With the shimmering Moonpetal Blossom clutched carefully in Rylan's hand, the descent from Whispering Peak felt less perilous, almost buoyant. Elara and Lyra followed, their earlier weariness replaced by a shared sense of accomplishment. Lyra, in particular, studied the glowing herb with a professional eye, her expression a mix of awe and recognition.
"It's even more vibrant than the texts describe," Lyra murmured, her voice hushed. "This will surely work, Master Rylan. Its spiritual purity... it's incredible."
"Good," Rylan replied, a confident smile on his face. He felt the subtle thrum of the System reminding him of the pending reward, the imminent breakthrough.
The journey back to Oakhaven was swift and uneventful. The incapacitated Baron's guards remained hidden, a testament to Rylan's efficiency and Lyra's quick thinking. As they neared the village, the first stars began to speckle the twilight sky.
Word of their return, and Rylan's success, spread like wildfire. By the time they reached Elder Kael's home, a small crowd had gathered, Lena at the front, her face a mask of desperate hope.
"Master Rylan! Did you... did you find it?" she cried, rushing forward, her eyes wide with expectation.
Rylan extended his hand, the sapphire-blue glow of the Moonpetal Blossom illuminating his palm. "It is here, Lena. For your mother."
A collective gasp swept through the villagers. Lena stared at the herb, tears welling in her eyes. She carefully took it, her hands trembling with a mixture of relief and disbelief. "Thank you! Oh, thank you, Master Rylan! You've saved her!"
She didn't hesitate, rushing inside the house, the Moonpetal Blossom clutched tightly. Elder Kael approached Rylan, his face etched with profound gratitude. "You have performed a miracle, young man. Oakhaven will not forget this."
Rylan simply nodded, observing Lena's frantic movements. The Harem System pulsed.
[Ding! Conquest Requirement (Lena): "Alleviate her immediate burden and offer enduring security. Dispel her fear." — Completed!]
A profound warmth, different from the pure spiritual energy of dual cultivation, flowed into Rylan. It felt like a current of emotional energy, a deep sense of relief, gratitude, and burgeoning faith. Lena's fear was indeed dispelled.
Later that night, after Lena's mother had taken the prepared Moonpetal Blossom infusion and was already showing signs of recovery—her fever breaking, her breathing easing—Rylan found Lena sitting quietly by her mother's bedside, a profound peace on her face. Her eyes met Rylan's, and they shone with an unshakeable devotion.
Rylan sat beside her. "Your mother will recover fully," he stated softly. "She is strong."
Lena nodded, a tear tracing a path down her cheek. "Because of you, Master Rylan. You risked your life for us. For me." She took his hand, her grip surprisingly firm. "I promised I would do anything. My life, my service, it is yours. Completely."
[Lena has been added to your Harem!][Harem: 3/4]
As Lena spoke her vow, the Harem System roared to life. A torrent of spiritual energy, unlike anything Rylan had experienced before, surged through him. It was a potent, pure influx that pushed his cultivation to its very limits. He felt the subtle barriers within his Dantian fracture, then dissolve. The spiritual essence inside solidified further, then expanded, reaching a new threshold.
[Ding! Dual Cultivation Bonus with Lena Activated! Breakthrough to Qi Condensation (Early Stage), Minor Healing Affinity, Harem Slot +1, "Medicinal Practices" (Basic Knowledge Skill).]
Rylan closed his eyes, savoring the profound transformation. He had broken through! From Foundation Establishment to Qi Condensation (Early Stage). This was a massive leap, putting him firmly above the general populace and on par with the Baron's gifted cultivators. His perception of the world shifted again. Spiritual energy wasn't just currents; he could feel its distinct properties, its nuances. His senses sharpened further, reaching new levels. His own Minor Healing Affinity also blossomed, a subtle warmth in his fingertips.
Lena, too, gasped, her hand still in his, a soft glow emanating from her body. Her latent Healing Affinity had been fully activated, and with it, a tangible spiritual presence. While she hadn't broken through a cultivation realm like Rylan, her affinity was now active, granting her an innate understanding of subtle healing energies. The "Medicinal Practices" skill was instinctively integrated into her mind, a comprehensive knowledge base she previously lacked.
"I feel... lighter," Lena whispered, her eyes shining with newfound vitality. "And I feel... the warmth in my hands. Like I can help."
"You can," Rylan affirmed, a triumphant glint in his eyes. "You can help greatly."
He was now a Qi Condensation cultivator, possessing a growing Harem, each member with unique talents and contributions. Oakhaven was secure, its people grateful and beholden. He had a deeper understanding of the local power structures and the vast, oppressive shadow of the Jade Empire.
Rylan looked out the window at the distant, shimmering lights of what he knew were the Baron's lands. The Baron's Qi Condensation cultivators were no longer a distant threat; they were his next target. The Lustful Emperor was ready to expand his influence, to shake the foundations of this small barony, and to continue his relentless climb towards absolute power. The game was truly on.
End of chapter 13