As soon as their kiss ended, the two gently pulled apart.
Yu Qingci adjusted her disheveled hair and clothes before standing up.
And before leaving the room, she said with a smile,
"Husband, I'll inform the others about the family meeting."
"Alright," Li Chen replied. "I'll join you shortly."
After she left, he closed the door behind her and fell into thought.
What exactly should be addressed in this family meeting?
He considered everything carefully—every risk and reward—before ultimately deciding to stick with his original plan.
He would participate in the Tournament of Ascension… but only up to the third round.
As soon as he obtained what he needed, he would deliberately withdraw from the competition.
But the real dilemma was—who would accompany him?
He decided that this was a matter to be settled during the meeting.
With that, he made his way toward the study hall.
---
When he arrived, all the women stood up together and bowed.
"Greetings, my dear husband," they said in unison.
Li Chen was momentarily speechless and thought to himself,
What kind of drama are these women playing now?
"You don't all need to do this," he said, a bit awkwardly.
But Su Lingxue quickly interrupted him.
"No, husband. This is necessary. In a family meeting, it's our duty to show respect to the head of the household. It's only proper."
Li Chen considered arguing, but then shrugged.
Let it go. No point in debating over something so trivial.
In fact, maybe this is good. If they get used to treating me as the family head, it'll make decisions easier later.
He walked toward the center of the room and took his seat on the raised platform.
He then gestured for everyone to sit.
Once everyone was seated, he began.
"So… I'm sure you all know why we're gathered here."
"Yes, husband," they replied.
"As Qingci must have already told you, I'll be participating in the Tournament of Ascension, which begins in twenty-one days.
I plan to depart on the thirteenth day. That gives me just enough time to arrive on schedule. But I'll only be taking Xiaobai with me."
Any objections?"
The women glanced at one another. Their eyes held the quiet fear that any wife would feel when her husband walked into a battlefield where the odds of return were low—perhaps impossibly low.
Because unlike Li Chen, they all knew the brutal truth of the Tournament of Ascension.
A bloodbath disguised as a competition.
Where murder, betrayal, and cruelty were commonplace.
Where the weak are trampled, and the strong are hunted.
It wasn't just a tournament—it was a survival trial of the cruelest kind.
Su Lingxue stood up.
"I object. I want to go with you. Let me take Xiaobai's place—her strength is lower than mine."
Xiaobai didn't feel angry or offended. In fact, deep down, she agreed.
Someone stronger should protect their husband.
She was only at the Golden Core stage—and that meant nothing before Nascent Soul cultivators.
She would be a liability.
But deep within her, a sense of urgency rose—a feeling that she must do something, even if she wasn't strong enough.
She wasn't just a wife—she was a servant who wished to serve her master.
The same thoughts filled the minds of the other two Xiao sisters as well.
Though they didn't speak, they too wanted to go.
Li Chen wasn't upset by Su Lingxue's objection. Instead, he asked calmly,
"Does anyone else object?"
Yu Qingci also stood up.
"I want to go with my husband too."
Li Chen looked at the others. No one else spoke.
He then stood up and said,
"It's decided then. I'll leave for the tournament on thirteenth days—with Xiaobai."
All the women looked confused.
If he was going to decide alone, what was the point of this meeting?
Su Lingxue and Yu Qingci quickly stopped him.
"Husband, why are you in such a rush? Sit down and discuss things properly before deciding."
Li Chen reminded them,
"Didn't one of you just say earlier that everyone should obey the family head's orders?
Well, this is my order. And there will be no further discussion."
The two went silent, shocked by his firmness.
Just as they were about to speak again, Li Chen added coldly,
"This is also my master's order. He doesn't want any distractions—so please try to understand."
At the mention of his master, the two fell completely silent.
But even if they accepted it mentally, their hearts refused to let go of the fear of entrusting their husband's life to Xiaobai alone.
Li Chen could see the anxiety on their faces.
He chuckled and said,
"Come on now, Look how worried you are. I'm not going to die.
Just think of this as a trial assigned by my master.
And if something does happen to me, do you think my master won't step in?"
Those words calmed them a little—but not completely.
Their minds still swirled with worry.
Leaning close to their ears, Li Chen whispered with a smirk,
"Now get ready for tonight. I have a big surprise waiting for you."
Both women blushed and stepped aside shyly.
The three Xiao sisters didn't know much about Li Chen's master, but when they saw how quiet Su Lingxue and Qingci had become, they knew better than to argue.
"Then, shall we end the meeting here?" Li Chen asked.
He was already on his feet—the question was more a formality than anything else.
As the family head, it was his duty to lead.
Even if the decision had already been made.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
And thus, their first family meeting came to an end.
---
The sun had begun to set, its golden light fading into twilight.
The moon now glowed brighter, its silver beams cascading across the sky.
The air was cool, the breeze gentle.
Inside the courtyard, Su Lingxue and Yu Qingci sat in their nightgowns, their skin glowing faintly in the soft candlelight.
A subtle, sweet aroma filled the room—not from perfume, but from the medicinal herbs dissolved into their bathwater.
It was aromatic… but more than that, it was potent.
They had planned this night carefully.
They wanted it to be special—unforgettable.
They even agreed to serve their husband together tonight.
Yes… tonight was going to be another threesome.
Only one person was left to arrive now…