– When you start your morning with a half-conscious assassin in your bed and your personal maid standing in the doorway holding a tray of spiritual soup, you know things have escalated.
–
– "Young Master…" Qing'er's voice was dangerously calm.
–
– "Before you say anything," I said, adjusting the blanket over Lan Ruo's still-unconscious figure, "it's not what it looks like."
–
– "You're shirtless. She's shirtless. Her dagger is in your pillow. And she's drooling on your chest."
–
– "Okay. It's exactly what it looks like. But I didn't do anything… yet."
–
– "Yet?!"
–
– "That was sarcasm!" I yelped. "System, note: sarcasm can kill."
–
–
– ---
–
– [SYSTEM WARNING]
–
– > Emotional Tension Detected.
– Potential for Violence: HIGH
– Suggestion: Apologize creatively or run very fast.
–
–
–
–
– ---
–
– Qing'er stormed out, tray slamming against the door frame.
–
– Lan Ruo, to her credit, slowly blinked awake. Her lashes fluttered as her mind caught up to her surroundings—and her position.
–
– She looked down. Then at me. Then at the shredded curtains. Then at her bruised ribs.
–
– "...Did we...?"
–
– "No."
–
– She blinked again.
–
– "Why am I alive?"
–
– "Because I'm merciful. And curious. And I didn't feel like bloodstains on my sheets."
–
– She stared at me for a long, awkward moment. Then whispered:
–
– "You're not who they said you were."
–
– "Yep. Upgrade 2.0—now with charm, sarcasm, and spiritual punch."
–
–
– ---
–
– A Few Hours Later…
–
– I was meditating in the garden, soaking in some post-duel Qi, when a servant rushed in, pale and shaking.
–
– "Y-Young Master! The Grand Elder is here… and he specifically asked for you."
–
– "Me? Personally?"
–
– "Yes… He said he sensed something unusual in the clan. A… 'Heaven-aligned pulse'."
–
– Great. The old cultivators were sniffing around. Probably picked up on my system-boosted aura last night when I was slap-boxing a ninja.
–
– "Where is he?"
–
– "In the main hall, awaiting you."
–
– I stood, adjusted my robes, and sighed.
–
– "Alright. Let's go meet Grandpa Wisdom Beard."
–
–
– ---
–
– Main Hall – Li Clan
–
– The air was heavier here. Denser. Elder Qi thickened the space like spiritual molasses. The moment I stepped inside, dozens of eyes turned to me—including one pair that glowed faint gold.
–
– That was Elder Han Xu, a Sect Elder from the Azure Sky Temple—one of the most powerful sects in the empire.
–
– He looked ancient. Long white robes, crystal staff, thin smile like he knew all your secrets.
–
– "Li Xian," he said, his voice echoing slightly. "So we meet."
–
– "Hi. Love the robe. Who ironed it?"
–
– Li Zhen, my ever-frustrated grandfather, hissed. "Show respect, boy!"
–
– Elder Han just chuckled.
–
– "No need. I like a tongue with teeth."
–
– I raised a brow. "Then you'll love mine. It rarely shuts up."
–
– More gasps from the elders.
–
– Han Xu's eyes narrowed, amused. "You're different than the rumors. I was told you were arrogant and useless."
–
– "Half right," I said. "I'm very arrogant. But I've upgraded the 'useless' part."
–
– He nodded.
–
– "I sensed a unique pulse last night. A wave of Heaven-grade Yang Qi. I traced it here. To you."
–
– Everyone froze.
–
– "That... that can't be possible," one elder muttered. "He's barely reached Foundation Stage."
–
– "But his aura," Han said, "is pure. Refined. Potent. Either he's hiding a Heaven-tier artifact..."
–
– He stepped forward and stared into my eyes.
–
– "...or he has a Heaven-Grade Physique."
–
– I smirked.
–
– "And if I said yes?"
–
– "Then I'd offer you a place in the Azure Sky Temple. Immediate entry. Personal tutelage under a core elder. Full access to secret realms. And... protection from rival clans."
–
– The room went still.
–
– Li Feng choked on air. Li Zhen's tea cup cracked in his hand.
–
– Even I paused. That was a hell of an offer.
–
– But then—
–
–
– ---
–
– [SYSTEM WARNING]
–
– > Host is advised to decline for now.
– Azure Sky Temple holds hidden intentions.
– Accepting now may lead to forced bloodline contracts and spiritual binding.
– Reward for Declining: +1 Hidden Opportunity unlocked.
–
–
–
–
– ---
–
– Of course there's a catch.
–
– I smiled politely.
–
– "Elder Han. I'm honored. Truly. But I'm not ready to join anyone's sect yet. I still need to... find myself."
–
– "And you think you'll do that in a brothel?"
–
– "I prefer hot springs, actually."
–
– Gasps again.
–
– Han Xu chuckled softly, but his eyes glittered with something colder. Something calculating.
–
– "Very well, Li Xian. But remember: my offer won't last forever."
–
– He turned, robes billowing like a dramatic stage actor.
–
– "Keep cultivating. Or you'll regret saying no."
–
–
– ---
–
– Later That Night...
–
– Back in my courtyard, Qing'er returned with folded arms.
–
– "Are you still angry?" I asked.
–
– "No."
–
– "You're lying."
–
– "Yes."
–
– "Will a hot bath and dual cultivation make you feel better?"
–
– She raised a brow. "You're lucky you're cute."
–
– Lan Ruo, sitting nearby with her arm bandaged, scoffed.
–
– "Flirting with both of us already?"
–
– "I'm a multitasker."
–
–
– ---
–
– [SYSTEM UPDATE]
–
– > New Relationship Triangle Detected.
– Warning: Jealousy Level: 22%
– Advice: Pick your next words carefully.
–
–
–
–
– ---
–
– "I think I'll just meditate for a while," I muttered.
–
– Both girls stared at me like I owed them answers. Or head pats. Or spiritual snacks.
–
– I sighed.
–
– "...I'm going to die. But I'll look good doing it."
–
–
– ---
–
– Author's Note
– Let's gooo 😭 Elder Han smells power, Lan Ruo's warming up, Qing'er's about to pop a vein, and our boy just dodged a trap sect invite.
– Next chapter: A rogue beauty appears from a forbidden sect, and MC gets dragged into a deadly outer-realm mission…
–
– Strap in.
– – ✍️ Kazuki Ren
–