Chapter 119 - - 119 - The Heavenly Marrow

Chapter 119: Chapter - 119 - The Heavenly Marrow

Beyond the threshold of the massive stone doors lay a vast, shadowed hall dominated by a modest rocky cliff. Perched atop the peak sat a single vessel—an intricately crafted glass vial encased in delicate, swirling silverwork. Inside, a dense golden liquid glowed with an ethereal inner warmth, casting soft illumination across the surrounding stone.

Lucien approached with measured, quiet steps. He climbed the short ascent and reached out, his fingers closing around the cold glass. The moment his touch settled on the vial, a series of glowing blue prompts flashed directly before his vision.

[Heavenly Marrow Acquired]

[Heavenly Marrow is not produced by ordinary cultivators. It forms slowly within the remains of ancient beings who have survived heavenly tribulations over countless millennia.]

[Effect 1: Marrow Tempering – Reconstructs and tempers the cultivator’s bone marrow, vastly increasing physical durability and foundation energy.]

[Effect 2: Bloodline Purification – Draws out latent genetic potential and dormant ancestral traits.]

[Effect 3: Physique Enhancement – Acts as an evolutionary catalyst for physical forms.]

[Primary Application: Stabilizes realm masters who possess multiple or conflicting physiques.]

[Warning: Refinement places extreme pressure on the physical structure. If the cultivator’s body lacks sufficient strength, the bones will collapse immediately under the burden.]

"No wonder something this rare was hidden in a place like this," Lucien murmured, his fingers tightening around the vial.

"So... that is the Heavenly Marrow?"

Aelene’s voice drifted from behind him as she stepped closer, her eyes locked on the faint golden glow in his hands.

Lucien turned slowly, a faint, mocking smile touching his lips. "It is. And I have no intention of giving it to anyone—not to Prince Rumil, not to you, and not to anyone else."

Aelene did not reach for her weapon. She stopped just a foot away, studying his face with sharp, evaluating eyes. "I am not interested in fighting you for it anymore. But I deserve some honest answers, don’t you think?" She crossed her arms, her posture shifting from cautious rival to something far more probing. "Who are you really, ’Axel’? What is your true realm?"

After spending this time with him, she knew the persona he wore was nothing more than a thin mask. Lucien had executed Beiro brutally—not out of desperation or lack of options, but because he genuinely enjoyed the act of slaughter. He hadn’t bothered to hide that dark thrill from her, either. Someone capable of standing tall against ancient horrors and walking through deadly dungeons with total composure was no mere wandering traveler.

Lucien closed the gap between them until only a breath separated their faces. "Why the sudden curiosity? Lost interest in your precious Prince Rumil?"

Aelene didn’t flinch. She met his gaze directly, her voice dropping into a low, smooth whisper. "I was never interested in him. Power is the only thing I have ever sought. I played my role well enough, standing right beside the future ruler of Azurefall... but now I am standing in front of someone who isn’t bound by a kingdom, a crown, or useless morality. There is no law that can hold you back. I simply want to see how far someone like you can go—and who you truly are right now."

Lucien smiled, a low, cold sound escaping his chest. "I am Lucien Vale, from Valtheria. As for my cultivation... I am in the Abyss Core Realm."

A subtle flicker of surprise crossed Aelene’s eyes before settling into deep fascination. "Lucien Vale... I have heard that name. The youngest genius to ever achieve the peak of the Spirit Forge Realm. And now you’ve reached the Abyss Core."

Lucien’s hand moved smoothly, reaching out to grip her waist. His fingers dug firmly into her bare skin, pulling her soft body against his chest until every curve was pressed tight against him.

"So," Lucien murmured into her ear, his breath warm against her neck, "are you going to try and stop me?"

Aelene let out a soft breath, her heart beating faster against his ribs. "No. I have no desire to die like Beiro. Besides... I have my own ambitions. I just never found anyone who could actually understand them. Looking at you now, it feels like those ambitions might not be so impossible after all."

