My Xianxia Harem Life

After that issue was finally settled, Riley made his long-awaited appearance before the gathered crowd.

It was his first time stepping into the spotlight tonight, and the air practically buzzed with excitement and reverence at her arrival.

In the world of xianxia, a feast was nothing like the ones held on Earth. Here, the food and drinks flowed endlessly, and the revelry seemed almost eternal.

The celebration did not follow the natural rhythm of day and night; instead, it blazed on without pause, stretching across days and nights with no regard for sleep or exhaustion.

People laughed, talked, danced, and exchanged stories continuously, their energy never seeming to wane.

Thanks to the alchemists' miraculous creations—specially refined spirit pills designed to keep one awake and sharp—no one appeared tired, even after countless hours of merrymaking.

Musicians played enchanting melodies with strange instruments that resonated with the very spiritual energy of the world, while dancers moved with a grace that seemed to defy gravity itself.

Sects from all across the region had gathered here, their members adorned in robes that bore the symbols and colors of their clans.

Some of them had old grudges and simmering rivalries, and there was no shortage of wary glances exchanged across the courtyard.

However, despite the underlying tensions, not a single soul dared to act out of line. This was a sacred gathering hosted under the name of Elder Riley, a Void Tribulation realm powerhouse whose authority was absolute.

Any sign of disrespect would not just bring personal ruin—it would invite the wrath of an existence whose mere displeasure could shake mountains and rivers.

In this world, where strength spoke louder than words, everyone understood one unspoken rule: tonight, all grudges were to be set aside, all personal ambitions temporarily shelved.

And so, the festivities continued without interruption, a glorious, never-ending celebration beneath the boundless night sky, as stars twinkled like scattered treasures across the heavens.

But when Riley finally appeared, the lively atmosphere froze as if time itself had been paused. Conversations died mid-sentence, laughter faded into silence, and even the music came to an uncertain stop.

Every gaze in the vast courtyard turned toward the figure who had just stepped into view—the man who had already become a living legend in their hearts.

He stood tall and effortless, his robe flowing lightly with each step, his presence commanding without even trying. Under the soft glow of spirit lamps, his features looked almost ethereal, as if he had walked straight out of a dream.

"The legends were true!" someone gasped breathlessly. "He's even more handsome in person!"

"I know, right?" another whispered, her voice trembling with excitement. "I heard he loves beautiful women too. He's not one of those cold, aloof types!"

"Should we try our luck tonight? Maybe if we're bold enough, we can invite him to our beds!" another cultivator said, her cheeks flushed with both embarrassment and hope.

"You girls are all too slow!" a particularly daring woman laughed. "I want Elder Riley to put a baby in me right now!"

Ripples of laughter, gasps, and whispered plotting spread through the female cultivators. Even among the more reserved ones, there was a spark of longing in their eyes. After all, they were not foolish.

Opportunities like this were rarer than phoenix feathers or qilin horns. Forming any sort of romantic—or even physical—connection with a Void Tribulation cultivator could change a woman's destiny overnight.

More than that, it was Riley they were looking at—not just any old monster hiding away in seclusion. He was young, vibrant, and full of life.

His very existence seemed to mock the cruel passage of time that most others could not escape.

One had to understand, most Void Tribulation experts had already withdrawn from the world, entombing themselves in isolated "longevity coffins" to preserve what little vitality they had left, clinging desperately to life as the decay of time gnawed at their souls.

But not Riley.

He stood before them like a shining sun—full of promise, full of power, and full of possibilities. And every ambitious woman present tonight knew: to catch his eye, even for a moment, was to rewrite their fate forever.

A moment later, Riley stepped forward, his figure standing tall and proud against the backdrop of spirit lamps and moonlight.

As he moved, the crowd instinctively quieted, their gazes locking onto him with a mixture of awe, curiosity, and anticipation.

His mere presence commanded respect, and when he finally spoke, his voice, calm yet resolute, carried across the entire courtyard with effortless power.

