Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren)

Aspen said, "Well, honey, Lauren, Fran, you keep chatting!"

...

Outside Serenity Villa, Andrew lay back on the grass by the artificial lake, soaking up the sun while quietly waiting for tomorrow's duel. His mind, however, was not at ease.

Lately, he had been fixated on how to completely break the seal inside his body. Although he could still handle Joe without breaking the second seal, having all that power but being unable to fully release it was incredibly frustrating.

Without realizing it, Andrew's gaze fell upon Francesca and Lauren.

Both women felt their hearts skip a beat and immediately blushed red.noveldrama

Francesca said coyly, "Honey, it's the middle of the day! You can't be thinking that, can you?"

Lauren giggled softly. "If you are, then at least let's go inside. I'm not doing anything out here."

Andrew looked baffled. "What are you talking about? Can you actually read my mind just from a look?"

Francesca pouted. "Obviously! That look in your eyes just now was like you were ready to pounce!"

Lauren bit her lip, blushing. "Honey, your appetite lately seems a little intense. Are we not doing a good enough job taking care of you?"

Andrew waved it off and got serious. "That's not what I was thinking. Lauren, Fran. Have either of you ever thought about learning martial arts?"

Lauren blinked in surprise. "Martial arts? Oh no, count me out. I'm not good with pain. Besides, I'm not a teenager anymore. My mom always said if you don't start young, your body won't adapt. My bones are already set in place!"

Francesca frowned. "I actually do have a little martial arts foundation. I trained with Grandpa when I was a kid. But ever since I started med school, I let it slide. I've always wanted to be a martial artist, but it's not exactly easy."

Andrew chuckled. "Well, maybe I have a way."

Both women lit up. "What way?"

Lauren added quickly, "As long as it doesn't involve pain, sweat, or suffering, I'm in!"

Andrew flicked her forehead. "No pain, no sweat, no suffering, and you still want to be a martial artist? You wish! But... lucky for you, you've got me."

Lauren's eyes sparkled. "You're serious? You actually have a way?"

Andrew's smile wavered. "I might. But whether it actually works or not... I still need to test it first. So for now, I'm not saying anything yet."

Both women looked disappointed but did not push him. They knew better than to pry when he was not ready to share.

The truth was, Andrew felt a little guilty. His so-called 'method' was still just a theory, one he could not exactly bring up in polite company. To be blunt, it was dual cultivation.

In other words, the spiritual and physical union between man and woman.

He had noticed that after spending intimate nights with his three women and with Chantelle, the seal in his body loosened, just a little.

Tiana had been right. His inner martial energy was fluctuating and growing, and the seal was taking a hit from the inside. Just as curiously, every woman who had spent a night with him came out the next morning glowing, refreshed, recharged, and beaming with energy.

Once or twice could have been a coincidence. But after a few times, Andrew could not ignore the pattern. It led him to one bizarre,

unbelievable conclusion: martel.ne

just

maybe, exchanging spiritual energy through physical union really did enhance their martial abilities.

The idea still sounded crazy in his head, which was why he had not dared say it out loud.

Suddenly, the peace was broken.

"Mr. Lloyd, we've got a crazy woman at the gate! She's asking for you by name, and she's already broken through security!"

Felix, the head of security at The Sovereign Residences, came running up in a panic.

Andrew raised a brow. "She broke in? Aren't there top-level guards at the entrance?"

Felix looked like he was about to cry.

"They were useless! Totally useless!

This woman's a monster! She trashed the whole guard booth and shattered the statues with one slap! The rubble even hit several of the guys in their sensitive areas! She said if you don't come out, she'll flatten the whole place!"

Andrew's face darkened. "Then let her in."

Just as he said that, a sharp, icy voice rang out.

"Andrew! I finally found you. This time, there's no escaping me!"

Andrew turned toward the voice and was utterly stunned. "Huh? What the hell are

you doing here?"