing the waters, World Destroyer''s nose eventually led to him raising his head at the participants. There was a pregnant pause¡­


    BOOOOM!


    ¡­followed by a sudden, upward burst of speed from the megalodon. A sight dreadful enough to make any man shiver. Fierce waves were sent in all directions. Everyone scattered like the shrapnels of a grenade. Liam made sure to stay close to one of the weaklings as the people split.


    Totally not to use him as a sacrificialmb. Of course not! The World Destroyer whipped its tails and propelled itself forward, lurching wildly at the closest participant. However, instead of trying to kill them using its jaw, lines of electricity crackled between its armor links, growing in intensity as it charged towards the tail.


    VMM! VMMM! VMMMMM!


    As it reached its peak, the tails conjoined together, then sted one powerful, ghostly bolt of lightning that seemed strangely corporeal.


    KROSHHHHH!


    Time felt slow.


    As it was, the mboyant Woman was the closest to the creature. And the bolt of lightning was heating the waves of water as it made its way towards her.


    However, instead of evading away or fearing for her life, she simply shed a smile!


    She took a stance.


    In an instant, she extended her arms, her palms open and softer than silk.


    With graceful, almost beautiful movements, she simply¡­


    Made contact with the bolt of lightning with her finger tips, then proceeded to pivot her foot around and twirl, as though it was part of a tranquil dance.


    For a split second, those watching felt a pang of awe. How was such a thing even possible? Wasn''t the creature Rank 5?


    How could she make bare contact with it despite the difference in strength? "ASTA IS IMPRESSED!" Asta bellowed with madughter.


    What Liam saw was different.


    His eye could see a faint, transparent energy coating the woman''s hands and body.


    But as it was, some of that red lightning broke through it.


    Although it didn''t seem like it, the woman was definitely in pain, and her arms were subtly shaking.


    But that wasn''t the issue.


    Awe quickly turned into dread when those watching realized what the mboyant Woman intended to do with the lightning attack. She wasn''t redirecting it for no reason! She was redirecting it towards someone! When her eyes opened, she shed another smile. A little malicious smile.


    "WATCH OUT!" Asta screamed,ughing. She had found her target!


    And who was this target?


    Who else?!


    It was Liam!


    In one fluid motion, the stylishdypleted her motion, causing the bolt to shoot at Liam in a beeline.


    The weakling beside Liam grimaced deeply, thinking the bolt was meant for him.


    But Liam knew better.


    He was targeted because she knew Liam was a threat.


    As the weakling beside Liam ¡ª the vertical-faced hammerhead shark ¡ª attempted to swim to safety, a firm gripnded on the creature''s shoulders.


    The shark immediately turned around with both a panicked and vicious look, only to see Liam smiling gently at him.


    Liam winked.


    Then, he was seized.


    ¡­And used as a shield against the bolt of red lightning.


    KRSHHHH!


    It struck the hammerhead shark square in the chest, violently crackling across his entire form.


    "DIRTY, DIRTY, DIRTY! BOOOO!"


    Despite Asta''s childish chant, no one said it wasn''t allowed.


    However, it was here that Liam realized this lightning was not real lightning. As soon as it struck, it caused no damage to the hammerhead''s physical body! If it was real lightning, he would''ve been turned into a crisp.


    Instead, it shot through the shark!


    Part of the strike passed through Liam.


    By the time he had used the weakling as a shield, he maintained contact with him even when the bolt hit.


    He had avoided the majority...but some was unavoidable.


    Neurotoxins.


    That''s the closest feeling that Liam could rte the lightning strike with as sparks popped around him.


    It felt like a lethal, quick acting poison.


    It seeped through his skin.


    Then found his nerves.


    Then it spread like lightning.


    In mere seconds, Liam''s senses were going haywire!


    He grimaced.


    But his Transfiguration was dead.


    He had to endure this raw.


    And the more he tried to resist, the worst it got!


    It felt like his nerves were being entangled!


    Whenever Liam moved his arm towards the right, it moved towards the left, or some random direction!


    And when he tried to move it towards the left, it moved towards the right!


    And it was like this for his whole body!


    In some video games back on Earth, there was a certain crowd control ability that caused its victim to suffer from confusion and disarray. To an extent, this is what was happening to Liam! n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ...And the hammerhead shark was the same! Since he suffered the brunt of the attack, even his eyes weren''t under his control, let alone his limbs. As the milliseconds passed, it looked as though both Liam and the hammerhead were fighting with an invisible opponent made out of vines, cords and strings.


    The more effort Liam exuded, the more ridiculous he looked at trying to resist the pressure.


    And the poor hammerhead was having a seizure.


    Not to mention... the World Destroyer was still shooting bolts of lightning at other participants!


    Sadly, no one was hit.


    By the time Liam was attempting to cure his disarray, the megalodon had failed to catch anyone other than him. But no thanks to the devilish participants, the megalodon was being led to Liam''s side!


    The armored monolith was swimming towards Liam with a hungry, toothy smile.


    Liam grimaced.


    This wasn''t part of the n.


    What was he supposed to learn here?


    Frustration?!


    Disgust?!


    Anger?!


    Except... there was no solution to this problem. All of Liam''s powers were sealed. However, his Shadows, mental energy and a few other powers were not.


    So... what was the issue?


    ...He still couldn''t use them!


    The electricity had not only sent his physical body into utter chaos, it did so with his powers, too. Darkness, Chaos, White Matter, Corruption, mental energy... it had all gone full retard.


    The shark was just ten seconds away.


    With a subtle frown, Liam closed his eyes and began moving his entire body, all at once¡­ which, due to the disarray, made it seem as though he was drowning.


    Everyone else was inwardly mocking Liam and the hammerhead.


    ¡­But Asta''s smile grew a little wider.

 Chapter 537 Fairy

    537 Fairy


    Nine seconds.


    As Liam struggled with his entangled powers, he slowly came to a realization that his movements weren''t entirely random.


    Eight seconds.


    There was a pattern involved.


    Seven seconds.


    The more Liam moved each muscle, all at once, even his eyes and toes. Six seconds. The growls of the megalodon''s stomach could be heard now.


    Five seconds.


    Liam increased the intensity of his movements. From one point of view, he looked uncannily possessed.


    Four seconds. The more he continued moving, the more the disarray and confusion grew a little clearer!


    Three seconds. In reality, it wasn''t decreasing!


    Two seconds.


    It was as though a very intricate set of locks were being opened one by one ¡ª with each unlock, Liam regained normal movement.


    One second.


    By the tenth second, the megalodon was so close, Liam could smell its breath with his enhanced nose. But by the tenth second, he had already gained full control of his entangled body ¡ª in a split second, he whipped out the Breaker and smashed it across the World Destroyer''s hull-like nose. CLAAAAAAAANNNNGGG!


    An ear splitting echo spread through the waves, ravaging the waters. The attack did nothing serious.


    All it did was dibobte the shark for barely a second. But in that one second, Liam was out and back to safety, letting the World Destroyer shoot past towards the other cultivators. "WELL DONE! YOU ARE SMART! PERHAPS YOU MAY PASS THIS COURSE? MAYBE!"


    Liam steadied himself. He was still under the effects of the disarray bolt. But he finally figured out how to regain control.


    It was as though his body was rerouted, and he was ying with someone else''s controls. mboyant Woman eyed Liam dangerously. Despite being under such dangerous conditions, Liam still survived!


    Liam sent her a chilling look. Then, he smirked a tiny, almost unnoticeable bit. The woman felt a slight shiver run through her spine. That smile meant one thing. ''I''ll pay you back.''


    Then, Liam shifted his gaze away and looked back at the massive shark, shooting stray bolts of lightning everywhere. ''How do we ''defeat'' this thing?'' Liam thought, staring at the participants that looked like they were the most experienced. They had to know something.


    But as of now, they were just biding their time and evading shots of lightning, making sure to stay as far and wide away as they could from Asta''s pet. As of now, Liam had two choices. Choice one: imitate what the experienced ones did. Choice two: go crazy and wreck everything.


    What did Liam choose?


    Well, that''s obvious. He chose the safest and most stable path to¡ª


    Choice two!


    As everyone hectically swam away from the World Destroyer¡­ Liam was rushing towards it!


    Breaker in hand, he had a very vague outline of what he wanted to do. In short, it was causing as many issues for the strongest participants, like the mboyant Woman, Glob, and Mantis.


    If sabotage was perfectly allowed, it made sense to get rid of the big dogs first.


    And that''s what Liam was doing.


    He had no clue!


    But he had a huge sword made from dragon scales, and enough strength to wrestle a dragon. Or in this case, a megalodon. ¡­Which is exactly what he did. Just as the World Destroyer sent a bolt of lightning straight at Mantis ¨C who simply split the electric attack in half ¨C Liam managed to propel himself onto the creature''s armored spine, lodging the tip of the Breaker into one of the cracks as a crutch to resist the rapid speeds the shark swam at.


    Then, he made the Breaker transform into the ck de, causing it to prate even deeper into the shark''s thick flesh. "ARE YOU CRAZY? YOU ARE CRAZY! YOU ARE!" Asta bellowed from above. At this point, Liam was getting wide-eyed, incredulous looks. Thrashing violently, the World Destroyer grew even more agitated and furious. Screeching, it flung its tails wildly. Like a cowboy riding a wild bull, Liam held on and didn''t dare let go.


    As the seconds passed, Liam realized something.


    Whenever Liam lodged his Breaker sword through the shark''s armor, it moved in that particr direction. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Liam''s sword had be a joystick for controlling the shark! That made a huge grin form on Liam''s lips. He didn''t know why¡­ But his sword had probably pierced something vital. Lucky.


    And now?


    Now, revenge.


    The first thing Liam did was make the megalodon make a sharp curve. WHOOM! Liam shed a quick smile at one person.


    The mboyant Woman.


    Right now, it looked as though her mask of grace and confidence was threatening to crumble. Well¡­ Liam didn''t me her. There weren''t many that could keep calm when charged by a Rank 5 beast¡­ well, maybe other than Liam himself.


    "Dodge this, you filthy casual!" Liam screamed andughed as the World Destroyer was moments away from gorging the woman away from existence.


    WHOOOOOM!


    A sudden burst of energy exploded around the woman, swirling around her like a tide of intensely colorful mes. Immediately, her aura changed, turning colorful and almost otherworldly. She had be a fairy, sprouting ssy, moth-like wings from her shoulder des and gaining anotheryer of grace and style.


