Crystal core 4 a litrpg.., p.48
Crystal Core 4: A Litrpg Cultivation Adventure, page 48
“To be fair,” I said, “they committed an unpardonable crime, attacking not only me, but the entire council.”
“There are still good people in the sect; I know it. And so I both want to save them and bring those who participated in the attack—or even knew about it and did nothing to stop it—to justice. The sect will be gutted by the time this is over, but I’d like to save something of it, even if only to prove that the Baku sect can be run better than the way my father ran it.”
I considered her words for a long moment. She had so many emotional conflicts related to this, but I didn’t care as much about that as I did about the effect this would have on our ability to push the horde back. That may sound cold, but if I was leading, then I’d be decisive.
“The task is yours… on one condition. I want you to take Fera with you. I think she’s feeling rather uncomfortable and could use a purpose. That and, of course, you’ll need to work with Dryden as your banlu, along with the rest of the council.”
“It shall be as my husband says.”
She rested her head against me again and we lingered in the air for a few minutes more. The next few months were set to be tumultuous, but in this moment, I felt peace.
_______________________
Later that night, after all the meetings with nobles, sect heads, and even the King were over, I was finally on my way to my room in the tower. There had even been dancing, as the King had insisted that the people needed to celebrate. The attack had dampened the mood, but once free food and drink were rolled out, the city turned into a giant party—one which, from the sounds of it, was still going on outside in the streets.
All such thoughts were pushed aside after entering my chambers when Amaya came out of the bathroom. Her ornate wedding dress and the dancing dress she’d changed into later were gone. The night gown she wore now didn’t cover nearly as much as either of those dresses.
It enticed the eye without revealing more than it wanted to.
I stammered, “You… you are gorgeous.”
Amaya’s eyes fell to her feet. “You’ve got Lian, husband. You can’t possibly think that I am gorgeous next to her.”
I shook my head and held out my hand, pulling her to me and then onto the bed beside me. “But I do. Can’t you feel the truth of my words?”
Our secondary connection had grown stronger. She nodded to confirm that she knew I meant it. “I just feel inadequate next to your other wives. Elu is so capable and just so… in charge. She is a born leader. I never thought I’d lead anything more than tea parties until my father and uncle died.”
“Elu is great,” I agreed, “but so are you. I’ve seen your skill at administration. Trust me, I’m the one with no knack for it.”
“But what about Kumo, she’s so vibrant, passionate, and alive? I can’t compare to…”
I pushed my finger against her lips to silence her. “A wise woman once told me that no woman wants to hear about their sister wives when they are alone with their husband. I think that rule should apply for the rest of the evening. For tonight, there is only one woman in all the world for me. She is a beautiful star casting light on all beneath her. She is brilliant, brave, and capable. She is breathtaking to behold and stunning to feel.”
As if to drive my point home, I pulled her into me.
“But I… I don’t have a yin to gift you. You won’t gain any power from… this.”
I smothered her mouth with kisses until she had to pull back to suck in a lungful of air. While she did, I said, “Trust me, I’ll gain all that I need from… this.”
Then I pushed her onto her back and began to show her just what I wanted from her. Two bodies became one, and we united in ways that transcended cultivation. Yin and Yang were immaterial. Together, we made a whole.
_______________________
Elu sat leading her own little council a floor below where she hoped their newest sister was experiencing the greatest pleasure of her life, the council of the Hero’s wives.
“Are we agreed?”
Lian and Kumo looked at each other before the former said, “Yes, big sister.”
Kumo added, “I still think we should have included Neki and maybe Lumi in this meeting. Amaya, too, although I expect she’s a bit too busy for a meeting right about now… with any luck, she won’t be able to form a coherent thought.” A giggle escaped her cupid’s bow lips.
Elu shook her head. She enjoyed the physical part of her relationship with Ryan as much as Kumo did, but she didn’t feel a need to talk about it all the time. For now, she simply chose to ignore the petite assassin and moved on.
