Cultivation Chamber

 Ryker thought about it some more before finally giving his answer, "It depends on her. If she wishes to join my group, then I will welcome her,"

 The Duke sign in relief. While he could tell that Ryker omitted from talking about taking her beloved niece as a lover, at least she could finally travel the world with someone strong and trustworthy enough to protect her.

 As the two began to engage in a different conversation, they did not notice a certain someone who had been listening to the entire conversation from the start.

-x-

 After his tall with the Duke, Ryker was led by none other than Hylla toward one of the more special cultivation places inside the Mansion.

 Though for some reason, she was blushing. Then again, maybe because it was because she was now close to her crush?

 'Uncle! Why did you do that?!' the woman in question screamed in the crevice inside her mind, still mortified by the fact her uncle had set her up with the man he had grown to adore.

 Thankfully, she was able to maintain a calm facade as there would be questions about why she was screaming loudly for no reason.

 As they walked, they soon reached a part of the mansion that was guarded by numerous guards, though none could pose a threat to him.

 Seemingly able to read his mind, the young woman explained, "The reason why there are no powerful experts guarding this place is because all of the powerful experts had been sent all over the Duchy to quell the bandit's threat,"

 Ryker nodded in understanding as they soon reached a huge door, with formations and engraving that let out an aura that even threatened him.

 Hylla took out a small key, tied to a silver chain, before raising the key. The key then caused the formation to unlock, the engraving started to glow dimmer.

 She took a step back, Ryker following her example. Which is a good thing as the door opened and would have hit him if he stood where he was previously.

 After the door was opened, Hylla motioned for him to enter, "Only one person could enter this place at a time," she explained. "the formation will also lock the room for a certain period so they could spend a long time cultivating without any disturbance,"

 She then took out the key before giving it to him, "the time one could spend ranges from a week to 4 weeks, but it all depends on how long you want to cultivate," she told him.

 Ryker thought about something, "How about food, resources, pills, and potions?" while using pills and potions that could help breakthrough would mean a weaker foundation, if one used it to consolidate their foundation then it's not big of a deal.

 "Normally, they would bring what they need on their own, but considering your contribution, my un- I mean the Duke had given you the resources you need to spend a long time inside the chamber," she told him, giving him several storage rings.

 "Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?" she asked, hoping that he would let her leave as she felt flustered with their being so close to one another.

 "Nothing for now," she almost sighed in relief, loudly, "but after I finish my cultivation session, then we should talk about what the two of us meant for each other," and the blush returned full force.

 She nodded meekly before leaving him to his design. Ryker, watching her amusingly, turned his head towards the cultivation chamber with a calm look.

 He could sense the high energy density, enough to make some weaker cultivators and mortals faint from it alone if they remained there for a long time. 

 He entered the room, walking towards the center before watching the door locked itself. He took out the key, and as long as there is no reason to, he will remain inside, preferably until he becomes a Genesis Source expert.

 He then sits in lotus style, preparing for a long cultivation session. He closed his eyes as he began to circulate the Celestial Energy Art, and began to gather and refine the energy around him.

-x-

 After Ryker locked himself inside, Hylla took it upon herself to tell his family of the Duke's reward along with the period he would likely spend inside the chamber.

 "4 Week?!" they did not seem to take it too well. Then again, they only just reunited with one another and now they could not see him for another 4 weeks. 

 The only thing better this time is the fact they knew of his location and he will not be in grave danger, unlike before.

 "Yes. Unfortunately, the chamber is designed to lock itself and unless there is an emergency, it will be hard to open it, from both outside and inside the chamber," she told them the truth, causing the current strongest of his family to bite her lips.

 She then let out a sigh, "At least he is okay, but we going to have a serious conversation regarding this when he returns," Hylla could feel the threatening aura, and he was a peak Genesis Source expert!

 To think someone at the Genesis Condensation would make her feel threatened, the group in front of her clearly a lot stronger than she gave them credit for.

 "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave," she said. When they did not say anything else, the gray-haired woman walked out of the mansion, heading towards her own mansion.

 After she left, the remaining women looked at one another, "She smitten, isn't she?" Ina asked, a deadpanned expression on her face.

 "Yup,"

 "There is no doubt about it,"

 "Her face tells it all,"

 "She did not do a good job hiding it,"

 "We probably get ourselves a new sister,"

-x-

 Outside, Hylla feel her sound shiver, which is unusual as Genesis Source and above could hardly be affected by weather or temperature unless it has some special properties in it.

-x-

 Ryker could feel something wrong like he would be in danger the moment he stepped out of the chamber. He chalked it off to being beaten by his lovers, one he would allow less they grew even angrier at him.

 He then continued his cultivation, preparing himself for his breakthrough. Thankfully, the resources given to him by the Duke, along with his own collection, are enough to sustain him for the duration he will spend inside the chamber.

 He continues to cultivate, looking forward to the time he will become a Genesis Source expert and see where his strengths lie