Chapter 25: Crimson River, Forbidden Nectar [18+]

Lucien's skyship descended into the valley of the Crimson River Sect as the sun bled across the horizon.

This province didn't just pulse with spiritual energy — it ached.

The air was thick with restrained Yin. The trees wept crimson petals. Every structure shimmered with sealed runes, as if holding back something ancient and volatile.

[System Alert: Region Condition – Yin Flux Level Unstable] [New Quest: Cleanse the Crimson Sisters] [Details: 3 Elite Cultivators Suffering From Yin Curse. Ritual Merging Required to Prevent Breakdown.]

Kaelara narrowed her eyes. "This place reeks of locked power."

Solenne whispered, "No. It reeks of power that's afraid to be touched."

Lucien stood at the bow of the ship, staring down at the blood-colored river that gave the region its name.

He knew. He felt it.

The women here weren't just strong. They were starving.

Crimson Sanctuary Gates

Three figures stood waiting.

Identical in height and beauty. Long dark hair. Eyes glowing red beneath delicate silk masks. They wore crimson wraps that shimmered with suppressed aura — like a promise locked in chains.

They bowed. Together.

"We are the Crimson Sisters," the eldest said. "Born of the Blood Moon Lineage."

The second spoke. "We carry the blessing of fertility... and the curse of eternal craving."

The youngest looked up, her voice almost broken. "If we are not bound through dual-merging before the next moonrise... we will lose control."

Lucien's jaw tightened.

[System Notice: Triple Merge Compatible – Warning: Emotional Overlap Risk 84%]

He stepped forward.

"I don't want to tame you," he said. "I want to set you free."

The sisters lowered their heads. Their bodies trembled. Their auras pulsed.

[Trial Initiated: Forbidden Nectar Ritual – Part 1]

Lucien extended his hand.

"Let me in."

The eldest took his hand first. Then the second. Then the third.

The sanctuary doors opened behind them—walls covered in silk and shadow, scented with desire and danger.

Lucien entered. And the door closed behind them.

The sanctuary's interior was a chamber of velvet shadows and flickering crimson lanterns. Incense swirled from the walls like memory-smoke, every breath thick with longing and locked heat.

Lucien stood at the center, shirtless, aura glowing faintly golden.

The three Crimson Sisters circled him slowly.

The eldest, Naeva, led the ritual. Her voice calm, but her hands trembling. "The curse started in our bloodline generations ago. When our ancestors merged blood techniques with forbidden Yin."

The second, Selis, touched his back gently. "Now, every full moon we either merge…"

"…or descend into madness," the youngest, Riva, finished softly.

Lucien turned to face them. "Then let's give you something to remember this moon by."

They nodded. Dropped their crimson silks in unison.

[Triple Merge Ritual Commencing – Host Aura Must Stabilize All Three Yin Cores Simultaneously] [Risk: Aura Fragmentation. Counterbalance Required – Emotional Link Path Active]

Lucien sat cross-legged on the ritual bed. Naeva climbed into his lap, straddling him slowly, guiding him into her with a gasp so soft it was nearly sacred.

Selis knelt behind, wrapping her arms around them both, her breath hot against Lucien's neck.

Riva sat at his feet, her forehead pressed against his knee, channeling energy upward into the merge.

Their auras began to swirl. Overlapping. Pulling. Feeding.

Lucien's breathing deepened.

He matched Naeva's rhythm — slow, intense, spiritual. Each motion tied her aura tighter to his core.

Selis moaned softly, feeling the energy pass through her as well — indirectly, yet fully.

Riva trembled. The youngest's aura flared too quickly. Too hot. Too unstable.

Lucien reached down. Held her face. "Steady, little flame. You're part of this too."

[Stabilization Engaged: Riva's Yin Core Aligned at 67%... 71%...]

Naeva climaxed first — hard, shuddering, eyes wide. Her curse mark flickered, then faded.

Selis cried out next, her own body tightening against Lucien's back.

Riva moaned. But her eyes were different.

They flashed black. For one second.

Lucien caught it. But too late.

[System Alert: Unidentified Aura Signature Detected – Intrusion? Parasite?]

Riva gasped. And collapsed forward.

