Ling Qinghe lounged against a training pillar the next morning, snow-white hair tied loosely with a random ribbon he'd stolen from Ninebro's tail collection. The Advanced Qi Gathering Manual from yesterday's forest raid was open in his lap, but he was mostly using it as a fancy tray for spirit fruits. His F-rank qi felt slightly less pathetic after some half-hearted meditation — like a houseplant that had finally been watered.
"Bro, this cultivation stuff is 90% vibes and 10% not dying," he muttered. Ninebro was busy turning a training dummy into a scratching post.
Ping!
System: New daily mission, Host. "Turn Heads Without Trying."
Objective: Attend the Sect Exchange Meet and gain genuine admiration from at least three inner disciples without using your beauty as an excuse (good luck with that). Bonus points if you don't cause a riot.
Reward: Spirit Storage Ring (low-grade) + temporary speed boost talisman.
Fail: Your next meal will be plain boiled cabbage for a week. No spice. No joy.
Ling Qinghe groaned. "System, you hate me. Fine. Let's go cause controlled chaos."
The Sect Exchange Meet was held in the central plaza — a massive open area filled with stalls, dueling rings, and cultivators trading pills, techniques, and smack talk. Outer disciples like Ling Qinghe were mostly there to watch and learn, but his arrival changed the energy instantly.
Whispers rippled outward like a stone skipped across a pond.
"Look at that hair… it's shining again."
"Is he the one with the Nine-Tailed Fox?"
"He survived the Trial Forest alone? That's… impressive for an outer disciple."
Ling Qinghe waved lazily, Ninebro perched on his shoulder like a golden epaulette. "Yo, trading bros! Anyone got spicy skewers? I'll trade vibes and good looks."
A group of inner disciples nearby chuckled. One bold female cultivator with twin swords actually clapped. "Your attitude is refreshing. Most newbies hide in fear. You charged into the forest and came back with a Lightning Orchid? Respect."
Ling Qinghe's blue eyes sparkled. "Aww, admiration already? Mission going great, System."
Ninebro puffed up proudly, tails fanning.
The real entertainment kicked off when the second big shot appeared.
A tall, fiery young man in crimson robes landed dramatically in the central dueling ring, flames flickering around his fists. Sharp features, messy red-tipped hair, and an aura like a walking bonfire.
Huo Yan.
Inner sect prodigy, ranked just below Gu Xichen. Hot-tempered flame cultivator known for burning through challenges — and occasionally rivals — with zero chill. His family specialized in explosive techniques, and his ego was even bigger.
Huo Yan cracked his knuckles. "Who's up for a spar? I need to test my new Crimson Blaze Palm!"
Several disciples backed away. No one wanted to become barbecue.
Ling Qinghe, being Ling Qinghe, wandered closer out of pure curiosity. "Yo, Flame Bro! That technique looks spicy. Like ghost pepper level. Got any food-based cultivation moves?"
Huo Yan's gaze locked onto him. First surprise at the glowing white hair and porcelain face, then a smirk. "Pretty boy outer disciple? You volunteering? I'll go easy — don't want to ruin that face."
The crowd murmured. Gu Xichen appeared at the edge of the plaza (because of course he did), arms crossed, watching silently with his usual ice-cold expression. His eyes narrowed slightly when Huo Yan pointed at Ling Qinghe.
Ling Qinghe grinned, dimples showing. "Easy mode? Nah. But I'm not fighting. Ninebro, show him what we got."
The fox leaped into the ring like a golden comet. For the next minute, pure comedy unfolded. Ninebro dodged Huo Yan's practice flames with ridiculous agility, tails leaving glowing trails that looked like fireworks. He tripped the flame cultivator once by wrapping a tail around his ankle, then nuzzled his face aggressively when Huo Yan fell on his butt.
The plaza erupted in laughter.
Huo Yan sat up, face red (partly from embarrassment, mostly from flames). "That fox… it's playing with me?!" But instead of anger, a reluctant grin broke through. "Not bad, little beast. Your master's got guts sending you in. I admire the boldness."
Ping!
System: One admiration secured from Huo Yan! Two more to go. Also, Gu Xichen is staring harder. Jealousy meter? Maybe.
Gu Xichen stepped forward, voice cool. "Huo Yan, don't bully outer disciples." There was a slight protective edge beneath the ice — almost admiration hidden under layers of frost.
Huo Yan laughed loudly, clapping Ling Qinghe on the shoulder (gently, surprisingly). "Not bullying! This kid's entertaining. Survived the forest, tamed a nine-tailed fox, and makes even Ice Face talk more than three words. Respect, Snowhair Bro."
Ling Qinghe rubbed his shoulder. "See? Everyone's a bro eventually. Flame Bro, you're not so bad when you're not on fire."
Two more inner disciples nearby — a quiet sword cultivator and a pill refiner girl — nodded in agreement. "His spirit is strong despite low cultivation." "And that fox is adorable…"
Ping!
System: Mission Complete! Rewards delivered. Three admirations achieved. You're accidentally building a fan club.
Ninebro returned to Ling Qinghe's arms, looking smug. Gu Xichen approached, gaze flicking between Ling Qinghe and Huo Yan with a faint, almost imperceptible frown.
"You continue to cause trouble," Gu Xichen said, but his tone carried a hint of something warmer — reluctant admiration for the chaos Ling Qinghe turned into opportunity.
Ling Qinghe winked. "Trouble's my love language, Big Shot Bro. Stick around, there's more where that came from."
Huo Yan threw an arm around Ling Qinghe's shoulders (much to Gu Xichen's visible annoyance). "Kid, you're joining our next training session. Anyone who makes Flame and Ice react is worth watching."
As the meet continued with duels, trades, and Ling Qinghe casually munching victory spirit fruits from his new storage ring, the plaza buzzed with energy
End of chapter 7