Chapter 577: Mistake

Needless to say, all the complaints vanished the second Liam put forth a rank 3 resource. It actually took the family longer to acknowledge his wealth than to bring the negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion.

Naturally, the matter was extremely suspicious.

A branching expert owning abundant rank 3 tools was extremely rare. Most would own one weapon or martial art, and that only with suitable backers.

Lucky encounters were possible, but the family also knew Liam had his breakthrough mere months ago, meaning his incredible possessions came from his time as a rooting expert.

Of course, that was wrong, but no one could ever imagine that Liam produced his own venom. Also, since secrets were such a key aspect of the cultivation world, the family ultimately ignored the matter and accepted his valuable tools.

There were second-order effects, which Liam realized only after the deed was done, but he could only bear them at that point.

A month and a half after the battle against the Red Sandstorm Tribe, Liam’s preparations were basically done.

The centipedes’ addition to the army had slowed down the return to the Tribe, but Liam had instantly gained a laboratory upon reaching it, one that put all his previous ones to shame.

The location came from an empty tunnel the Tribe had dug and long since emptied of its minerals, but Uriah and Amber had more than retrofitted it.

Tablets that managed all kinds of features were in place. Furniture that looked more expensive than magical items filled it. There was even a large pool always full of warm, clean water and a shelf that never stopped accumulating luxurious wine.

Also, all that apparently belonged to Liam. He was glad for the tablets since they were an upgrade. He didn’t mind the wine, either, but the furniture truly didn’t appeal to him.

Yet, refusing had been impossible. Liam was more likely to end up fighting Uriah to death than being allowed to reject those gifts.

’What am I even going to do with all this stuff?’ Liam wondered for the hundredth time since settling in the lab once he stored the pill he had just concocted.

Grace had indeed spoiled Liam, but he remained thrifty. He didn’t mind the lack of comforts. He only cared about what that represented, since his issue was that he missed his woman.

Sure, Liam could make use of the occasional pillow, but two beds, four couches, and a sea of soft mats and carpets surrounded him now. Even if he tried, he wasn’t sure he could physically use them all.

’Though ...’ Liam thought, his mind wandering as he inspected the many comfortable areas.

The teleport had happened five months ago already. Time had a different meaning for cultivators. It actually sort of lost it, especially at higher stages, but a certain issue remained no matter how much experts elevated their beings.

Liam and Grace had spent six months on the run in the northern region. They barely had the chance to enjoy one private moment before the mess with the Church happened, ultimately leading to their separation.

Then, Grace had shown the worst aspects of her lineage once Liam told her more about Rachel.

Liam had only wanted a second opinion on the troublesome stuff he had overheard. Still, he had to consider himself lucky that Grace and her group were busy making large detours to prepare to enter the border before the western region.

Grace would have flown straight to Liam otherwise, but the alternative had been no less problematic. Honestly, nothing could have prepared him for the mental messages that had followed.

All that culminated in the most natural state known to man. Liam was horny, terribly so, to the point where each piece of comfortable furniture set his imagination aflame, with many scenes Grace had described in great detail.

It didn’t help that Liam even had a constant reminder of feminine sensuality orbiting him. His brain hadn’t switched to attraction, but it was hard not to miss Grace in that sense when such a perfect specimen forced him to remain aware of her absence.

’She is coming today, too,’ Liam cursed internally when a familiar scent reached his mouth. ’At least it’s time to leave.’

Liam did a quick review of his belongings. He had added ten yellow rank 3 Cloud pills to his arsenal, as well as stashing more venom, but that basically emptied the complementary ingredients from the alchemical contest.

The stashes weren’t empty yet, and Liam had access to what the Dark Heaven Tribe grew, but they were rank 2 ingredients at best, and in limited variety.

Liam would be lucky to make Qi-Recovery elixirs. Healing pills already would be a stretch. He would concoct them anyway if the ingredients risked expiring, but it was clear his seclusion had hit its limit.

’I have three months of smoking powder left,’ Liam calculated as he stood up and stored everything. ’After that, only my green Cloud pill can work as a nutrient. I can’t linger anymore.’

The alchemical seclusion hadn’t been intense. Liam had mostly exhausted his stashes, done a few experiments to prepare for the next phase, and stockpiled venom, giving him plenty of time to smoke, bringing the number of fully developed branches to four.

Nevertheless, that meaningful progress was less than a drop in the sea of Liam’s requirements. He needed to start using swamps to grow faster, and that demanded hunting poisonous rank 3 ingredients.

"Big Brother, Mother found this in a forgotten corner of our canteens," Rachel announced, stepping into the laboratory after confirming that Liam wasn’t busy, a jug between her arms. "Would you like to try it with little Sister?"

That was the reason why Liam’s wine always increased, as well as part of the second-order effects, but the opportunity to put them on hold had arrived.

"I’m leaving for the forbidden zone to the north," Liam announced. "Please, tell your parents. I should be back in a few months."

Liam had much to do in that location, mainly training, but truly a lot on the side. Yet, if everything went according to plan, he could clear plenty with a single trip.

"I shall warn Father dear and get ready," Rachel immediately exclaimed, placing the jug on the floor.

"Wait," Liam called, noticing the odd detail. "Get ready for what?"

"To escort Big Brother," Rachel explained with a grin. "Little Sister has learned all about valuable minerals, their location, and purposes ever since she was a child. Big Brother will surely find her knowledge helpful."

That actually was impossible to deny. Liam knew nothing about minerals. He only had a general description and his senses to go by, which probably could have been enough.

Yet, Rachel had been raised by a proper inscription master. She would undoubtedly be of great help, but Liam just couldn’t accept it. Sadly, he had no chance to refuse.

"Oh, Mother also said," Rachel muttered, pretending to look away in thought while placing a finger to her lips. "If we failed to provide Dark Wanderer with at least this little assistance, the shame would be so unbearable she’d disband the Tribe herself."

Liam remained with his mouth open, the words he had planned to speak stuck in his throat.

"Little Sister won’t take long," Rachel added, flashing a bright smile before hurrying away, leaving Liam alone and dumbstruck.

A helpless sigh eventually escaped Liam’s mouth. That forceful approach was his fault, his mistake, and nothing could undo it. If anything, the predicament led to deeper, bitter thoughts.

’When am I even supposed to leave?’ Liam wondered, the issue having to do with the Dark Heaven Tribe as a whole rather than his imminent trip.