Lucian silently pondered to himself, ‘Doesn’t this mean that refining the Bodhi Fruit can grant an Innate Fate related to comprehension? Well, I’ll test this idea on Lyra first. If she really achieves an Innate Fate related to comprehension, then maybe Mom and Isabella can also obtain one.
And perhaps, even Aunt Eloise could benefit from it too. But even if they don’t, the fruits can still quickly increase their Cultivation progress. Alisa doesn’t need it, that means I have only three Bodhi Fruits to spare.’
While Lucian was thinking, Iris already went and carefully pulled out the Bodhi Tree. She came back to Lucian and stuck out her hand with the glowing green tree.
“Here,” she said, “Oh, I forgot to mention, but you can even refine this whole Bodhi Tree. Right now I don’t have any specially made box that alchemists use to store it. And although a space ring can store it, the medicinal properties will slowly degrade over time.”
Lucian nodded, then plucked a green fruit from the tree, and handed it to Iris.
“You can have this,” he said gently.
“You’re giving me one?”
Lucian shrugged, “What!? Do you want more? Then here…”
He was about to pluck one more, however,
“No. That is not what I meant. In fact I don’t need this! My comprehension is not something this Second grade treasure can improve. Besides, I’ve already reached the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment, so refining it would be a waste of resources. If it weren’t for the Heavenly Treasure my mother needs, I wouldn’t have even bothered coming here.”
Lucian smiled and teasingly spoke, “It seems your mouth only wants one thing.”
She immediately blushed and turned her head away, “W-what are you talking about, you pervert?!”
But her lips unconsciously licked as she remembered the taste from before.
Lucian chuckled softly and then he instructed.
“Iris, use a protective Array Formation to seal this place while I refine the Bodhi Tree,” Lucian said.
She took out several jade Array Plates and placed them according to the Formation around the cave entrance. After placing the Spirit Stones, she controlled the Array Formation and barriers of light sprang up, sealing off the area.
As an extra precaution, she also set up an Illusion Formation. With a simple command, the formation enveloped the shattered hill and restored it to its previous state before Lucian had broken it.
Then she moved to a spot by the entrance and sat down cross-legged, closing her eyes. She also spread her Qi Sense to survey the area for any potential ambushes.
Meanwhile Lucian sat down cross-legged, holding the Bodhi Tree. He closed his eyes and began to circulate his Cultivation Technique to calm his mind.
Half an incense stick of time later,
Tiny droplets of water materialized in the air around the Bodhi Tree, suspended as if by an invisible force. The droplets swirled, gently washing away the dirt that clung to the tree’s body, fruits, leaves and branches.
Although Lucian didn’t possess a natural affinity for water Element, this simple cleaning spell was well within his capabilities.
On the other hand, if he were to cast an “advance” spell using an opposing Element in a battle, the power output would be significantly reduced compared to what could be unleashed by someone with a natural affinity for that Element.
Lucian then plucked four fruits, and placed them into his space ring.
But he didn’t immediately begin to refine it. Instead, he turned to Iris with a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Iris, can you cook this Snow Leopard for me?” he asked casually.
At the next moment, with a wave of his hand, the body of a Foundation Establishment beast appeared before them, its white fur now stained with dried blood, and its head was missing.
Iris opened her eyes, annoyance flashing across her face, “Do you think I’m your wi-“
However she abruptly shut up as she then remembered that she had indeed become his wife, albeit “unwillingly”. Her cheeks flushed pink from the sudden realization.
“Haha… Just don’t burn it, Princess…” Lucian teased with a grin.
Without waiting for her reply, he directly grabbed two fruits and gulped them down, began to refine them.
A calming energy emanated from the fruits, like the soothing warmth of slipping into hot water on a cold day.
Lucian closed his eyes, circulating his Cultivation Technique, and focused intently as he absorbed the essence of the fruits.
Meanwhile, Iris snorted in annoyance, “Hmph! I’m only doing this cause I also want to taste it. Don’t think I’m cooking for you!”
