Grim started cultivating immediately after returning. It took him six whole months and 45 gulps (900 ml) of Qi to break through into the sixth level.

"I'm getting even closer to the dominion realm."

He took a shower and went into the cafeteria for food and information.

***

The attention around Grim had died down by now. But, people still respected him.

People complied with his request unconditionally. So, he caught one of the disciples.

"Did something new happen within these six months?"

The disciple replied. "Yes, brother Grim. There has been an ongoing rumor that the 'Spirit' sect of the beast alliance was wiped out."

"Beast alliance? Isn't martial alliance the only one?" He was confused since he had only heard about martial alliance during the announcement in the spring sect.

The disciple replied. "There are supposedly three alliances, martial, beast, and merchant alliance. However, I don't know much about them."

"Thanks for the information."

Grim went to his master's manor for further inquiry.

***

In front of the manor.

Knock! Knock!

"Master, your disciple is here."

"Come in." A voice resounded from inside.

Grim entered the manor and went to the master's room.

Lou Xiang said. "You have already broken through the sixth level. It won't be long before you catch up to me."

"You are overpraising me, master" replied Grim

She asked. "So, what brings you here?"

Grim stated the reason for his visit.

Lou Xiang exclaimed the detail.

"It happened a month ago. Everyone was relaxed as the beats didn't attack for a whole year. So, the beasts utilized our laid-back attitude for a surprise attack on the 'Spirit' sect. It is said that they were the weakest of vassal sects under the beast alliance."

"They seem to be going after the weakest sects. The 'willow' sect from the merchant alliance is likely to be the next."

Grim was left flustered. He didn't know anything about 'beast alliance' or 'merchant alliance'. So, he couldn't help but ask.

"Master, what is an alliance?"

"It's no surprise you have no idea. Only, instructors and principals know about it. But, it shouldn't be a problem if I tell you."

"Alliances are the associations formed from the unity of multiple sects, six to be exact. There are three alliances separated by their specialty. There is the 'martial alliance' for those who use martial arts, the 'beast alliance' for those who use beast-related skills, and the 'merchant alliance' for merchants."

Now, Grim had a slightly better understanding. Afterward, he returned to the room.

***

Eight months later.

He had consumed 80 gulps ( 1.2 liters) of Qi to break through to level seven.

"Only two levels away."

He went to the cafeteria. But, nothing particular had occurred in the last eight months. So, he got back to stabilize his cultivation.

Afterward, he went back to cultivation again.

He was able to break through to level eight after a whole year and 1.8 liters ( 61 oz) of Liquid Qi.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

He was relieved to find out nothing out of the ordinary had taken place while he was secluded.

"One final push." He went into seclusion again.

***

Willow Sect, sixteen months later.

Willow sect was a wealthy sect. Its citizens were living quite a good life compared to the other two alliances. However, its major weakness was, it had no dominion realm cultivator of its own. So, they had to hire one with a hefty sum.

"Greetings, senior Tao Hui." a fat man bowed in front of a man.

Tao Hui returned the greeting. "Greetings, sect leader."

The fat man was Sun Hai, sect leader of the Willow sect. He had barely reached the ninth level of the evolution realm thanks to the various drugs and elixirs.

While Tao Hui was the Dominion realm cultivator they had hired, and his profession was a mercenary.

Three years ago, the merchant alliance had warned them of a potential beast invasion. So, the sect had a tense atmosphere for a year. But, the atmosphere had settled down as there was no attack even after three years.

However, Tao Hui was always on guard because that's what he was paid for.

***

In the middle of the night.

Tao Hui was on the lookout. Suddenly, he saw a beast flying toward the gate at a high speed.

He yelled. "An enemy attack."

The voice reverberated all over the sect waking everyone.

The beast launched 'Frozen arrows' at the gate. However, Tao Hui arrived in front just when the arrows were about to touch the gate.

'Repulse'

The arrows were deflected, causing them to scatter left and right.

The griffin was surprised slightly.

Hoh!

"There's a cultivator with the 'force' element except for the supreme one? Too bad your mastery is only at a minor level."

Tao Hui replied. "So, you must be the infamous beast who destroyed the two sects previously."

