Legacy of Hatred-Chapter 67: Inheritance ground

Liam’s wariness remained strong, but some innocent curiosity formed anyway. For Joel to have gone so far to test Liam, his "something" had to be important.

Despite the extensive study, Liam was still a newbie in the cultivation world. He didn’t know much beyond the Pale Moon Sect. He didn’t even consider himself knowledgeable about the Sect at all, so he wanted to hear what that matter was about.

Yet, Liam had also sworn to keep his naivety in check, so he remained silent, afraid that a poor choice of words might give Joel something he could use against him.

Mere silence couldn’t hide the brightness Liam’s black eyes gained, but Joel didn’t address it. Joel didn’t want to earn himself even more distrust, so he decided to share information instead.

"Is Junior Brother familiar with the notion of inheritance grounds?" Joel asked, wrapping his arms behind his back to project harmlessness despite his warrior-like expression.

Liam had read about those. Inheritance grounds basically were difficult-to-seize treasure troves that could take many shapes. They also often featured challenging trials arranged by powerful experts meant to filter out anyone unworthy of their legacy.

"There is this place which doesn’t exactly fall under that definition," Joel revealed at Liam’s silent nod. "However, its rewards might be just as promising."

Liam was also aware of what those rewards might be now, at least when it came to the cultivation world in general. Their three main categories were resources, martial arts, and magical items. Everything basically fell under those.

Still, Liam’s innocent curiosity dwindled hearing that. It wasn’t that he lacked interest in the topic. He simply had everything he needed now and more. If anything, his schedule was already packed as it was, and the Sect could deal with whatever he might want in the imminent future.

"What does this have to do with me?" Liam bluntly asked.

"Stories have it that this place used to be a Demonic Sect," Joel explained, wanting to rekindle Liam’s waning interest. "No one seems to know what caused its destruction. We only know that it existed and that it is now overrun by magical beasts."

The mention of a Demonic Sect made Liam think of the Divine Cult, awakening cruel memories that added coldness to his silent face, seemingly killing any trace of interest for good.

"Magical beasts are wary of whoever invades their lairs," Joel concluded, "But they are more lenient toward weaker threats. Rooting experts would trigger a full-scale reaction in this place, but foundation experts can explore it in relative safety."

That reasoning made perfect sense. A wolf would ignore a squirrel strolling through its hunting ground. If anything, it would welcome it, but that comparison told Liam two things.

The first was that the place Joel mentioned featured magical beasts stronger than foundation experts. As for the second, Joel clearly wanted something from it, but needed someone else to get it for him.

Nevertheless, despite understanding everything, Liam couldn’t see why he would agree to such a proposal. The way he saw it, Joel only wanted to use him, just like the Divine Cult and Ancestral Snake did.

Probably like the Pale Moon Sect also wanted to do.

"Why would I go there?" Liam asked, once again showcasing pristine bluntness.

"Straight to business," Joel chuckled. "You can keep anything you find, and you’ll earn yourself my friendship. It can’t hurt to have a rooting expert as an ally, can it?"

"Just for exploring this place?" Liam wondered, confused since Joel had yet to express what he could gain from that mission.

"No," Joel shook his head. "I need something in there. I’ll hold my part of the deal even if you don’t find it, but I won’t reveal what it is until I know that you’ll join me."

’It must be something about his core,’ Liam guessed, ’Unless there’s something else that can warrant such secrecy. Competition about something precious?’

Despite that second guess making sense, Liam ended up gaining a new doubt from it.

"Are you trying to recruit me before other Senior Brothers can?" Liam questioned.

Liam could only think about the creation of a team for one of the Sect’s missions, but the truth turned out to be completely different.

"This isn’t a mission from the Sect, Junior Brother," Joel explained. "The Elders are aware of this place but prefer to leave it alone. We’d be doing this on our own and for our personal gain."

’Oh!’ Liam exclaimed in his mind. ’So, that’s possible, too.’

Disciples weren’t prisoners of the Pale Moon Sect. They could come and go relatively freely, both to pursue missions and for personal reasons. The latter was how Liam had met Lucy in the first place.

Of course, disciples couldn’t just do as they pleased. Outer disciples had to earn their stay, and Liam was sure inner and core disciples also had some obligations, but that realization still expanded his mindset.

Apparently, disciples could devise their own missions and form teams independently. Liam simply had no reason to do so, and Joel’s offer didn’t really change his mind.

The potential benefits couldn’t interest Liam now. He had enough on his plate as it was. Besides, the place sounded dangerous. A rooting expert’s friendship probably had great value, and there was some adventurous spirit to take into consideration, but they weren’t worth the risks.

Moreover, hunts weren’t and should never be about adrenaline rushes. Liam’s father had taught him as much.

’We hunt because we need,’ Liam recalled his father’s words, ’Not because we enjoy it. That’s how hunters get reckless and lose their lives.’

The memory also reminded Liam how he had strayed away from his father’s teachings already, but that wouldn’t mean that he would forget them forever, especially when they fit perfectly with the situation.

"I’m sorry, Senior Brother," Liam refused. "If it’s about personal gains, the Pale Moon Sect already gave me everything I need."

Joel could use that opportunity to feel insulted. After all, Liam’s refusal had also included his friendship to some extent. Yet, Joel didn’t resort to such tricks, especially since he was growing increasingly convinced that Liam was the perfect man for the job.

"Does Junior Brother plan to rely on the Sect all the time?" Joel asked. "I bet the Sect will spare no resources to help a promising genius like you, but did you ever consider what it will ask in return?"

Truth be told, Liam had thought about that, only to come back mostly empty-handed. He understood it was a matter of reputation and obtaining a powerful asset, but didn’t know how that translated into his real life.

"Junior Brother, a word of warning," Joel continued. "The more you’ll rely on the Sect, the more you’ll depend on it, until it completely controls you."

Joel had only wanted to provide a different perspective, hoping that his wise but mysterious words could plant a favorable idea in Liam’s brain. They obviously succeeded, but he couldn’t have predicted why or how deeply.

Liam might be at the beginning of his cultivation journey, but something incredibly distant and basically unthinkable for now had become a subconscious certainty for him already.

Liam’s path might have led him to the Pale Moon Sect, but he wasn’t there to stay. At some point in the unknown future, Liam would have to leave to continue pursuing his revenge.

So, if Liam built everything he had on top of the Sect, that everything would risk crumbling once he inevitably left it.

Despite not knowing the full extent of those words’ effects, Joel could read the hesitation in Liam’s pensive and lost face, which was enough for him.

"Think about it, Junior Brother," Joel announced, beginning to climb back to the second plateau. "If you change your mind, meet me at night at the Sect’s entrance one week from now."

And Liam could only remain silent, watching Joel’s departing figure, not knowing what he would and should choose.