My Xianxia Harem Life-Chapter 53 Shade

"Interesting. You don’t even bother to cover your lie," Daoist Silver Sword said, her tone sharp.

"Your words speak falsehoods, but your expression tells another story. You’re looking at me like I’m nothing more than an ant—a mere nuisance." She paused, her gaze piercing.

"Let’s lay all our cards on the table, shall we? You are the reincarnation of a fallen powerhouse. At least at the Void Tribulation Realm during your prime. Am I right, Senior Riley?"

She stood, cupping her fist and bowing deeply toward Riley.

Despite her composed appearance, she had been using her spiritual sense to probe Riley for hidden details, only to find an endless void where answers should be.

Resorting to a secret technique, she tried attacking his spiritual sense, but the attempt failed miserably.

"Please forgive this junior’s offense," she said, her voice trembling slightly.

"I had eyes but failed to recognize Mount Tai. I only beg you to spare my Heavenly Sword Sect from your wrath." Daoist Silver Sword remained bowed, motionless.

She had resigned herself to death if necessary, as long as her sect could be saved.

After all, it was the only legacy her late husband had left her.

"It’s a small matter. You may sit back down," Riley said with a broad smile.

He appreciated dealing with intelligent people, and this old woman was indeed clever.

"Speak of this to no one. You may go now," Riley commanded.

The old woman hesitated but mustered the courage to speak.

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"Forgive my boldness, Senior, but I must say that what you taught those 24 disciples may be too much for them to handle. Comprehending Dao Essence at the mere Foundation Establishment Realm... only a Spirit Severing Realm powerhouse like me—or someone beyond—could ever hope to harm them," Daoist Silver Sword cautioned.

One must understand how rare enlightenment and understanding Dao Essence were.

It was essentially grasping the essence of a Dao path, a feat that eluded even her.

She had been stuck in the first stage of the Spirit Severing Realm for years, unable to progress due to her lack of enlightenment.

It was not something one could force; it was a gift that could only be hoped for.

"Don’t concern yourself with them," Riley replied casually.

"They are the disciples of my Stone Mountain Sect. Naturally, I will watch over them. And if they ever surpass their limits and go astray, I will take responsibility for uprooting what I have planted." He shrugged, unconcerned.

"You are wise, Senior. Even the greatest sages are unworthy to stand beside you," Daoist Silver Sword praised earnestly.

"Go," Riley said, unsure whether to laugh or cry at her blatant flattery.

Even the elderly, it seemed, knew how to curry favor with their superiors.

Riley lingered for a few more minutes before leaving to rejoin Katherine and the rest of the group.

Meanwhile, Daoist Silver Sword had already formed a plan.

"Nolan, come," she called out.

Her age and experience had made her an excellent judge of character, and after seeing how reasonable Riley was earlier, she’d be a fool not to seize the opportunity to leverage this encounter.

As for Riley and the others, they were busy celebrating.

"How in heaven’s name did we manage that, Elder Riley?!"

"We don’t even know how we did it!"

"It felt like my body just moved on its own!"

"Not exactly," one disciple chimed in. "When I moved, I remember feeling this weird tingling sensation in my butt. At first, I thought Elder Riley hit me with another rock, but I dodged the swords chasing me, and after that, everything felt natural."

The 24 disciples of the Stone Mountain Sect were utterly confused by their newfound abilities.

"It doesn’t matter how it happened," Riley said, his tone firm.

"What you need to know now is that you’ve all become powerful—too powerful for your own good. But heed my warning: if I ever hear that any of you have turned to the dark side or used this power for evil, I will personally abolish your cultivation. I’ll make you live a life so miserable you’d wish for death instead."

He released a sliver of his divine essence, and the 24 disciples shuddered in unison. It felt as though death itself stood before them, radiating from Riley’s presence.

"We hear and obey, Elder Riley!" they shouted in unison, trembling but excited by the profound gifts they had been granted.

The group celebrated enthusiastically, reveling in their unexpected victory. However, before the festivities could fully kick off, Riley turned to Katherine with a knowing smile.

"Would you be kind enough to collect our winnings, Daoist Midnight Lotus?" he said, his tone polite but unmistakably firm.

Katherine raised an eyebrow, amused by his calm reminder.

Meanwhile, the elders from the other sects stiffened, their expressions souring.

They had secretly hoped that in the midst of the chaos and excitement, Riley might have forgotten about the wager made earlier.

"Must you bring that up now, Elder Riley?" one elder muttered under his breath, but his voice lacked the courage to carry far.

Another elder sighed deeply, shaking his head. "The younger generation these days... no patience whatsoever."

Riley’s smile only widened as he calmly watched their reluctant reactions.

"A bet is a bet, seniors," he said, his voice light but tinged with authority.

"Surely men of your stature wouldn’t go back on your word, would you?"

The elders exchanged glances, grumbling under their breath, but they could not refute him.

One by one, they reluctantly handed over the agreed-upon rewards, each one biting back their indignation.

"Of course not," one elder finally said, forcing a strained smile. "We wouldn’t dream of it."

Katherine stepped forward gracefully, collecting the spoils with a soft chuckle. "Thank you, esteemed elders. The Stone Mountain Sect will put these resources to good use."

The other sect elders could only grit their teeth as they watched their prized spirit stones slip into her hands.

As Katherine returned to the group with the winnings, Riley leaned back, his expression calm and unbothered.