"And what are these ambitions of yours?" Lucien asked, his fingers trailing down her spine before settling on the curve of her hip.

"Don’t worry," Aelene whispered, her palm sliding up the fabric of his robes to rest flat over his chest, feeling the steady thump of his heartbeat. "When the time is right, you’ll find out."

"Careful," Lucien replied, his tone laced with dark amusement. "If I find you interesting enough when that moment comes, I might actually decide to help you fulfill them."

He shifted his weight, his large hand moving down to cup her rear, his fingers squeezing the soft flesh through her dress with possessive, unyielding force. A sharp gasp escaped Aelene’s lips at the sudden, firm pressure. Her thighs trembled slightly as she instinctively pressed herself closer against him, her body reacting to the crude power he held over her.

Lucien glanced past her shoulder toward the corridor outside, his head tilting slightly. "Well... it seems your fiancé has finally arrived."

Aelene leaned into him, her head resting near his neck as a breathless laugh left her lips. "Ahh... well, it seems he is far too late. I’ve already fallen for someone else."

"You expect me to believe a word of that?" Lucien chuckled, his other hand coming down to grip her other buttock, his palms kneading her ruthlessly, molding her body right up against his groin.

Aelene flushed, a soft groan catching in her throat as his calloused hands worked her skin through her clothes. She slid one hand downward, letting her fingers trail down his torso until they rested over the solid, growing heat beneath his trousers. She caressed the heavy length through the fabric, her thumb lightly tracing the shape of his hard weapon.

"You seem to be enjoying my touch just fine," Aelene purred, her hips shifting instinctively against his hand, seeking the friction.

Lucien’s grip tightened further, pulling her flush against his solid frame until she could feel the full, unyielding size of his arousal pressing hard against her abdomen. He leaned down, pressing his lips close to her ear, his voice rough and low. "Don’t worry. I’ll make sure to enjoy every bit of you very soon."

Before she could answer, heavy, hurried footsteps echoed down the stone passage outside.

Aelene immediately pulled back, her expressions shifting in an instant as she staggered toward a dark corner of the room. She collapsed onto her knees against the stone wall, her head buried in her hands as genuine-sounding sobs began to wrack her body. Lucien, without missing a beat, tossed the empty glass fragments of a broken decorative container onto the stone floor near the cliff and stood over them with a look of grim frustration.

Seconds later, Caelia, Prince Rumil, Princess Lysandra, and Aelvera burst through the ruined doorway, weapons drawn and breathing heavily.

Rumil’s eyes scanned the room, landing first on Lucien and then on the crying form of Aelene in the corner. "Axel! Aelene! You’re both alright!"

Rumil rushed forward, completely bypassing the shattered glass, and threw his arms around Lucien in a tight embrace. "I’m so glad you’re safe, my friend! Thank you... thank you for protecting Aelene, the love of my life." He released Lucien and looked down at the glittering glass dust on the floor, his face falling. "What... what happened here?"

Lucien stepped forward, bowing his head slightly, his expression heavy with fake guilt. "It... it was my fault, Prince Rumil. We reached this chamber, but opening the inner seal required a sacrifice. Beiro... he insisted that he was the weakest among us. He said he should be the one to give his life for the kingdom, for the future of Azurefall. He was a true realm master. He asked me to strike his neck so it would be quick... I tried to make it as painless as possible."

Lucien gestured toward the broken glass scattered across the rocks. "But by the time we breached the threshold, the structural collapse had already occurred. The Heavenly Marrow was sitting on that ledge, and a falling stone struck the vial. It shattered before we could save it."

Rumil let out a heavy sigh, his face filled with sorrow. He walked over to the corner and gently knelt beside Aelene, taking her hand into his own. "Don’t cry, Aelene. Beiro sacrificed himself for the greater good of the realm. His soul will find peace knowing he served his kingdom to the very end. Your disciple died a hero."

