Chapter 159: Simultaneous Advances!
Grace had been trying to get this cultivation boost for a long time, but after just relaxing and having fun with Liam, she had not only raised her mana to a new level, but to half of the 4-Star Spirit Earth Realm!
She had seen the incubus and knew exactly what had happened between her and Liam. But when she felt her level getting stronger, slightly unstable and with little loss of vitality—something common for just a dual cultivation session—she couldn't help but consider the options in front of her.
'I didn't expect there to be a dual cultivator in City Thirteen... But I can't help but admit that what he can do is quite impressive. I didn't think that dual cultivation would be so easy.'She adjusted the belt around her waist, amazed at how it felt on her body.
Even though she felt a bit out of breath and her strength was not as solid as it had been, these minor problems were nothing compared to the benefits of leveling up. In comparison, it was as if she had doubled her strength and paid the price by losing 10% of her vitality and cultivation stability.
Even with the downside, the upside was much more obvious!
'And he's reached 2-Star... His dual cultivation is truly impressive. He's only just joined the sect, but he's already achieved what it took me over 20 years.'She looked at Liam, a little flushed but still thinking rationally.
There was no way he could hide this information from her. Amid cultivation, she felt his true cultivation and the advancement of his powers to another level.
Liam had his current breakthrough in mind, once again experiencing the great benefits of cultivating a new flower, this time one that had never been tasted before.
But that wasn't all he was thinking about. Grace differed from Mary and Electa. She seemed much more gentle and submissive during sex, something that made him feel different, and now he couldn't help but look at her with a few questions in mind.
She broke the silence when she finished dressing. "We can't be together for a while, but don't worry about your secret—or rather, our secret." As she approached him, she ran her hands over his shoulders, adjusting the clothes of her first lover.
Liam felt his heart quicken at this woman's words. She had no powers of seduction, but he couldn't help but be mesmerized by her, following her eyes as he believed her words.
"You should hide your advance when you leave the room. It wouldn't do to be asked questions about it." He suggested.
But Grace disagreed and smiled at Liam. "I don't think that should be the case. I stayed at 3-Star for a long time. A breakthrough now won't surprise anyone. But I'll be careful in the future. It would certainly be strange if I improved faster as I got stronger."
He could accept that and didn't argue with her. "What now?"
"Now you stay here for a few minutes while I leave. I'll take Nance away and you can return to the first floor for the main part of today's meeting."
"All right."
She looked at him in silence, having taken care of those more immediate matters, and handed him something before kissing him. "This is the key to my room in the building next door. You can come to me whenever you want, Liam."
He took the key and felt Grace's burning lips touch his, cuddling her again for a moment as she stole his breath. When he released her, he looked at the key in his hands and smiled.
'This woman...'
He spun his attention to cleaning up the mess in the room when he heard the door creak open, followed by the voices of Nance and Grace.
"Sister Grace, what happened? Some of our guests noticed you were gone. I was worried," said the girl, who had been talking to Felicity about Liam earlier.
Grace was unveiling a 4-Star cultivation, but Nance hadn't realized it yet. But her words soon solved that problem. "I had an epiphany after I went up to observe the moon. I've moved up a level, Nance."
The young woman looked at Grace with wide eyes, finally realizing the silver-haired woman's current magical aura.
"Congratulations, Sister Grace! You must now be as strong as your toughest competitors!" The girl cheered, genuinely happy.
Few saw Grace as a rival. She wouldn't be able to stay in City Thirteen much longer, as she already had a prime position in the city. Her progress would only shorten her time there, a good thing for all those interested in climbing the ranks of the arena!
Grace smiled as she gestured. "Let's return to the main hall. I'm sure our guests would like to hear a few words from us."
The turning point of the Arcane Symposium was when the organizers of the meeting, the strongest people in the building that night, spoke to the other guests and companions about their own views on cultivation.
Nance followed at Grace's side and soon left the room where Liam had finished setting up, leaving it the same way he had found it.
He, too, would soon return to the first floor of the mansion without drawing attention to what had actually happened.
There was no problem with their relationship being exposed. But there were no advantages either, so they both preferred to keep their first moment together a secret for the time being.
When they reunited in the main hall, the two just looked at each other and smiled, with Liam talking in silence and her taking turns talking to another powerful cultivator.
Felicity kept her smile of satisfaction at seeing Liam and Grace there to herself, feeling nothing different about her ally's cultivation, but aware that something had happened for Grace to progress so unexpectedly.
'You're faster than I thought...'She thought, looking at her ally.'At his current speed, I'll have to hurry too if I don't want to be left behind. I need to complete my promotion to the inner ward as soon as possible!'
The Arcane Symposium evening ended shortly after the hosts of tonight's meeting spoke, and several of the attendees took the time to congratulate Grace before dispersing.
"Congratulations on your progress, Miss. I hope to have another opportunity to speak with you in the future." Liam gestured a greeting to her.
Grace smiled at him in a light and genuine way, unlike the smiles she had shown to others. "Thank you, Disciple Liam. We'll certainly do more of this."
Liam left under the watchful eyes of Nance, Felicity, and Grace, the blue-haired woman leaving after him as his ally stopped in front of Grace.
"Congratulations on your breakthrough, Grace." Felicity hugged her fellow faction member. "Looks like you made good use of the opportunity I brought you here," she laughed softly as she said it, just so her silver-haired companion could hear.
Grace wasn't surprised to hear it here. She hadn't noticed anything earlier when she had met Liam. But thinking back now, it made sense. So this was the chance you told me about earlier. She smiled as she pretended that Felicity hadn't told her much.
"Let's talk about it tomorrow. Come to my place at ten. I want to hear exactly how it benefits you."
Felicity nodded in agreement. "See you tomorrow."
As the night drew to a close for them, each heading back to their resting places, Nance approached Liam as he descended the city's central staircase.
Fascinated by him, but not having had a chance to talk more to him earlier, she followed him without getting too close until he entered the dormitory where his room was. There, she made sure no one was watching them and approached him.
"Hey, handsome, let's talk. You didn't pay any attention to me before, so now I'm here," she said, catching his eye as he opened the door to his room.
Liam looked down the hallway of his dorm and saw the blue-haired woman from earlier.