“Neki and Lumi aren’t wives—yet. And while I don’t question their loyalty, there is still a distinction. But to sum things up, we all have our tasks.”
Lian nodded. “I’m going to lead the hunt for the Baku, taking Fera with me as our husband requested. We will slay those who are guilty and bring the rest to heel. The sect heads have already promised me any assistance that I need, and with Dryden forming a domain, he should be able to stand up to most threats that we will face.”
Kumo smiled. “I get the fun part. I’m to stay close to Ryan and protect him from any attacks he doesn’t see coming. Neki is going to help me, since she’s next in line after Amaya, and she’ll need to get his attention.”
She grinned, as though she’d saved the best part for last, “I almost forgot my other task.” She rubbed her stomach. “I’m creating another anchor for the Hero.”
Elu patted her sister wife’s arm. “I know you’ve been wanting this for a while. Thank you for being patient and not pressuring Ryan before he was ready. I wish that I didn’t worry about my own plans to have a baby in this tumultuous time, but the appearance of the Baku founder raises many questions about potential dangers that we never considered.”
She laid a hand on her own, rock-hard abdomen. “I didn’t even realize there were S-ranked cultivators from several of the clans in seclusion. The Yandao has one, and my father and I are going to approach him. I’m certain that some of the other clans will be waking their founders, as well. The next few months are going to be extremely dangerous, but I can’t afford to sit them out like we originally planned.”
Lian nodded in agreement.
Kumo said, “Don’t worry, elder sister. I’ll keep our husband safe. Like you, being pregnant won’t even distract me until towards the very end. Besides, Neki is as protective of Ryan as any of us. She won’t let any danger get close.”
Elu sighed. “I know you will do your best, but you cannot deny that our husband attracts dangers like spilled milk attracts ants. Both you and Neki will have your hands full. Let Amaya help you.”
Kumo nodded.
“I did not have much time to speak with her, but she will run the household while I am gone. Go to her in my stead and ask for any support you need. Oh, and regarding Amaya, remember to keep spreading the story we worked up.”
Lian agreed, “Yes, that Amaya gained yin energy when Ryan turned her into a cultivator. It will add to the myth of the hero.”
Kumo chimed in, “And it will keep the council from trying to worm another woman into his bed—at least for a while. If they think he’s already made commitments to seven women with yin energy, then the appeal of another will be that much less.”
The three of them sat in silence for a long moment, each pondering her role in what was to come. There was a tension in the air that none of them could shake. One way or another, several pending threats would be resolved before either Kumo or Elu would give birth to the Hero’s children.
Fate weighed heavily upon each of them, but most heavily on their husband.
Epilogue - Enemies and Enemies
Chiang Baku dropped to the ground when his technique ended. He’d traveled hundreds of miles in a flash and escaped that… well, he wasn’t quite sure what the Hero was. But he did know one thing, it wasn’t natural. No one who hadn’t properly ascended should have that sort of power. In fact, if Chiang was right—and he almost always was, with his eons of experience—then the Hero hadn’t even possessed a domain before their little battle.
To think that he’d pushed the man to a breakthrough, and that his power had been so unpredictable was baffling and humiliating. Chiang found he didn’t like either result. He would have been furious, but he was so exhausted that he didn’t have the strength for it.
He could only mumble curses under his breath. Although it was uncertain who he was cursing more, the Hero or himself for rushing in like a young master and not knowing what he was facing. He’d been a fool to trust that so-called sect head.
But now, the Baku clan would be in disarray.
That wouldn’t do. The Baku clan and sect were his legacy, one he would not let fade. But first, he needed to recover. Whatever accursed technique the boy had used on him there at the end left him feeling like his insides had been shredded. It didn’t matter that his health was full or that he could cycle his mana without limitation; he felt raw and couldn’t explain why.
Worse, he hadn’t recognized any type of mana in the technique—which could only mean that it was part of that mysterious energy used on the higher planes. What he did know, was that the Hero’s mana possessed an impossible degree of purity. Just brushing up against it as they had fought, left Chiang thirsty to experience it again.
