My Xianxia Harem Life-Chapter 160 Squad

Riley had returned to his empire and, for the past year, had settled into a life of absolute indulgence.

The weight of power and influence was now firmly on his shoulders, but it no longer burdened him.

Instead, it had become a source of pleasure and comfort.

He spent his days surrounded by his women, luxuriating in their company, basking in the warmth of their affection, and enjoying every moment of bliss that came with it.

If life had continued on this path, he would have been more than content to lay idle, soaking in the rewards of his hard-fought victories.

But as life often does, something unexpected would soon disrupt the tranquil rhythm of his days.

The morning had begun like many others. He had just finished an especially gratifying and intimate encounter with one of his women.

The satisfaction that followed left him with a sense of peace, the kind of contentment that only comes from indulging in your deepest desires.

He leaned back, his body stretched lazily against the soft sheets, the quiet hum of satisfaction enveloping him.

Yet, as if the universe had grown tired of his stillness, a sudden knock on the door shattered the calm, pulling him out of his peaceful solace.

Riley sighed deeply, a small frown momentarily crossing his face, but it quickly melted away as he heard the knock again—persistent and demanding.

"Yeah?" Riley asked, his voice low, still laced with the remnants of contentment.

He could hardly recall the last time he had been interrupted so early, but he supposed it was a sign that he couldn't remain idle forever.

The door opened gently, and Ruby, one of his most trusted women, stepped inside with a composed, graceful stride.

She was holding a letter, and her eyes met his with a flicker of curiosity.

"You have a letter from the Stone Mountain Sect, young master Riley," Ruby said, her voice calm but carrying a subtle note of intrigue.

Riley, his mood already shifting, sat up slightly in bed, still enjoying the comfort of his surroundings but now alert.

Ruby extended the letter toward him, and with a gesture, the letter floated through the air to rest neatly in his hands. He unfurled it, his eyes scanning the contents.

The fine parchment felt smooth against his fingertips, and the seal on the envelope was unmistakable—Stone Mountain Sect.

As Riley read through the letter, his expression shifted, and a small, knowing smile tugged at his lips. His brow raised in surprise, though there was no real sign of discomfort or annoyance.

The words on the page were unexpected, yes, but not unwelcome.

"Interesting," Riley muttered, his voice carrying a mixture of amusement and curiosity. He folded the letter back up and set it aside, his fingers tracing the seal briefly as if savoring the weight of the moment.

He had not expected this interruption. Life had been so comfortable, so predictable in its pleasures, that the arrival of something challenging felt almost... exciting.

This was not a disturbance but an opportunity, something that would bring a change of scenery—something new, something that could possibly reinvigorate him.

After all, Riley mused, a little excitement now and then wasn't such a bad thing.

Turning his gaze back to Ruby, he noticed the glimmer of curiosity in her eyes, but she remained silent, waiting for him to make the next move.

Riley chuckled softly to himself, the anticipation of the unknown already stirring his blood.

"Prepare the flying boat," he said, his voice cool and decisive, no longer indulging in the languid satisfaction of his previous moment.

"It looks like my little break is over. The Stone Mountain Sect wants something... and I'll be there to see what it is."

As Ruby nodded and left to make the necessary arrangements, Riley leaned back against the plush pillows, his mind already turning over the possibilities.

This new development might just be the catalyst he needed to break free from the complacency he'd been settling into.

Riley smiled to himself, the excitement of the unknown settling into his bones. Yes, this was exactly what he needed.

***

Five days later, Riley departed from the Mason Empire, but not without ensuring his territory was fully secured.

He may have left the bustling empire behind, but the Mason Empire would be no more than a distant memory once he had reinforced his "little eternal fortress" formation around his land.

It would have been shameful—utterly disgraceful—for the most powerful man on the continent to leave his people vulnerable, unprotected.

That would never happen under Riley's watch.

His name was synonymous with strength and responsibility, and he would uphold that reputation to the highest degree.

His eternal fortress wasn't just a symbolic gesture—it was an impenetrable barrier, a mark of his dominance and foresight.

