Dual Cultivation: Beasts and Women!

After the quick meeting with Neill, Liam accompanied the two Commanders with whom he had previously negotiated his extended stay in City Thirteen.

On arriving in City One, he observed the place with different eyes from City Two, even more surprised by the quality and wealth of the area.

The place had wider streets, magic lamps on special poles with less distance between them, larger and sturdier buildings, but also high-quality products for sale visible right at the entrance to the city.

There were shops in Cities Two, Three and Four. But if an inner member wanted something really valuable, it was in City One that they would find it.

Even Fifth Class items could be found there from what Liam saw on the way to the General Records Hall!

The same went for local restaurants and services. City One had possibilities, things that could make Demon Gate enough for anyone below the fifth realm of cultivation.

The sect had been designed so that most of its members wouldn't have to think about leaving headquarters before becoming Spirit Kings.

Obviously, some disciples and masters would leave this place to settle external matters when they were weaker than that, but the place was perfect for one not to worry about their growth journey until they reached the fifth realm. Only after that would one have to look at the rest of Twin Land and move around, whether one liked it.

The average strength of the people on the streets of City One was also impressive. There were hardly any disciples with third realm cultivation around, with the majority being fourth realm cultivators.

Liam couldn't sense those stronger than that, so he couldn't estimate the strength of the strongest or even identify the sect leaders. All he could do was observe the sect with new eyes, watching this bustling city with many thoughts, ranging from his future escape, short-term learning opportunities, cultivation, and potential rivals.

As he walked around and observed the reality of the area, one of the Commanders explained to him.

"... City One is basically the core of the sect's inner area. You've seen how little traffic there is in City Two, right? That's because of the residential nature of City Two, similar to what happens in Cities Three and Four. But as we've already said, there is commerce in these other cities, mainly for the weakest or the strongest.

The weakest can't afford to go back and forth to City One. Meanwhile, the strongest have the power to make the services and products they want to come to them.

It's those at the middle level in each of the cities who have to leave their place of residence to come to City One on a regular basis. That's why City One is busy, with people from the other three cities coming and going here all the time."

The other Commander continued Liam's introduction to the area, "Apart from those who need to come here to make those trades, if you have to do a mission, or when you go to learn from the Runes Hall, or even receive your salary, you'll have to come here. Everything more important and official is dealt with in City One."

Liam continued to listen until they reached the grandiose building where they would end their journey together.

In the General Records Hall, the two Commanders passed through an entrance full of insiders coming and going, ignoring the noise of jumbled conversations until they reached the counter to finalize Liam's promotion.

They had Elder Neill's token with them, so they had priority over others in the area and were directly attended to by a high-ranking member of this hall.

"Disciple Liam Porter..." The fat, smiling man picked up Liam's ID, looking at the boy's basic data, just before he saw the ballot for the Secret Hunt mission. "Unexpected... Anyway, congratulations on your promotion, Division Chief Porter. Good luck with your new duties."

This employee of the General Records Hall handed Liam back his ID, having already changed the boy's position.

It didn't take him a minute to do this, as the fat man showed to Liam instructions similar to the one he had heard months ago. If he wanted to know his responsibilities, he would have to go to the Missions Hall to get the details. As for his mission award and first Division Chief wage, he could redeem it immediately by going to the wing of the building responsible for paying the sect members.

The trio made their way there, where the man who would guide Liam through the inner workings of the sect finally introduced himself to the group.

"Hello, Commanders, Chief Porter." A man 2 meters tall and obvious muscles, even with his black clothes enveloping him, said with a smile on his face as he greeted the three.

Liam identified this man as a First Officer, given his all-black uniform and no mask on his face.

"My name is Toby and from now on I'll be under your command, Chief Porter," said the man with 2-Star cultivation from the Spirit Sky Realm.

Liam still had a lot to learn, but he didn't rush.

He greeted Toby, before seeing that the two Commanders were about to leave.

