The grand hall of the Sixth Peak was nothing short of majestic. It soared upward, the ceiling lost in a swirl of spirit mist and golden formations, humming softly with spiritual energy. Velvet-red carpets embroidered with phoenix motifs rolled from the golden gates all the way to the elevated jade dais where Su Lan sat upon her throne—an ethereal beauty wrapped in a robe of blue and black silk, its sleeves fluttering without wind, revealing glimpses of her fair shoulders and smooth collarbone.
Soft gusts of spiritual wind gently played with her long, flowing robes — a misty blue ensemble trimd with phoenix embroidery, ethereal in appearance, as though woven from mist itself. Her sleeves billowed gently even though the air inside was still, and her silken black hair, adorned with a single moon-pearl pin, cascaded like a waterfall over her shoulder.
Her eyes, half-closed, had been lost in thought, flashing montarily with the ghosts of past mories. Bitterness, longing, and deep-seated restraint flickered behind those calm pupils. But before any emotion could linger long enough to escape her gaze, she exhaled softly and reined herself in.
Her eyes were calm, half-lidded, but focused. Those sa eyes now narrowed slightly, fixated on one person standing silently at the edge of the carpeted path—ng Hao.
A cold, clear voice broke the silence.
"Today," Su Lan began, her tone carrying both authority and an edge of warning, "there has been a sudden drop in spiritual energy fluctuations near the outer boundary of our sect. There are also murmurs... rumors of a Golden Core realm treasure surfacing nearby."
At her words, the nine beautiful won seated respectfully before her — her senior disciples — straightened their backs, their expressions sharpening. Su Lan’s gaze swept across them, calm and authoritative, but from ti to ti, it lingered for a fleeting second longer on one person — ng Hao, the sole male among them.
Despite her typically frigid deanor, those brief glances held the faintest trace of sothing... warr. Perhaps too warm.
"This," she continued, "will likely attract many demonic cultivators. The region will descend into chaos in the coming days. I hope you all rember your responsibilities and refrain from leaving the sect’s territory without express permission."
Her words echoed across the chamber like the toll of a temple bell — firm and unyielding.
Standing not far behind the seated disciples was a slender woman dressed in silver-white garnts — Cheng Yue, Li Yao’s master. With her sharp, discerning eyes, she had long noticed the subtle glances her Sect Master threw toward ng Hao. She leaned slightly toward Li Yao, whispering just loud enough for her disciple to hear.
"Girl," Cheng Yue said with narrowed eyes, "your master’s lust seems to be growing more restless by the day. If you truly want to protect your junior brother, you need to grow stronger — fast. That treasure... it might be your chance."
Li Yao, who sat still like a statue of jade, clenched her fists at those words, her nails digging into her palms. Her teeth bit down on her lower lip until it turned pale, and a storm raged behind her calm exterior.
"Damn that vixen..." she cursed inwardly, her thoughts seething. "Just wait until I reach the Nascent Soul Realm. If you dare lay a single finger on my junior brother... I will tear that flawless face of yours apart. He’s mine — only mine!"
anwhile, Cheng Yue let out a soft sigh, as if resigned yet hopeful. "Perhaps this jealousy will serve her well," she mused to herself. "It may just beco the fuel she needs to push through her next bottleneck. The treasure’s appearance... it’s tily. A perfect trial."
Su Lan, as if sensing the silent undercurrent of thoughts flowing among her disciples, let her expression darken slightly. Her voice echoed once more across the ornate chamber.
"Alright. That is all. You may go."
She paused, letting the silence emphasize her next words.
"But rember my warning — chaos is stirring. And though we are led by a Divine Transformation Realm Patriarch, our sect possesses only one Nascent Soul artifact. That alone should tell you how rare such treasures are. This matter is not to be taken lightly."
The weight of her words settled upon the gathered disciples like a mountain fog — heavy and chilling. They all stood as one, bowed respectfully, and began to leave the chamber.
ng Hao, standing at the back of the group in his signature black and crimson robes, had been quiet the entire ti. Just as he turned to leave, taking his first step toward the doors carved with phoenix runes, a voice cold and commanding froze him mid-step.
