The rest of the journey through Whispering Woods was surprisingly uneventful after my encounter with Liu Yan. Maybe her demonic aura had scared off other spirit beasts. Maybe I'd just gotten lucky. Either way, I wasn't complaining.
As the sun began its descent toward the horizon, I finally emerged from the forest and caught my first glimpse of Misty Valley.
The name was fitting. The entire valley was shrouded in a perpetual mist that made everything look dreamlike and ethereal. In the center, built into the side of a mountain, was the Misty Valley Pavilion—a beautiful complex of buildings with curved roofs and elegant architecture that seemed to grow organically from the rock face.
It was smaller than Azure Peak Sect, obviously, but there was something refined about it. Intimate. Like someone had put actual thought into making it beautiful rather than just imposing.
"Halt!"
Two guards in light blue robes stepped forward as I approached the main gate. Both were Foundation Establishment realm—I could feel the pressure of their cultivation even from several feet away.
"State your business," the taller guard said, hand resting on his sword hilt.
"Chen Feng, outer disciple of Azure Peak Sect," I said, bowing respectfully and producing the mission scroll. "I'm here to deliver a package to Pavilion Master Shen."
The guards examined the scroll, then each other, then me.
"You came through Whispering Woods alone?" the shorter guard asked, sounding skeptical. "At Qi Gathering 3rd Stage?"
"Yes."
"Either you're incredibly lucky or incredibly skilled," the taller guard muttered. "Come on. We'll escort you to the Pavilion Master."
They led me through the gates and into the pavilion proper. The interior was even more impressive than the exterior—gardens with spiritual herbs growing in neat rows, training grounds where disciples practiced sword forms in perfect synchronization, meditation pavilions where I could see cultivators sitting in lotus position with visible auras of Qi surrounding them.
"Your sect is beautiful," I said honestly.
"Smaller than Azure Peak, but we like it," the shorter guard said, a hint of pride in his voice. "Pavilion Master Shen believes in quality over quantity. We only accept disciples with exceptional talent or character."
We climbed a series of stone steps carved into the mountain face, passing several levels of buildings, until we reached the highest point—a large, ornate building with intricate carvings of phoenixes and dragons adorning the entrance.
"Wait here," the taller guard said, disappearing inside.
I stood there, acutely aware of the curious looks from passing disciples. My Azure Peak robes marked me as an outsider, and my relatively weak cultivation made me stand out even more.
The system chimed in my head: "You're doing great! Just don't say anything stupid when you meet the Pavilion Master!"
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I thought back.
"I'm just saying, she's apparently very beautiful and you have a track record with beautiful women that involves either nearly dying or accidentally seducing them. Try for something in between this time!"
Before I could respond, the guard returned. "Pavilion Master Shen will see you now."
I was led into a spacious office that somehow managed to be both luxurious and comfortable. Scrolls and books lined the walls. A large desk made of spiritual wood sat near the back. And standing by a window overlooking the misty valley was a woman who made me forget how to breathe for a moment.
Pavilion Master Shen was probably in her late twenties or early thirties—though with cultivators, who could tell? She had long black hair tied up with jade pins, sharp intelligent eyes, and features that were more handsome than traditionally beautiful. She wore elegant robes of deep blue and silver that somehow made her look both approachable and authoritative.
But what really struck me was her presence. It wasn't the overwhelming pressure of Yue Lingshuang's ice-cold power or Liu Yan's predatory danger. This was different. Refined. Controlled. Like a perfectly balanced sword.
The system helpfully supplied information: "Shen Yun - Pavilion Master of Misty Valley. Cultivation: Core Formation, 9th Stage. One breakthrough away from Nascent Soul realm. Affection Level: 0 (Neutral). Danger Level: HIGH. Special Trait: Exceptional judge of character."
"Chen Feng of Azure Peak Sect," Pavilion Master Shen said, turning from the window. Her voice was smooth and cultured. "You've brought my delivery?"
"Yes, Pavilion Master." I carefully removed the package from my makeshift backpack and presented it with both hands, bowing.
She took it, examined the seal, then smiled. "Intact and on time. That's refreshing. The last three couriers Azure Peak sent either arrived late, damaged the contents, or didn't arrive at all."
