Xu Mo, unaware that he had already made hundreds of enemies in a single day—all because of a single engagement token—continued his life of leisure. He cultivated when he felt like it and relaxed when he didn't. Although many believed Xu Mo had become arrogant due to his meager strength in the Golden Core Realm, especially while other geniuses were striving day and night to surpass their limits, Xu Mo did the exact opposite.

That evening, Bai Xu returned from his trip to the Golden Radiance Domain. Judging from the joy on his face, he had clearly been handsomely rewarded. But more than that, Bai Xu wasn't alone. Riding beside him on a cloud condensed from Qi was a young man—one that made heads turn. He was handsome, perhaps even slightly more so than Xu Mo himself.

Xu Mo took note, but he wasn't the kind of protagonist who would feel threatened or seek to provoke someone over looks or talent. He treated others with the same respect they showed him. And when someone earned his respect, he returned it tenfold.

"Sect Master," Xu Mo greeted with a wide smile as he stepped into the hall. It had been a while since they last met, and he was genuinely happy to see him.

"Xu Mo, you're just on time. Come, meet your junior. Yin Chen," Bai Xu said with a light chuckle. "Yin Chen, this is your senior brother Xu Mo, also the True Successor of our Hidden Dragon Sect."

Xu Mo narrowed his gaze slightly, not out of hostility but curiosity. The way Bai Xu introduced Yin Chen hinted that this newcomer might be a potential contender—even a threat—to his position. If Long Chen had been in his shoes, he would have tried to eliminate the newcomer before he grew into a real challenge.

Smirk.

Xu Mo couldn't help but smile faintly, amused at how Long Chen and Yin Chen would've butted heads immediately.

Yin Chen was indeed more handsome in a refined, colder way. His aura was icy, his expression unreadable. Unnaturally pale skin, silver eyes that seemed to pierce through lies—he looked more like a noble specter than a human cultivator. He wore a white, gold-trimmed robe, though the white had dulled, perhaps from being washed countless times. Small patches on the robe, carefully sewn and mended, hinted at a past far less noble than his appearance suggested. It was a strange contrast—like a blade sheathed in faded silk.

"Senior, are you looking down on me?" Yin Chen asked bluntly, staring directly at Xu Mo. His killing intent was unmasked.

Xu Mo didn't flinch. "No," he replied calmly. "I was just reminded of someone I once knew. You resemble him in some ways."

He looked away, breaking eye contact not from fear but consideration. Yin Chen, however, interpreted this differently and smirked, thinking his blood-red pupils had intimidated Xu Mo. For once, he felt proud of his cursed bloodline.

"Yin Chen," Bai Xu interjected quickly, sensing the tension. "Xu Mo isn't like others. You don't have to be on guard around him. He's someone you can entrust your back to in times of crisis."

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Unfortunately, his words had the opposite effect.

"Master, I will not report to anyone except you," Yin Chen declared without hesitation.

The smile on both Xu Mo's and Bai Xu's faces froze. Bai Xu rubbed his temples and cursed inwardly. Why did I bring back this troublemaker?

"Yin—" Bai Xu began, but Xu Mo stepped forward, his tone composed.

"Junior, I apologize if my behavior gave you a bad first impression," he said sincerely. "You don't have to report to anyone except the Sect Master. Don't worry."

His unwavering calm only irritated Yin Chen more. No matter how hard he tried to provoke him, Xu Mo remained unmoved—like a still lake or an immovable mountain.

"Yin, you can leave now," Bai Xu said with a sigh. "There's someone outside who will guide you to your residence."

Thankfully, Yin Chen didn't create a scene. As he walked past Xu Mo, his blood-red eyes locked onto Xu Mo's. But Xu Mo didn't blink or react.

Once the hall was quiet again, Bai Xu broke the silence.

"I'm sorry about that," he said with genuine regret. "That boy… he's a handful."

"It's alright, Sect Master," Xu Mo replied. "Everyone has their reasons for reacting the way they do. As long as he doesn't treat others in the sect the same way, it doesn't matter how he behaves with me."

"Not everyone thinks like you…" Bai Xu muttered, then looked directly into Xu Mo's eyes as if trying to see through him. "I'm lucky to have chosen you as the True Successor. Many think it's a position for the strongest. They're wrong. Strength and talent make up 70%, but the remaining 30%—that's composure, rationality, and leadership."

"Sect Master, I was the lucky one. I never even dreamed of becoming a cultivator, let alone the True Successor of the Hidden Dragon Sect. You gave me more than I could've ever imagined."

Bai Xu sighed again and then added with a teasing grin, "By the way, I heard from the Ancestor that he's found you a fiancée."

Xu Mo tried his best to keep his expression neutral. He knew if he reacted, Bai Xu would never stop teasing him about it.

"I actually wanted to speak with you about that," Xu Mo began. "I don't want to tie myself down with anyone just yet. You know me, Sect Master—I'm a carefree soul."

Bai Xu raised a hand, cutting him off. "Unfortunately, this particular girl… we can't afford to offend her, her sister, her grandfather, or her master. Not a single one of them. I'm helpless here." His voice dropped until his final words were barely audible.

Xu Mo's expression darkened slightly. Bai Xu, noticing it, quickly followed up with a possible solution.

"You don't need to look like the sky is falling," he said. "The girl in question is from the Verdant Sky Hall. Frankly, she might not even be interested in someone like you. To her, you're just some countryside bumpkin."

Black lines appeared on Xu Mo's face. Was that supposed to be comforting or insulting?

Bai Xu coughed awkwardly. "What I meant to say is, give it a few months. Who knows? You might hear that the engagement's been called off."

"…Or?" Xu Mo asked, sensing more nonsense coming.

"Or," Bai Xu said with a mischievous smile, "you could be proactive. Act like one of those shameless young masters—indulge in pleasures, treat women like playthings, maybe even act like you're stealing someone else's wife."

Xu Mo's face turned dark. If this weren't his Sect Master talking, he would've taken that head off already.

"Relax! I don't mean it literally," Bai Xu laughed, trying to defend himself. "Just spread some rumors. Hire a few girls from Dreamcloud Pavilion to act close with you. Build a reputation. Make it seem like you're too much trouble for her."

"What?!" Xu Mo stared at him in disbelief.

"You didn't think I actually wanted you to steal people's wives, did you?" Bai Xu scoffed. "Tch, tch. I expected better from you, Xu Mo. I didn't know you had such indecent thoughts."

Xu Mo just pursed his lips and gave Bai Xu a deadpan stare. The old man was now acting all righteous, despite being the one who had just suggested the most shameless plan imaginable—and now had the audacity to blame Xu Mo for it.

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