LOST CULTIVATION METHODS

The sun hadn't yet risen, but the room was bathed in golden warmth.

Jin stirred.

Soft breaths surrounded him. A gentle weight rested on his chest, silky hair tickling his jaw. Another form curled against his side, and one more lay with an arm draped lazily over his stomach.

The sheets were a mess. The air carried the lingering scent of firewood… and passion.

Jin blinked slowly, memories of the night surfacing like waves on a quiet lake.

Arielle's trembling voice as she kissed him, whispering that it would help…

Lila's tear-filled gaze, her lips on his neck…

Sarah's shyness melting into bold affection…

The girls had understood what the system could not say directly—that the only way to stabilize Jin's body after unleashing both his Dragon and Blood Demon bloodlines was to release his yang essence, his core vitality.

And so, under the flickering glow of candlelight, they gave him their hearts.

It wasn't just carnal. It was sacred.

It had saved his life.

Jin gently rose, untangling himself with care. His feet touched the cool floor, and his body groaned—not in pain, but in heaviness. He felt stronger, more stable… yet a part of him was afraid of what might have happened without them.

He turned to look at the three sleeping beauties.

Arielle's skin glowed faintly with draconic resonance.

Lila's golden lashes fluttered with each breath, the blanket barely covering her lithe frame.

Sarah lay smiling in her sleep, as though her dreams had been nothing but peace.

He whispered, "Thank you."

The day did not wait.

Jin dressed and limped out into the morning mist.

Funeral pyres had already begun.

He attended each one in silence, kneeling with the families, bowing to the fallen, and personally helping carry some of the bodies to the fire.

Valeria had held. But it had cost them.

The wounded were brought to clinics. Jin instructed the healers with enhanced elven techniques, helping stabilize those who were critical.

He watched a young boy cling to his injured mother. "Please don't die, Mama."

Jin reached out, channeling warmth through his fingers, stabilizing her pulse.

"She won't," he promised.

Then came recovery.

All the fallen beast corpses were gathered. Jin opened a processing facility using his blacksmith knowledge and system blueprints.

[New Building Constructed: Beast Material Refinery – Tier 1]

Allows processing of bones, pelts, cores, and special organs for tools, weapons, and alchemy.

A factory line began under his command. Bones for spearheads. Pelts for armor. Cores stored in crystal vaults.

The system pinged:

[Next Beast Horde in: 25 Days]

Suggested Action: Increase Population. Expand Training Base. Boost Wall Defenses.

With time short, Jin assembled his generals.

"We need more people. Survivors, craftsmen, anyone. There are families hiding in the forest. And slaves in other cities who deserve freedom and purpose."

They all nodded.

The next morning, Jin set out toward the nearest fortified city, 300 kilometers away.

He rode hard, accompanied by General Riven, the archery commander, and Gorvan, the infantry leader.

On the way, they saw scorched villages, burned carts, families huddled in ruin.

The aftermath of the horde was everywhere.

"They didn't stand a chance," Gorvan muttered.

"Because they had no one to stand with," Jin replied, jaw clenched.

By sunset, they arrived at Kavan's Gate City.

The walls were high. Guard towers manned. Trade bustling.

But not a single crack in sight.

"Looks like they dodged the horde," Riven said quietly.

"Or paid to avoid it," Jin muttered.

At the gate, a guard blocked them.

"Entry is 3 silver per person. No exceptions."

Jin frowned. "Why?"

"Repairs from the beast horde. City needs funds."

He looked around. Not a broken stone in sight.

Behind him, a caravan of merchants grumbled.

Then a silk-draped sedan passed right through the gate, no inspection, no payment.

"Why's he allowed in free?" someone shouted.

"That's Mayor Siven's son. He's exempt," the guard said with a bored shrug.

The crowd boiled with anger.

Jin exhaled, tightening his fist—but released it.

He paid without complaint. "Not today. We've bled enough already."

The guards let them pass.

They entered and went straight to the market district, where Jin met an old contact: Boss Lu, the city's top slave merchant.

A portly man with a sharp tongue and sharper instincts, he grinned when he saw Jin.

"Ah, Lord Valeria! Word travels fast. You want workers? Fighters? Healers? I've got 200 fresh stock—survivors, wanderers, even a few rogue mages."

"I'll take them," Jin said.

Boss Lu blinked. "No haggling?"

"I'm tired. 200 gold."

"Done," Boss Lu replied, almost suspicious of how fast it went.

Jin gave instructions to have them ready for transport in the morning.

Exhausted, Jin and his group went to the Red Lantern Inn.

He booked two rooms—one for the women, one for himself and Gorvan.

As he handed over payment, a voice behind him sneered, "Move, peasant."

A shoulder slammed into Jin's back.

He turned.

It was the same arrogant youth from the sedan—Mayor Siven's son. Surrounded by armed escorts, reeking of perfume and power.

Jin's hand twitched.

The youth smirked. "Watch where you stand. I might mistake you for furniture next time."

Jin didn't move. His voice was low.

"You should be careful who you bump into, little prince. Some furniture bites back."

The youth scoffed and stormed upstairs.

Riven raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to crush him?"

"Later," Jin said. "Right now, I just want a bath."