Dual Cultivation: Beasts and Women!
Chapter 85: First Class Runemaster (1)

If he considered his merit points, silver and gold coins, he possessed 90 gold coins in his spatial ring. He successfully sold the belongings that Phila had left behind for him and even handed over the woman's space storage item to Mary.

With 90 gold coins, he could buy one good potion/pill, or two average Second Class potions/pills.

Among the options that caught his eye were Life Serum, Survival Nectar, and Fenice Essence. They were all potions.

Potions and pills could do the same thing and the same formula for one could produce the other, with slight changes in the proportions. The big difference between them was in reaction speed and medicinal power.

Pills had more medicinal power, so they were more interesting to use when one wanted to meditate and absorb improvements.

Although not as potent as pills, potions had the advantage of acting swiftly. They proved invaluable in situations where cultivators could not practice cultivation, offering both physical and spiritual revitalization.

He picked up a unit of each and took them to the Alchemist available in the store. He said, "I'd like to know more about these three potions."

The thin, pale young man, with large dark circles under his eyes, took the Life Serum and said, "This potion is fascinating for healing and rejuvenation. It is powerful and rare, revered by women all over the world. But even though it's famous for its cosmetic effects, it can cause instant healing, close wounds quickly, regenerate tissues and bones.

Not only that, there's a slight chance, between 2% and 8%, that it will cause the body to be cleansed of toxins and poisons."

He put the bottle of Life Serum aside and picked up the Fenice Essence. "This was inspired by the legendary Phoenix bird, known for its ability to be reborn from its ashes.

The potion is known for its properties of regeneration and renewal, with the main effects of resurrection, complete regeneration, deep rejuvenation, purification and spiritual renewal.

But not only that, its dominant feature is protection against death. For a period after use, the user becomes immune to fatal injuries."

Then he picked up the bottle of Survival Nectar. "Of the three, this is the least impressive option. It can heal you quickly, increase your stamina, raise your immune boost, hydrate and nourish your body, raise mental clarity and recover your mana instantly."

Liam listened to the more detailed presentation of each of those potions. He had studied a few potions useful to cultivators like himself and knew that all those options were interesting. But there was no way to compare the knowledge of a cultivator who had only read about pills and potions with an Alchemist who focused on these products.

'Fenice Essence is really impressive. Being immune to death for a period can be pretty convenient. But will it have after-effects?'

He asked the Alchemist such a question. "With Fenice Essence, supposing the user is mortally wounded during the essence's effect, what happens when its effects wear off?"

The Alchemist laughed and said, "They die, of course.

Fenice Essence is a Second Class potion, so just the effects of not dying for a few moments and giving you the potential to take revenge is incredible enough. If you want something better, you'll have to look for the most advanced version of the potion."

Liam asked, "Is it possible for the user to consume another regeneration resource in order to save themselves?"

"That depends. When you use a potion like this, your body becomes resistant to potions of the same rating for a few hours. During this interval, you can't benefit from potions of the same rank as the one you've already used. Unless you use something superior, it won't work," explained the Alchemist.

'So they all have their rebound effects... As incredible as they are, they certainly have their consequences.' Liam considered his options.

'Fenice Essence is interesting, but it alone costs 59 gold coins. Meanwhile, the other two cost 44 and 43, which is enough for me to take both.'

He considered his financial situation.

As much as he wouldn't be able to use one potion after another, he could be put in challenging situations several times over the next few days. For him, it made sense to take the other two potions.

He purchased Life Serum and Survival Nectar, spending 87 gold coins at the store, which left him with only 30 silver coins in his spatial ring.

With the two potions, he left after thanking the Alchemist, making his way to the Runes Hall.

...

A few minutes later, Liam found himself in Ann's study and training room. The woman was beaming with an even bigger smile today.

Liam could easily sense his supervisor's satisfaction and good humor without needing to ask. Ann had achieved a higher level and had become a 9-Star Spirit Lord through her promotion within the sect, reaching the status of Senior Initiate.

How had this happened? Liam didn't know and didn't intend to ask either.

After feeling her power and hearing the murmurs of Fred, Virginia and Giles, his three competitors under her supervision, he found out about her promotion.

He wasn't there to pay attention to Ann, no matter how beautiful and interesting she was. As soon as he was settled in that room, without wasting time with unnecessary chatter, he entered one of the glass-walled areas where he could try his hand at inscribing his first runes.

After over two weeks of learning under Ann's supervision, today he finally felt confident enough to put his knowledge to the test. If he managed to create an enchanted artifact today, he could be recognized as a Runemaster!

As soon as he entered the glass booth, Fred, the blond-haired young man, narrowed his eyes tightly, a grimace forming on his face. 'Does he want to inscribe runes already?'

Virginia, with her striking purple hair, muttered something to Giles, doubting that Liam could complete the creation of an enchanted item today.

"You three, stop staring at Liam and get to work. Or do you think you can replace me?"

Ann turned her eyes towards the three standing next to Liam's booth.

They apologized and went into their own booths.

Ann looked at Liam through the glass walls, changing the grimace of a moment ago to a more relaxed and interested look.

'Let's see how you fare today. It will take at least another month for these three to gather enough means for Second Class enchanted items. However, if you succeed today, you might have a chance to vie with them on equal grounds.' She clenched her fist, pondering the bet she had made with her hall mates.

While Ann brooded over him, Liam proceeded to sort out his work tools and objects of interest.

He placed the glass lamp in front of him, the Inscription Brush on his right and the Mana Repellent Colorless Ink on his left. He opened a small piece of paper on his lap while sitting with his legs folded on a cushion.

On that paper was the blueprint for what he had to do to achieve the end result: a working magic lamp.

After taking a deep breath and mentally preparing himself for what he had to do next, Liam opened the bottle of ink and picked up the brush.

With the bulb already unscrewed from the lamp's glass body, he dipped the brush's tip into the colorless paint. Simultaneously, his mana flowed through his senses—his eyes, ears, nose, and right hand—extending to the brush clung in his grip.

Of the five senses, only taste had no relevance during the work of a Runemaster. All the other senses, in varying proportions, could have an influence on the outcome of the inscription, as they told the Runemaster their mistakes and successes.

In short, a failure in an inscription had its consequences, just as a success generated a corresponding sensation, both results easy to distinguish using the magical senses of cultivators.

With care, Liam brought the tip of the brush close to the bulb of the lamp. He had to make two runes on it before moving on to the glass body of the lamp and making another rune.

He started with the easiest rune, made up of just two special characters, the part responsible for converting mana into light energy.

As sweat poured down his forehead and back, he saw a glowing white symbol appear on one side of the bulb. For an instant, it seemed that it was going to explode!