It had been a week since Jacob had perfectioned most of the Spiritual Herbs he had needed. Him and Epagogia had expanded the Alchemical Garden and had started recruiting people to work on it.

Hektor had gone and saved more than a few cities already, but he had come back to report to Jacob before continuing his campaign. When he had come back, he had found a person practicing his Martial Style on top of a tree. It was one of the most ridiculous sight Hektor had ever seen, but the extremely serious expression on that person’s face had caught his attention. He had also noticed that such a person had a very good balance to be an amateur.

When he had asked what was happening, the person almost fell from the tree. But then, Hektor got his explanation. The tree kata was part of the Hell Devouring Sect entrance exam. They had to do that for at least three hours without falling. Hektor looked around and found more people on top of trees and some on branches looking at them, evaluating their progress.

He went to ask Jacob how was it possible that there were already Sects on Earth, especially here in St. Peter where Jacob’s authority was supposed to be unparalleled. When the Blady Tyrant explained that his aunt was apparently some Eastern stories geek who had set up her own Sect, Hektor was exhilarated. That sounded like one of the funniest things he could ever participate too.

And that’s how Hektor, future Sect Head of the Vermillion Sect, met the Sect Head/Matriarch/Founder Ancestor of the Hell Devouring Sect.

“Who disturbs the quiet of the Hell Devouring Sect?!” the voice of the woman boomed.

Hektor kept his stare straight and donned a serious expression, taking Jacob and leaving him behind while he rehearsed in his head the formalities that had been commonplace in his past life.

He walked among the disciples of the Hell Devouring Sect and stopped teen feet from their Sect Head. Then, he cupped his fist and bowed almost to a 90 degrees angle.

“This aspiring Sect Head has come here to seek out the benevolence of the Head of the Hell Devouring Sect,” then he tweaked the script a bit to make clear what was happening, “as it’s tradition among Sects, the aspiring new Sect has come to the strongest Sect in the region to ask permission to set roots in St. Peter! This future Sect Head has brought gifts and is ready to exchange pointers with the respected Head of the Hell Devouring Sect!”

The Head of the Hell Devouring Sect didn’t even flinch for a second.

“You may rise, future Sect Head! State the name of your Sect and present your gifts! We will then evaluate if you are fit to occupy a place near us under the Heavens!”

Hektor stood up and started taking out things from his Interspatial Ring.

“The Vermillion Sect offers Cultivation Techniques, Martial Techniques, Martial Styles, Alchemical Resources, four Interspatial Rings and a variety of Pills that were found in Ancient Ruins! Every Technique and Style is above the rating of 70, and most above 80, following the common scale in St. Peter!”

Hektor deposited everything at Linda’s feet. He had used the scale Jacob had explained to him to evaluate how powerful his gifts were.

Hektor had to give it to them. No one was fazed. Everyone was playing their role so well that he felt like this was one of the diplomatic meeting he had conducted in his past life.

And since Hektor didn’t like doing things half-assedly, he had brought real gifts. Jacob had told him that the Hell Devouring Sect was welcome in St. Peter because her aunt worked to death her disciples. He had even heard of some whippings going around, but he had not had the courage to ask if that was true or made up. So, they were the people with more Contribution Points than anyone else.

This time, Hektor had asked before gifting Cultivation Techniques left and right.

“Disciples! Step aside! Elders, pick up the gifts! This Sect Head shall test the strength of the aspiring other Sect Head!”

Every disciple started slowly walking backward without even looking. A few tripped, but other than that, it was a pretty awe-inspiring scene. The Vermillion Tyrant had known strong Sects with less organization than this one. Jacob was doing a disservice to his aunt by calling this a delusion. There was clearly something brewing here; whether these people started as geek nuts was not important, what mattered was where they were headed to.

And the Vermillion Tyrant was ready to test that.

So, he restrained his aura to the Peak of the Mantis Realm and got ready to spar a bit with Jacob’s aunt. He was genuinely curious to know how strong she was.

What no one expected, Vermillion Tyrant and Jacob alike, was that the aura that burst forth from Linda was not at the Mantis realm.

Oriole Realm?

Epagogia had just crossed the threshold a few days ago.

The Devil Queen wanted more time to reflect on her own insights, and it makes sense. Helena too reached the Oriole Realm and Juliet is one step from it. But this woman’s talent should not be enough to reach the Oriole Realm without some deadly fights. What happened here?

Hektor felt a burst of immense power from the woman, even if she was just at the Oriole Realm. And even then, it was just her Magical Cultivation.

There is something that doesn’t add up, the Vermillion Tyrant narrowed his eyes but kept his aura at the Peak of the Mantis Realm.

He wanted to give her a slight chance at not losing immediately.

What he didn’t expect was the distinct power he felt right after.

THAT’S A CULTIVATION LAW!