"Haha. It appears I have become quite renowned." The griffin laughed.

'Ice Domain'

Tao Hui was also covered by the domain. Soon, the snow started falling causing the people's movement speed and reaction to slow down. However, the domain didn't affect Tao Hui as his ability repelled everything around him.

Tch!

"Force users are a pain in the ass." The griffin was annoyed.

'Ice Mountain'

The griffin hurled a mountain toward Tao Hui.

'Repulse'

He changed the trajectory of the mountain easily.

'Release'

The griffin canceled the domain since it had no effect on Tao Hui and consumed Qi constantly.

'Chain lightning'

The griffin lunged lightning bolts toward Tao Hui. But, he was able to repel it with ease.

"You aren't the only one with lightning."

'Lightning Domain'

The domain covered an area of 500 meters including the griffin. Soon, lightning bolts started materializing everywhere within the domain.

'Ice Domain'

The griffin used its domain. But, it was getting pushed back. The snow got vaporized in the air.

"But, I'm at the mid-dominion realm."

The griffin couldn't accept itself being pushed back.

'Chain lightning'

It was Tao Hui's turn for the counter-attack. He lunged the electric bolts toward the griffin. The domain had amplified the bolts scaring the griffin.

'Ice Mountain'

It summoned a mountain to block the attack. But, the bolts blasted a hole in the mountain and advanced.

"Dammit"

'Flicker'

The griffin appeared a hundred meters away.

'Flicker'

The griffin appeared behind Tao Hui.

'Air Cutter'

Then, it launched an attack. But, the attack was blocked by the 'repulsion'.

'Chain Lightning'

Tao Hui started merging the bolts into one.

"Retreat."

The griffin spotted what he was doing. So, it decided to make a run for it.

Tao Hui tried to chase it. But, the griffin escaped spamming 'flicker'.

***

Meanwhile, the beasts and cultivators were battling each other in the other areas of the sect.

The beasts were gaining the upper hand thanks to their number pushing the cultivators into a dire state.

Suddenly, the beasts heard the griffin's order to retreat.

Most of the beasts retreated fearing retaliation from the griffin. However, some beasts decide to stay and fight.

The beasts were later cleaned by Tao Hui.

"We won." x10

Everyone started cheering after the final beast had been killed.

They thanked Tao Hui and made a statue in his honor. People around the world also came to know the achievements of Tao Hui.

***

The forbidden forest.

The griffin was kneeling on the ground.

"So, what should I do about you?"

The griffin begged for mercy. "Forgive me, Supreme one. I didn't know there would be a force user in the willow sect."

"A force user huh."

The silhouette was intrigued.

"But, that doesn't change the fact you failed. You should face the consequences of it."

The griffin accepted his fate. "Yes, lord."

'Gravitational field'

Soon, the gravity changed around the griffin. It had increased by 15 times.

Urghhh!

The griffin could no longer stand even if it wanted.

"You will be here for a whole year, and repent for your mistakes."

The silhouette left.

***

Faith academy.

Grim reached the ninth level of the evolution realm by the end of the battle. It took him sixteen months and 2.4 liters (80 oz) Qi.

It was the last step before he could break through to the dominion realm. So, he took a month to stabilize his cultivation.

By the time he came out of seclusion, Willow sect's victory and Tao Hui's achievement had been announced worldwide.

He was happy to hear about the Willow sect's victory.

Then, he went to the teacher's manor to get some clues on the dominion realm.

At first, Lou Xiang was surprised by his cultivation. Later she was ecstatic about it.

Grim asked. "Master, do you have any clues on how to break into the dominion realm?"

Lou Xiang started explaining.

"I don't know much about the dominion realm. But, it is said that there are two ways to break through into the dominion realm."

"First method is to reach advanced level mastery of any element. If you are lucky, you might experience enlightenment right after passing all the tribulations."

"Second method is the hardest one. You have to fuse two elements together, then gain enlightenment from it. But, its advantage is you will reach advanced mastery in two elements at once."

"The first method depends entirely on luck, while the second method depends on your own effort. But, you are more likely to get lucky than succeed in the second method."

He returned to the room and started digesting all the information.

[Evo points left: 164,750]