If someone had told Wang Li a month ago that his biggest problem would be bed real estate, he'd have laughed in their face.
But here he was—spiritual prodigy, rising star of the sect, potential moon-frost dual cultivator—pressed between two beautiful women on a narrow cultivator's mattress that definitely wasn't designed for this kind of trouble.
"This is not what I meant when I said I needed spiritual support," he groaned.
"Shut up and stop moving," Mu Qingling grumbled, her arm thrown lazily across his chest like he was her personal pillow.
"I warned you it would be like this if you didn't pick a side," Lin Ruoyan said sweetly from the other side, snuggling closer and resting her head on his shoulder. "You chose chaos. Now lie in it."
He had returned late from his secret meeting with Feng Yuling, only to find his courtyard occupied—and by "occupied," he meant his bed was ambushed.
The girls had moved in.
Sort of.
Apparently, the sect had issued a new batch of cultivation manuals for "advanced dual body tempering techniques." Mu Qingling and Ruoyan had both "accidentally" signed him up for the study group, which mysteriously required cohabitation. Together. In the same bed.
"Research purposes," Qingling had said innocently.
"For harmony and qi resonance," Ruoyan had added.
Wang Li had muttered something about sleep deprivation and immediately walked into a pillar.
Now, with midnight moonlight washing over the courtyard and the chirp of spiritual crickets in the background, he lay completely still between two ticking time bombs.
Then someone knocked at the door.
Knock-knock.
"Wang Li," came a calm, refined voice. "It's me. Lady Yun."
He sat up like lightning struck his spine. "What?!"
Qingling and Ruoyan groaned at the sudden movement.
"Who the hell is Lady Yun?" Qingling snapped.
"Azure Sky Sect's little princess," Ruoyan answered coolly. "Looks like someone's been busier than we thought."
Knock-knock.
"I can hear you breathing, Wang Li. May I come in?"
He bolted upright. "NO—uh—I mean, give me a moment!"
Both girls sat up.
"You've been holding out on us," Qingling said dangerously.
"I—I didn't—She just gave me a fan! I swear, there was no kissing!"
"Yet," Ruoyan muttered.
Knock-knock.
"Wang Li. I bring a gift. And an invitation."
He turned pale.
"Qingling. Ruoyan. Hide."
"Excuse me?" they said in unison.
"Just for five minutes!"
"Let me get this straight," Ruoyan said, voice like velvet-wrapped steel. "You want us to hide in the closet… so you can entertain another woman?"
"Not entertain! Just… diplomatically stall!"
Qingling stood, cracking her knuckles. "I'll stall her—with a spirit whip."
"Girls, please—if she finds you here, this could cause a diplomatic incident!"
That, strangely, worked.
Lin Ruoyan sighed. "Fine. But if she kisses you, I'm boiling your alchemy cauldron."
Qingling muttered, "And I'm hiding her shoes."
They both slipped behind the ornamental screen just as Wang Li opened the door.
Lady Yun stood on the other side, wrapped in a robe of silver cloud silk, a lotus-shaped hairpin gleaming in the moonlight. Her face was elegant, refined… and unreadable.
She held out a small scroll, sealed with jade.
"I apologize for the late hour," she said softly. "I had to see you. Alone."
Wang Li coughed. "Yes. Alone. Totally."
Lady Yun stepped inside, graceful and composed.
She didn't miss a beat as her eyes scanned the room—pausing ever so slightly on the two extra teacups, the slightly rumpled bedsheets, and the faint scent of peach blossom perfume.
"You're… not alone, are you?"
"Alone in spirit," Wang Li offered weakly.
Lady Yun smirked. "I see."
She placed the scroll in his hands.
"This is an invitation. The Azure Sky Sect is hosting a private duel gathering—high-level disciples only. The winner may ask for any treasure from the sect's sacred vault."
His jaw dropped. "Anything?"
"Anything," she confirmed. "And I've chosen you as my… partner."
"Why?"
She stepped closer, eyes shimmering with hidden intent.
"Because I've heard of your progress. Your qi is chaotic but evolving. And because…" she leaned forward, her breath brushing his cheek, "…I find you fascinating."
Wang Li's breath caught.
From behind the screen, two murderous glares bored into the back of his skull.
"Oh no," he whispered.
Lady Yun smiled. "I look forward to seeing you at the event. But I suggest you rest well. You'll need all your strength."
As she turned to leave, her hand brushed his—just once. Just enough.
Then she was gone.
The silence after she closed the door was crushing.
"So," Qingling said, stepping out. "That's Lady Yun."
Ruoyan followed, arms folded. "You've officially reached 'harem protagonist' territory. Congratulations."
"I didn't ask for this!" Wang Li protested. "I just wanted to survive sect life!"
"Well now you'll survive with three angry cultivators watching your every move."
"Four," came a cool voice from the window.
Feng Yuling dropped in from the roof like a frosty comet. "I sensed a disturbance in the force."
Wang Li groaned and fell face-first into his pillow.
"This is my life now," he muttered.
And somewhere, the Sect Master sipped tea and laughed.