The group left Azure City at first light. Five beautiful women walked beside Walter as they headed toward the misty mountains northeast of the city.
The Hidden Demon Ruins were an ancient site said to contain powerful treasures and lost dual cultivation techniques. Many cultivators had entered, but few returned unchanged.
Walter felt strong at Foundation Establishment Stage 1. The quintuple bond gave him constant energy support.
Sylvara walked on his left, icy aura calm. "These ruins are dangerous. Demonic beasts and trap arrays are common."
Vespera stayed close on his right, gentle healing qi ready. "I'll keep everyone's injuries light."
Thalira grinned, sword at her hip. "Good. I need a real fight."
Calyria adjusted a storage ring full of new pills. "My new alchemy insights from our bond should help create better recovery pills."
Nyxara stuck closest to Walter, her crimson-streaked hair swaying. She kept shooting possessive glances at the other girls but stayed civil. "If anything tries to touch what's mine, I'll burn it to ash."
Walter smiled. "Stay sharp, everyone. The system promised good rewards here."
The system chimed as they entered the misty forest leading to the ruins.
[New Mission: Explore the Hidden Demon Ruins]
[Main Objective: Claim a Dual Cultivation Treasure]
[Bonus: Find and bond with the sixth harem member hinted inside]
The goddess's voice teased him. "The next one is feisty and ancient-blooded. You'll enjoy claiming her."
They reached the ruins entrance by midday. Crumbling black stone pillars covered in demonic runes marked the way. A faint red mist hung in the air.
As they stepped inside, the temperature dropped. Strange whispers echoed through the corridors.
A low growl sounded ahead. Three demonic wolf beasts — Foundation Establishment level — leaped out, eyes glowing red.
"Finally!" Thalira shouted, drawing her sword in a blaze of phoenix flame.
Walter moved with her. "Together!"
He used Crimson Demon Flame Slash, mixing his new technique with Sylvara's ice and Thalira's fire. The attack cut through the first wolf, freezing and burning it at the same time.
Nyxara laughed wildly and unleashed crimson flames from her palms, incinerating the second beast.
Calyria threw a newly refined explosive pill that burst in green fire, weakening the third. Vespera supported everyone with healing waves, keeping their qi stable.
The fight ended quickly. Walter absorbed the beasts' demonic cores, adding small boosts to his energy.
"Nice teamwork," he said, breathing steady. "The bonds are making us much stronger together."
Deeper into the ruins, they found a large chamber with a glowing altar in the center. On it rested a beautiful jade slip pulsing with dual cultivation energy — the Eternal Bond Codex.
But guarding it was a massive demonic serpent at Core Formation level. Its scales shimmered with ancient power.
"This one's stronger," Walter warned. "We need to work as a team."
The serpent attacked, spitting corrosive poison. Vespera quickly neutralized it with her healing qi. Sylvara froze its lower body with ice. Thalira and Nyxara attacked from the sides with flame strikes. Calyria tossed support pills that boosted everyone's speed and power.
Walter channeled all five bonds at once. Ice, healing, phoenix fire, alchemy essence, and demonic flame merged into one powerful strike.
Quintuple Bond Technique: Harmony Flame Strike!
A multicolored beam of energy slammed into the serpent's head. The beast roared once before collapsing, its core shattering.
The group cheered. Walter walked up to the altar and claimed the Eternal Bond Codex. The jade slip dissolved into his mind, granting new knowledge.
[Mission Partially Completed]
[Eternal Bond Codex Acquired]
[New Technique Unlocked: Shared Pleasure Link – All harem members can share sensations and power remotely]
[Sixth Harem Member Hint: She is trapped deeper in the ruins – a proud ancient bloodline princess]
Suddenly, a soft feminine voice echoed from a side passage.
"Help… please…"
The group moved carefully toward the sound. In a sealed crystal chamber, they found a beautiful young woman floating inside. She had long silver-gold hair, delicate horns on her forehead, and glowing rainbow-colored eyes. Her body was curvaceous and elegant, wrapped in ancient tattered robes.
She was Lunara Veilheart, an ancient hybrid spirit-phoenix princess sealed here centuries ago.
The system went wild.
[High Potential Target Detected: Lunara Veilheart]
[Bloodline: Ancient Spirit Phoenix (Legendary)]
[Special Physique: Rainbow Harmony Body – Perfect for large harem synergy]
[Bonding Reward: Massive multi-element power boost + harem harmony increase]
Lunara's eyes opened and locked onto Walter. "You… have multiple bonds already. Strong ones. Only you can break this seal with dual cultivation energy. Please… free me. I will serve you loyally."
Nyxara narrowed her eyes possessively but didn't object. The other girls watched with interest.
Walter stepped forward. "I'll free you, Lunara. But once you're out, you become mine. Completely."
Lunara's cheeks flushed, but she nodded. "Yes… I accept. My ancient bloodline will be yours."
Walter placed his hands on the crystal. He channeled energy from all five current bonds through the new Shared Pleasure Link. The girls outside the chamber felt faint echoes of pleasure as he worked.
The crystal glowed brightly and shattered. Lunara floated into his arms, weak but beautiful.
"Thank you," she whispered, leaning against him. "Now… complete the bond so I can recover fully."
The sixth flower was right in front of him.
Walter smiled. The Hidden Demon Ruins had delivered exactly what he needed.