Lucas and Lira made their way through the bustling streets of the city, weaving past merchants hawking their wares, cultivators clad in luxurious robes, and common folk going about their daily lives. The scent of roasted meats and fragrant herbs filled the air, but Lucas had his mind set on more important things.
He had given Lira a pouch of silver coins and sent her off to buy dresses, while he focused on gathering what he needed—more talismans, elixirs, and most importantly, seeds for rare medicinal herbs. If he was going to master dual cultivation and rise to power in this new world, then alchemy would be a crucial tool.
Lucas browsed through various stalls, carefully selecting ingredients that would help strengthen his meridians and refine his Qi. He picked up a few high-quality talismans, ensuring they were compatible with his budding abilities. By the time he was done, he had a small sack full of elixirs, scrolls, and herb seeds—his first steps toward building a personal alchemy foundation.
After an hour, he returned to their meeting point, expecting to see the same timid servant girl he had left. However, when his eyes landed on Lira, he froze.
She had changed.
Gone was the dull, oversized servant robe. Instead, she now wore a deep blue gown that clung to her figure in all the right places, accentuating curves that had been hidden before. Her firm, perky breasts sat high on her chest, and the fabric of her dress hugged her wide hips. As she walked toward him, her round backside swayed gently with each step, the movement impossible to ignore.
But it wasn't just her body that caught his attention. It was the way she looked at him now—her big, blue eyes shimmered with gratitude and admiration. There was something else in them too, something he couldn't quite put a name to yet.
Lucas cleared his throat, realizing he had been staring too long.
"You look stunning, Lira," he said, his voice steady, but his mind slightly shaken.
Lira's cheeks turned a soft pink, and she lowered her gaze shyly. "Thank you, Master," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
For the first time since meeting her, Lucas realized just how much she had changed. She wasn't just a servant anymore—he was shaping her into something more.
"Let's head back to the estate," Lucas said, snapping himself out of his thoughts. "Once we're back, I need you to find me a secluded spot. Somewhere quiet, where I can start planting these seeds."
Lira's eyes widened slightly. "You're planning to start a garden, Master?"
Lucas nodded. "Yes. If I'm going to cultivate properly, I need a steady supply of rare herbs. And I'm not going to rely on merchants forever—I'll grow my own."
A deep sense of satisfaction filled him. Back in his past life, he had studied cultivation and alchemy as mere theory, reading books and watching others do what he could never achieve. Now, he had a chance to put that knowledge into practice.
Lira smiled. "I'll find the perfect spot for you, Master. You can leave it to me."
Lucas glanced at her again, still adjusting to her transformation. He had plans—big plans—and now, he wasn't just alone in this journey. Lira was becoming a part of it too.
The streets of the city buzzed with activity as Lucas and Lira made their way back to the estate, their hands full of newly bought items. Lucas was satisfied—his plans were falling into place, and Lira's transformation was just the beginning.
However, his peace was short-lived.
Just as they passed through a busy section of the market, a voice rang out, sharp with arrogance.
"Hey, beauty! A girl like you deserves to be with someone of my stature, not this lowly fool who calls himself the son of an elder but can't even cultivate."
Lucas turned his head toward the source of the voice. A young man, around his age, stood a few feet away, dressed in a luxurious silk robe embroidered with golden designs—clear markings of nobility. His smirk was full of arrogance, his posture screaming entitlement.
Lira immediately recognized him and quickly lowered her head in respect. "My prince, please respect my master," she said softly, bowing slightly.
Lucas raised an eyebrow. Prince?
If this person was a prince, then he had to be the king's son. Which meant he was someone worth noting.
The prince scoffed at Lira's words, his expression twisting with amusement. "Master?" he repeated, as if the word itself was absurd. "This weakling is your Master?" He threw his head back in laughter, and his two companions quickly joined in.
Lucas instantly recognized the other two men—Damian and Edric. He had met them before, on his first day exploring the city.
Lucas clenched his fists, his patience wearing thin. He had no time for foolish games.
"I greet you, my prince," Lucas said in a polite but firm tone. "As you can see, we are in a hurry to return to the estate. We won't be wasting any more time here."
He reached out, gently grabbing Lira by the wrist, ready to walk away.
But before they could take another step, Damian blocked their path.
"The prince didn't say you could leave, Xavier," Damian sneered, placing himself squarely in front of them.
Lucas narrowed his eyes. They were deliberately trying to provoke him.
"Step aside," Lucas said coldly.
Damian let out an exaggerated gasp. "Oh? This weak little pimp dares to order me around?" He clutched his chest in mock fear, looking back at the prince and Edric. "Did you hear that, my prince? It seems this insect thinks he's worth something now!"
The prince and Edric chuckled, their laughter echoing through the market. A small crowd had started to form around them, drawn by the commotion.
Lucas exhaled slowly. He had no intention of making a scene, but these fools were pushing him.
"I'll say it one more time," Lucas said, his voice now laced with warning. "Move."
Damian smirked, tilting his head. "Or what? What can a useless brat like you possibly—"
Before he could finish, Lucas moved.
A sharp crack rang through the air as Lucas' fist connected with Damian's jaw, sending him flying backward. The impact was so sudden and forceful that Damian crashed into a nearby stall, collapsing it entirely.
Silence.
The laughter died instantly. The onlookers gasped in shock. Even the prince and Edric, who had been so full of confidence moments ago, stood frozen.
Lucas stood tall, his expression unreadable. He stretched out his hand toward Lira, who quickly handed him a handkerchief. Without a word, he wiped his knuckles clean, shaking off the faint sting from the punch.
Damian groaned in pain, struggling to sit up. He looked dazed, unable to comprehend what had just happened. He was an Adept-ranked cultivator—yet Lucas had overpowered him with a single punch.
Lira stood still, staring at Lucas with wide, astonished eyes. She had known he was stronger than before, but this was on a different level.
The prince's smirk had vanished completely. "You…" he muttered, his tone no longer mocking but wary.
Lucas met his gaze, his expression calm yet commanding.
But before leaving, he turned to the stall owner, whose merchandise had been destroyed in the scuffle. Lucas reached into his pouch and tossed a handful of gold coins onto the remains of the stall.
"That should cover the damages," he said, his voice steady.
The stall owner hesitated before bowing deeply. "T-Thank you, young master."
Lucas then turned back to the prince, his gaze unwavering. "Are you going to move aside now?"
The prince clenched his fists, his expression darkening, but he forced himself to keep his composure. He was furious, but he wasn't foolish enough to retaliate here.
With a final glance at Damian, who was still groaning on the ground, the prince stepped aside.
Lucas didn't wait for an invitation. He grabbed Lira's wrist once more and walked past them with an air of grace and confidence. The crowd instinctively parted for him, their eyes filled with awe and whispers trailing in his wake.
His message had been sent loud and clear.
He was no longer the weak Xavier they once knew.