"I hope everything is satisfactory, Pavilion Master."
She opened the box—which apparently only she could do; the talisman seal dissolved at her touch—and examined the contents. Whatever alchemical ingredients were inside seemed to meet her approval because her smile widened.
"Perfect. Absolutely perfect." She closed the box and set it aside. "You've done well, Chen Feng. Tell me, how was your journey through Whispering Woods?"
"Eventful but successful," I said carefully. "I encountered a few spirit beasts but managed to avoid direct confrontation."
"Smart. Fighting when you don't have to is wasteful." Her eyes studied me with an intensity that made me feel like she was reading my entire life story. "You're quite weak for someone who would travel through Whispering Woods alone. Qi Gathering 3rd Stage, unless I'm mistaken?"
"You're not mistaken, Pavilion Master."
"And yet you survived. Interesting." She walked closer, circling me slowly. Apparently this was just a thing powerful women did. "There's something different about you. Your cultivation is trash-tier, yes, but your foundation is… surprisingly solid. And your spiritual energy has a unique quality to it."
That was probably the Primordial Yang Scripture's doing.
"I recently had a spiritual awakening," I said, sticking to my cover story. "It granted me a new cultivation technique."
"A spiritual awakening?" Pavilion Master Shen's eyebrow raised. "How fortunate. Those are quite rare. What triggered it?"
"Nearly dying," I said honestly. "I did something incredibly stupid, almost got executed for it, and in that moment of clarity before death, I… understood. Everything I'd done wrong. Everything I needed to change."
She studied me for a long moment, then laughed. It was a pleasant sound, genuinely amused rather than mocking.
"Honest, at least. I appreciate that." She walked back to her desk and produced a jade slip. "This is proof of successful delivery. Present it to your Mission Hall clerk and you'll receive your 25 Contribution Points."
"Thank you, Pavilion Master."
"However," she continued, and I felt my stomach drop at that word, "I believe in rewarding competence and courage. You traveled through dangerous territory alone, delivered my package intact and on time, and you've been respectful and honest in your dealings with me."
She opened a drawer and pulled out a small pouch that clinked with the sound of stones.
"Twenty spirit stones," she said, setting the pouch on the desk. "Low-grade, but still valuable for someone at your level. Use them wisely."
My eyes widened. Twenty spirit stones? That was worth at least 100 Contribution Points at the sect's exchange rate!
"Pavilion Master, that's too generous—"
"I decide what's too generous," she said with a smile. "Besides, I have a feeling you'll need them. Word travels fast in the cultivation world, Chen Feng. I've already heard rumors about an outer disciple from Azure Peak who challenged Yue Lingshuang to a duel."
I winced. "You heard about that."
"Everyone's heard about that. It's the kind of audacious stupidity that becomes legend." Her eyes gleamed with amusement. "Qi Gathering 3rd Stage challenging Core Formation 7th Stage. You'll either die spectacularly or pull off the most shocking upset in sect history."
"I'm hoping for the latter."
"As am I. The cultivation world needs more interesting people." She pulled out another item—a small jade bottle. "This is a Qi Condensing Pill. Mid-grade. It'll help you break through to the next stage faster. Consider it an investment in your potential."
The system was practically screaming in my head: "TAKE IT! TAKE IT! That's worth like 200 CP minimum!"
I bowed deeply. "I don't know how to thank you, Pavilion Master Shen."
"Survive your duel. Come back here afterward and tell me how you did it. That will be thanks enough." She gestured toward the door. "My disciples will show you to a guest room. You'll stay the night and return to Azure Peak tomorrow. I assume you need rest after traveling all day."
"Yes, Pavilion Master. Thank you."
As I turned to leave, she called out, "Oh, and Chen Feng?"
I looked back.
"That spiritual awakening of yours… it really did change you, didn't it? Your eyes are different. Clearer. Like you're seeing the world for the first time."
"In a way, I am," I said honestly.
She smiled. "Good. Keep that clarity. The cultivation world has enough blind fools. We need more people who actually see."
The system chimed as I left her office: "Affection Alert! Shen Yun - Affection Level: 0 → 35 (Impressed and Interested). Holy shit, you're collecting powerful women like Pokemon! She basically just adopted you as an interesting junior to watch!"
