Their attacks were destroyed by my Tao barrier which only made me more confused. If they knew who I was why would they even try that? Maybe they were under mental effects? I stepped toward the leader, a slender Hispanic man with a rapier. Before I crossed half the distance he rushed me.

"What are you doing?" I asked just as he reached the limit of my Tao. I released it more out of curiosity than anything else. Once he was close enough to attack me. He unleashed a volley of slow thrusts that were kind of pathetic. It wasn't just that they were slow, it was that they were telegraphed. It was a bit like watching a basketball player that was bad at fakes.

He unleashed five of them before I aimed a punch into his sternum. The blow must have been harder than I thought because I felt at least two ribs break. The man stumbled back nearly a dozen steps before dropping to his knees. "Uh you definitely can't win, not even if you work together-"

"You fucking bastard!" The man spat out along with a mouthful of blood. He tried to force himself up but his body wasn't listening. I glanced over as an Asian drew a gun and leveled it at me.

"I am guessing that you aren't being mind-controlled here? The only people that would hate me would be the Commonwealth unless you somehow blame me for the ship blowing up?"

"You killed our daughter!" The woman screamed and unloaded her gun. She fired until the gun was empty but it didn't matter. The few bullets that hit me were more like unpleasant bee stings than any real threat.

I sighed and stared at the group. Everyone wasn't as mad as the two parents but they were angry. I couldn't blame them for it either. "I doubt it will matter but I am sorry. I hadn't intended to kill anyone that day."

"You haven't stopped killing since this started. Don't think we don't understand how your level got to be so high. You've been hunting us like pigs for slaughter. Just so you can get a little bit stronger." The man spat onto the ground as if to curse me.

I sighed and shook my head. I wasn't sure if the lies were something from the Commonwealth or something they convinced themselves of. It also didn't matter. I had killed a lot of people already and I would no doubt keep doing it. "I haven't-" I glanced at the hatred in the mother and father's eyes and shook my head.

"I don't want to fight you. Your companions are tired and you just barely survived your last fight. You can head to the temple and teleport away. You won't survive if you stay here. If after all that you still wanted to fight. I will be here."

I could tell that the pair still wanted to fight so I unleashed a small portion of my killing intent. It felt like trying to drain a single drop of water out of an ocean but it worked. The effect lasted less than a second but one member of their group collapsed while both parents turned as pale as a sheet. Still, they didn't back down, I could respect that. They came for revenge and they wanted it. I didn't want to give them any more reasons to attack so I sprinted in the direction of the temple.

It felt like there was a stone in my stomach as I ran. It was almost worse to be alone with my thoughts than it was to face them. It would have been different if the people had been attacking me but their child. The other innocents were just caught up in my desire to show off. They didn't deserve to die but who did? Everyone had a story of someone who didn't deserve to die. Someone caught by a monster, someone caught in a trap during the tutorial.

I sighed and shook my head. I was lying to myself. Those people were trying to fight or at least had a chance the innocent people were just slaughtered. I still hadn't come up with any kind of answer by the time I reached the temple. I was impressed by how things changed over the last few days. The temple was more or less the same but a camp had formed up around it. It reminded me a bit of how war camps looked in movies.

The biggest change was the defensive array. Part of me wanted to test the array and see if I could force my way through but I didn't. Mostly because I didn't want to deal with fixing it or buying a new one. I sent a quick message with my spell and the array was opened. I went over things with Christopher first but there was nothing that needed my attention. Next, I entered Amara and left about fifteen percent of the material I gathered. Which included the two big millepede monsters and the lion dog corpse. The rest I set up for the UWG.

The last thing I wanted was to create new problems with them due to not honoring the agreement. They didn't need to know about the fruits or the gemstone though. Once that was ready I made my way to my cultivation chamber and placed the stone inside. I wasn't sure if this was more like feng shui where placement mattered but for now, it was more important that I got the energy. Next, I pulled out the pearl and started draining. I wanted to get it done as soon as possible. Just to see what it was doing to me.

