Chapter 252: Attempt

Buying one artifact for 600 Jin Along is ridiculously cheap, honestly.

As for buying them all, it wasn't out of fear of exposure—I just mixed them in.

It's purely because Luo De wants to encourage the shopkeeper to keep collecting more such items—maybe even snag a bargain next time!

But to be fair.

The other magical accessories in this shop were quite lovely.

Luo De saw several that would suit the girls in the forest perfectly and bought a good number as backups.

To give them later, at the right moment.

Shopping done.

Pan Ni waved goodbye as the two left the store.

"I've bought enough. Thank you for taking me through the senior-level access, Lady Aona."

"I told you, just call me Aona!"

The black-furred bunny girl smiled playfully, "I should thank you for these colorful rings—you must've spent a fortune."

"Worth every coin, since I got to see Aona's smile all afternoon."

"Oh my, you're so good at charming girls~"

Aona smiled warmly at him.

But Luo De was slightly surprised.

In this world, such an old-fashioned line from his past life was practically guaranteed to work—especially with his handsome face, no innocent girl could resist.

Yet Aona clearly had high resistance, despite appearing outwardly sweet and pure.

Could she be a master?

Probably not.

Luo De believed his judgment of girls was sharp.

Maybe she's a rabbit-person who values chastity?

Even better!

When parting before any relationship is confirmed, lingering is taboo—Luo De waved goodbye and left cleanly.

Winter arrived; daylight grew shorter.

By the time he returned to the forest, the sun had already sunk below the horizon.

Luo De saw there was still time before dinner.

So he delivered heating stones and heating charms to each girl.

Of course, "each girl" did not include the female beastman Amy, the ghoul Pan Ni, or the banshee Krist.

He sent a brief message via 【Far-Speech Chain】—those interested may take what's offered.

He hadn't planned to personally deliver anything to the zombie Selina either.

But dear Selina is his future money tree; a little extra care won't hurt.

The zombie lady was slightly surprised he came personally—her obedience increased by two points.

Better than nothing.

Vivian, Xiao Ke, and Bond lived together, and neither Xiao Ke nor Bond had high spiritual accumulation.

Upon seeing the heating stones and charms, they both cheered.

Plenty of emotional value delivered.

The elf Kalist was unimpressed—she claimed to follow the traditional elfic virtue of restraint and refused to use external objects.

But the cat spirit Xiao Ju, who shared her room, was cold-sensitive and eagerly grabbed a large pile.

Luo De didn't care.

He'd originally planned to visit the half-wolf Oja and the scorpion woman Hera.

But the two were too elusive and had no 【Far-Speech Chain】 link—he gave up.

Back at the ranger's cabin.

Luo De settled back onto the fur sofa.

Gently stroking the molar earring in his hand.

"Didn't trigger the 【Treasure Obsession】 effect granting new item traits—pity. But then again, who'd like such an ugly thing?"

Tally, in the bedroom, heard the noise and lazily pulled back the covers.

Her eyes were hazy, and she wore nothing.

She was in her succubus true form—deep purple skin more alluring than human, her wildly curvaceous body fully exposed.

A slender tail ending in a heart swayed with her steps.

Tally plopped into Luo De's lap, then curled up like a baby.

Rubbing her nose against his neck.

"Master… I'm hungry."

She murmured sleepily.

Luo De placed his palm on her tight, slender waist, fingers lightly tracing her faint abs and hip lines.

"Later. Sleep a bit more—I'll test this thing first."

"Okay. Hold me tight."

"Alright, alright."

He hugged the succubus tighter.

"Still a bit cold~"

"There's a heating stone."

"No."

She pulled open his single-layer robe, slipped inside, pressed against his chest, and curled up completely hidden beneath the fabric.

The collar stretched open.

Lower his head, and he could see the girl—and the two soft mounds lazily pressed against her chest.

Luo De found it amusing.

"Are you sleeping more than usual lately?"

Not just the succubus—As winter came, the half-deer Xiao Ke and the forest elf Vivian also grew noticeably lazier.

In contrast, the ghoul Pan Ni and the banshee Krist were more energetic.

Negative energy thrives in winter; both are undead races, so naturally they feel more invigorated.

"It's a biological instinct,"

Tally murmured weakly, "Winter means more clothes, less outdoor activity, and the risk of freezing if you take them off—this cuts off most of a succubus's food sources. Master~ Can you pat my butt to lull me to sleep? Tally loves the warmth of your palm."

"Don't push your luck, Tally."

"Mmmmm~ Please, Master~"

In the end, Luo De gave in.

The price: Tally would consume her meal tonight using only her rear.

Meaning the cannon had to become a stirrer.

Breathing in the succubus's scent.

Luo De turned his gaze back to the molar earring.

【Details: The internal spiritual energy of the molar earring can be infused into a being, greatly increasing spiritual accumulation. Once depleted, the earring slowly absorbs and replenishes it.】

"Let's see how 'great' this 'great increase' really is."

Activated.

The blood veins at the molar's root glowed faintly.

Luo De immediately felt spiritual energy slowly flowing from his fingers into his body.

"Meh. Slower than my natural breathing."

Feeling Tally's warm breath on his chest, he absorbed the spiritual energy.

Spiritual accumulation isn't just about inhaling ambient energy.

Ambient spiritual energy is like unclaimed property; spiritual warriors use breathing techniques to draw it in and make it their own.

Essentially, claiming ownership.

The speed varies—depends on the quality of the breathing technique, personal aptitude, and the abundance of spiritual energy in the location.

Luo De's breathing technique was mediocre, but his aptitude, boosted by the Spirit Seed, was nearly maxed out.

Roughly five to ten times faster than an average person.

But his foundation was solid, so his required spiritual accumulation was far higher than normal.

If the spiritual energy in this molar earring were merely ambient, it wouldn't qualify as a treasure.

This spiritual energy, transformed from mana and aether, was like a needy little whore.

Crawling to lick Luo De's feet—automatically recognizing him the moment it touched him.

And as time passed,

The spiritual energy within the earring spread the word, telling other energies: "Here's a good home!"—the infusion speed grew faster, more urgent.

Luo De's expression softened in pleasure.

Not long after.

Snap.

The spiritual accumulation surpassed the mid-stage of the sixth tier and smoothly reached the high-stage of the sixth tier.

(End of Chapter)