The world exploded into a cacophony of noise, shattering the remnants of a pleasant dream and dragging Tian Hao from the depths of a wine-induced slumber. The insistent banging on his chamber doors, the muffled shouts echoing from the hallway, and a palpable surge of spiritual pressure slammed into him like a physical blow, his body stiffening in response to the intrusion. He blinked, his mind struggling to catch up with the sudden shift from peaceful sleep to jarring wakefulness, his head throbbing with the remnants of the previous night's revelry.
Before he could fully register what was happening, the doors to his chambers burst open, splintering the wood and sending shards flying across the room. Elder Yun of the Azure Mist Sect stormed in, her face contorted in a mask of fury, her eyes blazing with an intensity that made Tian Hao's blood run cold. Her spiritual pressure, a palpable force that radiated from her like a shockwave, bore down on him, pinning him to the bed as if a mountain had settled on his chest. It was a blatant display of power, a silent yet unmistakable threat.
Her gaze, sharp as a honed blade, fell on Zhao Fei, still asleep beside him, her dark hair fanned out across the pillow, her face serene in the soft glow of the morning light. The sight of her disciple, in such a compromising position, ignited Elder Yun's fury further, her voice erupting in a torrent of righteous indignation.
"Zhao Fei! What is the meaning of this?!" she roared, her voice echoing through the chamber, each word laced with contempt. "How could you disgrace yourself, and the Azure Mist Sect, in such a manner?!"
Zhao Fei woke with a start, her eyes widening in shock as she took in the scene – the enraged elder, the splintered door, the palpable tension that filled the room. A deep crimson flush stained her cheeks as she pulled the silken sheets around herself, her expression a mix of mortification and shame.
Elder Yun's tirade continued, her words like poisoned darts aimed at Tian Hao. "You… you… hedonistic wastrel!" she spat, her voice dripping with contempt. "You dare to defile a disciple of the Azure Mist Sect? You dare to bring shame upon our honorable name?!" Her spiritual pressure intensified, pressing down on Tian Hao with a crushing weight, making it difficult for him to even breathe.
Tian Hao, his mind still foggy from sleep and the lingering effects of the wine, struggled to find his voice. He tried to raise his hands in a placating gesture, but the elder's spiritual pressure held him captive, his body stiff and unyielding.
"Elder, please," he gasped, his voice cracking slightly, "this is not what it looks like. We were just…"
But Elder Yun cut him off, her voice rising in a crescendo of fury. "Silence!" she commanded. "You have no right to speak! Your actions speak louder than any words, and they speak of disrespect, dishonor, and a complete lack of regard for the sacred traditions of cultivation!"
Just as Tian Hao feared the situation might escalate into something far worse, Elder Han and Tian Shou arrived, their presence instantly calming the chaotic energy that filled the room. Elder Han, his face etched with concern, stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Honored Elder Yun," he said, addressing the enraged Azure Mist Sect elder, "let us not make rash decisions in the heat of the moment. Surely we can discuss this with cooler heads."
Tian Shou, his expression a careful mask of neutrality, placed a hand on Elder Yun's shoulder, offering a conciliatory smile. "Let us take this outside and resolve this matter without further… spectacle," he added, his tone respectful but authoritative. The subtle pressure he exerted on her shoulder, a gentle reminder of his own considerable cultivation level, seemed to have a calming effect.
Elder Yun, though still visibly seething, her eyes blazing with barely contained fury, withdrew her spiritual pressure from Tian Hao, allowing him to finally take a full breath. The sudden release of pressure left him feeling weak and shaky, his body trembling slightly as he sat up in bed, the silken sheets pooling around his waist.
Zhao Fei, her face still flushed with embarrassment, quickly slipped out of bed and into her outer robe, her hands trembling as she fumbled with the ties. Despite the tension of the moment, Tian Hao couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked, the flush on her cheeks and the determined set of her jaw adding to her allure. She allowed herself to be escorted out by Elder Yun, avoiding Tian Hao's gaze as she hurriedly left the room, the other Azure Mist Sect disciples joining them in the hallway, their expressions pointed towards Tian Hao a mixture of disapproval and barely concealed hostility.
With the room finally empty of everyone but Elder Han and Tian Shou, the atmosphere shifted again. The oppressive weight of Elder Yun's anger dissipated, replaced by a heavy silence, a palpable tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud. Tian Shou looked at Tian Hao, his face lined with disappointment. He sighed heavily, the weight of his disapproval evident in every line of his face. Though he said nothing, he could barely contain the clear disgust and exasperation in his eyes, as if expecting his son to take charge and explain.
Elder Han, however, gave Tian Hao a more sympathetic look, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You certainly know how to keep things interesting, Tian Hao," he said, his voice laced with a mix of amusement and gentle reprimand. There was no outright condemnation, but the implication was clear – Tian Hao's actions had consequences that extended beyond himself.
"Perhaps a bit too interesting," Tian Shou finally said, his voice low and laced with weariness. He shook his head, his gaze distant for a moment, before turning to Elder Han. "I apologize for my son's… indiscretion, Elder Han. I will… address this matter personally."
Elder Han nodded, his expression understanding. "Indeed. A… delicate… situation. I trust you will handle it with the discretion it requires."
With a final, almost apologetic glance at Tian Hao, Elder Han left the room, leaving Tian Hao alone with his father. The silence between them felt heavy, charged with unspoken words and unspoken expectations. Tian Hao waited for the reprimand, the lecture, the inevitable disappointment, but it never came. Tian Shou simply looked at him, his gaze piercing, his silence more cutting than any words could have been. After a long, agonizing moment, he turned and left the room, the remains of the heavy wooden door thumping shut behind him, leaving Tian Hao alone with his thoughts.
