So that she might gain access to the Demon Sect's deepest circles and secrets.

But the price… was her body, and perhaps even her soul.

Just as Kara's heart wavered on the brink of despair, a calm, familiar voice suddenly echoed in her consciousness.

"Senior Sister Kara, promise him first."

Her pupils contracted violently.

"Ethan…"

She forced herself to steady her breathing, suppressing the turmoil surging in her heart.

"Promise him for now," Ethan's voice sounded again, steady and unhurried.

"Once you enter the Training Trial Secret Realm, leave everything to me."

Those simple words were like an anchor thrown into a stormy sea.

Kara closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again. The hesitation and chaos within had been forcibly suppressed.

At that moment, Luca's voice rang out with faint impatience.

"Well? Sect Master Kara, have you thought it through?"

"I have."

Kara let out a long breath, as if releasing all the weight pressing on her chest.

"I promise you."

"Hahaha!"

Luca laughed loudly, his voice filled with satisfaction and triumph.

"That's more like it."

"But," Kara continued, her tone suddenly turning cold and resolute, "I have one condition."

Luca raised an eyebrow but did not interrupt.

"After Morwen and I enter the Training Trial Secret Realm and come out safely, only then will I agree to everything you say."

"Otherwise—" Kara's eyes sharpened, "I would rather die than let you have your way."

For a moment, the room fell silent.

Then Luca smiled.

Not anger.

Not displeasure.

But interest.

He stepped forward, lifted his hand, and pinched Kara's pale chin lightly between his fingers.

"Very good," he said softly. "Spicy enough. I like it."

He released her and nodded leisurely.

"I promise you. I will personally ensure that you and your disciple come out of the secret realm safely—and with gains."

"Good things," he added with a grin, "are worth waiting for."

"Tonight, however…" His gaze lingered on her.

"I hope Sect Master Kara can at least drink with me and chat for a while. How about it?"

Kara's nails dug into her palm.

Luca's smile made her feel nauseous.

But she had already chosen this path.

"…Fine," she said stiffly.

"I'll have two drinks with Your Highness."

"Hahaha! Kara, you should've been this obedient from the beginning."

Almost as soon as his words fell, footsteps sounded outside.

Servants from the inn brought up trays of exquisite dishes and fine wine.

Outside the room, the Black Demon Sect's third elder, Elian, stood quietly in the corridor.

When he saw the servants approaching, he raised his hand.

"Leave it to me."

"Yes, sir."

Elian took the wine and dishes, waited until the servants left, then calmly opened the jade bottle Luca had given him earlier.

A clear, colorless liquid dripped silently into the wine jug.

No smell.

No trace.

He capped the jug, straightened his robes, and knocked on the door.

"Your Highness," Elian said respectfully, "the food and wine are ready."

"Leave it."

Elian placed everything on the table, glanced at Kara, and an uncontrollable hint of smugness flickered at the corner of his mouth.

More dishes arrived shortly after. Elian brought them in one by one.

"Please enjoy, Sect Master and Your Highness. I'll take my leave."

"Go."

With that, Elian withdrew and closed the door.

Luca flicked his finger, and a faint ripple spread outward, sealing the room in a soundproof barrier.

"Morwen," Kara said quietly, "you may go out. I'll drink with His Highness."

Morwen's body stiffened.

She clenched her teeth, clearly unwilling, but finally nodded.

"…Understood."

She stood up—

"Did I say you could leave?"

Luca's voice suddenly cut in.

Morwen froze.

"You stay," Luca said lightly. "Tonight, I'll drink with both master and disciple."

He pulled over another chair and placed it at the table.

Morwen instinctively looked at Kara.

Kara's heart was heavy, but she could only nod.

In a distant room, Ethan observed everything through his perception.

"Well, Luca," he chuckled softly, "you really want to eat the master-and-disciple rice bowl."

How could he possibly let that happen?

Back in Kara's room, Luca poured three cups of wine.

The liquid was light blue, clear and glossy, carrying a faint floral fragrance. It looked refined and harmless.

"Please," Luca said, pushing two cups forward.

Kara stared at the wine.

The surface rippled gently.

Nothing unusual could be seen.

But her instincts screamed danger.

"Why?" Luca laughed. "Afraid I poisoned you?"

"What a joke. If I wanted you, would I need poison?"

He casually swapped his cup with Kara's and drained it in one gulp.

"Your turn, Sect Master."

At that moment, Ethan's voice rang out again.

"You're right. There is something in the wine—but I can deal with it. Drink."

Kara's eyes flickered.

Without further hesitation, she lifted the cup and drank it down.

Across from her, Luca's lips curved into an almost imperceptible sneer.

"Hahaha. Very good," he said warmly.

"It's rare for Sect Master Kara to trust me like this."

He stood up.

"That's enough for tonight. We'll meet again in three months."

With a wave of his hand, a purple jade plaque floated toward Kara.

"The Sage Token I promised you. Keep it."

Kara accepted it, her heart sinking further.

Luca's sudden restraint only deepened her unease.

"Leaving already, Your Highness?" she asked coldly.

"Just one drink, and you're done? Or is the wine poisonous?"

Luca laughed as he turned away.

"I'll say it again—if I wanted to do something to you, would I need poison?"

With that, he walked out.

Kara followed him to the corridor and watched his figure disappear into the night.

Only after confirming his aura had fully vanished did she return to the room.

She shut the doors and windows and set up multiple barriers.

"Master, how is it?" Morwen asked anxiously.

"This wine was poisoned," Kara said grimly as she sat cross-legged.

Morwen followed suit, sitting opposite her.

They circulated their demonic energy, trying to force the alcohol out.

But the effect was minimal.

The poison Luca had used was already deeply integrated into their bodies—colorless, odorless, silent.

"Master," Morwen whispered, "are you sure? I can't feel anything…"

As soon as the words left her mouth, her expression changed.

A scorching heat surged up from her dantian.

The sensation spread—downward, then upward—rushing toward her mind.

Within minutes, her breathing grew rapid.

Her cheeks flushed.

Her lips parted unconsciously.

Her mouth opened slightly, and a faint mist slowly spread through the air.

A/N:

Extra chapters

100 power stones - 1 Extra chapters

200 power stones - 2 Extra chapters

Massage Chair - 1 Extra chapters

Luxury Car - 2 Extra Chapters

Dragon - 5 Extra Chapters

Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters

...

Thanks for the Magic Castle: @Zunsin

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