The return from the Joint Sect Trial was anything but quiet. Word had spread faster than Ninebro could zoom through bamboo groves. By the time Ling Qinghe's group reached the Azure Cloud Sect gates, a crowd of disciples had gathered, whispering furiously.
"Look, it's him—the white-haired outer disciple!"
"He actually got the Pure Essence Water with those three seniors…"
"Unfair. He must be using some bewitching technique with that face."
Ling Qinghe waved cheerfully, snow-white hair still slightly messy from the trial. "Yo, fellow bros! Free show's over. Unless you've got spicy skewers, then we can negotiate."
Ninebro puffed up proudly on his shoulder, nine tails fanning like a victory banner.
Huo Yan laughed and threw a casual arm around Ling Qinghe's shoulders. "Ignore the haters. You earned that water, Snowhair Bro."
Gu Xichen walked silently on his other side, presence like a cold shield. Ye Tianlan followed gracefully, sword humming softly at his side, occasionally glancing at Ling Qinghe with gentle curiosity.
System: Congratulations, Host! Cultivation upgraded from F-rank Trash to E-rank Slightly Less Pathetic Houseplant. New Mission: "Handle the Aftermath." Deal with at least one jealous challenger without your three bros solving everything for you. Reward: Ultimate Spicy Ramen Recipe Manual (cultivation + flavor edition). Fail: Your beauty aura flips and everyone sees you as a goblin for 24 hours.
"System, I hate you sometimes," Ling Qinghe muttered.
The trouble started almost immediately at the outer disciple plaza. A tall, sharp-featured inner disciple named Lei Ming—known for his lightning techniques and massive ego—blocked their path. Several of his followers flanked him.
"So the pretty boy rides the coattails of geniuses and suddenly thinks he's somebody?" Lei Ming sneered, lightning crackling around his fists. "Hand over the Pure Essence Water. Trash like you doesn't deserve it."
Ninebro's ears flattened. Golden flames flickered on his tails.
Before Ling Qinghe could respond, Gu Xichen stepped forward, ice qi radiating. Huo Yan cracked his knuckles with a dangerous grin. Ye Tianlan's sword unsheathed slightly with a soft ring.
Ling Qinghe raised a hand. "Wait, bros. I got this one."
He stepped forward, blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "Lei Bro, right? Look, I get it. You're mad because your team came back empty-handed. But fighting over loot is so last season." He reached into his storage ring and dramatically pulled out… a steaming cup of spicy beef ramen. "Peace offering? Fresh from the trial rewards. Way better than plain water."
The crowd blinked. Lei Ming's lightning faltered. "You… you're bribing me with noodles?"
"High-quality noodles," Ling Qinghe corrected, opening the cup. The heavenly aroma wafted across the plaza. "Plus, Ninebro here is a great judge of character. If you calm down, maybe he won't turn your hair neon pink."
Ninebro tilted his head cutely, looking deceptively innocent.
Lei Ming stared at the ramen, then at Ling Qinghe's sincere (and unfairly beautiful) face. His followers started whispering. One of them muttered, "It does smell really good…"
After a long, awkward silence, Lei Ming snatched the cup. "This doesn't mean we're even, pretty boy." He took a reluctant slurp. His eyes widened. "...It's actually decent."
System: Mission progress: 1/1 Jealous challenger handled via ramen diplomacy. Achievement unlocked: "Food-Based Conflict Resolution." Partial reward delivered.
Huo Yan burst out laughing. "Only you would solve a fight with instant noodles."
Ye Tianlan smiled softly, covering his mouth with his sleeve. Even Gu Xichen's icy expression showed a rare hint of amusement—his lips twitching upward for half a second.
The crowd dispersed, some chuckling, others still stunned. Lei Ming stomped off with his prize, muttering about "weird outer disciples."
Later that evening, in a quiet pavilion reserved for inner disciples (thanks to special permissions), the group gathered for a small celebration. Spirit fruits, wines, and—of course—more ramen cups floated around courtesy of Ling Qinghe's storage ring.
Ling Qinghe sat cross-legged, sipping broth happily while Ninebro chased spirit fireflies around the table. His qi felt noticeably stronger after consuming a drop of the Pure Essence Water mixed with the major boost pill.
"Second life keeps delivering," he sighed contentedly. "Trial cleared, cultivation up, and zero goblin mode."
Gu Xichen sat nearby, quietly refilling Ling Qinghe's cup with tea whenever it got low. "You were reckless again. Next time, stay behind us."
"But where's the fun in that, Ice Prince Bro?" Ling Qinghe teased.
Huo Yan leaned back, arms behind his head. "He's got a point. The kid's chaos is half the reason we won so fast."
Ye Tianlan poured Ling Qinghe a cup of gentle spirit wine. "Your methods are unconventional, but they work. If you'd like, I can teach you basic sword forms tomorrow. Something light that matches your current… qi levels."
The three exchanged subtle glances—protective, competitive, yet strangely harmonious around the white-haired youth.
Ping!
System: Harem—ahem—Friend Group cohesion at 75%. New Title: "Ramen Overlord." Incoming plot hook: A rival sect delegation arrives in three days for the upcoming Grand Sect Tournament. They've heard about you.
Ling Qinghe grinned, leaning back against a cushion as petals drifted in on the night breeze. Ninebro finally curled up in his lap, exhausted from chaos.
"Grand Tournament, huh? Sounds like more bros to meet and more ramen to share." He looked at the three geniuses around him. "You guys in?"
Huo Yan: "Obviously."
Gu Xichen: "I will ensure your safety."
Ye Tianlan: "It would be my honor."
Ling Qinghe laughed brightly, the sound carrying through the pavilion like a troublemaker's bell. His snow-white hair glowed softly under the lanterns, blue eyes sparkling with pure excitement.
"Perfect. Team Super Bros versus the world. Just don't let me get adopted by the entire tournament or something."
Ninebro yipped in agreement, tails swishing lazily.
End of Chapter 11