Chapter 576: Gallons

The Tribes were wealthier than Guild branches, and the Dark Heaven Tribe even had two masters of different noble arts as its leaders and branching experts.

However, Liam’s request had involved no less than six items of rank 3 quality. He didn’t need any of them to be strictly magical, but the raw materials involved still amounted to an absurd sum.

To make things worse, Liam wasn’t done yet.

"And I wouldn’t dare to ask for actual lessons," Liam said with utmost politeness coming straight from his heart, storing the greatsword. "But I’ve suffered greatly at the hands of formations. I don’t know much about inscriptions, either, so I’d be grateful to receive pointers."

Just like Liam wouldn’t share the secrets his great Master had taught him and left in his inheritance, other practitioners of noble arts would have similar limitations, and he couldn’t ask them to break them.

What Liam hoped to receive were general suggestions, features to be wary of, and so on. Yet, he blinked when he spotted a familiar twitching vein on Uriah’s temple.

The rest of the family didn’t help. Even the usually composed Amber seemed at a loss for words before the shamelessness Liam didn’t realize he had wielded.

As for Rachel, she grinned happily, the hand in front of her mouth suppressing her giggles, clearly having the time of her life.

’Did I go overboard?’ Liam wondered.

On the one hand, Liam was aware that his standards were completely screwed. His insane requirements had forced him to seek far beyond what his level should have ever allowed, and he had even somewhat succeeded.

After all, Liam had possessed a full set of rank 3 martial arts ever since he had little over ten minor roots. Even the greatest geniuses from the wealthiest Sects probably couldn’t get so much so early in their journey.

Yet, the southern region was famous for its precious minerals. It literally was its main selling point, so Liam believed they had to be more accessible, especially through the Dark Heaven Tribe and, specifically, an inscription master like Uriah.

Liam even planned to gather the minerals himself since he had to head to the forbidden zones to hunt poisonous ingredients and what he needed for the rank 3 Heavenly Blossom. That was no different than asking Uriah for free commissions.

Of course, Liam had yet to mention that part, and the twitching vein told him that he had missed his chance, though that wasn’t due to the expected angry shout.

"Why three cauldrons?" Amber questioned.

"I have a poison core with great affinity," Liam summarized. "My Qi has started to affect my old cauldron ever since the breakthrough. Given enough time, I’ll only be able to concoct poison there, so I need a spare for general alchemy."

"That explains one," Amber pointed out. "Two if you are worried your current cauldron won’t adapt fast enough to your poisons’ prowess."

Amber was sharp, but Liam also had himself to blame. More spares were always better, but the matter involved rank 3 materials. They were too precious to voice such a precise number out of mere precaution.

Liam drank to buy himself a few seconds and sort his thoughts.

In theory, the third cauldron wasn’t strictly necessary. Liam could use his white one for the weaker side of the eventual rank 4 compound concoction.

Nevertheless, Liam was in a region famous for precious minerals and in the presence of an inscription master. He had to make the best of that opportunity, but explaining his reasons would put the Dark Heaven Tribe in danger.

The Church’s purge had probably cut the flow of information, but only a whole week after Liam’s showcase of the compound concoctions. He was literally on the other side of the Kingdom now, but cultivators had ways to learn news no matter the distance.

Liam had even revealed his sudden teleportation. The Aetacia region was isolated, but Amber probably only had to investigate to find the truth about his identity.

Still, hiding the compound concoctions wasn’t an option anymore. Liam had already made up his mind, and he wouldn’t go back on it after becoming a branching expert.

Liam wouldn’t stand for becoming stronger only to have to backtrack on his most treasured goals. At most, he would give a warning.

"If I tell you," Liam said. "You might be able to figure out my identity, and nothing good will come from it."

"Dark Wanderer," Uriah intervened, his voice firm, his twitching vein having subsided. "You fought with us and protected my daughter. Is there still need for secrets?"

Liam matched Uriah’s gaze and was ready to come clean when Rachel stepped in. "Father dear, Big Brother is trying to protect us. We should respect his resolve instead of cornering him into abandoning it."

Before Liam could even check what face Rachel had worn, she was already refilling the cup in his hands, showcasing decorum very unlike her usual self.

"To think I’d see the day my daughter took the side of a man who isn’t her father," Amber muttered, her hand on her chest. "And against her father."

Liam could feel the anger in the air boiling, but the attack wasn’t over.

"This unfilial daughter had to leave the nest eventually," Rachel said, wiping her eye despite nothing being there. "Even the greatest father in the world couldn’t stop it."

"Who is leaving who?!" Uriah exploded, his voice so loud Liam almost covered his ears.

Uriah and Liam suffered from an identical fate afterward, finding the pair of mother and daughter smiling mischievously at them.

’Maybe Grace’s idea of having a son is better,’ Liam thought. ’At least first. I’ll need all the help I can get.’

The gears in Liam’s brain went dangerously close to switching, but he reined them in and remained on topic.

"I plan to gather the minerals myself," Liam declared. "The bordering forbidden zones align with my interests, so I’d have to make trips there anyway."

The atmosphere somehow regained seriousness, with Amber resuming the negotiations.

"Dark Wanderer, I trust that your services will eventually make up for your request," Amber stated. "But you are still talking about six items, some demanding my expertise on top of my husband’s to achieve suitable quality."

That was an unexpected setback. Liam had thought an inscription master would have been enough, but including formations would inevitably increase his request’s price.

Luckily, an idea arrived right afterward.

"And it might be safer to stay in the Tribe for the time being," Amber added. "Your presence would deter attacks while we observe how the situation evolves."

Amber didn’t know Liam also needed the forbidden zones for Caspar’s commission, which was necessary to keep his Tribe on his side. Still, the risk created an easy solution.

"Does your Tribe’s formation have offensive capabilities?" Liam questioned.

"Of course," Amber instantly confirmed. "Though I admit it prioritizes defense and leaves offense to my husband’s creations."

"Can you weaponize this?" Liam wondered, summoning a yellow flask and placing it on the table.

There was no need for explanations. The nature of Liam’s core and the Qi the flask radiated immediately told everyone what that was. He was offering a rank 3 poison, his venom to be precise.

Liam’s initial idea had been not to spread his venom around to prevent others from developing countermeasures. Yet, he could part with the exact amount the Tribe needed for defensive purposes. It was a form of protection anyway.

Amber stared at the flask for a few seconds, bathing in the instinctive danger she felt in front of that substance, before placing a hand under her chin.

"It would improve the formation’s offense," Amber said, nodding. "But isn’t this little amount better applied to weapons?"

"You can do both," Liam reassured. "Just tell me how many gallons you need."

Amber remained at a loss for words a second time, the event deeper now. She glanced at the small flask again before looking straight at Liam, instinctively raising her voice. "Gallons?!"