It was now the size of a pomegranate and the energy had only grown denser. Unfortunately, Azariah was having a hard time getting the information I needed. It wasn't that it didn't exist, rather it was too expensive. The Heaven's Pearl were rare objects that typically only grew in a special galaxy toward the heart of the multiverse. I still didn't understand what that meant but the way it was described made it sound like circles. Like there were inner rings and outer rings, we were on the outermost ring where the System was pulling in new worlds. The innermost ring was the heart which I guess was where the bigshots lived.

Naturally getting information on that area was impossible. Even with my massive wealth total. I would have to sell myself into debt several times first. Either way, it wasn't important. Once I was done in my chamber and set about doing the dozen or so smaller things. I checked on Aaliyah who had taken charge of the training area and Trey who was making progress. He was getting close to unlocking a proper Tao Strand even without the System.

I wasn't sure where he would rank when compared to other people but it had to be high. I made plans to give him a sparing match when I had more free time. I finished the day with a meeting with Desbera in the Academy. We met in a small meeting room that reminded me of the principal's office. It somehow felt rustic and futuristic. Like someone wanted to appear rustic but wanted all the comforts of a futuristic place.

"I am pleased that you have decided to visit me, Young Master. Though I am not entirely sure what I can do for you."

I smiled and took a sip from the glass of tea she provided. A small trickle of energy flowed into my dantian. Something that made me sigh in delight. "First I want more of this tea. I assume it's meant to have energy in it for higher-level people? If possible I will buy it from you."

She smiled and nodded. "It would be better to buy it from the merchant but I have no problem sharing a glass from time to time. It helps both energy gathering and has a calming effect. The ingredients to make it aren't too rare either."

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I nodded and took another sip before turning to the point of the meeting. "I would like you to let me know what you think about this?" I summoned the box with the Tao treasure and handed it over. She opened it and pulled out a bundle of small black and grey incense sticks.

"Well I am not sure if you realize this or not but you can't divide the sticks up for multiple uses. Despite the number of sticks, it is a single item. It is a Tao treasure as you say though a low-quality one."

"Is there anything I can do to improve its potency? Perhaps combine it with other treasures or use it at a specific time?"

"That is an interesting question. If you know what Tao you want to help you with being in an environment attuned to it would be best. If not then use items that keep you calm and relaxed. Minimizing distraction would be for the best. If possible I would ask the merchant for anything that could help open your mind to the universe. Treasures like that are relatively uncommon but do appear from time to time. They are usually used to improve energy circulation when cultivating."

I nodded my understanding and took the treasure back. I placed it into the ring and grabbed my glass. "If you were in my position what Tao would you go after?"

Desbera flinched at the question and shook her head. "Ahh do not take this as an insult but Young Master appears very indecisive. It is a trait that could get you killed. I can not tell you what to do or what you should do. I am an educator first and foremost so I would aim for something related to knowledge, creation, or information dissemination. Have you considered getting a master?"

I raised an eyebrow at that. "Are you asking me if I have considered getting an owner? Or do you mean like a teacher?"

"A teacher. I assure you the word Master does not necessarily relate to slavery. In the multiverse, it is rather common for people to have multiple teachers throughout their lives."

"To answer the question, yes but I have no idea where to get one. I don't think they just grow on trees."

She laughed and nodded in agreement. "You will have your choice soon enough I imagine. For now, you should focus on building a foundation. It will be impossible for a teacher to develop what doesn't exist. The last thing you would want would be to become what someone else wants you to be."

"Of course, have you learned anything more about finishing what the fruit started?"

She sighed and shook her head. "No, and I don't think I will. The only suggestion I have for you is to keep an eye out for unique treasures and any that impact the eyes. Based on the location of the gathered energy it seems like it will be ocular."

We went over a few more things including the training program for Trey. After that, the conversation became more casual until I stood up. "As much as I enjoy spending time with you I am afraid I have to go. There are still a few things I need to do before I enter seclusion."

"Of course, Young Master. If there is anything that I can do for you please do not hesitate to ask."

"Of course." I left her behind and made my way to the council room. Where I found Saanite waiting for me along with Keshaun. I took my seat. "So is there anything that I should be aware of?"

