Dual Cultivation: Beasts and Women!

Chapter 219 : Situation in City Five

Guardian Jasper handed over a set of pre-collected samples to the trio of specialists accompanying Liam on this journey, while providing additional information to the Division Chief standing before him.

"I have here masks capable of protecting their wearers from the causative agent of the disease afflicting my city," Jasper explained, his tone grave. "They remain effective for up to 24 hours. After that, they become ineffective and must be discarded." He passed six units to Liam.

Liam expressed his gratitude as he distributed the items to his companions. The Herbalist, Alchemist, and Healer were already engaged in an animated discussion about what they could discern from Guardian Jasper's samples.

Their mission wasn't to save City Five outright, but to eliminate the root cause of the plague. The Healer's role was to support the group, while the Alchemist would craft pills and potions following the recommendations of the Herbalist and Healer.

A skilled Herbalist could easily identify substitute plants for missing ingredients, making it possible to formulate pills or potions for the same purpose, even with limited resources.

Alchemists, on the other hand, specialized in creating special medicinal items, possessing only a basic knowledge of ingredients. Even an Alchemist with more extensive ingredient knowledge would struggle to understand certain substitutions that a Herbalist could readily identify.

The synergy of these three working in tandem could prove critical to the group's success, which was precisely why Liam had chosen them, despite the apparent overlap in their professions.

"It would be beneficial if we could examine patients affected by the plague," the group's Healer suggested, her voice muffled slightly by the protective mask. "It would bring us closer to understanding what we're dealing with and how to combat this plant."

Liam nodded in agreement, then turned to the Guardian. "Let's proceed through the city and then venture into the woods to investigate further."

"Very well," Guardian Jasper replied, his brow furrowed with concern. "Don't hesitate to call for reinforcements if this plant proves to be more unusual than anticipated."

Despite the sect's stringent control over the types of creatures allowed within its domains, they had no power over what might naturally develop in any of their territories, even in the forest surrounding their headquarters.

It was entirely possible that the living beings permitted into their domains could evolve, and their actions might lead to the emergence of unforeseen entities.

While Guardian Jasper wasn't overly worried about Liam's team, the situation in his city had been a source of growing concern. If the plant behind this plague turned out to be more potent than initially thought, it might be prudent to involve the Elders in the matter.

The first point of contact for a Guardian was always a Division Chief. In turn, a Division Chief was the only one with the authority to directly summon an Elder to address a sect problem.

"I'll keep that in mind," Liam assured Jasper, with a final nod of farewell. He then turned his attention to the exit, leading his group towards the heart of City Five.

All members of the team donned their masks—designed to cover both nose and mouth—activating their protective functions as they descended into the city, accompanied by a First Officer under Jasper's command.

The man was there to guide them to the city's Infirmary, where the most severe cases of the plague were being treated.

As they descended the deserted central staircase of the city, Liam's keen eye noted the number of Officers and First Officers under Guardian Jasper's command. The observation sparked a memory of City Thirteen, piquing his curiosity. He turned to Toby, his voice echoing slightly in the empty space.

"I've noticed that some Guardians, Commanders, and even Division Chiefs have varying numbers of subordinates… What factors influence the size of these hierarchical units?"

Toby met Liam's gaze, unsurprised by the query. In fact, he had been anticipating this question for some time.

"It's dependent on several factors, Chief," Toby began, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. This was his first time in this Demon Gate. "Initially, every Commander, Guardian, and Division Chief is allocated a standard number of subordinates, regardless of their individual attributes."

He continued, his voice steady and informative. "Typically, Guardians and Division Chiefs start with 15 members under their command, while Commanders have 14. However, this number can increase based on the merits and characteristics of the sect member."

Toby paused briefly as they navigated a particularly steep section of stairs. "For instance, a Guardian of one of the outer cities usually oversees around 40 subordinates—typically 4 to 6 First Officers, with the rest being Officers. In contrast, a Guardian of an outpost might have half that number or even fewer."

"So the nature of one's post does play a significant role," Liam mused.

"Indeed," Toby confirmed. "But there are other factors to consider. If a member excels in a particular profession, it might be advantageous to relieve them of certain responsibilities and bring in replacements. In such cases, the sect often assigns a larger number of subordinates to handle less critical tasks."

