Hours later, Hal exited Emily's room and proceeded on his essence harvesting with the other ladies. It was quite early the next morning before he completed his rounds and that was despite him making use of the Time Warped chamber with the rest of the ladies.

He had taken his time with each and every one of them and made sure he left them with a smile on their faces.

After that, he returned to Melinda's room to sit cross-legged beside her and refine the essence.

However, despite him making use of Cosmic energy to facilitate the process, he was still unable to advance to the next stage and remained stuck in the Early Stage of the Cosmic Phenomenon Realm.

Sensing his impatience, Grimoire reminded him once again that it usually took other cultivators, Dual or otherwise, years to achieve the amount of progress he had in a month.

Hal knew the Artifact was correct but he retorted that Grimoire should be more than aware that his situation was different.

He had never once believed those that had tried to grab him on the bridge between the Mortal and Nether realms were after him at random.

It was most likely related to his Bloodline which was another issue since there was surely another tribulation in his future. Hopefully, it was still further in the future.

His urgency to get stronger was much more than any normal cultivator.

That said, impatience would also get him nowhere and he would need to take things to step by step.

It was why the [Upset Victory Package] of him defeating Arya could not have come at a better time as it would help a lot in transporting the ladies with him once he left Sapphire city.

He needed them close by to at least continue in the advancing pace he was on and stave off decline.

He left the bed and went to take a soak in the tub. Much as he quite liked being covered in female pleasure juices, it did not mean he did not also like to be clean.

Once he cleaned up any moisture left on his body he joined Melinda in bed and slept for the night.

...

The sun was shining brightly when he opened his eyes next and Melinda's head was laying on his chest while her breathing was low but he could also detect a change which showed she had woken up before him and refined his essence before going back to sleep.

He stroked her hair for a while before pulling her off him and leaving after a kiss to her cheek.

He had much to do today and the most important of them all was probably a visit to Tretch forest which he was ready to make since Arya had completed the batch of pills he had asked of her.

However, it would have to wait for now as there were a group of ladies waiting for him in the lounge.

The ladies were Karmen and the potential Blood knights, Olivia and Lillian.

Once he was in the lounge, all three bowed as he took his seat and smiled at them.

When Olivia had come to him with the hope to become a Blood Knight, Hal had to admit he had not been surprised as Karmen had already reiterated all their conversations to him.

However, he did wonder why she was so adamant about becoming part of a group of strangers even after she had been warned she would have to let go of all past relations.

Even after she had been warned that she would become his property should she become a Blood Knight.

It was not that Hal doubted his charms and looks but that he felt it was not the only factor here and this had been how his interview with Olivia had gone;

It was Hal's first time dealing with a case where someone actually proffered their interest in joining so he started with the easiest question,

"Why do you want to become a Blood Knight?" He asked.

"I want to become strong and this seems to be the way" she replied and while her answers were quick and straight to the point, Hal could still detect awe.

Clearly, his battle with Arya had left an impression.

"It's not the only way" he said.

"It's the only way open to me at the moment"

"Then why not wait for better opportunities?" He inquired.

Olivia paused and when she spoke next, there was a hint of annoyance,

"Pardon me for saying but... will you let me join or will you simply question me and then find me unworthy?

I am only one female from a small city, what assurance do I have that a 'better opportunity' will come around?

This is what I want, but if it's not what you want, then I would rather leave right now."

Hal chuckled,

"By all means, leave."

Olivia's eyes widened,

"What?"

Hal shrugged,

"I said leave. So what If I question you and then find you unworthy? It's my decision and you are at my mercy, Not the other way around.

Besides, I don't quite wish to be a part of your problem with your husband"

At those words, Olivia looked stunned and seemed to wish to deny but could not. So she said,

"I no longer wish to be with him. I don't deny it's one of the reasons I wish to be a knight."

Hal sighed,

"I truly could not care less what transpires between Marlon and you but unless you show me commitment and a readiness to surrender, I can not make you a Knight"

Olivia nodded solemnly and began to undo her clothes when Hal said,

"What are you doing?"

She looked confused,

"I'm offering you my body" she said in a tone that suggested that that should have been obvious.

Hal smiled lightly,

"Pleasing as that is sure to be, you are not yet a Knight and thus, not yet mine.

The manner with which you are to show me commitment is by going through arduous training and attempt to reach the cultivation level I dictate within the time frame I dictate.

Only if you are successful in these will I make you a Blood Knight"

Olivia's face had been red with embarrassment as she fastened her clothes and went off to find Karmen who Hal had instructed on what to do telepathically.

Hal smiled lightly as he watched her leave and then Marlon arrived to plead with Hal not to allow Olivia to become a Knight.

Hal placed his hand on the Edgar scion's shoulder and said,

"I did not trick or force her into this decision. It was hers and hers alone. If she wishes to become my Knight, I will not turn her away."

"But..." Marlon began but Hal interrupted.

"Truth is, I never needed to test Olivia's capabilities as she has proven herself already. You do remember she aided you in getting to the Runemasters, right?

The only reason for the training is to stall for time. If you are able to convince her otherwise before the end of her training, then she will be your wife once again.

But if she goes through with it and is brought before me to become a Knight... Forget her.

This is already an uncharacteristic moment of sentimentality from me."

.... And that brings us to present day.

Olivia had gone through with the training despite Marlon's pleas and Hal had told Lillian to go through the training as well.

Lillian was already a Pseudo-fiend thanks to Arya's efforts and with the drafting of a contract and the signing of it by the ladies, they both became Semi-Fiends.

They both became Blood Knights.

They both became his.