Dual Cultivation: Beasts and Women!

He wasn't interested in the rank, let alone the buzz that came from the area, which was already teeming with disciples before 11 o'clock. Even on a chilly day like today, hundreds of disciples would be there, some to fight, but most to watch the day's fights.

Even before he entered the arena, Liam noticed the sharp glances in his direction. He was certain that he would have problems during his five hours of mandatory service in this place today.

It was the first time he had entered the hall since his affiliation with the Leopards became public. Having rejected the faction behind many of the arena's members, he had no doubt that today would be difficult.

'Let's get on with it. Hopefully, they'll stick to the rules and not push it to the limit today.' Liam continued after preparing himself.

Over the past few days, he had continued his activities in the Runes Hall, his cultivation with Mary, and his training with Mana Mask. However, he still needed a few more days of training to master his new technique and become a First Class Runemaster. As for leveling up, that was even further away from him than the other two things.

But he was stronger than he was three days ago, and he continued his studies on combat techniques and types of Spirits.

Regrettably, he would need to wait until the start of the following month to receive his Initiate's wage. Only then would he be able to resume his training and cultivation at the Lotus Temple, in a more fitting environment.

"Initiate Liam Porter, come with me. You have a different assignment today," said one of the three men who had looked at him sharply a moment ago.

As he had no other option, Liam trailed behind the short, black-haired individual. This person was an 8-Star Spirit Lord, the same level of the other two observing Liam silently.

The work Liam had done in the arena on his first day on the job had been simple. He had helped clean the fighting platform and the competitors' area.

The work in the arena wasn't complex. The outer disciples basically did the maintenance work, took part in the mandatory fights—usually at the worst times of the day to keep the arena running—as well as managed the fight orders, rank records, benefits, and so on.

This was not a place to develop skills. The service there was mainly menial, and practically all the disciples of the sect would work in the fighting hall at some point in their journeys.

However, there were strenuous activities to be performed in the arena, such as the compulsory fights, which were theoretically designed to force even the most complacent to fight and push their limits.

"What am I supposed to do today?" Liam asked, not surprised at the change in his role.

In the Battle Hall, the roles were indeed more variable, and it would be difficult for someone to work on the same thing for more than a few weeks.

But the Hall Lordwould surely punish him.

The Initiate in front of Liam continued through the inner corridors of the arena and led Liam to the fight registration area. "You will register to fight in the arena in three days. This is your mandatory fight of the month. But for now, you'll be taking part in Initiate Francis' collective training."

The mandatory fight did not surprise Liam. He was already prepared for it and had even thought of a name he wanted to face. But the collective training took him by surprise and made him secretly clench his fists.

In addition to the already introduced functions of an arena member, disciples could also hire the services of the arena for more realistic training.

Training with a Spirit Puppet was almost perfect, but its price could be an obstacle for over 80% of the Spirit Masters. Arena battles, on the other hand, were practically free, but they were quite dangerous.

If one was willing to pay a reasonable amount—not too much compared to the cost of renting a Spirit Puppet, and not too little compared to a challenge in the arena—one could hire the arena and get a group of Spirit Masters to help them train.

One function of the arena's Spirit Masters was to meet the training needs of the disciples who signed up!

The problem with this? Training could be quite dangerous, even though the rules of the arena stated that neither side could use deadly force.

But that wasn't all...

'Initiate Francis is part of the Emerald Owls... He probably chose the collective training to hide his actual intention to hurt me.' Liam looked sharply in the direction of the man in front of him, another member of that faction behind the arena.

But he managed to hide his displeasure in his voice. "Is that everything I need to do today?"

"Yes, after training, your five hours for the week will be complete," the man said in a good-natured tone.

When they reached the registration area, Liam had already put his name on the leaderboard and was currently ranked at 7,026. He was near the bottom of the ladder with only 100 points.

Because of the rules of the arena, where the winner took some of the loser's points, new registrants always entered the rank with an initial score related to their hierarchy in the sect.

Liam was an Initiate, so his position was higher than that of the novice Aspirants.

"Do you have an opponent in mind? We can choose someone of the same level for you if you don't have one," asked the officer behind the booth they stopped at.

Although the place was organized a lot by other outer disciples, the most important functions in this and other halls were done by Officers to make sure that they followed the few rules of the sect.

The Initiate next to Liam looked at him, curious who this foolish fellow would choose. If Liam let the arena choose for him, the chances of him facing a member of Emerald Owls were not small.

'He probably won't choose anyone. A rookie like him doesn't know...'

While the short-haired Initiate was thinking to himself, Liam said the name of the opponent he had chosen.

"Initiate Susanna Alexander."

Liam surprised the Initiate behind him.

Liam had already investigated the name of such a woman. Azariah had nominated Susanna Alexander. But Liam hadn't chosen her just because of the fat guy.

By investigating the names given by Azariah, Liam had discovered that Susanna was part of the Abyss Matriarchs, the force that had tried to assassinate him!

As far as he could find out, Susanna Alexander was supposed to be a 4-Star Spirit Master in her last battle in the arena. She could be a good opponent for his first proper fight against Spirit Masters. She wouldn't become his friend, so there was no risk of offending her with the challenge. Susanna was also weaker than him and with a better position than him in the rank, i.e. with points to lose.

Most importantly, she was a woman, the best kind of target for him!

The Officer issued Liam's challenge to Susanna, while the Initiate behind the black-haired boy thought about the situation.

'Susanna, huh? Why did you choose this woman?' The corners of the Initiate's lips rose subtly. 'Do you think her 4-Star cultivation is real? Tsk! You're even dumber than I thought!

We don't even need to use someone from our faction against you. You have directly chosen this Abyss Matriarchs viper!'