Chapter 22: Empire of Lust — Conquering the Outer Sects [18+]

The sun rose over the Crimson Capital—but Lucien didn't wait for it.

He was already awake, dressed in traveling robes woven with living silk, his aura bound like a serpent ready to strike. Behind him stood Kaelara, Solenne, and Lira—each armored, cloaked, and carrying different kinds of fire.

System Alert: Outer Sect Arc Initiated] [New Objective: Expand Crown Influence — Dominate 3 Outlands Within 10 Days]

The skyship awaiting them was black-gold, fitted with sigil engines powered by Yin energy. On its hull was Lucien's new emblem: a coiled serpent wrapping a lotus set ablaze.

Kaelara gave a nod. "First target?"

Lucien's eyes didn't blink.

"Duskwind Province. Home of the Veil Sect."

Solenne tensed. "That's where the women are trained to eat aura. They don't just seduce men. They drain them dry."

Lucien smiled. "Then I'll feed them something they can't handle."

Arrival at the Duskwind Border

The skies turned purple-black as they neared the Veil Sect's outer gate. Fog clung to the cliffs. Guard towers looked abandoned.

Lira muttered, "Why does this place smell like secrets and perfume?"

Before anyone could answer, a woman appeared on the air itself—floating, eyes lined with runes, voice soft but unshaking.

"You cross into sacred Yin land. State your intent."

Lucien stepped forward. Didn't hesitate.

"I am Crown Prince Lucien Blackthorn. I've come to take what's mine."

The woman narrowed her eyes. "You're the one they whispered about."

Challenge Triggered: Veil Sect Recognition Trial Initiated] [Objective: Withstand Aura Drain Ritual Without Losing Consciousness]

Lucien smirked.

"Let's see if they can even handle the first dose."

Lucien stepped through the Veil Sect's main gate, where the fog thickened—not mist, but a living aura meant to confuse male cultivators. Kaelara kept her hand on her sword. Solenne remained still, watching every shift of energy.

Lira muttered, "This place wants to swallow you whole."

Lucien smiled. "Then I'll make sure they choke on royalty."

The path led them into a jade courtyard encircled by dozens of women—all Veil disciples, all veiled and robed in deep violet, their eyes painted with seduction, their lips tinted with silent poison.

The Mistress of the Gate stood in the center.

"You claim you're worthy of ruling lust and law," she said. "Then prove it. Step into the Ritual Pool."

Lucien removed his robe. Stepped into the jade bath filled with steaming, energy-rich water. The surface shimmered with Yin runes.

Trial Initiated: Aura Drain Ritual – Survive 3 Waves of Spiritual Seduction Without Collapse]

Three Veil disciples approached. Their robes dropped. Their hands pressed to his chest. Their lips hovered over his throat.

Lucien didn't flinch. He leaned back, let them touch him. Let them pull.

But as they drank from his aura, his system responded.

Counter-Surge Activated: Host Aura Feeding Back Into Targets] [Effect: Targeted Seductresses Experiencing Overwhelm. Pleasure Loops Engaged.]

The first girl moaned. The second trembled. The third gasped and fell to her knees, eyes wide.

Lucien grabbed the first by the chin. "Still hungry?" he whispered.

She collapsed, aura shattering, body shaking.

The pool flashed. The second wave began.

This time, five women. More aggressive. Tongues flicking over his neck. One straddling his lap.

They drained. He gave. But only just enough.

Then—returned.

System Trait Engaged: Multi-Threaded Cultivation – Simultaneous Aura Overload Active.]

One screamed. Another came. Two kissed each other in dazed pleasure. One bit her own hand trying to stay upright.

Lucien held his breath. Let them feel everything.

Second Wave Passed. Final Trial Incoming.]

The Mistress of the Gate stepped forward.

She removed her own robe.

Perfect body. Perfect posture. Deadly eyes.

"You've broken toys. Now face the one who trained them."

Lucien smirked. "Then come drain your king."

Mistress Velan was not a seductress.

She was the craft incarnate.