    Yet, strangely enough, it didn''t seem like she became more dangerous. Just¡­ more beautiful and lithe. What happened next, would forever teach Liam not to judge a book by its cover. Just as the megalodon opened wide to swallow the mboyant one, the woman made a rising gesture with her hand. Almost immediately, the shark''s swimming direction bent, rising alongside her gesture. A secondter, she raised another hand, then made a sharp twisting motion with both arms. KRSHHHHHH! KRK! KRK! KRK! Like a wet rag cloth, the World Destroyer twisted across itself, cracks forming throughout its rigid exterior. Clearly not enough to kill it, but to considerably weaken its entire structure. ''That''s just stupid,'' Liam cursed, attempting to bnce himself on the shark''s back. Wasn''t she Rank 4?


    Why did she have an ability more suitable for Rank 5s? Though, despite Liam remaining on its back, the wondrous attack didn''t reach him ¨C everything had its limits. But Liam''s sword was beginning to slip off, and he had no time to fawn over what just happened. Just then, the megalodon began charging once more.


    im very sorry for this very idiotic upload schedule. I''ve recently found out my iron levels are 88... it''s supposed to be 350 XD CovidCandy


    Creator''s Thought

 Chapter 538 Chaos, not Chaos

    538 Chaos, not Chaos


    Seeing as the World Destroyer was somewhat injured, and he likely wouldn''t get an opportunity like this again, Liam had to decide between riding the megalodon, or abandoning it. ''Alright,'' Liam thought. ''I''ll save this beef forter.'' ''This is still the first course.'' In a split second, the ck de transformed into the Breaker, then exploded in a devastating burst of darkness. KRSH!


    If the explosion was done in any other way, it wouldn''t have caused significant damage.


    But since it was lodged between the megalodon''s scales, it instantly cracked through arge patch of armor. Plus, the attack was amplified, since Liam waited until the shark''s lightning charge was halfway through, causing a chain of explosions that ran across the World Destroyer''s spine and tails due to the disrupted charge. "WORLD DESTROYER! NOOOO!" Asta screamed, tears streaming down his face. "HOW COULD YOU?" he pleaded.


    Watching from afar, the dumbfounded participants found this to be the strangest course run they''d experienced so far. But an opportunity had appeared.


    The World Destroyer was momentarily stunned, though it seemed more pissed than ever. An injured, bleeding lion made even the monkeys brave. As a collective, Glob, Mantis, mboyant Woman and all the weaklings rushed to bombard the World Destroyer with everything, kitchen sink included. Mantis, with his insane speed and scythe-like arms, danced around the megalodon, shing through cracked scales and vulnerable spots. To the naked eye, all one would see of him was two thin streaks.


    Glob''s way of attacking was¡­ amazing, quite frankly. Beams of red energy shot from its eye, and its gooey flesh split off, coating the World Destroyer''s scales. When the energy rays collided with the slime, it ignited, bursting into thick, inextinguishable mes.


    Obviously, the weaklings didn''t have abilities as shy and amazing as these two. They consisted of simple strengthening powers that amplified the power of one''s strikes, and the shockwaves that resulted from them. As such, the scene ahead was a brutal, one sided beatdown, akin to someone getting jumped. But since Liam and the mboyant Woman had reduced the megalodon to that state, they simply remained behind. Liam felt his Path.


    Within it?


    A tiny sliver of multicolored energy!


    Unevenly circr in shape, it was barely the mass of a hair strand, and it looked on the verge of falling apart. It wasn''t red, contrary to what Liam expected. It was a mix of violet and orange, and seemed even more vtile than Liam''s own Chaos.


    With his sheer grit and ''Ora'' Maniption, he held it together for a deeper inspection as the rest of the participants took care of the megalodon. ''It''s¡­ Chaos,'' Liam realized. ''Except¡­ not like mine.'' It was Chaos¡­


    But not Chaos? n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Hmm¡­


    Now, how did that make sense exactly?


    Liam took a deeper gander at what made his Chaos different to the one in his Path. Except, since his Spirit Sight and Mind Edge were sealed, he couldn''t take a deeper, more scientific look.


    Unfortunately, Liam''s control over the energy slipped, causing it to crumble apart and dissipate into nothingness.


    Liam took a deep breath.


    This was going to take some time, wasn''t it?


    Going through such a chaotic mess of a situation paved the way for Liam to understand what Chaos was for a split second. ''Patience, young one,'' Liamforted himself. ''Patience¡­'' "What''s your name?" said the mboyant Woman, appearing beside Liam. "I''m Siliviar." Liam shot her a cold gaze. She was not in her ''fairy'' form anymore, reverting to her previous appearance. At the same time, she looked a little paler, weaker and less graceful. "Royce."


    Liam found no reason to lie.


    But the name ''Liam'' was much more famouspared to his noble lineage counterpart, and it''d be wiser for him not to say it. It literally made no difference. That''s how little the noble families influenced the outside world. Funny how that worked.


    mboyant Woman ¨C now known as Siliviar ¨C hummed to herself in interest. "Is this your first time participating in this course?"


    "Yes," Liam answered, not even looking at her.


    "Interesting. To think you''d do so well on your first try. I reckon you have a strong affinity with Chaos, darling." Silence.


    "Okay."


    Siliviar''s tone was natural, as if they weren''t attempting to kill each other five minutes earlier. For the first time, Liam nced at her. "Why are you here? Shouldn''t you be at a beauty pageant?" Siliviar scoffed yfully. "Don''t be crass, dear. I''m not here to learn this barbaric Concept ¨C I''m here to counter it." Liam paused. That was the first time he''d ever heard something like that. Learning a Concept to counter it? That sounded ingenious! But the conversation ended there. Both Siliviar and Liam remained quiet and shifted his attention to the megalodon. An entire minute of chained attacks rained down upon it, stripping away its armored flesh and tearing through its insides. Asta shed tears silently¡­but did nothing to stop the rampage. After a few lousy attempts at defending itself with stray bolts of lightning and wild thrashing, the World Destroyer let out one final screech, before shriveling into itself like a turtle huddling into its shell. Tense silence.


    The attacks stopped once the shark stopped moving, but no one let their guard down. In fact, they seemed even more on edge than when the shark was alive.


    Was it even dead?


    Three seconds passed.


    A hissing noise faintly gained volume from within the shar¡ª


    BOOOOOOOOOM!


    It was just a split second that Liam used any defenses he could use. But as the shockwave spread through¡­ There was no pain.


    There was nothing at all!


    Liam opened his eyes.


    ''...The explosion was a prank, wasn''t it.''


    Like shreds of burning paper, the remains of the World Destroyer''s corpse crumbled into stony ash, falling to the sea floor where it emerged from.


    Then, it merged with it, bing the teau! Liam didn''t know what he just witnessed. ''Formations, Inscriptions, Alchemy or a Path?'' Liam realized. ''They''ve made something simr to a Blood Bond¡­'' "WELL DONE!" Asta screamed, no tears or sadness visible on his face, reced with vibrant happiness. "YOU PASSED THE FIRST STAGE. IT IS ACCEPTABLE. BUT YOU LOSERS FORGOT SOMETHING CRUCIAL!"


    Silence.


    Faces twisted in confusion.


    "What did we miss?" Mantis questioned curiously. His voice was incredibly nasally, and sounded like a horde of wasps buzzing together.


    A second of silence.


    Asta grinned viciously.


    "FIND OUT YOURSELF!" he screamed. "ONTO THE NEXT STAGE!"

 Chapter 539 Focus

    539 Focus


    As soon as the words were announced, Asta pped his palms together, unleashing a massive shockwave that rippled through the Quadrant.


    WHOOOOOOM!


    Wherever the shockwave passed, the environment transformed. Liam watched in awe as everything turned a space-ck color, as if they had entered a void of nothingness. The more he observed, the clearer it became that this entire ce was crafted by an expert Formation Master.


    Initially, enrolling in the Beginner''s Course of Chaos for Beginners didn''t seem like a wise decision to Liam. The course title sounded crude, Asta seemed like an idiot, and he doubted he''d gain much from it. While his skepticism remained, Liam had to admit he had gleaned some benefits even from just passing the first stage.


    One major insight was realizing he could counter other Paths by studying them. Initially, he worried this might taint the purity of his own Path, but then he had an epiphany: studying something was different from learning and implementing it. After all, on Earth, thirteen years were spent studying various subjects, most of which were forgotten over time anyway.


    As the environment finished transitioning to the void, an unnatural coldness seeped into Liam. He nced at his hand, watching frost spread from his fingers up his arm. Using a mixture of ''Ora'' and corrosive darkness, he fought off the freezing temperatures until they became barely bearable. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    ''My body still feels stiff,'' he thought, shaking his arms and kicking his feet. A quick scan revealed the other participants were suffering simrly, each battling the cold in their own way. They looked even more scared than before. There was nothing scarier than being in an unknown, dangerous ce, stripped of your greatest powers, and significantly weakened.


    ''Is this part of the Formations around here?'' Liam wondered. ''It has to be.'' Asta''s shouting grabbed Liam''s attention.


    "THIS IS THE CHAOS POCKET. SURVIVE AND SUFFER!" That was all he said before shing a small smile and being engulfed by the void''s darkness.


    WHOOM.


    Asta disappeared entirely. "I hate this person," Silivar muttered under her breath, looking pissed. "And I hate this part even more." "At least you have some sort of witchery,dy!" From a distance, Mantis spoke for the first time. His fast voice was scratchy, and his tone wasced with sarcasm. He smiled wryly, raising his scythe arms, then shouting:


    "I''m paper thin!" Liam raised a brow. Contrary to her droll reaction, and Mantis'' weird addition, others seemed quite happy. Cocky grins spread across their faces. Suddenly, they began taking out heavy pieces of bulky armor from their storage devices, putting them on and reinforcing themselves. The majority of those items were one time use¡­ These people came knowing what to expect!


    That exined why they were so giddy and smug about it. ''Is that why they''re so excited?'' Liam scoffed. ''Aren''t they here to learn?'' Liam felt disgusted at their stupidity. Since his emotional spectrum was very limited, Liam felt no sense of excitement or unease. He would feel the same strolling through a beautiful garden, or a battlefield strewn with bloodied corpses.


    But disgust¡­


    Disgust he could feel perfectly.


    One second passed, then two.


    On the third, a popping sound, simr to pop rock candy crackling over a wet tongue, faintly grew in volume around the void.


    It echoed with faint shockwaves, growing closer and closer. Far away, Liam spotted pink explosions rapidly approaching, like a series of cluster bombs going off. And it wasn''t on just one side of the horizon! The entire void was closing in with the bright red explosions!


