After leaving the quiet forest, Lin Xian, Shen Yue, and Li Yueru returned to their sect. On the surface, everything seemed normal again. They trained with their fellow disciples, followed the rules, and acted like nothing had changed.
But in reality, everything had changed.
From that day on, Lin Xian started meeting Shen Yue and Li Yueru in secret. Sometimes in the garden behind the mountain, sometimes near the waterfall, or in quiet corners of the sect library—anywhere they wouldn't be seen.
Their feelings, once hidden, slowly bloomed into something deeper.
Shen Yue, with her cheerful and innocent nature, would often bring sweet treats and throw her arms around Lin Xian, smiling brightly whenever he called her "little sister" in a teasing tone. But her eyes showed it wasn't just sisterly love anymore.
Li Yueru, though calm and quiet, had begun to smile more. She would quietly sit next to Lin Xian during their secret meetings, and the way she looked at him made her feelings clear.
One evening, under the moonlight, Lin Xian took a deep breath and looked at both girls.
"I know this might be selfish," he said, "but… I love you. Both of you."
Shen Yue blushed deeply, while Li Yueru's eyes widened.
"I don't want to choose between you," he continued. "You both are precious to me."
There was a moment of silence. Then Shen Yue took his hand and said with a smile, "I already decided to follow you, Brother Xian."
Li Yueru nodded softly. "If Shen Yue agrees… then I don't mind sharing you."
Lin Xian felt a wave of warmth in his chest. "Then… let's be together. But quietly. We must not let Shen Tian find out."
Both girls agreed. They didn't care about their supposed destiny with Shen Tian anymore.
---
A Month of Hidden Happiness
For the next month, their secret relationship continued. The three of them spent as much time as they could together. Shen Yue would often act playful and clingy, while Li Yueru watched with a small smile and later joined them quietly.
They trained together, read books, and sometimes just talked under the stars.
Lin Xian's cultivation also improved rapidly. The love and trust he received from the girls gave him strength. At the end of the month, during a quiet night of meditation, he broke through to the next realm—Core Formation Stage—just one level after Foundation Building.
The moment his breakthrough happened, a powerful wave of energy surged through the mountain. Though Lin Xian hid it well, someone noticed.
---
The Discovery
A few days later, something unexpected happened.
Shen Yue and Li Yueru were spending time with Lin Xian in a small training ground behind the sect when Shen Tian appeared. His eyes were filled with anger and disbelief.
"So it's true," Shen Tian said coldly. "You've betrayed me, both of you. For him?"
Lin Xian stood calmly, shielding the girls behind him. "They made their own choices."
Shen Tian's spiritual energy exploded in rage. "You think you can take what belongs to me?!"
Without warning, he attacked Lin Xian with a powerful strike.
But before Lin Xian could even react, both Shen Yue and Li Yueru stepped forward. Their powers flared up, blocking Shen Tian's attack.
"Don't touch him!" Shen Yue shouted, her red eyes burning with anger.
"You don't own us, Shen Tian," Li Yueru said firmly. "We choose who we love."
Shen Tian stared at them in shock. "You're both... abandoning your destiny?"
"There is no destiny," Lin Xian replied. "Only choices. And they've chosen me."
Shen Tian gritted his teeth and turned away. "You'll regret this."
But the girls didn't hesitate.
From that day forward, Shen Yue and Li Yueru broke all ties with Shen Tian. They no longer cared about the paths the sect or fate had planned for them.
Their hearts now belonged to Lin Xian.
---
[Relationship Update]
Shen Yue: Deep Love → Devoted Love
Li Yueru: Devotion → Loyal Love
Shen Tian's Luck: -800
New Realm Reached: Core Formation Stage
New Technique Unlocked: Soul Link Bond (Boosts strength when fighting alongside bonded partners)