Perhaps that boy’s mana held the secret to the next stage of ascension. Either, way, he needed to rest. And then, he would gather allies. The Hero might have defeated Chiang, but he wouldn’t let it haunt him. He would come back stronger than ever.
He forced his aching body to stand and looked around. He appeared to be in some massive graveyard. He didn’t remember it from before he went into seclusion, so it must have popped up some time in the past thousand years.
There was the stench of undeath here, which made Chiang’s skin crawl.
Looking around, he saw a tower in the center of the graveyard. It gave off an ominous feeling, but appeared to be abandoned. Chiang would just have to clean it out, and then he would claim it for a temporary base.
It was time to get to work; only then could he rest.
What Chiang didn’t notice were the eyes of a greater undead on him. The crypt ghast was still coming to terms with her new existence, but she recognized a rich food source when she saw one. She needed to play this carefully, but twisting men to her will was sort of her thing.
She was the Widow, after all.
This is the end of Crysal Core 4
The adventures of Ryan and his team will continue in Crystal Core 5 with an anticipated release date of December 2nd, 2024.
Stats at the End of Book 4
The stats presented her represent the state of the characters at the end of book 4. Ryan’s wives have all made significant, but as that last notification indicated, their gains were not uniform and seem to have balanced their level of power.
Name: Ryan Nexum
Race: Human-Summoned-Transformed-Modron
Racial Grade: B (Upgradeable)
Bloodlines:
Modron-Secundi 45% (Divine)
1) Body Weaponry (Minor)
2) Body Equilibrium (Minor)
3) Bio-Feedback (Minor)
Draconic Transformed 10% (Legendary)
Primal Winter Bloodline 15% (Legendary)
??????
??????
Strength: 2843
Agility: 2786
Vitality: 3566
Durability: 2969
Endurance: 2946
Perception: 3172
Composite Cultivation Rank: A-Peak
Mana Concentration: Crystal – SS-Rank 86% (Late)
Current Mana: 7,840 / ?????
Mana Purity: Perfect (SSS+)
Mana Absorption: +269%
Current passive mana absorption rate: 5.4mana per minute.
Current active mana absorption rate: 50.7 mana per minute.
Active in Cultivation Circle*: 240 mana per minute
* with Primary Connections: 270.0 mana per minute
Mana conversion rate: 450,000 mana per minute
Mana Channels: S - Mid
Meridians (16/16)
Limb: 8/8 (projection 15.5%)
Left Upper: Left Hand, Left Shoulder (15.5%)
Right Upper: Right Hand, Right Shoulder (15.5%)
Left Lower: Left Ankle, Left Hip (15.5%)
Right Lower: Right Ankle, Right Hip (15.5%)
Core: 8/8
Groin: Control of all reproductive functions is nearly absolute.
Lungs: Mana circulation +100% and control of mana for augmentation techniques +35%
Brain: Significantly increases mana and aura control while also allowing for direction control over most biological functions. Use of mana for augmentation techniques +45%
Heart: Enhanced Mana Flow and Adaptation.
Eye: Your eyes now have the ability to see more than just the physical of the material plane. You will be able to see across realms, space, and time.
Stomach: Endows Rock Gut ability.
Throat: Enables Voice of the Law ability; projection +22.5%.
Spine: Effectiveness of Body Equilibrium, Bio-Feedback, and Mental Clarity disciplines increased by +15%. You feel more complete.