    Just then, Liam quickly realized why Silivar and Mantis hated this part, and why the others apparently loved it. This was just raw suffering with no skill involved whatsoever! The strength behind those explosions were simr to an upper-tier Rank 4 attack. Not to mention, it held enough force to bend the void''s dark fabric. Liam''s natural defenses mostly consisted of using his hardened Blood and mercurial shadows to cover himself. But¡­ both of these were sealed. Liam was more or less defenseless. Of course, this wasn''t counting his natural regeneration and incredible speed.


    But the chilling frost had dulled both to a pathetic degree. Liam clicked his tongue.


    At this point, the courageous participants had stacked themselves up withyers uponyers of protection.


    As though preparing for the winter cold. Silivar coated her figure with ayer of her magical energy.


    Mantis'' scythe-arms grew even thinner, and his already thin physique transformed into a thinner frame. On the other hand, Glob''s viscous interior had hardened slightly, leaving one to wonder the true extent of the creature''s abilities. Nothing at all. By now, the explosions were close enough that Liam could feel their reverberations echoing through his skin and body.


    ''Chaos isn''t barbaric,'' Liam thought with furrowed brows, looking at the dumb, deformed and vicious-looking participants. As the explosions filled his vision, Liam just¡­ closed his eyes and simply spread his arms.


    ''It''s just painful.'' BOM! BOOM! POP! BOM! BM! BOOM! POP! BOM! BOOOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOOOOOOOOM!


    The closest description to what Liam felt like right now, was being shoved through a human grater.


    Bones broke instantly. His spine ligaments shattered, digging into his heart and tearing through muscle. Within his sea of consciousness, the walls of his mental sphere rumbled uncontrobly, while his mental waves gushed like a raging sea.


    Liam was caught in the center of a storm, and he was powerless. He didn''t resist.


    He didn''t push it back at all.


    In fact, he wholly epted it.


    If one had a closer look at Liam''s mental sphere, they would notice something odd.


    A small, tiny patch of his mental waves were strangely still. Sure, now and again, it would tremble and quake, but usually, it steadied itself and quickly recovered.


    This was where Liam''s consciousness had retreated into!


    The Rank 4 sea of consciousness was like several brains stuffed into one. What Liam had basically done was momentarily sacrifice brain power for stability. But this little consciousness could not form coherent thoughts.


    Nor could itmand Liam''s body.


    Then¡­ what was the point of it, in the first ce?!


    The answer was simple ¨C it was focused entirely on Liam''s Path!


    yo, writing the next chapter. I''ll try to get it out by tonight. Sorry about all of this dy. Exams are in a few days, so I''ll get those done with, and do my best to get uploads back on track. FR this time

 Chapter 540 Flower of Death

    540 Flower of Death


    BOM! BRSH! BOM! BOOM BOOM! BOM! BOM! BOOM! BOOOM! BOOM!


    The explosions continued. To the outside eye, one would just see a disfigured, broken ragdoll being hurled from one side of the void to the other. Other than the small patch of mental energy, Liam''s sea of consciousness was a mess. Any time a crack would form on his mental barrier, his mental waves would rush to fix them, expending itself. If the barrage continued as it was¡­


    There was no guarantee Liam would still be alive.


    Naturally, Liam''s bodily wounds regenerated and fixed themselves, but he''d given up control of his body to his subconscious. He wasn''t in control.


    All of his focus was on his Path. Initially, it hadn''t undergone any sort of change. Infinite potential¡­ yet, empty and featureless.


    Until¡­


    WRSH!


    A change.


    A tiny, white speck formed in Liam''s Path.


    This speck was strange.


    It was grayish and translucent,cking any color¡­ at least, upon its initial formation.


    Its texture was simr to that of syrup.


    It swirled.


    Then, it twisted.


    Then, it slightly grew in size.


    Then, it expanded outwards, like a strange nt bud as it matured. Then, tinges of color formed within it, mixing rapidly.


    Before long, it was no longer a speck. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Nor was it gray.


    It was a sweet, vermillion-red, and it swirled in a strange, hypnotizing pattern, folding through and into itself mesmerizingly. For several seconds, it continued growing, until it resembled a strange¡­ flower! Except¡­


    The flower it resembled was not known for its beauty. Nor was it renowned for its pleasing smell. It was the Spider Lily, the Flower of Death.


    Its stalk was different from the Spider Lily. Instead of being green, it was a darker shade of red. Not to mention, it was entirely ethereal. Ghostly, almost.


    On the other hand, it had twoyers of petals, each working in harmony to give the flower a macabre, but unique look.


    The firstyer ¨C which was the main flower itself ¨C was thin, angr and long. They were like skeletal fingers, eerie, with a touch of death. The second resembled more of an undeyer, a decoration for the first. Dozens of wafer-thin stalks protruded from around it, the tips of which were circr. The flower looked alive. Each petal moved and twitched, like fingers on a hand. It was¡­ strangely beautiful. ¡­


    Liam was going to die.


    ***


    In truth, the Chaos Pocket was¡­ well, filled with explosive Chaos, but not just one type. It was a spectacr sight, watching everyone battling the explosions in their own little ways. Generally, the protections were doing Silivar had her magical energy, and her profound ''fairy'' transformation. Initially, she decided not to use it¡­ but the circumstances were far too dangerous not to. Wings had sprouted behind her back, and a swath of energy thickly coated her figure. She looked exhausted, but the explosive danger kept her on edge.


    As soon as the barrage had started, she''d used her fluid dances to evade the attacks.


    Mantis, on the other hand, simply dodged them!


    Both his thin frame and unbelievably sharp scythes became even more streamlined. It seemed as though his reflexes and instincts had also be faster, judging by how fast he dodged the explosions themselves ¨C taking advantage of the gaps between each explosion.


    Most of all, Glob''s way of defence was the most shocking. All he did was¡­ nothing!


    He ¨C or it, for that matter ¨C did nothing at all, just like Liam!


    Except, unlike him ¨C suffering cracked bones and risking death ¨C the explosions simply bounced Glob left and right. His soft, gooey exterior gave him a profound, but strange method of protection.


    The rest, those who opted for protective items, basically weathered the storm with little to no difficulty. Their armors were tattered and cracked, but they were left with no injuries. Unfortunately, some were less prepared than others. Their armors broke too early, and they were forced to suffer the brunt of the relentless assault. It didn''t take long until they were knocked unconscious and eliminated.


    As soon as they were out cold, they were enveloped within the void, then sucked out of the Chaos Pocket. It was an automatic savior system, which worked if the person was unconscious.


    The participants knew this¡­ which is why they were extra worried when they saw the half-dead body flying around this way and that.


    Not for the body, of course.


    For themselves!


    Was the system broken or something?


    What if it was them being knocked out unconscious?


    No one knew how much time had passed. But slowly, the explosions simmered, growing weaker and lessening in number. The booms sounded more like pops, before turning into faint crackles. Then, it stopped.


    WHOOM!


    Just then, Asta reappeared beside Liam''s¡­ corpse?


    Well, it was hard to describe it as anything close to resembling a living thing. It looked more like aged roadkill, left to rot on the side of a road. Asta poked the body.


    "YOU ALIVE? HELLO?"


    No response.


    Another poke. "WAKE UP! YOU PASSED!" Still nothing.


    Well¡­


    Asta had a difficult expression on his face. Truth be told, out of everyone, he was cheering this particr participant on. There was something about hisck of fear. And if Asta''s thoughts were right¡­ he was pretty sure he could sense traces of a budding Path within him.


    He turned towards the participants with his casual demeanor, then grinned:


    "HE FAILED! HOW SAD!"


    ***


    "Are you finally awake?" As soon as the faintest trace of consciousness formed in Liam''s mind, he jolted awake, instantly spreading his consciousness.


    Immediately, he had to reel it back in. He was still under the sea. Mental waves didn''t function as they did abovend. Rather than improving his senses, it worsened them.


    Well, that, and his sea of consciousness was still riddled with countless little cracks, resembling a ss dome made of spider webs. A pang of pain forced his eyes to close, before he forced them open again.


    What he saw was¡­ strange.

 Chapter 541 Inspection

    541 Inspection


    Just one person was in front of Liam in some sort of¡­ ssy auditorium. The space was decorated with shelves of books, strange decorations and wall-writings.


    Staring at him with a bored expression, was an aged, tired looking man with a hunched back. A pair of sses, strangely earth-like, sat over his long nose bridge. His eyes were a dull blue, and his curly, unkempt, white hair fell over his shoulders. He took slow, long breaths in, and quick, short breaths out.


    Liam furrowed his brows. He wasn''t in dire straits anymore, but he still had no clue where he was, or how much time had passed.


    However, Liam quickly made sense of something. ''I failed.''


    Well. That wasn''t anything new. Most of the time, things went wrong for him than right. Each sess came with at least three failures that preceded it.


    Yet¡­ his Path!


    There was finally a significant change! Immediately, he¡ª


    "Are you going to pretend I don''t exist?"


    Liam sighed inwardly.


    Setting his eyes on the tired old man, Liam gave him a searching look, then said:


    "So you''re the Formation Master who set this ce up." The old man gave a weak smile, then spoke with a wheezing voice:


    "You''re fast to catch up. Yes, indeed, I am." No sane person would ever link such wondrous,rge scale Formations to such a¡­ measly, aged individual. There wasn''t even anything profound about his appearance.


    In fact, he had a droll, tame aura. Sort of like a sick grandfather.


    But here he was.


    A Rank 5 Formation master.


    The cultivation world really didn''t discriminate. Cornelius Mehro was a good example of that. "Why am I here?" Liam asked. "Why else? You were half dead. I had to save you."


    Liam raised a brow.


    "You didn''t have to."


    "I suppose that''s your way of giving thanks?" the old man shot back. "Not what I meant," Liam corrected with a careful, calm voice. "I don''t think everyone you save, you''ve bothered to meet with." Silence.


    The old man gave a tired grin, chuckled, then said with an impressive voice:


    "Aha¡­ haha¡­ yes. You are correct. I brought you here out of a childish curiosity. You were the only cultivator in centuries ¨C at least, through my eyes ¨C who''s had such a natural connection with Chaos."


    "Judging by how annoyed you look right now, you''re probably itching to leave. You don''t even care about who I am, don''t you?"


    Liam was sure he had his facial expression to his usual ''dead'' look¡­ but perhaps due to his injuries, he let the mask slip. But yes.


    He had no clue who the old man was.


    And he didn''t care, either.


    Liam nodded.


    The old man smirked.


    With difficulty, he rose to his feet, then slowly straightened his back.


    BRSH!


    A sudden burst of explosive power surged around the elder, crackling across his entire frame. In seconds, a full transformation took ce, revealing the old man''s identity. From a tired, weak, aged frame, to a strong, broad-shouldered, chiseled figure. From blue eyes, to discolored reds and disproportioned features.


    In seconds, Liam was left in utter shock.


