Cultivation Through Artifacts

Asur naturally anticipated that Khal will react this way so took out his Cultivator's Badge and handed it over Khal, "After our battle two days ago, we realized that even though we are high in Cultivation Stage our strength does not mean a thing if we are easily beaten by others below our Stage. That is why we decided to apply for a Group Mission that grants rewards helping to strengthen our Foundation. But there is a slight problem... We need at least 4 people or we won't receive the rewards even if we kill our target." 

As Khal listened to Asur's explanation he lowered his gaze at the badge in his hand and started to read the words.

/Group Mission: Slay a Ruby Beast/

• Slayed Ruby Beast: 0/1

~Requirements~

- At least 4 Cultivators on or above the Fourth Cultivation Stage: 3/4+

~Rewards~

- Middle-Quality Essence Pills (Each Cultivator Receives 1 piece)

Khal carefully inspected the badge and read the words, but when he reached the point where it talked about the rewards his eyes widened.

Middle-Quality Essence Pills. Just like the Emerald Marble he obtained from Moras way back in Shadow Woods, Essence Pills were miracle pills that could provide individuals Essence to strengthen their Talents and enter higher Stages without killing creatures. A single Low-Quality Essence Pill can provide a person up to 50 Beast Essence while a Middle-Quality Essence Pill can do the same but up to 75!

Naturally, the amount an individual can get from them is the same as with normal Beast Essences so the number of Beast Essence they can get was random, but still, if your luck was good and you got 50 or 75 at one go it could be considered heaven-defying, especially in the early Stages! It was said that a High-Quality Essence Pill can provide up to a max of 100 Beast Essence which was crazy!

But unfortunately, exactly because of this that people can jump Stages without killing, even a Low-Quality Essence Pill had a price above the skies! So thinking that they will get Middle-Quality ones only by slaying a single beast... It was amazing!

Only a fool would reject such a Mission!

"Such rewards simply because slaying a Beast... What exactly is a Ruby Beast?" asked Khal as he handed back the Badge to Asur.

"Never heard about the Ruby Beast?" asked Merlyn from the side with a raised brow, hardly believing Khal truly asked that question.

"Umm... No?" Khal was confused by that reaction and frowned.

"Ruby Beast it on its other name the Blood Reaper. One of Moon Mountain's most hazardous creatures that hunt on weaker prey than its Stage. It can turn its victim's blood, flesh, and bones into a solid material akin to ruby by a simple scratch from its claws." explained Merlyn calmly as she noticed that Khal truly didn't hear about the Ruby Beast that inhibited Moon Mountain's foot.

"What? What Stage is it?" at the moment Khal had a picture in his mind and a bean-sized cold sweat began to form on his back.

"It's on the Fourth Cultivation Stage," replied Merlyn with a serious face.

Khal: "..."

"I know, now you think why we, three Cultivators on the Fourth Stage need your help who isn't even on the Third Stage against a creature as terrific as the Blood Reaper." spoken Asur with his indifferent tone again as he put his Badge away, "Well, to tell the truth, we didn't want to, but after seeing and experience your Beast Core's power first hand we decided to ask you."

"Exactly!" grinned like an idiot Marx and said, "Anything that can repel or defend against my Mountain Divider on full strength without breaking is nothing but extremely strong! With that crystal skin of yours and our combined powers killing that beast will be child's play!"

"Don't underestimate the Ruby Beast that much Marx. Even though it's only on the Fourth Stage it can kill even a Fifth Stage Cultivator with ease!" smacked Merlyn Marx on the shoulder powerfully but sadly she was the one who ended up groaning with pain as she held her palm with a deep frown, "Your body is like a fucking boulder for god's sake!"

As Khal watched this sight before him in silence Asur on the side asked calmly, "So? Will you help us?"

