Dole nodded. He looked at Aixi, then at Brian, who was still in her arms. "In another month, you can focus on cultivating in peace. Try to advance to Level Seven as soon as possible. Level Six is still a little lacking."
Aixi nodded with a determined gaze. "Alright."
Elreya looked at Dole with some guilt. After all this time, she was still one gold coin short of being able to control fifty—short of the standard required for cultivation.
But Dole truly was formidable. Countless factions spent their entire lives dreaming of having a Level Eight wizard tower, yet Dole had built one in just a few years. And she knew its true nature: it had been forged from the bones of extraterrestrial creatures. Even if it took a direct hit from a Level Nine, it would not be damaged in the slightest. It was simply too savage.
Her eyes sparkled with little stars as she said, "Dole, in about a month, I should be able to control fifty gold coins. When that time comes, if I specialize in your meditation method too, will I become as powerful as you?"
Dole rolled his eyes. "Keep dreaming. Only if you attain my level of mastery in magic patterns might you become as powerful as I am. Otherwise, no chance."
Elreya's face immediately fell. She let out a breath. "Magic patterns? All those ghostly squiggles? Just kill me now."
Aixi snickered beside her. She had recently begun studying magic patterns too, and they gave her a terrible headache as well. Still, under Dole's influence, she could barely force herself to learn.
Elreya could learn them too, but she found it even more agonizing than Aixi did. The two women were like sisters in misery, struggling together.
Not studying them would technically be