Mei Lingling Pov
Mei Lingling had spent the last three nights cultivating inside her spiritual cave, white robes fluttering faintly as residual qi spiraled around her like mist caught in moonlight.
Her posture remained upright, but the strain showed in the subtle tremor of her shoulders. Fine beads of sweat traced slow paths down her temples, soaking into her hair as her breathing grew shallow, each inhale dragging in spiritual energy that burned as it refined.
Her meridians ached, stretched taut like overdrawn strings, and her qi sea churned violently, pressing against an invisible barrier that refused to yield.
"Just a little more…" she murmured, lips pale, eyes flashing with quiet resolve.
Pain flared—and she welcomed it.
"I'm really close to breaking through Stage Seven…"
Her brows knitted tightly. The upcoming Outer Sect Competition was far too important to fail.
If she could not shine there, how could she ever step into the Inner Sect?
And this year was different. One of the three Personal Disciples of the Sect Master would personally oversee the trials—a rare chance that might not come again for decades.
If she performed well… she might even earn a direct reward.
And if she managed to break through Stage Seven before the competition—
"Maybe… maybe there really is a chance for me to enter the Inner Sect," she whispered, the words trembling on her lips, as though even hoping felt dangerous.
After a hot bath washed away the tension of three sleepless nights, she changed into fresh robes, the lingering warmth still clinging to her skin. Her long hair, damp and loose, brushed softly against her back, carrying the faint scent of spiritual herbs.
She paused by the edge of the spiritual spring, studying her reflection in the clear water. A quiet smile curved her lips.
"It feels… good."
Her steps were light as she left the cave, her mood unexpectedly buoyant, as if the heaviness she had carried for days had finally lifted. With that gentle warmth still lingering in her chest, she made her way toward the Silver Bamboo Meal House.
The moment she stepped inside, the sound of whispering instantly reached her sensitive ears.
"Is that him?"
"That new outer disciple—he's so handsome!"
"He smiled at me earlier, I almost ascended!"
Mei Lingling blinked, confused.
Handsome new outer disciple?
Who?
Her gaze followed the direction the girls were secretly pointing toward.
And when she finally spotted him… she froze.
"…That's… Brother Xuanyan?"
Her childhood acquaintance. Her younger brother's friend.
The one who, in her memory, had been stuck at Qi Condensation Stage Two for four long years.
Yet the person before her—
His aura was different. Calmer. Steadier. Sharper, like a blade finally honed.
Even his appearance seemed changed… or perhaps she was simply seeing him properly for the first time.
His smile—
…why did her heart suddenly skip?
"What's wrong with me?" she muttered under her breath, pressing a hand lightly to her chest. "A charm technique? No… impossible. His cultivation was too low for that."
Then her eyes widened, realization striking her all at once.
—His aura.
He had broken through.
"He… advanced?"
Something warm bloomed in her chest, soft and unexpected. A quiet pride—almost as if she were the one who had stepped forward.
What is this feeling…?
"Don't tell me…" she whispered inwardly, half-flustered, half-alarmed. "Is this what Mother and the girls always talk about?"
Love at first sight?
She nearly choked on the thought.
"No. Impossible. I need more information first," she scolded herself as she took her seat—
Only to realize, moments later, that her gaze had already drifted back to him.
Again.
And again..
Oi! Look who crawled out of Stage Two hell!"
A loud, grating voice rang out from the left, cutting through the noise of the hall.
Mei Lingling's expression darkened instantly.
That voice—
Her anger flared.
Senior Brother Lin.
The same muscle-headed fool who had beaten her favorite junior brother yesterday for no reason at all.
She rose to her feet without hesitation.
"Senior Brother Lin," she said sharply, her tone cold and commanding, "stop bullying my junior brother."
Though Lin was technically older, habit—and disdain—made her address him as Senior Brother all the same. She stepped forward, positioning herself firmly beside Xuanyan, her stance unmistakably protective.
Lin's face twisted in irritation.
A beauty like Mei Lingling siding with a so-called trash disciple—it was humiliating. Disgusting.
But he did nothing.
Even before Xuanyan's sudden improvement, Mei Lingling had already been stronger than him.
She did not spare Lin another glance.
Her eyes were fixed entirely on Xuanyan, tracing his features as if engraving them into her heart—every line, every expression, unwilling to miss a single detail.
