The jungle remained calm, but a faint tension lingered in the air. Beams of light filtered through the thick canopy above, flickering across patches of grass and leaves like golden threads. Spirit butterflies occasionally drifted lazily past the bark of ancient trees, unaware of the silent drama unfolding beneath them.
Meng Hao sat near the base of a large spiritwood tree, the bark rough against his back. He had been deep in thought when he suddenly heard soft footsteps approaching from behind, their rhythm light and graceful.
He turned his head.
Li Yao was walking toward him. Her orange robe rippled slightly in the forest breeze, her steps fluid and calm. As she drew closer, Meng Hao didn't say a word. His eyes simply followed her, quietly observing, unblinking. The only sound was the crunch of leaves beneath her steps.
Li Yao reached him, her expression carrying a hint of mischief and warmth. "Junior brother," she asked gently, "could you stand up? Or do you want me to help you stand—or carry you?"
Meng Hao didn't respond immediately. Instead, he furrowed his brows, lowering his eyes with a contemplative look. A gust of wind rustled nearby branches, and spirit birds scattered at the motion.
Suddenly, a familiar ding echoed in his ears.
[Ding. It has been detected that the host currently has no points and will therefore fail this test, leading to mission failure.]
[Hence, host is presented with two choices:]
1.) Seduce Li Yao and have her help you collect points to get selected. Reward: 1 month of cultivation.
2.) Select someone else to do the work. Reward: 1 day of cultivation.
Meng Hao's thoughts turned cold.
"Why don't you just say it straight, system—you want me to seduce her?"
"Still… the reward is decent, and I wouldn't have to fight head-on in this broken body…"
Letting out a soft sigh, he raised his head and turned toward Li Yao. His eyes shimmered with false helplessness as he said, "Senior sister… I'm injured and currently unable to stand up. Could you please help me…?"
His pitiful expression was subtle, yet incredibly effective.
Li Yao's breath paused slightly as she looked into his face. Her heartbeat began to rise, and uninvited thoughts began to slip into her mind one after another.
Then, the voice in her head stirred again, full of teasing amusement.
"Hehe… brat, looks like your chance has come. The sheep walked into your arms ready for slaughter. Don't let this opportunity go to waste—he's alone, and you're the only one nearby… Heheee."
Her face flushed instantly. She bit her lip mentally and responded.
"W-What nonsense are you saying, Master?! I… I'm just helping my junior brother! He asked for help, I can't just leave him lying here injured! What if some lustful girls find him? With his charm, even female elders might fall for him…"
"I'm just saving him! That's all."
With determination, she stepped forward and knelt beside Meng Hao. Gently, she took his hands in her soft palms and helped him to his feet.
The mossy ground beneath them shifted slightly, a spirit beetle crawling across a nearby stone as the two rose slowly together.
Meng Hao, now standing with Li Yao's support, couldn't help but think,
"So she really does have intentions about me, huh? Tch… I always imagined my first time would be in the palace of Master Su Lan… but now I'm stuck in a jungle with this lustful girl instead."
He smiled faintly, glancing at Li Yao. "Thank you, senior sister."
But as they stood, the distance between their faces grew unexpectedly small—less than ten centimeters.
Li Yao's breath hitched. Her pupils trembled. A crimson flush crept over her cheeks like dye dropped into water.
She didn't answer with words. Only a low, almost whispering, "Mm…"
Her mind, however, was no longer quiet.
A storm of lustful and dangerous thoughts rushed through her faster than she could suppress. Each idea more shameless than the last. Her heart pounded like a war drum as her gaze flickered across his lips, his eyes, the curve of his cheek.
And all Meng Hao had to do was nothing just wait for her to loose herself..