Chapter 19: The End of Three Months
Three humans stood outside the cave, holding improvised weapons. Two of them were 8-Star Spirit Apprentices, and the third was a 9-Star man, their stances defensive as they turned to face the newcomers.
Liam's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't anticipated encountering other survivors on the island besides himself and Mary.
During their time in Thal'Korr's cave, he had lost track of time, but he knew their last day on the Eternal Doom Island was approaching.
As he paused in front of the cave's entrance, a look of surprise on his face that matched that of the woman holding one of his hands, the leader of that group frowned.
A black-haired man, frowned while seeing the silver weapon in Liam's hand. He took a cautious step back, recognizing that these were not just first realm Spirit Masters.
'3-Star Spirit Lord? How is that possible? What have they found to achieve it?' the black-haired man wondered, motioning for his companions to lower their weapons.
However, being the weaker side, he immediately tried to dodge the situation to avoid the worst for his side.
"This... Looks like this place already has owners. So let's move away. I'm sorry for getting in your way, seniors." The strongest of the three said with a bitter smile on his face, dirty and marked by a scar on one of his cheeks.
Mary said nothing as she watched the three, leaving it to Liam to decide their fate.
Liam sensed their apprehension and raised one of his hands in a gesture of peace. "Don't worry, we were just leaving it. This place is no longer important to us. If you want to use it, good luck."
Previously, he would have attacked and killed those three on sight to prevent potential enemies from moving first. In a dangerous area like the island, survival could mean killing everything in your path.
But today, he felt a distinct part of this world, the reality of the strong.
He could act against the three men, but as the strongest in the area, he could also choose the fate of the three!
"That..."
The two men, a little further behind their leader, looked at each other in doubt, unsure if this was sincere or a trap.
Just as Liam and Mary had acted against the humans on the island, they had done the same. In this situation, they couldn't help but feel insecure and think the worst.
'Can we really trust them?' One of them wondered as he tightened his fingers on the lowered weapon in one of his hands.
But the other was more sensible and just sighed as he watched the couple walk away. 'If they don't want to do anything, there's nothing for us to do. 3-Star Spirit Lord... Impressive.'
The difference in power between different levels of the same magical realm was enough to make it almost impossible for someone of a lower level to challenge someone of a higher level. But the difference in level between someone of different realms was simply much more extreme!
Even Mary gave these three Spirit Masters a feeling that told them they shouldn't stand against her. But Liam was even stronger than her!
Mary followed Liam as he easily left the three behind, but she couldn't help but ask. "Why did you leave this place to them? I think at the level they're at, they'll be able to use the area to get stronger."
"It won't make any difference. It took us weeks to absorb everything we could. They won't get much stronger in the next few days." Liam said confidently.
They had progressed quickly in the cave at first because of the two fruits they had consumed before their dual cultivation sessions. From then on, they spent almost all of their remaining time cultivating in the special area left by Thal'Korr.
"Well, that's true... Why do you think they came here?" She looked back.
If it hadn't been for them, those three would have run into Thal'Korr's group and surely died at the hands of that powerful demon!
"To look for opportunities. But they took a monumental risk. Fortunately, they encountered two humans and not three powerful demons. However, their next few days won't necessarily be safe." Liam looked around with a mysterious look on his face.
Mary looked at this mountainous area as they descended the slope toward Liam's destination.
After months on the island, Liam knew he didn't have much longer. If he were to return to the lair of the demon incubus, as he had previously planned, he would have to hurry.
No longer expecting to grow stronger in this place, Mary followed her companion without worrying about the chances they might take. As for fearing potential enemies, after becoming a Spirit Lord, she was more confident than ever and feared no one on the island!
She walked leisurely at Liam's side, and less than 15 minutes later, they arrived at the location of the demon incubus' lair.
As he made his way inside, Liam soon came upon the spot where he had left the incubus's corpse, thinking he would return to collect things and try to take advantage of the area's hot spring again before leaving.
But when he entered it today, he realized how he had underestimated himself months ago.
'The hot spring doesn't look as good now as it did back then... I wouldn't be able to improve my powers here by even 1% if I cultivate here.' He smiled as he looked in the direction of the lava-lit place.
While Mary looked at the hot spring area with interest, he returned to the place where the demonic ritual had taken place, where there were some resources he thought it would be interesting to take with him.
In addition to the book he had been carrying around the island in his movements over the past few months, he wanted to take more of his first spirit with him.
Understanding his powers better now that he had cultivated with Mary at least 100 times, he understood the potential of some of the resources in this cave.
'If I let Mary consume these essences before she cultivates with me, both she and I can benefit greatly... She'll last longer and be able to absorb more mana.' A clever smile appeared on his face, as he wanted to test what he had in mind.
As soon as Mary stopped behind him after seeing the hot spring area, he crushed a seed before mixing its purple powder with a drop of his blood.
Mary let him make a symbol with the blood on her forehead before she smiled when she felt him put one of his hands between her legs.
After a second, she swallowed her saliva as she felt her heart change rhythm and her temperature suddenly rise.
"Ahhh~"
A moan escaped her mouth as she felt weakness creep through her body and stared at Liam uncomprehendingly. "How? Am I that easy?" She asked, already panting, breathing heavily as her face flushed and her legs trembled.
If it hadn't been for Liam holding her, Mary would have fallen after his second move.
Liam smiled as he saw Mary's lost expression, feeling his flames' heat with her warmth. "There are methods beyond my powers. The seed I crushed to make this mixture has rich properties. With its enchanting scent, it can be used to seduce. When it comes in contact with the skin, it increases the absorption of mana, but it also increases the attraction, making the person it touches even more sensitive."
"Ahhhhhh~"
As he explained the wonderful effects of the Erosia Seed, Mary reached her orgasm and let out a long cry of pleasure while shaking uncontrollably.
"Besides these effects, it can also increase the vitality of those who use it during cultivation. In a way, it's perfect for cultivators like us."
"That..." She tried to say something, but she could barely get a word out.
Seeing her smile at him, Liam took her in his arms and walked to the hot spring not far away.
"The only 'problem' is that its effects don't wear off unless you cultivate for a few hours." He spoke into her ear, his voice devilishly seductive.
Mary bit her lips, feeling that there was nothing wrong with this wonderful seed.
...
Five more days passed.
On the 89th day of the event on the Eternal Doom Island, Liam, Mary and the other survivors stopped what they were doing when the sound of bells rang out in the middle of the day.
Leaving the incubus cave, Liam and Mary heard the Demon Gate's warning a minute later.
"The three-month experiment on the Eternal Doom Island will end in 23 hours, 58 minutes and 24 seconds. Survivors have this time to report to the south coast of the island."