"ng Hao," Su Lan called. "You, stay. The others may go."
The words sent a ripple of surprise through the remaining disciples. They paused montarily, casting sidelong glances filled with confusion or envy. Li Yao, in particular, felt as if her heart had been pierced. Her steps halted, her lips curled in silent frustration, but she held her composure — barely.
"What does she want from now?" ng Hao thought with a frown, turning back as the room emptied.
As he turned to face his master, a familiar chanical chi rang out in his mind, accompanied by the flat, emotionless voice of his system.
[Ding! Warning: It has been detected that your master, Su Lan, has plotted to poison you and engage in dual cultivation with you to stabilize her Dao heart.]
[Ding! New Mission Assigned: Dominate your master on the bed completely.]
[Mission Reward: 100 Charm Points]
The system’s blunt announcent made ng Hao’s expression twitch. A mix of disdain and amusent crossed his face, though outwardly, he maintained a neutral, respectful front.
ng Hao’s eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing within their depths. He couldn’t help but sneer inwardly, "So it wasn’t just Li Yao who was foolish beyond saving. Even the Sixth Peak Master, Su Lan—soone revered and feared by countless cultivators—has fallen into the sa pitiful trap."
"To think she, a Nascent Soul expert, would stoop so low as to consider using an aphrodisiac against , just to bend my will to hers? Does she truly believe such crude ans could shackle soone like ?"
His lips curled into a mocking smile, his expression unreadable. "These so-called proud won, always thinking they can control others with beauty or tricks... if she truly wished to ensnare , wouldn’t it have been wiser to approach with subtlety, with sches befitting her status? But no... blinded by lust, she chose the path of a fool."
ng Hao shook his head, amusent flashing across his face for a fleeting mont before his gaze returned to its usual indifference. "How laughable. They believe themselves clever, yet their actions reveal nothing but desperation. Stupidity runs deep, it seems—even among Nascent Soul cultivators."
But his mind moved quickly.
"Well... If you insist on playing this ga, then fine. I’ll go along with your little sche... and make you beg for rcy on your own bed."
Behind him, the door to the hall shut softly, sealing him in with Su Lan. The remaining disciples had all left, including Li Yao — though she did so while biting her lip hard enough to draw blood.
Su Lan stood now, descending from her lotus throne, each step graceful and fluid like a swan descending from the heavens. Her jade heels clicked softly on the glowing floor, echoing slightly in the now-empty chamber.
Her eyes bore into ng Hao, not with the cold command of a sect master — but with a hungry gleam buried beneath layers of restraint.
"Oh, my dear disciple..." she thought, licking her lips slowly, the gesture barely perceptible. "Let master have you tonight."
ng Hao, not flinching at her gaze, spoke first. "Master, why have you called here alone?"
Su Lan paused, her expression still dignified. She raised her hand, and with a flick of her fingers, a wine cup appeared midair — hovering and shimring with faint spiritual light. It descended gently to a low table beside ng Hao.
"I’ve prepared a spiritual wine," she said with a faint smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "One that could help improve your innate talent. A rare formula I concocted myself."
ng Hao widened his eyes just a little, giving a convincing display of surprise and gratitude. He bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Master. I’m honored."
Su Lan’s smile stiffened slightly. Guilt flickered in her eyes, quickly buried.
"Forgive , disciple," she thought sadly. "But this is the only way I can ease the disturbance in my Dao heart. I must suppress these emotions, or risk a deviation..."
She watched with bated breath as ng Hao lifted the cup and drank.
Unbeknownst to her, his system had already purified the contents of the drink the mont it entered his mouth. He tasted only cool spiritual dew — the poison, if any, completely neutralized.
Su Lan stepped closer, her eyes still gentle.
"ng Hao..." she asked softly, her voice now warr, tinged with the faintest hint of curiosity, "How are you feeling?"
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