The moon hung high over the Burning Cloud Sect as Wang Li sat alone atop the jade pavilion roof, a jug of spiritual wine dangling in one hand and a letter from the imperial capital burning a hole in his robes.
Everything had happened too fast.
Feng Yuling’s ice-kiss had left a frost that still lingered on his lips.
Mu Qingling’s jealous rage had scorched his heart with phoenix fire.
Lin Ruoyan’s sly smile had stirred trouble before he even realized what kind of trouble it was.
And now...
The Crown Princess of the Eastern Phoenix Empire had summoned him.
Not to fight.
Not to assassinate.
But to cultivate with her.
Wang Li sipped the wine. It burned, but not as much as the thought of what lay ahead.
He stared at the stars. Are you kidding , heavens? Can I at least get a week of peace?
"Wang Li."
A voice so soft and delicate it could lt the mountains rang out behind him.
He didn’t even turn.
"You’re getting good at sneaking up on , Feng Yuling."
"I wasn’t sneaking." She appeared beside him like a wisp of winter air. Her robe shimred in moonlight, and her silver hair trailed like a veil behind her. "You just stopped paying attention."
"That’s worse," he muttered.
She sat beside him, knees tucked beneath her like a quiet snow lotus.
"You’re going to the capital," she said.
"Wasn’t really a choice," he said, waving the imperial scroll. "Apparently I’m now a state asset."
"You’re a lot of things," she said, her tone unreadable. "Stupid. Reckless. Hopeless with won."
"...Thanks."
"But," she added, "also... brave. And, annoyingly, charming."
Wang Li raised an eyebrow.
"What’s your angle?"
Feng Yuling looked straight at him. "The Crown Princess is known for her spiritual purity. They say any man who cultivates with her becos a puppet to the throne."
His wine froze in the jug.
"You think it’s a trap?"
"I know it is." Her eyes glead. "She’s not asking for dual cultivation. She’s asking for submission."
"And you’re warning because...?"
"Because I’m not done with you yet."
The wind stilled. Ti paused. And then...
She leaned in.
Close enough that her breath tickled his ear.
"I’ll only say this once, Wang Li. If you want to survive the capital... don’t go alone."
He turned.
"I didn’t plan to."
A second later, they both turned toward the sky as a rumbling wave of qi tore through the night.
A golden phoenix shot into the heavens, flas trailing behind it like a cot.
Mu Qingling.
She descended on a wave of golden fire, eyes sharp and furious.
"You think I’ll let you run off to so imperial hussy after kissing in public?!"
"I didn’t kiss you," Wang Li argued.
"Technicality!"
"You kissed !"
Another voice cut in, dry and amused.
"Oh good, I was worried I’d missed the drama."
Lin Ruoyan glided in from the shadows, lazily waving her fan. She was dressed far too boldly for the frigid night, her curves outlined in daring crimson silk.
Wang Li stared at the three won.
Feng Yuling: calm and deadly.
Mu Qingling: fire and fury.
Lin Ruoyan: danger wrapped in silk.
This wasn’t a love triangle.
It was a cultivation death trap.
"Alright," he said, standing. "I have a plan."
All three girls turned toward him.
"I go to the capital," he said. "But not alone."
Feng Yuling narrowed her eyes. "What are you saying?"
"I take you with ."
"Which one of us?" asked Mu Qingling.
He grinned, the grin of a man who had stared into the abyss and decided to flirt with it.
"All of you."
The wind stopped.
The girls blinked.
Feng Yuling actually looked impressed.
Lin Ruoyan’s smile deepened dangerously. "Now it’s getting fun."
Mu Qingling’s face went from red to glowing golden. "You absolute... shaless..."
"It’s not about romance," he said quickly. "I need all your strengths. Yuling’s ice qi. Qingling’s phoenix fla. Ruoyan’s... uh... poison fan thing."
"Elegant way to describe it," Lin Ruoyan said flatly.
"If I’m walking into a political trap," Wang Li said, "I’m not going without my blades."
There was a long pause.
And then... to his imnse shock... they all nodded.
One by one.
"Fine," Feng Yuling said, folding her arms. "But if the Crown Princess touches you—"
"She’ll lose a hand," Mu Qingling finished.
Lin Ruoyan just grinned. "I can’t wait to et her."
Just then, a massive jade airship appeared in the distance, streaking toward the sect with banners trailing in the wind.
It bore the Imperial Phoenix Crest.
"It’s here," Wang Li said.
As the ship approached, and the entire Burning Cloud Sect gathered in awe and confusion, Wang Li stood at the center of the courtyard with three beautiful won at his side—each a force of nature in her own right.
The empire had called for him.
But he would answer it his way.
With power. With allies. And, if necessary, with chaos.
Because Wang Li wasn’t just any rogue cultivator now.
He was the man who had survived his ex-girlfriends.
And soon...
The Imperial Court would know what that really ant.
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