The golden sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm, almost ethereal glow over the Heavenly Jade Sect. Yet, amidst the serenity, a storm was brewing in the heart of one very powerful cultivator.
Souta stood at the edge of the sect's training grounds, hands casually resting behind his head. He had long since surpassed the need for rigorous training; his power had reached such a terrifying height that even the elders of the sect barely had the courage to approach him. His cultivation, ever-growing, surpassed even the mightiest gods.
But today, his eyes weren't focused on the horizon or the sky. Instead, they were locked on the small group of women gathered in the courtyard. Cultivators from various parts of the sect, all stunningly beautiful, were engaged in a light sparring match, showing off their skills for the evening's training session.
Souta's golden eyes gleamed with amusement. Each move they made, each graceful strike, sent a thrill coursing through him. But, as always, his attention was split. What interested him most wasn't their skills—it was the way their bodies moved, the way their robes clung to their figures, the way their expressions showed just a hint of determination.
His grin widened.
"You know," he muttered to himself, "this is the kind of entertainment I really enjoy."
He didn't need to make a move—his mere presence was enough to send ripples through the courtyard. One of the women, a fiery redhead with blazing eyes and a slender figure, caught sight of him and faltered mid-motion. Her eyes widened in shock, then narrowed as if remembering something.
"Not him again," she muttered under her breath, clearly displeased. Yet, there was something undeniably magnetic about him. Even as she frowned, her cheeks flushed ever so slightly.
Souta couldn't help but chuckle. His charm and undeniable power had made him a force to be reckoned with, and it wasn't just the women of the sect who were affected by it. The entire atmosphere shifted when he entered a room.
He started walking toward the group, his steps slow and deliberate. Each woman, though trying to keep their composure, couldn't help but glance at him, their gazes lingering, drawn to the overwhelming aura he exuded. There was a tension in the air, the kind that always followed him wherever he went. Some of the younger cultivators couldn't even look him in the eye, their faces turning crimson the moment their gazes met his.
"Hey there, ladies," Souta called out smoothly as he neared, his voice dripping with confidence.
The redhead, obviously irritated, put down her weapon, clearly not in the mood to entertain his usual antics. "What do you want, Souta?"
"Oh, nothing," he said casually, hands in his pockets. "Just passing by. I thought I'd watch a little of your training session. You know, for inspiration."
She raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Sure. 'Inspiration.'" She shot him a look that was part annoyance, part curiosity. "You've seen enough of our training to last a lifetime."
"Not quite," Souta replied with a teasing grin, stepping closer. "I never get tired of beauty in motion."
The redhead scoffed, but before she could say anything further, Souta moved in, his steps slow, his presence overwhelming. He glanced over her shoulder at the other women, noticing their discomfort.
"Isn't it funny?" he mused. "How hard you all try to keep your composure around me. I can feel the pressure building. But don't worry," he said, leaning in slightly, his golden eyes gleaming. "I won't bite. Not today, anyway."
The women exchanged uneasy glances, though none of them dared speak out. There was something about him—a mix of dominance and charm—that left them unsure of how to react. Even those who had trained to become powerful cultivators were, in his presence, rendered momentarily helpless.
Without warning, Souta extended his hand and placed it on the shoulder of the redhead. She flinched at the touch, her body stiffening in surprise.
"I was wondering if you could show me a little more," he said with a low chuckle. "Maybe just a little something special?"
Her face flushed a deeper shade of red, and she jerked her shoulder away, swatting his hand off. "Get lost, Souta. You're such a shameless pervert."
Souta's grin only widened, completely unbothered by her resistance. He could see the struggle in her eyes—the irritation, the desire, and the unspoken tension that lay beneath the surface.
"You really wound me," he said, feigning a hurt expression, though it was clear he was enjoying every moment. "I thought we were getting along so well. Is it so wrong to admire the beauty in front of me?"
Before she could respond, he turned his attention to another woman—a quiet, reserved cultivator with long, dark hair and sharp, intelligent eyes. She was standing to the side, observing the exchange, her expression calm yet subtly intrigued.
"Ah, you," Souta said, grinning. "You seem different from the others. Not as easily flustered, hmm?"
The woman's eyes flicked to him briefly, before she looked away. "I'm not interested in playing your games, Souta."
"Who said anything about games?" He stepped closer, his tone more playful now. "I'm simply admiring the view. Though, if you're offering, I wouldn't mind seeing a little more of that beauty."
Her eyes narrowed, and her lips twitched in what could only be described as a smile tinged with irritation. "If you're not careful, I'll break that smirk off your face."
Souta chuckled, sensing the challenge in her words. It only made him more interested. "I'd like to see you try."
Before the moment could escalate any further, a loud, authoritative voice called from behind them.
"Souta, what do you think you're doing?"
The women froze, and Souta turned to find Ling Wei standing at the entrance of the training grounds, her expression unreadable.
"Ah, Wei," Souta said with a grin, his earlier teasing demeanor slipping slightly. "Just enjoying the show."
Ling Wei's eyes narrowed as she approached, her gaze flicking over the group. "You know the rules here. This is not your playground."
Souta gave a dramatic sigh. "Fine, fine. I was just having a little fun." He turned to the women, winking as he did. "You all be good now."
Ling Wei stepped closer to him, her tone lowering. "I don't mind you having fun, but remember your place."
Souta raised an eyebrow. "My place? As if I have one."
Ling Wei's eyes gleamed with quiet authority. "You do. And you'll follow the rules, or there will be consequences."
Souta's grin didn't falter, though a small glint of interest flickered in his gaze. "Consequences? You really think you can stop me, Wei?"
She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm not trying to stop you. I'm just reminding you who's really in charge."
For a moment, Souta simply stared at her, his golden eyes studying her intently. There was no denying the power she exuded, even if it couldn't match his own. She had always been the one who grounded him, the one who kept him from crossing certain lines.
With a mock sigh, he shrugged. "Fine, fine. You win this round, Wei."
Ling Wei's expression softened slightly, and she turned away. "Good. Now, go back to your chambers and get some rest. We have more important things to attend to."
Souta watched her go, his thoughts racing. He couldn't help but admire her, as always. Ling Wei was one of the few people who could make him pause, even for just a moment. There was something about her that kept him on edge—something that made him want more.
As the women went back to their training, Souta turned and walked away, his mind already drifting toward the next adventure, the next conquest. There was always more to be had, always something else to claim. And he would never stop, not until he had it all.
But for now, the world would have to wait.