Dual Cultivation: Beasts and Women!

But Nance also felt her strength reach a level she thought she would only achieve after a few more weeks of cultivation. Her magical foundation grew stronger, and she could now allow her three Spirits to cultivate at a higher level.

By being able to elevate the strength of her Spirits, she could significantly increase her power in a short time!

Amidst their improvements, she noticed what Liam had mentioned earlier. Her vitality subtly weakened, while her foundation didn't seem as solid, despite being larger and stronger now. But she couldn't say he had lied. Indeed, her loss of vitality and stability was small. Compared to her strengthening, it was something she could even overlook.

'So he is a dual cultivator,' she thought as she took a deep breath, looking at the white ceiling of Liam's room. 'I didn't expect that… I thought dual cultivators always seduced their partners.'

She could affirm Liam had not seduced her. She had pursued him, not the other way around. He had been with her on several occasions without using his powers; she could affirm this, given the absurd differences between today and the other opportunities together. And in the end, he only made his advancement when she herself accepted it first.

Nance did not blame Liam for the negative aspects of her improvement. This was exactly what she had agreed to. In fact, she even gained something. She was expecting to lose her vitality and magical solidity and gain nothing in return. But she had also become stronger, something she couldn't ignore.

Liam finally turned to Nance with a smiling on his lips. He thanked her immediately. "Thank you for agreeing to cultivate with me, Nance. I know dual cultivators are frowned upon in our society, so I appreciate your trust. If you don't want to cultivate again after today, I will understand your point without problems."

She hadn't yet thought about cultivating again with Liam, but even with the negative points, she couldn't help but think about it now. "What are the effects of dual cultivation in the long term? Do you have any idea?"

Liam saw the interest in her eyes and wasn't surprised. Dual cultivation sex was much more pleasurable than a normal experience. Being able to become stronger was a bonus. One would have to be strong mentally to not even consider repeating the experience.

"The effects are more or less what you are feeling.

If we use special potions and mixtures during cultivation, we can even strengthen the positive effects and delay the negative ones. Other options only strengthen all effects, whether positive or negative. But anyway, what you felt now is what you would feel in every session together."

"Do you have these substances?" she asked with obvious interest.

"I have those that strengthen the general effects. Something that only enhances and diminishes the negative effects is out of my reach now," he said what he had already discovered with Electa through the complete translation of the incubus's book.

Unfortunately, the mixtures capable of replicating what he explained to Nance required resources unavailable in City Thirteen.

'So dual cultivation can be more positive than it was in this session…' She pondered as she sat on the bed, showing Liam an interested look.

"Well, for now, I can continue cultivating with you," she said with a flushed face. "But I can't guarantee I'll be available forever."

He smiled, understanding Nance's intention. Liam saw no problem with her position. Having already made an agreement to prevent her from revealing what he could do, he took her with him to the bathroom, soon talking about other matters and playing with the blue-haired girl.

…

For the next two days, Liam continued with most of his recent routine. He cultivated daily with Mary, Electa, Nance, and Grace while continuing to develop his profession.

He couldn't see Ann and Joan together during these days, but he had the chance to be with them separately, furthering his plans with them, though still lacking the decisive step. Joan seemed more inclined to accept an opportunity for dual cultivation, so Liam was already planning to try with her first before anything with Ann.

However, that would be after he returned from the hunt for the Silver-Winged Leopard. Upon completing his weekly responsibility at the Beasts Hall the day before, Liam heard from Robert about their imminent departure today.

Liam only told the faction leader that he would be ready at the start of the day, already having his permission to leave the city at hand.

After visiting Mary at 4 a.m. and bidding farewell to his blonde girl, he headed to the city exit shortly before sunrise.

He would have to wait a bit, still being watched by members of local factions.

He could feel each of his opponents in the surroundings, who would certainly send messages to his enemies waiting for him in the fjord about his departure.

'Luckily, I raised my mastery over Mana Mask. Now that I'm in the third phase of the technique, only a peak Spirit Sky cultivator could perceive my real cultivation.'

The third phase of Mana Mask wasn't much different from the second phase. The difference lay in the efficiency of hiding the user's cultivation and that of their Spirits. Before, Liam could hide and mask the cultivation of one of his Spirits. Now he could do so with all of them, even if he already had a third Spirit.

Given his speed of progress with the technique, Liam wanted to master it completely before reaching the inner sect area. At that time, he could deceive even important sect members and remain protected by his hidden cultivation.