"Is that good or bad?" I thought.
"VERY good! Pavilion Masters don't just hand out spirit stones and pills to random couriers! She sees potential in you! This could lead to all sorts of benefits down the line!"
The guard led me to a modest but comfortable guest room in one of the lower buildings. It had an actual bed—with a mattress!—a desk, a window overlooking the misty gardens, and even a small attached bathroom with running water.
Compared to my closet back at Azure Peak, this was luxury.
I set down my pack, pulled out the pouch of spirit stones and the jade bottle containing the Qi Condensing Pill, and just stared at them for a moment.
"I've been in this world for three days," I said aloud. "THREE DAYS. And I've already: survived an execution, gained a harem system, met an ice goddess, a demon, and now a Pavilion Master who's apparently invested in my success. This is insane."
"Welcome to cultivation world!" the system said cheerfully. "Where the insane becomes normal and the normal becomes boring! Now, you should probably cultivate with one of those spirit stones. They'll dramatically speed up your progress!"
"How do I use them?"
"Hold it while you cultivate! The stone contains condensed spiritual energy. As you practice the Primordial Yang Scripture, you'll naturally absorb the energy from the stone. It'll crumble to dust when fully depleted."
I pulled out one of the spirit stones. It was about the size of a marble, translucent white, and pulsed with inner light.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, I held the stone in my palm and began cultivating.
The difference was immediate and dramatic.
Instead of slowly drawing in tiny motes of spiritual energy from the air, it was like opening a floodgate. Power poured from the spirit stone into my body, rushing through my meridians and into my dantian with such force that I gasped.
"Easy! Easy! Don't try to absorb it all at once! You need to refine it properly or you'll damage your foundation!" the system warned.
I slowed down, focusing on the technique's breathing pattern, carefully refining each surge of energy before allowing more in.
It was like the difference between filling a pool with a garden hose versus a fire hydrant. Intense, almost overwhelming, but incredible.
The spirit stone in my hand began to dim as its energy transferred into my body.
Hours passed. The stone crumbled to powder. My dantian felt fuller than it ever had, the warm pool inside me expanded and compressed, the spiritual energy growing denser.
"Cultivation Progress: Qi Gathering 3rd Stage (56%… 65%… 74%… 83%…)"
I opened my eyes as the last of the spirit stone's energy settled into my core.
"Almost at 4th Stage," the system noted. "One more spirit stone and some regular cultivation should push you over!"
I felt amazing. Energized. Powerful, even—relatively speaking.
"Should I take the Qi Condensing Pill now?"
"No! Save that for when you're trying to breakthrough from 3rd to 4th Stage. Pills like that are most effective when used during a breakthrough. They help stabilize the process and make it smoother."
Made sense.
I was about to resume cultivating when there was a knock at my door.
"Chen Feng? It's dinner time. Pavilion Master Shen invites you to dine with the senior disciples."
I opened the door to find a young woman in disciple robes, probably around twenty years old, with a friendly smile.
"I'm Jiang Ling," she introduced herself. "Inner disciple. I'll be your guide during your stay."
"Thank you, Senior Sister Jiang."
"Just Jiang Ling is fine. We're not as formal here as Azure Peak." She gestured for me to follow. "Come on. The dining hall has amazing food. Our sect might be smaller, but our chef is a culinary genius."
The system chimed: "Jiang Ling - Foundation Establishment, 1st Stage. Affection Level: 10 (Friendly/Curious). Not a primary harem target but could be a good connection!"
As we walked through the pavilion's corridors, Jiang Ling chatted amiably. "So you're the one who challenged Yue Lingshuang? That's either really brave or really stupid."
"I'm getting that a lot," I said with a smile.
"Well, I think it's brave. The cultivation world needs more people willing to reach beyond their limits." She glanced at me sideways. "Though I have to ask… how exactly do you plan to land even a single hit on someone that much stronger than you?"
"Very carefully," I deadpanned.
She laughed. "Good answer. Oh, here we are."
The dining hall was a large, open room with several tables where disciples ate and conversed. The atmosphere was much more relaxed than I'd expected—people were actually laughing and joking rather than maintaining rigid sect hierarchy.