Khal tilted his gaze at him and began to ponder, "Considering the fact that I will be with three Cultivators on the Fourth Stage while also I have my Diamond Skin, I guess it won't be a problem to try it. Also, the reward is way too tempting."

But even though he thought about that, Khal couldn't help but think back to how Moras died back during his time in Moon Mountain; the way his veins bulged out because the blood in his body turned solid while he struggled for breath... The sight was haunting even after several days!

After thinking through all these things, Khal still decided to accept but just as he was about to open his mouth to agree, out of nowhere Logan's figure appeared on his side.

"Killing the Ruby Beast will be a challenging feat even if all 4 of you go. It's not only strong and has high intelligence, but also swift. Let alone slaying it, just simply catching it will be difficult."

"!?"

All four before Logan flinched slightly because of his sudden appearance and turned their head toward him.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't intend to surprise you, haha." chuckled Logan and tilted his gaze at Khal, "But before you say anything, I hope you didn't forget about our deal with Bazz."

Khal naturally didn't forget it and he even wanted to find Logan to start their lecture even before the three stopped him, so nodded his head firmly in a flash as he replied, "No, I didn't."

Turning at the three before him, Khal asked, "Is there a time limit on this Group Mission?"

Asur immediately understood the situation and shook his head, "There is none, so how about this? You go and do your business and when you finish we will set off to slay the Beast? Of course if these two next to me don't insist." 

"For me sounds perfect," answered Merlyn with a smile.

"Whatever Little Junior wants!" hit his wide chest Marx with enough power to cause any normal ribs to break into two!

"Then it is settled." grinned Logan widely and placed his palm onto Khal's shoulder, "Now if you excuse us..."

Just like how sudden he appeared, both his and Khal's figure vanished into thin air, leaving behind the Eastfield siblings and Asur in the middle of the street.

-

-

-

On the western part of Moon Academy where there were fewer buildings and more colorful trees and vaster green, next to a crystal clear lake Logan's figure appeared out of thin air with Khal on his side.

"And we are here," said Logan as he walked below a huge tree filled with yellow flowers and sat down, "Sit down, we start your lecture."

Khal after looking around feeling captivated with the scenery around him nodded and did as he was told.

"Well then... What do you want to learn about?"

"!?" Khal didn't expect this question cause he thought Logan will be the one who will teach him about new stuff so for a while didn't know what to ask.

Pondering for quite a while, he raised his head and touched his white uniform which was quite similar to a robe, "Why is that everyone in this Academy has the same uniforms yet I have this one? Is there a difference or a special meaning behind it?"

Logan upon hearing this smiled and closed his eyes akin to anticipating this question, "That 'uniform' on you is called the Moon Robe, and just as you have guessed it, it has a special meaning."

Khal remained silent waiting for Logan to continue, but the curiosity in his eyes was so great his green eyes literally shone with an emerald hue.

Logan noticed this too and his grin grew even wider, "Moon Academy's Moon Robe, Shadow City's Shadow Robe, Heaven City's Heaven Robe, and so on. Each Academy in this Federation has one single uniform that holds a particular significance that not only holds great prestige but huge weight too!"

"A prestige? Weight?" Khal became even more curious but at the same time confused while felt something was amiss.

"Every half a century in the Federation every Academy sends their best individual with these uniforms into the capital where they will fight against each other in a one on one fight to decide the strongest Cultivator. The top ones and their Academy will receive great rewards while the last ones will get nothing but humiliation and harsh punishments from the Cultivator's Organization. But there is one greater weight behind that uniform you wear which is..."

Khal didn't dare to utter a word so stayed silent while waited for Logan to continue with small sweat drops forming on his forehead.

Opening his eyes while the smile completely vanished from his face, Logan locked his gaze with Khal's, and began to speak slowly, "In every battle you will fight, the only way to win is to kill your opponents. No giving up nor mercy is allowed, but only by slaying your foe can you move onto the next stage. If not, the consequences will be way harsher than you can imagine."

"!?"