Suspicions

-" So the duke household gives one technique of body cultivation for the soldier in the army?"

Luckas was talking with Byrth and JOthyr all morning, when they came back from the meeting with Jeffrey they told JOthyr about everything. As an elder Jothyr tried to give advice to them.

-" Yes, they used their man technique to create a branch for the army, while it isn't powerful like the real thing is quite a good technique. But if you're thinking about cultivating I think you should know a few things first." Jothyr was serious as he spoke, Luckas nodded and focused completely. "One can only cultivate one pathway that means that you cant become your body and QI at the same time."

This made Luckas frown, he thought he could cultivate in both types to gather more talents points.

-" Why is impossible to cultivate in both paths at the same time?" Luckas didn't want to believe he would be locked in only one type.

-" Yes, to be fair, we don't really know, maybe some of the powerful forces do have a way or technique that makes that possible, but, for us, without powerful backing it's almost impossible." Byrth spoke, he had the same reaction as Luckas when the Elder from the Eternal Sun Sect told him and JOthyr about that. "The reason is that when you reach the 8th level of the Qi gathering realm, there is a transformation in your dantian, this transformation is essential to reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm."

-" So this transformation can only happen once?" Luckas began to have a deeper understanding of the fundamentals of cultivation.

-" Yes, the 8th level is where you transform your dantian in your "foundation", so that's why it's impossible to cultivate past the 8th level of both cultivation paths at the same time."

This made Luckas feel a lot better, at least now he knew that he would have 8 free talents points, there was still a lot of information he wanted to gather about cultivation, but he decided to become a Qi cultivator.

Byrth and Luckas were walking to Jeffrey's study, as they arrived in the room Cyl were just arriving too.

-" Oh, you guys are here too, i have some leads that may be related to your companions." Cyl was carrying a small stack of papers.

Luckas was taken back, he knew that his merchant convoy didn't exist, so he was surprised that Cyl came back with the information.

-" Good news?" Luckas anxiety was visible, Byrth thought he was worried about his past companions.

-" It's better to talk inside," Cyl didn't answer but from the look on his face, it was clear that the situation wasn't good.

Luckas and Byrth noded and followed Cyl inside the room. Jeffrey was sitting there reading, they waited for him to finish so they can start the conversation.

-" So, what's bringing you guys here today?" Jeffrey said as he stretched his leg.

-" I made my decision, I would like to request a Qi Cultivation technique." Luckas said firmly.

-" Oh, so you don't want to become a body cultivator? I must warn you that for QI cultivation a body root is needed." Jeffrey raised his hand and from the ring in his hand, a light shone and a small crystal appeared. " This crystal can analyze your body and tell us if you are fit to Qi Cultivation."

Luckas received the crystal and looked at it blankly, seeing that there wasn't a reaction he looked at Jeffrey who instructed him how to activate it. After trying for a few seconds a small gray light shone, soon the crystal was completely filled with the gray light.

Byrth sighed, he knew what the grey light meant, when the elder from the Eternal Sun Sect came to reward him, he too received a similar crystal.

-" Too bad, a low-grade body root, if you really want to become a QI cultivator I will not interfere, but, I need to let you know, your body root is the most important aspect before the Golden Core realm." Jeffrey looked at Luckas with pity. "For people with low-grade roots it's way too difficult to progress past the Qi gathering realm."

Sadness washed over Luckas, but, he remained firm, he had the system with him, his lack of talent could be remedied.

Seeing that Luckas didn't speak anything Jeffrey gave up on convincing him and took two books from the shelf behind him.

-" I will give you this technique, Fleeting Steps of the Cloud Swallow, its focus its in speed and agility, this other book is one last gift for you, it explains the fundamentals of Qi cultivation if you can't find a teacher this will be useful to you."

-" Thank you, Sir." Luckas was emotional as he received the two books, he felt that the noble was way too kind.

-" No problem, those things would just end up collecting dust if they stayed with me, but now we should focus on your other matter. Cyl did you find any information?"

Cyl who was analyzing Luckas this entire time shook his head, he was feeling a mixture of curiosity and suspicion towards Luckas.

-" I searched the entire records from this month and didn't find any records of the group." Cyl was serious as he spoke. " There were two groups that were destroyed and we couldn't identify them, so there is a chance they meet their ends in the encounter."

Byrth felt sad for his friend, the entire room was filled with a strange mood. Cyl continued to gaze at Luckas, he wanted to fish something from his reaction, but, seeing his nervous state Cyl diminished his suspicions.

-" Sigh, I didn't think that possibility was likely, as part of the family that rules this territory I ask for forgiveness from you, its our fault that your convoy encountered such a situation here."

Jeffrey's face was dark as he spoke, his apologies caught Lukcas and Byrth in surprise, they didn't think that a noble like him would apologize to ordinary people.

-" It's too soon for that Jeffrey, I will take Luckas with me, maybe he can identify one of the two convoys." Cyl was serious, he knew that Luckas and Byrth were quite close so he didn't want to expose him now, but he felt a great suspicion towards Luckas.

-" So be it." Jeffrey just accepted and looked towards the window. "You all can go now,"

The news about his territory made Jeffrey sad, he felt like he was failing the task his father gave him. Cyl at his side had a serious face as he too shared his liege burden.

-" So what do you have to say?" After calming down Jeffrey asked Cyl.

-" I checked the records of White Sand City and Edennon and I didn't find any company with that name."

Jeffrey closed his eyes and lost himself in thought after receiving the information.

-" So, what do you think? Is he a spy?" After thinking for a few seconds he asked back.

Cyl shook his head, while he was suspicious of Luckas backstory he didn't think that the young man had bad intentions, if the situation wasn't so serious in the kingdom he wouldn't even bother to check anymore.

-" While he is hiding things, I cant feel hostile feelings from him, I even feel remorse and sadness from him." Philips appeared suddenly from a space tear. " We shouldn't press him too hard, he isn't really any danger to us plus he is quite close to Byrth, and having him close could be useful for us."

-" If he isn't an enemy I don't see a problem in turning a blind eye to his backstory." Cyl agreed too, while he had his suspicions he thought highly of the young man.