Pavilion Master Shen sat at the head table with several people who were clearly senior disciples or elders. She gestured for me to join them.
"Chen Feng! Come, sit. Everyone, this is the courier from Azure Peak who successfully navigated Whispering Woods at Qi Gathering 3rd Stage."
There were impressed murmurs and curious looks.
"Sit next to me," a cheerful voice said.
I looked over to see a young man probably a few years older than me with an easygoing smile and relaxed posture. "I'm Wei Lin, inner disciple. Always happy to meet someone brave enough to do stupid things. We'll get along great."
I sat, and immediately food was served.
And holy shit, Jiang Ling wasn't kidding about the chef.
Spiritual beast meat that practically melted in your mouth. Vegetables grown in spiritual soil that tasted more vibrant than anything I'd eaten in either of my lives. Rice that seemed to contain trace amounts of spiritual energy. Even the tea was incredible.
"This is amazing," I said honestly.
"Chef Hua is a treasure," Pavilion Master Shen said. "She was a renowned chef in the mortal world who stumbled into cultivation late in life. Never had the talent for combat, but her cooking? That's its own form of art."
"I'd argue her cooking is more valuable than most combat techniques," Wei Lin said, earning laughs from the table. "I've seen people defect from other sects just for a chance to eat here regularly."
The dinner continued with easy conversation. They asked about Azure Peak, about the Whispering Woods journey, about my duel with Yue Lingshuang.
I found myself relaxing, genuinely enjoying the company.
"You know," Pavilion Master Shen said toward the end of the meal, her eyes twinkling, "we have a tradition here at Misty Valley. When guests do us a favor, we return the favor. You delivered my package successfully, so I should give you something useful."
"You already gave me spirit stones and a pill, Pavilion Master," I protested.
"Those were rewards for competence. This is different." She stood. "Follow me. The rest of you, continue eating."
Confused but curious, I followed her out of the dining hall and through the pavilion complex. We climbed higher up the mountain until we reached a small building I hadn't seen before.
"This is our Scripture Pavilion," she explained. "Where we keep our sect's cultivation techniques and martial arts. Normally, only Misty Valley disciples can access it."
She pushed open the door, revealing shelves upon shelves of jade slips and ancient scrolls.
"However, as Pavilion Master, I have discretion to make exceptions. And you, Chen Feng, are an interesting exception." She walked to a particular shelf and pulled out a jade slip. "This is the Thousand Steps technique. It's a movement technique—a footwork method that allows you to move faster and more unpredictably in combat."
She handed it to me.
"A movement technique?"
"Exactly. You're challenging someone far stronger than you. You can't beat Yue Lingshuang with power. But speed and unpredictability? Those might give you a chance. This technique won't make you fast enough to dodge everything she throws at you, but it'll make you harder to hit. And in a duel where you just need to land one strike? That could make all the difference."
I stared at the jade slip, overwhelmed. "Pavilion Master… I don't know what to say."
"Say you'll use it well. Say you'll give Yue Lingshuang the fight of her life. Say you'll come back here afterward and tell me every detail." Her smile was warm. "I'm investing in you, Chen Feng. Not just because you delivered my package, but because I see something in you. Potential. Drive. The kind of spirit that makes legends."
The system was going crazy: "New technique acquired! Affection increase! She basically just gave you a technique worth at least 300 CP for free! This woman is amazing!"
"I will," I promised. "I'll make you proud, Pavilion Master Shen."
"I'm sure you will. Now go rest. You have a long journey tomorrow, and then even more intense training ahead of you."
Back in my guest room, I immediately pressed the jade slip to my forehead.
Knowledge flooded my mind. The Thousand Steps technique—a footwork method that combined quick, precise movements with unpredictable direction changes. It was designed for fighting opponents stronger than yourself, focusing on evasion and positioning rather than raw speed.
I spent the next hour practicing the basic steps in my room, feeling the technique settle into my muscle memory.
"This is perfect," I muttered. "If I can combine Ice Palm for offense with Thousand Steps for movement, I might actually have a chance."
"A small chance," the system corrected. "Like, 5% instead of 0.01%. But hey, it's improvement!"
I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted but satisfied.
Mission complete. Rewards gained. New techniques learned. Connections made.
