''It's like that. So, you all can get lost.''

With a single sentence, the room plunged into chaos.

''N-No way! I won't be deterred that easily!''

''Not after what she did to us...''

''Can we reach a compromise, at least...?''

Watching the women squirm around her bedroom like a bunch of children losing their favorite toy, Kierra felt a pang of guilt in her heart. After all, she had been constantly feeding them with affection for almost a year. She hugged them, kissed them, did playful things with their bodies, and she even slept with Yu Chen just yesterday.

Even if they weren't truly head over heels with her, there was bound to be milder love.

She felt horrible. She felt like she deceived them all this time.

In truth, Kierra loved to receive affection from her surroundings. She was initially a child whom the people around her shunned, so maybe she yearned for love because of that.

Losing ties to these women made her heartbroken. Yet, when she thought about the familiar woman holding her hand beside her, maybe it was worth it...

''I refuse to accept this.''

A determined voice interrupted Kierra's train of thought. It was Yu Chen.

The martial master of Qinling, who usually wore a serene face, now had her brows furrowed, clearly dissatisfied with what was transpiring in front of her.

A woman suddenly appeared out of nowhere and snatched her crush, who she just had a chance to sleep with yesterday.

This was basically what Yu Chen perceived.

''Past lover or not, I don't care.'' She declared. ''You don't deserve Kierra.''

Immediately, a cross vein popped on August's immaculate face.

''Pfft—do you think you are, then? What qualifications do you have?'' She snorted. ''Are you strong enough to stand with her, shoulder to shoulder? Do you have inexhaustible wealth? Do you own the largest empire?''

Suddenly finding herself unable to retort, Yu Chen shook her head and gathered her thoughts.

''...But you are toxic.'' She stared forward, her eyes unwavering. ''You hurt Kierra before, and I don't want to see her hurt again.''

''What do you know about our centuries-long relationship?'' August shot back. ''in the first place, she already agreed, and we are a couple already, so you all can get lost.''

''Tsk...''

''Especially you, little sneaky rat.''

(꒪⌓꒪)(꒪⌓꒪)(꒪⌓꒪)

For a moment, everyone shared a sentiment—shock. It was the first time Yu Chen was called a 'rat.' Well, it was probably because of her entanglement with Kierra yesterday.

''Um...''

Right then, a certain white-haired woman spoke up.

''It's quite a heated topic... I mean, can I ask for a simple favor?'' She said with an innocent smile, appearing harmless.

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''Continue.'' August nodded.

''If you two are fine with it... can I be Kierra's... concubine? Or something...'' She trailed off, mostly because of the Sword Empress's cold gaze directed at her.

In truth, Tian Yun was prepared for this. She knew Kierra's intention of creating a harem, and she thought she would be fine with the position of a concubine—or something adjacent to it. If the first seat were Yu Chen, then it would be even more merry. Master and disciple loving the same person—wouldn't that sound wonderful?

However, the first person now was quite wrong...!

''Hah...''

August sighed heavily, combing her bang backward with her slender hand. For a moment, she appeared as though a troubled lone wolf, involuntarily capturing the heart of another person beside her.

ദ്ദി（• ˕ •マ.ᐟ

Kierra gave a thumbs-up in her heart. Being the ultimate attention and affection seeker that she was, Kierra enjoyed this scene to oblivion. She loved it when people fought over her, and she loved August's excessively charming expression when she got annoyed. That was why she kept her mouth pursed.

Besides, she probably shouldn't intervene in this competition anyway.

After a brief silence, August firmly pulled Kierra's waist toward herself and spoke.

''Apart from this rat and that lotus, do any of you want to be the concubine, too?''

'''' ...? ''''

What was the meaning of that question...? It was almost as though August would allow it...?

Regardless of it, Mie Xieren boldly raised her hand.

''I am. Being near her is enough for me.'' She said with a kind smile, shattering the image of a cold beauty in an instant.

Yet, this smile was what mesmerized Kierra. She knew it, so she only showed it to the archwizard.

''That makes two. What about you?''

As August's gaze turned to Kang Shuren and Bai Qing, the two stared at each other dumbly. One needed no sharp observation to tell that they were unsure of themselves.

Even though they were in the same inner circle as the others, their feelings weren't concrete at the moment. Kierra herself knew this, and she didn't force it either. In fact, besides the initial drunk kiss nine months ago, Kierra hadn't done anything overly intimate with the two.

Feeling that the sense of urgency and the fear of August would lead to them making rash decisions, the archwizard spoke up.

''You two can take time. There's no need to rush.''

Her tone was mild, and her expression was kind enough. So, Bai Qing and Kang Shuren gladly took the offer, opting out of this 'competition' for the moment.

''Three concubines, hm...'' August pondered.

''...''

''...''

After what seemed like an eternity, when the tension was at its highest, the Sword Empress snapped her finger.

''Nope.''

'''' ...Huh? ''''

''What? This little kitten is wholly mine, and I don't want to share her. Simple as that.''

''That's greedy!'' Yu Chen yelled.

''So?''

At this point, an unsightly glare had already appeared on Yu Chen's beautiful face. She repeatedly tried to calm her mind, yet it proved to have little effect.

''Well? This conversation ends here.'' August sighed. ''We're here anyway; let's do a trip around this globe, darling?''

''Ah... that's alright,'' Kierra replied.

Seeing as though her crush might be taken away forever at this moment, Yu Chen yearned forward and grabbed the archwizard's hand.

''Kierra, please.'' She pleaded. ''I can make you much, much happier than she can.''

At this point, it was desperation.

Nine months. This was nothing to a cultivator, yet in just those short nine months, Kierra managed to shake Yu Chen's world so much that she couldn't give up no matter what.

Seeing this side of Yu Chen for the first time, even Kierra hesitated. She should coldly reject her right here, yet she couldn't bring herself to do it.

''I...'' Kierra trailed off, biting her lips.

''Don't do that.''

August stroked Kierra's soft lips with her thumb, easing the tense woman. After giving her a peck, the Sword Empress turned to Yu Chen.

''Fine, fine. I shall give you a chance.'' She said. ''Let us compete fairly this time.''

Instantly, the women of Central Divine Realm perked up.

''But, you are much stronger than us...'' Tian Yun raised her doubt.

''I know.'' August shrugged. ''That is why we will be competing... in bed.''

Ah?

(・∀・)?(・∀・)?(・∀・)?

''Whoever can make my little kitten feel the best will win. How about it?'' August grinned.

''B-But, she is...'' Bai Qing exclaimed, her cheeks flushed red.

''Hm? Ah, I'm not so narrow-minded that I won't let anyone touch her. This rat did it with her anyway.'' The Sword Empress proclaimed. ''I am confident that she will choose me no matter what; that is why I'm giving you this chance. Be grateful, peasants.''

While everybody was dumbfounded at this overly open-minded 'culture' from August, Kierra was looking at her lover strangely. Nevertheless, after deciding that Yu Chen would be the first one competing with Kierra, the three went to the archwizard's bedroom.

That night, they fucked. A lot.

The next morning.

Yu Chen slumped to the ground in the living room with a ghastly face.

''It's over...''