The woman's voice cut through the air like one of her arrows—sharp, no-nonsense, and ready to kill.
She stood on a rocky outcrop above us, bow half-drawn, an arrow nocked and pointed right at my chest. Even from down here, I could see she was a stunner.
Tall, athletic build with curves that her tight leather armor couldn't hide—full tits straining against the straps, hips wide and strong like she could crush a man between her thighs.
Her long auburn hair was tied back in a practical braid, but a few strands framed a face that was all fierce beauty: sharp green eyes, full lips twisted in a suspicious scowl, and a scar running down her cheek that only made her hotter.
Raw, untamed energy radiated off her, the kind that screamed "I could fuck or fight you, and you'd enjoy both."
[System Alert: New Target - Lin Yue (A-Rank Harem Potential)]
[Profile: Rebel archer, Peak Foundation Establishment. Loyal to the old regime, but distrustful of strangers and men. Intimacy opportunities high if trust is earned.]
Great, system. Way to prioritize.
I kept my hands up, playing the harmless old man card. "Easy there, miss. We're not here to cause trouble. Name's Zhao Tianlong—former emperor, if that rings any bells. This is Mei Ling and her brother Xiao. We escaped the capital, crippled that bastard Wuji, and we're looking for allies."
Her eyes narrowed, but the bow didn't lower. "Zhao Tianlong? The dead emperor? Bullshit. Everyone knows he rotted in a cell years ago. You look like some beggar grandpa pulling a scam. Prove it, or I put this arrow through your eye."
Mei Ling stepped forward, Xiao hiding behind her legs. "It's true! He... he woke up different. Stronger. We fought our way out together. Please, we've got nowhere else to go."
Lin Yue—assuming that was her name from the system—hesitated, scanning us. Her gaze lingered on me a bit too long, like she was trying to piece together how a wrinkly old fart like me could be the legendary dragon emperor. Finally, she whistled sharp, and ropes dropped from the cliffs. "Climb up. But one wrong move, and you're target practice."
We hauled ourselves up the ropes—Xiao needed help, the poor kid still weak from his ordeal. I "slipped" once, grabbing Mei Ling's waist for support, my hand brushing her ass just enough to spark that familiar tingle. [Accidental Touch: Vitality +3] She shot me a confused look but said nothing, probably chalking it up to my "old man clumsiness."
At the top, we were surrounded by a dozen rebels—rough-looking folks with scarred faces and mismatched armor, all eyeing us like fresh meat. Lin Yue hopped down from her perch, slinging her bow over her shoulder. Up close, she was even more impressive—sweat glistening on her neck, trailing down into her cleavage. My cock twitched, the system's influence turning every glance into a potential point farm.
"Follow me," she grunted, leading us into the cliffside caves. "Boss'll want to hear this fairy tale."
Eldridge Hollow was a maze of tunnels turned stronghold—old mining shafts reinforced with wooden beams, lit by glowing spirit crystals. Rebels nodded as we passed, some whispering about the "old guy who claims to be emperor." We ended up in a central cavern, where a burly man with a beard like a bear's sat at a crude table, maps spread out before him.
"Captain Huo," Lin Yue said, saluting lazily. "Found these strays at the perimeter. Gramps here says he's Zhao Tianlong reborn or some shit."
Huo looked up, his eyes widening. "Tianlong? By the heavens... you do look like the portraits, aged and all. Sit. Tell me everything."
I spun the tale—waking up in the cell, the system (I called it a "heavenly awakening" to avoid sounding nuts), escaping with Mei Ling, crippling Wuji. Omitted the horny details, of course. Mei Ling chimed in, vouching for me, and Xiao just nodded shyly.
Huo rubbed his beard. "If this is true... it changes everything. We've been hitting Wuji's supply lines, but with the Immortal Sect backing him, we're outgunned. You really shattered his dantian?"
"Like glass," I confirmed. "But the Sect's airship landed right after. They'll fix him up, no doubt."
Lin Yue crossed her arms, pushing her tits up distractingly. "Sounds too good to be true. How's an old coot like you pull that off? You don't look like you could fight a squirrel."
I chuckled, leaning back. "Appearances deceive, miss. Got some new tricks up my sleeve." To demonstrate—and farm points—I stood and offered her a handshake. "Truce?"
She took it, her grip firm and calloused. The contact sparked: [Firm Handshake: Vitality +2, Initial Bond Formed] Her eyes flickered with surprise, like she felt the qi buzz too. "Weird... you got some aura there, gramps."
Huo nodded. "If you're really Tianlong, we could use you. But we need proof. There's a Sect patrol sniffing around the Hollow's edges tomorrow. Help us ambush 'em, and you're in."
"Deal," I said. System pinged: [New Mission: Secure Alliance - Ambush Success][Rewards: Harem Points x30, Skill Upgrade]
They gave us a small cave room to rest—basic cots, some food, and privacy. Xiao crashed immediately, tuckered out. Mei Ling sat with me, her hand brushing mine "accidentally." [Light Touch: Vitality +2]
"Thanks for believing in me," she whispered.
I pulled her close for a "comforting" hug, my hands sliding down to squeeze her ass cheeks—firm, juicy, begging to be spread. She gasped softly but leaned in, confused yet warming up. "Your majesty... this feels..."
"Just relaxing," I murmured, grinding my hard cock against her thigh subtly. [Intimate Press: Vitality +8, Arousal Bonus +4] She bit her lip, not pulling away, her confusion melting into something hotter. Points flowed, vitality holding steady.
But before things escalated, a shout echoed from outside: "Intruders! Sect spies at the gates!"
We rushed out, weapons ready. Lin Yue was there, bow drawn, her ass looking incredible as she bent to aim. But as we peered over the cliffs, it wasn't just spies—it was a full squad, led by a familiar face.
Wuji, patched up and furious, riding a spirit beast. "Found you, Father! Time to end this!"
How the hell did he recover so fast? And with him... a woman in Sect robes, radiating Nascent Soul power. This was bad.