Harem Developing Villain

She added, "But… I would like to bathe first. To… wash away the dust of the day. In fact, I want to wash the dust from your body, my love."

Wang Li's breath hitched slightly. The image of Liu Xue, her flawless skin gleaming with water droplets, sent a jolt of heat through him.

"A bath, you say?" he replied, his voice husky. "A most excellent suggestion, my love. And to make it even more… enjoyable, I have a request."

Liu Xue raised an eyebrow playfully. "A request? Do tell."

"Your attire for this bath," he began, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, "should be… provocative. A dress, perhaps, that barely conceals your exquisite curves."

He described the dress in detail, each word painting a picture of a garment that would leave little to the imagination. Liu Xue's cheeks flushed crimson, yet a thrill of anticipation shot through her.

"That's… quite a revealing dress, Wang Li," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"But wouldn't it look absolutely stunning on you?" he countered, his voice dripping with desire.

Liu Xue could picture herself in the dress, the sheer fabric clinging to her every curve. A shiver ran down her spine, a mixture of nervousness and excitement.

"Alright, alright," she conceded, a playful sigh escaping her lips. "Just for you, my love."

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of stolen glances and whispered conversations.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, the first group from the Azure Peak Sect emerged from the dense brush, their faces flushed with exertion and triumph.

Led by a young man named Wei Feng, they lumbered towards the Jade Lotus Palace group, arms laden with baskets overflowing with roots, flowers, and strange, glimmering stones.

"Greetings, esteemed Senior Sister Liu Xue!" Wei Feng called out, his voice booming with pride. "We, the Azure Wind Team, have gathered these rare and valuable resources, hoping they meet with your approval!"

Liu Xue, surrounded by her giggling sisters, feigned surprise. "My word, Wei Feng-shixiong," she exclaimed, her voice laced with playful wonder. "Such a bounty! You've truly outdone yourselves."

Wei Feng puffed out his chest, basking in her praise. The other disciples from his group exchanged self-satisfied glances.

Soon, more groups arrived, each vying for Liu Xue's attention.

A disciple from the Emerald Sea Palace, boasting of a rare nightshade bloom, nearly came to blows with a rival group claiming their assortment of luminous mushrooms held far greater value. The air crackled with nervous energy and thinly veiled competition.

Liu Xue, observing the unfolding drama, expertly played the role of a damsel in distress. "Oh dear," she fretted, her brow furrowed in mock confusion. "Each group has brought such marvelous treasures! How will I ever choose a winner?"

Her words ignited a fresh wave of bickering. The disciples launched into passionate speeches, extolling the virtues of their finds and denigrating the offerings of their competitors. Liu Xue listened patiently, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.

As the last group arrived, exhausted and empty-handed after encountering a particularly territorial earth bear, the bickering reached a crescendo.

Liu Xue, seeing the opportunity, raised a hand for silence.

"Thank you, all of you," she declared, her voice resonating with feigned sincerity. "Your dedication and spirit are truly commendable. Unfortunately, due to the sheer volume of exceptional resources, choosing a single winner would be impossible."

A collective groan arose from the assembled disciples. They had expected a clear-cut victor, a single group basking in her favor. But Liu Xue's words offered no such clarity.

"However," she continued, a sly smile playing on her lips, "I wouldn't want your efforts to go unrewarded."

Her words sparked a flicker of hope in the dejected faces.

"Therefore," she announced, her voice echoing through the gathering twilight, "I propose a different kind of prize!"

A confused murmur rippled through the crowd.

"Each group will have the privilege of spending an evening together… with one of my lovely junior sisters!"

The announcement struck the crowd like a bolt of lightning. Dating one of the legendary beauties of the Jade Lotus Palace? It was a dream beyond their wildest imaginations. A hush fell over the camp, followed by a chorus of excited gasps.

Liu Xue, however, had a hidden agenda. While fourteen junior sisters were indeed present, none were actually related to her. These were merely fellow disciples from the Jade Lotus Palace who were in on the scheme. Each group received the "privilege" of accompanying one of these girls – a night of pretense, filled with empty promises and exorbitant demands on the poor disciples' resources.