Where the disciples relied on beauty, Velan moved like emotion weaponized — every glance, every touch, every word calibrated to destabilize even the most seasoned cultivator.

She stepped into the jade pool without a ripple. Her presence alone silenced the fog.

Lucien leaned back against the jade stone edge, arms stretched.

"You've trained them well," he said. "But you forgot something."

She tilted her head. "Oh?"

Lucien grinned. "I'm not just a man. I'm the reason they scream in their sleep."

Final Wave Trial: Aura Duel Initiated – Mistress of the Veil] [Warning: Mental Displacement Pressure Detected]

Velan climbed onto his lap. Not slow. Not shy.

She stared him in the eye and whispered, "You either break... or beg."

Then kissed him.

And began.

Her aura didn't just drain. It seduced through memories.

Lucien saw flashes of women he'd touched, ones he hadn't. Fantasies. Shame. Ego. It twisted into pleasure, then tightened around his spine like silk chains.

He groaned. His knees trembled.

She smiled. "You feel it now?"

But Lucien's eyes were glowing. Gold and black.

Incubus Core Surge Activated] [Forbidden Trait: Desire Loop – Reversal Initiated]

He grabbed her waist. Thrust upward once. Her body arched.

Again.

She gasped. Her aura flared.

Lucien didn't speak. He commanded.

His fingers ran over her spine. His mouth traced her collarbone. His thrusts were not violent — they were perfect. Timed. Patterned.

Target Core Sync: 88%... 94%... 100%] [Yin Mastery Absorption Achieved]

Velan tried to stay dominant. Tried to ride him into submission.

Failed.

Her moans became prayers. Her control—melted.

She screamed once. Then bit his shoulder. Then collapsed.

The jade pool pulsed. The Veil Sect emblem cracked.

Lucien stood, water dripping down his chest, Mistress Velan in his arms.

Final Trial Passed – Veil Sect Claimed] [Title Gained: Sectbreaker]

He turned to the stunned disciples.

"I didn't come to seduce you."

He laid Velan gently on the jade.

"I came to make you mine."

The jade pool steamed in silence.

Mistress Velan lay unconscious, aura shattered from within—not damaged, but reformed. Her once ironclad presence now flickered with something unfamiliar:

Peace.

Lucien stood alone, soaked in a haze of gold light, his breath steady, his eyes glowing brighter than ever.

Around him, every Veil Sect disciple slowly fell to their knees.

One by one. Not in fear. But in recognition.

System Alert: Veil Sect Submission Complete] [Title Upgrade: From Prince of Passion → Incubus Monarch – Tier 1] [Territory Gained: Duskwind Province, Inner Circle Access Unlocked]

Kaelara approached first.

"Don't look now, Lucien," she said, "but I think you just became a god in their eyes."

Lira scoffed. "Correction. A god with stamina."

Solenne's voice came quietly.

"They'll follow you now. But what you do with their loyalty… decides what kind of empire you build."

Lucien looked around the fog-drenched courtyard.

The women of the Veil Sect had once drained kings and crippled armies. Now, they bowed to one man.

His aura pulsed.

New Feature Unlocked: Harem Nexus – Sync Up to 3 Cultivators for Passive Cultivation Boost] [Bonus Trait: Yin Echo – Absorb 10% of spiritual gains from bonded partners in proximity]

Lucien stood over Velan as she stirred awake.

She looked at him—clear-eyed, silent—and whispered, "Command me."

Lucien extended a hand. "Then rise. Not as a servant. As my High Priestess."

Gasps echoed. A new role. A new structure.

Lucien was no longer just a challenger of courts. He was building his own.

The temple bells rang in the distance.

Duskwind now belonged to the Crown of Desire.

Crimson Crown Notice: First Outland Conquered. Reward Tier Pending...] [Next Objective: Travel to Obsidian Reach – Harem Duelists Await.]

Lucien turned toward the rising sun.

"I'll give them something to bow for."

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Next Chapter: Obsidian Arena — Fight, Fuck, and Flame-Bound Bonds [18+]

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