    It was none other than Asta himself.


    "HAHA! SURPRISED? WAIT, WAIT. DON''T ANSWER. I KNOW YOU ARE."


    Liam furrowed his brows. Did Asta quite literally split himself into two parts? Was he born with split personality disorder, and this was the result of cultivating through it?


    Why were the two so different?


    The possibilities that opened up to one as they climbed through the ranks was quite terrifying. Still, despite seeing Rank 6 powerhouses in action, this was easily one of the craziest abilities Liam had seen so far. Which begged a question¡­


    "Why are you even showing me all of this? Are you trying to be friends or something?" Astaughed loudly. A secondter, his bodyzily deted, reverting back to his hunched-back, old man form. "Of course not. I''m just making sure I won''t have any boredom for the next few centuries toe. Perhaps one day, we''ll be fighting on opposite sides. I wouldn''t want you to stagger and fall back in growth, do I?" Liam furrowed his brows again, confused and annoyed once more.


    "You are literally the weirdest old coot I''ve ev¡ª"


    "Later now."


    Asta waved his hand, and Liam''s body was immediately hurled out of the auditorium, flung towards its wall in the blink of an eye. However, instead of crashing through it, Liam phased right through, continuing to fly at a stupidly fast speed, beforeing to an abrupt stop.


    He was right outside Pandemoniumania.


    Liam let out a deep breath.


    ''I''m losing my mind.''


    Well. He''d already lost it.


    But finally¡­ he was alone.


    Liam swam as further away as he could from Pandemoniumania, opting to stray away from the public eye. He had to meet with Bill shortly after¡­ but he still had plenty of time before then.


    A day passed.


    After swimming past several small-sized colonies, Liam found an abandoned sea bed, choosing it as his test site.


    First, he wanted to make sure he was utterly alone. A bit of White Matter left his Pearl, then mixed with Chaos, forming a Meathead puppet.


    ''Nothing''s changed in my Chaos itself. The Pearl, my core, body and sea of consciousness don''t feel too different, either.''


    Liam sent the Meathead away with a gesture. "Go patrol or something."


    Immediately, the Meathead obeyed the orders, disappearing from sight after a few minutes.


    Then, Liam sat cross-legged, focusing everything on his Path.


    For the first time, he hadid eyes on the Spider Lily. The vermillion petals of the dangerously beautiful flower moved on its own, as though breathing.


    Liam felt a strange pang of awe and amazement. Without batting an eye, he knew this flower represented him ¨C his Chaos ¨C perfectly. Except, it was then that Liam realized something.


    This wasn''t just Chaos¡­


    It was a mixture of several Qualities merged into one!


    Immediately, Liam moved to inspect each one in close detail. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    The first, and most obvious one of them, was Chaos itself. It was the Spider Lily''s foundation, and what the other Qualities had built upon.


    The second¡­ and Liam had a hard time believing this¡­ was Blood.


    A Blood Quality had found its way into Liam''s Chaos. The Spider Lily''s slightly darker stem contained traces of blood in it, which spread to the base of the petals and veins of the flower itself.


    It was as if to say, Liam''s root form of Chaos stemmed from blood itself.

 Chapter 542 Aspects

    542 Aspects


    Sitting in istion, Liam pondered over the Spider Lily''s profound, unique structure. His Chaos stemmed from Blood. And clearly, it was true. Ever since he had begun his journey to the stars, he never ceased to shed blood, nor sow chaos and strife across thends. How many had he killed, till now? How many sons and daughters?


    How many parents?


    How many ns? How many beasts?


    It wasn''t a stretch to say their blood could form rivers that stretched from east to west. What would shedding blood to this degree cause, if not a dreadful Chaos? Obviously, there was another reason Blood was connected to Liam''s Chaos. His race.


    The Asuras.


    An entire species birthed in Chaos.


    Surely, that had something to do with it, right?


    ''Talk about chilling. This little flower already knows me better than I know myself¡­'' ''I suppose that''s the gist of it, though.''


    The further one reached in their journey, the more they''d figure out who they eventually were. For cultivation, this was seemingly inherent. Your actions, personality, and individual understanding developed your Path automatically, and vice versa. Paths were more unique to a cultivator than fingerprints were to humans. Liam paused for a moment, inhaled deeply, then let out a long breath.


    There was onest Aspect. And quite frankly, Liam had difficulty believing in it. Just to make sure, he repeatedly inspected the flower, making sure he wasn''t mistaking it for something else.


    But no.


    It was unmistakable. Thest Quality¡­ was none other than Death.


    The flower''s dark, eerie aura reeked of its lifeless fragrance. That, and the little ck tips of the thin stalks ¨C pulsing with danger ¨C pointed to faint remnants of the Death Aspect.


    But it all made sense. How were all three of these Qualitiesbined into one?


    The Chaos part was simple. Liam was being viciously assaulted nonstop, and everything, from sea of consciousness, to body, to core, had be a mess. This was the Chaos part.


    And¡­ well, the Blood part, too.


    After all, the explosions weren''t kind enough to leave Liam in one piece. By the end of it, a good patch of his skull was stripped bare. And the Death part?


    That¡­ that was because of Liam''s near-death experience. When he had fallen unconscious in the midst of the explosions, that was it. For several seconds, Liam was no longer counted among the living. It was all very ephemeral and distant, like he''d been dreaming¡­ but Liam felt the throes of death clear as day.


    It was unlike any sort of pain he had suffered. Like nerves set on fire and electrocuted at the same time. Like looking through a ss window, he felt his soul slowly seeping out of his corpse, wriggling through in a desperate struggle to escape.


    But it didn''t.


    His healing factor had constantly regenerated his body just in time for the explosions to cease. Had he been just a secondte¡­


    Liam felt his body tremble.


    No, not out of fear.


    Out of sheer excitement. Every single Zenith he had spoken to, either from the Temple of Shadow, or otherwise, reaffirmed one thing for him.


    One of the most difficult Aspects to attain understanding of, was the Death Aspect. Most went as far as saying it was impossible. No matter what vile, inhumane experiments one did, how many they killed, how many times they put themselves through near death experiences, they didn''t receive even an atom of its Quality. Right now, even though Liam had gained a bit of understanding of the Aspect, it was minute and sparse ¨C represented by the tips of wafer-thin stalks. ''Have I seen a powerhouse with it?'' Liam thought to himself, thinking of all the Rank 6 experts he hade in contact with. Alucard. Eyes of Knowledge. Spirit of Nature. The Adjudicator. The General. Queen Thyress. Emperor of Courage. Hand of Light. Usan. Sir Cornelius Merho III. ¡­Empress of Fear?


    No¡­ Well, maybe. Fear of death is amon phobia to most, so it wouldn''t be a stretch to say she had a trick or two regarding it. ''She''s in my stomach, anyway.''


    Usan was specialized in Shadows, so probably not. And the rest, he didn''t know much about. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    All of a sudden, Liam chuckled under his breath¡­ which slowly grew into a heartyugh.


    Itsted for a good minute or so, but eventually simmered down to a long sigh.


    During the span of his short, but eventful life, Liam felt this thrill a handful of times. ''Now,'' Liam thought, calming himself down, ''I need to find out what this thing does.''


    The dainty Spider Lily looked promising¡­ but would it meet his expectations? The Law of Bnce was particrly keen on breaking his back, so he made sure not to inte his mind with grand ideas.


    That being said¡­


    He had no clue on how to use it.


    He sighed.


    Liam was a newbie to this. Of course he''d suffer a hitch or two! This was perfectly reasonable, and not embarrassing at all.


    He began to y around with the Spider Lily in his Path.


    The Path itself, simr to the sea of consciousness, was a spiritual space. It was within the cultivator. One could say it was inside their soul ¨C except, Liam had no confirmation if the Path really was inside the soul. He had his suspicions, but no hard evidence. The Zeniths he had spoken to held little knowledge in that regard.


    ''I think I get the gist of it.''


    As Liam finally understood the Spider Lily''s ''controls'', he immediately decided to harness some of its power. Raising a hand, he tapped into his Path and drew out from its source of power. Immediately, the Spider Lily began to tremble, the angr petals and thin stalks breathing heavier.


    Then, one of the petals of the Spider Lily wilted instantly, resulting in a river of blood-red essence ¨C with barely visible spots of ck ¨C pouring out of it. Instantly, Liam felt the flower''s power wane. In total, there were merely 8 main petals, not counting the dozens of stalks. It was concerning, but now was not the time toment.


    Just then, the essence appeared in Liam''s hand, in the form of a dancing wisp of me.


    Up close, it resembled a thick, dark red, metallic vapor. Liam brought his face close to it.


    But¡­ it was¡­ so small!


    Apparently, one petal equated to a fingertip worth of essence.


    But that wasn''t important.


    ¡­the real question was: what could it do?


    im thinking of bringing privilege back, so I can get the schedule back on track. CovidCandy


    Creator''s Thought

 Chapter 543 Simp

    543 Simp


    With the wisp of dark-red me dancing in his palm, Liam began to ponder over the Spider Lily''s capabilities.


    Just like Darkness and the rest of his elements, Liam wasn''t harmed by his own Path, nor could he sense any particr danger from it. But for something so sparse and limited, and sopactly unique, it must have contained some speciality that no other Path had.


    He was just itching to find out.


    But first, he had a few things to verify. With the Spider Lily''s essence still burning in his hand, Liam willed for it to return back into the flower. Slowly, the essence flickered in and out, before puffing out in an instant. Back to his spiritual Path space, the essence ¨C which Liam had extracted from the Spider Lily ¨C immediately poured back into the wilted flower petal, rejuvenating it. Liam smiled. ''So I can refund it if I don''t use it instantly. Neat.'' One had to remember that, as cultivators rose above the ranks, their fighting methods grew increasingly different from their Mortal counterparts. However, some things didn''t change. One of them was resource management. For example, during Liam''s earlier Mortal Rank phases, he''d often need to ration out his darkness reserves across prolonged fights. The same went for mental energy, spells, inscriptions and more. But now?


    Liam could use Darkness day and night without it being finished. Well¡­ not exactly. Under rare circumstances, if a fight required him to go all out, he''d most likely burn through his darkness reserves by the end of the battle. Though, he''d regain most of it before his wounds healed. But now that he was a Zenith, fights weren''t decided by just elements, physique and weapons.


    They were also decided by Paths. This meant that most of Liam''s old spells ¨C those below the fourth and fifth ranks ¨C were practically useless. Outdated and redundant against stronger opponents.


    Knowing that he still had a bit of flexibility regarding his Path power, gave Liam some breath. 22:28


    ''What do I test it on, though? I made sure to find a deste ce. Not like there''ll be a group of sea bandits that''ll pop out of nowhere.''


