My Xianxia Harem Life

"Elder Riley! You are to proceed to the Heavenly Sword Sect to accompany our disciples for the Five-Year Competition at the Seven Swords Grand Meet. Meet with Elder Michael three days from now in the Martial Pavilion."

Riley read the letter in his hands and couldn’t help but frown.

Lately, he had been spending his days in the Scripture Pavilion, immersing himself in learning more about this xianxia world.

He had come to believe that he had gained a comprehensive understanding of it.

With no pressing matters at hand, he had even planned to visit his old home after a year, assuming that by then, any lingering interest in him would have faded.

But now, this summons changed everything.

"The Seven Swords Grand Meet…" Riley muttered, his gaze narrowing thoughtfully.

"I can’t believe I’m going there not as a mere disciple, but already as a respected elder of the sect."

He couldn’t help but chuckle, marveling at how dramatically his life had turned around in just a single week.

Rising from his bed, Riley stretched and began making preparations.

"A respected elder can’t look shabby on his first official adventure," he mused with a grin, his excitement building. He went out and bought supplies.

***

Three days later, Riley finally set out. Luna had begged to come along, but Riley firmly refused.

He didn’t want a noisy succubus distracting him along the way.

"It’s good to meet you again, Elder Riley," a tall, well-muscled, middle-aged man greeted him with a smile.

He had met Riley when he asked an audience with the sect master.

"And I could say the same, Elder Michael," Riley replied with a polite nod.

From the sect records, he knew that Elder Michael was only 300 years old—a relatively young age by their standards—but was already the undisputed strongest among the sect elders.

As the head of the Martial Pavilion, Michael excelled at managing its affairs while never neglecting his cultivation.

His righteous and straightforward demeanor made him a harsh opponent to anyone aligned with evil.

"Twenty-five years old and already at our realm. Can you share some of your secrets with me, Elder Riley?" Elder Michael asked, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"Of course," Riley replied, chuckling lightly.

"Luck and skill—that’s all I’ve relied on to get where I am now."

"HAHAHA! The young truly are blessed with luck and skill," Elder Michael boomed with laughter, appreciating Riley’s humorous way of dodging the question.

To his credit, he didn’t press further.

The two engaged in light conversation, exchanging pleasantries as they waited in the grand hall.

Before long, a group of disciples arrived—24 in total were expected to arrive, each one a participant in the competition.

Riley’s gaze swept over the crowd, noting their varied expressions of nervousness, determination, and excitement.

But his eyes stopped dead on one disciple. She stood out like a radiant star amidst a sea of ordinary faces.

Leia Frost.

Her beauty was nothing short of breathtaking.

She carried herself with an icy grace that seemed to accentuate her flawless features.

For a moment, Riley found himself stunned, unable to look away.

She matched Daoist midnight lotus beauty without a doubt.

Since he was already exceptionally handsome in this world, he let himself indulge in openly admiring her.

It was a far cry from his previous life on Earth when such behavior would have immediately earned him labels like "creep" and worse.

Here, his charm was an asset, and for once, he didn’t have to hide his interest.

"Leia! Look at the new elder. Elder Riley seems to have his eyes on you. He practically can’t stop staring," a girl beside Leia whispered, nudging her gently.

Leia turned her gaze toward Riley, taking him in with a quick but thorough look.

He was undeniably handsome, though not the most striking man she’d ever seen.

What set him apart was his physique. Towering at 6’5" with an imposing, muscular build, he radiated a commanding presence.

His hands and arms alone seemed massive compared to most disciples in the sect.

Their eyes met, locking in a silent exchange. Riley didn’t look away, and neither did Leia.

She was no stranger to men admiring her beauty; it was a routine she’d grown accustomed to.

Yet, for a fleeting moment, a spark of interest flickered in her eyes.

Just as quickly, she extinguished it. She already had more than enough problems on her plate.

Leia broke the eye contact first, shifting her focus back to the task at hand as she waited for the rest of the 24 disciples to arrive.

"Sigh! Even this face doesn’t faze her," Riley mused inwardly, a hint of amusement curling his lips into a small grin.

"No matter. If she’s part of this trip, I’ve still got my chance."

The final disciple arrived thirty minutes later, and the group boarded a flying boat bound for the Heavenly Sword Sect.

***

The flight to the Heavenly Sword Sect was typically a smooth and uneventful journey, spanning three days aboard their sect’s elegant flying boat.

It was a time for disciples to relax, reflect, or prepare for the challenges ahead.

However, by the second day, the group’s seemingly fortunate journey took a sudden, ominous turn.

Bang!

A deafening explosion shattered the serene atmosphere. The flying boat jolted violently, its structure groaning under the sudden impact.

Screams erupted as disciples lost their footing, clutching onto anything they could to keep from being thrown off balance.

Several stumbled to the deck, their faces pale with shock.

Leia grabbed onto a nearby railing, her sharp eyes darting toward the source of the disturbance.

"What was that?!" one disciple shouted, fear thick in his voice.

"Stay calm!" Elder Michael’s deep, commanding voice cut through the rising panic.

"Hold your positions and prepare yourselves. We may have company."

The boat rocked again, this time accompanied by a low, guttural roar from the skies above.

Nobody could see what was happening outside but elder Michael could see it clearly since he was the one in command of the flying boat at this time.

"It’s an obsidian sky lock formation!" Elder Michael shouted in alarm.