Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 71: Freedom

Needless to say, the lesson didn’t stop at that concoction. Something had changed in the Alchemy Elder, too, making him completely disregard prearranged time limits to focus on Liam.

Liam got to return to the Inner Hall only after more training with the alchemical flame and complicated words, but not empty-handed. The long pipe was safely in his robe, as was the small pouch with the powder he had concocted.

’One puff every night to keep the core healthy,’ Liam recalled the Elder’s instructions while navigating the dim environment, ’Another one if you need your dantian to produce more Qi right away.’

Developing a smoking habit wasn’t really something Liam looked forward to. It actually went against his hunter upbringing to carry a traceable scent that could warn his prey.

However, that practice featured advantages specific to Liam’s case. He recalled how smoking poison had more immediate effects compared to the Divine Cult’s drug. Also, its concoction had looked relatively easy, meaning that Liam might soon start making it on his own.

Self-sufficiency was crucial for a cultivator, and that was what Liam was now. He needed something quick, easy, and reliable to prevent his core from withering, and that poisonous powder checked all three requirements.

’And I can also adjust its toxicity once I get good enough,’ Liam thought, following that reasoning. ’Once I overcome the bottleneck, I can adjust the powder to my needs and use it to advance through the rooting stage.’

Of course, Liam would still need the right ingredients for that, but it remained a proper path toward higher cultivation stages. Moreover, that method belonged to Liam. He owned it, allowing him to rely on it without waiting for fortuitous encounters like the Divine Cult’s drug.

That ownership brought ease of mind. It provided a clear direction and removed countless variables, as well as the need for problematic affiliations. Liam could simply do things on his own now, highlighting how beneficial becoming a skilled alchemist would be for his journey.

’Maybe I should study a bit longer tonight,’ Liam considered, eager to delve deeper into that boring practice now that he had direct proof of its benefits and the freedom it provided.

Still, Liam’s animal instincts picked up on something once he began to descend the path toward his cave, and his nose filled him in on everything else.

"Senior Brother, are you following me again?" Liam asked, turning to find Joel standing above the path.

Surprise invaded Joel at that additional confirmation of Liam’s sharp senses, but a confident smile soon hid it. That perception couldn’t be more suited for his mission, intensifying his desire to recruit Liam.

That desire had already been quite intense, too. Liam wasn’t only strong. He had also lacked the careless greed most cultivators were guilty of, showcasing cool rationale despite the promise of rewards.

And something else joined that equation now. Liam hadn’t worn his battle stance despite his evident wariness, but a strange glint shone inside his cold eyes.

If Joel didn’t know any better, he would mistake that for the resolve to fight him were the necessity arise.

"I wouldn’t dare, Junior Brother," Joel announced, showing the tablet on his shoulder. "I was merely out patrolling. Still, the Alchemy Elder sure is going hard on you. It’s the second time we meet at such a late hour."

’Is he trying to make conversation?’ Liam wondered, not sure whether he should believe Joel, but knowing that he didn’t want to waste time talking.

"Senior Brother, I’ll return to my cave now," Liam announced, turning to leave, only for Joel to interrupt him with his words.

"I saw you looking at Sister Melissa earlier," Joel exclaimed. "She is beautiful, isn’t she? She is also incredibly hardworking. Despite her foundation being complete, she never skips the Disciplinary Elder’s fighting lessons."

Liam connected that name to the sweaty girl from earlier that night, but didn’t really understand what Joel wanted to achieve with that extensive description.

"Does Senior Brother like her?" Liam probed, showing his confused face at Joel again.

Joel blinked in surprise. Melissa was so beautiful that she had even caught the eye of a core disciple, so he had expected Liam to share that interest. However, it seemed Joel had completely misunderstood how Liam’s brain worked.

"Oh no," Joel coughed, changing his script. "I merely mentioned her because she has already agreed to join me."

The mention of the mission reminded Liam that he had yet to make his stance clear, but a different question ended up escaping his mouth. "Senior Brother, are you trying to trick me?"

And there, Joel saw that cold, resolute glint again. Despite the evident difference in power, Joel felt studied as if he were nothing more than prey that Liam was deciding how to hunt.

’This kid,’ Joel thought, both insulted and pleased. ’Does he really think he can fight a rooting expert? But, those eyes aren’t stupid or blind ...’

"I truly need my Brothers and Sisters’ help," Joel reassured, his face gaining a warrior-like intensity. "Believe me when I say that I’ll be the only one at risk of being tricked."

Clearly, Joel still didn’t want to disclose more information than necessary, but Liam felt that his intensity was leagues above trustworthier than any friendly smile.

"I’ll see Senior Brother in a week, then," Liam announced, turning for good, this time reaching his cave undisturbed.

The larger cave didn’t make the place any less messy. It was still cluttered with books and logs, but Liam headed directly for the candles after closing the entrance, retrieving his pipe and small pouch.

After filling the pipe’s bowl to the brim with the dark-brown powder, Liam lit it up with a match and put the bit in his mouth, inhaling deeply.

Naturally, Liam instinctively coughed at the dense smoke that invaded his throat and lungs, but a rejuvenating sensation also immediately spread inside him. He felt no dizziness that time, only happy cheers that rose directly from his core.

’It was really hungry,’ Liam commented in his mind, exhaling the dark smoke before throwing a glance at the pipe.

The poisonous powder was weaker than what the Alchemy Elder had concocted during the first meeting. That probably was an issue of different ingredients, but Liam had also failed to bring the alchemical flame to its intended heat.

That problem came from the mental filter. To keep the Qi’s poisonous properties in check, Liam had inevitably released less of it. That was a sheer lack of skill, which Liam could and had to fix with more training.

’All of Master’s calculations must take into consideration nine spiritual roots,’ Liam considered. ’But, I have ten, so I need to do a bit more.’

Liam emptied the pipe’s bowl onto the rocky floor before refilling it, stopping at half of its capacity this time. He quickly lit it up, putting the item in his mouth while reaching for a nearby log.

’I need to get better,’ Liam decided while inhaling. ’Master said I need to be able to summon a hundred natural alchemical flames in a row, right?’

So, Liam blew out the dark smoke and put the pipe aside before placing his hands at the log’s sides, ready to step up his training a notch.