The serpent-woman, whose name was Syla, moved with a hypnotic fluidity that made the air in the bathroom feel heavy and humid. As she guided Ethan into the steaming basin, her hands were cool, but her gaze was searing. Her body was a masterpiece of biological extremes—a waist so narrow he could almost wrap his hands around it, giving way to hips that flared out with a huge ass.

"Allow me to care for you, Master," she whispered, her voice a low hiss that vibrated in Ethan’s chest.

Ethan settled into the warm water, his muscles screaming in relief. He watched, fascinated, as Syla leaned in. Her long, slender tongue flickered out. She began to lick the dark, purple bruises on his shoulders and chest. Instead of a wet, sloppy sensation, it felt like a warm, numbing gel was being applied directly to his pain.

"Did you know?" she murmured, her golden eyes shimmering with a predatory playfulness. "The saliva of the serpent-folk contains a unique toxin. It dissolves hematomas and clears blood clots instantly. More importantly, it neutralizes the excess medicinal dross from those potions you’ve been forced to drink. I will detoxify you completely."

Ethan groaned as a deep, cooling sensation spread from his shoulder down his arm. "Do it. All of it."

"Would you like to receive the full treatment, then?" she asked, a mischievous glint in her slit pupils.

"Of course," Ethan replied, closing his eyes and letting his head fall back against the marble rim.

"Then lie back, Master. Let the healing begin."

Syla worked with a great focus. Her tongue traced the maps of his scars and the fresh welts from the Captain’s lash. Every stroke felt like a weight being lifted. She moved downward, her movements becoming more deliberate as she reached his midsection.

"Master, there is a great deal of ’congestion’ here," she whispered, her tongue flickering over his skin. Without waiting for a response, she took him into her mouth.

The sensation was unlike anything Ethan had ever felt. Her tongue was incredibly long and flexible, wrapping around him with a dexterity that no human could mimic. After a few intense moments, she pulled away, leaving him breathless and reeling.

Syla then shifted her weight, climbing over him and positioning herself directly over his face. Her massive hips framed his vision, and her tiny waist swayed as she began to stimulate herself, her breathing turning into a sharp, rhythmic hiss.

"Master, you must take my special healing nectar," she murmured, her golden eyes locked onto his. "It is t..he essence of my cultivation."

Ethan didn’t hesitate. He reached out with his tongue, exploring her as she had explored him. He was surprised to find that she didn’t taste like salt or musk, but like crushed mint and fresh forest herbs. As she reached her peak, her powerful thighs began to tremble violently, and she let out a sharp, sibilant cry.

"Drink it all, Master!" she cried out.

A sudden, warm torrent of greenish liquid—thick with the scent of wild herbs—flowed from her. Ethan drank deeply, consuming every drop of the potent essence. The moment the liquid hit his stomach, a wave of lightness washed over him. It wasn’t the jagged, forced energy of the White Unicorn potions; it was a smooth, natural clarity.

The leaden weight in his head from the concussions vanished. The lingering ache in his bones dissolved. He felt clean—truly clean..

Syla collapsed onto his chest, her cool skin a perfect contrast to the warm water. Ethan exhaled a long, steady breath, feeling the last remnants of the "hellish training" fade into a distant memory.

The steam in the room swirled as two attendants entered, moving quickly to support Syla. She looked pale, her fluid grace replaced by a fragile exhaustion. Producing the healing nectar was a profound drain on a serpent-woman’s life essence; it was a sacred, once-in-a-long-while secretion that required immense cultivation to replenish.

As they ushered the serpent-maid away to recover, a new figure stepped forward to assist Ethan. She was significantly larger, standing tall with a soft, ample frame that radiated warmth.

"Forgive us, Master," the woman said, her voice deep and comforting. "Your previous elven handmaidens are still in an... inconvenient state. Unfortunately, we have no more virgins left in the manor to serve you today."

The Princess had been meticulous; she refused to give "used" gifts to her newest investment. She had already sacrificed her last two virgin elves to Ethan, and even the serpent-maid had been a rare, untouched treasure. In this world, a serpent-woman’s nectar lost its purity and medicinal potency once she was claimed; thus, they were often kept as pristine, enslaved healers—a lonely and depressing existence.

Ethan looked up at the woman. She was undeniably beautiful in a wholesome way, with kind eyes and a plump, inviting figure. What caught his attention, however, were the two small, nub-like horns protruding from her hair.

"Are you... a cow-woman?" Ethan asked curiously.

She bowed her head, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. "I am, Master. My name is Bessie. I am a descendant of the Minotaur kin—the cow-folk. Does my appearance displease you? If so, I can send for a woman of a different race to serve you."

Before Ethan could answer, a familiar spark flickered in his mind.

["Ethan, don’t be an idiot!"] Crul’s voice returned with a sudden, sharp authority. ["She is the one! Look at her energy density—she is at the very peak of the Spiritual Soul Realm. She is the strongest servant in this entire estate. If you dual-cultivate with her, the foundation boost you’ll receive will be monstrous. Don’t let her walk away."]

Ethan smirked, his amethyst eyes dancing with a playful light. He looked back at Bessie, who was waiting for his rejection with a practiced, stoic sadness. In this kingdom, cow-women were prized by the "Heavy" races—the bulls, the rhinos, and the elephant-kin. Humans usually looked down on them, treating them as little more than high-yield dairy producers or wet-nurses.

"Why would I want someone else?" Ethan said coquettishly, reaching out to touch the hem of her apron. "If there’s no problem, I’d like for you to serve me personally today."

Bessie blinked, her large eyes wide with genuine shock. No human man had ever looked at her with anything other than hunger for food or professional indifference. To see a man of Ethan’s caliber—the Princess’s chosen favorite—actually flirting with her made her heart hammer against her ribs like a drum.

"Master... you truly wish for me to stay?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "I am not like the slender elves or the graceful serpents. I am... substantial."

"Substantial is exactly what I need right now," Ethan replied, pulling her slightly closer. "Stay. I think we have a lot to talk about before the auction."

-------------------

From this moment forward, to avoid confusion regarding cultivation ranks, I will include this footer with the current established levels.

Note: These are only the ranks mentioned so far to avoid spoilers.

Body Refinement Realm

Skin Refinement / Bone Refinement / Organ Refinement

Spiritual Gathering Realm

Spiritual Perception / Spiritual Mist / Spiritual Condensation

Spiritual Core Realm

Core Solidification / Core Awakening / Spiritual Collapse (Half-step Spiritual Core)

Spiritual Soul Realm

Spiritual Soul Awakening / Soul Nourishing / Soul-Core Fusion

Golden Core Realm

Prime Fusion / Core Perfection / Core Destruction

Spiritual Sea Realm

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??

Dao Manifestation Realm

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??

Spiritual Transcendence

Stage 1 ?? / Stage 2 ?? / Stage 3 ??