Chapter 236: A Reunion of Brothers

After that long session of ’dual cultivation’, nourished by the pure, fiery essence of Marcus’s vitality and the harmonious blending of their energies, Lily’s body had already begun to change in subtle but undeniable ways. The frail, delicate young woman she had once been was gradually fading into the past. Strength now pulsed quietly beneath her soft skin, awakened by the mysterious power flowing between them.

Held tightly in Marcus’s arms and overwhelmed by wave after wave of rising pleasure, the young woman gradually lost the last traces of restraint she once clung to. Guided by his movements and the rhythm he set, Lily followed him without hesitation. Her body shifted instinctively into different positions, responding to his touch with increasing boldness as she did everything she could to please him and deepen the pleasure they shared. In that moment, she held nothing back. She wanted Marcus to feel her completely, to let them both lose themselves in the intoxicating union that bound them together.

“Babe… I can’t take it anymore…”

Her voice trembled as the words slipped from her lips. After enduring countless surges of overwhelming sensation, her eyes had grown hazy with pleasure, her mind drifting in a blissful fog. She no longer had the strength to withstand the intensity of his relentless passion.

“Babe… I’m coming too.”

Marcus’s voice came out rough and low. The pleasure building inside him had reached its own breaking point. Surrounded by Lily’s soft moans and the sight of her breathtaking beauty, he could no longer hold back. In that moment, both of them were swept away together as the tension finally shattered.

“Marcus…”

Bathed in the warmth of the powerful life essence he shared with her, Lily closed her eyes in a daze of bliss. The feeling was overwhelming, almost too much to bear. She lay there trembling softly, savoring the strength and intensity that belonged only to him. Happiness flooded her chest so strongly that she nearly lost consciousness, letting the lingering waves of pleasure wash through her again and again.

“Marcus… I love you.”

Gradually, the fierce storm of passion faded, leaving only warmth and quiet intimacy behind. Lily lay limp against Marcus’s chest, utterly exhausted. She no longer had the energy to move, let alone endure another moment of his overwhelming vigor. All she could do was whisper the words that had risen naturally from her heart.

“I love you too.”

Marcus still felt a faint spark of lingering energy within him, but the woman in his arms was clearly spent. Reluctantly, he suppressed the remaining heat in his body.

Holding her close, he breathed in the soft fragrance of her hair and skin. In a quiet voice he murmured gentle words to her, the kind of meaningless but comforting whispers lovers often share in the quiet aftermath of passion. Before long, both of them drifted into a deep and peaceful sleep.

Meanwhile, the Human Rock technique within Marcus continued circulating on its own, subtly guided by the lingering energy in his body. Without conscious effort, the mysterious art continued its slow and steady growth.

—

“Babe, sleep a little longer. It’s still early.”

Marcus opened his eyes and glanced at the time. It wasn’t even seven in the morning yet, but Lily was already trying to slip out of his arms.

“Marcus, I’m going to make you breakfast.”

Seeing the slight pout on Marcus’s face, Lily couldn’t help smiling. She leaned forward, her slender body draping gently across him as her hand caressed his chest. Then she lowered her head and pressed her beautiful red lips against his in a soft kiss.

“Let me hold you a little longer.”

Before she could rise, Marcus rolled over and pinned the freshly awakened Lily back onto the bed.

“Babe… don’t…” Lily protested weakly, trying to push him away.

Marcus only grinned mischievously in response. Lowering his head, he captured her soft lips again. Their tongues met instantly, tangling together in a slow, lingering kiss that grew warmer with each passing second.

Only after a long moment did he finally release her, though the reluctance in his eyes was obvious.

He sighed quietly. Moments like these always felt too short.

Their housekeeper, Mrs. Julia, would return in a few days. At least then Lilly wouldn’t have to work so hard managing everything herself.

For now, however, it was time to get up.

After breakfast, Marcus walked Lily and his younger sister Amber to school as usual. Once they had disappeared through the school gates, he headed toward the athletic field and went for his routine morning run before returning home.

Not long afterward, he logged into the game.

When Marcus appeared inside the virtual world again, he stepped out from the gates of his mansion and looked around. Even though it was still early morning, Dragon’s Peak Citadel was already bustling with activity. Players filled the streets, rushing in every direction as they pursued quests, traded goods, or prepared for the day’s battles.

Marcus couldn’t help shaking his head with a small laugh.

’These guys are machines.’

