Lucian's attention then shifted to the Sub-Quest section.
---
[
Sub Quest(s)
]: 2
[1> Kill the hidden threat, protect what's yours]
[Description]: Marcus, a Core Disciple of the Azure Sword Sect, has set his sights on Host's woman/sister Isabella, coveting her rare Yin Physique to use her as a Cultivation Cauldron. Now that he knows Host will also be joining the Azure Sword Sect as a new disciple, Marcus sees Host as a threat to his long-term plans. He will surely attempt to kill Host out of fear that Host may interfere with his plans for Isabella.
[Objective]: Kill Marcus before he can harm the Host or claim Isabella
[Reward]: 500 Fate Strands
[Status]: In progress
---
"WHAT THE F*CK",
Lucian involuntarily spoke out loud, but seeing the blue-haired naked beauty now sleeping peacefully in his arms, he forced himself to calm down and re-read the whole Sub-Quest again.
From the description, he could analyze many things.
First, Isabella, just like her mother, also possessed a rare Yin Physique, sothing he hadn't known before.
And her Physique was actually not in a dormant state like Celine's!
This explained why those disciples would be interested in her joining the sect.
Second, Marcus seed to be aware of Isabella's Physique. This ant that her acceptance into the sect was already decided, or at least highly likely. It also implied that Marcus had connections or thods to identify such Physique.
Third, Marcus would surely target Lucian just as the description in the Sub-Quest stated.
Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, this Marcus is a Core Disciple! His cultivation realm was obviously high enough that Lucian couldn't fight against.
'But isn't this Marcus, the Emperor's brother, and also our uncle who is supposed to help us?'
Lucian thought, his brow furrowing in confusion.
The revelation sent a chill down his spine, despite the warmth of Celine's body pressed against him.
His mind raced, piecing together these fragnts of information. Marcus, this man who was supposed to be their protector, their guide in this new world, was in fact their most imdiate threat.
The irony was not lost on Lucian.
'A wolf in sheep's clothing, and we were about to walk right into his den.'
Lucian's jaw clenched, his crimson eyes flashing with a dangerous light.
If it hadn't been for the description in the System Interface, he might have really fallen for such backstabbing!
'If you want to touch my woman, then be ready to face the consequences, Marcus,'
He thought, his grip on Celine's sleaping body tightening unconsciously.
The sleeping beauty stirred slightly at his touch, her azure hair spilling across his chest like a silken waterfall. Lucian forced himself to relax, not wanting to wake her.
His mind, however, was far from calm.
He may have only known Isabella for a short ti, but she was his now. And Celine too.
The thought of Marcus, or anyone else, trying to harm them or take them away ignited a burning rage within him.
He began to formulate a plan, his thoughts racing. Marcus might be a Core Disciple, but Lucian had advantages of his own — the System, for one.
'I need to get stronger, fast,'
He mused, his mind drifting to his Innate Fate "Gluttonous",
'But before that let check the other Sub-Quest.'
---
[
Sub Quest(s)
]: 2
[2> The Anomaly Must Die]
[Description]: Aldric, a cultivator of the Ghost Path, has blocked the Heavenly Secrets and sent his Consciousness back in Ti.
[Objective]: Kill him
[Reward]: Mandates of Heavens; a Ghost Path Cultivation Technique
[Status]: In progress
---
'What the hell?'
Lucian's eyes widened as he read the details of the second sub-quest. Rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, he couldn't believe what was before him.
Ghost Path?! Blocking Heavenly Secrets?! Sending Consciousness back in Ti!?
The very concept seed to defy logic, yet here it was, laid out before him in the System's interface.
'How can he's managed to send his consciousness back in T?'
Lucian mused, his brow furrowing in concentration and disbelief,
'Is that even possible? And if it is, what kind of monstrous power would that require?'
The more he pondered, the more questions arose.
If this Aldric guy had indeed sent his consciousness back, did that an he had knowledge of future events? And, why was the System tasking with killing him?
'Either way, this wasn't a do-or-die mission. If I can't manage to kill, I'll just back off. Just because I have the System now doesn't an I have to throw myself into every fight, risking my life without reason.'
