The aftermath of the Heavenly Siege left the Heavensward Institute in a state of paradoxical existence. While the outside world viewed the Academy as a terrifying anomaly that had devoured the "Gods," the inside was a hive of activity. Lady Yue had successfully integrated the Blue-Lotus administration techniques, turning the chaotic growth of the 12 Departments into a streamlined machine.
However, Gaurav was currently facing a crisis that no amount of administration could fix.
The Grand Harem Council
In the Sovereign Tower's private conservatory, three women sat around a circular jade table. The atmosphere was so dense with power and jealousy that the nearby spirit-flowers were wilting and blooming simultaneously.
Matriarch Zhu Feng (Fire), Empress Mo Rong (Night), and Lady Yue (Mirror) were conducting the first "Wives' Meeting."
"Total students: Seven. Total 'potential' additions: Two," Mo Rong said, her silver eyes fixed on Gaurav, who was standing by the window, trying to look busy with a scroll. "Aria is 'recovering' in the forge, and this new musician, Qin Mo, is 'meditating' in the South Wing. Gaurav, do you have something to say?"
Gaurav cleared his throat, not turning around. "They are vital to the 12 Paths, Rong'er. Aria is the only one who can stabilize the Spatial Forges, and Qin Mo's music is the anchor for our defensive formations."
"Convenient," Zhu Feng'er snapped, a small phoenix of flame circling her wrist. "And I suppose the next three disciples will also be stunning women with 'unique' needs?"
[DING!]
[System Alert: 8th Disciple Located.]
[Location: The Mud-Pits of the Gluttony Sect.]
[Condition: Transformed. The Target is currently a 300-pound pig.]
Gaurav blinked. He turned around, a look of genuine relief on his face. "Actually, the next one is a pig."
The three women paused. "A pig?" they asked in unison.
"A Cursed Prince, to be exact," Gaurav said, already heading for the door. "And since he's currently a farm animal, I assume he won't be a threat to the 'East Wing' sleeping arrangements. I'll be back shortly!"
He vanished in a blur of golden light before they could ask more questions.
The Gluttony Sect: The Prince of Mud
The Gluttony Sect was a disgusting place. They believed that cultivation could be achieved through consumption—not just of pills, but of everything. At the center of their camp was a mud-pit where they kept "Sacrificial Beasts."
Gaurav stepped out of the void, his clean grey robes a stark contrast to the filth around him. He walked straight to the mud-pit, where a large, surprisingly clean pig was sitting in a corner, looking at the other pigs with an expression of pure, aristocratic disdain.
[Target: Prince Zhu (The Swine Prince)]
[Condition: True-Form Curse (Level 9 Art). He was turned into a pig by his own brother to steal the throne.]
[Hidden Talent: The Gluttonous Void (God-Rank). He can eat 'Concepts' and 'Attacks'.]
[Flaw: 1 (He cannot speak, only 'oink' in a royal accent).]
Gaurav leaned over the fence. "Prince Zhu, I presume? I hear you were once the most handsome man in the Western Reaches. Now... you're looking a bit more 'delicious' than 'divine'."
The pig stood up, its eyes glowing with a spark of human intelligence and rage. It let out a loud, rhythmic Oink-Oink!
[Translation (Sovereign Archive): "Librarian, if you have come to laugh, be gone. If you have come to save me, I shall grant you half my kingdom... eventually."]
"I don't want your kingdom, Zhu," Gaurav said, reaching out a hand. "I want your stomach. I need a Grandmaster of the Beast Taming and Appraiser Arts. Someone who can 'swallow' the energy of my enemies."
Gaurav touched the pig's snout.
[Technique Active: Sovereign Devolution Reversal — 50% Output]
The mud-pit exploded in a cloud of pink mist and golden light. When it cleared, the pig was gone. In its place stood a man in tattered royal silks. He was indeed handsome, but he had an insatiable hunger in his eyes. He immediately reached out, grabbed a nearby stone, and... ate it.
CRUNCH.
"Tastes like limestone," Zhu said, his voice deep and smooth. He looked at Gaurav and knelt, his stomach let out a growl that sounded like a thunderstorm. "Master... I am hungry for knowledge. And also, perhaps, some steamed buns."
[System Notification: Eighth Personal Disciple Bound.]
[Reward Unlocked: The Pavilion of Devouring & 1 'Universal Stomach' Technique.]
The Harem's Decree
Upon returning to the Academy with the 8th Disciple, Gaurav found that the "Wives' Meeting" had concluded. Lady Yue met him at the docks with a signed scroll.
"We have reached an agreement," Yue said, her sapphire eyes sparkling with a hidden mischief. "Aria and Qin Mo can stay. But for every new female disciple or 'friend' you bring back, you must spend a week in the 'Wives' Isolation'—meaning no library, no system, just us."
Gaurav gulped. "A week?"
"Per person," Zhu Feng'er added, appearing behind him and patting his cheek with a hand that was uncomfortably warm. "So, unless you want to be 'taught' by us for the next three years, choose your 9th disciple carefully."
Gaurav looked at the 8th Disciple, who was currently trying to eat a decorative jade statue in the hallway. "Zhu, stop that! That's 5,000 spirit stones!"
"Master," Zhu said, his mouth full of jade. "It has a very 'earthy' aftertaste."
Gaurav sighed. He looked at his Sovereign Archive, which was already scanning for the next target.
[DING!]
[9th Disciple Located: The 'Ghost' Goddess.]
[Location: The Underworld Gates. She is a girl who died 100 years ago but refuses to leave her grave.]
Gaurav closed the interface quickly before his wives could see. "Well... at least she's already dead. That counts as 'non-threatening,' right?"
[System Note: She is a Level 9 Necromancer and exceptionally beautiful in a 'gothic' way.]
"I'm in trouble," Gaurav whispered.