My Xianxia Harem Life

Still, Daoist Midnight Lotus felt the need to be absolutely certain. She had thoroughly investigated Riley’s background and lineage, yet there was no mention of any ”Shadow Master” tied to him.

It had to be a hidden master—one of those enigmatic experts who chose to withdraw from the world’s affairs, living quietly among ordinary people.

This so-called Shadow Master must be one of these mysterious reclusive figures.

”But Riley Mason possesses such power, and he’s so young. This person and his treasures must be retained within my Stone Mountain Sect!” Daoist Midnight Lotus resolved internally.

She racked her brain, searching for a way to secure Riley’s loyalty to the sect. Only one idea came to mind, and her cheeks flushed at the thought.

She remembered their first meeting vividly—his demeanor then was far different from the calm, confident young man standing before her now.

Yet, she doubted anyone could change so drastically in such a short time.

”Can I really do that?” she asked herself. At 224 years old, Daoist Midnight Lotus had devoted her entire life to cultivation and safeguarding the Stone Mountain Sect.

She had never explored matters of the heart—or body. Such distractions had always seemed irrelevant to her goal of reaching the next great realm in cultivation.

Still, her inexperience didn’t mean she was naive. While innocent, she wasn’t ignorant.

She had a general idea of what went on between a man and a woman, gleaned through the accidental observations of mortals using her spiritual sense.

The idea left her conflicted—should she entertain such thoughts to bind Riley to the sect? It was a path she had never imagined herself walking, yet the stakes had never been higher.

”Let’s start small,” Daoist Midnight Lotus finally decided in her mind, her thoughts steady but laced with hidden intent.

”Elder Riley, are you perhaps about to sleep? Am I disturbing your rest?” she asked with a hint of hesitation, her demeanor unusually soft.

”Of course not. I’d be happy to talk with you all night, Daoist Midnight Lotus,” Riley replied, a charming smile playing on his lips.

He subtly read her thoughts, and though he usually found such plans predictable, he couldn’t help but feel intrigued by how the night might unfold.

”I heard you visited the Drunken Immortal Pavilion yesterday,” she continued, her tone casual yet leading.

”I was wondering if I might invite you to taste some of the wine from my personal collection.”

For the first time, Daoist Midnight Lotus smiled—a sight so rare it struck Riley like a bolt of lightning.

She seemed to transform into a vision of ethereal beauty, her poise and elegance magnified under the dim glow of the moonlight.

Riley’s surprise was evident, and she noticed, her confidence bolstered by his reaction.

”That would be my pleasure, Daoist Midnight Lotus!” Riley said enthusiastically, his voice carrying a slight edge of excitement.

He moved to prepare the dining area for their impromptu gathering, but she stopped him mid-step.

”I’d prefer if we drank on your bed, Elder Riley. If that’s okay with you,” she said softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. The shyness in her demeanor belied the boldness of her plan.

Riley raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

”If that’s what you’d like,” he said, his tone laced with both amusement and curiosity. He gestured toward his room, allowing her to take the lead.

Inside, Daoist Midnight Lotus calmly began to set her scheme into motion. Her goal was simple: to get Riley so drunk that he wouldn’t remember what transpired during the night.

By morning, she planned to stage a situation where they would wake up together, leaving him no choice but to take responsibility for something he hadn’t truly done.

Although she was aware her plan bordered on underhandedness, she justified it as a necessary means to secure Riley’s loyalty to the Stone Mountain Sect.

Based on her investigation, Riley had no fiancee, no clear romantic attachments, and had even resisted the advances of Ava Thornwick—a childhood friend and longtime crush who had rejected him repeatedly in the past.

Ava’s lack of interest in him had likely dulled Riley’s feelings over time, making him more susceptible to her influence.

”If he’s bound to me, even in name only, he’ll never leave the sect,” she thought resolutely.

”And if he ever seeks to consummate the relationship, I’ll still hold the upper hand. After all, he’s merely at the Golden Core realm, while I’m already in the Nascent Soul realm. Without those mysterious pebbles from his so-called Shadow Master, Riley is no more than a weak baby in front of me.”

Or so she believed at that moment.

And so the two drank and talked on the bed. The wine flowed freely, and Daoist Midnight Lotus, a long-lived cultivator, had a vast collection of rare and exquisite wines perfectly suited for the occasion.

Riley, being a wine lover himself, drank with gusto, matching her cup for cup. Yet, as the hours passed, a subtle game played out beneath their casual conversation.

Knowing what Daoist Midnight Lotus had planned, Riley devised a counterplan of his own.

”Zzzzz...” After five hours of nonstop drinking, Riley feigned intoxication and slumped onto the bed, seemingly falling into a deep, unguarded sleep.

Daoist Midnight Lotus looked at him, her brow furrowed as she murmured to herself, ”Now what?”

Her face flushed slightly as she contemplated her next move.

”He should be naked for this to work,” she added under her breath, her voice barely audible. Hesitation flickered in her usually calm demeanor, but she steeled herself, determined to carry out her plan.

Closing her eyes to avoid looking directly at what she was about to do, she relied on her spiritual sense to guide her.

With practiced precision, she removed Riley’s golden phoenix mantle, the fabric slipping away to reveal his chiseled physique.

His well-defined muscles seemed to radiate strength even in his apparent vulnerability.

Finally, she removed his undergarments, leaving him entirely exposed. For the first time, Riley’s flawless form was revealed to a woman.

His body was like that of a legendary warrior, sculpted with pure muscle, his features exuding a divine, almost otherworldly magnificence.

Daoist Midnight Lotus couldn’t help but feel a wave of heat spreading through her body.