Chapter 316: Damaged Dao Heart

Coming too, I slowly opened my eyes, viewing my lovely little bedroom within the royal carriage, only to raise my arms and yawn as I tried to sit upright, though I couldn't since someone was tightly holding onto my body; glancing down at those pair of arms wrapped around my torso, I looked at Illumia, who was lying on my bed behind me, causing me to raise an eyebrow as we stared at each other.

"I wouldn't really expect you, of all people, to take advantage of your sleeping and defenseless Prince." Said Elif lightly as he glanced at Illumia, who released him from her embrace, allowing him to sit upright while she did the same.

"It's not entirely my fault, Elif." Replied Illumia softly as she sat upright and looked at Elif, who nodded before promptly flicking his lustrous silver hair behind his ear while sporting a proud expression.

"Of course, it isn't; no woman could keep to themselves when they see the most gorgeous being in all of existence lying so defensively." Remarked Elif with a narcissistic smile as he raised his head, pointing towards the sky, causing Illumia to lightly sigh while nodding.

Lying back down on the bed, I rested my head on the soft pillow and closed my eyes as I sent my divine sense into my body, heading to the depths of my very being before I arrived at my dao heart floating within my soul. Unfortunately, it was still cracked, but I could see it was slowly mending itself, though it would take quite some time, and no medicinal herbs or pills would expedite the process; after all, the dao heart isn't something that can just be easily healed, only time would help.

"How are you feeling, Elif?" Asked Illumia in concern as she lay right beside Elif while gazing upon his peaceful figure, only for his eyes to suddenly open.

"Stepping onto the hundredth step took quite the toll on my dao heart, and it was heavily damaged in the process, though it was nothing serious and looked to be healing just fine; that's the most important. However, as you know, it will take quite some time before it fully recovers, so I'll take it easy for the next few months." Replied Elif with furrowed brows as he rolled onto his side and wrapped his arms around Illumia's torso before pulling her into his embrace, causing her plump butt to rub against his crotch, igniting it with lust.

"That is good to hear, Elif." Said Illumia lightly with a relieved smile as she glanced at Elif while reaching her hand into his pants and grasping his erect manhood.

"Though you've caused quite the stir within the Realm sect for reaching the hundredth, till this day, no one has reached the ninety-eighth step, yet you not only managed to reach it, but you surpassed it. I've no doubt knowledge of your achievement is spreading across the OverRealm as we speak." Added Illumia with a faint smirk as she closed her eyes and lightly stroked Elif's shaft, causing him to bite her ear softly.

"Hmm, that is good; hopefully, it'll spark everyone else to venture to the Realm sect earlier than they wanted. Among the three great hegemonies, we're some of the first to arrive, and it'll be rather uneventful if interesting people don't show up to relieve my boredom until Elaine arrives." Remarked Elif, whispering into Illumia's ear while bitting and licking it, causing her to moan softly as she suddenly flipped her position before passionately kissing him, which he reciprocated.

"Forcing your lust onto your injured, Prince; what a lousy Concubine you are, Illumia." Added Elif with a faint smirk as he grabbed Illumia's chin and separated his lips while staring into her eyes, only to push her down toward his crotch.

"You know what to do, Illumia." Said Elif lightly as he watched Illumia remove his pants, freeing his long manhood, which she grasped with both hands.

"A-Allow me, Elif." Muttered Illumia lustfully as she deeply inhaled Elif's scent wafting off his manhood before she began servicing him with her hands and mouth.

"Ahh, wonderful." Remarked Elif quietly as he faced the ceiling and closed his eyes while enjoying Illumia's servicing skills.

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Exiting the bedroom after finishing inside Illumia's mouth several times, I attempted to sit down in my usual spot, but before I could do such a thing, Sarah promptly lunged at me and enveloped me in a tight hug.

"Your Highness! Are you okay!? How are you feeling!? Are you fine!?" Exclaimed Sarah in concern as she bombarded Elif with question after question, giving him no time to answer.

Glancing at Marley, I gestured toward Sarah, causing her to nod before she covered her sister's mouth with her hand while peeling her off me, allowing me to breathe as I promptly sat down.

"Now, just ask me one question at a time, Sarah." Said Elif lightly as he glanced at Sarah, who was finally freed from Marley's clutches, allowing her to lunge at the seat beside him.

