Dual Cultivation: Beasts and Women!

Even the Spirits on both sides in the developing fight watched as their masters attacked each other head-on, raising their weapons against each other as they unleashed their last moves of the fight.

The root restraining the Silver-Winged Leopard relied on its master's strength and defensive ability and did its best to keep a Spirit four levels stronger than it immobile as long as possible.

Meanwhile, Thal'Korr increased the pace of his attacks as he watched from the sidelines to see where this tough battle would end.

As Liam and William stood less than a meter apart, with the silence of the entire Arena watching them, cracks sounded louder and louder, until the leopard broke free from the root, destroying it finally.

Liam saw his enemy visibly lose strength at the last moment of the attack, and he himself moved his sword diagonally to cut William in the center of the man.

William cursed his opponent's stronger Spirit, but he stood as firm as he could, attacking against his opponent's chest, too.

When they both reached each other, however, the one less exhausted by the condition of his Spirits showed the advantage!

The tip of William's weapon reached Liam's chest, but the black-haired young man's golden fur protected his skin from most of the force of his enemy's attack. Even so, Liam felt another cut, this time just millimeters from his heart.

But William didn't end well. As his weapon pierced Liam's body until it reached the boy's left lung, Liam's sword cut deeper into his skin than anything William had ever experienced on his journey.

A cut 6 centimeters deep appeared from William's abdomen to his left chest, forcing him to open his mouth as he paled even more than he already was.

William's tough skin, protected by a layer of root bark, couldn't withstand Liam's ultimate attack, splitting in half as his opponent's malicious blade tasted the blood of this 6-Star Spirit Earth.

Liam completed his move while also expressing pain, but he had much more happiness in his eyes than his enemy.

As he retreated backwards, Liam saw signs of William's organs in the open chest of his falling opponent!

Blood oozed from the wound Liam had suffered in his chest, but even more bleeding appeared around William's body.

Several spectators rose from their seats to witness the end of one of City Thirteen's legends, William Semple's first defeat in the Combat Arena!

Thal'Korr destroyed William's demonic Spirit at the moment of the Spirit Master's fall, not choosing to let his own master make use of {Black Art}.

Liam obviously wouldn't use that trick in that place...

As soon as he had finished his work, Thal'Korr stopped on Liam's right side, while the leopard was already on his left, both waiting for their master's command.

Liam took one last look at his still conscious enemy, aware that no one would stop him, given his oath minutes ago.

"William, do you have any last words to say?" he asked as he took a deep breath, very close to exhaustion, but well enough to feel confident that nothing would stop him now.

"Tsk!" William had nothing to say to his opponent. He only regretted his own mistake.

'I shouldn't have given you a month. A month ago, I would have killed you.' That was his last thought, before Liam gave him one last look and indicated for the leopard to finish the job.

The beast lunged towards William's wounds, acting like a crazed monster, going for the enemy's heart while brutalizing the body.

'If you hadn't stood against me, I wouldn't have been your rival. Going to the inner area of the sect is a mere formality before I flee Demon Gate.' Liam watched William's last moments in silence, with Thal'Korr standing beside him.

But despite everything, Liam clearly understood the logic behind William's action.

'I wouldn't do that, though. To act against someone who has never harmed you is foolish. But if you're going to act against someone like that, you need to be sure that they'll fall with a single blow. Otherwise... That's your fate.'

He turned his back on William and raised his arms in the air, then received recognition from the disciples of City Thirteen, the Officers of the area and even the Commanders and the Guardian, who congratulated him almost in unison with a round of applause.

Amos kept an eye on Liam with a narrowed gaze and a mysterious smile on his face, while Merlin didn't seem so happy with this result.

Amzi and Eliakim had big smiles on their faces, both more than happy to have such a promising youngster on their side.

The match referee gave the result and announced that William's oath would be respected. He guaranteed Liam would inherit everything William had left, from the items in the spatial ring and residence to even the merit points in the disciple's registry and points in the Arena's rank.

Liam's name appeared in the first position of the Arena rank, announcing to all those outside the building the outcome of the fight!

Liam retracted his Spirits back into his soul and descended the steps of the platform under the scrutiny of the crowd on fire at the result.

William's master quickly departed from the Arena, carrying on his face the worst expression anyone could have at that moment.

But even though he didn't know who was looking at him ugly, Liam was already fully prepared for the consequences. On returning to the competitors' area, he had already imagined that he would face retaliation.

That was normal in the world of Spirit Masters. He had experienced it enough over the last few months. How could he not have known that there would be trouble ahead?

'Let's see what William has left for me...' He looked at the man's spatial ring first, aware that getting everything William had left would take a few hours.

But just the items in William's spatial ring were enough to attract the attention of someone like Liam. Having been number one in the Arena for months, William had acquired a lot of resources, Arcane Crystals, common and enchanted weapons, etc.

All the items in William's spatial ring were Third Class, and some were so good that they were on the threshold of becoming Fourth Class!

With William's coins, Liam doubled his wealth, also acquiring several books and techniques he had wanted to take back from City Thirteen, but hadn't had the time or resources to acquire locally.

Weapons, shields, armor, artifacts and more could be of use to Liam's group inside or outside the sect. He didn't ignore them, nor did he intend to sell them. As for consumable resources, they were the ones that could make the most difference in the short term.

'It's been a while since I've made any headway using pills. I think I'll consume something to get stronger after I enter City Two.' He saw the Peak Guardian and other men approaching him in the competitors' wing.

It was time for him to finally leave City Thirteen!

Mary, Electa, Joan, and Ann also appeared, as he had already recommended to them before his fight.

In particular, Mary and Liam himself looked toward Amos and Merlin, not knowing whether to say hello or worry about their presence.

But one of the Commanders from a few days ago got straight to the point without introductions or greetings. "It's time for you to join us, Liam Porter. We've waited long enough for you."

"Can I at least recover from my fight?" Liam laughed bitterly at the man in question.

"There's no need. No one will act against you until we've finished our escort mission. You will come with us to Elder Niall's residence and then you will receive your mission awards. After that, you will enjoy 48 hours of protection in the inner area of the sect. No one will act against you before this, just as had already happened when your joined the sect."

"There's that in the inner area?" Mary asked.

Amos smiled at this girl, who he also hadn't expected to grow up so quickly in just three months. "Yes. Every member who joins the inner wing has this benefit. You'll get the same soon."

Liam then pointed to the trio of women he wanted to take with him via the prize from the completed mission. "I'd like to take Mary, Electa, and Ann with me to the inner wind, using the three recommendations I'm entitled to."

The two Commanders looked at the three women and then showed Guardian Amzi Watt. "They won't be able to go now. But the Guardian of this peak can take them when you pass the General Records Hall and invoke your right later."

Amzi smiled at Liam and said, "Don't worry about those women. I'll send one of my men to escort them to City Four as soon as I receive notification from the General Records Hall. For now, follow up with the Commanders and see what Elder Niall expects of you."

The other Commander sent by Elder Niall finished. "As for your resources from the Disciple William, someone will collect them and make the transfers to you later. But now we have to move on. Elder Niall has waited long enough for you."

Liam accepted these arrangements. He looked at his women and bid them farewell, then moved on with the two Commanders from days ago, but also Amos and Merlin.