"Thank you all for coming," Riley said, his words measured and sincere, "and for offering such precious gifts to my Stone Mountain Sect. I will not forget this kindness."

As his words echoed into the night, the disciples and elders of the Stone Mountain Sect visibly straightened.

Their faces beamed with pride, some even puffing out their chests unconsciously, basking in the recognition from the one they revered. Riley had not forgotten them.

In fact, it was clear to everyone present that his bond with the Stone Mountain Sect was deep, genuine, and unbreakable. This small but powerful display of loyalty did not go unnoticed.

Among the gathered cultivators, many exchanged glances of approval, admiration, and even envy. In a world where strength often led to arrogance and betrayal, Riley's gratitude to his roots spoke volumes about his character—and perhaps hinted at the kind of leader he might become in the future.

A breath later, Riley continued, his tone shifting from warm to serious, pulling the audience even deeper into his words.

"I do not like long speeches," he said plainly, drawing a few light chuckles from the crowd, "so I will get straight to the point."

He paused briefly, allowing the moment to settle.

"As many of you have seen, cultivators from beyond our seas have made their presence known for the first time in history. They came here under the cover of darkness, harboring ill intentions toward my sect. They sought to test us, to probe our strength... and ultimately, they failed."

His voice sharpened slightly at the last word, and an invisible ripple of pride spread through the Stone Mountain Sect.

"But their failure was not meaningless," Riley went on. "It has given us something invaluable—confirmation that we are not alone. Beyond the Abyss Ocean lies a vast world of unknown cultivators, unknown powers, and untold mysteries."

The crowd grew deathly silent, hanging on his every syllable.

"And I," Riley said, his gaze sweeping across the sea of faces, "intend to see it with my own two eyes."

Murmurs began to stir among the crowd, but Riley's voice cut cleanly through them.

"One month from today, I will set out on an expedition to cross the Abyss Ocean. I welcome anyone who dares to venture into the unknown alongside me."

Gasps of shock and disbelief broke out at his declaration. No one had ever dared to think about venturing across the Abyss Ocean—it was an untamed, savage place, filled with chaotic storms and monstrous creatures that even Void Tribulation cultivators feared.

Yet here Riley stood, boldly inviting others to step into the unknown with him.

"I possess the only flying boat capable of surviving the chaotic seas," Riley continued, his voice steady and confident. "A vessel forged from unknown ancient techniques and blessed by the heavens themselves. Loot from the enemy. But with it, the impossible becomes possible."

Another pause. Then, a smile—bold, unshakable—broke across his face.

"This is an opportunity unlike any other. For those with ambition in their hearts, for those seeking to carve their names into the annals of history—this is your chance. Until the day we depart, I urge you all: enjoy the feast. Celebrate this moment. For soon, a new chapter will begin—not just for me, but for all of us."

As he finished speaking, the courtyard erupted—not into chaos, but into a rising tide of murmurs, gasps, and wild, whispered plans. Riley could see it in their eyes: the wonder, the hunger, the dreams of glory that had been dormant for so long, now rekindled into blazing flames.

On this continent, the resources had long since been carved up and locked away by ancient powers. Growth could only come through bloody wars and endless scheming.

But across the Abyss Ocean? A new world awaited—a world untouched, untapped, unknown. A place where fortunes could be made, where lost legacies could be unearthed, where new empires could rise.

Nobody wanted to miss this chance.

Even as the feast resumed with renewed fervor, word of Riley's declaration spread like wildfire. In mere minutes, every sect, every clan, every hidden force across the continent learned of his bold ambition.

Already, hidden patriarchs stirred from their secluded abodes, ancient monsters opened their eyes in dark caves, and ambitious young geniuses sharpened their blades, all dreaming of the glory that awaited beyond the horizon.

Tonight, Riley had not just hosted a feast. He had lit the fuse for a new era.

And nothing would ever be the same again.