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Chapter 24 - Chapter 24: The Blade of Submission

The dawn light failed to pierce the thick stone walls of the subterranean palace, where only the fluorite embedded in the colonnade emitted an eternal, eerie green glow. Lin Xi leaned against the cold wall, her fingertips digging deep into her palms as she tried to suppress the surging tide of energy within her body with pain. The Alpha power left by Lucifer surged through her veins like molten lava, colliding with the primal chaos deep within her soul and igniting a searing, tearing agony.

"Come out."

Lucifer's voice echoed through the stone door, devoid of emotion yet more oppressive than any summons. Lin Xi took a deep breath, forcing down the metallic taste rising in her throat, and pushed open the stone door.

He stood in the center of the corridor, now clad in full combat armor. Black metallic plates covered his muscular frame, shoulder pads bearing a dark gold wolf-head totem. At his waist hung the sword "Night Howl," which had torn through countless foes. His crimson pupils, like blades tempered in blood under the dim light, scrutinized her from head to toe.

"It seems my power troubles you." He stepped closer, leather gloves brushing her sweat-dampened neck. Alpha pheromones coiled around her like tangible chains, resonating with the energy within her that belonged to him, causing every bone in her body to tremble.

Lin Xi clenched her teeth. "It's enough to complete the hunt."

"It had better be." Lucifer seized her nape, slamming her against the wall, his knee pressing between her thighs. The sharp edge of his armor dug into her flesh, his scorching breath hot against her ear. "Remember your taste now—my power, my fear, my desire." He licked the taut pulse in her neck. "If you show even a hint of weakness during the hunt..."

The unfinished threat became the searing sting of fangs tearing through skin. Lin Xi gasped, her head thrown back as two conflicting forces within her erupted anew at this possessive mark. Just as the Chaos energy threatened to spiral out of control, Lucifer abruptly channeled a purer, dark-gold energy into her!

"Ugh!" She arched her back uncontrollably, as if a branding iron had pierced her soul. This energy brutally suppressed the rampaging chaos, forcibly carving new pathways through her meridians. After the excruciating pain came an unprecedented sense of power—even the shackles around her ankles seemed lighter.

Lucifer released his bite, licking a droplet of blood from his lips with satisfaction. "Now even your breath depends on me." He tore open her disheveled collar, pressing his palm over the newly formed wolf-shaped contract mark on her chest. Dark gold patterns glowed fiercely against her pale skin, rippling with a tingling sensation as his touch spread across it.

"Your Majesty..." Lin Xi struggled amidst waves of desire and humiliation, "The Blood Clan..."

"They're on their way." Lucifer hoisted her onto his shoulder, the cold metal of his armor pressing against her bare waist. He strode deep into the palace, his grip nearly crushing her hipbones. "Feel it well, my advisor. See how your new master entertains his guests—"

The bronze doors of the Hunting Hall burst open with a thunderous crash.

Hundreds of Shadowfang members knelt on one knee, suppressed growls escaping beneath their black masks. A massive crystal sand table floated at the hall's center, displaying the real-time evolution of the border terrain. The crimson dots representing the Blood Clan had breached three defensive lines and were now charging straight toward the royal capital.

Lucifer tossed her into the wolfskin throne beside the sand table, slamming his sword into the floor. "Speak."

Lin Xi pressed her burning contract mark, forcing the Chaos energy to fuse temporarily with Lucifer's power. As her fingertips touched the crystal sand table, the entire map abruptly expanded into a three-dimensional projection. She pinpointed a moving crimson cluster: "In three minutes, they will create an illusion in the canyon. The main force will surge through the underground river."

"Excellent." Lucifer's fangs flashed coldly in the darkness. "Then let the river run red with blood."

The entire hunting hall erupted at this command. As the last Shadowfang member departed, Lucifer suddenly ripped open his combat suit collar and yanked Lin Xi to the edge of the sand table. His scorching chest pressed against her back as his blood-tinged voice seared into her eardrums:

"Watch closely, vessel. This is the feast you invited—"

The crystal projection abruptly expanded into a panoramic battlefield. Blood Clan warriors leapt from the underground river only to be torn apart by ambushing Wolf Clan elite. Lucifer's power seared through her senses via the contract mark, letting her feel every enemy's dying energy surge. The tangible thrill of slaughter climbed her spine. She trembled, gripping the sand table's edge until her knuckles whitened.

"Resistance is futile." Lucifer bit into the contract mark on her nape, dark-gold energy washing over her consciousness like a tidal wave. "Your soul trembles in anticipation of my victory."

As the last bloodthirsty assassin was torn apart by the wolves, Lucifer turned her face and pressed a blood-stained kiss upon her lips. The sword "Night Howl" still dripped with enemy blood; a few drops splattered onto the contract mark at her collarbone, only to be slowly absorbed by its dark gold patterns.

[Warning: Host Energy Field in Deep Resonance with Alpha Source]

[Cognitive Barrier Remaining: 37%]

Lin Xi gasped, her head thrown back as the system alarm blared. Her pupils reflected Lucifer's crimson eyes. No starlit sky mirrored there—only an endless sea of blood.

And her reflection was sinking into that sea of blood.

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