As I sat there, mentally preparing for whatever catastrophe my life was about to become, I couldn't help but think about the cast of characters that seemed to thrive in the chaos surrounding me.
I mean, it was practically a comedy troupe at this point.
First and foremost, there was Ling Xueying. Beautiful, talented, and utterly obsessed with me for reasons beyond my comprehension.
But if that weren't enough, she had an uncanny ability to summon a group of admirers from every corner of the sect. Her unique power, which involved some sort of 'Heart Summoning' funny trait, allowed her to attract hearts—and not just metaphorically!
You should have seen the number of heart-shaped talismans floating around whenever she was nearby. It was like a bad rom-com come to life.
Next up on my list of troublemakers was my grandmother, the esteemed Grand Matriarch of the Heaven Secret Sect. She was probably concocting her next scheme as we speak, likely involving marriage proposals and matchmaking ploys.
And every time she called me "her precious grandson, the little devil" I felt a shiver run down my spine.
Just what kind of matchmaking disaster would she have in store for me this time? I was not ready for another awkward dinner filled with potential brides or worse—my old lady trying to teach me how to dance!
Then there were the two infamous male disciples I had to deal with: Long Zhen, the golden child of the Duke family, and. Bai Lifen, the son of one of the wealthiest merchants in the Sky Above Realm. They both had more charm than a mountain of gold and were constantly embroiled in ridiculous antics to win over the hearts of the ladies in our sect.
Long Zhen, with his flawless complexion and knack for dramatic declarations, was particularly notorious for his "Heroic Saves" that often ended in embarrassment for everyone involved.
I had a front-row seat to his clumsy attempts to impress women—like when you tried to rescue a cat only to get caught in a tree yourself.
Meanwhile, Bai Lifen flaunted his wealth like it was a weapon, showering everyone with gifts, hoping to buy affection. "Look, I got you a an artifact!" he'd exclaim, all while completely ignoring the fact that the artifact was more of a paperweight than a weapon.
As for the women they were after? Two were core court disciples: Mei Lian, who could control water like it was her personal pet, and Jiayi, who had a penchant for lightning and was known to shock anyone who came too close during training sessions.
The third was, of course, Ling Xueying, who was practically a beacon for their kind of trouble.
It was as if I had stumbled into a bizarre reality show titled "Who Wants to Marry a Heavenly Edge Cultivator?"
I sighed dramatically, "What did I do to deserve this?" ChiChu chirped in agreement, her tiny form bobbing with what I could only interpret as sympathetic exasperation.
"Maybe I should consider a life in the mountains... away from all this... chaos," I muttered, but deep down, I knew I would miss the daily antics.
Where else could I enjoy the melodrama of love interests competing over someone completely uninterested?
As I settled into my home, I could already envision the coming days filled with laughter, sighs, and occasional facepalms. I wasn't just dealing with my ambitions or desires; I was also the unwilling protagonist in this farcical romantic escapade.
But one thing was for certain: it was going to be a wild ride!
____
While I was bracing myself for the coming days, full of drama and undeniable conquests, my eyes settled onto the jade painting of my mother, Bao Linyue. Her appearance always reflected her power and status, being the daughter of the esteemed Bao Clan, a powerful family in the Sky Above Realm.
Before their marriage, my mother and father's families were always at each other's necks. Despite the Yue Clan commanding the Heaven Secret Sect, the strongest in this realm and the second strongest in the Xianlun world, they were always in stalemate when it came to rivalry with the Bao Clan.
The Bao Clan was that powerful, led solely by my second grandmother, Bao Zhenhua. She was more serious than my other grandmother, Yue Zhaoxiang, who was a delightful and slightly eccentric character.
I liked my grandmothers for different reasons. While Bao Zhenhua flaunted her wealth, often showering me with extravagant gifts, Yue Zhaoxiang always knew how to make me laugh with her quirky antics.
Little did they know, me, their little devil, had grand plans for them, hehe!
In the painting my mother Bao Linyue was dressed in purples robes, her simple appearance reflecting her seriousness, while I recalled how my mother balanced her fierce reputation as a Divine Realm cultivator with her warm, nurturing side.
The day she was always like when she wasn't a powerful woman but a mother of seven—me and my siblings.
As I contemplated the complexities of my family dynamics, I couldn't help but think about how each of them would contribute to my upcoming plans. With my mother's powers, my second grandmother's strict yet caring nature, and my first grandmother's whimsical approach to life, it was a perfect recipe for chaos and hilarity.
But now, back to my own adventures. I had much to prepare for, and each of these formidable women would have a say in my endeavors.
After all, what fun would it be to conquer hearts and realms without a little family drama?
Some people may feel thrilled by the love I got from my two incomparably beautiful grandmothers. It was indeed heart-melting how they adored me—almost obsessively—more than they loved my other siblings or first cousins.
But what you all fail to consider is how I was caught between their endless rivalry.
If it had been settled when their children—my mother and father—got married, it started again with a new kind of intensity after my birth.
My arrival into this world had sparked a fierce competition for my affections. I was always caught up in choosing who I loved the most, and the two women would fight until daybreak for who the "little devil" loved the most.
"Did you see how he smiled at me?" Bao Zhenhua would boast, flashing her treasures and gifts as proof of her superiority. "He has excellent taste; after all, he is my favorite!"
Meanwhile, Yue Zhaoxiang would chime in with her usual flair. "Oh, but he loves laughter and joy! I'm the one who knows how to make him laugh!"
It was a constant tug-of-war, with me as the prize in a game of maternal affection.
One moment I'd be enjoying the lavish gifts and stringent wisdom of Zhenhua, and the next, I'd be swept away by the whimsical adventures and playful banter of Zhaoxiang.
The endless bickering over who could claim my heart felt more like an intense reality show than a family dynamic, and I was both amused and exasperated.
But honestly? I relished every moment of it, even while plotting my escape into the chaos of the world beyond.
As the sun set on this ridiculous rivalry, I could hear the whispers of the upcoming adventures calling my name. The core court was alive with excitement, and I had my sights set on more than just familial affection.
With troublesome suitors lurking around and the promise of new challenges ahead, it was time to dive back into the delightful chaos that awaited me.
And so, with my grandmothers' love still ringing in my ears, I pushed myself up from my seat and prepared for the delightful mess that was about to unfold.