Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

Ace sat alone in his room, the silence thick enough to choke on.

His gaze drifted to the ceiling, his thoughts circling the words Yu Zhong had left him with:

To hand over the soul bond to Sarah, the end result was that he dies.

But if he don't hand it over, she would come for him and he still dies.

He let out a bitter exhale.

"Great. A two-way street to the grave."

Knock knock.

The door creaked open.

Standing there, bold as ever, was Grand Elder Lily... in a maid outfit.

Not just any maid outfit; this one came with fluffy cat ears and a swaying tail.

She struck a playful pose and purred,

"Cheer up, master. Not all hope is lost. We can always hide inside the system space~!"

Ace blinked. Then exhaled, long and deep.

Relief washed over him like cold rain on a burning rooftop. Of course! The system space. Why hadn't I thought of that sooner?

"Right... that was an option," he murmured, feeling like a fool for overlooking it.

But then his smile froze.

His mind tugged at an ugly memory being forcibly expelled from the system space. No reason given nor a warning.. Just... gone.

The color drained from his face.

"Ah."

His brief spark of hope died a quiet death.

His expression soured instantly.

"Seriously... when other people get a system, the author makes them feel like actual main characters," he muttered. "What about me? I'm just the extra with a countdown timer, wondering who to beg next for protection."

He flopped backward onto the bed, staring dead-eyed at the ceiling.

"Screw you, whoever made this cursed system," he seethed in his mind.

A long silence followed.

Then, without a word, he turned and laid his head gently in Lily's lap.

She blinked in surprise, then smiled as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Feeling better, Master?"

"Not even slightly," he mumbled, eyes half-lidded. "But this… helps."

His fleeting peace, of course, didn't last.

Knock knock.

Ace groaned softly and lifted his head from Lily's thighs with all the energy of a man lifting a mountain.

"…Come in," he called lazily.

The door flung open with more enthusiasm than necessary.

"Sect Master~!" Ruby sang, her smile bright enough to burn flags.

Ace didn't even need to look, that kind of joy always spelled disaster.

She practically skipped into the room, her grin wide and eyes sparkling.

Ace narrowed his eyes, half-amused, half-suspicious.

What is this sister of mine up to now...

Before he could ask, two more figures entered behind her. Both looked mature, sexy and elegant.

The first was a woman dressed in sleek battle gear, her presence oozing authority and seduction in equal measure.

Her curves were no illusion; they were carved by combat and confidence alike.

Queen Arlen of Falmuth.

The second… was far more familiar.

With gentle grace and bright eyes, she stepped forward and gave a respectful bow.

Luna.

"Greetings, Sect Master Ace," Luna said sweetly, like a loyal disciple meeting her revered master.

Queen Arlen, on the other hand, gave a slight nod with regal poise. Her tone carried a commanding lilt.

"Sect Master."

Ace gave them a look, then sighed, waving his hand at the chairs nearby.

"Take a seat."

He leaned back again, rubbing his temple.

Why do I feel like the real headache is just about to begin…?

Ruby skipped past the chairs and without hesitation plopped herself right onto Lily's lap.

Lily didn't seem the least bit bothered.

In fact, she smiled softly and began gently caressing Ruby's hair, fingers moving with a motherly tenderness.

Ruby, though already a grown woman, melted into the touch like a pampered kitten. In front of Lily, she was content to be a child again and Lily? She treated her exactly like one.

Ace raised an eyebrow but said nothing. This sort of behavior had long stopped surprising him.

Instead, his gaze drifted toward the two women still standing.

Queen Arlen of Falmuth. Regal, armored, and beautiful in that sharp, commanding way that made men sit straighter just to look at her.

And Luna, calm and composed, holding something in her hand.

Luna stepped forward and, with a soft smile, held up a familiar item.

"Sect Master Ace," she said, "do you remember this?"

Ace's eyes narrowed.

Of course he did.

That comb. The infamous artifact that could only be used by virgins. He remembered because, awkwardly enough... he qualified.

He didn't reply. He just waited, arms crossed, trying not to let the memory sour his pride.

Luna placed the comb gently on the table between them.

"With this," she continued, "we could actually stand a chance against that Divine Step cultivator from the Tharz Kingdom if she ever attacks. This comb allows a peak Legend-rank cultivator to forcibly ascend to Divine Step if a peak Legend-rank virgin uses it on someone else of equal level, for a full day."

Ace's eyes slid to Queen Arlen.

She blushed. A light one but it was there.

"Don't look at me," she said quickly. "I'm not... eligible. Besides, it's my duty to fight on the frontlines. I should be where morale is most needed."

Ace nodded internally. Fair enough. That makes sense.

He turned toward Lily.

She offered a sweet smile and a slight tilt of her head. "Master, I'm more suited to direct combat. You understand, right?"

Ace sighed, his shoulders slumping just a little.

Of course I understand. I'm literally relying on my own spirit bot, you, for my protection half the time.

There was no escape from it.

"I'll do it," he said at last.

Luna beamed. "Don't worry, Sect Master Ace. The Fairy Pavilion will wholeheartedly support you."

Ace nodded slowly.

For a moment, Ace considered lying. But lying wouldn't stop death and death didn't give a damn about pride.

So what if people find out I'm a virgin? What's so damn shameful about that?

Dying because you were too embarrassed to admit you're a virgin? I'm not some whimsical clown!