Dual Cultivation: Beasts and Women!

But Liam didn't stay by Mary's side for more than a minute after his allies left. He gave her the Third Class enchanted weapon he had kept after giving Electa's weapon, warning his partner that there was more where that came from and that their chances were better than they seemed.

He followed the path out of the palace, leaving the beautiful glass-roofed structure only 20 minutes after arriving in the area.

Normally, it would take up to 30 minutes for students to train their minds inside the palace. As soon as he felt his observers catching sight of him again, Liam didn't worry.

'Everything is going according to plan.' He breathed in the chilly mountain air and walked calmly towards the city's stairs.

Unfortunately, he wouldn't be able to meet up with Mary until tomorrow night, while he and the group had decided that it would be best if none of them met again in the city to avoid problems.

Electa wouldn't be leaving until the next day, but Liam wouldn't be meeting her tonight, as he had been doing lately.

'I'm going back to my room. I'm pretty close to create two First Class enchanted items in a row... According to Ann, if I can create four First Class items in a row without taking a break, I'll probably have the magical endurance to challenge the Second Class.'

Inscribing runes was a balancing act. Without the theoretical knowledge, you wouldn't be able to combine the runes. But without the magical endurance to wear and tear and the mental effort that characterized it, inscribing even the simplest runes would be impossible.

While Liam was already learning new characters and their combinations, he still didn't have the necessary endurance.

'I will focus on that today and tomorrow. After I return from this mission against Emerald Olws, I'll be close to advancing to Second Class.'

The date for the final test of the four contestants under Ann's supervision was approaching. They would soon compete for the one spot to become a full-fledged Second Class Runemaster.

A Second Class Runemaster, or any Second Class professional, was not necessarily someone who could create Second Class essences. As necessary as it was, in a world where it was difficult to determine the quality of products and distinguish a fake from the real thing, only professionals accredited by major institutions were respected and trusted.

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A Runemaster had to be certified by the Twin Land Runemasters Association, otherwise people would hardly trust and buy their products.

Demon Gate had affiliated members of the Runemasters Association and several other such associations in its ranks, who could pass on the continent's official certification to new professionals.

The test that Liam and his three competitors would take was precisely to get this certification, something important for one's status, but even more so for one's wallet.

Liam treasured this opportunity, knowing once he had his certification, he could market his products and make a financial return from the profession.

'This is my way out of Demon Gate.' He smiled as he descended the city's main staircase, imagining the day when he would have his chance to escape.

'If I can become a Third Class Runemaster, I'll eventually be able to live like the hermits of the Twin Land's legend, putting people to work for me while I hide. After a few years, Demon Gate will forget about me and I'll be free.'

But that wasn't all Liam had in mind. While he had been dealing with his problems, learning about the reality of the Spirit Masters and this world, he had been making plans for the days after his escape.

He felt the first moment of escape would be the most difficult and sensitive. But after that, he would still have to be careful and have methods to keep his position safe or methods to counteract any potential sect members after him to capture or kill him. As long as he wasn't a continental-level expert, he would need support, which his profession could give him through coins and allies.

Returning to his room, he turned his attention back to the runic inscription, preparing for another day of hard work.

Tomorrow would be one month since he joined the sect, and it would be time for him to return to the Records Hall to claim his wage for the month.

With more merit points, he could go to the Lotus Temple once more before his dangerous journey against Emerald Owl in the next few days!

...

In the afternoon of the next day, Hannibal met one of his observers outside of the cultivation room he had just left, on the third level of the Lotus Temple.

"Boss, I bring news from Initiate Mary," the man said after a brief greeting.

"Initiate?" Hannibal immediately noticed the change in Mary's title.

"Exactly. Mary Hill has passed the Promotion Exam and is now an Initiate. Her status was updated by the Records Hall an hour ago, and we received a new message from her shortly thereafter."

Hannibal saw the man show him a letter, which he took to read.

The man continued, "She says she's meeting Liam again tonight to plan her departure for the following afternoon. She's just waiting for Abimael's signal. According to her, he should warn he's ready by the next morning if nothing has happened to his group."

Hannibal liked what he heard and read and couldn't help but stop in front of the temple stairs, on the highest floor of this place, near the top of the large tree inside the Lotus Temple.

"Perfect. Get our men ready. We'll go after them as soon as they leave town."

He went down to the first floor of the building and looked at the beautiful future ahead of him.

...

Hannibal stopped beside a table full of plates of food in one of the best restaurants in City Thirteen, where a tall, fat man was devouring a pig by himself.

In this place of beautiful views and intense smells of fresh food, Liam's powerful enemy bowed his head respectfully and said, "Faction leader, I bring news of the latest little problem."

Enos Cornelius, fourth ranked disciple of City Thirteen, leader of Emerald Owls, 4-Star Spirit Earth Cultivator, continued to eat while Hannibal spoke.

"We will most likely act against him tomorrow. I ask for your permission to hunt down the worm and put an end to the problem once and for all," Hannibal said, without looking at Enos' face.

It wasn't because he didn't like the way Enos ate, chewing with his mouth open and saliva flying everywhere. That bull in a human body was not a simple person to deal with. Looking into his face was something few could do without provoking his anger.

"Sort it out quickly," The big guy said, not bothering to speak with his mouth full of food. "I have a fight with Myles Smile this week. I don't want to waste my time standing guard at the arena."

"Don't worry, boss. I'll be back in a day at the most. I'll take care of that pesky worm and return to my position."

"Bring me his spatial ring, but don't check it." Enos looked at Hannibal's face as the man turned pale and looked down in concern. "Do you understand?"

"Sure. I'll take his spatial ring and no one will snoop on it."

"Perfect, now go." With a wave of his hand, Enos created a strong current of air that pushed Hannibal ten meters in the opposite direction.

As this high-ranking member of Emerald Owls broke into a cold sweat, Enos plastered an interesting smile on his face.

'Liam Porter, huh? If I'm not mistaken, he joined the Secret Hunt mission. Otherwise, he wouldn't have improved his cultivation so quickly. But in this case, he must have a spatial ring full of resources, haha.'

Like Liam, Enos had completed the first phase of the Secret Hunt and was now taking part in the second phase, the competition to devour the demonic Spirits of his dear companions.

'Your spirits are still feeble, too bad. Otherwise, I'd hunt you down myself. But your spatial ring will do for now.'

He looked in the direction Hannibal had left, his big red eyes shining powerfully.

The waiters nearby didn't know if he was just enjoying the food or something else, but they couldn't help but cringe at the look on this huge guy's face.

All they wanted was for him to leave as soon as possible and for there to be no problems this late afternoon.

But the most popular restaurant in town was frequented by more than one member of the arena's top ten. As Enos finished his meal, Myles and Eleanor entered the establishment, each spotting the other.

"Shit!" A restaurant employee cursed their luck.