Lucien caught her. Wrapped all three sisters in his arms. And whispered, "I'm not letting any of you fall."

But inside Riva's core… something pulsed. Something other.

Lucien cradled Riva in his lap, her body warm, her breath shallow, her aura—fractured.

Selis and Naeva hovered close, both now fully stabilized. Their eyes filled with panic as they saw the black shimmer weaving through their sister's core.

"What is that?" Selis asked, her voice trembling.

Lucien didn't answer. He closed his eyes. Reached inside Riva's energy.

[System Probe Engaged – Foreign Entity Detected Inside Host Merge] [Name: Unknown. Classification: Aura Leech. Origin: Cursed Bloodline Remnant] [Warning: Immediate removal required. Dual-core cleansing advised.]

Lucien exhaled slowly. Then opened his eyes.

"This isn't part of her. It's something hiding inside her Yin since birth. And now it's awake."

Naeva dropped to her knees. "Then kill it."

Lucien shook his head. "No. I'm going to extract it. And make sure she survives."

He laid Riva back, placed one hand over her womb and the other on her chest. His aura surged—gold and black.

[Initiating Dual-Core Exorcism – Energy Sync at 91%]

Riva's body began to convulse. The black shimmer fought back. Sparks of crimson light exploded around the ritual bed.

Lucien leaned down, lips brushing her ear. "Stay with me. I'm not letting you drown."

He pressed deeper into her aura. Connected physically and spiritually. Moved inside her with purpose.

[Merge Re-Engaged – Purification Wave Unlocked]

Riva gasped—arched—screamed.

The parasite writhed. Tried to slip free.

Lucien didn't let go. He flooded her with light. Not just power. Emotion.

Her tears ran hot. Her fingers clawed his arms.

Then—

[Foreign Entity Ejected – Aura Cleanse Complete] [Riva's Core Stabilized – Curse Lifted 100%]

Lucien collapsed forward, body shaking. Riva opened her eyes—clear, red, human.

"Lucien..." she whispered.

He kissed her forehead. And said, "You're free."

Naeva and Selis embraced them both. All three sisters now glowing, their bodies warm, curse broken.

[System Trait Unlocked: Bloodline Purifier] [New Title: Crimson Heirbreaker]

Lucien stood. Exhausted. Empowered.

And whispered, "Next time, I'll ask what's inside before I dive in."

The ritual chamber lay quiet now—still, but glowing with the warmth of completion.

The three Crimson Sisters sat around Lucien, their heads resting on his shoulders, his chest, and his lap. No longer cursed. No longer afraid.

Naeva lifted her head first.

"You did what generations of sect leaders couldn't. You didn't just cleanse us… you healed what we thought was part of us."

Lucien brushed her cheek. "I don't believe in broken things. Just power waiting to be understood."

[System Notification: Emotional Sync Across All Three Targets — Permanent Bond Established] [Harem Nexus Expanded – Bloodline Link Activated]

Selis leaned in, her voice softer now. "Then let us follow you—not just because we're saved… but because we're yours."

Lucien didn't need to answer. He simply extended his hand. All three took it.

Riva looked up, her voice trembling, but clear. "There's something else. That darkness... it didn't leave on its own. You took it into you."

Lucien smiled faintly. "I'll burn it out later."

But deep inside, he could feel a trace. A whisper. A sliver of something still hiding within him. Not active. Not dangerous. Yet.

[System Alert: Unknown Residue Detected – Monitoring Shadow Flare Signature]

Kaelara entered the chamber. "You're done here?"

Lucien stood slowly. "Almost."

He turned to the three sisters. "Naeva, you'll be my Crimson Warden—first protector of any territory I set in flame."

She nodded.

"Selis, you're my Strategist. That cold brain of yours sees too much."

She smiled.

"And Riva…"

He knelt. Held her hand.

"You're my fire. You remind me why I do this."

Her eyes filled with tears.

[Titles Assigned: Crimson Warden / Flame Strategist / Bound Ember]

Lucien left the chamber with his harem stronger. His system deeper. And a quiet enemy now inside his own soul.

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Next Chapter: Temple of the Fanged Rose — The Virgin Queen's Game [18+]

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