Xuanqing Sect – Welcoming Peak.
Today marked the sect's annual Cultivation Exchange Day, a grand event where disciples from major sects came together to spar and socialize. Among the invited guests was none other than the protagonist team of this very book—the prestigious Lingyun Sect.
In the original plot, this was the chapter where the male and female leads first set foot in Xuanqing Sect, officially activating their protagonist halo. Xu Nian, originally a mere background character, was supposed to meet a tragic and mysterious death to pave the way for the male lead's righteous rise.
But now…
Xu Nian sat behind the offering table, cuddling Snowball in her arms. On either side of her were her overprotective senior brothers: Shen Wang to the left, Bai Qi to the right.
Behind her stood the other three: Lu Jin, Xie Linyuan, and the enigmatic Fifth Brother Yun Gui—who, in the original story, went full blackened and nuked a sect in Volume Three.
"Why are you all sitting so close?" Xu Nian whispered.
"One word," Shen Wang replied. "Defense."
"Defend against what?"
"Fools who don't know their place," Xie Linyuan sneered.
Xu Nian: "I'm just a Level-0 weakling with the combat power of a spiritual radish. Who would even—"
Before she could finish, the Lingyun Sect delegation landed in a flurry of elegant robes and spirit light.
At the front stood the original novel's male lead—Xiao Yunchen.
A genius with the rare Nine Heavens Thunder Spiritual Root, he exuded the aura of destiny. Behind him was the story's female lead, Shen Qingyan, and a few other supporting character NPCs from the original friendship arcs.
Xiao Yunchen scanned the gathered crowd and—of course—his gaze stopped on Xu Nian.
A flicker of surprise and admiration passed through his eyes.
"Is she… a disciple of Xuanqing Sect?"
[Original plot attempt detected: "First Encounter Event – Favorability Spark."]
Xu Nian heard the system alert blare in her head and instinctively straightened her back, plastering on a polite, distant smile.
"I am Xu Nian. Greetings, fellow Daoists."
Translation: We don't know each other. Please don't talk to me.
But—
Before Xiao Yunchen could respond, Shen Wang cut in coldly:
"She already has a master and brothers. No need for your curiosity."
Xiao Yunchen: "…"
Shen Qingyan raised a brow and scoffed, "We're here for an exchange. Why so hostile, Senior Brother?"
Bai Qi maintained his gentle smile while twirling a jade fan.
"My little sister has… a special physique. She attracts spirit beasts.So if anyone gets too close with impure intentions—who knows which mountain might collapse?"
"And our sect is known for its many mountains. They collapse… easily."
[Shura Field Intensity +30%.]
Xu Nian: "…"
Can't you guys just behave like normal cultivators for ONE day?!
Soon, the official "free interaction" portion of the exchange began.
This was meant to be a bonding session between young disciples across sects.
But around Xu Nian… the vibe was slightly different:
—A male cultivator tried to strike up a conversation.Xie Linyuan froze his lips shut with a flick of ice spiritual energy.
—A female disciple tried to befriend her.Snowball sprayed a nose-bubble of spiritual mist at her—minor explosion ensued.
—Xiao Yunchen offered her a spirit pill as a gift.Lu Jin waved it off with a sneer: "Low purity. Might make her go bald."
The entire arena fell silent.
Xu Nian hid in a corner, hugging Snowball and wondering if she should just play dead. Meanwhile, the system frantically popped alerts:
[Notice: Xiao Yunchen Favorability Not Triggered. Plot Deviation +3%.][Protagonist Team has begun "Investigate Female Lead's Identity" side quest.][Caution: Remaining low-profile is recommended. Failure will trigger Crisis Arc.]
"I'm trying to be low-profile!" Xu Nian nearly cried. "But with these five walking disasters around me, how?!"
And just then, she felt someone getting way too close.
She turned—and came face-to-face with Shen Wang.
His eyes burned with an intensity that made her flinch.
"Nian Nian," he murmured, "don't look at that boy."
"Wha—? I didn't!"
"He looked at you. I didn't like it."
"Don't be jealous, Big Bro! I didn't even make any friends yet!"
Shen Wang didn't respond. Instead, he reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his voice hoarse:
"You're my little Junior Sister. Only mine.You belong to us."
Xu Nian froze.
She looked up—and locked eyes with his scorching gaze.
[System Alert: Shen Wang Intimacy +6. Hidden Affection Tag Activated.]
"Wait… are you—"
"Yeah."
"…You admitted that too fast?!"
"I always act first. Especially when it comes to you."
"You're supposed to be my Senior Brother!"
"Since when did cultivation law forbid brothers from loving sisters?"
"…?"
"And besides," he added quietly, "you'll soon realize… I'm not the only one who feels that way."
Xu Nian turned her head slowly—
Sure enough, Bai Qi, Xie Linyuan, and Lu Jin were all watching her… with unsettling expressions.
[Ding! Hidden Route Unlocked: Shura Field – All Male Leads Affection Line]Current Shura Candidates:• Shen Wang – Psycho Swordsman / Explosive Affection Type• Bai Qi – Smiling Tiger / Possessive Soft-Spoken Type• Xie Linyuan – Ice-Type Mad Dog / Extreme Jealousy Type…
Warning: Choose carefully. Or risk the entire harem going nuclear.
Xu Nian covered her face in despair.
"This isn't a cultivation novel anymore.This is a full-blown emotional battlefield."
—
At the same time—
In the Lingyun Sect delegation, tension reached a boiling point.
"I don't think Xu Nian is ordinary," Shen Qingyan said, her expression dark."Her spirit beast, her aura… and those people around her. We can't take her lightly."
Xiao Yunchen lowered his gaze, his tone calm but serious.
"She might not be just a disciple.She could be the obstacle… to my fate."
—
Above their heads, Snowball did a lazy roll in Xu Nian's arms.
Then, in a rare serious tone, he whispered:
"Master… bad people are here."
"What?"
"Next trial… is coming."
Xu Nian's heart skipped a beat.
She could feel it—a real storm was brewing.
And this time, there might be no safe place to hide.