My Xianxia Harem Life

Veronica paused, her lips curving into a faintly mischievous smile as she leaned closer.

Her crimson, enticing lips hovered barely an inch from his.

Riley felt his throat tighten as he gulped reflexively, her proximity stirring something wild in him.

”…I can even give you the reward for our bet in advance,” Veronica finished, her voice soft and sultry.

She smiled sweetly afterward, but there was an unmistakable sharpness behind her expression.

She wasn’t just making a casual request—this was calculated.

To teach someone how to comprehend the essence of a Dao or the meaning of a certain Dao Path was no trivial matter.

Veronica had already suspected that Riley was hiding the true extent of his cultivation base, much like she concealed her own strength with the aid of a powerful treasure.

Riley froze for a moment, his mind racing as the weight of Veronica’s words sank in.

In the past, he would have dismissed such a proposition without hesitation, keeping his desires firmly locked away.

A century of abstinence had taught him discipline, especially when it came to avoiding the pitfalls of greedy gold diggers eager to manipulate him for their own gain.

But now? Now everything had changed.

He had tasted the forbidden fruit, broken through the walls of restraint he had carefully built over a hundred years.

That first indulgence had been a revelation, a siren call to a side of himself he’d long suppressed.

And now, faced with Veronica’s proposition, he found himself at war with his own nature.

The silence stretched, each breath feeling heavier than the last.

His logical mind urged caution, but the newfound fire within him—the lust that had been awakened—refused to be silenced.

With a long exhale, Riley felt his resolve crumble. His lips curled into a wry smile as he accepted the truth he had been avoiding.

”I’ve already been corrupted,” he thought to himself.

The words carried no bitterness, only a resigned amusement.

He wasn’t sure if he liked the man he was becoming, but neither could he say he despised it.

For the first time in decades, he was no longer bound by the chains of denial.

Turning his gaze to Veronica, Riley allowed his smile to broaden, a mix of charm and mischief glinting in his eyes.

”Consider it done,” he said, his voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of hunger.

”So… when do I get my reward?”

Veronica’s smile was equally calculated, though hers carried a more strategic edge.

”As soon as you want, Riley,” she replied smoothly, her tone soft yet deliberate.

She wasn’t offering herself out of love or even desire.

No, this was a transaction, plain and simple.

In a world where power dictated everything, Veronica knew better than to waste an opportunity.

Riley was strong—extraordinarily so—and aligning herself with him, even temporarily, would be a stepping stone to her own ambitions.

She was fully aware that once news of Riley’s recent accomplishments spread, others would come knocking, eager to win his favor.

But right now, she had him to herself.

”Tonight,” Riley replied without hesitation. His decision was made.

As he spoke, he reached out with his unique ability Mind Palace Master, delving into Veronica’s mind and copying her memories into his own.

It wasn’t distrust exactly, but Riley had learned long ago that information was a weapon, often sharper than any blade.

If she had ulterior motives beyond what she claimed, he intended to uncover them.

The rush of information filled his mind, painting a vivid picture of her past, her thoughts, and her desires.

Relief washed over him as he confirmed her primary goal: she sought strength, above all else.

But as he dug deeper, something caught his attention—an unexpected revelation hidden among her memories.

It was a secret, one she had never shared with another soul.

Riley’s smirk deepened as he processed the discovery.

”Everyone has their secrets,” he mused, his thoughts lingering on the implications.

The night ahead was shaping up to be far more interesting than he had anticipated.

For now, he let the matter rest, his gaze returning to Veronica.

Her expression remained calm and confident, but Riley now saw her in a different light.

***

Meanwhile, at the disciples’ table, Leia sat silently, her focus on the food before her.

Yet, every so often, her gaze would drift toward Riley.

She couldn’t help it—she had seen what had happened between him and Daoist Midnight Lotus earlier, and now he was engrossed in conversation with another beautiful woman.

Leia’s thoughts were interrupted by the quiet voice of her friend, Chloe, who leaned in closer to whisper.

”Are you regretting your decision now, Leia?”

Leia didn’t reply immediately. She continued to watch Riley, her expression unreadable.

Chloe smirked and pressed on.

”You should’ve taken your chance back on the ship. If you had, you’d be the one sitting beside Elder Riley right now. But no, you hesitated. And look at you now—one rival in Daoist Midnight Lotus and now another lovely woman to contend with. Mark my words, Leia, if you don’t act soon, Elder Riley will finish building his harem, and you won’t have a place in it.”

Leia frowned but didn’t respond. Chloe’s words grated on her, yet they weren’t entirely wrong.

”You need to make your move on the way back to the sect,” Chloe continued, undeterred.

”Offer yourself to him. Make it clear you’re interested. Otherwise, don’t come crying to me when he’s surrounded by women who’ve already secured their positions.”

Leia finally broke her silence.

”I don’t know, Chloe,” she said softly, her voice tinged with doubt.

”Does Elder Riley even have the strength to stand against the Miller Clan?”

Chloe rolled her eyes and gave her a pointed look.

”I’d bet my life that he does. And even if he didn’t, why don’t you just ask him yourself? But you’ll never know if you keep acting so aloof, like you’re perched on the peak of some untouchable mountain. If you want to stand out, you need to strike first—throw yourself at him before anyone else gets the chance.”