"Brother Xuanyan," she said at last, her voice softening into something almost gentle,
"would you accompany me for a bit? I… have something I wish to ask you."
Her lashes fluttered subtly, like a timid little spirit beast peeking out from its shelter.
Even Xuanyan looked momentarily taken aback.
Behind them, excited whispers immediately rippled through the hall.
System Notification
[Main Mission Available]
Make Mei Lingling wholeheartedly devoted to you; tie her fate to yours.
Current Devotion: 15
Reward: ???????????????
[Side Mission Available]
Help Mei Lingling prepare for the upcoming tournament
AND create an intimate moment with her.
(This does NOT require anything explicit.)
Rewards:
• 500 System Points
• Unlock Passive Skill: Yin-Compatible Physique
(Cultivate faster in the presence of Yin-type female cultivators)
Penalty if Failed:
Seven days of Slowing Charm effects.
System Note:
(˘⌣˘) "Host, the path of Dao may be lonely, but the path of harem is warm."
Xuanyan nearly choked.
Another 500 points?! Just for hand-holding?!
"This system… is too lewd," he muttered internally—yet accepted with an internal grin.
"Of course, Sister Lingling," he replied politely.
She practically glowed.
They walked side by side out of the cafeteria, Xuanyan following her lead since he had no idea where she intended to go.
Yet the moment they stepped outside together, the world felt… quieter. As if everything unnecessary had been gently pushed aside, leaving only the sound of their footsteps and the steady presence at her side.
She stole a glance.
Xuanyan was close—closer than she'd expected. Close enough that she could sense the calm strength of his aura, restrained but unmistakably different from before. It made her chest tighten for no reason she wanted to admit.
He looks… unfairly good up close.
She looked away quickly, annoyed with herself.
Once. Twice.
Her gaze kept drifting back anyway.
Each time, her heart gave a small, traitorous squeeze.
Why was she like this? She had faced senior disciples, elders, even life-and-death moments without her pulse misbehaving like this.
She bit her lower lip, slowing her steps.
If you don't say it now, you won't say it at all.
So she stopped.
Xuanyan nearly walked into her.
Before he could speak, she reached out—almost on instinct—and wrapped both hands around his hand.
She felt it immediately.
Warm
The contact sent a faint jolt through her fingers, right up her arm. She didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned forward just a little, close enough that she could feel the heat of him without actually touching.Her chest leaned forward slightly, almost brushing against his arm.
Her lotus-light fragrance drifted between them, unintentional… she hoped.
When she looked up, his eyes were on her—attentive, calm, unreadable.
That somehow made it worse.
"Brother Xuanyan…" she began softly.
Her voice sounded different to her own ears—lower, slower. More careful.
Focus.
"I want to be honest with you."
She took a breath, steadying herself, though her hands never loosened their hold.
"The Outer Sect Tournament is next week," she said, as if that explained everything. "I… need to perform well."
Her thumb shifted slightly against his knuckles—just a tiny movement, barely noticeable. Or so she told herself.
"And today," she continued, quieter now, "when I sensed your cultivation…"
Curiosity overcame restraint.
A gentle thread of Qi slipped from her fingers into his wrist, light and respectful, just enough to feel the flow of his meridians.
Her breath caught.
This is…
They were strong. Clean. Refined far beyond what they should be.
Her eyes widened before she could stop them.
"…They're better than mine were at the same level," she admitted, amazement coloring her voice.
She looked back up at him, suddenly aware of how close they were—aware that she was still holding his hand, that she hadn't let go.
She didn't want to.
"What did you encounter?" she asked softly. " A treasure?"
Her fingers tightened almost imperceptibly, betraying the hope she hadn't meant to show.
"If there's something," she added, her lips curving into a small, teasing smile meant to hide her nerves, "anything at all that could help me…"
She leaned in just a fraction closer, close enough that her words felt private, secret.
"I'm not ungrateful," she
said lightly.
"I always repay my debts."
Her gaze lingered on his face, searching, inviting—but not demanding.
"After all," she finished softly, "isn't that how cultivation works, Brother Xuanyan?"
She leaned closer, lips curving into a seductive, confident smile.
"You may ask for… anything in return, Brother Xuanyan."