Her breath hitched as she looked at Shen Yuan’s calm eyes, she took a deep breath, “I LOVE YOU!!” She lunged towards him, giving him a deep hug while holding her breath, waiting for his response.
Han Qingyu’s eyes widened in shock as her mouth fell open, she stared at Wan Ling’s bold action.
They both knew they were after Shen Yuan, but there was a tactical understanding between them for competition.
But now she went ahead and confessed to Shen Yuan.
Han Qingyu clenched her fists silently, a flicker of irritation and admiration flashing through her silver eyes. Wan Ling had taken the first step forward, but she wouldn’t be left far behind.
Shen Yuan looked slightly below, feeling her shivering slightly due to nervousness.
He slowly raised his hand and patted her head, slowly calming her down.
“Are you sure about what you said?” He softly asked, without accepting or rejecting her.
Wan Ling raised her head from his chest and nodded her head with resolve.
Shen Yuan exhaled a small sigh before looking at her seriously and saying, “Then there are a few things you should be aware of.”
Wan Ling became slightly nervous again, listening intently to what he had to say.
Han Qingyu’s eyes also perked up as she wondered what he had to say.
Shen Yuan took a deep breath before beginning to say, “You know, I already have women whom I love—”
“I don’t mind if you have a harem, as long as I have a small place in your heart.” Wan Ling quickly said, not wanting to wait a single second longer.
Han Qingyu nodded her head, as she already knew about his relationship with Huo Rong, so she couldn’t care less about that at this point.
Shen Yuan shook his head, “Let me finish first, it’s about my harem members, do you know who they are?”
Wan Ling softly shook her head as she had no idea about his harem members until now.
On the other hand, Han Qingyu thought for a second before speaking, “Are you talking about Sister Huo Rong and Sister Bing Rong?”
Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow, he clearly remembered that he only told her about Huo Rong and not Bing Rong, but nonetheless he nodded his head, “Yes, but not only them.”
This time even Han Qingyu became confused as she had no idea about who else he was talking about.
Shen Yuan took a deep breath and said, “My first Dao Companion is—my Mom, Shen Yuxin.”
Han Qingyu and Wan Ling’s eyes widened as they couldn’t believe what they were hearing.
Sure, it was not that rare for that to happen in the world of cultivation as it was quite common to keep the bloodline pure, but to see it happening with someone so dear to them—they were not prepared for that.
“Of course, she is not my blood mother, I have no idea who my blood parents are, she adopted me ever since I was young and has raised me together with Sister Bing Rong and
Sister Huo Rong.” Shen Yuan added with a fond smile as he remembered the memories of the old times.
Wan Ling and Han Qingyu calmed down somewhat as they heard his following words.
Shen Yuan slowly lowered his head to look at Wan Ling—still hugging him, “Now, do you still want to be a part of my harem? I can’t make a promise that I will treat you better than the rest or anything like that-“
Wan Ling’s eyes showed her hesitation, her internal struggle as she contemplated what she had just heard.
But it only lasted a moment longer. She slowly raised her head, staring directly into Shen Yuan’s calm eyes, and her resolve gradually strengthened.
“I don’t care about any of that, Senior Brother,” Wan Ling said, her voice trembling slightly at first but gradually grew firm with each word.
“You’ve always been someone I admire, someone I want to stand beside. It doesn’t matter to me who else is in your life or how unconventional it might seem. I just want to be a part of your world.”
Her arms tightened around him as if she feared he might slip away. “If you’re willing to accept me, I’ll gladly follow you, no matter what.”
Shen Yuan’s expression softened. He gently cupped her chin, tilting her head so their eyes met. “Ling’er, I appreciate your sincerity. If this is truly your choice, then I’ll treasure it. But remember, this path isn’t easy. I won’t be restricted by this mere world.”
Wan Ling nodded her head resolutely. “I understand, Senior Brother. I’ll work hard to be someone worthy of standing by your side.”
Shen Yuan smiled, the kind that carried both warmth and reassurance. “Very well. From this moment on, you are officially a part of my life.”
[Ding!]
[Congratulations Host for adding Wan Ling as your Harem Member. You have acquired Eternal Radiant Flame Sutra.]
Shen Yuan ignored the system message and looked at Wan Ling.
Her face lit up with a radiant smile, her earlier nervousness replaced by pure joy. “Thank you, Senior Brother! I won’t let you down.”
Han Qingyu, who had been watching silently, finally let out a soft sigh. Her silver eyes narrowed slightly as she stepped closer, her spear resting lightly against her shoulder.
“So, you’re just going to accept her, just like that?” she asked, though her tone lacked its usual sharpness.
Shen Yuan turned to her, his calm gaze meeting hers. “I didn’t see a reason to refuse her feelings. She understands what she’s stepping into and has made her choice.”
Han Qingyu’s lips pressed into a thin line. She crossed her arms, looking between Shen Yuan and Wan Ling as she silently thought to herself ‘Well, I suppose I can’t complain about them being together. But I won’t be giving up just because she confessed first.’
Wan Ling, emboldened by Shen Yuan’s acceptance, turned to Han Qingyu with a confident smile. “Hehe, looks like I’m first.”
Han Qingyu raised an eyebrow, feeling irritated at Wan Ling’s smug smile.
Shen Yuan chuckled softly, shaking his head. “You two can sort that out later. Right now, we still have treasures to find and an entire region to explore.”
The two women exchanged one last look, both silently acknowledging each other as a rival, before nodding in unison. “Understood, Senior Brother.”
Shen Yuan turned and began leading them deeper into the cavern.
[So, now Wan Ling has the highest level of Bloodline in your harem huh.]
‘Not for long, I felt Mom’s bloodline slowly rising towards Supreme Rank during our last session, it won’t be long until she has a Supreme Tier Bloodline as well.’ Shen Yuan shook his head and said.
[True, but Wan Ling still has the highest ranked bloodline among your harem members for now. Oh and I forgot to tell you, but once you have Nine techniques in your Chaotic Vessel Physique, its rank will be improved to Saint Rank.]
Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow at her words, ‘Really? That’s quite good, I should be able to do it by the time I reach Dao Core Forming Realm.’
…
The cave was so deep that it seemed to be connecting with a Volcano.