"Mmmph—!"
Hu Liena's eyes widened in shock as something was suddenly shoved past her lips. Panic surged through her body.
"Don't spit it out! Swallow it!" Lucien barked, his palm sealing her mouth with a layer of soul power. "C'mon, it's good for you!"
Hu Liena gagged, furious, once she managed to choke it down. "You bastard! What did you just feed me?!"
This guy had taken advantage of a moment's distraction to ram some strange fruit past her defenses… and then even forced her to swallow it.
What shameless audacity!
"Looks like a papaya," Lucien said lazily, squatting at her side as if he were feeding a pet. "But don't panic—it's not just for… certain body effects. Definitely not ordinary papaya. Trust me, it's good for you!"
Papaya?
Hu Liena's gaze instinctively lowered toward her chest. Enhancement? Do I even need that?
Her face darkened. "I told you I'm not eating it!"
Lucien just grinned and bit into another piece himself.
At first, Hu Liena thought she'd gotten rid of the fruit. But once she swallowed a chunk under his constant harassment, she froze.
"Wait…" Her eyes softened in shock.
A gentle wave of power coursed through her body, threading neatly along her meridians with the flow of spirit power. Smooth, potent, invigorating.
…It was real.
If she ate all of it, she might actually advance another rank instantly.
"Lu Yuan… That fruit you forced onto me… it's a pity, such a treasure wasted on me."
"Hey, I asked if you wanted more." Lucien smirked, deliberately holding the chewed pulp out. "Thing is, I already bit into it. Still want it?"
Hu Liena clenched her silver teeth. In this situation, dignity meant nothing compared to the chance of power. "...I want it."
He pressed another chunk toward her.
"Mmmph—slow down! My mouth's already full! Mmmph!" Hu Liena struggled helplessly as he stuffed more in before she could chew through the last.
She cursed him silently. Couldn't you let me eat it myself? Don't tell me you actually think I'll escape in the next two seconds?
No, this shameless man was clearly punishing her on purpose.
"Little fox—wash it down!" Lucien tipped a half-jar of wine against her lips. Between the papaya and the wine, her face flushed pink. Her body swayed lightly, unsteady as the alcohol curled through her veins.
The setting sun cast its glow across the two of them. Hu Liena's figure, draped in vermilion light, looked temptingly delicate.
Lucien sighed, scooping her into his arms. He carried her gently away from the spring.
Because however miraculous the Eye of Ice and Fire was, it wasn't a place ordinary spirit masters could linger. The duel forces of extreme ice and fire would shatter an unprepared body if they stayed for too long—ending in death.
One month later…
"Old Poison, I'm back again!"
Lucien appeared by the hot springs, a wine jar dangling from his left hand, his right clutching the longsword that now glimmered with an even deeper, sharper glow than before.
Dugu Bo opened his eyes and exhaled a dark breath. "Boy, my body's fine now. I don't need your help anymore."
His lips and eye-corners were no longer black and purple. Even his hair had turned glossy and black again. The venom had been drained out—he looked younger by decades. And rather than weakening him, shedding the Jade Phosphorus Snake Emperor's poison left him even closer to a breakthrough.
Within days, one good immortal herb could push him firmly into the ninety-third rank.
Yet as he looked over at Lucien, jealousy gnawed in his chest. He'd seen with his own eyes those herbs raise Hu Liena and Dugu Yan's power levels without any backlash, while all he could do was watch and secretly envy.
The poison master of the continent, afraid to eat a single stalk in his own garden for fear it might kill him outright.
"Come now, Old Poison," Lucien teased with narrowed eyes and a tipsy grin. "Don't tell me you're really cured. I can see the venom still in you. Don't you want me to drain a bit more?"
"Brat! You think I don't know what you're up to?" Dugu Bo barked, glaring.
Lucien had been running him through 'detoxification' almost every day this past month. At first, Dugu Bo thought it necessary. Then he noticed Lucien's strength rising day by day. That cursed sword… it had been feeding on his poison, getting sharper, darker, stronger.
Of course this kid wanted more.
"You parasite," Dugu Bo spat. "During detox, you were even more eager than me. If I didn't stop you, you'd bleed me twice a day just to feed your sword."
Lucien chuckled, shrugging innocently. He knew the truth. The Jade Phosphorus venom his sword drank… it resonated, merging slowly into his own martial soul. It didn't give him levels outright, but it made him far more dangerous.
Hu Liena lay at the edge of the hot spring, her graceful curves draped over the stone. A whole month imprisoned alongside this demon had broken her down.
One month. The Pope's disciple, locked away like some pet. If people in Spirit Hall found out… I'd die of shame.
Once, she even tried sneaking away during his drunken stupor. Yet even drunk, Lucien caught her instantly. He threw her over his knee and smacked her twice before dragging her back. Ever since, she hadn't dared to make another escape attempt.
And yet…
Her fingers unconsciously touched her lips. That papaya. Eating just half had raised her two whole levels—effortless, pure, with no side effects. For three nights, she couldn't sleep from sheer excitement.
Immortal herbs. A soul master's greatest dream.
"Little fox, you're free now!" Lucien called cheerily, bounding down from a cliffside with a grin so unrestrained it almost startled her.
"You… you're letting me go?" Hu Liena asked softly. To her own surprise, she felt a tinge of… reluctance.
"Of course," Lucien smirked. "I've got to leave myself. Unless, of course, you'd rather stay here and be my wife?"
Hu Liena's cheeks flushed crimson. Wife? This shameless drunk said it so casually!
"Cut it out." She rolled her eyes.
"Fine, fine. But take this pill." He flicked a small pellet into her hand. "Swallow it, and you won't be affected by the poison formations around here."
Hu Liena hesitated, fingers brushing together nervously. "Lucien… can I… take one immortal herb with me?"
Lucien arched an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes.
For a moment, she bowed her head, thinking he'd refuse.
But instead, he smirked. "Tell me which one. I'll pick it."
"That golden chrysanthemum!" she blurted eagerly.
In an instant, Lucien returned with the brilliant blossom, placing it in her palms. She breathed it in greedily, her chest swelling with happiness.
"Lucien… You don't need to strip this place completely," she said solemnly. "I swear—I won't tell a soul about this garden. Not even my teacher. This secret will stay with me."
Then her expression hardened. "But—please. Don't ever go to Martial Soul City. If Teacher learns of you, she won't stop until you're destroyed."
Lucien tossed back his wine, eyes hazy. "Can't promise that. I need to see your Pope with my own eyes. To find out if she's really as breathtaking as you claim."
Hu Liena stared, lips pressed tight, then finally sighed. She knew persuading him was impossible. And with that, she turned to leave.
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