My Xianxia Harem Life

The Gray Clan was an immortal clan — meaning, just as it was on the Nine Cauldrons Continent, they stood as a formidable influence, presided over by a Void Tribulation expert.

In this xianxia cultivation world, this was the recognized pinnacle of strength.

Although this xianxia world was vast and divided by the boundless Abyss Ocean into countless continents, the basic truths remained the same everywhere: the path of cultivation here ended at the Void Tribulation realm.

Beyond that point, the heavens imposed an invisible barrier, forbidding any further breakthroughs.

Those who wished to pursue greater heights faced only two perilous options: they could attempt to hide from the ever-watchful eyes of heaven, living in seclusion and constant fear, or they could attempt ascension — a bold leap to a higher world.

To many, ascension promised untold opportunities and power. To others, it spelled their doom, for the trials of the higher realms were harsh beyond imagination.

Very few succeeded. Most were torn apart during the heavenly passage or fell to stronger beings the moment they arrived.

Yet for cultivators, to stagnate was the same as death. Therefore, many still chose to risk everything.

After a long and steady journey, the flying boat finally arrived within a massive domain.

Stretching out before them was a truly breathtaking sight.

Unlike the many earthly sects, cities, and empires they had seen on the Nine Cauldrons Continent, this place was something altogether different — a city suspended high in the heavens, floating among the clouds themselves.

The city was colossal, sprawling across the sky like a glittering jewel. Immense palaces with golden roofs and jade towers pierced the clouds.

Waterfalls cascaded from one layer of the city to another, falling into shimmering lakes that somehow remained suspended midair.

Bridges made of spirit light connected the various parts of the city, while formations of protective arrays hummed softly, filling the air with a faint sacred pressure.

The cultivators aboard the flying boat couldn't help but gasp in amazement.

"How grand! Simply maintaining this flying city must require a fortune in spirit stones every single day!" one of them exclaimed, unable to tear his eyes away from the magnificent sight.

Another cultivator, more composed but no less awed, shook his head thoughtfully.

"I don't think so. Just like the flying boat we're riding now, I believe the people of the Golden Dragon Continent must have developed new systems or cultivation techniques to minimize the cost. Otherwise, it would be utterly foolish to maintain something so grand yet so wasteful."

"New systems?" another asked curiously.

The man nodded. "Perhaps they refined arrays that draw power directly from the ley lines or harness the spirit energy in the atmosphere itself. Maybe they even have secret treasures embedded within the city's foundations that support it without relying solely on external resources."

"That would make sense," someone else chimed in. "After all, if a flying city consumed the amount of spirit stones we expect, it would collapse within months. Only fools would build such a thing without a sustainable method."

Their voices buzzed in excitement as the flying boat descended closer. Details of the city became clearer: enormous guardian beasts, formed from spiritual energy, patrolled its edges.

Great banners embroidered with mysterious sigils fluttered even in the still sky.

From time to time, powerful auras flickered from within the city — mighty cultivators whose strength surpassed the imagination of most passengers aboard the flying boat.

A hushed silence fell over the cultivators.

Each of them, whether seasoned veterans or ambitious novices, knew that stepping into a city like this was not without risk — nor without opportunity.

Some clutched their weapons tightly. Others closed their eyes to steady their breathing. For each one, dreams of glory, wealth, and ascension filled their hearts.

The flying boat glided ever closer toward the massive city up front.

The flying boat glided closer, hovering just a few feet away from the floating city's outer perimeter when, without warning, a deep and commanding voice thundered through the heavens, halting their approach.

"Halt! State your purpose, or face the consequences! The Gray Clan has long since secluded itself from the affairs of the world," the voice declared. It carried the weight of authority, reverberating across the sky like a rolling wave.

Even the spirit energy in the air seemed to tremble at its power.

A soft vibration ran through the deck of the flying boat as the cultivators aboard tensed instinctively, sensing the potent energy hidden within the speaker's words. It wasn't merely a threat — it was a warning backed by absolute confidence.

Before the tension could stretch further, a second voice, equally strong yet composed and elegant, rang out in reply.

"I am Veronica Gray," Veronica announced clearly, stepping forward to the prow of the flying boat.

Her figure stood tall against the backdrop of the floating city, her aura calm and resolute. "And these are my companions. I have come home."

For a moment, silence reigned. It was a heavy, suffocating silence, as if even the clouds had frozen in place.

The cultivators aboard the ship held their breaths unconsciously.

Their eyes flicked between Veronica and the looming city, wondering what kind of reception awaited them.

Would the city accept her return, or would they be met with hostility?

At last, the enormous defensive formation — an intricate weave of light and spirit energy that had covered the city like a second sky — began to shift.

It shimmered once, then slowly faded away, dispersing into motes of spirit light. The path ahead was open.

Riley, still gripping the controls, let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

This was all of course just acting. He did not want to act too arrogant in front of all these cultivators.

His hands moved deftly over the rudder, adjusting the flight pattern.

Despite his outward calm, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of awe and pressure.

Compared to the sprawling flying city before them, their flying boat seemed like nothing more than a leaf drifting before a mountain.

Activating his divine sense, Riley swept the surrounding area carefully.

It didn't take long for him to spot an open plaza near the outer rings of the city — a vast stone clearing, likely meant for incoming visitors or trade vessels.

He guided the flying boat toward it with practiced ease, though his heart remained tense.

As they descended, a crowd was already gathering. Figures robed in gray and silver poured into the clearing, arriving in orderly formations.

Their cultivation levels varied — some were at the Nascent Soul stage, others at Spirit Severing and there was even void tribulation seniors amongst them — but all carried the same air of vigilance.

Many of them wore the sigil of the Gray Clan embroidered over their chests, marking them as true bloodline members.

There was no warmth in their eyes.

Their expressions were cold, scrutinizing, and filled with barely concealed hostility.

Some frowned openly upon seeing Veronica; others exchanged whispered remarks among themselves, their divine senses flickering over the flying boat's passengers as if measuring their threat level.

From behind Veronica, some of her companions instinctively shifted, placing hands near their weapons.

The tension in the air was palpable, like the moment before a drawn sword was unsheathed.

Riley carefully landed the flying boat, feeling the spirit arrays beneath the clearing accept the vessel and stabilize it. He turned to Veronica, waiting for her lead.

Veronica remained poised. Her face betrayed no fear, no anger, only a calm pride as she stepped forward, her robes fluttering slightly in the high-altitude breeze. Her gaze swept over the assembled cultivators without flinching.

"I have returned," she said again, her voice firm.

The crowd remained silent, their reactions guarded.

At the front of the gathering, an older cultivator stepped forward — a man whose hair was like silver threads yet whose back remained straight and proud.

His aura was vast, as deep as the ocean, hinting at a cultivation base definitely at the Void Tribulation realm.

"You have returned," the elder said slowly, voice low and heavy. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Yet not all returns are welcome."

The words hung in the air like a blade poised above the neck.

The city's gates stood open — but what awaited them inside remained to be seen.

"I know," Veronica said with a soft sigh. Though she had finally been reunited with her family, she could feel their anger like a tangible pressure weighing down on her.

Their cold stares pierced her, leaving no doubt that she was the cause of their resentment.

It was because of her — her past choices, her reckless actions — that the Gray Clan had chosen to close their gates to the outside world.

The burden of that consequence rested heavily on her shoulders.

Yet Veronica did not falter. Straightening her back, she walked forward, Riley and his wives flanking her sides.

Together, they moved toward the waiting members of her clan, a united front against the storm that was sure to come.

Whatever awaited her, Veronica would face it head-on — she owed her family at least that much.