When Adrien finally opened his eyes, he realized there was no pain left in his body. But an odd, pungent smell was filling the air around him. It didn't take him long to understand—it was the stench of toxins and impurities that had been expelled from his flesh.
Without wasting a moment, he exited his Self Dimensional Space and returned to his room. The instant he stepped into the bathroom, he stripped off his clothes and began scrubbing himself vigorously.
After thoroughly washing away every trace of grime and sweat, he felt a measure of relief.
Next, he walked down to the palace's warm bathing pool and slipped into the steaming water.
The gentle heat sank deep into his exhausted muscles, drawing out the last remnants of strain. He sat there in silence with his eyes closed, letting the water carry away every ache and weariness.
Much later, Adrien slowly opened his eyes and stepped out of the bath.
Back in his chamber, he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror—and froze, startled.
His skin looked smoother, clearer, and healthier than it ever had before. Not a single scar remained. His muscles were more defined, more powerful. And there was a new radiance in his face he hadn't seen before.
The first light of dawn was beginning to seep into the sky, so he dressed in simple clothes and headed out to the courtyard.
There, he began a series of stretches, push-ups, and other exercises.
For nearly an hour, he trained without pause, until the first golden rays of the sun spilled over the courtyard stones.
A little tired but feeling invigorated, Adrien walked back inside the palace.
As he entered the main hall, he saw that both his mothers—Selena and Evelen—were already seated there, waiting.
"Good morning, Mother. Good morning, Little Mother," Adrien said with a warm smile.
Both women looked up at him. Selena gave a faint, approving smile.
"You're up quite early today, son."
Evelen's eyes ran over him critically before she let out a little gasp.
"Oh my goodness, Adrien! Your skin…it's so smooth and bright now. You look absolutely adorable!"
Adrien laughed.
"With two mothers as beautiful as you both, how could I look any different?"
At that, both women's faces turned slightly pink.
Selena reached out and tugged his ear playfully.
"You've gotten so cheeky lately! Perhaps it's time we arranged your marriage."
"What?! Mother, please! I'm still practically a child—why do you want to ruin my life already?" Adrien said, feigning scandal.
Just then, a calm but amused voice sounded behind them.
"Who's talking about marriage?"
Victor had arrived, his presence as composed as ever.
Adrien immediately slipped free from his mother's hand and rushed over to his father.
"Father, look! Mother and Little Mother want to marry me off!"
Victor gave a faint, thoughtful smile.
"Well, they aren't wrong. Maybe it really is time. If you'd like, I can speak to Alina's father about it."
The moment he heard Alina's name, Adrien's face went pale. A distant, hazy shadow flickered in his mind. His heartbeat kicked into a frantic rhythm. His whole body began to tremble.
In a voice barely above a whisper, he said, "Alina… Who is that, Father?"
Victor noticed the shift in him and spoke gently.
"Just…a girl. Would you like to meet her someday?"
Selena and Evelen both looked suddenly solemn. Their gazes fixed on Victor, as if silently asking why he would bring up something so painful.
Adrien had started murmuring to himself.
"Alina…Alina… Where is she, Father?"
Victor opened his mouth to answer, but Selena stepped forward and laid a steadying hand on Adrien's shoulder. Her voice was soft but firm.
"My son… When the time is right, we will take you to her. But for now, you still have much training to do. You may not remember, but Alina's cultivation has already stepped into the Soul Realm."
Adrien took a deep breath. Something stirred inside him…but he kept himself composed. He was starting to understand that the body's previous owner had shared a profound—perhaps unfinished—bond with Alina.
"Then I have to raise my cultivation level as quickly as possible… I must reach the Soul Realm," Adrien said with quiet conviction.
But before he could say anything else, the system's voice echoed in his mind:
[New Mission Initiated]
Mission – 5: Create and consume a Dantian Expansion Pill.
Objective:
Before advancing to the Soul Realm, use the pill to double the capacity of your Dantian (internal energy center).
Rewards:
One Sword Art (King Rank)
One Movement Art (King Rank)
Time Limit: None
Adrien frowned. "System, where exactly am I supposed to find this Dantian Expansion Pill?"
The system replied at once:
"This pill does not exist in this world. You will have to create it yourself."
"What?! Are you insane, System?" Adrien's temper flared. "I don't have time to start learning alchemy from scratch just to spend years crafting a single pill!"
The system's voice remained calm but firm:
"You only need to gather the necessary ingredients. I will personally refine the pill for you."
Adrien fell silent, then exhaled and said, "Alright…then tell me. What ingredients do I need?"
The system began reciting a list without delay:
Required Materials (Minimum Age: 50 years):
Earthroot Ginseng
Moon Flower
Crimson Spirit Grass
Dragon Heart Lotus
Star Essence Crystal
Void Flame Essence
"Be advised," the system added, "none of these items may be under 50 years old. Once you gather them, I will prepare the pill in exchange for only 2 Fate Points."
Victor noticed Adrien standing quietly in a corner. He walked over, his expression gentle.
"Is everything alright, Adrien?"
Adrien nodded slowly. "Yes, Father… Everything is fine."
At that, Selena called out, "Come on, everyone—let's have breakfast. It's time."
They all nodded in agreement and began walking toward the dining area. As they went, Evelen laughed softly:
"Ever since our Adrien recovered, we've been eating breakfast and dinner together again. Before, this dining hall was always so empty."
Selena smiled too, and Victor looked at his two wives and his son with a deep sense of contentment.
"If only Sophia were here, too…" he murmured.
Adrien looked up curiously. "Father, who is Sophia?"
Evelen smiled. "She's your older sister, Adrien."
"Really? My big sister?" Adrien's face lit up with innocent joy. "Mother, why don't you bring her home? Where is she?"
His childlike excitement made all of them smile. Evelen said fondly, "If you want to meet your sister, you'll have to visit the Ice Fairy Sect. She's staying there right now."
Adrien murmured under his breath, "The Ice Fairy Sect… Alright. Someday, I will definitely go and meet my sister."
But Victor immediately added, "There's no need to worry, son. Your sister will be coming home soon. I heard there's going to be a major auction in Sphere City. Sophia is coming to participate, and afterward, she'll return here."
A spark of curiosity glimmered in Adrien's eyes. "An auction…? That sounds interesting. I should go too. Maybe I'll find something useful."
After that, they all sat down to breakfast together.
When they'd finished, Adrien turned to his father, his voice suddenly serious. "Father, I will need certain rare herbs. Can you help me get them?"
Victor nodded. "Which ones do you need? Tell me, and I'll see what I can arrange."
Adrien picked up a piece of parchment and carefully wrote down the names. He handed the list to his father.
Victor glanced over the paper and read aloud:
"Earthroot Ginseng… Moon Flower… Crimson Spirit Grass…"
"These three herbs you'll be able to get. We have some in the palace's medicinal gardens." He paused for a moment, thinking. "For the others…we'll have to make arrangements. As far as I remember…someone possesses a Dragon Heart Lotus who may be willing to part with it."
Adrien asked eagerly, "Father—who is it?"
Victor hesitated a moment, then looked at Selena and Evelen, as if silently asking their permission. They both nodded.
At last, Victor spoke in a calm voice, giving only one name:
"Alina."
The moment he heard it, Adrien drew in a sharp breath. The seriousness on his face revealed the turmoil that name caused inside him.
"Alina…" he repeated quietly—and then, slowly, he smiled.
"Perhaps this is fate itself, urging me to meet her again. If that's true…then I will."