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Her thoughts raced, and without realizing it, Duke had been quietly watching her.

He leaned against the side, resting his arm casually on the surface, his hand cradling his face as he observed the range of expressions that flickered across Kisha’s face.

He found her reactions both fascinating and amusing, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

After Kisha’s excitement began to fade, she became aware of Duke’s intense gaze.

Turning to her side, she found her husband watching her with a gentle smile, but his eyes carried a smoldering intensity that made her cheeks flush.

Embarrassed, she flicked his forehead, but her action only made Duke laugh heartily as he effortlessly pulled her into his arms.

"What got you so happy this early in the morning?" Duke asked, his voice still husky from sleep, carrying a deep, magnetic timbre that sent a pleasant shiver down Kisha’s spine.

"I got two new blueprints, and this crystal ball," Kisha replied with a hint of excitement, holding up the item for him to see.

It was only then that Duke noticed the transparent, basketball-sized crystal resting in her hands.

Since Kisha’s back had been to him when he pulled her into his embrace, he hadn’t seen it right away.

Propping himself up slightly to get a better look, he raised an eyebrow in curiosity, silently urging her to explain further.

Instead of explaining, Kisha simply led Duke to the territory space. She scanned the area, considering the best spot to place the item.

Unsure of the crystal’s exact range, she decided on a secluded yet central location within her territory.

Fortunately, the Winters’ men were already hard at work clearing trees in the forest, with Vulture and Sparrow lending their efforts.

Spotting Vulture nearby, Kisha called out to him. "Vulture, can you help me with something?"

Curious, he approached, and Kisha explained her request.

With a nod, Vulture conjured a small altar from the earth in the chosen spot.

The structure was simple yet sturdy, a perfect base for the mysterious crystal.

Once it was ready, Kisha carefully placed the item atop the altar, her mind already buzzing with anticipation for what it might do.

Without hesitation, Vulture stood still, took a deep breath, and concentrated on creating the altar.

After a few minutes of focused effort, he crafted a structure resembling a lamp post. It stood tall, reaching Kisha’s chest, and was as thick as an adult’s waist.

Noticing what Kisha was holding, Vulture had thoughtfully designed a socket atop the altar, ensuring the crystal would fit securely.

Wasting no time, Kisha placed the ’Spiritual Crystal Gatherer’ into the socket. Seeing this, Vulture added finishing touches, conjuring prongs around the crystal to lock it tightly in place.

The reinforced design ensured the crystal wouldn’t budge, no matter what forces might act upon it.

Satisfied with their teamwork, Kisha stepped back to admire the altar, a sense of anticipation building within her.

Kisha shot Vulture an approving gaze before stepping back to inspect the altar.

However, as Duke, Vulture, and Sparrow exchanged puzzled looks, large question marks practically forming above their heads, they suddenly froze.

A powerful surge of spiritual energy rippled through the area, drawing their attention to the crystal atop the altar.

The energy wasn’t subtle—it was so obvious, a force they could feel in their very cores.

The spiritual energy seemed to condense and flow directly toward the crystal, creating an almost tangible aura around it.

They didn’t even need to focus to sense it; the energy was so abundant that simply breathing felt invigorating.

With each inhale, they could feel the rich spiritual essence coursing through their veins, awakening and strengthening their bodies in a way that left them speechless.

In unison, realization dawned upon them, and their eyes widened as their heads whipped toward Kisha, mouths slightly agape in astonishment.

"This... this is what had you so happy?" Duke asked, his voice trembling faintly with a mixture of awe and excitement.

He understood the immense potential of the crystal—how it could exponentially enhance their strength if they trained within the territory’s bounds.

The thought sent a thrill racing through him, and before he could contain himself, he leaped forward and wrapped Kisha in a firm hug from behind, his excitement palpable.

"Wifey, you’re absolutely incredible!" Duke cooed, his grin stretching from ear to ear as he showered Kisha with unabashed praise.

His delight was contagious, making Kisha laugh heartily along with him.

But their shared moment of joy was soon interrupted by a new wave of energy that surged through the air, more concentrated in the center yet spreading across the entire territory like a tangible force.

The spiritual energy thickened, enveloping the entire area.

Even the Winters’ bodyguards, hard at work in the distant forested mountains, paused as they felt the sudden shift in the atmosphere.

A surge of energy coursed through their veins, leaving them momentarily breathless.

"Master, I can feel the spiritual energy fluctuating across the entire territory!" Bell’s excited voice echoed through the mind link, her words charged with enthusiasm.

The confirmation only widened Kisha’s smile as she realized the crystal’s effect was even more profound than she’d anticipated—it was reaching every corner of her territory, creating a haven rich with spiritual energy.

This reward was truly invaluable, and Kisha knew it would significantly benefit her territory.

With the spiritual energy spreading throughout, it wasn’t just limited to humans—it meant that every animal, aquatic or terrestrial, and every plant could potentially evolve, embedding spiritual energy within them.

Coupled with the ’Green Thumb Achievement’, which already granted her spiritual crops and fruits, the crystal all but guaranteed that every harvest would yield abundant, high-quality spiritual produce.

The synergy between the crystal and her achievement meant her crops would not only thrive but likely surpass expectations.

It was even conceivable that everything within her territory would gradually become infused with spiritual energy, creating a harmonious ecosystem.

Such a transformation would vastly enhance her ability to sustain and strengthen her forces in the future. The realization filled Kisha with a growing sense of excitement, knowing she was laying the foundation for an unparalleled stronghold.

Even the Scarlet Bees within the territory seemed to be rejoicing, their buzzing echoing through the forest as they flitted about.

Some had already begun cultivating to elevate their cultivation levels. Although the crystal had only recently been placed, causing the spiritual energy in the territory to remain somewhat unstable for now, Kisha knew it was only a matter of time.

As the energy continued to gather and settle, it would gradually grow stronger, eventually stabilizing and reaching its peak. Once it did, the rich spiritual energy would remain constant, creating an environment perfectly suited for cultivation and growth for all beings within the territory.

To test the effects of cultivating within the territory, both Duke and Kisha set up mats in front of the crystal before beginning their practice.

The others returned to their respective tasks, leaving the couple to focus on their cultivation.

While Duke concentrated solely on his spiritual energy, Kisha took a different approach.

She simultaneously cultivated both her spiritual energy and mana, carefully ensuring that both energies remained balanced within her body.

She was cautious, knowing that even a small ripple could cause the two energies to clash again.