    A momentter, Liam felt a change in Meathead''s connection with him. His eyes glittered.


    A secondter, he immediately rushed to the puppet''s location, using every speed boost he could.


    ''Tell me I''m wrong tell me I''m wrong tell me I''m wrong.''


    Before long, he arrived at the outskirts of the deste sea bed region. Upon a tall formation ofrge rocks, he spotted his Meathead puppet¡­ with all its limbs ripped off.


    Oh, and its head was also missing, cruelly severald ¨C the chaos void in its chest extinguished. The murderer¡­ well, murderers were staring at Liam with daring, menacing gazes.


    The criminals in question all shared the same exact appearance, as though they''d been copied and pasted. For starters, they were abysmally short, barely reaching the height of an adult human knee. They had a humanoid appearance, but muscr forearms, wide, padded feet,rge stomachs, and puffy faces. They were Sea Imps. Also known as Simps. A Sea Imp wasn''t the sharpest tool in the shed¡­ but damn if it wasn''t resilient. Their skin was thicker than shark meat, which made up for theirck of size. From how fast Liam''s Meathead died, they must have had some extraordinary speed, too. All of them wielded spears ¨C about twice their height ¨C which radiated a lethal air of sharpness. Their tips were nted, resembling an arrowhead, and pulsing with a strange, sapphire energy.


    There were seven of them. All of them were Zeniths. "You dare to invade ournd, mammal?!" one of them shouted. Presumably the leader. "Leave, and we shall spare you¡­ or meet the same fate as your friend here." The imp stabbed Meathead with the tip of his spear¡­ which prompted the puppet''s melting process, returning to Liam''s reserves.


    That caused quite a bit of shock to the Simps. Except¡­ the imp''s voice was so nasally, childish and squeaky, Liam couldn''t take his death threat seriously. In fact, he had to swallow down augh. ¡­Who was he kidding?


    "W-What are youughing at?!" the Simp leader bellowed, pointing his spear at Liam. "I think he''sughing at us, leader!" one of them responded. "You don''t say?!" All seven of them were aiming their weapons at him, their bright blue, bloodthirsty eyes fermenting with the urge to kill.


    It was a shame they all had to die.


    "You have chosen death!"


    "Prepare to suffer!" N?v(el)B\\jnn


    "Scatter!" What followed happened too fast for the naked eye. The imps immediately scattered, turning into blurry forms that spread from where they initially stood. Despite moving so fast, they produced no shockwaves or turbulence that the waters could carry ¨C as though they''d be phantoms of the cold sea.


    Fortunately, despite them being fast, they weren''t that fast enough for Liam to lose track of them. In this case, the King''s Eye and his mental waves had his angles covered ¨C even if it was underwater.


    Then came the first wave of attacks¡­ and shes began appearing on Liam''s figure one by one. Although the imps weren''t the smartest¡­ they weren''t dumb, either. Their fighting method used smart teamwork and nifty tactics to inflict as much damage, without putting themselves in danger.


    One by one, they would attack from different angles, with simple shes and quick thrusts, before pulling themselves out immediately. The waters around him were tainted red due to his blood loss. Despite this, he didn''t move an inch from his ce, nor defend himself. The reason was simple.


    Liam wasn''t using his swords. Nor his blood, his shadows, his spells, his Chaos. Nothing.


    He intended to use only his Path.


    Then, opportunity came knocking.


    Liam felt one of the imps attempting to stab through his spine from behind. Just as the sea creature got close enough to do so, Liam pivoted his foot, grabbing a hold of the imp''s spear. Unfortunately, the imp reacted in time, fluidly changing his choice of attack from stab, to swipe.


    SHING!


    A sessful attack! A gash nearly six inches deep ripped through a swath of Liam''s chest. Then, as the spearpleted its swiping motion, it suddenly stopped, as though freezing in time.


    Liam''s hand had moved from the spear, to the imp''s wrist.


    The imp grimaced and tried to pull away.


    Liam smiled. His grip was unmoving.


    Just then, Liam used the Spider Lily''s power, and¡­


    Nothing happened.

 Chapter 544 Resonance

    544 Resonance


    As Liam''s hand wrapped around the imp''s wrist, he immediately summoned a petal''s worth of essence from the flower ¨C making direct contact with the imp''s thick skin. The imp''s face fell, and the others were too apprehensive of Liam to approach and save him.


    He was on his own. To save himself, he let go of the spear, but he couldn''t move a muscle.


    Yet¡­


    When Liam''s dark-red me made contact with the imp''s skin¡­ nothing happened at all. No wound or damage, not even a scratch.


    Liam scowled. Just as the imp was about to lurch backwards and escape, Liam summoned his odachi and sent it flying through the imp''s throat. SHING!


    It pierced through, killing the imp instantly. Letting the simp live was too kind. Too many of them. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    A secondter, he unsummoned the odachi, returning it to his ring.


    The imps momentarily paused, unsure of what to do next against such a difficult enemy. Meanwhile, Liam assessed the Spider Lily once more. A petal had wiltedpletely¡­ and, from the looks of it, it wasn''t going to regenerate. Liam zoned out for a second.


    ''What am I doing wrong?'' He definitely was looking at this the wrong way. A few talks with fellow Zeniths was never going to teach him all he needed to know. He had to figure this out himself, like always.


    Though, he quickly remembered that he was in the middle of a fight, and getting distracted was potentially dangerous.


    Liam took out arge pile of ''Ora'' Stones, Shellings and any other treasures he''d kept in his ring ¨C putting it to his side in a huge clump.


    The imps'' eyes shone with greed.


    Liam addressed them:


    "If you kill me, you can have all this, and a lot more. Just give me some time to test a few things out, eh? Won''t take long. I''ll give you time to bury your little friend there, or get some more back up if you wish. Just don''t interrupt my thoughts." Silence.


    The imps were genuinely confused¡­ but, for Seakind, essing space rings without mental energy was basically impossible. The only way to extract their contents without breaking them, was if the ring wearer willingly handed them over.


    The imp leader was convinced. He nodded, stabbed his spear into the ground, then sat down, while the rest followed his example. Liam gave a curt nod, then punched the ground below him as hard as he could.


    BOOM!


    A deep cavern within the sea bed formed instantly, and Liam threw himself in for privacy.


    Then, he focused on his Path, taking out a petal''s worth and scrutinizing it deeply.


    He scanned it with the King''s Eye. Like normal, he saw the three Qualities imbued within the essence ¨C Death, Blood, Chaos. It had to be said, that the only reason Liam could clearly point out these Qualities, was because they were his own. He couldn''t see these in another cultivator''s aura, at all. Then, Liam used Spirit Sight, and his eyes widened.


    Instantly, he realized what he was doing wrong. Elements, as a whole, shared severalmon features. One of them was the requirement of an origin. Liam''s Chaos, Corruption and White Matter, came from the Pearl. His Blood came from his body.


    His Shadow¡­ from his shadow.


    His darkness came from his core, and vice versa.


    Other than this, they also had core functions. Chaos went boom.


    White Matter formed puppets.


    Corruption wore down.


    Darkness corroded. And his Blood and Shadows were capable of many things.


    But strangely, the essence shared characteristics with ''Ora''! ''Ora'' had no fixed origin. It was a free flowing resource that cultivators took and refined. It had no fixed purpose, either. ''Ora'' could be used to refine things, to inscribe, to formte, and countless other things. In short, it was a source. And so was the Spider Lily in Liam''s Path!


    This brought Liam to the realization that all Paths were essentially a self-made source of power, separate from ''Ora''. Well¡­ he knew that already, but he never understood to what extent it was.


    ''Now I realize why you can''t call a Zenith a human anymore.'' Liam grinned broadly.


    Now, he figured out how to use his Path. Till now, his attempts to use his Path powers were like tying a knot with one hand. It was basically impossible¡­ unless, of course, one had particrly nifty fingers.


    But now? All he had to do was pretend the essence was ''Ora'', then refine it into an attack.


    Immediately, Liam began to practice on the Sumo puppet, and hours passed. ***


    The sea imps were strangely patient creatures. More than 18 hours passed, and they still hadn''t broken their agreement with Liam.


    Now and again, they would hear a strange noise, or a distant rumble emerging from Liam''s cave, but they refrained from peeking out of curiosity.


    And finally, Liam emerged from the cave. There were no traces of tiredness on his face, and he looked fresher than ever.


    Six ¨C formerly seven ¨C pairs of imp eyes fell on him.


    They had been cultivating, using the spare time to replenish their lost strength. ''They''re quite honorable.''


    It''s a shame they had to die. In total, Liam had more or less figured out that the Spider Lily could transform into three different attacks, corresponding with the three different Qualities. Liam figured out how to use only one of them ¨C Chaos. Nheless, he was beyond satisfied with his findings.


    ''I can''t figure out everything inside a cave, practicing against an inanimate puppet.'' ''...Maybe I''ll figure something out now?'' He smiled broadly.


    Stretching his hands and cracking his knuckles, Liam let out a deep breath, then said with a serious voice: "We can start."


    The imps rose to their feet, grabbing their spears with them. There was a tense moment of silence between the two parties as neither one attacked ¨C the underwater currents tightened with pressure.


    A storm was brewing.


    WHISH!


    Once more, the imps were too fast for the naked eye. Even faster than the first time.


    Liam remained still, yet waited eagerly for the first imp to attack. This time, he didn''t need to let himself be wounded for no reason. The first simp to approach was going to be the first to die. WHISH! WHOSH! WHISH! After several swaps between each other, there was not one sea imp that closed the distance for a quick attack.


    There were four at the same time.


    Liam didn''t expect a strat change, but that was fine with him. He could change his strats, too.


    An extra pair of arms burst out of Liam''s back,pensating for the two imps attacking from behind. Liam imbued his four fists with a petal''s worth of essence as the imps closed in with their spears. His fists appeared to vibrate uncontrobly. Just as the speartips were about to skewer Liam from four angles, heunched his fists forward, seemingly hitting nothing.


    ¡­And yet, each of the imps were attacked from four different directions. Liam called this attack, "Resonance." Final exams are still not over btw, so I might not upload for a while. I made this chapter extra long for that, though.


    CovidCandy

 Chapter 545 Growth

    545 Growth


    As Liam''s four fists shot forward, tearing a shockwave through the waters, they almost seemed to disappear into thin air, before reappearing again.


    As they did, the four imps were immediately hurled backwards ¨C struck by a fist that didn''t evennd.


    But seeing their condition, Liam raised a brow, then smiled a little coldly.


