Legacy of Hatred

The Alchemy Elder had seen all kinds of things in his life, experiencing plenty of what the world had to offer, but even he froze at the scene that unfolded in his vision.

When the boulder finished opening, the Elder stepped inside, ready to shout an order, only for the words to remain stuck in his throat.

There, at the cave’s center, Liam slept deeply, unaffected by the boulder’s rumblings, fully immersed in the soft thighs under his head and the hands caressing him fondly.

Of course, Melissa added quite an amusing reaction to the scene.

Melissa had a strong sense of hierarchy and decorum. She would never be inappropriate when someone was watching, and the arrival of an Elder would always make her jump to her feet to comply with customary greetings.

However, Melissa was now stuck between two pressing, paramount duties. One wanted her to greet the Elder and leave, while the other kept her on her knees to continue watching over her man and let him enjoy that much-needed rest.

The clash of those two forces left Melissa stuck, lowering her head in embarrassment, but still looking up at the Elder, her green eyes carrying a timid plea.

The Elder didn’t linger on the scene, nor would he ever admit to finding it cute. His attention went to his sleeping disciple, whom he knew too well not to spot the deeper issue.

Liam was perceptive, superhumanly so. Part of that came from whatever upbringing he had experienced, and his alchemical training had only heightened his Qi sensitivity.

For someone so alert to continue sleeping despite the boulder’s rumblings and the Elder’s arrival, it could only mean that Liam had reached his utmost limit, both physically and mentally.

Also, there was another aspect the Elder didn’t fail to notice. Exhaustion alone wouldn’t have kept Liam asleep. Melissa had made him feel safe and relaxed enough to accept that vulnerable stance.

And the Elder couldn’t help but feel a bit reassured. His disciple would have a tough life, a terrible one, actually. Liam’s bloodline would eventually put him against the Kingdom, which was akin to having the whole world as his enemy.

So, it was a small miracle to see Liam being able to express such vulnerability. Melissa had carved a peaceful window for him in that unforgiving world, granting him a gift even his Master couldn’t provide.

Of course, the Elder also realized that he might have pushed Liam too far, but he left that thought for later, for when he could let it fuel his grumpiness.

Liam eventually woke up, but his surroundings were different from what he recalled, as well as many sensations. Melissa was nowhere to be seen, her warm, comfortable thighs replaced by a pouch.

Liam spotted his Master by the closed boulder, but his grogginess distracted him a bit longer as he sat up, quickly fading away to update him on much more.

The fatigue that had been Liam’s constant companion for those months was no more. His body and dantian felt rested like they hadn’t been in ages.

Moreover, Liam smelled a distinct wet scent and felt warmth he recognized on both sides of his head. He even brought a hand to his hair, mimicking Melissa’s caresses to replay them in his memory, knowing she couldn’t have left that long ago.

For whatever reason, it seemed that the Elder had let Liam sleep on Melissa.

The realization was a bit embarrassing, albeit Liam didn’t know why. Still, he soon focused on something else, recalling the question he believed he hadn’t been able to answer properly.

Even with the Alchemy Elder, Liam still felt the tension caused by the world. That obviously wasn’t out of distrust. His Master simply represented something different in his life.

Instead, all that vanished with Melissa. The world became small, limited to Liam and her, but somehow complete and fulfilling. It was as if that tiny window had everything Liam would ever need, or rather, everything would be fine as long as the two of them were together.

Honestly, if it weren’t for the cultivation journey and unforgettable revenge, Liam felt that it would have been fine to stop there, as if his life wouldn’t have needed anything else as long as he could spend his days in Melissa’s embrace.

’What a strange illness,’ Liam pondered, getting to his feet, glancing at the small pool in the corner, feeling unwilling to wash away Melissa’s traces just yet.

"Disciple Melissa wishes to convey her gratitude for the gift," The Elder announced. "She said she’ll enter seclusion immediately, not to disrespect your efforts."

Liam nodded as his thoughts moved elsewhere. He hadn’t forgotten about Simon or the mission’s deadline.

"Master," Liam called, moving to retrieve his pipe, "What exactly happens during the recruitment period?"

Liam only knew the mortal version of that practice, and partially at that. He believed the Recruiters Guild would bring promising kids to the Sects, but he had no idea what the latter did in the meantime.

"It’s a tournament of sorts," The Elder explained. "Each neighboring Sect sends a team of three to fight for the tablets they carry. Getting more tables means having priority choice over the new disciples."

The implications were obvious to Liam. The priority choice would allow the Sects to add the most promising kids to their ranks, increasing their overall power.

Naturally, Liam didn’t focus on his newfound understanding of those political fields. In his mind, the hunt had started, and the promised clashes were the perfect environment to assassinate Simon, making him nod silently.

"Disciple, you are thinking of doing it?" The Elder asked, knowing Liam’s thoughts even without needing to read his feral expression.

"Yes, Master," Liam confirmed, calculations happening in his mind as he glanced at his two cauldrons. "I just don’t think I have enough time to become a rooting expert before that."

"You don’t," The Elder agreed. "The teams are even arranged to feature one foundation expert, as the Mutated Battlefield did."

Liam had taken that part for granted. After all, the Pale Moon Sect would never handicap itself with his presence to show off when decent rewards were on the line, but he only spared the matter a brief thought.

’One week,’ Liam thought, ’Around three compound concoctions a night, so twenty-one tests. Eighteen if I want to rest before the mission.’

That number of attempts probably wasn’t enough to create what Liam needed. Still, it could make him better at compound concoctions, even good enough to pave the way for that higher goal, which was what he was working on now.

’If I master this,’ Liam considered, ’I’ll be able to become a rooting expert as soon as I get back.’

Truth be told, the timing would be perfect since Liam was accounting for eventual punishments for killing Simon. Yet, as always, the ingredients were the problem.

’Did I run out of spirit stones already?’ Liam wondered, looking at his Master. "Master, should I make a quick trip to Birgan’s Falls? I have enough time."

The Elder felt the urge to hit his disciple with his cane. Liam had already broken some unwritten rules by seizing so many spirit stones, but here he was, ready to do it again to continue exploring the new alchemical frontier.

Nevertheless, the Elder limited himself to a snort and a wave of his hand, which countless clinking noises followed. Translucent crystals materialized at his feet, forming piles over piles that crumbled down, expanding like waves over the floor.

Liam blinked in confusion, but the waves didn’t stop. More crystals appeared, surpassing his findings by over ten to one.

"Foolish disciple," The Elder scolded. "Did you think the great Horace Rauret was poor? If you are done thinking about Disciple Melissa’s legs, get down and prepare the cauldrons!"