"The expansion is going well so far. We have started moving more of the soldiers into houses now that most of the families were taken care of. After that, we will have this building only for high-ranking officials. Azariah has selected a new building she would like to move to once we are ready." Keshaun replied.

"Is she able to do so? I thought her room came from the System?"

"Yes and No. The System provides the building but we can move it wherever we want within our territory."

"That's convenient. Alright well if she is up for it I see no reason to to do it. What do you know about the Academy? Desbera didn't mention moving when I spoke with her"

"From what I understand she is going to move to the first floor. Where people will be allowed to go and study."

"Alright, that works for me." I turned my attention to Saanite.

"There are no assignments that need your attention right now." The guide said plainly.

"Alright, there are a few things I want to go over." I went over everything I encountered on the continent including what I believe to be the cause of the ship explosion. "Have you all encountered problems with the Commonwealth while I've been gone?"

"Nothing of significance. Aaliyah mentioned a minor skirmish at the border of the west training region. She managed to deal with it before it became a major problem."

"Alright, in that case, keep everyone on alert but there is no need to have the main array going every day. I assume there have been no encounters with 'The System's Herald'?"

"Not directly. We have heard some rumors of people being murdered and displayed. Those cities are on the opposite side of the UWG so it's hard to get accurate information." Keshaun added and slid me an information stone. "That's all the information we have on the subject."

I nodded and slipped the stone into my ring. "I will review it later. I have brought back some resources that I want people to look into. It's mostly monsters parts its all monster parts. I am not sure how much could become weapons and armor but I figure want not to waste not right?"

"Uh about that. Our craftspeople are more than willing to help in any way that they can but we have received some minor complaints. From those that aren't cultivators. Some of the material is a bit too hard. If possible could you bring fewer full pieces?"

I sighed and ran my hand down my face. "Is there any way we can have the cultivators break it into pieces for them? I will do what I can but that's the opposite of how my abilities work. I've already lost every sword I've ever owned. Usually to stomach acid."

"Understood. We can get through some of the tougher things with chainsaws but there aren't many of those and the saws aren't delicate instruments by a long shot."

"Alright, for now, I will do what I can but people will need to increase their efforts to level up. Has our average level gotten past ten yet?"

"Sort of. If we take your level into account yes. If not then just barely. The average level sits around 10.1 without you and 13 with you. That isn't considering how many people end up dying or permanently injured."

I let out a groan. "I am going to assume we still don't have workers' compensation or anything like that? Can we set something up?"

Keshaun nodded and handed me another information stone. "We have started selling the spiritual water you found and we have made a significant amount of money. We have some economists working to deal with the situation but it's difficult. Right now the only way we can sell is through Azariah. Which she is doing a phenomenal job but we have no way of controlling the profits."

"Are you suggesting that she is taking advantage of us?" I raised my brow before sending a bit of energy into the stone. Dozens of economic charts flooded into my mind. It wasn't hard to parse through it quickly but the numbers quickly got confusing when I tried to dive into the details. The short of it was that the country was nearly five times as wealthy as I was. After the last few days, I sat about 50 million credits.

I had been worried I would have to subsidize the country with my income but that wasn't necessary at all. It was slightly more profitable to sell the beast carcasses in bulk to Azariah than to let people work on them. Of course that didn't take into account the improvement in their skills.

"No" I was pulled back to the conversation with Keshaun's reply. "I think she is being honest it just I don't know how you would feel about that. Many rulers don't like that lack of control"

I waved a hand through the air to stop him. "I don't know much about economics truth be told. I want to set up a governmental department for it but right now we are struggling. I think that this council will be arranged with one member for each area of expertise. We have to focus on survival for right now though. Which means that we can leave the finances to her. Our people should keep filing their reports and if things look confusing let me know."

"As you say."

With that settled, I turned to my last order of business. "I am about to enter a brief seclusion. I don't think it will be longer than a few hours with a day being the maximum. Before I do I would like you to send word to Azariah. If she has any treasures, arrays, or anything that would help me develop a new Tao I am willing to buy it."

With everything settled I had everyone leave so that I could do something I've been wanting to do forever. I could take a bath and get a quick nap. It was good to be home.