    ''I see. Even for this, there is a w. At least it''s fitting.'' All four of the imps were injured in different ways. The first had his skull broken. Dead as could be, it was limp and unmoving. The attack had struck him from the back of the head, killing him instantly.


    The second and third were heavily injured. They were hit in the shoulder and face, causing internal bleeding and broken bones¡­ but they weren''t dead.


    And thest one¡­ wasn''t injured at all.


    The punch hadnded on his pudgy stomach, and the stomach of a simp was deflective. The fist simply ricocheted like a fish slipping off a hand.


    Liam had no control over where his punches and attacks would go. It was entirely at random.


    Not only that, but thest attack was exceptionally weaker, too. Contrary to this, the punch that killed the first imp was multiplied with its force! Despite his extraordinary physical power¡ªthe majority of which came from his triumvirate body and Ashura bloodline¡ªhe couldn''t kill most Zeniths with a single punch. At least, not when they were on guard and protected. But if his power was multiplied¡­ Liam could do significant damage. In this case, he got lucky by hitting the imp on the back of its head¡ªits weak point.


    Resonance. This was both its w, and strength.


    A pro and a con at the same time¡­


    Liam was satisfied. This was the most basic of its uses¡­ but it could get much moreplicated if he paired it with something other than a fist.


    Say¡­ a sword.


    The imps were taken aback for a brief second, before readjusting their tactics on their leader''smands. And, if one looked closer at their auras, they would see a subtle change in demeanor¡­ and a faltering resolve. When Liam took out the odachi again, the imps visibly shuddered. He smiled.


    ''They know.''


    Liam held his breath, then infused the glossy ck sword with the Spider Lily''s essence. Another petal had wilted.


    At first, nothing happened. ''Do you feel any different?'' Liam asked the ck de through Sword Connection. ''No,'' it replied with a cautious voice. ''Nothing yet.'' Liam tried again¡­ but this time, he wilted two petals instead of just one, then infused it with the sword. ¡­The ck de started to shake.


    The emotions that surged through it at such a point made Liam smile. Its bloodlust had never been higher. To some humans, the feeling was simr to feeling the desperate urge to chew on something.


    For the ck de, it was the indecent urge to sever.


    "Flesh!" it shrieked uncharacteristically. "Bone!" Liam grinned wider, disappeared from his spot, reappeared a short distance away from the leader imp, then shed the open waters in one fluid movement.


    SHING!


    Eyes widened, the leader imp outstretched his spear. A burst of water spread outward from its tip, forming a shield that covered his frontal figure like an umbre. "Urk!"


    The sword sh ignored the water shieldpletely. It manifested in the imp''s side, viciously rending through a six inches of thick, leathery skin¡­ and severing off its right leg. To defend their leader from being killed, two imps closed the distance in the blink of an eye, appearing to Liam''s side with their spears mid-swing.


    CHG! KRSH!


    Both spears prated Liam''s lungs and gills, but he didn''t so much as flinch.


    Just as the two imps were about to pull back with a sessful attack, their spears refused to budge. Their eyes widened with shock.


    Liam''s flesh was growing around the speartip.


    In milliseconds, it had already consumed nearly half of it!


    They let go and retreated to safety.


    And this time, they were weaponless.


    Just five imps remained.


    Their leader missed a leg.


    Two were weaponless.


    Two were severely injured.


    And thest one was rtively okay¡­ if not a little scared. The leader imp had a steely look in his eyes. In truth, he would have asked Liam to spare them¡­ but with how merciless Liam was to himself, he wouldn''t have mercy on others.


    It was kill or get killed, and retreat was not an option.


    Liam smiled, noticing that look in the imp''s eyes. With casual steps, he made himself over to the dead imp''s body ¡ª the one with a crushed skull ¡ª and picked up its corpse. Raising its bloodied, limp body, Liam opened his mouth¡­ erging it to a horrifying size, growing viciously sharp teeth, then throwing the imp into his jaws.


    KRSH! Juicy.


    Not the best taste¡­ but not disgusting.


    ''No change in the Spider Lily,'' Liam thought, grinding down the Zenith creature''s bones, flesh and innards. ''Not yet, at least¡­ maybe it takes time¡­'' N?v(el)B\\jnn


    A few seconds passed, and Liam had consumed the imp entirely, shifting his focus to the rest.


    They were terrified.


    ***


    Not long after, Liam had killed them all. The fight ended up being quite vicious and brutal. What was a deste seabed was now covered with craters, blood, severed limbs and corpses. And one subhuman, standing atop them all. The imps had inflicted more wounds on Liam than he could possibly count. Towards the end, his regeneration was starting to act up, too¡­ but he put an end to it before anything drastic urred. Liam smiled slightly. The Spider Lily in his Path was utterly wilted, and it looked on the brink of withering away. However, Liam could see a vein of blood slowly rejuvinating the flower from itsatose state. When it was in this state, it waspletely unusable. Even if one petal had regenerated entirely, Liam would not be able to use it. And the total regeneration amount was more than 6 hours! It was sad... but understandable


    He thought that, if he could kill and consume the simps, he would gain more insight into the other two powers of his Spider Lily¡ªthe parts concerning Blood and Death.


    Well, he did¡­ but it wasplicated. For Death, he grasped nothing so far. Not even after watching the life seep out of thest imp remaining. However, he gained understanding about something else.


    The Blood in Liam''s Spider Lily was fluid. It had no specific ability so far¡­ but he had a deep feeling it wasn''t supposed to. Technically, it was the lifeblood of Liam''s Chaos. And Blood was organic. It could develop. ...It could grow.


    i think i start privilege again and start writing properly after this chapter.


    CovidCandy

 Chapter 546 Ready

    546 Ready


    The prospect of a self-growing power in one''s Path sounded straight out of a cultivator''s wet dreams. What better gift could a man ask? It was worth more than a self-multiplying ''Ora'' Mine.


    Liam held down the thought. This was all theory, and none of it was truly proven. He''d have to wait patiently to see if there was any noticeable effect in consuming blood in both the short, and long term. For his Death Aspect, Liam had a genuineck of guidance¡ªbut it was too soon to say anything definitive. Just like with his Blood, it required time toprehend. Which was perfectly fine to him.


    Liam slightly frowned. ''Everyday, something new gets dumped on my te. I already have the Rank 5 body and the updated Primordial Forging to work on, I haven''t inscribed anything in so long, and the majority of my spells are outdated¡­''


    There was also another issue.


    Liam''s essence had a specific weakness. Two petal''s worth of essence were required to imbue his sword with Resonance¡­ which only meant that weapons with greater mass ¡ª like the Breaker ¡ª required even more. Liam sighed. Although he wasn''t having trouble with fightingmon opponents at the lower Zenith Ranks, the same could not be said for those at the upper and peak levels. What if someone like Silivar or Glob or Mantis fought against him? Updating his arsenal sounded like a good idea.


    He could only me himself for biting off more than he could chew. ''A period of seclusion will do me well. I can''t progress so chaotically.''


    It was decided.


    When given the chance, Liam would dedicate a portion of time to seclusion¡­ just to organize his affairs and get his priorities in order. Satisfied, he took onest look around before raising above the ground and¡ª


    Liam sensed somethingrge ¡ª veryrge ¡ª shaking the water some distance away. Zooming with the King''s Eye, his gaze narrowed sharply with Spirit Sight. A vague silhouette flickered bright in the distance, growing radiant as the seconds ticked past. With each moment that passed, Liam was torn between running away immediately, and stilling his fear to remain behind toy eyes on whatever monster was strolling past. He chose thetter. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om


    Even if he ran now, there was a high chance whatever came through the Quadrant could already see him. If not, making any sudden movements could alert the creature to focus him. It was logical, and likely safer, to stay still¡­ and so he did, stifling even his heartbeat.


    What came next made his eyes widen with shock and awe. He had never seen something so¡­ beautiful and gentle to the eyes.


    The vague silhouette was no longer shrouded with darkness. It had emerged with all its glory, magnificence and radiance¡ªcasting rays of sapphire light across the dull, in seabed.


    Before him was a colossal argonaut, its shell shimmering like a myriad of polished diamonds, fashioned to a hypnotizing spiral shape. The creature''s body undted gracefully, its translucent tentacles trailing like streams of liquid starlight, leaving a glittering path in the water.


    Its eyes, deep and iridescent, reflected what seemed like the ocean itself¡ªcontaining ancient wisdom and timeless knowledge. As it moved, the argonaut''s shell pulsed with a soft, bioluminescent glow, painting the surrounding water in hues of azure and indigo. Each gentle wave of its streamlined body sent ripples of light outward, illuminating the seabed with a mesmerizing dance of shadows and colors.


    At that moment, time seemed to stand still. The profound creature exuded a sense of serene power and ancient magic, as if it were an appointed guardian of the ocean''s secrets. The sheer beauty and grace of the argonaut left Liam breathless. He was captivated.


    This was a living embodiment of the ocean''s wonders. This¡­ this was one of the Great Tides!


    The Argonaut herself!


    Liam felt like an ant watching a dragon fly by. Like a little child watching a ne fly over. Unlike the Rank 6 Leviathan that Liam had seen during his underwater trip with Usan, this creature was far greater in magnanimity¡­ albeit way less terrifying. Her aura washed over Liam, sending a strange warmth that rxed his tense muscles and stiff frame. As a matter of fact, it felt as though he was incapable of summoning a violent thought. ¡­Even though his mind was normally filled with them.


    The Argonaut gracefully glided through the waters, slowly growing distant. It didn''t take long for her radiant, starry form to merge with the ocean, leaving behind a trail of azure essence.


    Liam took a deep breath, then exhaled. Then, his gaze soured, almost in disgust. That¡­''peaceful'' feeling left him with a bitter taste in his mouth.


    For a second, Liam was stripped of his very identity. Of who he was. But he knew why. He was too weak for his identity to matter in front of these beings.


    Their auras were so potent and dominant, it naturally influenced their surroundings and¡­ lower lifeforms. His dark eyes lingered on where the Argonaut left from. One day, their auras would not rewrite his. He would overwhelm them with his own.


    ***


    Before long, Liam made his way back to Bill McGill''s Quadrant, pondering his Rank 5 technique on the way there. He had the base of the idea down. His blood needed to be his nourishment for future techniques. Something asplicated as that would require months of unblinking, torturous effort. But screw it. Liam hadn''t inscribed anything for a while, and he had an urge to invent. Finally, Liam arrived at the teleportation tform that would send him back to the NOCL Headquarters. He stood on it, and a sh of light washed over him.


    WHOOM!


    And he was back in Bill''s office. Bill, as usual, had a rolled up spliff of seaweed on his lips, fumes of sour smoke wafting from its tip. Seeing Liam''s unannounced arrival, he threw away the blunt and stood up with a slightly startled look, before fixing himself a formal expression.