One of the two men said to him, "Toby and a group of Officers will be under your command from today... For the moment, you can't do much, but you'll understand more about your responsibilities and rights as you adapt to the inner area. In any case, use Toby as your guide for the time being. He'll explain any questions you have and point you toward places you can go to resolve your issues."

"Good luck," the other said with a mysterious smile, before they both left, leaving Liam alone with Toby in the queue to collect their prizes.

Toby said to him, "Chief Porter, you must be full of doubts. But don't worry, all Division Chiefs have underlings in the ranks of First Officer and Officer. Hence the name of the rank, Division Chief. You are the chiefs of the sect's divisions.

But it's like the Commander told you. You'll get a better understanding of your rights and duties over the next few days."

Liam looked at the man next to him and then at the line, which was moving fast. He would be the next to be called.

"Is it common for weaker disciples to lead stronger ones?" He looked cautiously at this man, who was seven levels stronger than him.

Toby laughed, understanding his boss' doubt. "No, it's not common. But it's not abnormal either. Division Chief is not a position that anyone can reach, Chief Porter. Someone like me will either become a Guardian or a Commander. So it's hard to see members of those ranks leading weaker individuals. But Division Chiefs are the greatest talents in the sect, so cases like yours come up from time to time.

In any case, don't worry about the difference in level, Chief Porter. While you may need some time to change that, it won't last for long. You're 18, but I'm 128. In 10 years, our age difference will be the same, but you'll probably be stronger than me." He laughed.

Tony seemed like a good-natured guy, a rarity within Demon Gate.

"Next!"

One of the hall staff called out to Liam, and he quickly made his way to booth 12.

As soon as he stopped at booth 12, the First Officer who called him looked him up and down before receiving his ID. When he received it, the man's eyes opened wide, and he shifted his position, becoming more attentive.

"Chief Porter, I have several items to deliver to you, from the month's wage, the promotion income, the secret mission award and I also see that you have some appointments to make.

Do you already have the names of those you're going to promote to the rank of Officer? I can help you with that before you get your items. You can decide that later too. Your rights don't expire."

The man asked with a warm look on his face, making Liam wonder if Toby was really good-natured, or just an ass kisser.

But that was fine with him. Better than dealing with enemies who were afraid of his talent.

"I already have the names. I'd like to promote Mary Hill, Ann Reed, and Electa Cresswell. They're disciples from City Thirteen."

The man from the General Records Hall quickly made use of Liam's exclusive promotion tickets, signaling to that city's Records Hall, Liam's indications.

"Very well, it's done. Within two hours, the Thirteen City Records Hall will receive the notification and an officer will take the matter to the Guardian of the Peak. As soon as he appoints someone to bring the three to the inner ward, they will enter the rank promotion period."

Liam smiled with satisfaction and asked, "What about the Spirits I'm entitled to?"

"That Chief Porter will have to see in the Beasts Hall. You can select the beasts you want straight away and have them marked as yours for future use, or wait until the time you will absorb the Spirits from them."

"Hmm, all right. Thanks for the information."

"It's my pleasure to help you." The man smiled before taking his leave to go and collect the prizes that Liam could take from this place right now.

Ten minutes later, the attendant returned to the counter where Liam was waiting next to Toby.

The man brought with him two boxes, one large and one small, along with a cloth bag.

"In the larger box is your mission award, while the smaller box has your month's wage and promotion bonus. The cloth bag contains three identical uniforms in your size. From now on, you must always dress in the sect's uniform, Chief Porter. I'm afraid it's sect rules." The man explained as Liam put those boxes away in his spatial ring.

Liam didn't realize what was there for him and just thanked the man.

As soon as he had left the area, he ordered Toby to guide him to his residence in City Two.

He would have to walk around City One a lot, but now he wanted to check his prizes and take a few hours to take advantage of his chances of getting stronger within the post-promotion protection period!