For Riley, nothing was more sacred than what he considered his own, and he would protect it with unwavering resolve.

He was many things, but irresponsible was not one of them.

"Bang!" The distinct sound of the flying boat's engines echoed across the sky as it soared through the clouds, a sleek and powerful vessel cutting through the air on its way back to the Stone Mountain Sect.

Riley and his growing entourage made the long journey back after a lengthy hiatus in the Mason Empire.

During his time away, Riley's influence had only expanded—just as his harem had.

His reputation, already formidable, had only strengthened, and his collection of women had grown as quickly as his power.

It wasn't just his martial prowess that made him the talk of the continent; it was the way he commanded respect in every room he entered, how his presence was felt before he even spoke.

His name was whispered in awe, and as he returned to the Stone Mountain Sect, there was no doubt he would be the center of attention once again.

As the flying boat glided closer to the sect, Riley couldn't suppress the small smirk that tugged at the corner of his lips.

He was used to the whispers and eager glances—used to being the subject of intrigue and curiosity.

The sect would be just as excited to see him return as always, and Riley was more than prepared to receive the attention.

He didn't mind it; in fact, he reveled in it.

The disciples of the Stone Mountain Sect gathered in the open area just outside the main hall, their gazes fixed on the sky.

When they spotted the flying boat in the distance, their faces lit up with eager recognition.

"That's our flying boat! Is it Elder Riley?" one disciple exclaimed, his voice filled with unrestrained excitement. The others followed suit, their eyes widening as the boat grew nearer.

"Elder Riley's back!" a young disciple shouted, almost as if the announcement were a declaration of victory.

As the boat descended slowly, touching down on the familiar platform, the air seemed to crackle with energy.

Riley stepped out onto the platform, his tall figure emerging from the craft like a force of nature.

His aura exuded power and calm, his posture straight and confident as he took in the sight of the excited disciples gathered before him.

He had been gone for some time, but as always, his return was a momentous event.

His eyes swept over the crowd of disciples, the corners of his mouth lifting into a subtle smirk. He had been away, yes, but it seemed the sect's energy had been incomplete without him.

The disciples, some of them still fresh-faced and eager, others seasoned veterans, couldn't help but glance in his direction, their expressions a mix of admiration, curiosity, and respect.

The gossip and whispers began almost immediately. Riley's return was no ordinary event—it was the return of a legend.

"Did you see how powerful he looks?" one disciple whispered, his voice barely audible as he nudged his companion.

"He's been away for a while, but look at him! He's only grown stronger," another murmured, eyes wide as they followed Riley's every movement.

The rumors that always followed Riley were already spreading like wildfire. He had always been a man of mystery, and no one was quite sure what he was truly capable of.

Riley's attention never wavered from the gathered disciples, though his eyes held a trace of amusement as they buzzed with excitement.

He was no stranger to the attention, and in fact, he thrived on it. But today, as he stood there, a powerful figure with so many eyes upon him, there was a certain weight to the moment.

As the boat came to a complete stop, Riley stepped forward, and the disciples parted slightly, forming an open space for him to walk through.

The murmurs and whispers intensified, but Riley didn't care. He had long since stopped being concerned with the opinions of others.

What mattered now was how they respected him, how they viewed his power, his accomplishments.

And as he moved, he could feel the energy of the sect, that familiar and unspoken reverence that accompanied his every step.

The Stone Mountain Sect might have been a place of great power, but they had never seen anyone quite like Riley.

His return wasn't just the return of an elder—it was the return of someone who had become a living legend, a man whose very presence could shift the course of events.

"Welcome back, Elder Riley!" one of the senior disciples called out, his voice filled with warmth and respect.

The others followed suit, shouting their greetings in unison, and the air around Riley seemed to hum with the collective energy of their admiration.

Riley, ever the composed and unflappable individual, gave a small nod, acknowledging their greetings.

His smirk deepened slightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes. It was good to be back.

Using his divine sense, Riley extended his awareness outward, subtly probing the crowd of disciples.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he sifted through their auras, searching for a familiar presence. And there, at the edge of the crowd, he found her.