Manipulative Harem God



Indeed, Xiong Mei pondered, men like Zhang Wei were not in short supply of admirers, and the world was brimming with those who might seem less troublesome or offer the allure of being "better."

The small, yet potent, warning from Anna served as a gentle reminder to Xiong Mei of her place.

It was a subtle nudge, urging her to keep her feelings in check and navigate the path with a rational heart, both now and in the unfolding future.

Her ears turned slightly moist, due to unknown reasons, but she didn't speak for the rest of the way.

A faint mist gathered in the corners of Xiong Mei's eyes, a subtle stirring of emotions she couldn't quite pinpoint.

Yet, she chose to remain silent for the remainder of the journey, the unspoken thoughts and feelings swirling in the depths of her being.

--------

In this crucial moment, Zhang Wei had little room to dwell on Xiong Mei's feelings, for he was entangled in a heated argument with the system.

[Host, how many times must I insist that it's preferable not to enter!] the system's voice rang with urgency.

"Why not?" Zhang Wei countered, his disagreement apparent, a bitter taste lingering in his mouth.

The system's suggestion felt like a odd deal as it implied abandoning Wu Xue and fleeing.

The system continued to press its point, almost imploring. [Host, I can eliminate her remotely if it's about your honor or dignity, and even dispose of her body discreetly to spare you any humiliation. Why not prioritize saving yourself first?]

Zhang Wei fell into a contemplative silence, his expression hardening. "..." He finally inhaled a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. "How many people are inside?"

[....]

[Seven people are inside.] The system's voice carried an air of defeat.

"Seven?" Zhang Wei's brows shot up in surprise.

[Two of them are Wu Xue and Long Yufei. The remaining three are Raven, Xu Jiali, and Xu Yifen—Xu Yifen being the one who contacted you. Additionally, there are two monks, with one of them unconscious and the other significantly weakened, possessing less than half of his original strength.]

Zhang Wei's expression shifted to one of contemplation. "So, I only have to deal with one person, right?"

[It's not just one, Host. The remaining one is at the Martial Ancestor realm. Even with most of his power depleted, you wouldn't last a minute against him.]

Zhang Wei's face registered a subtle mix of surprise and concern. "Are you serious?"

[Yes, Host. The most prudent course of action is to leave immediately.]

Zhang Wei drew in a deep breath, the weight of the situation pressing upon him. "Who are they, and why are they attacking Xue?"

The system hesitated for a moment before responding, [...]

"If you won't tell me, then I'm going inside," Zhang Wei declared with unwavering determination. He couldn't stand by and watch his women face slaughter, especially when the system was withholding information.

[Wait, Host!]

"So, you are telling?" Zhang Wei stopped in his tracks, turning his attention back to the system.

[Did you leave me a choice, Host? The two people inside are monks from the sacred order of Shaolin. One is a senior elder, and the other is his disciple. They were in Qingyun city, on a mission from the temple, when they sensed a heavy dark aura and rushed here. The temple holds deep animosity towards practitioners of darkness, and, Host, you happen to be one of them.]

Zhang Wei nodded in understanding, though certain details were still missing. "Whose dark aura led them to Westlake?"

[It was your aura, Host.]

Zhang Wei's expression shifted from curiosity to anger.

If the system had known that such a situation would arise, why did it encourage him to use the inheritance stone openly?

[Host, the trails should have disappeared, and the monks should have returned disappointed. The system typically takes care of such matters. I'm uncertain about what went wrong], the system explained.

"You don't know?" Zhang Wei questioned, a sense of bewilderment creeping over him.

What was happening?

[I can investigate, Host, but it will take time. Someone clearly interfered and deliberately altered certain elements, with the intention of targeting you.]

"Targeting me!?" Zhang Wei was left dumbfounded by this sudden revelation.

Why would someone be targeting him?

He hadn't crossed paths with any cultivators apart from Feng Ruoyan.

And then, realization dawned on him.

"That bitch!" He cursed, anger surging within him like an untamed storm, his desire to strangle her to death seemingly unquenchable.

The echo of her mocking laughter reverberated in his mind, each peal intensifying the boiling anger within him.

The memory of her smirk, her twisted smile, and the venom in her words added fuel to the flames of rage that now consumed him.

Among the people he knew, only she possessed that particular madness.

As Zhang Wei grappled with the turmoil of emotions and the revelations, a stark realization slowly crystallized in his mind.

If he were to leave every time a situation like this arose, what difference would it make between his life before and after cultivation?

It would be a perpetual cycle of flight, leaving him no better than he was in his previous, mundane existence.

Then, like a lightning bolt of understanding, it struck him—the very essence of cultivation that he had, until now, largely ignored.

He had brushed aside the importance of strength, believing himself to be the strongest, with no formidable adversaries in sight.

Yet, in this moment, he comprehended the folly of his complacency.

"Being strong is the only way, huh..." he murmured, his voice carrying the weight of newfound understanding.

He had once assumed that he had reached the pinnacle, that there were no stronger foes to face.

Now, however, he grasped the harsh reality that adversaries could emerge unexpectedly, and preparation was not merely advantageous; it was essential.

With this revelation, he resolved to embrace the path of cultivation, to fortify himself physically and mentally, and to ensure that he never found himself in a position of weakness again.

[When are you leaving host?]