    His tone was friendly, if not a little awkward. "Oh, there he is! How was Pandemoniumania, friendo? You didn''t get hassled by Asta too much, did you?"


    Liam looked at him casually, but refrained from giving any details.


    He got to the point.


    "It was good. I think I''m ready to get briefed on this mission of yours."

 Chapter 547 The Dreaded

    547 The Dreaded


    Bill''s eyes widened, and any mellowing effects the seaweed would have on his personality diminished instantly. He smiled broadly.


    "Finally! I was this close to getting someone else for the job, but I''m d you finally epted."


    Someone else? Was that Bill''s way of keeping Liam humble or what? He didn''t let Bill get the wrong idea.


    "I''m ready for the briefing. I need to make sure I''m ready for the job before anything. Especially if it''s going to take any longer than a week." Bill looked a tad disappointed. He probably wanted to get the mission over as fast as possible, just to get one up over his corporatepetitor¡­ but Liam was not one to rush, especially in matters of importance.


    Turning his back, Bill spoke over his shoulder with a cautious, heavy voice. "Alright. Come with me. I''ll show it to you."


    Liam nodded, then followed Bill into an underground passage. The two entered a vast underground training hall, lit with fluorescent lights and decorated with white floor tiles. Soldiers ¡ª decked out with full sets of inscribed, paper-thin armor ¡ª were being trained by various instructors, test dummies were being blown to bits, cut in half, burned and reconstructed in seconds, alongside duels and team battlesmencing¡­ all at once. An obnoxious ngor filled the corners of the space. "You have quite the operation," Liammended as he took in the sights. The two were walking straight through the hall. Bill chuckled, clearly enjoying thepliment. "This is just the tip of the iceberg, dear friend." Liam side-eyed him.


    ''Although he seems like an idiot, I should really stop underestimating him. He could give even the Royals a run for their money.''


    After a while, Bill reached another hall, then entered a long, well-lit corridor, followed by a spiral staircase leading to a small room containing a teleportation tform, which led to a top-secret, hiddenpartment that required Bill''s handprint to enter. Liam suppressed a grunt.


    ''All this secrecy¡­ it better be worth the walk.'' N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Thepartment contained, surprise, another teleportation tform.


    Bill looked at Liam with a wry smile.


    "Sorry. This is thest one, I promise."


    With that, Bill stepped onto it and disappeared.


    Liam followed his example, and instantly, the tform transferred him out of the Headquarters. His vision settled. And his eyes widened. Hundreds of thousands of meters below the ocean, was a vast, gaping chasm, the very bottom of which was a protective, iridescent bubble. The bubble reminded Liam of the Academy''s, except it was not asrge. This one could only cover about a small vige''s worth ofnd. Past it, was an infinite void of nothingness. But what was outside of the bubble was not important.


    The inside was.


    In front of him ¡ª which was also the very bottom of the chasm ¡ª was a collection of ancient ruins, the material of which was of a dark amber shade. Here and there, stood cracked pirs, the designs of which were stripped of any beauty it might have had. Thick, bioluminescent moss and algae had formed around its broken structures, leaving it indescribable as to what the ruins were ever used for. But to the furthest wall of the trench, away from all the scrummage and heavy debris¡­ was an irregr hexagonal te lodged into the wall, covered with glowing runes and intricate writings unlike anynguage or inscription method he hadid eyes on.


    All of these runes and writings condensed at its center, creating an intricate weave. ''What in the world is that?'' Liam focused his gaze back to Bill, and noticed three other individuals within the bubble. All three were examining different parts of the ruins. Upon sensing Bill''s arrival, the three approached.


    Bill cast Liam a smile. His tone was proud and trusting as he spoke:


    "These are some of my best agents. Two of them are Inscription Masters, and thest is a polyglot Formationist. They''re all experts in their fields."


    He whispered the next few words.


    Liam nodded casually. All three more varied in appearance, albeit they had simple characteristics and matching attire ¨C resembling a half-mix of an archeologist and a scientist. After greeting Bill, all three of them gave Liam a quick smile and began with an introduction, but his mind wasn''t registering their voices at all. He gave them names of his own.


    The first was an inscription master ¨C a tall, sharp-eyed woman with long ck hair, braided with ornaments of gold. She had a sharp, but clever aura. She carried an inscribed clipboard. Sharpie. The second was the second inscriptionist ¨C was so young, Liam had mistaken him for a teenager. His eyes glowed with a sharp yellow glow, and living tattoos covered his forearm and hand. Rebel. The third was the polyglot ¨C a short, rugged, albeit giddy looking old man. He had a wise aura, akin to a homeless man who could give good advice. Giddy.


    "Let us waste no more time," Bill said, and the group walked over to the hexagonal te. "Can you guess what this is?" Up close, Liam scanned every part of the te and burned it into his memory. The runes pulsed with an azure hue, as though it had a life of its own. Although everything else had failed the test of time, this hexagonal te remained defiantly resilient. Not a scratch nicked its polished amber surface.


    On its surface, the graceful web of runes and writings wereyered, and some of them were added fresher than others. Meaning the runes themselves were not originally on the te¡­ they were added by Sharpie, Giddy and Rebel. There was no mistaking it.


    "This is a gate, isn''t it?" Bill nodded firmly, while the other three were taken aback from Liam''s correct answer. Even them, as lifelong masters of their respective arts, would not answer correctly on the first try. And yet Liam did. "Not just any gate," Bill answered.


    Bill paused, his gaze turning heavy and his words heavier. "This is the ancient Tomb of Naxathra, the Dreaded."

 Chapter 548 Why Me?

    548 Why Me?


    Tomb of Naxathra ¡ª pronounced Na-zha-thra ¡ª the Dreaded. Liam raised a brow. It was his first time hearing the name, but damn if it didn''t sound ominous and a tiny bit catchy. ''An ancient Tomb¡­ that''s a first. What''s he going to tell me to do? Plunder and desecrate his grave?'' He had done a lot worse for a lot less. "Mind telling me who that is?" Liam asked. N?v(el)B\\jnn


    Bill gave him a wry smile.


    "We''re¡­ not so sure, yet. We''ve managed to find out who this Tomb belonged to along with their epithet. Other than that, there are no records of Naxathra on the pages of history." "In some ancient civilizations, powerful cultivators who neared their deaths did not create inheritances. Instead, they hid away from all forms of society, sealed themselves up with all their belongings, then just¡­ died." "Whoever could find their Tombs, make their way inside and reap the treasures without dying¡­ would be worthy of keeping them." "That''s what happened here."


    Liam hummed to himself in understanding. He really should pick up a history book one of these days and give it a read. That being said, that just sounded like an inheritance with extra steps. With a proud tone, Giddy, the polyglot, added:


    "I helped decipher some of the ancient text found on the murals. It took some time to test various samples and mix and match until I got thepositions right¡­ but we''re looking at a tomb that''s roughly 4,500 years old. And that''s just the estimation!"


    Liam''s eyes widened with shock. 4,500 years. That was no small number.


    ''Wait, murals?'' Liam thought, scanning the ruins again. again for missed details. What he thought were random etches and featureless marks on its surface, were actually murals!


    The ruins told a story.


    Only if one could connect and reconstruct them well enough, piece together the murals etched on their surface, then decipher itsnguage¡­ "All this took us roughly two years, and there''s still a few things we haven''t figured out." "And the runes?" Liam asked.


    Sharpie cut in with a reserved tone. "We couldn''t try breaking our way into the Tomb by force, since it could copse as a defense mechanism, or break the gate entirely. Thankfully, the te was kind enough to give us a method of entry."


    "The runes?" Liam guessed.


    Sharpie shook his head thenughed. "Not really. We couldn''t figure out that part. We''re just brute forcing our way through by overloading the gate''s mechanism with so much power, it will open for about a second, then close."


    At that moment, Rebel took out a thick, cylinder-shaped rod of in metal. It pulsed with the same sapphire hue as the runes did, and had the exact circumference as the convergent point in the center of the te.


    "This goes into that," Rebel said with pride, "and it opens. It is a two use item ¡ª once to enter, once to exit." Liam took a moment to digest all the information. Not only had the Tomb''s contents intrigued him, it also made him curious as to who its owner was. To build something so resilient and powerful that could withstand several millennia, so deep within the ocean, and with primitive magic at their disposal¡­ who knew the extent of such a person''s abilities?


    ''And that only means what''s inside is priceless.''


    Why else would the Dreaded go to such an extent to keep his treasures hidden? Even certain powerhouses would covet what''s behind this dainty gate. Liam took a deep breath.


    "What''s the catch?"


    Of course there had to be one. Why else would Bill have to invite Liam of all people to explore the Tomb for him? At the same time, he did not miss the indication in Sharpie''s words. The gate would open for just one second. After that, it was just going to be him ¡ª unless, of course, Bill was going to have someone else apany him. Best case scenario, there was a safety measure already built into the Tomb, allowing safe exit. ''Let''s be real here for a sec. No way a guy with a name like Naxathra is going to bother with that.'' 13:47


    Bill gave Liam a weak smile. He spoke tersely.


    "I genuinely do not know what''s behind this Tomb and what sort of monstrosities you might encounter inside. Our experts have narrowed it down to the utmost peak of the fourth Rank, but that''s just an estimation."


    Bill''s eyes sharpened with seriousness. "But if you have the grit to take it on¡­ I promise, on behalf of mypany and name, you will not regret it." Liam paused. "Will it just be me inside?" he asked.


    "Yes," Bill answered.


    Liam felt something off. "I have to ask: why me? Of all the people you could have chosen, you picked the one with possibly the worst reputation and personality. And I''m not the strongest, either."


    Billughed so hard, the bubble echoed with his guffaw. He looked Liam in the eyes.


    "That''s exactly why I hired you, friend. I have to remain behind and run things, and my fighting style is not feasible indoors."


    "Although I trust my people, they are team-oriented ¡ª not good on their own."


    "You, on the other hand, I can tell instantly ¡ª you do not enjoypany." In other words, Liam was weak enough for Bill to have leverage over, and just strong enough to undertake the mission. If he died inside, Bill wouldn''t lose any assets. If he survived¡­ well, that was a win-win for both sides.


    "Or¡­ y''know, you could just agree to assassinate AQ''s CEO. I don''t mind that, either." Liam sighed. A secondter, he made his choice.


    "I''ll do it."


    Bill''s eyes lit up, including the other three scientists with them. "Splendid! Do you need to prepare?"


    "Heavily. Give me at least six months to a year. Maybe more." Bill nodded firmly. "Very well," he said, putting a hand on Liam''s shoulder. "Take as much time as you need. I''ll give you the specifics of our agreement, and more details once you''re ready."