The events of the morning, though embarrassing and potentially disastrous, had a strangely sobering effect on Tian Hao. The adrenaline of facing Elder Yun's wrath, coupled with the shame of being caught in such a compromising position, had blasted away the lingering haze of the previous night's indulgence. He felt a strange clarity, a sense of focus he hadn't experienced in a long time.
He rose from the bed, the silken sheets clinging to his skin like a reminder of the pleasures he'd so recently enjoyed, the memories now tainted by the bitter taste of impending consequences. He dressed carefully, his movements deliberate, each action a conscious effort to regain some semblance of control over the spiraling chaos of his life. He smoothed down his robes, his fingers lingering on the intricate embroidery, the familiar texture grounding him in the present.
He had a duty to fulfill, a responsibility to his father, to his sect, and to Zhao Fei. As much as he wanted to avoid the judgmental gazes of the other sect members, the whispers and stares that were sure to follow him, he knew he couldn't shirk his responsibilities. He had to face the music, so to speak.
With his head held high, he stepped out of his chambers, the morning sun casting long shadows across the courtyard, the air thick with the lingering scent of jasmine and the faint echo of last night's revelry, determined to face the consequences head-on.
The courtyard, once a vibrant tapestry of color and light, was now subdued, the remnants of the feast being cleared away by diligent disciples. The festive atmosphere had evaporated, replaced by a tense formality as the Skyward Lotus Sect prepared to see their guests off.
Tian Hao took his place beside his father, his expression carefully neutral, though his stomach churned with a mix of anxiety and apprehension. He exchanged polite farewells with the departing sect elders, his words carefully chosen, his demeanor respectful. The other disciples of the Skyward Lotus Sect, sensing the tension, kept their distance, their glances filled with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The events of the morning had clearly spread like wildfire, and Tian Hao could feel the weight of their gazes, the silent judgment that hung in the air like a shroud.
As the Azure Mist Sect prepared to depart, Elder Yun, her expression still grim, her eyes like chips of ice, fixed Tian Hao with a final, piercing glare. "This matter is not over, Young Master Tian," she said, her voice low and laced with a barely concealed threat. "There will be… consequences."
Zhao Fei, standing beside her elder, avoided his gaze, her cheeks flushed, her silence speaking volumes. As she turned to follow her sect, her eyes flickered towards Tian Hao for the briefest of moments, a mix of regret, embarrassment, and something else he couldn't quite decipher in her gaze before she turned away. The rest of the Azure Mist disciples followed their elders in tense and resentful silence, with several glaring openly at him, their faces filled with hostility and contempt. Their silent glares, sharp as daggers, seemed to pierce him, promising retribution for the perceived slight against their sect and their fellow disciple.
Tian Hao watched them go, his heart sinking as he felt the weight of their collective disapproval, the unspoken threat hanging heavily in the air.
As the last of the visiting sects disappeared beyond the sect gates, Tian Hao let out a long, slow breath, the tension slowly draining from his shoulders. He turned to his father, expecting a reprimand, a lecture, perhaps even a punishment. But Tian Shou simply looked at him, his gaze weary, his silence more cutting than any words could have been.
"Go and reflect on your actions, Tian Hao," he said finally, his voice low and filled with a profound disappointment. "I will speak with you later." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Tian Hao standing alone in the now-empty courtyard, the remnants of the feast a stark reminder of the night's events.
As Tian Hao turned to leave, a pulse of warmth surged through his core, radiating outward in powerful waves. Muscles tightened and expanded, sinew and tendon thrumming with newfound strength, as though his body itself was awakening from a deep slumber. Big Sister System's voice echoed in his mind, its cheerful tone contrasting with the weight of the courtyard's silence and his father's disappointed glare.
"Ding! Congratulations, Little Hao!" she chimed, her voice brimming with unrestrained glee. "You have finished your quest! Pleasure-Induced Nirvana Ascension cultivation method has increased to High-Mortal Tier, and… congratulations! Body Refining Stage 4 achieved due to an impressive intake of… ah, 'experienced pleasure.' Quite a leap for your first indulgence, if I may say so!"
The words sent another surge through his body—a burst of energy that danced along his veins, kindling his blood like embers fed with oil. His flesh felt more resilient, his very bones vibrating with a subtle but undeniable power. Tian Hao clenched his fists, feeling an intensity in his grip, a barely-contained vitality that begged to be unleashed. Every muscle felt honed, every fiber of his being tempered.
Name:
Tian Hao
Cultivation Method:
Pleasure-Induced Nirvana Ascension (PINA) – High-Mortal Tier
Cultivation Level:
Body Refining Stage 4
Techniques:
Restful Lotus Bloom - High-Mortal Tier
Wine-Fueled Fury - Peak-Mortal Tier
A chuckle escaped him, edged with disbelief. Here he stood, fresh from an indiscretion that had set off his father's ire, yet somehow more potent than before. The absurdity of his situation struck him anew—his advancement was not through years of arduous cultivation or relentless discipline, but through an unexpected, sensual exchange.
He cast a glance in the direction Zhao Fei had taken, regret mingling with a strange sense of accomplishment. Had he truly reached this level from a single encounter? Their entwined moments lingered on his skin like ghostly memories, the thrill still thrumming in his bones. The promise he'd made her—of other duels, other indulgences—echoed in his mind. Now, he wasn't sure when, or if, such chances would come again.
Big Sister System's voice broke through his reverie, a playful lilt in her tone. "One step at a time, Little Hao. One… pleasurable… step at a time."
Tian Hao smiled wryly, the path before him now both tempting and treacherous. But as his muscles pulsed with this newfound strength, the exhilaration rising within him, he couldn't help but wonder what other heights this unconventional path might lead him to.