329: Chapter 329 The Illusion Moon Well, you are Xu Ruyu

Early the next morning, Xu Ruyu packed his belongings, took the thick stack of Artifact Refining notes and the improved sketches of several key components, and left Qixia Valley alone.

He did not disturb anyone, not even informing Xiao Nianyin.

Heading to the Illusory Moon Well, he didn't know what he would encounter. What kind of temperament that Saint Realm Artifact Refiner, Taihao Clan, had, or whether she would be willing to see him, were all unknowns. More people would only be a burden.

Following the path in his memory, passing through the ancient forest that was shrouded in silver-gray mist year-round, Xu Ruyu arrived before the Illusory Moon Well once again.

The octagonal well mouth remained the same, the green jade stone walls were covered in complex runes, and the milky-white illusory mist still billowed out slowly.

But unlike last time, this time, the illusory mist had no reaction to his arrival, merely rolling calmly as if it had already forgotten the youth who once caused them to go berserk.

Xu Ruyu stood before the well mouth and took a deep breath, suppressing a hint of subtle unease in his heart—after all, he had slept with the Artifact Spirit here.

Though it was an illusion and for the sake of passing the trial, the realism of that union of spirit and flesh still made him feel a bit guilty when he thought about it now.

"Since I've come, I might as well stay calm," he muttered to himself, stepping into the well mouth.

With one step, the world spun.

But unlike falling into an endless illusion last time, this time, the sensation of shifting time and space only lasted for an instant.

When he opened his eyes again, the sight before him made him startle slightly.

This place was actually a whole different world.

The sky was as blue as if it had been washed, with a few pure white clouds drifting by.

Beneath his feet was soft grass, covered in various unknown wildflowers, scattered like dots on a tapestry.

In the distance, green mountains were faintly visible, and a waterfall cascaded down from a cliff, shimmering with rainbow colors in the sunlight. A few cranes flew leisurely past, letting out clear, high-pitched cries.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of vegetation and dense Spiritual Qi, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.

How was this the Illusory Moon Well? It was clearly a hidden paradise!

Xu Ruyu was stunned for a good while before coming back to his senses.

He remembered Madam Qingli's words—the Illusory Moon Well was divided into internal and external layers; the outer layer was an illusion space controlled by the Artifact Spirit, while the inner layer was a hidden cultivation Secret Realm.

It seemed that his current location was the inner layer.

He composed himself and, following the direction pointed out by Madam Qingli, walked along a winding stone path.

Exotic flowers and rare herbs lined both sides of the stone path; some were spiritual plants he recognized, while others he couldn't name at all.

Occasionally, small beasts would peek their heads out from the grass, glance at him curiously, and then quickly duck back. It was a scene of peace and tranquility.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, a bamboo forest appeared ahead.

Deep within the bamboo forest, several simple thatched huts were faintly visible. In front of the huts stood a tall tree with a canopy like an umbrella, covered in small pinkish-white flowers swaying gently in the breeze.

A Hehuan tree.

Xu Ruyu felt a surge of joy in his heart.

Madam Qingli had said that there was a Hehuan tree in front of Taihao Clan's thatched cottage. This was it.

He quickly crossed the bamboo forest and arrived before the thatched cottage. A small courtyard enclosed by a fence, with several thatched huts arranged neatly; though simple, it exuded an elegance of returning to nature.

In the courtyard was a stone table and several stone stools, with a set of coarse ceramic tea set placed on the table.

Xu Ruyu stood outside the fence gate, straightened his clothes, cleared his throat, and said loudly, "Xu Ruyu of the Hehuan Sect has come to pay respects to Senior Taihao Clan!"

His voice echoed in the quiet bamboo forest, startling a few birds perched on the treetops.

A moment later, the door of the thatched cottage opened with a creak.

A green-clad figure walked out quickly.

Xu Ruyu looked up, and his heart skipped a beat.

It was a woman who looked to be in her early thirties, wearing a green Daoist robe, plain and simple, yet unable to hide her elegant and noble temperament.

Her face was dignified and beautiful, with eyebrows like distant mountains and eyes like autumn waters. Her skin was fairer than snow, and her lips were naturally red without any makeup. Her black hair was simply tied into a Daoist bun, held by a simple jade hairpin.

Her beauty was different from Madam Qingli's.

Qingli's beauty was enchanting, charming, and carried a fatal temptation.

But the beauty of the woman before him was dignified and holy, carrying a majesty that made one not dare to be disrespectful. Looking at her, your heart would flutter, but you would never have any wicked thoughts.

Xu Ruyu sighed inwardly: Sister Qingli was right, she really is a super beauty.

But the next moment, he couldn't smile anymore.

Because the woman's gaze was like two ice blades, stabbing fiercely into him.

She walked quickly to the fence gate, stood still, and looked Xu Ruyu up and down.

That gaze swept from head to toe, and from toe to head, back and forth several times, as if she wanted to see through him, see into him, and see him as a pile of minced meat.

Then, she spoke. Her voice was cold, yet carried undisguised hostility: "You are Xu Ruyu?"

Xu Ruyu's heart tightened, and he quickly cupped his hands. "It is indeed this Junior. May I ask if Senior is Taihao Clan..."

"Less nonsense," the woman interrupted him and said coldly, "You are that Xu Ruyu who caused my Illusory Moon Well to go berserk?"

Xu Ruyu was stunned.

Caused the Illusory Moon Well to go berserk?

That was... during the Trial of Willpower.

The Artifact Spirit's energy went out of control, almost blowing up the Illusory Moon Well.

But wasn't that because... cough, cough, could he be blamed for that? He was also tempted by the illusion and couldn't help himself!