Ling Qinghe was halfway through his second victory ramen of the day when the sect announcement bell rang across the peaks. Ninebro perked up from his lap, ears twitching at the resonant sound.
Ping!
System: Big event incoming, Host. "Azure Cloud Summit Lecture" by visiting elders and geniuses from allied sects. Attendance mandatory for outer disciples. Try not to cause an international incident before you hit Qi Condensation.
"Mandatory lectures? In my second life? Brutal," Ling Qinghe complained, but his blue eyes sparkled with curiosity. He stuffed the empty ramen cup back into his storage ring and stood, snow-white hair swaying. "Come on, Ninebro. Time to collect more bros."
The central plaza was already packed when they arrived. Inner disciples formed neat rows while outer ones like Ling Qinghe squeezed in at the back. On the elevated platform, several elders sat in lotus positions, but the real focus was on the three young representatives beside them.
Huo Yan was already there, arms crossed and grinning. Gu Xichen stood like a statue of ice, expression neutral. And between them—
A young man in flowing silver-white robes embroidered with subtle moon patterns stepped forward. His long black hair was tied with a single jade hairpin, and his features were refined and elegant, like a scholar who moonlighted as a sword immortal. A gentle aura surrounded him, cool and soothing, yet sharp enough to cut. At his side floated a slender sword that hummed softly, as if alive.
Ye Tianlan.
Visiting core disciple from the prestigious Moonshadow Sword Pavilion. Ranked among the top talents of the younger generation, known for his unparalleled sword intent and calm demeanor that could disarm enemies before a single strike.
The crowd whispered excitedly.
"That's Ye Tianlan… they say his sword can split moonlight itself."
"He's even more handsome in person…"
Ling Qinghe tilted his head, studying the newcomer. "Damn. Another protagonist-looking bro. This world really likes pretty boys."
Ninebro's eyes locked onto the floating sword like it was the world's shiniest toy. Before Ling Qinghe could stop him, the fox blurred forward, leaped onto the platform, and batted at the hovering blade with a golden paw.
The sword trembled. Ye Tianlan's calm eyes widened slightly—the first crack in his serene mask.
"Ninebro! Bad fox!" Ling Qinghe hissed, rushing forward without thinking. He hopped onto the edge of the platform, long sleeves flapping. "Sorry about that, Sword Bro! He thinks everything shiny is his personal enrichment toy."
The entire plaza fell into stunned silence. An outer disciple had just casually jumped onto the VIP platform and called the visiting genius "Sword Bro."
Ye Tianlan looked down at Ling Qinghe. His gaze lingered—first on the glowing snow-white hair, then the sparkling blue eyes and porcelain face, and finally the mischievous grin. A faint, genuine smile touched his lips, soft as moonlight.
"No harm done," he said, voice smooth and pleasant. He gently flicked a finger, and the sword floated higher, out of Ninebro's reach. The fox whined pitifully and instead latched onto Ye Tianlan's leg, rubbing his golden fur against the pristine robes. "Your companion has… excellent taste in weapons."
Gu Xichen's eyes narrowed. Huo Yan barked out a laugh. "Looks like the new guy's already been claimed by the chaos fox."
Ling Qinghe crouched down to retrieve Ninebro, but the fox refused to budge, purring loudly against Ye Tianlan's ankle. "Traitor. We just met him."
Ye Tianlan bent slightly and scratched behind Ninebro's ears with refined precision. The fox melted. "Nine-tailed Golden Fox… rare. And bonded to someone with such… vibrant spirit." His eyes met Ling Qinghe's again. There was curiosity there, warm and assessing, like he'd found an interesting puzzle hidden among ordinary stones.
Ping!
System: New Main Lead detected! Ye Tianlan – Moonlit Sword Genius. Affinity with Host: Rising rapidly thanks to fox endorsement. Warning: Ice Prince jealousy meter +20%. Flame Bro amusement meter maxed.
The lecture began, but Ling Qinghe found it hard to focus. Ye Tianlan's voice was calm and melodic as he spoke about harmonizing sword intent with natural qi. Every few minutes, Ninebro would cause a small commotion—once by trying to steal the jade hairpin, another by wrapping a tail around Ye Tianlan's wrist.
During a short break, the three geniuses ended up near Ling Qinghe. It was inevitable.
"You're the one who retrieved a Lightning Orchid as an outer disciple," Ye Tianlan said, turning to him. "Impressive determination. Most with low cultivation would not dare."
Ling Qinghe rubbed the back of his neck. "Mostly panic and fox cheats, honestly. I'm still basically a houseplant with good hair, Sword Bro."
Huo Yan slapped him on the back. "Houseplant who survived my flames today. Don't sell yourself short, Snowhair."
Gu Xichen remained silent, but his presence grew colder. He glanced at Ye Tianlan's gentle smile directed at Ling Qinghe and frowned ever so slightly.
Ye Tianlan noticed. Instead of tension, he simply nodded politely to both. "It seems this young friend attracts interesting company. If you ever wish to practice sword forms, Ling Qinghe, my pavilion's techniques emphasize grace over raw power. They might suit you."
"Free lessons from a big shot? Yes please," Ling Qinghe grinned, dimples showing. "As long as there's snacks afterward."
Ninebro, sensing the perfect moment, leaped from Ye Tianlan's side straight into Gu Xichen's arms, then immediately dragged the ice prince closer by biting gently on his sleeve. The fox then did the same to Huo Yan and Ye Tianlan, effectively herding all three tall, powerful cultivators into a small circle around Ling Qinghe.
The fox sat proudly in the middle, tails fanned like he'd just completed a group bonding quest.
Ling Qinghe laughed brightly. "Ninebro, you absolute legend. Are you building my harem—I mean, friend group?"
The three geniuses reacted in perfect sync:
Gu Xichen: faint eyebrow twitch, but didn't step away.
Huo Yan: loud laughter, throwing an arm around Ling Qinghe.
Ye Tianlan: soft chuckle, eyes curving warmly as he regarded the white-haired youth.
Ping!
System: Achievement Unlocked – "Professional Bro Magnet." New Mission: Survive the upcoming Joint Sect Trial with your new admirers without revealing exactly how trash your cultivation still is. Reward: Permanent +1 Major Realm boost + Unlimited Ramen Pass (one week).
As the lecture resumed, Ling Qinghe sat between the three, feeling the weight of multiple intense gazes on him. Ye Tianlan occasionally offered quiet explanations when the content got too dense. Huo Yan cracked jokes. Gu Xichen… just watched, protective and silent.
"Second life keeps getting wilder," Ling Qinghe muttered, petting Ninebro. The fox's tails swished contentedly, brushing against three different future big shots.
In the distance, dark clouds began gathering over the trial forest—an omen of the challenges to come. But for now, under the afternoon sun, Ling Qinghe just enjoyed the chaos.
He had ramen, a fox overlord, and three very different bros orbiting him like planets around a particularly troublesome sun.
What could possibly go wrong?
End of Chapter 9