The first date was a comedic spectacle. Young Wei Feng, utterly smitten by his date's beauty, showered her with expensive delicacies from the camp's provisions. In turn, the girl, playing the part of the aloof maiden, regaled him with tales of her "spiritual journey" - tales cleverly crafted by Liu Xue to be long-winded and utterly devoid of substance.

Eventually, after draining his resources dry, the girl, with a saccharine smile and a feigned regret, politely informed Wei Feng that her heart belonged elsewhere. His dreams shattered, but his Dao heart thankfully intact, Wei Feng shuffled back to his group, dejected but not broken.

The night unfolded in a similar fashion for the remaining thirteen groups. Each "date" ended with a polite rejection, leaving the hopeful disciples heartbroken and lighter in their pouches. Yet, they remained oblivious to the manipulation, their bruised egos soothed by the mere company of these beautiful girls.

As night deepened, Liu Xue watched from afar, a satisfied smile gracing her lips. Her plan had worked flawlessly.

"A masterfully orchestrated deception, my love," he remarked, pulling her close. "Indeed, my love," Liu Xue replied, snuggling into his embrace. "These foolish boys… all manipulated by a simple promise."

"And all the while," Wang Li added, his voice husky with desire, "we get to enjoy a quiet night together."

The approaching midnight found the combined camp buzzing with nervous anticipation. Sect Leader Deng and Palace Mistress Gao Ming, their faces illuminated by flickering torches, cleared their throats to address the restless crowd.

"The time has come!" boomed Sect Leader Deng, his voice amplified by his spiritual essence. "After a grueling day of competition, it is now time to announce the victors of this Joint Training Exercise!"

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. The disciples of the Azure Peak Sect and Emerald Sea Palace, despite having been manipulated by Liu Xue, had still poured their hearts into the competition. Now, they eagerly awaited the moment their dedication would be rewarded.

Across the camp, nestled beneath the shade of a willow tree, Liu Xue and Wang Li found themselves immersed in a world of their own. Wang Li, with a mischievous grin, had finally deactivated his invisibility technique.

The sight of him caused Liu Xue to gasp. There he stood, bathed in the moonlight, his handsome face etched with a familiar roguish charm. Without a moment's hesitation, Liu Xue launched herself into his arms, her lips meeting his in a passionate kiss.

"Xue'er, you're as enthusiastic as ever," he teased, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair.

"Li," she murmured, burying her face in his chest, "I simply can't believe you're here. It feels like an eternity since I last saw you."

He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Then let's make the most of this stolen time, shall we?" His gaze dropped to her attire, a hint of disappointment flickering across his eyes.

"Remember that dress I described?" he whispered, his voice husky with desire.

Liu Xue's cheeks flushed crimson. "Oh, that…" she stammered, her voice betraying a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

"Exactly that, my love," he affirmed, a playful glint in his eyes. "The night is ours, and I can't wait to see you adorn it."

Liu Xue bit her lip, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "Alright, alright," she conceded, "but promise me this – after tonight, no more teasing for a while."

Wang Li chuckled, a low rumble in his chest. "A promise, if only to ensure your cooperation for now." He held out his hand, and Liu Xue, with a playful sigh, allowed him to lead her behind a concealing curtain of willow branches.

Behind the foliage lay a secluded pool, its surface glimmering like a mirror reflecting the moonlit sky. Here, with only the moon as their witness, Liu Xue began to disrobe. Each layer removed revealed her stunning curves, bathed in the cool night air.

Finally, she stood before him, adorned in the provocative gown Wang Li had described. The sheer fabric clung to her body, barely concealing its breathtaking contours.

Wang Li's breath hitched. "Xue'er," he whispered, his voice thick with desire, "you are a vision that I won't forget ever."

A blush crept up Liu Xue's neck. "Do you like it, Li?" she asked, her voice soft and laced with a hint of vulnerability.

He pulled her close, his arms tightening around her waist. "Like it?" he scoffed, his lips brushing against her ear. "This is beyond mere like, my love. You are intoxicating."