Now the real question was what he should do next. For a moment, he found himself completely at a loss.

His quest list was packed with tasks, but almost all of them were either frustratingly vague or far beyond his current strength. Some lacked clear directions entirely, while others demanded challenges that would be impossible for him at his current level.

He had no idea where to begin.

’Forget it.’

Since he actually had some free time for once, Marcus decided he might as well go exploring. There was always the chance of discovering new maps or hidden locations. If he stumbled upon some secret valley or unexplored paradise, the reward alone would make the trip worthwhile.

Another option would be focusing on leveling up his pet, the Nightmare Dragon Steed. He was eager to push the creature to level thirty as soon as possible.

Marcus had just started pulling out Silas the Wanderer’s map so he could plan a route when two familiar figures caught his attention in the distance.

He squinted slightly.

“DragonBlade! Drunkard!”

The names slipped out of his mouth before he could stop himself.

The two players ahead immediately turned their heads in his direction. The moment Marcus got a clearer look at their faces, recognition hit him without a doubt.

“DragonBlade! Drunkard!”

Laughing loudly now, he waved and walked toward them.

The two men stared at him in confusion.

Seeing their puzzled expressions, Marcus suddenly remembered he was still wearing the Fluffy Rabbit’s Mask. With a quick motion, he removed it and revealed his face.

In their previous game, Marcus had gone by the name IronWing-Stone.

To his closest friends, however, he had always simply been Stone.

“Stone!”

“Bro!”

The reactions came instantly.

DragonBlade shouted his name and stepped forward, greeting him with a solid punch on the shoulder.

Drunkard’s reaction was far less restrained. His eyes instantly grew watery as he cried out, “Bro!”

“Stone, did you forget about your little brother? You didn’t even call. I’m going to file a complaint.”

Seeing each other again after so long stirred powerful emotions in all three of them. The familiar bond of brotherhood surged back to life without hesitation. Laughter burst from them almost immediately as they slapped each other’s backs and pulled into a tight group hug.

“Brothers… we’re together again.”

Marcus spoke with a quiet sigh of emotion.

Originally, he had planned to play Dominion alone. Part of the reason was that he wanted to avoid running into their former leader Andrew and the others from their old guild. Because of that, he had deliberately avoided contacting any of his old friends.

Yet fate clearly had other plans.

Their loud laughter, enthusiastic hugs, and thunderous back-slaps quickly drew the attention of nearby players in the crowded plaza. Curious glances came from all directions. Many of them couldn’t help feeling a little envious of the genuine camaraderie radiating from the three friends.

“How are you guys doing?” Marcus finally asked once the excitement settled down slightly.

“We were just talking about you, Stone. You’re the one out of line this time. Starting a new game without telling anyone,” DragonBlade said, clearly tempted to punch him again.

“Bro, you’re definitely in the wrong here,” Drunkard added proudly. “We gotta punish you. Drinks on you..

His grin made his intentions obvious. He hadn’t enjoyed a proper drink in ages, and he clearly believed Marcus wouldn’t escape this time.

“Stop showing off that pathetic tolerance of yours,” DragonBlade said with an exasperated roll of his eyes as he dragged the man back by the collar. “This idiot can’t even handle a few glasses before he’s drunk, but he loves bragging about it. Then he went and named himself ’Drunkard.’ It’s ridiculous.”

“Stone, come on. Everyone else should be online by now. We’re meeting at Blaze’s shop at eight.”

“So early? What’s going on?” Marcus asked as the three of them started walking through the streets together.

“Fate’s Trial triggered a hidden quest,” DragonBlade explained. “We have seven days to kill a Wraith-Bird that flew out of the Valley of the Undead and get the single Black-Wraith Feather on its back.”

He let out a frustrated sigh before continuing.

“The problem is that every time we get its health down to less than a fifth, the thing just spreads its wings and flies away. We can’t stop it. We’ve tried for four days now, and it ends the same way every time. It’s driving us insane.”

“A monster from the Valley of the Undead?” Marcus exclaimed in shock. “The lowest-level monsters there are level sixty. How are you guys even managing to fight something like that?”

He had seen the Valley of the Undead marked on Silas the Wanderer’s map before.

That place was known as a land of death, a cursed valley where the souls of the departed gathered endlessly. Legends claimed it was the domain of the Undead Demon King himself. The entire region was saturated with demonic energy and poisonous miasma.

Even the weakest monsters that roamed there were level sixty.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep