Chapter 223: Back with Everyone
Damon lay still for a long moment, feeling Flare’s weight pressed against his chest.
Her breath came in slow, steady waves against his neck.
Her body was warm, almost hot, but the dangerous glow had faded from her skin.
The fire qi inside her had settled into something calm and controlled.
He shifted beneath her, careful not to wake her.
She didn’t stir.
He reached up and brushed a strand of singed hair from her face. Her features were relaxed now, peaceful in a way they hadn’t been since he first saw her on that platform.
’System.’
[Yes, Host?]
’Status on Flare.’
A translucent window materialized in his vision.
[Name: Flare]
[Age: 21]
[Cultivation: Heavenly Spirit Realm - First Level]
[Relationship: Taking an interest]
[Interest: 80/100]
[Chastity: Claim by Damon Arcknight]
[Lust: 0/100]
[Affinities: Fire: 180, Nature: 85, Staff: 60]
[Spiritual Roots: Divine Flame Spiritual Roots] [Earth Grade - Peak]
[Bloodline: Blood of Phoenix - Dormant]
[Physique: N/A]
[Traits: Fiery, Prideful, Heat Seeker, Direct, Blunt.]
Damon read the window twice.
Phoenix Bloodline.
That explained a lot.
The uncontrolled fire qi, the instinctive drive to drain his yang qi, the way her body had taken over when her consciousness failed.
She wasn’t just a fire cultivator.
She was a phoenix.
He dismissed the window and looked at her again.
Her lips were slightly parted, her breathing slow and even. She looked smaller like this, softer.
He carefully extracted himself from beneath her, sliding out of her body with a wet sound that made him wince.
She didn’t wake.
He laid her on the stone platform and stood, looking down at her naked form. Her skin was flushed, her limbs splayed out in complete exhaustion.
He needed to get her dressed.
He found her robes near the edge of the platform, scorched and torn but still wearable.
He knelt and began pulling them over her body, working carefully to avoid jostling her too much.
She mumbled something in her sleep but didn’t wake.
He finished dressing her and lifted her into his arms. She was lighter than he expected, her body fitting against his chest like she belonged there.
He looked around the valley.
The flames had died down.
The fire qi in the air had thinned to a manageable level. The platform was still warm beneath his feet, but the danger had passed.
He carried her toward the cave.
The walk took longer than he expected.
The valley was wide, and the terrain was uneven, dotted with rocks and patches of scorched earth. He had to pick his way carefully to avoid jostling her.
By the time he reached the cave entrance, the sun had shifted in the sky.
He stepped inside.
Ariel was the first to notice him.
She rose from her meditation spot and walked toward him, her eyes immediately going to Flare in his arms.
"Is she okay?"
"She will be," Damon said. "She had a qi overload. Her meridians were damaged."
Ariel’s eyes widened. "That’s... that’s serious."
"I fixed it."
Ariel looked at him for a long moment, then at Flare. She didn’t ask how.
She just nodded.
Mio and Mia approached next, their expressions curious but not jealous. They had learned by now that Damon’s methods were... unconventional.
Seraphina stayed by the bed, watching with calm, knowing eyes.
Alena stood at the back of the cave, her arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
Damon carried Flare to the bed and laid her down gently. He pulled a blanket over her body and tucked the edges around her shoulders.
She shifted slightly, her brow furrowing, but she didn’t wake.
"She’ll sleep for a while," Damon said. "Her body needs time to adjust to the changes."
"Changes?" Alena asked.
Damon turned to face her. "She has a Phoenix Bloodline. It was dormant before. The overload triggered it."
Alena’s eyes widened. "A Phoenix? Those are... those are extinct."
"Apparently not completely."
The cave fell silent.
Damon walked to the center of the space and sat down on the stone floor. He crossed his legs and closed his eyes.
He needed to check his own status.
The system had been quiet during the healing process, but he knew there had to be notifications waiting for him.
He opened his interface.
[Name: Damon Arcknight]
[Age: 18]
[Cultivation: Earth Spirit Realm - Fourth Level]
[True Cultivation: Heavenly Spirit Realm - Ninth Level]
[Affinities: Fire: 85, Water: 165, Ice: 205, Wind: 205, Earth: 105, Lightning: 435, Nature: 85, Light: 85, Dark: 225, Space: 50, Time: 50, Sword: 115]
[Spiritual Roots: Elemental Spiritual Roots] [Saint Grade - Low]
[Bloodline: Blood of Incubus Dragon Lord] [Heaven Grade - Low]
[Physique: Body of Incubus Dragon Lord] [Heaven Grade - Low]
[Lust points: 22,000,000]
[Harem Members: Ariel Aquaria, Mio Nightrider, Mia Nightrider, Selene Frostborn, Seraphina, Flare]
[Beasts Bonds: Neko [Heavenly White Tiger]]
[Ability: Incubus Touch, Incubus Aura, Incubus Celestial Eyes, Incubus Fluid, Incubus Dream, Polymorph, Dragon Transformation, Incubus Transformation]
He wasn’t going to force anything with Flare.
She had been through enough.
If something happened between them, it would happen naturally.
He checked his remaining lust points.
Enough for a few upgrades, but not enough for anything major.
He would need to accumulate more before the tournament.
He was still masking his true power.
The Polymorph ability kept his cultivation hidden, showing only what he wanted others to see.
He planned to reveal more during the tournament. Slowly. Gradually.
Let them think he was climbing the ranks through hard work and talent.
Not through a system.
He closed the interface and opened his eyes.
Ariel was sitting beside him, her hand resting on his knee.
"You look tired," she said.
"I’m fine."
"You always say that."
He smiled. "Because it’s always true."
She didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push.
Mio and Mia had settled back into their meditation positions, their eyes closed, their breathing steady.
Seraphina was watching Flare, her expression thoughtful.
Alena was still standing at the back of the cave, her arms crossed, her eyes fixed on Damon.
He met her gaze.
She looked away first.
Damon stood and walked toward her. She didn’t move as he approached, but her posture stiffened.
"You’re wondering what happened out there," he said.
"I’m wondering a lot of things."
"Ask."
She was silent for a long moment. Then she met his eyes.
"Did you sleep with her?"
"Yes."
"To save her life?"
"Yes."
She held his gaze, searching for something. A lie. A hesitation. A crack in his confidence.
She found nothing.
"You’re strange," she said finally.
"I’ve been told that before."
She shook her head, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Come on," he said. "Let’s get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow."