Ethan observed his surroundings.
He could see dozens of jobless sect members watching his fight with the five men.
Most of them seemed to be new sect members, like him.
Fights like these were nothing unusual.
Most sect members from prominent forces had the habit of suppressing those without backgrounds, those who possessed talent that might overshadow those from the prominent forces.
This was to ensure that no one would steal the limelight from them and also to prevent any backgroundless talented individuals from becoming a huge force in the future that could threaten the existence of already established factions, such as kingdoms and ancient families.
The main reason these forces sent their upcoming cultivators to sects like this was so they could develop influence by making strong and powerful people follow them.
By default, this influence would extend to the force they belonged to.
And if these powerful people ever refused to follow them, the forces would do everything in their power to suppress them, ensuring they would never become a hindrance to their own influence.
Yes, the existing factions were control freaks.
They did not like anyone else having power or influence unless it was within their control.
The sects also did not involve themselves in the conflicts of the existing forces, because for them, cultivation was more important than anything else.
The other forces also did not mess with powerful and ancient sects like the Golden Sword Sect, because they knew nothing good would ever come from making enemies of them.
"It's kind of pitiful," Ethan smirked.
Ethan wondered why these forces were like that, and it was very obvious.
Every faction, kingdom, and even sect had a similar origin: either one powerful cultivator created them, or a group of powerful people did.
Either way, they all originated from someone who was extraordinarily talented and strong.
But that did not mean their descendants inherited the same talent or potential.
Unfortunately, talent and potential were not always inherited, and these forces and future generations would find it hard to maintain the original influence they once had.
In the end, they turned into narcissistic control freaks obsessed with power, willing to go to any length to prevent anyone from taking it from them.
After defeating them, Ethan interrogated the five men about who had ordered them to mess with him.
These five men were new sect members, just like Ethan.
They belonged to the Kingdom of Fallia and had come after him under the orders of the kingdom's third prince, Marcus Von Fallia.
The Kingdom of Fallia sounded like one of the prominent kingdoms on the continent, among the top of the most powerful factions, alongside the five sects.
They were also new sect members, the same batch as Ethan.
"There are still around seven hours until dark. Let's see. I cannot just wait here for more to come and fight me. Maybe I should take up some tasks," Ethan said as he walked toward the [Alchemy and Research Department].
"Keep a close eye on him," a woman wearing the same robe as the sect elders said to Kiara, the same woman who had guided Ethan to the entrance exam when he first arrived in this new world, standing beside her.
"Elder Shiya, do you really think he has that light, or whatever it is called?" Kiara asked.
"We're calling it 'light' because it appears as light. We don't really know what it is exactly. The reason I think he might have it is that he was the only thing you found when you went searching for it," Elder Shiya said, turning her expression back to Ethan, who was walking away from the five men he had defeated.
"Also, I find his actions quite suspicious. I can't explain it, but it's like he knows exactly what he is doing. He seems oddly experienced. And not to mention, he can use Sword Intent."
"Didn't the elder deem it accidental?" Kiara asked.
"No, I don't think so," Elder Shiya shook her head before looking at her disciple.
"I heard the Vice Sect Master summoned you. What was that about?"
"They knew you picked up the arrival of the light because of your special ability before them and sent us to search for it. He asked me if we had found anything, and I replied we didn't. But I didn't mention anything about that kid since I didn't think he had anything to do with it," Kiara explained.
"That's probably for the best. I still haven't decided if I should tell the Sect Master or the Vice Sect Master about his probable connection to the light," Elder Shiya replied.
"Why don't you?" Kiara asked.
"Let's say he does possess it. Once I inform the sect, won't they take whatever that thing is for themselves?" Elder Shiya said with a small smile.
"So you plan to take the light for yourself?" Kiara asked.
"Yes. And I want you, as my trusted disciple, to help me with this. Once we acquire it, I don't mind letting you use it to increase your cultivation," the elder said with a small smile.
Kiara didn't need much thought before she agreed. "I agree. But what if this turns out to be a waste of time and that boy really doesn't have anything to do with it?"
"Well, it's all about faith, isn't it?" Elder Shiya said, shrugging.
"What do you want me to do now?" Kiara asked.
"Well, there isn't much to do right now except to keep an eye on him and see if he does anything out of the ordinary, since we don't really know how or if he is connected to the light," Elder Shiya said, thinking.
"Continue monitoring him, and if you find any chance, try to get close to him, or use someone from his batch to get close to him. Preferably a good-looking girl. First of all, try to find out what you can about him."
"I will do as you say," Kiara said before jumping from the tower and disappearing into the crowd.
"Ethan Valerius… what secrets do you hide behind that pretty face of yours?" the elder muttered.
The day passed just like that, and darkness soon covered the sky.
After dealing with the five men, Ethan went to the [Alchemy and Research Department] and took up some tasks similar to yesterday.
With his improved physical condition, he managed to find a lot of herbs in a short time.
Even the department receptionist was shocked by how many herbs Ethan collected, earning him a lot of gold.
But soon he had to spend it.
He gave 30 gold to Shuri of the Alchemy and Research Department to rent alchemy equipment for three more days.
Another 30 gold to buy herbs from the department that he could not find in the wild.
Another 60 gold to rent six more days of his room in the residential area.
Another 12 gold to buy twelve meals for tonight's training.
[Remaining Gold: 733]
He had earned more than enough to sustain himself for the next couple of weeks.
Once it turned dark, he ran straight to his room and spent the next two hours creating potions, one after another.
He created 15 vials of Clarity Potion, 15 vials of Rapid Recovery Potion, and 15 vials of Body Support Potion.
The Body Support Potion had effects such as reducing inflammation, supporting heart health, aiding joints, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues, replenishing minerals lost in sweat, and containing rich nutrients required for his body to prevent cramps and dehydration.
It was like all the supplements needed for body, muscle, and bone growth, all in one vial.
Under the effects of the Clarity Potion, Ethan didn't feel pain.
He didn't feel what was happening to his body during training, or whether his joints, muscles, tendons, or bones could keep up.
If he were to get cramps or strains, he wouldn't even know.
That's why he prepared this potion.
When used together, these potions became an unbelievable training resource, and their effects were magnified because of how they reacted with each other.
These three potions were Ethan's own recipes.
He first created the fundamental recipes during his 100th life in the world known as Auria, then improved them with knowledge gained from his 105th life in the world of Arcane.
They were top-notch, with no side effects, except for negative results that appear if used incorrectly.