Wang Li had just finished applying spirit balm to his bruises when a scroll flew in through the window, smacking him squarely in the forehead.
"Ow! What now?!"
He unrolled it.
> Official Sect Announcement: The Inner Sect will hold a special Dual Cultivation Compatibility Tournament to determine ideal cultivation partners. All male disciples must participate. Pairings will be chosen based on combat synergy, spiritual resonance… and other factors. Winners will be granted dual cultivation privileges in the Jade Moon Pavilion for seven days. – Sect Master Fei Yunzhao
Wang Li's jaw dropped.
"…I'm going to die."
He barely had time to finish reading when a knock came at the door. Actually, several.
Then came the explosion of spiritual energy as his door was kicked in.
Mu Qingling walked in first, sword in one hand, schedule in the other.
"I've already registered us. We'll win first place."
Lin Ruoyan stormed in behind her, flames in her eyes. "Dream on. I've registered us. He's mine this week."
Feng Yuling floated in next, arms crossed, face cold enough to freeze the sun. "You two are fools. I will win the tournament."
Bai Mei stepped out of the shadows, sipping spiritual wine, eyes glowing with amusement. "I've never played with three jealous women at once before. This is fun."
Wang Li stared in horror.
"You're all insane. You realize that, right?"
"You should be honored," Qingling said with a smirk. "You're the most sought-after dual partner in the entire sect."
"I didn't ask for this!"
Ruoyan leaned close, her breath warm. "You didn't have to."
---
The Next Day: Arena of Jade Flames
The Sect was buzzing. Thousands of disciples gathered around the ring of crystalline jade, forming a coliseum of anticipation.
At the center, Grand Elder Mo Tian stood with a booming voice.
"Welcome to the First Dual Cultivation Compatibility Tournament!"
The crowd cheered.
"Pairs will demonstrate synergy through combat, spiritual resonance… and other tests. At the end, the top three pairs will receive access to the Jade Moon Pavilion and full dual cultivation privileges!"
Wang Li groaned from his position at the edge of the arena.
"I didn't even sign up," he muttered.
"You didn't have to," said Bai Mei, sliding her fingers into his hand. "We signed you up four times."
---
Round One: Fire and Ice
First up: Wang Li and Feng Yuling.
Her icy aura blanketed the battlefield. Wang Li, trying to maintain balance, activated his Dragon Vein Qi, forming molten energy to complement her frost.
It should have been beautiful.
Instead, her frost tried to freeze his blood. His flames tried to melt her robes.
Boom! Frost and fire collided violently, blasting both of them into a tree.
Feng Yuling stood up, hair disheveled. "You lost balance."
"You tried to freeze my liver!"
"...I thought it would look cool."
---
Round Two: Sword and Fire
Mu Qingling walked into the ring like a conquering queen.
"Synchronize with me," she ordered.
"Okay, but stop trying to decapitate me," Wang Li muttered.
They moved in tandem, blades and flames forming elegant, deadly arcs.
It was perfect… until Lin Ruoyan, the very next pair, interrupted mid-round, flinging fireballs into their arena.
"Oops," she said innocently. "My bad. Wrong target."
"Disqualified!" the elder shouted.
Both girls pointed at each other.
"She cheated!"
"No, she cheated first!"
"YOU—!"
Wang Li just sat in the middle of the battlefield, head in his hands.
"Why me…?"
---
Round Three: The Saintess' Surprise
Bai Mei took the stage with a playful wave. Unlike the others, she didn't fight. She sat down beside Wang Li, pulled out wine, and whispered sweet things in his ear while releasing gentle spirit music.
The crowd melted.
Even the elders blushed.
Wang Li's face flushed, his dantian trembling.
"She didn't even fight…" the elder murmured.
"But their compatibility is off the charts," another one said, nosebleeding.
They were granted a perfect score.
---
Final Round: An Unexpected Challenger
As the final three pairs were being tallied, a silver-haired girl leapt into the ring, tails fluttering.
Little Fox, in human form, wearing barely-there robes that left the crowd speechless.
"I want to enter too!" she chirped.
"She's not registered," Mu Qingling hissed.
"She's not even human," Lin Ruoyan added.
"She's adorable," Bai Mei admitted, "but dangerous."
Grand Elder Mo Tian stroked his beard. "You must have a partner."
"I do!" she smiled and hugged Wang Li's arm.
"Let me go—" he yelped.
The elder raised an eyebrow. "Very well. A surprise entry."
---
Chaos Ensues
Little Fox began the battle by kissing Wang Li in front of everyone, stealing his qi, and summoning nine illusion clones of herself. The arena became a field of giggling fox girls.
Bai Mei's wine cup cracked in her hand.
Mu Qingling's sword erupted with lightning.
Lin Ruoyan summoned a wall of flame shaped like a dragon.
Feng Yuling's aura turned the stage into a winter hell.
Wang Li, overwhelmed by nine flirtatious foxes, had only one thought: I'm going to die… surrounded by beautiful women.