"There will be a draw," Liam continued. "Each clan or sect representative may drop their name and order description into this urn." He placed a big, shimmering, inscribed urn at the steps. "Ten orders will be accepted every day. Fair and square." Everyone nodded in amazement. This only added to the mystique surrounding Liam. No one could accuse him of favoritism, and yet the exclusivity now turned each slot into something even more precious. Liam's soul clone retreated as gasps and muttering erupted around the urn. Inside his real quarters, Liam's lips curled into a faint smile. He was more than satisfied with this progress. His knowledge of alchemy was improving by leaps and bounds. Coming here was indeed the right decision, but he did not plan to stop with that. He now had a powerful background, and he planned to utilize it completely. Along with the orders, Liam started accepting invitations to various clans and families across the numerous worlds in their sector. There was only so much knowledge he could learn from the basic system information scrolls. The real deal had to be traveled and procured. He had a feeling that he was standing on the cusp of a turning point, and he was going to see it all the way through. At first, the invitations were casual, but slowly Liam started spreading the rumors about researching a new pill formula that involved soul strengthening. As a part of this research, he also spread the word that he was collecting some soul cultivation manuals. Technically, whatever he said wasn't even a lie. So it was more than convincing enough for the many families to rush to curry favor with him. If he indeed became successful in such an endeavour, then they wanted to be first in line to obtain that godly pill or potion. Soul cultivation was one of the most difficult aspects of increasing one's power, and typically, many people lagged in that. Things continued in this manner, and Liam made it a point to accept invitations and visit many places regularly. He learned a lot about many things, amassed a small fortune of rare raw materials, but as far as his main goal was concerned, he had made zero progress in that area. Finally, after three months, Liam found a small clue. A guy from one of the smaller sects in a beast world had a shockingly high soul strength for his current level. Liam instantly ordered his soul clone to get back and met with the man in person. It only took him a second to confirm. The guy indeed had an unusual soul strength. After some casual conversations, it was easy to squeeze out an invitation from the guy. Liam immediately made the trip to the small world that lay in the midst of the vast Leviathan Beast Empire. Liam had gone as far as to eat a grand feast with the man who not only spared no expenses but also recounted in length about the glory of their world and all the famous high points of his life. After sinking half a day into this endeavour, he finally had something decent. Apparently, this small world called Mistshadow Vale had once housed a powerful but now-forgotten sect whose legacy was rumored to be scattered across the dense, beast-infested forests and ancient ruins. The man, eager to impress Liam, revealed that he had stumbled on one such ruin, a crumbling pagoda nestled at the base of a shadowed waterfall. The local sects considered the place cursed, the forest thick with spirit beasts, but the man had dared venture there once on a dare. He had found nothing but overgrown corridors and a few scraps of tattered scrolls. Yet one of those scrolls had a distinct rune, the same one that now pulsed within him like a hidden sun strengthening his soul every day. Liam couldn't believe that a single rune could have such a big effect, but unless he checked the ruins himself, he had no other option but to believe the guy's story. Liam's eyes gleamed. Mistshadow Vale. He needed to thoroughly examine this place. He continued chatting with the guy until they eventually reached the system shop of their small clan territory. Almost immediately, two people rushed to welcome them. "Grandmaster! Welcome! Welcome! We must have done great deeds in our past life and gained glorious karma for your esteemed excellence to pay a personal visit to our small clan." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚 The compliments were so thick that Liam had to stifle a chuckle. "You're too kind," he replied lightly. "I was just in the area and decided to relax a little by visiting a new place. Please don't make it sound so exaggerated. This is just a small visit." The two men exchanged glances and then happily led Liam to a grand feast. The table practically buckled under the weight of roasted spirit beasts, fragrant soups, and exotic fruit wines. The clan had truly gone all out to impress their guest. Liam sipped at a clear, sweet wine and smiled politely at the main host, a burly man with a tiger-shaped badge on his chest. "Your hospitality is unmatched," Liam said. "Can you tell me more about your world? As long as I am here, I wouldn't mind heading out and tempering myself in the wilderness. My master always says that even an alchemist must train his combat." The host's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Ah, Grandmaster, you truly are different from the average alchemist," he said with a wide grin. "Most refuse even to set foot outside their sect walls, but you are bold and courageous! I see now why you are so renowned." He praised Liam endlessly and then came to the main point. "This world of ours may be small, but it is full of opportunities… and dangers." He gestured grandly with his cup. "We are surrounded by the Leviathan Beast Empire, and many of our lands have never truly been tamed. Spirit beasts roam freely, and old sect ruins dot the forests and canyons. Adventurers, both juniors and seniors, come here seeking fortune or challenge."