He added, "However, this process takes time. The sect typically allows members in these roles to prove themselves and demonstrate their specialties with a smaller group first. Only later does it begin to permit these individuals to expand their influence."

"Ultimately," Toby concluded, "some Division Chiefs will have the same number of subordinates as you, while others might command 30 or even over 40. Only the Elders may have more subordinates than that upper limit."

"I see… It makes sense when you consider it from that perspective," Liam said, his voice thoughtful as their group completed their descent of the stairs and entered the street where the Infirmary was located.

Liam realized he would have been completely lost trying to navigate City Five on his own. Every city within the sect had its unique layout, building designs, and map structure. While the map of City Thirteen resembled a Christmas tree, City Five's layout was more akin to a misshapen teardrop.

The streets, though numbered, followed contours vastly different from what Liam and Jane were accustomed to, making navigation a challenge for newcomers like themselves.

Fortunately, with their capable guide, they arrived at their destination - a place teeming with patients. The Infirmary's interior was overflowing, forcing the establishment of makeshift tents outside. Medical stretchers lined the area, holding patients afflicted by the calamity who couldn't be accommodated within the main building.

Jane instinctively brought a hand to her face, her stomach churning at the sight before her. Fungal growths protruded from the bodies of the sick, parts of their flesh turning an ominous black. A pungent odor of decay emanated from the more severely affected patients.

A local Healer, his face obscured by the same type of mask worn by Liam's group, joined them and explained the situation. "This disease initiates with a fever, but rapidly progresses to a severe state. The pathogen attacks the body's defense system cells before devouring the nerves and hijacking the host's blood flow. This results in necrosis of certain body parts and a generalized inability to protect oneself using mana."

"Is mana ineffective against this agent?" Liam inquired, his brow furrowed in concentration.

The local Healer shook his head. "Curiously, it is effective, but only within a narrow window. During the first 24 hours of infection, the fungus can be eliminated by the host's own mana. However, for this to occur, the host would need to cultivate continuously for four hours. Anything less, and the fungus persists, reaching a phase where it becomes immune to the host's mana.

After that point… well, you're witnessing the results."

The group observed the patients intently as the Healer guided them through the ward, showcasing severe cases in detail. Men and women lay grotesquely deformed, fungal growths protruding from their chests and facial orifices extending into blackened areas of necrotic tissue.

Some individuals were in more advanced stages, while others still retained patches of healthy-looking skin, though clearly following the trajectory of the most critical cases.

Liam asked, "Is there nothing that can be done once this initial phase has passed?"

The Healer shook his head grimly, his voice heavy with resignation. "We can attempt to ease pain, slow the plague's progression, and even support the body to endure longer. However, our techniques seem ineffective in eradicating the fungus without leaving severe, permanent damage to the hosts." He paused, his eyes reflecting the bleak future he envisioned for City Five.

"So they're all condemned to die?" Even the usually composed Toby couldn't maintain his calm demeanor, his face etched with fear for the city's fate.

The deaths of cultivators to disease always evoked deep concern, even among the most hardened and calculating practitioners, including those trained by the Demon Gate.

"Probably..."

"Probably?" Liam echoed, his brow furrowing.

This time, it was the healer from Liam's group who stepped forward, having grasped the situation. "From what I can discern, patients have a slim chance of recovery if they survive the final stage of the fungus's reproductive cycle."

"Yes, that's correct," the City Five Healer confirmed. "After the cycle concludes, they have a chance of self-recovery if they can manage to cultivate for the four hours I mentioned earlier. But most can't endure it. The full fungal cycle is simply devastating to withstand."

Liam's team of specialists engaged in further discussion with the Head Healer of City Five's Infirmary, examining patients at various stages of the fungus's reproductive cycle more closely.

After nearly half an hour, they exited the Infirmary's grounds, convening to strategize before departing the city.

"I believe we can handle this," the group's Healer stated confidently. "It will be perilous, especially given that this plant seems to have reached the fourth realm. However, even if we become infected, we'll have a chance to protect ourselves with the four-hour continuous meditation routine."

Jane nodded in agreement. "If we can locate and collect this plant, we might halt the fungus's advance in the city. While we can't help those already afflicted, it could set City Five on the path to recovery."

This outcome already exceeded Liam's initial objectives, which would be sufficient for them to claim rewards upon completing the mission.

"Well, in that case, we'd better move on to finding that damned plant," Liam declared, leading the way out of town!