Travis stepped out of the Yin-Yang Palace, his body feeling lighter and stronger than ever. The transformation was real—his muscles were more defined, and his energy hummed with new power. He stretched his limbs, the sensation of growth still fresh in his mind, then set off toward the agreed meeting point with the others.
When he arrived, the girls were already training, their movements synchronized in a seamless display of teamwork. Each of them moved with grace and purpose, anticipating one another's next actions. They were a well-oiled machine, a team forged in the fires of battle.
"Greetings, ladies," Travis called, a confident smile on his face. "I've returned. Ready to hunt?"
The girls turned in unison, their gazes falling on him. Rose was the first to react, her eyes widening as she took in his new appearance.
"What... what happened to you?" Rose's voice was full of awe, her tone a mix of surprise and admiration. She couldn't tear her eyes away from him, her curiosity palpable.
Travis smiled inwardly, pleased with the effect his transformation had on her. It was a testament to the grueling effort he'd put in. But he kept his answer modest.
"Nothing much," he replied, trying to downplay it. "Just some cultivation and stretching."
Rose's gaze softened as she stepped forward, her eyes never leaving him. Before he could react, she closed the distance and pulled him into a tight hug. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I feel like kissing you," she confessed, her words filled with an intoxicating mix of affection and desire.
Taken by surprise, Travis froze for a moment. But before he could gather his thoughts, Rose's lips pressed against his. The kiss was brief but charged with emotions neither of them had expected.
"Rose!" Ivy's voice broke the moment, sharp and filled with surprise.
Ivy stood a few paces back, her cheeks flushed, her mind racing. The sight of Travis and Rose had stirred something unfamiliar inside her—a heat that began deep within her core. She didn't understand what was happening to her body, but the sensation was undeniable. It was as if her body was responding to his presence in a way she couldn't control.
Sandra, seeing Ivy's discomfort, felt a surge of heat herself. As she approached Travis, she too battled a powerful urge that threatened to overwhelm her composure. For the first time in her life, she found herself struggling to resist something that felt primal—an urge to claim him.
But before things could escalate, Lily stepped in, her voice cutting through the thick tension. "We're in the middle of the forest," she reminded them, her tone sharp. "Wild beasts could attack at any moment. We need to find shelter before nightfall."
Her words snapped everyone back to reality. Rose reluctantly let go of Travis, her expression conflicted. The kiss had left her breathless, but Lily's warning brought her focus back to the task at hand. She nodded, trying to mask her inner turmoil.
Ivy, still flustered, avoided looking at Travis. Sandra forced herself to calm down, though the heat in her chest hadn't entirely dissipated. The group moved forward, each person lost in their own thoughts as they journeyed deeper into the forest.
After a while, Travis noticed movement ahead. His senses sharpened as he recognized the flicker of a creature in the underbrush. With quick precision, he unsheathed his saber and lunged at the target, skewering a small brown serpent.
The creature writhed briefly before succumbing to its wound, green blood splattering onto the ground. Travis wiped his blade clean and checked the beast's stats through the Ascension System.
[Brown Fire Serpent]
Level 2 (body Tempering Realm)
HP: 635
Attack Power: 50~95
Defense Value: 100
Skills: Fire Fog Eruption, Deep Brown Snake Venom
Description: A venomous serpent capable of poisoning an elephant and releasing a fire fog to induce a slow death to any who enter.
Travis turned to the group with a grin. "Not a challenge," he said casually, though Ivy couldn't take her eyes off him. She admired his strength, unable to look away from the transformation that had taken place.
"Impressive," Ivy said, her voice soft. "I can't believe how strong you've gotten."
Travis smiled and shrugged. "It's not about strength," he replied modestly. "This snake was just weak."
Sandra nodded, though her thoughts were clearly elsewhere. She couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have that power at her side. But the moment passed quickly as Rose spoke up.
"I found a cave," she said, her voice a little more serious now. "It'll be perfect for the night."
The cave was tucked away in the shadows of the forest, and as they entered, the air seemed to shift. There was a sense of foreboding, as if something was watching them.
It wasn't long before the source of that unease revealed itself.
[Enchanted Boar]
Level 3( early core formation realm)
HP: 1175
Attack Power: 95~177
Defense Value: 321
Skills: Boar Charge, Burning Fat, Tusk Impact, Keen Smell, Extraordinary Life Force
Description: A massive boar that dominates the wastelands. Even the strongest beasts hesitate to face it, and after enchantment, it becomes even more formidable.
Lily stepped forward, a calm confidence in her eyes. "I'll take care of this," she said, her voice firm.
Her Ascension Spirit, a powerful serpent, coiled around her as she brandished her whip, the head of it taking the shape of a snake. She struck with precision, her movements fluid and practiced. The boar charged, but Lily danced out of the way, striking at it with unerring accuracy. Each hit wore the beast down until, finally, with a well-placed strike, the boar collapsed.
Lily stood over it, breathing heavily but victorious. "It's done."
Rose, relieved, immediately began preparing the boar for cooking. The scent of roasting meat filled the cave, a satisfying reward for their efforts.
"Travis," Rose called out after a moment. "Could you keep watch outside? We need to make sure nothing sneaks up on us."
Travis nodded and left the cave, standing watch at the entrance. His sharp eyes scanned the surrounding forest for any signs of danger.
Inside, the atmosphere shifted once again. The remaining girls were left alone, the air thick with unspoken tension.
Finally, Rose broke the silence. "Now that it's just us," she said, her voice lighter but with an edge of teasing. "Who's going to spend the night with him?"
The room fell silent as the girls exchanged glances, their internal conflicts playing out in the way they looked at one another.
Rose smiles, after feeling the tension of the moment, spoke up. "Since none of you are interested," she said, her voice low but determined, "I'll take it upon myself to fulfill that duty."
Ivy and Sandra exchanged a glance, their faces flushed with a mix of regret and longing, while Lily simply nodded in understanding. She knew Rose's intentions, and she respected her decision. For now, the matter was settled.