Caelia stepped up to the edge of the cliff, looking at the golden residue drying on the bare rock. "It seems the entity’s final tremors shook the chamber and broke the container. A tragic loss..."

Princess Lysandra walked up slowly, her sharp eyes scanning Lucien from head to toe. "So you are the famous ’Axel’?"

Lucien gave a respectful nod. "I am, my lady."

Lysandra crossed her arms, a look of mild disappointment on her face. "I heard quite a few interesting rumors about you, but seeing a broken vial and empty hands... I must say, I am rather unimpressed. Though, I suppose a structural collapse isn’t entirely your fault."

Realizing that the Heavenly Marrow was destroyed and there was nothing left of value inside the dungeon, the group had no reason to stay. The ancient ruins had become nothing more than a hollow shell of stone.

An hour later, the party emerged into the open air. The sun was setting over the horizon, painting the sky in deep shades of orange and purple.

Lysandra stretched her arms casually, turning her back on the dungeon entrance. "Well, little brother," she said, glancing at Rumil with a smirk, "it seems we both came out of this useless trip with empty hands."

Rumil adjusted his cloak, puffing out his chest with visible pride. "I am not competing with you, Lysandra. My position is already secure. Everyone knows I will be the future ruler of Azurefall."

His voice carried a clear tone of arrogance, though no one present took his declaration seriously—except himself.

Lysandra simply rolled her eyes. "Loser."

She turned her gaze back toward Lucien, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Axel... I find myself somewhat interested in you. How about this? I heard that Aelvera is currently looking for some foolish man-eater beast in the eastern woods. I want you to go with her and assist her."

Before Lucien could speak, she waved her hand dismissively. "And don’t worry, it won’t be for free. You will be compensated thoroughly." Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked away. It wasn’t a request—it was an absolute decree from a member of the royal family.

Aelvera paused for a moment beside Lucien, giving him a cold, sharp glare. "Just make sure you don’t get in my way," she muttered before turning to follow Lysandra.

’Bitch,’ Lucien thought silently, watching her back as she walked off.

Caelia smoothed down her robes and stepped up beside him, her face filled with quiet determination. "This marks the end of my journey here as well. I must return to my clan immediately and report everything that transpired. I will not let Elyra’s name die in obscurity this time. I will make sure the whole world remembers her."

’People and their absurd obsessions,’ Lucien mused, maintaining a polite nod. "Safe travels, Lady Caelia."

Rumil gently pulled Aelene up by her hand, looking at her with concern. "Should we head back to the estate as well, my love?"

Aelene leaned against his arm, leaning heavily into her act, looking pale and exhausted. "Yes... I am so tired, Prince Rumil. I just want some time alone to rest. I am truly sorry, but I won’t be able to accompany you for dinner tonight..."

’This bitch’s acting is a ten out of ten,’ Lucien thought, amused by the scene playing out before him. ’And Rumil’s stupidity is even higher.’

Rumil squeezed her hand reassuringly before turning to Lucien. "We must depart, my friend. It feels as though we’ve spent an eternity inside that terrible place. Let us go hunting together tomorrow morning."

"Of course, Prince Rumil," Lucien replied with a smooth smile. "I will be waiting."

’Hunting sounds fine,’ Lucien thought as the prince led Aelene away. ’Though right now, I just need a moment to settle things—even if my physique prevents me from ever feeling true fatigue.’

Later that evening, Lucien made his way back through the bustling streets to the quiet, cheap inn located on the outer edge of the city. He walked up the wooden stairs, his boots making light thuds against the floorboards, and stopped in front of the door at the end of the hall.

He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Sitting around the small wooden table were Princess Verna, Norrik, and Anne. All three immediately stood up, their eyes fixing on him the moment he entered the room.

Lucien closed the door behind him, locking it with a quiet click. He looked around at his allies, a cold, confident expression settling onto his face.

"Well..." Lucien said softly, stepping into the center of the room. "I hope everyone is ready for Phase 3."