My Xianxia Harem Life

The disciples exclaimed in shock as they felt their exhaustion and injuries vanish. They marveled at the pill’s effects, their aches and pains completely erased.

For the first time in hours, they felt relief, and tears of joy welled up in their eyes as they realized how much better they felt.

”Okay, now that you’re revitalized, we can continue, yes?” Riley said with a wicked grin. His disciples, exhausted and beaten, couldn’t tell whether to laugh or cry.

The sudden relief from the pain was a welcome reprieve, but the idea of continuing was almost too much to bear.

Still, they had no choice. They lined up, prepared for whatever Riley would throw at them next.

And so, the training continued. Another six hours passed, with the disciples dodging stones and pushing their limits to the breaking point. They only retired at exactly midnight, utterly drained.

By the time they finally collapsed into bed, many of the disciples were cursing Riley in their dreams, wondering what kind of cruel and unusual method he had devised to push them so far.

***

”Tsk, tsk. I haven’t even visited Veronica tonight because of all this training. If these disciples fail me and don’t win the Seven Swords Grand Meet, I’ll resign as an elder of the sect,” Riley grumbled.

Despite his frustration, he knew deep down that with his overpowering divine abilities and thousands of years of accumulated experience, failure was nearly impossible at this point.

It would be as unlikely as making hell freeze over in an instant. Still, Riley realized he had come to enjoy the feeling of teaching disciples.

”Should I be a teacher instead?” Riley mused aloud, but he quickly shook his head.

”Too time-consuming. I’d rather lie flat and enjoy my life than do that.” He sighed deeply and entered his room, eager to unwind after a day filled with constant shouting.

A bath and sleep were all he craved at that moment.

To his surprise, however, someone was already waiting inside his room. Standing there was an incredibly beautiful woman dressed in black cultivator robes, holding a black staff in her right hand.

Her face was serious, with an unreadable expression that only highlighted her beauty. Riley thought to himself that if she smiled, her beauty would easily triple.

Unlike their first encounter, Riley did not feel an obvious attraction or had an instant hard on. In fact, he didn’t feel anything at all.

The memories of Elias Page and Tadeo Prince had bestowed him with a vision far broader than just physical beauty.

Those two men had encountered women far more beautiful than the one before him now, and Riley was grateful that his increased experiences kept him from being easily swayed by appearances.

”Good evening, Daoist Midnight Lotus. You seem to be alone tonight. I don’t see any of your usual entourage around,” Riley said with a more relaxed demeanor than when they first met.

Over time, he had grown more confident in himself and his abilities. He had learned that, much like a river, neither the man nor the circumstances were ever the same twice.

Since their first encounter, Riley had changed. He was no longer shy about using his newfound power, and he had decided to embrace life fully, living as intended by the system.

That didn’t mean he was going to fall to the darker side of things—he had no intention of exploiting women, acting recklessly, or committing any wrongs.

However, he was determined to give himself the freedom to experience life’s pleasures, including the chance to explore his desires without the guilt or hesitation that had once held him back.

Daoist Midnight Lotus noticed this change in him immediately.

”You’ve changed,” she remarked, her tone thoughtful. She suspected that his transformation might be linked to his battle with Lucas Prince or perhaps his impending death by the Phantom Abyss Sect or the Prince Clan machinations.

Still, she could see a calm, unshakable confidence on Riley’s face—there was no fear to be found.

”I change for the better,” Riley replied with a smile, his eyes lingering appreciatively on Midnight Lotus’s alluring figure.

He then used his ”Mind Palace Master” ability, quickly copying her full memory into his own.

Within moments, he had deciphered her likes and dislikes, as well as formulated a plan to win her over in the future. However, he hesitated. Tonight might not be the right moment to act.

Daoist Midnight Lotus shifted the topic, sensing Riley’s inner deliberations.

”You killed Lucas Prince,” she said, her voice steady but curious.

”I did,” Riley confirmed, his expression unreadable.

”How?” she pressed, intrigued by the simplicity in his response.

”Easy.” Riley flicked his fingers nonchalantly, and in an instant, a dozen pebbles materialized before him. Daoist Midnight Lotus’s eyes narrowed as she focused on them.

In a breath, her body tensed, a fine layer of sweat breaking out across her skin as she saw the unmistakable imprint of a giant palm embedded within each pebble.

The sheer force radiating from them made her feel tiny in comparison.

She had no doubt that, had Riley struck her with these, she would have met the same grim fate as Lucas Prince, her body left without a burial ground.

”Your grandfather, the Shadow Master…” Daoist Midnight Lotus put the pieces together, her expression sharpening. She immediately deduced how Riley had gained access to such extraordinary treasures.

In truth, Riley had crafted the pebbles himself; there was no Shadow Master.

”Yes,” Riley answered simply, letting her conclusion settle in.

”The Phantom Abyss Sect and the Prince Clan…” Daoist Midnight Lotus began, but her words trailed off, unspoken.

”If my calculations are correct, then these pebbles will be more than enough to kill anyone who comes for my head,” Riley replied, his voice steady and confident. He had no doubts about the outcome.

”That’s good, then,” Daoist Midnight Lotus said, her tone slightly distant as she chose not to pursue the conversation further.

She felt a strange discomfort being so close to someone so much younger than her, yet already so powerful—someone who could stand toe to toe with two of the continent’s most formidable forces.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction for Riley, knowing that his well-being was a significant advantage for the Stone Mountain Sect as well.