342: Chapter 342 A Pillow for a Sleepyhead? Perfect, then you can give it a try.

Silence.

An oppressive silence.

The Hehuan Sect Disciples who once had full confidence in Xu Ruyu were now beginning to waver.

After all, the reality was right before their eyes—their Sect Master had indeed been blown up in front of everyone, his face charred black and his hair standing on end.

And because of this, they, the Disciples of the Hehuan Sect, had been mocked, bullied, and humiliated by the members of the Taihu Clan, yet they were powerless to fight back.

Was such a Sect Master truly worthy of their trust?

The tenth day.

Outside the Illusory Moon Well, the sunlight was pleasant.

Several Disciples on watch were yawning out of boredom when suddenly, one of them bolted upright, pointing toward the well's entrance and shouting, "He's out! He's out!"

Everyone's spirits lifted, and they all looked over in unison.

From within the milky-white mist of the Illusory Moon Well, three figures slowly emerged.

Leading them was none other than Xu Ruyu.

He was still wearing the same simple green robe, but he looked refreshed and invigorated, his eyes sparkling with a confident light.

Compared to ten days ago, he seemed to have undergone a complete transformation, exuding a steady and reserved aura.

Two women followed behind him.

One appeared to be seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed in a moon-white gown, with an exquisite face and an ethereal temperament; three snow-white fox tails swayed gently behind her.

A smile played on her lips, and her gaze remained fixed on Xu Ruyu, her eyes so tender they seemed ready to overflow.

The other appeared to be in her early thirties, wearing a green Daoist robe, with a dignified and beautiful face and an elegant, noble air, though her brow was slightly furrowed as if she were contemplating something.

Her eyes occasionally flickered toward the Storage Pouch at Xu Ruyu's waist, filled with longing and curiosity.

The watching Disciples were stunned as they looked at these two women.

Who were they? They had never seen them before.

But they didn't have time to think much; one of them quickly ran toward Elder Mo Feng's courtyard to deliver the news, while the others quietly followed Xu Ruyu, waiting for further instructions.

Xu Ruyu naturally noticed their presence, but he only smiled faintly and paid them no mind.

"Young Master... Young Master Xu," Yue Ling walked to his side and said softly, "it seems people are waiting for you outside."

Her voice was still ethereal and pleasant, but her form of address had changed from "you" to "Young Master Xu," carrying a hint of cautious distance yet also an irrepressible closeness.

Xu Ruyu looked at her and smiled, "Yue Ling, there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Ruyu."

Yue Ling's face reddened slightly, and she lowered her head, whispering, "Ru... Ruyu..."

Taihao Clan rolled her eyes nearby, grumbling inwardly: Master, oh Master, you are a grand Ten-thousand-year Artifact Spirit, so why are you acting like a lovestruck young girl?

But she didn't dare say it aloud. Instead, she gave a dry cough and said, "Alright, stop being so mushy here."

Those people outside clearly look like they're looking for trouble.

What do you plan to do?

A smile curled on Xu Ruyu's lips. "They've come at the perfect time. I happen to want certain people to see exactly what I've been doing these past ten days."

He stepped forward, walking toward the Disciples who were lying in wait.

On the mountain path leading to Qixia Valley, Xu Ruyu's group of three was blocked by a crowd.

At the head were three young Disciples wearing the attire of Fire Cloud Cave apprentices, led by none other than the sharp-featured Mo Ran.

Behind him were a dozen or so Taihu Clan Disciples who had come to watch the spectacle, both men and women, all with expressions of anticipation for a good show.

Further away, some Hehuan Sect Disciples who had heard the news were also arriving.

They stood on the periphery of the crowd, looking at Xu Ruyu with complex expressions, wanting to approach but not daring to.

"Yo! Isn't this Sect Leader Xu?" Upon seeing Xu Ruyu, Mo Ran immediately called out in a sarcastic tone. "Long time no see!"

I heard you hid inside the Illusory Moon Well? What, were you afraid of embarrassing yourself with another explosion, so you hid away to practice your craft?

The Disciples behind him burst into laughter.

Xu Ruyu smiled slightly, ignoring the mockery, and simply said, "Is there something you need?"

Mo Ran was taken aback by his calm attitude, but then he grew even more aggressive. "Yes, there is! Of course there is!"

Sect Leader Xu, you are the Saint Master of our Taihu Clan, so your Artifact Refining skills must be very high, right? We all saw it last time at the Fire Cloud Cave—it was truly... spectacular!

"Yes, yes! Spectacular indeed!" The people behind him joined in the jeering.

Xu Ruyu's smile remained. "And so?"

Mo Ran took a step forward, tilting his head back with an air of arrogance. "So, we want to ask for your guidance!"

Aren't you a Great Master of Artifact Refining? Let's have a contest and see whose Spiritual Artifact is better! How about it? Do you dare?

He spoke loudly, intending for everyone around to hear.

Sure enough, the crowd of onlookers grew larger, and the murmurs increased.

"A contest? Does Sect Leader Xu dare to accept?"

"Accept what? His refining just ends in explosions; what is he going to compete with?"

"Maybe he mastered it in these ten days? Haha!"

"Mastered it? In just ten days? He's dreaming!"

Hearing these discussions, the smile on Xu Ruyu's face didn't change.

He glanced at Mo Ran, then at the people behind him who were full of anticipation, waiting to see him make a fool of himself, and suddenly he laughed.

That laugh made Mo Ran's heart tighten for some inexplicable reason.