My Xianxia Harem Life

As Riley observed them, his thoughts drifted to someone else. There was one woman who had stood by him for some time, who had always been unwavering in her devotion.

Eve.

It was about time she received her reward.

Riley’s eyes darkened slightly with intent as he spoke.

”Come see me after dinner, Eve.”

A hush fell over the group for a brief moment before the usual sounds of chatter resumed. Eve, who had been occupied with her own task, paused briefly.

A knowing look passed between them, though she said nothing. Instead, she gave a small nod, her expression unreadable, before continuing her work.

Veronica raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly but choosing not to comment. Katherine, on the other hand, shot Riley a knowing glance but also remained silent.

As the sun dipped lower over the horizon, the sky was painted in hues of orange and violet. The soft sea breeze carried the scent of salt and firewood, blending with the rich aroma of the feast being prepared.

Tonight would be a night of celebration, of laughter, and of shared company.

But once the festivities settled and the night stretched long and quiet, Riley knew there was still something—someone—he needed to tend to.

And he fully intended to.

***

Eve’s heart pounded with excitement. It had been so long since Riley had summoned her, and now that he finally had, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation.

This moment had been a long time coming.

She had done her best in every role given to her—his bedwarmer, his cook, his loyal servant.

She had humbled herself time and time again, bowing her head and carrying out his will, no matter how insignificant the task seemed. But in her mind, she had never lost sight of the bigger picture.

Eve was no fool. She knew that every action had consequences, that every choice led to an outcome. Her ultimate goal was clear—she wanted to become his woman in every sense of the word.

Not just a servant, not just an accessory, but someone who truly belonged to him. If achieving that meant carving her place beside him and growing stronger under his shadow, then so be it.

She was a cultivator, after all. And cultivators only cared about one thing: power. Strength dictated everything in this world. It determined one’s fate, one’s worth, one’s destiny.

From the moment she could walk, she had been taught that power was the only thing that truly mattered. Without it, one was nothing.

And Riley… Riley was a being beyond comprehension.

He was a monster. A mystery. An enigma. Someone who can easily make even spirit severing powerhouses kneel with lifting a finger.

She found him in his room, sitting at a desk, scribbling something onto a small booklet. His posture was relaxed, yet his focus was razor-sharp.

The dim candlelight cast long shadows across his face, accentuating the depth of his features and making him appear even more unreadable.

As she stepped inside, he lifted his head.

Eve stopped in her tracks.

His eyes—those sharp, piercing eyes—locked onto hers with an intensity that made her breath hitch.

It felt like she had been stripped bare, her very soul laid open before him.

There was no point in pretending, no point in putting up a facade.

She had tried before, in the early days, to act coy, to mask her desires, to play the role of an obedient servant while hoping he would eventually take her into his arms.

But Riley had never fallen for such tricks.

He had seen her naked body countless times during her bedwarming duties, yet he had never once touched her. Never indulged. Never succumbed.

It was maddening.

She had tried everything—subtle glances, gentle touches, even outright seduction—but he had always kept her at arm’s length, never allowing her any closer than he wished.

It wasn’t rejection, nor was it disinterest. It was something else entirely. A forceful restraint. A refusal to be swayed.

And that only made her want him more. She want him so that she too could be as powerful as him or perhaps close.

She licked her lips, about to try again, but before she could say a word, he spoke.

”Eve Shaper,” Riley said, his voice firm and even. ”You’ve fulfilled your duties well. What can I say? I’m impressed.”

Eve’s breath hitched slightly.

Praise from Riley was rare.

”For that, I’ll give you a reward.” He leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. ”I don’t keep people around me, working and serving, without fair compensation. So, in return for your faithful service, I offer you this.”

With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the booklet toward her.

It floated gracefully through the air, carried by an invisible force. Eve’s reflexes kicked in, and she snatched it quickly, her fingers tightening around the delicate pages.

The moment she touched it, she felt it.

Power.

A dense, overwhelming energy pulsed within the book, as if it contained a force far greater than its humble appearance suggested.

The mere sensation of it made her skin prickle, her senses heightening in response.

Riley watched her reaction with mild amusement.

”Inside that book is a cultivation method that will grant you strength through the easiest path possible,” he said smoothly.

”I guarantee that within a month, you will reach the tenth stage of the Spirit Severing Realm.”

His tone was calm, absolute, leaving no room for doubt.

Eve’s fingers trembled slightly as she clutched the book tighter.

Had she heard him correctly?

A whole realm? In a single month?

She stood frozen, her mind struggling to process his words.

”What?” Riley raised an eyebrow. ”You may go now.”

Eve swallowed, her voice coming out unsteady. ”Did I hear you correctly, Young Master Riley? The tenth stage of the Spirit Severing Realm?” Eve could not believe what she heard at all.

He nodded, as if it was the simplest thing in the world.

But it wasn’t simple.

It was unheard of.