Dual Cultivation: Beasts and Women!

The blue star!

He concluded that the blue star was somehow responsible for this strange and extremely positive phenomenon he was experiencing.

He could see the runes of the items he had got after completing the first phase of the Secret Hunt mission, items with Third Class enchantments, more than an entire class above his understanding, the same level as his cultivation.

This led him to a different conclusion. His limit in observing Third Class runes was not related to his Runemaster skills, but to his mana cultivation.

For the moment, that was all he could conclude from the information and experience he had. Since he really had no way to go deeper until he got information from the star in his soul space, he left for the Lotus Temple.

'I currently have 99 merit points. I'll spend 50 of them and get two hours at level two. I urgently need to increase my Mana Mask mastery to better hide my cultivation and that of Thal'Korr.'

At the second level of Mana Mask mastery, the Spirit Master could hide their cultivation from even stronger individuals than they could fool at the first level. Besides this improvement, such a cultivator could also extend their cultivation concealment method to their Spirits at the second level of mastery.

Only at the third level would they be able to completely hide the cultivation of all their Spirits. But even at the second level, one could fool an opponent with a cultivation close to theirs.

'I must make Thal'Korr advance to the third realm quick. But if I can't hide his cultivation, my superiors in City Thirteen will realize my current situation and promote me to Officer before I'm ready.'

He pondered the possibilities in front of him as he entered the Lotus Temple building and paid for a cultivation room.

Fortunately, the Mana Mask was the kind of technique that would evolve as it was used. Since he had been using it constantly since he learned it, he wasn't far from reaching the second level of mastery.

'I should be very close to the second level after my two hours of training in here. Thal'Korr has not advanced yet, so it will be no problem for me to take another two days to advance in mastery. I don't intend to fight in public until then, so I should be able to complete this plan.'

He entered a cultivation room that was identical to the ones he had passed through in the past few days, giving no attention to the people who had watched him on his way there.

He would soon spend his time training the Mana Mask, using the technique book to re-read the part about the second phase of mastery, but also taking time to meditate and absorb the rich mana in the room.

Unfortunately, after his advancement to the third realm, the second level of the Lotus Temple seemed to have lost much of its luster. It was still useful, but it had become as 'simple' as level one of this tower had been for him before.

However, he didn't even have the merit points to return to level two after today's passage. He didn't think about going to level three for the time being.

He also wanted to visit the third level of the Library, which he thought was even more important than going to the third level of the temple.

Far from being able to go any further in the Lotus Temple, Liam would soon finish his two hours there and leave his training room much closer to reaching the second level of Mana Mask.

'Only two more days and I'll be there!'

...

While Liam went about his routine, which had been peaceful lately, given the fact that he was free from fighting and training in the arena and had fulfilled his responsibilities to be free for a few days, Enos was preparing for his fight against Myles!

In the arena of City Thirteen, the leader of Emerald Owls stood in the contestants' wing of the place's magnificent fighting building, seething as he awaited the referee's call for him to fight Myles.

Already aware that Hannibal and one of his groups had gone after Liam and died outside the city, Enos was furious and even more certain that Liam had started the Secret Hunt. This had made him even more violent since the deaths of his faction members were confirmed.

But because of today's fight, he had to put Liam aside and try to keep his focus. Beating Myles was even more important to him than eliminating Liam!

But that didn't mean he wouldn't be hunting the troublesome young rookie. After today, he wanted to focus all his attention on the black-haired boy.

"Boss, I have an update on Liam Porter," said one of the Emerald Owl men currently surrounding Enos.

Everyone looked at the Spirit Lord and he continued, "Liam has reached the Second Class in his profession as a Runemaster. Not only that, but he was seen in the coliseum earlier today next to Mary Hill. Our observers believe she joined the Leopards this morning."

Liam's promotion to Second Class surprised him, but the news about Mary had been expected.

"That damned woman joining the Leopards was to be expected," said one of the remaining third realm cultivators in Emerald Owls. "But Liam Porter's rise in the Runemaster profession is a surprise. He obviously has great talent."

Enos clenched a fist, not liking this at all. As much as a breakthrough in an enchanting profession wasn't that significant in the short term, it could give Liam more influence, which was a problem in itself.

One of the stronger men beside Enos knew what his chief had in mind and said, "Boss, Liam Porter will have to come to the arena in no more than two days to fulfill his weekly responsibility. We can put him back in training and force him to choose a new opponent for his official fight of the month.

Whoever he chooses, we can approach that person and arm them with special potions..." The man with a long red hair suggested, his gaze sharp and not afraid to look into Enos' eyes.

The big, fat Enos liked what he heard and ordered, "Let's stick with this plan for now. Get a group of 9-Star Spirit Lords to fight him in a special training session the next time he comes to the arena and force him to choose his next opponent for an official fight."

When the referee for today's fights signaled it was time for him to step onto the fighting platform, Enos said his last words before taking Liam aside, "Prepare an ambush against him if he survives our attempts. The Leopards will move to protect him, but I will join our action to ensure his demise!"

He climbed the steps between his wing.

...

On the other side of the arena's fighting platform, Eleanor stood next to Myles in the competitors' area.

"Robert is back in town after his latest hunt." The white-haired woman said to her temporary ally, "It seems he has no intention of leaving until the Silver-Winged Leopard comes out of hibernation."

He climbed the steps in front of her as he listened to her words. "If that's the case, set our plans in motion. We'd better force the Silver-Winged Leopard to awaken as soon as possible. The sooner we resolve the situation with those two, the better."

"Hmmm, I've already sent one of my sisters earlier to begin our plans. We should have results within the next 20 days."

"Good. That's the time to get ready to deal with two problems at once." He looked ahead with a smile, spotting the pile of meat on the other side of the platform. "For now, I'll take down the problem closest to me."

The referee introduced the two sides and the rules of the match, while the crowd, packed into the stands where there were no seats available, trembled with excitement as the match between members of the top 5 was about to begin.

"Begin!" the Officer in charge of the stage said as he stepped aside while the surrounding formations went into full action, marking the start of another official match.