"System, show me my current status."
A window appeared in my vision:
**HEAVENLY HAREM SYSTEM - STATUS**
Host: Alex Chen (inhabiting Chen Feng's body)
Age: 25 (body is 18)
Cultivation Level: Qi Gathering, 3rd Stage (83%)
Harem Members: 0 (but several interested candidates!)
Harem Points: 1,700 HP
Active Abilities:
- Silver Tongue of the Casanova (Passive)
Cultivation Techniques:
- Primordial Yang Scripture (Basic)
Martial Techniques:
- Ice Palm (Basic)
- Thousand Steps (Basic)
Inventory:
- 19 Low-Grade Spirit Stones
- 1 Qi Condensing Pill (Mid-Grade)
- 1 Demon Fox Fire Crystal
- Basic Supplies
Current Missions:
- Main: Land a hit on Yue Lingshuang (27 days remaining)
- Side: Reach Qi Gathering 4th Stage (6 days remaining)
- Daily: Morning Cultivation (Complete today!)
Jade Beauty Affection Levels:
- Yue Lingshuang: 25 (Interested)
- Lin Mei: 15 (Mildly Interested)
- Feng Xia: 20 (Friendly)
- Liu Yan (Demon): 45 (Delighted)
- Shen Yun: 35 (Impressed and Interested)
"Not bad for three days," I murmured.
"Not bad at all! Though I should mention, you're getting close to unlocking some new system features. Once you get your first official harem member, things get really interesting!" the system said with what I could only describe as a suggestive tone.
"Define 'interesting.'"
"You'll see! Now sleep! Big day tomorrow!"
I closed my eyes, a smile on my face despite the exhaustion.
Day three of cultivation: complete.
Twenty-seven days until the duel.
And for the first time since arriving in this world, I actually felt like I might survive it.
Maybe even win.
The next morning, I woke to find a note slipped under my door:
"Chen Feng - Safe travels back to Azure Peak. Train hard. Don't die. I'm expecting great things from you. - Pavilion Master Shen
P.S. - If you ever need a place to train away from prying eyes, Misty Valley's gates are open to you. Consider it a standing invitation."
I folded the note carefully and tucked it away.
The journey back through Whispering Woods was notably easier. Maybe because I was getting better at sensing spirit beasts. Maybe because I was more confident after the first trip. Or maybe Liu Yan's aura was still lingering on me, keeping the more dangerous creatures away.
Either way, I made it back to Azure Peak by late afternoon without incident.
The Mission Hall clerk's eyes widened when I presented the proof of delivery jade slip.
"You… actually completed it? On time?"
"Is that surprising?"
"Chen Feng, you're a Qi Gathering 3rd Stage outer disciple with a history of failing every mission you've ever taken. Yes, it's surprising." He processed the completion and added 25 Contribution Points to my sect token. "Though I suppose if you're serious about that duel with Fairy Yue, you'd need to start succeeding at something."
"I am serious," I said firmly.
The clerk just shook his head and waved me off.
Back in my tiny room, I immediately set to work. I had twenty-six days left, and I needed to make every single one count.
"Alright, system. Let's make a training plan."
"Now you're talking! Here's what I recommend:
Daily Schedule:
- 4:30 AM - 6:30 AM: Cultivation with spirit stones
- 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM: Breakfast and rest
- 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Ice Palm technique practice
- 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Thousand Steps footwork training
- 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM: Lunch and rest
- 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Sparring or missions for Contribution Points
- 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Cultivation
- 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Dinner
- 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM: More technique practice or rest as needed
- 10:00 PM: Sleep
It's brutal, but if you want to go from trash-tier to 'might land one hit,' you need brutal."
I looked at the schedule and groaned. "This is going to kill me."
"Better than Yue Lingshuang killing you in the duel!"
Fair point.
"Oh, and I should mention," the system added, "You're about to get some new quests. Including some… let's say 'progressive' ones. Remember, you wanted adult content? Well, as you get closer to your harem members, those quests will start appearing."
"How adult are we talking?"
"It starts mild and escalates based on your relationships! For example, early quests might be things like 'Hold Hands with a Jade Beauty' or 'Receive a Genuine Compliment.' But as affection increases, they get more… intimate. Think of it as a natural progression!"
