The winter in the Black Forest

After hearing Ferrer's words, James fell into deep thought. 

Alexander, too, narrowed his eyes.

Finally, James sighed and said, "With the power of us ogres, we are still not able to hunt dark creatures on a large scale!"

Elder Ferrer, hearing this, looked a bit disheartened and lamented as he left the chief hut.

Alexander remained silent, standing up and preparing to leave.

"Alexander, take this!"

Alexander turned around and saw that James, somehow, had an extra dark essence crystal in his hand.

"This is the last one in my collection. I hope it helps you!"

Alexander looked at James, unsure of what to say.

"Take it. Whether you consume it yourself or give it to your Abyssal Tyrannosaurus, it's up to you!"

James handed the dark essence crystal to Alexander, speaking earnestly.

"Remember, Alexander, the stronger you are, the more you can help us. We rely on you more than you know. Don't feel burdened, go on!"

Alexander nodded and walked out of the chief hut.

Not long after, Elder Ferrer, who had left earlier, returned.

"Chief, did you give the item to Alexander?"

"I did!"

Ferrer nodded. He had stepped out earlier to give James the chance to hand the remaining dark essence crystal to Alexander.

"Elder, we need to change our approach to this Dark Tide."

"Chief, what do you mean?"

"I've decided not to just protect ourselves, but to actively kill the dark creatures, pushing one of us - you, me, Alexander, or the Abyssal Tyrannosaurus - to a higher level."

Ferrer, hearing this, stared intently at James.

James, returning the gaze, continued, "The Abyssal Tyrannosaurus is the most likely to break through. It's already a level Six Max. With a little help from us, maybe..."

"Chief, I'll follow your lead, arrange it as you wish!"

Meanwhile, Alexander returned to his hut, his heart filled with excitement and heaviness.

Ravenna and Cassana were preparing food for the three of them.

Ignoring them, Alexander immediately consumed the dark essence crystal upon entering the hut.

Before swallowing it, Alexander had pondered and hesitated. He chose himself over the Abyssal Tyrannosaurus.

The reason was the unknown nature of the Dark Tide; Alexander had no experience or certainty in facing it. In such a situation, enhancing his own power was the only way to bring him some peace of mind.

After swallowing the dark essence crystal, Alexander soon felt a surge of life energy engulfing his body.

The pleasant sensation was surprisingly similar to dual cultivation.

However, the sensation lasted briefly, only about three minutes, before it faded.

Alexander didn't first check his physical condition but focused on his personal data.

Name: Alexander (Hero)

Race: Ogre

Title: The Fallen God

Title Description: Slaying creatures of this world grants a chance to drop a Titan Chest, visible only to the God of Fallen.

Strength: 345/500 (+20) 

Agility: 330/500 (+20) 

Intelligence: 340/500 (+20) 

Constitution: 320/500 (+20) 

Alexander looked at the data on the panel, gaining a clear understanding of the enhancements provided by the dark essence crystals. 

After his dual cultivation with Ravenna, Alexander's attributes had already reached over 300. Now, having consumed the dark essence crystals, each of his attributes had increased by 20 points.

Therefore, to raise all his attributes to 500, Alexander would need at least ten more crystals the size of the one he consumed today. And if the Abyssal Tyrannosaurus were included, the number would be even greater.

Alexander opened his eyes, a hint of frenzy in their depths.

The Dark Tide was not as simple as Alexander had previously thought. Perhaps the Dark Tide brought not only fear and slaughter but mutual hunting.

"This is an opportunity for me, one I must not let slip away!" Alexander thought to himself, already considering how to kill more dark creatures.

...

The winter in the Black Forest was truly harsh.

The snow kept falling. Just yesterday, they had cleared Alligator Turtle Valley, only for half a meter of snow to accumulate overnight.

One could only imagine what the world beyond the valley looked like.

Even worse, the snow showed no signs of stopping.

"How do the magical beasts that remained in the Black Forest survive such winters?" Alexander wondered, wrapped in a thickened animal skin coat, watching the snow fill the sky.

"Most of the magical beasts that stay either burrow underground to hibernate or have a strong resistance to ice attributes," Ravenna replied, also clad in an animal skin coat that covered her sensual figure, adding an unusual air of dignity to her succubus nature.

"Alexander, your Cassana doesn't even want to get up in this weather! It looks like I'll be the only one to keep you warm," she added.

Changing the subject, Alexander embraced Ravenna and asked, "Ravenna, have you ever seen dark creatures?"

"Yes, my dear Alexander," Ravenna answered, wrapping her arms around his strong limb, looking up at the snowflakes falling onto them.

"When the wind and snow stop, and the cold wind passes, the entire Black Forest will be frozen, heralding the arrival of the Dark Tide."

"I've seen many dark creatures. They consider us prey, and even the weakest among them are stronger than our bloodline warriors."

"Alexander, promise me, you must survive!"

Alexander didn't reply but instead tightened his embrace around Ravenna and turned to enter the warm hut.

With the Dark Tide brimming with danger, it was more important than ever to make use of the time for dual cultivation.

...

Inside the hut, Ravenna had transformed into alluring lingerie, lying on an animal skin, casting a seductive gaze at Alexander.

Alexander moved to Ravenna's side and lay down next to her.

"Let's begin, my dear," she suggested.

There was no need for extensive foreplay; Ravenna's pussy had become so wet that Alexander easily inserted his cock.

With a heavy snowfall outside, they had plenty of time. Alexander and Ravenna engaged in dual cultivation while savoring these precious moments together.

They explored various positions – missionary, from behind, Ravenna on top, and spooning – for nearly ten hours.

How many orgasms she'd had, Ravenna had lost track of..

This session of dual cultivation not only enhanced Alexander's attributes but, surprisingly, also improved his bloodline skill.

After both were fully satisfied, Ravenna embraced Alexander, tenderly kissing his forehead, and asked, "How do you feel, my dear husband?"

Alexander, with a smile, replied, "Of course, marrying you just before the onset of this harsh winter was indeed a very wise decision."

Both Ravenna and Alexander couldn't help but laugh together.