 Chapter 549 Will

    549 Will


    Liam was pleased with how the agreement between him and Bill worked out. Truth be told, he didn''t have nearly as many issues with exploring the Tomb as Bill thought he did. Of course, it wasn''t without his reservations. For one, it felt like he was diving into pitch ck waters, unsure of its depth or lurking dangers. Best case scenario, mister Naxathra was a kind soul who got caught up in a very serious game of hide and seek¡­ or he was a greedy, bloodthirsty demon who wouldn''t share his possessions, even after his untimely demise. Either way, he had already agreed to the request. It was not like he could back out now, anyway. Not after what he knew about a corporation''s top-secret operation. "Before I leave," Liam said. "I have a few questions I hope you don''t mind answering."


    "Ask away," Bill said, smiling. His mood was much better after hearing Liam ept the job.


    "Have you heard of a woman by the name of Silivar?" Liam asked, and saw Bill''s face twist with disgust.


    Bill adjusted his expression.


    "Ah¡­ yes. Sort of. We were¡­ an item, in the past. It ended on a sour note. She''s doing her own thing now." "Uh-huh¡­"


    Cared not, Liam did. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    "What about a humanoid mantis looking thing, with scythes for arms." Genuinely looking confused, Bill shook his head. "Doesn''t ring a bell."


    Liam paused.


    "What about a viscous glob with a massive eye in its center? Shootsser beams, can ignite its slime¡­" Bill arched a brow in confusion, then shook his head. "You went for a couple of weeks and saw some wild things, man. What even is that?" "Nevermind then," Liam said. "Last question. Where does Gorock live?" Bill was startled.


    "Uh¡­ c-can I ask why you want that information? If I have it, even¡­"


    Liam grinned. "I might pay him a visit." Bill slowly raised his hands, as one would when calming down a feral beast who wanted to devour them. "Will you reconsider?" he asked in a friendly voice. Liam remained silent for a second, then smiled coldly.


    "No."


    "Lad," Bill said seriously. "His nickname is the ''Prince of Cruelty''. Fighting him on his turf is akin to suicide." Silence.


    "I never said fighting, did I?" Liam responded. "Just a visit." ***


    After a very tense conversation with Bill McGill, a satisfied Liam left the Headquarters of the NOCL¡­ along with the memorized coordinates of Gorock''s location. Truth be told, Liam wasn''t looking for trouble. However, it was Bill who told Liam of Gorock''s speciality in using demonic piranha swarms to devour his enemies. Blood Piranhas were ravenous creatures that greedily devoured blood. They were not easily controlled, and the method of domestication was one of two types. Breeding and raising them¡­ or enving them. ''I have to lean towards thetter,'' Liam thought. Not to mention Gorock lived not too far away from the Unholy Lamprey¡­ a Great Tide who''s sole power was based upon ¨C you guessed it ¨C blood. All this gave Liam the impression that Gorock knew a lot about the secrets of ichor. Way more than Liam himself. If Liam wanted to explore the Tomb with his mind at ease, entering with a Rank 5 body ¡ª or, at the very least, one that wasn''t stuck at the fourth ¡ª would greatly bolster his confidence. Finding himself arge crevice to settle inside in ¡ª and using all his White Matter to produce a set of guards for his protection ¡ª Liam sat cross-legged and unfurled the original Primordial Forging sheet. It was stillrgely unaltered, and the processes were more or less the same.


    Starting today, that would change.


    Primordial Forging had a very rigid structure. Now that Liam spent years forging with the method, anding across countless other skilled cksmiths disying their techniques, he realized how inflexible it was.


    It depended too much on Magical Beasts and their innate powers, as opposed to the user''s creativity and personal will. In a way, this meant that the item''s real forger was the Magical Beast, not the cksmith. That was what Liam wanted to change. Although meeting Kamjin inspired him to do so, his promise with Rogan had happened years before. He was going to master this art and bring it to the upper ranks. And the same went for Blood Weave.


    Time blurred. Altering a Forging method, even a little, was an extremelyplex process that required diligent care. Liam already had a tad bit of experience, since he had renewed the workings of Blood Weave. But damn it if Rogan''s method was even more difficult than the former. Since everything was centered around Magical Beasts, Liam literally had to transform an animalistic framework into a human one, which was infinitely moreplex.


    Halfway through, Liam made a very drastic change ¨Cpletely removing the Will of a Magical Beast from the method. Of course, this meant that he would no longer be able to subjugate Magical Beasts'' innate abilities into his weapons. It would vastly increase the time needed to forge items, no longer have the readiness and diverse variety that Magical Beasts offered him, and lessen the number of products Liam could dish out.


    Of course, this didn''t change the fact that his weapons would still be made from Magical Beast parts. That was never going to change.


    Except, Liam added something in its stead. ¡­His own will.


    The process was the same. Except, now, instead of using the Will of a Magical Beast, Liam would use his own. The result was mixed. On one hand, it meant that the item was going to be much weaker in terms of sheer power, endurance, bnce and sharpness and whatever else. That was because, although Liam had just a Rank 4 mental sphere, the Magical Beasts he subjugated were even at the middle and upper tiers. But now, his base Rank 4 sea of consciousness would substitute as a base. The strength of his mental sphere would directly corrte with the power of his Will.


    ¡­But on the other hand, it finally meant Liam had full control over his cruel products.


    That put a huge smile on his deathly pale, sweaty, weak face. As he fell unconsci


    ous, Liam had just one thought. ''What sword should I tweak first?''

 Chapter 550 Red Line

    550 Red Line


    When Liam woke up, he felt horrible.


    Aching, tired and mentally drained.


    Blood stains and gunk dirtied the once clean crevice.


    It wasn''t the first time he had fallen unconscious during Primordial Forging''s renewal.


    Since his blood had be so potent and heavy, his mental sphere strained under its weight.


    4 and a half months had passed in the blink of an eye. To Liam, though, it felt like a week.


    Burning away traces of his stay, Liam took out his odachi.


    He separated them from their unified state, and all three swords ¡ª the Dusks, ck de and Breaker ¡ª sat on the floor.


    ''What do I start with?''


    Unlike before where Liam had the liberty of making rapid changes over quick periods of time¡­ now, it was a different story.


    Once Liam made a change, he could only make another after one year.


    ¡­What did this mean?


    Liam could only make one special item, one special change, per year.


    Why?


    Simply put, if the Primordial Forging method was a body, the Magical Beast Will was its heart.


    When Liam removed this, all the nerves and veins had to be stripped away, too. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om


    These little nerves and veins are what made the unorthodox technique even feasible¡­ and it was also what made it so rigid.


    To substitute for this, Liam used his own blood, which he would then mix with his mental energy to produce a Will of his own.


    In a way, this meant that Primordial Forging had be somewhat simr to Blood Weaving!


    The result was this: due to how arduous and taxing this method was, Liam could, by his own estimates, forge something new once per year.


    Of course, this didn''t apply to one-time use items, like the Parasite Worm and Abyssal Needles, since they didn''t require as much effort.


    Nevertheless, no gain was without some loss.


    This was eptable, though it would make him stingy on how he was to spend his one chance to forge something unique.


    Ideas rushed through his mind.


    But he could only choose one.


    ''It''s between the ck de and the Dusks,'' Liam thought. ''The Breaker isrgely situational¡­ I can''t put my money on it.''


    The Breaker worked off of sheer power, and if Liam didn''t have a Rank 5 body, he could not maximize its true potential.


    As such, he favored the Dusks.


    The main reason was because they worked so well with Resonance, and that it was two des instead of one.


    The ck de consumed two petals.


    The Breaker consumed four.


    And the Dusks consumed one each.


    Before making his final decision, Liam decided something else.


    ''I''ll settle this after I visit Gorock,'' Liam decided. ''Wouldn''t hurt. Besides, if a fight breaks out, I can test what des would do best against his swarm.''


    Leaving the crevice, the first thing Liam noticed was that his two guards were horribly injured.


    Corpses of weak, lower ranking species of Fishmen littered the ground beside them.


    "Well done, friends," Liam patted his Meathead guards on the back, then rammed a hand through their brains, killing them instantly.


    They returned to his Pearl.


    Then, Liam set off towards Gorock''s residence.


    ***


    Covered with umbral shadows hiding his presence, Liam''s eyes shone with a dark light as hovered some distance away from an obscure stone mansion situated at the very edge of a sharp underwater cliff. The pce was a fortress¡­ yet no soldiers were present to act as guard. Torches that burnt with red mes lit its front gate ¡ª which was not open to visitors. The red waters were thick with the taste and stench of blood. Here and there, shipwrecks and massive bones created iconic-lookingndmarks, and the Quadrant as a whole looked like a mass graveyard. Most unique of all, were the swarms of piranhas that circled the stone mansion.


    The word demonic suited them well. A single piranha was the size of an adult''s torso¡­ but for a Zenith, size wasn''t the most important aspect. Each one of these little demons had a jaw sorge, it was ear-to-ear, filled with protruding, hook-like teeth. With rough, deformed skin colored with dark red hues, it even had a damn exoskeleton. Some even had bits of flesh in between their deformed gums.


    ''Damn they''re ugly.'' Liam''s eye shifted from the swarms, to what the cliff overlooked. The Red Line. The Unholy Lamprey''s domain.


    True to its name, it was a huge red line that stretched from east to west. The liquid inside it was a murky, thick, dark shade of blood, refusing to mix with whatever Quadrant it bordered. The Red Line looked like a massive wall that stretched as far as the sky itself¡­ yet it was not solid by any means. By all means, it was not near him. Yet, as Liam nced at it, an ominous presence made it seem like he was being gazed back at. Watched.


    Liam shook away the feeling. Everyone felt that way. It was a primordial instinct.


    Even if they weren''t actually being watched, just being around a spider''s nest or a viper''s burrow, one would sense an urge to turn away and not stick around.


    This was that, amplified by a hundred. Shifting his focus back to the stone castle, Liam hummed to himself. ''How do I get him out of there without a fight breaking out?''


    If possible, Liam genuinely wanted this to be a visit. If they could share a talk with one another with no harm, then what the heck? It was a win-win, ideal situation.


    If.


    ''Meh, worth a shot.'' Liam used his White Matter and summoned a Meathead, enveloped it with his shadows, then carved something in its chest, before sending it to the mansion''s main gate via the Sea of Darkness. Then, he severed the connection between the Meathead and his shadow, allowing it to swim further away at the cost of losing control over it. ''Off you go, little buddy. Don''t get eaten.''


    And so it went, gliding through the ground as a nondescript puddle of darkness.


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