"And if I don't complete them?"
"No penalties! Optional quests are just that - optional. But they give great rewards and help develop your relationships, so you'll probably want to do them eventually."
I nodded slowly. That actually made sense in a weird way.
A new notification appeared:
**NEW OPTIONAL QUEST AVAILABLE**
Quest: First Harem Member
Objective: Get any jade beauty's affection to 50 and have them officially agree to be part of your harem
Reward: Unlock Harem System Features, 2000 HP, Special Ability: Harem Bond
Time Limit: None
Difficulty: Medium
"Fifty affection," I mused. "Yue Lingshuang is at 25, Liu Yan at 45, Shen Yun at 35…"
"Liu Yan is your closest bet! But also the most dangerous! Demon relationships are… intense. Yue Lingshuang would be safer but harder to increase affection with. Your choice!"
I decided to worry about that later. For now, I needed to focus on training.
I pulled out a spirit stone and began cultivating.
The next few days passed in a blur of intense training. Wake up, cultivate, practice techniques, eat, train more, cultivate again, sleep, repeat.
My body adapted quickly—one of the benefits of cultivation. Muscles that should have been screaming in agony just felt pleasantly sore. My stamina increased daily. Even my senses seemed sharper.
On the fourth day, during morning cultivation with a spirit stone, I felt it.
A pressure building in my dantian. The spiritual energy was compressed as tightly as it could go at my current stage. It needed to expand, to break through to the next level.
"This is it!" the system said excitedly. "You're about to breakthrough! Take the Qi Condensing Pill now!"
I swallowed the pill. It dissolved instantly on my tongue, and warmth spread through my entire body.
The pressure in my dantian intensified. More and more. Building. Building.
And then—
CRACK.
It felt like something broke inside me, but in a good way. Like an egg hatching. The compressed spiritual energy in my dantian suddenly expanded, filling a larger space, and I could feel my body being refined and strengthened in the process.
**BREAKTHROUGH ACHIEVED**
Cultivation Level: Qi Gathering, 4th Stage
"YES!" I shouted, unable to contain my excitement.
I felt incredible. Stronger. Faster. More alive than ever.
"Congratulations! First breakthrough in this world! You're officially not complete trash anymore! Just regular trash!" the system teased.
I laughed. I didn't even care about the insult. I'd done it. In less than a week, I'd advanced an entire stage.
There was a knock at my door.
I opened it to find Feng Xia standing there with a knowing smile.
"I heard shouting. Let me guess—breakthrough?"
"How did you know?"
"Because you're grinning like an idiot and your aura is visibly stronger. Congratulations, Chen Feng." She held up a bottle. "I brought wine to celebrate. Figured you'd manage it this week."
"You had that much faith in me?"
"Call it merchant's intuition. Plus, I've been watching you train like a madman for the past few days. Your dedication is… impressive." She walked past me into my room without invitation. "So, Qi Gathering 4th Stage. Still nowhere near what you'd need to beat Fairy Yue, but progress is progress."
She poured wine into two cups and handed me one.
"To your breakthrough," she toasted. "And to not dying horribly in twenty-three days."
"I'll drink to that."
The wine was surprisingly good—spiritual wine, actually, with traces of Qi that made it both intoxicating and slightly beneficial for cultivation.
"So," Feng Xia said, settling onto my bed (my only furniture besides the desk), "rumor has it you met Pavilion Master Shen and she gave you gifts. Spirit stones and a technique scroll?"
"News travels fast."
"I have my sources." She smiled. "I also heard you encountered something in the Whispering Woods. Something that left a demonic aura on you that took two days to fully dissipate."
I nearly choked on my wine. "How could you possibly know that?"
"My family deals in rare goods, including things from the demon territories. I recognize the scent." Her eyes gleamed with curiosity. "What did you meet out there, Chen Feng? And why are you still alive?"
I debated lying, then decided against it. Feng Xia had been helpful and honest with me.
"A demon fox. She was bathing in a hot spring. We talked. She liked me for some reason and gave me a gift."
Feng Xia's eyes widened. "She LIKED you? Demons don't just 'like' random cultivators. They either ignore them or kill them. What did you do?"
