Reborn in a cultivation world with my Ex girlfriends

Wang Li woke up to the sound of birds chirping, the faint scent of medicine in the air, and the agonizing pain of every muscle in his body screaming at him.

I feel like I got trampled by a thousand spiritual beasts…

He cracked his eyes open. He was lying in a luxurious chamber, wrapped in silk sheets softer than anything he had ever touched. The room was decorated with golden carvings of celestial dragons, jade incense burners, and delicate calligraphy scrolls.

This was not his room.

His first instinct was to jump up and run—but the moment he moved, pain stabbed through his ribs. He barely stifled a groan.

Right. I broke a divine-formation-enhanced boulder with my bare hands.

His body was completely wrecked. If not for the residual energy of Wang Tian's so-called "genius physique," he'd probably be dead.

As he struggled to sit up, a cool, elegant voice spoke.

"You're awake."

Wang Li froze.

A woman stood by the window, bathed in moonlight. Her icy-blue robes shimmered faintly, and her long silver hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall. Her expression was calm, but her piercing eyes gleamed like frozen stars.

Mu Yuechan.

The cold beauty of the Frozen Lotus Sect.

And one of his exes.

Wang Li swallowed hard.

"Uh… good evening?"

Mu Yuechan turned to face him, arms folded behind her back. "I expected you to be unconscious for at least another day. Your recovery speed is impressive."

"Thanks…?" Wang Li tried to smile, but the pain made it difficult. "So, uh… am I in trouble again?"

She raised a delicate eyebrow. "That depends. Are you going to start lying and making excuses again?"

"…No?"

"Then you are not in trouble. Yet."

Wang Li exhaled in relief—until he realized something.

Mu Yuechan was sitting way too close.

Her presence was normally like a distant winter storm—cold, untouchable. But right now, she was sitting by his bedside, looking directly at him.

This is dangerous. This is very dangerous.

When they were together in the past, Mu Yuechan had been distant but incredibly possessive. Wang Tian had abandoned her without explanation, which had wounded her pride more than anything.

What does she want now?

Mu Yuechan suddenly reached out.

Wang Li flinched. Is she going to freeze my heart?!

Instead, she placed a small jade bowl on the table beside him. Inside was a shimmering silver liquid, faintly radiating spiritual energy.

"A celestial recovery elixir?" Wang Li blinked.

Mu Yuechan inclined her head. "You destroyed the boulder."

"…Yes?"

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "No tricks?"

"No tricks." Wang Li sighed. "I just… really didn't want to die."

Mu Yuechan studied him for a long moment. Then, to his complete shock, she let out a quiet laugh.

It was soft, almost imperceptible. But it was there.

Wang Li stared. "Did you just—?"

Mu Yuechan immediately resumed her cold expression. "Drink the medicine."

Wang Li wisely shut up and drank it.

The moment the cool liquid hit his throat, a wave of warmth spread through his body. His aching muscles relaxed, his spiritual energy stabilized, and his shattered bones mended slightly.

His eyes widened. "This is…"

"A ninth-grade elixir," Mu Yuechan said calmly. "Rare. Expensive. Difficult to refine."

"…And you're giving it to me?"

She gazed at him with unreadable eyes. "You swore an oath, didn't you?"

Wang Li hesitated.

Mu Yuechan wasn't openly forgiving him. But the fact that she was helping him recover instead of trying to kill him meant she was at least… considering it.

Still, he wasn't naive. There was always a catch.

And sure enough—

"You will accompany me to the Frozen Lotus Sect tomorrow," she stated.

Wang Li nearly choked. "What?"

Mu Yuechan's tone was final. "It is time for your next trial."

Trial? What trial?!

Before he could protest, the doors burst open.

A familiar red-haired woman strode in, her fiery robes billowing behind her.

Li Qingyun.

Her golden phoenix eyes narrowed when she saw Mu Yuechan sitting by Wang Li's side.

"…What are you doing?" she asked flatly.

Mu Yuechan remained composed. "Healing him."

Li Qingyun's expression darkened slightly, but she didn't argue. Instead, she crossed her arms and turned to Wang Li.

"You're strong enough to talk, right?" she said.

Wang Li, still sore, nodded weakly. "Unfortunately, yes."

Li Qingyun's smirk returned. "Good. Then we can discuss your next punishment."

Wang Li felt his soul leave his body.

More trials?! Haven't I suffered enough?!

---

Trial Two: Survive the Frozen Lotus Sect

The next morning, Wang Li found himself dragged out of bed and thrown into a flying jade carriage.

Mu Yuechan sat beside him, calm as ever.

Outside, the frozen mountains of the north stretched endlessly. Giant ice-covered peaks glittered under the morning sun, and spiritual snowflakes danced in the air.

They were heading toward the Frozen Lotus Sect—the most isolated and terrifying sect in the entire continent.

Why was it terrifying?

Because Mu Yuechan's father—the Frozen Lotus Lord—was known to freeze people solid for merely sneezing in his presence.

And Wang Tian had dumped his daughter.

This is going to be a nightmare.

As the carriage flew, Wang Li hesitantly turned to Mu Yuechan.

"…So. What exactly is this 'trial' of yours?"

Mu Yuechan took a sip of tea. "Simple. You must earn my father's approval."

Wang Li froze.

Approval?! Of the man who wants me DEAD?!

Before he could scream, Mu Yuechan glanced at him, her lips curving slightly.

"Unless, of course, you'd rather face the alternative?"

"…What's the alternative?"

She calmly pulled out a jade talisman and infused it with spiritual energy. A second later, a deep rumbling voice echoed from it:

"IF THAT BASTARD EVER SHOWS HIS FACE IN MY SECT, I'LL TURN HIM INTO AN ICE STATUE AND PLACE HIM IN THE HALL OF ETERNAL REGRETS."

Mu Yuechan set the talisman down. "That."

Wang Li's soul shattered.

"…So when you say 'earn approval,' you mean not dying immediately."

She nodded. "Yes."

Wang Li took a deep breath. Okay. Think. How do I convince an overprotective, murderously angry father that I'm not a piece of trash?

…Wait.

His eyes widened.

I don't need to win him over.

I just need to convince him that Mu Yuechan isn't wasting her time with me.

A ridiculous, reckless idea formed in his mind.

A grin spread across Wang Li's face.

Mu Yuechan noticed. "What are you plotting?"

Wang Li leaned back, looking smug. "Don't worry. I have a plan."

Mu Yuechan's eyes narrowed.

"…You're going to lie, aren't you?"

He placed a hand over his heart. "I would never."

Mu Yuechan sighed. "We're going to die."

As the jade carriage descended toward the Frozen Lotus Sect, Wang Li's grin only grew wider.

Time to fake my way through another disaster.