Chapter 328: Day 2 Plan

Chapter 328: Chapter 328: Day 2 Plan

The feast arrived on silver platters.

Alena had worked with the hotel staff for hours, crafting dishes that restored qi and sharpened the senses.

Steam rose from bowls of golden broth.

Grilled spirit beast meat glistened under the crystal lamps. Fresh herbs garnished every plate.

The women of Damon’s harem gathered around the low, lacquered table, the soft rustle of their robes the only sound as they settled into their seats.

The table was laden with an array of dishes, each one a masterpiece of culinary and alchemical art.

Steam curled from bowls of golden broth, carrying the rich aroma of spirit herbs and grilled beast meat that glistened under the crystal lamps.

Fresh herbs garnished every plate, a testament to Alena’s meticulous work with the hotel staff.

Damon sat at the head, his luminous golden eyes surveying the spread. He waited until everyone had filled their plates before speaking.

"Tomorrow morning, we face the Thousand Poison Pavilion," he announced, his voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of steel.

The room went quiet. Mio set down her chopsticks, her deep purple eyes narrowing.

"Those neurotoxins are nasty. One scratch and you’re paralyzed." Her usually cheerful demeanor was replaced by caution.

Damon nodded. "Which is why I’m sending Alena first."

Alena looked up, her sharp forest-green eyes widening.

"Me?" A faint blush colored her tan cheeks as she realized the trust he placed in her.

Damon met her gaze.

"Your bloodline makes you immune to natural venoms. The Poison Pavilion relies on contact toxins. You’re their worst matchup."

Alena’s full lips parted.

Then a slow, fierce smile spread across her sun-kissed face, her forest-green eyes gleaming with predatory confidence.

"I’ll turn their toxins into fertilizer."

She said it with absolute certainty, her voice carrying the quiet authority of a master alchemist who understood the fundamental principles of her craft.

Mio raised an eyebrow, leaning forward.

"You can do that?"

Alena nodded, her gaze never leaving Damon’s.

"My bloodline absorbs organic compounds. Poisons are just complex organic compounds. I can metabolize them and release them as harmless spores."

Flare grinned.

"Now that’s alchemy."

Damon continued.

"Alena goes first. If she takes down three or four, Mio follows as fighter two."

Mio perked up.

"Me?"

"Long-range void arrows. You can pick them off before they get close enough to release their toxins."

Mio nodded.

"Got it."

"Seraphina goes third."

Seraphina straightened.

"Your Azure Dragon wind techniques can disperse airborne toxins. If the pavilion tries to flood the arena with gas, you clear the air."

"I understand."

"Flare goes fourth."

Flare crossed her arms.

"Fire burns poison."

"Exactly. Your flames can incinerate any residual toxins before they reach you."

Flare smirked.

"Finally, a fight I can enjoy."

"Mia goes fifth."

Mia looked up from her plate.

"Shadow techniques bypass contact entirely. You strike from their own shadows. They never touch you."

Mia’s eyes glowed with dark light.

"I’ll make them fear the dark."

"Lumina goes sixth."

Lumina set down her cup.

"Light purification. Your Solaris bloodline can burn away any curse or toxin that lingers."

Lumina nodded.

"And if I fall?"

"Then I close the match."

Damon’s voice was flat.

"I’ll be the anchor. If anyone reaches me, the match is already over."

The table fell silent.

Ariel spoke quietly.

"You won’t need to fight."

Damon looked at her.

"I know."

He picked up his cup.

"But I’ll be ready anyway."

The women exchanged glances.

Then they returned to their meal.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics.

Mio recounted a funny story from training. Mia corrected a few details. Alena laughed. Seraphina smiled.

Flare ate in silence.

Lumina watched the city lights through the window.

Damon ate his food and listened.

Then the balcony door slid open.

Mei stepped inside.

Her deep purple robes swayed with each step. Her eyes swept the room before settling on Damon.

"Enjoying the feast?"

Damon set down his cup.

"What’s the situation?"

Mei walked to the table and sat beside him.

"Alistair Reventon hired an elite covert squad. They’re planning to tamper with the food supply before tomorrow’s matches."

The women tensed.

Damon didn’t react.

"Already handled."

Mei raised an eyebrow.

"Handled?"

Damon nodded.

"I bought detection arrays from the Lust Store and placed them around the kitchen, the storage rooms, and the delivery routes. Anyone who tries to poison our food will trigger an alarm."

’The Lust Store had everything I needed. Detection arrays. Purification talismans. Barrier reinforcements. I spent two million points on security alone.’

Mei studied him.

You’re always three steps ahead," Mei said, her deep purple eyes narrowing with a mixture of admiration and amusement.

Her voice carried a silken, approving tone that made the air around the table feel heavier.

Damon shrugged, a faint, confident smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"It’s the only way to survive in this world."

A slow, knowing smile spread across her full lips.

"Then I won’t worry." She rose with fluid, predatory grace, her deep purple robes swaying around her hips as she walked back toward the open balcony.

At the threshold, she paused, glancing over her shoulder.

"I’ll keep watch tonight. Rest well."

With those words, she stepped into the darkness and vanished, her presence dissolving like mist in the wind.

The women watched the empty balcony for a long moment.

A collective breath seemed to release from the room.

Then, as one, they turned their attention back to Damon, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation.

Damon set down his cup with a soft clink against the wooden table.

"Seven hours until dawn," he said, his golden eyes sweeping across each of them in turn.

His gaze lingered on Ariel’s flushed cheeks, Mio’s bright eyes, Mia’s bitten lip, Seraphina’s uncrossed legs, Flare’s burning stare, Alena’s adjusted robes, and Lumina’s caught breath.

A wolfish, predatory smile spread across his handsome face.

"So tell me—who needs their reserves refilled?"

Ariel’s cheeks flushed.

Mio’s eyes lit up.

Mia bit her lip.

Seraphina uncrossed her legs.

Flare’s gaze burned.

Alena adjusted her robes.

Lumina’s breath caught.

Damon stood.

"Good."

He extended his hand.

"Then let’s begin."