"I treated her like a person instead of a monster?"
She stared at me for a long moment, then burst out laughing. "You're either the luckiest or most charming person I've ever met. Probably both." She refilled our cups. "Keep that demon connection quiet, though. If the sect elders found out, they'd have questions. Lots of uncomfortable questions."
"Noted."
We drank in comfortable silence for a moment.
"Can I ask you something personal?" Feng Xia said.
"Sure."
"Why are you really doing this? The duel, I mean. Everyone thinks you're either insane or have a death wish. But I've watched you these past few days, and you're not suicidal. So what's driving you?"
I thought about how to answer that.
"Because," I said slowly, "for the first time in my life—in this life—I feel like I'm actually living. Actually doing something meaningful. Even if I lose the duel, even if I get humiliated, at least I'll have tried. At least I'll have pushed myself beyond what everyone thought possible."
Feng Xia studied me with those clever eyes. "You really are different from the old Chen Feng. He would have said something perverted or made an excuse. You…" She moved closer. "You're genuine."
The system chimed: "Affection Alert! Feng Xia - Affection Level: 20 → 30 (Genuinely Interested)! She's getting closer! Both physically and emotionally!"
Indeed, Feng Xia had moved close enough that I could smell her perfume—something floral with a hint of spice.
"Feng Xia," I said carefully, very aware of the proximity.
"Chen Feng," she replied, a playful smile on her lips. "You know, in merchant families, we're taught to recognize good investments early. Assets that others overlook because they don't see the potential."
"And you think I'm a good investment?"
"I think you're an interesting one." Her hand reached up and straightened my collar—a gesture that was far more intimate than it needed to be. "I like interesting."
**NEW OPTIONAL QUEST AVAILABLE**
Quest: Merchant's Interest
Objective: Share a genuine moment of intimacy with Feng Xia
Reward: +15 Affection with Feng Xia, 500 HP, Unlock "Merchant's Discount" perk
Time Limit: Next 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
My heart was racing. Not just from the quest, but from the genuine attraction I felt. Feng Xia was beautiful, clever, and right now, very close.
"The wine might be affecting your judgment," I said, trying to be responsible.
"I've had one cup. I know exactly what I'm doing." She tilted her head. "The question is, do you?"
I looked into her eyes. Saw genuine interest there, not just opportunism. This wasn't about the duel or my potential. This was… real.
"I think," I said, reaching up to gently brush a strand of hair from her face, "that you're right. About recognizing potential. About being interesting."
She smiled. "Good answer."
And then she kissed me.
It was soft at first, almost questioning. I responded, my hand moving to cup her cheek, and the kiss deepened.
The system was cheerfully announcing quest completion, but I barely noticed. I was too focused on the moment. On the warmth of her lips, the taste of spiritual wine, the feeling of connection.
When we finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, Feng Xia laughed.
"Well. That was worth the investment."
"Glad I didn't disappoint."
"Oh, you definitely didn't." She stood, smoothing her robes. "I should go before rumors start. But Chen Feng? That breakthrough isn't the only progress you've made this week."
She left with a wink, leaving me sitting there processing what just happened.
**QUEST COMPLETE: Merchant's Interest**
Rewards Granted:
- Feng Xia Affection: 30 → 45 (Very Interested/Attracted)
- 500 HP Added
- Perk Unlocked: Merchant's Discount (Get 10% discount on all goods from merchant-affiliated vendors)
"Well," the system said, sounding smug, "that escalated nicely! First kiss in your new life! And with a jade beauty! You're definitely getting the hang of this harem protagonist thing!"
I touched my lips, still feeling the ghost of that kiss.
"This is really happening, isn't it? This whole… harem situation."
"It's happening! And it's only going to get more interesting from here! You've got multiple jade beauties interested, you're getting stronger, and in twenty-three days, you've got the fight of your life. What could possibly go wrong?"
"Please don't jinx it."
"Too late! Now get back to training! That breakthrough was great, but you've got a long way to go still!"
I spent the rest of the evening practicing Ice Palm and Thousand Steps, my mind occasionally wandering back to that kiss.
The cultivation world was insane, dangerous, and unpredictable.
But for the first time in both of my lives, I felt like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
TO BE CONTINUED…