My Xianxia Harem Life

Riley found a restaurant and indulged in a feast that lasted three long hours.

"Look at him eat!" one patron whispered, their eyes wide in disbelief.

"It’s like he hasn’t had a meal in a month!" another murmured.

"Exactly. Honestly, now I’m starting to believe all those wild rumors about him. With an appetite like that, nothing seems impossible for him."

"Maybe he’s storing all that energy to fight. He could probably kill someone with sheer willpower alone," another chimed in, half-joking yet clearly awed.

"Nope, that’s the way a man who’s staring death in the face eats," an old man said, shaking his head with a knowing look.

The gossip swirled around him, but Riley paid it no mind. He remained seated alone at his table, savoring his meal at his own pace.

What did amuse him, however, was the sight of the three empty tables surrounding him.

It was obvious that no one wanted to risk being caught in the crossfire of any potential retaliation from the Phantom Abyss Sect or the Prince Clan.

Most of the diners cast wary glances his way, their hushed voices carrying an undercurrent of morbid curiosity.

To them, Riley wasn’t just a spectacle; he was a marked man.

In their eyes, his actions had ensured that his days were numbered, and many believed he was now a walking corpse—destined to meet a gruesome end at the hands of his enemies.

Riley, however, seemed entirely unbothered by their opinions.

As far as he was concerned, their fears were their own to deal with, not his.

Finishing the last bite of his meal, he leaned back with a satisfied sigh, his confidence as unshakable as ever.

"Bill, please," Riley called, paying with a casual flick of his wrist before leaving a hefty tip on the table.

"Have a good day, Elder Riley!" the servant crew bowed deeply as they watched the bag of spirit stones placed on the table.

Riley nodded politely and walked away, his steps calm and assured.

"I could use something to help digest all that food," Riley muttered to himself, as he glanced around.

He noticed that everyone around him maintained a cautious distance, as though he were a harbinger of some great misfortune.

He understood their concerns and offered them a polite smile, acknowledging their unease without a word.

He eventually found his destination: Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

The moment he entered, the bustling atmosphere fell silent, and all eyes turned to him.

The low murmur of conversations slowly gave way to hushed whispers.

There was no mistaking it—they were talking about him.

Riley took a deep breath, savoring the strong scent of wine that filled the air.

The aroma alone was enough to excite him, heightening his senses as he sauntered to the bar at the front.

Behind it, the manager caught his attention immediately.

She was stunning—on par with Daoist Midnight Lotus and Leia Frost in terms of beauty.

But where the former two exuded an ethereal elegance, this woman had a fuller, more mature allure, a definite presence of a seasoned beauty, more on the "milf" side of the spectrum.

Riley couldn’t help but gulp, his breath catching as he admired her presence.

"Close your mouth, Elder Riley," the woman said with a teasing smile, her charm doubling in intensity.

The way she looked at him felt like a gentle but unyielding pull, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"Oh? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare like that," Riley replied, regaining his composure and flashing a sheepish grin.

Truth be told, he hadn’t meant to gawk, but the women of this world were beyond anything he’d encountered before.

Even the word perfect felt inadequate to describe their allure.

"Your reaction is perfectly normal," the woman said, her tone playful yet smooth, like velvet brushing against his ears.

"You’re not the first, and I guarantee you won’t be the last." Her lips curved into a smile that could probably make entire armies lower their swords.

"I’m the owner of this establishment. You may call me Veronica Gray. Now, Elder Riley, what’s your poison?"

As Riley stood there, he racked his brain, trying to recall anything he’d read about Veronica Gray from the scripture pavilion.

Oddly enough, there was no mention of her, despite the fact that she was clearly extraordinary.

Her cultivation base was at the nascent soul realm—almost as powerful as Daoist Three Swords himself.

She was using a high-level concealment technique or treasure to mask her true power, but Riley, with his heightened senses and far superior cultivation, saw through it effortlessly.

That alone told him she was no ordinary innkeeper.

"Give me your strongest drink," Riley said, meeting her gaze with a confident smirk.

His words carried the weight of someone unafraid of a challenge.

Veronica raised a finely arched eyebrow, her expression tinged with amusement.

"Are you certain? Even one glass of my Dragon’s Heart Wine is enough to knock out anyone in this room." Her tone carried a subtle warning, though her smile suggested she was enjoying this exchange far too much.

"I’m not afraid. I’m built different," Riley replied with a grin, leaning forward slightly to emphasize his bravado.

"Well, if you insist," Veronica said, her voice laced with a hint of mischief.

"But I should warn you—the price is as hefty as the drink’s potency. A hundred thousand spirit stones per jug."

Without hesitation, Riley nodded.

"Hit me. I don’t lack any money or funds."

Veronica chuckled softly, impressed by his unwavering confidence.

She gestured to a nearby server, who quickly fetched a jug of wine from behind the counter.

The container itself was carved from black crystal, and as it was placed before Riley, the entire room seemed to tense.

The wine inside glowed faintly, its crimson hue resembling molten lava.

A subtle aura of power radiated from it, making the air feel heavier.

Riley poured himself a glass, taking a moment to admire the way the liquid swirled in his cup like liquid fire.

A tantalizing aroma wafted up, rich and intoxicating, carrying hints of spices and something far more arcane.

He could feel the stares of everyone in the room, their curiosity and disbelief palpable.