Affinity: Neutral
Pseudo-Affinities:
Earth (Elu)
Death & Shadow (Kumo)
Sky & Ice (Lian)
Lightning (Lindor)
Techniques:
Sensory Recall
Disrupting Fist
Physical Damage Boost: 568%
Physical Resistance Boost: 440%
Elemental Resistance Boost: 644%
Inflicts: Mana Disruption, Vertigo, Fatigue
Null Form: Strips all mana from even physical objects
Ethereal Step: Movement technique based upon Kumo’s bloodline
Pseudo-Earth Techniques (Connection to Elu):
Stone Fist
Physical Damage Boost: 380%
Physical Resistance Boost: 420%
Elemental Resistance Boost: 175%
Inflicts: Concussed
Embrace of the Mother
Movement Decrease: 15%
Durability Increase: +150%
Blunt Resistance: 10%
Slashing Resistance: 25%
Piercing Resistance: 15%
Elemental Resistance: 5%
Weight of the Mountain
Pseudo-Fire Techniques: (Absorption- Null Form)
Silver Fire Bolt
Silver Flame Skin
Pseudo-Shadow Techniques (Connection to Kumo):
Shadow Glide: Movement technique
Shadow Whip: Form a whip out of mana
Pseudo-Death Techniques (Connection to Kumo):
Vitality Suppression: Suppress your foe’s health regeneration
Pseudo-Sky Techniques (Connection to Lian)
Ride the Winds
Gusting Deflection
Pseudo-Ice Techniques (Connection to Lian)
Winter’s Reign
Ice Burst
Pseudo-Lightning Techniques (Connection to Lindor)
Flash Step
Body Tempering:
Celestial – Complete: You are resistant to radiant energy below B-rank. Resistance decreases by 15% per additional rank (85% for B-rank; 70% for A-rank; 55% for S-rank and 40% for any source above S-rank).
Flame Touched – Complete: 100% resistance to A ranked or lower Fire Mana and 50% resistance to S ranked.
Poison Blood - Your blood becomes poisonous to any not connected to you. Currently, Peak B ranked poison capable of causing a breakdown of organic material or corrosion of inorganics.
Skin 100%
Flesh 100%
Bone 10%
Ice Flow – Temperatures below freezing and above fifty below zero have no impact on you. Resistance decreases by 1% for every two degrees below that.
Skin 100%
Flesh 100%
Bone 17%
Wind Walker – Increased flight speed and maneuverability while in the air.
Skin: 100%
Flesh: 100%
Bone: 14%
Pull of the Earth (Gravity and Earth) – Increased pull and connection with anything touching the ground within 500 feet.
Skin: 100%
Flesh: 100:
Bone: 22%
Body Tempering: Orcish
Blood: Berserker 2
Aura: A - S+
Aura Manipulation: A - Low
Intents:
To Save Life - +10% to all stats while trying to save another’s life.
Refusal to Accept Things as They Are - +15% chance to bend the natural laws of the Divided Realms.
Free the World – Combines with other intents to form Grand Intent.
Grand Intent: Defy the Heavens, Free the Masses - Immunity to control in this realm; 50% resistance to control in other realms.
Traits:
Defiant 1 — +25% to resist aura suppression
Life Expectancy: +60%
Connections:
Primary:
Lianhua Nexum
Eluanshi Nexum
Shikumo Nexum
Secondary:
Nekita Nexum
Lumina Nexum
Tertiary:
Soul Oath - Darla Nexum
Subordinate’s Oath - Fieri Nexum, Fumian Nexum, Fera Nexum, Pasat Nexum, Kosar Nexum, Dryden Nexum, Lindor Nexum, , Valdoc Nexum, Dara Nexum, Naro Nexum, Kelvin Nexum
Derivative Cultivator: 62/250
Marc Hidego
Amayakasa Bara
10 House Bara Glyph Bodyguards (Amaya)
50 House Bara Glyph Warriors
Quests: None Pending
Equipment:
Spatial Storage Ring (B Rank) 25’x25’x25’
100 stackable slots
Contents: ????
1 bottle: 10 x C rank Everlasting Pills of Quickening
Nexum Key
Brocaded Glyph Worked Vest (Masterwork):
Active Effects:
Warded Bubble - Creates a protective sphere around the wearer. This bubble is capable of absorbing a single blow from an S-ranked entity.
Mana cost: 300
