A blinding beam of morning sunlight pierced through the cracks in the spiritual tent, illuminating the battlefield.
And battlefield it was.
Wang Li awoke groggily, surrounded by chaos.
A jade hairpin poked into his thigh. An embroidered veil hung from the ceiling. Someone's slipper was lodged in the cauldron. And a single bra—whose?—lay draped across the top of his spiritual furnace like a declaration of war.
He sat up too quickly.
Bad idea.
"Agh—my waist…"
Why does it feel like I was trampled by a divine beast during a lightning tribulation? he thought. Wait. Did someone elbow me in my sleep? Or was I smothered? Or both?
Then he realized.
He wasn't alone.
To his left, Ling Xi snored softly, wrapped around his arm like a possessive vine.
To his right, Mu Qingling curled into his side, her cheek pressed to his shoulder, mumbling something about "Qi harmonization techniques."
On top of him—yes, on him—was Bai Xueyao, her hair tousled and leg casually thrown over his stomach.
This is not how triple cultivation is supposed to work, Wang Li whimpered internally.
From the other side of the room came a rustle. Feng Yuling sat up with the elegance of a moon goddess and glanced over at him coolly.
"You're awake."
"I—I can explain!"
She raised an eyebrow. "You screamed in your sleep last night and everyone rushed in to check on you. The chaos that followed is your fault."
"I did not scream."
"You were shouting something about… 'not the bamboo again.'" She gave him a suspicious glance. "What exactly happened with bamboo?"
"…That's classified."
Just then, the tent flap opened.
Lin Ruoyan entered, fresh as a dewdrop and already dressed in a new robe.
"You all slept in," she said cheerfully. "The elders are asking about our delegation escort. And by the way…" Her eyes flicked to the spiritual furnace. "Whose bra is that?"
The tent went silent.
Everyone turned to look.
The bra sat atop the spiritual furnace like the crown of a sovereign. Pale pink. Frilly. Extremely not sect standard.
"I… don't think that's mine," Ling Xi said quietly.
Mu Qingling narrowed her eyes. "That shade of pink… looks like yours, Yuling."
"I don't wear frills," Feng Yuling replied icily.
"I do," Bai Xueyao offered.
Everyone turned to her.
She smirked. "But mine has phoenix embroidery. That one's rabbit ears."
"…Rabbit ears?" Wang Li repeated, horrified.
"Wait," Lin Ruoyan said, squinting. "That might be… Yuechan's."
The entire tent froze.
A chill swept through the air.
Right on cue, the tent flap opened again. Yuechan stood there, already dressed, sword on her back, face expressionless.
Her eyes slowly took in the scene: Wang Li tangled in limbs and blankets, frilly pink rabbit-ear bra on the furnace, everyone staring at her like they'd just committed a crime.
"I see," she said quietly.
Everyone braced.
But Yuechan simply walked over, picked up the bra, and tucked it into her sleeve like nothing had happened.
Then she turned to Wang Li and said in a calm, almost terrifying voice, "Meet me by the lake at sunset. We need to talk."
And then she left.
This is how men die, Wang Li thought. They don't die in duels. They die in love triangles that mutate into love pentagons.
---
Later That Morning – The Central Pavilion
Sect Master Yun Tianhai looked over the gathered disciples with his usual serene indifference.
"I hope you all are prepared," he said. "The Azure Sky Sect arrives within the hour. We are hosting their delegation for five days. You are to represent our sect with grace, dignity, and strength."
He looked pointedly at Wang Li.
Wang Li, who still had lipstick on his neck.
"…Understood," he mumbled.
Lin Ruoyan stepped forward. "I'll assist Wang Li during the introductions."
"So will I," said Feng Yuling smoothly.
Mu Qingling stretched. "Me too."
Ling Xi grinned. "Guess I'm in."
Bai Xueyao pulled out a comb. "Better make it a proper welcoming party."
The Sect Master rubbed his temples. "Why do I feel like we're about to start a sect war based on romantic tension?"
A disciple ran in, bowing. "Reporting! The Azure Sky Sect has arrived!"
---
Moments Later – Outer Courtyard
The Azure Sky Sect disciples descended like butterflies in blue and white. They were elegant, icy, and carried themselves with an unmistakable air of superiority.
At the center of their formation stood a young man in azure robes, fan in hand, smile full of disdain.
"Greetings," he said. "I am Zhang Tianlong, heir to the Azure Sky Sect."
He looked at Wang Li.
Then at the five girls behind him.
He smirked. "So this is your strongest disciple? And your… concubine guard?"
Wang Li's eyebrow twitched.
"Strongest?" he repeated. "No no… I'm just a humble, innocent, pure-hearted junior disciple who wants nothing more than to cultivate in peace."
Ling Xi coughed violently.
Mu Qingling rolled her eyes.
Feng Yuling muttered, "Liar."
Zhang Tianlong stepped forward. "You. I challenge you to a friendly spar. If I win… you hand over one of your 'guardians' to accompany me for the week."
Silence fell.
Wang Li smiled.
Then he reached up, slowly pulled out the dagger Yuechan had gifted him, and said, "Alright. But if I win…"
He looked at the girls behind him. They looked back expectantly.
"If I win," he continued, "you must wear a rabbit-ear bra on your head for the rest of the day."
Zhang Tianlong's face contorted. "WHAT—?!"
The girls burst into laughter.
The courtyard exploded with spiritual energy as Wang Li and Zhang Tianlong leapt into the ring.
The challenge had been issued.
And a new arc… had just begun.