Despite her words, she scanned the area one last time and stood up.
Then she began preparing the Snow Leopard meat. Her slender fingers skillfully removed the remaining fur and sliced the meat.
As Iris prepared the Snow Leopard’s meat, her beautiful purple eyes couldn’t help but occasionally sneak glances at Lucian’s handsome face as he meditated, refining the Bodhi Fruits.
A mix of emotions swirled within her.
She still couldn’t believe what had happened between them. How could she, a proud Dragon Princess, have submitted to a mere human? Was he truly worthy of her?
When her mother, Eris, had inscribed the Runes on her horns, she had taken great care to ensure Iris’s Dragon powers would be completely sealed.
Otherwise, there would be a flaw that could potentially reveal her true race by accident.
So at that time, when Lucian captured her, Iris was “truly” powerless to stop him.
Her Dragon powers were completely sealed by her mother’s Runes. She did not want to reveal her true self. As with the Runes in place, she wouldn’t truly lose her “virginity”.
Yet ironically, it was Lucian who ended up breaking the Runes and marking her as his own.
Now as Iris gazed at Lucian’s calm face, she wondered if it had been fate or mere accident that brought them together.
Her body grew hot as memories of their rough sex flooded her mind – the way he dominated her, the pleasure he brought her… it was unlike anything she had experienced ever before.
“Perhaps I’m a pervert too,” she thought with a mixture of shame and excitement.
Her cheeks flushed as she remembered how eagerly she had sucked his dick, how desparately she had begged for more as he thrust into her pussy, filling his cunt with thick cum again and again…
“Mother probably already knows that her Runes have been broken. How will I explain this to her?” She sighed to herself and continued her work.
…
Half a month later,
Crack!
Lucian felt as if an invisible barrier had broken inside his body as he finally broke through and reached the 7th stage of Foundation Establishment.
With the meat of a Foundation Establishment beast, Bodhi Tree and its three fruits, he barely broke through.
His meridians had expanded, allowing Crimson Flame Spiritual Energy to flow more freely.
His Dao Lotus emitted a dazzling a light as the sixth petal slowly bloomed. Find your next read on empire
Furthermore, one could see at the center of the Dao Lotus, where a normal mortal lotus would have its carpel and stamen, there was a glowing… Core!
Also the Dao Platform beneath, now an impressive 159 cm in diameter, rotated slowly, drawing in Spiritual Energy from the surrounding environment.
For another full day, Lucian remained seated in meditation to fully stabilize his cultivation.
Finally, he opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.
Then Lucian stood up and walked silently towards Iris, who was meditating near the entrance.
A mischievous grin spread across his face as he reached out to touch her silky purple hair.
But just as his fingers were about to make contact, an arrogant voice echoed from outside the array.
“Eh? There’s actually an array here in this barren place. Whoever is inside, come out and show yourself!”
Lucian frowned as he heard the voice. Iris’s eyes snapped open, her meditation interrupted.
“Who dares disturb us?” she murmured, clearly annoyed.
Through the barrier of the array, she saw three figures standing outside. All of them emitted Foundation Establishment aura.
She immediately furrowed her brows as she identified them, “Why are they here?”
“Do you know them?”
“They are not important, but these three are lackeys of the Demon Prince. So if they are here, he must be nearby,” Iris said quietly, her expression serious.
“Oh? Who is this Demon Prince?” Lucian asked curiously, noticing her serious expression.
“He’s the Dao Seed of the Demon Sect for this generation. Without my Dragon Form, I’m afraid I’m not his match. Moreover, he seems to have…” Iris’s voice trailed off, hesitating.
Lucian’s eyes flashed coldly, “He seems to have what?”
“He’s been pursuing me,” Iris admitted reluctantly.
Meanwhile, outside the array,
Three cultivators stood impatiently, their eyes scanning the seemingly empty hillside. They wore dark robes with demonic sect’s symbols, marking them as disciples of the Demon Sect.
“I said come out!” the leader shouted again. He was a tall, muscular man with a scar across his face.