Now he still displayed an aura of 9-Star of the Spirit Lord Realm, although showing a stronger level, near the peak of the realm.

But while he hid his strengths, he could use all his power and sharp senses to feel even a few hundred meters away from him. He could feel all the eyes on him, sense the cultivations, and even hear some murmurs in his current condition.

Hearing footsteps, Liam looked at the city staircase and saw a group of 10 men from Leopards, with Robert and Lazarus at the front of the team.

Leopards was investing heavily in this hunt. The faction would take its four Spirit Earth cultivators—excluding Liam—for the hunt of the Silver-Winged Leopard. Besides them, and Liam himself, six 9-Star Spirit Lords, armed with Third Class armor and weapons, were there for the hunt.

"Liam…" Lazarus greeted him with a handshake.

"Are you prepared?" Robert asked, greeting Liam. "I fear our enemies will ambush us on more than one occasion in the coming hours and days. The hunt for the Silver-Winged Leopard will not be easy either. The beast is powerful, and even if we didn't have enemies, it would be difficult to conquer."

"Certainly, boss. I will do my best to help you get this beast," Liam said sincerely as he joined the group.

His gratitude to Robert and Leopards was sincere. He was on this journey much to protect himself and deal with his opponents, but he wanted to do his best to help the group leader.

"Perfect. Let's move forward. I fear we have only 24 hours until the creature awakens. Our enemies are constantly stressing its surroundings."

They moved forward, leaving their permissions at the city exit, soon entering the forest.

As they walked not so fast, careful of their surroundings, they talked about what lay ahead, the factions of City Thirteen, the hunt itself, and the possible dispute with disciples from other cities.

Liam spoke about the tracking device he had with him and was attached to one of the Crimson Rebels members, but for now, the item showed no signal—which indicated that the enemy was out of range or had destroyed the tracking item.

While they talked and updated their plans with the things, Liam informed the group, their enemies were on the move. Messenger birds and communication devices around the city exit sprang into action.

The individuals watching Liam wasted no time in sending the news of the Leopards group's departure to the various factions around this side of the fjord that morning.

It was time for their groups to have their last battle and redefine the power hierarchy in City Thirteen!

…

Meanwhile, on Street Fifth…

In a private residential building, one of the largest and most imposing in the city, William Semple, first in the Arena rank, was training in a room as spacious and powerful as the level three rooms of the Lotus Temple.

There, a man in black was positioned to assist and correct his mistakes in the technique he was training.

His peak 6-Star cultivation was evident as he moved, an uncontested power within City Thirteen. No one among the area's disciples had cultivation even close to his.

The strongest after him was only a 4-Star individual!

William was not worried about his rank competitors and was already preparing for his entry into the sect's inner wing, something that should happen in the coming months.

But he still kept up with local news. While he trained that morning with his instructor, one of his subordinates in the city said, "Boss, Enos, Eleanor, Robert, and Myles are all out of the city. Rumors circulating the city say they will face off in a battle for a wild beast from the fjord. Their direct competitors expect at least one of them to die in the coming days."

William continued moving his sword against a wooden puppet surrounded by artificial Spirits, as if the news was not relevant.

"The newcomer Liam Porter is also with the group. Some of our acquaintances are betting he won't return from this journey."

This comment caught William's attention. He no longer saw the city's strongest as competitors. They all seemed to be stagnating by growing too slowly. But Liam was showing meteoric ascension, with no signs of stopping.

"Liam Porter, huh? Put a Spirit Earth puppet behind him. If he survives his current enemies, I will move against him myself." William finally stopped, looking decisively at the man who had brought him these messages.

That individual did not question his leader's position. He understood perfectly that William was not worried about Liam's growth in City Thirteen, but rather in an internal city.

William would soon move to one of the internal cities, while Liam should do the same. After all, the boy was only 18 years old and already at the end of the second realm. It was almost certain that he would get his automatic promotion to the sect's inner wing in a few weeks.

With the departure of his man, William saw the Officer, there to train him, looking at him from under the mask on his face.

"You don't think it's appropriate?"

"On the contrary, young William, I am in total agreement. Liam Porter will advance almost at the same time as you to an inner city. You will most likely vie for many things."

"So, what do you have in mind?"

"A puppet is precious. But maybe you should put two of them behind Liam. He is out of the city, in the middle of a hunt… And if he advances and gets his third Spirit? Two puppets will ensure his downfall, even without you having to get involved."

"Oh?"