Lucian's eyes then wandered to the quest's reward section. "Mandates of Heaven" — he wondered what that could be?!
But, as per usual, the System didn't provide any additional information, so he decided to give up on trying to figure it out.
Lucian shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the swirling thoughts about Aldric and Ti travel.
Right now, he had more pressing matters to attend to.
He needed to focus on getting stronger, and fast.
And he had a plan for how to proceed if his guesses were correct.
With a ntal command, he re-opened his Status Panel, focusing on his "Gluttonous" Fate Movent:
---
[
Gluttonous (Purple)
]:
- Increases absorption rate of all consud materials by 100%
- Allows for digestion and integration of normally inedible substances
- Grants immunity to most poisons and toxins
---
Lucian ignored the last two abilities for now; his gaze lingered on the first ability of his Purple Innate Fate: '100% absorption rate.'
Previously, while absorbing Spiritual Energy, Lucian couldn't fully assimilate all of it.
A large portion would inevitably rge back into nature, as his mortal body was incapable of containing such a large amount of volatile energies, even though he had a strong physique.
But now, with this ability, things would be different.
If he could theoretically absorb all the Spiritual Energy he encountered, his cultivation speed would surely skyrocket.
He could potentially advance through the small realms at an unprecedented rate.
The thought sent a thrill of excitent through him, causing his body to tingle with anticipation.
Lucian's gaze shifted to the small bulge of his pants, now resting by his side.
He always kept it close, even during his sexual monts like this.
Carefully, he grabbed his pants and reached inside the pockets without disturbing Celine's peaceful slumber.
He took out a pouch containing six stones, along with a piece of paper covered in incomprehensible symbols.
He removed one of the shining stones and then set the pouch aside.
His fingers brushed against the cool, smooth surface of the Spirit Stone.
The stone glimred in the dim light of the room, as he held it in his palm, he could feel a faint, rhythmic pulsing, almost like a heartbeat.
Veins of energy, like liquid starlight, swirled within its crystalline structure.
Taking a deep breath, Lucian didn't hesitate anymore.
With a swift motion, he brought the Spirit Stone to his lips and swallowed it whole!
Gulp–!
The smooth crystal slid down his throat effortlessly, leaving no sensation as it passed.
For a mont, nothing happened!
Lucian's brow furrowed in confusion.
But then, as the Spirit Stone settled in his stomach, everything abruptly changed!
A wave of heat erupted from his abdon, spreading rapidly through his body.
It was as if liquid fire had been injected directly into his veins, racing along every nerve and sinew.
Lucian's muscles tensed involuntarily, his back arching slightly as the sensation slowly intensified.
The heat continued to build, growing more intense with each passing second.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, rolling down his temples in rivulets. His skin also began to redden.
At this mont, Lucian understood his mistake.
He actually didn't know how to activate the "Gluttonous" Fate Movent's ability, and the System wouldn't answer him.
'F*ck, am I going to d-'
Before he could complete his cursing to himself, a warm feeling washed over his soaked body.
The volatile Spiritual Energy began to automatically refine and proceed to rge with his bones, pushing his cultivation rapidly.
The sensation was unlike anything Lucian had ever experienced.
It started as a gentle warmth in his stomach, spreading outwards through his "clogged passageways".
This warmth quickly intensified, becoming a blazing inferno that coursed through his veins.
Yet, instead of pain, Lucian felt an indescribable pleasure.
The refined energy began to seep into his bones. He could feel each individual skeletal structure absorbing the power, growing denser, stronger.
It was as if his entire physical form was being reforged, tempered like fine steel in a master blacksmith's forge.
Even though the process was not painful, but rather uncomfortable, he felt as if tiny ants were crawling inside his body; even if he wanted to scratch, he couldn't.
Lucian also noticed that, compared to before when his body would naturally and intrinsically absorb the Spiritual Energy, this ti, although he could "feel" the energy also coming out of his pores, it was way less than before.
As the energy continued to course through him, Lucian's senses heightened.
The world around him seed to be more vibrant than before.
Crackle–!!
His bones creaked and groaned, as it absorbed the refined energy. Lucian could feel his skeletal structure becoming denser, stronger.
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