"How are you feeling?" Asked Sarah anxiously as she tightly grabbed Elif's arm while staring into his purple eyes.

"I'm fine, Sarah. I was just exhausted, that is all; reaching the hundredth step was by no means an easy feat; after resting for a few hours, which my maid took advantage of, I feel much better." Replied Elif as he glanced at Sarah before blankly staring at Illumia, who had just exited the bedroom, causing her to raise an eyebrow in surprise.

"I don't know what you're referring to, your Highness." Said Illumia softly as she bowed slightly to Elif before sitting adjacent to him.

"Are you sure you were just exhausted, your Highness? Marley and I damaged our dao hearts slightly when reaching the eighty-sixth step; I can't even fathom the strain you were forced to experience on the hundredth step." Asked Idonea worriedly as she sat opposite of Elif while intently eyeing him, causing him to nod faintly.

"Well, I did happen to damage my dao heart quite severely, but it's healing perfectly fine, so it's not too big of a deal." Replied Elif lightly as he dismissively waved his hands at Idonea, whose face twitched from his words.

"Your Highness, any injury to the dao heart isn't to be taken lightly; it's your cultivation life-blood, and it's to be treated with care like a lover." Said Marley solemnly as she eyed Elif, who rolled his eyes while nodding.

"I know, Mother." Said Elif mockingly as he glanced at Marley before shaking his head and closing his eyes.

"I'm constantly monitoring my dao heart and will take it easy for the next few months; you needn't worry; if anything awry happens, I'll know instantly." Added Elif, his words causing Marley, Idonea, Sarah, and Ember to nod as they relented while his concubine reluctantly separated herself from him.

While I was enjoying the tranquility of my carriage, it was suddenly opened by Mandy, who looked inside before sighing in relief as she gazed upon my heavenly figure.

"Haa, your Highness, you're okay." Muttered Mandy in relief as she stared at Elif, who nodded before lying down and resting his head atop Illumai's lap.

As annoying as it was, I was practically forced to repeat myself for the third time since Mandy asked about my condition and whatnot before she finally relented; though I couldn't really be angry with them since they were merely doing their duty, I would've been very disappointed in them if that hadn't done so.

"So, does anyone know what the next test shall be?" Asked Elif curiously as he glanced at his servants, only for them and Sarah to suddenly widen their eyes while quickly standing up, confusing him.

"Hmm, what's up with you four?" Added Elif in slight confusion as he glanced at Sarah, Ember, Marley, and Idonea, waiting for one of them to enlighten him.

"W-Well, you see, your Highness, while you were resting, Elder Axzul already started the third phase." Replied Ember softly as she looked at Elif, who raised an eyebrow before standing up, though he had taken a few moments to stretch his body.

"If that's the case, why are you all still here? Shouldn't you four be participating in the test?" Asked Elif, only for him to be blankly stared at by the four of them.

"How could we do such a thing when our Prince was unconscious? We were more worried about you than some stupid test; besides, if the worst happened, we'd just be forced to wait another month before we could do this all over again." Remarked Sarah with a deep frown as she stared deeply at Elif in slight annoyance, her words causing him to faintly chuckle while nodding.

"Hehe, such loyal servants and a friend." Said Elif with a faint smirk as he kissed Ember, Idonea, and Marley on the cheek, kissing the latter twice.

"Why does Miss Marley get two kisses?" Asked Ember with a slight pout as she eyed the proudly smirking Marley while Idonea clicked her tongue in annoyance.

"Tch, because that one's supposed to be mine." Muttered Sarah lightly as she folded her arms and eyed Marley, only for her to slightly blush before glancing at Elif, who winked at her.

"So, how long since Elder Axzul started the test?" Asked Elif curiously as he summoned his Quạt tay and gently fanned himself.

"Roughly one hour ago, though the test will only last for one day, so an hour is a decently sizeable chunk of time." Replied Idonea, her words causing Elif's expression to stiffen as he glanced at Illumia, who looked the other way.

Funnily enough, one hour was exactly how long Illumia serviced me with her mouth.

'Oh well, it's not like it was a wasted hour.' Mused Elif lightly as he nodded to himself.