5: Chapter 5: Reactions from Various Parts of the Sect Regarding the Sect Leader's Sudden Acceptance of a Disciple

"Listening Snow Pavilion," the residence of the Third Elder, Liu Mei.

A maid hurried through the courtyard and approached a beautiful woman who was pruning a pot of "Phantom Shadow Orchids." She whispered, "Elder, news has come from Ningyin Hall. The Sect Master just ordered Qingzhu to prepare a brand-new set of Personal Disciple clothing, custom-made to specific measurements."

*Snip—*

The exquisite jade scissors in Liu Mei's hand slipped slightly, and an orchid leaf that shouldn't have been cut fluttered down.

She slowly turned around, a playful smile appearing on her face, which remained charming and moving despite being several centuries old. "Oh? A Personal Disciple? And a male Disciple?"

"That was Qingzhu's reply. The measurements are seven feet eight inches tall with a shoulder width of one foot one inch. It is undoubtedly a man."

Liu Mei placed the jade scissors gently on the stone table, her fingertip tracing her crimson lips. "Didn't our Sect Master claim she was going into secluded cultivation today to comprehend a secret technique? Why did she suddenly think of taking a male Disciple? And a Personal one at that... This is truly rare."

A sharp glint flashed in her eyes. "Go, have someone keep watch.

When that 'Disciple' comes out, I want to see just what kind of person could catch the Dharma Eye of our high-and-mighty Sect Master."

"Crimson Cloud Peak," the Immortal Cave of the Second Elder, Situ Ming.

A black-clad Disciple knelt on one knee and reported in a heavy voice, "Elder, there is unusual movement in Ningyin Hall. The Sect Master has ordered the custom creation of male Personal Disciple attire of the highest grade."

Sitting cross-legged on a prayer mat, a middle-aged man surrounded by a faint blood-colored mist slowly opened his eyes. They were vertical pupils, like those of a venomous snake. "A male Disciple? Xiao Nianyin is finally taking a Disciple? And it's a man?"

His mouth curled into a cold, grim smile. "For hundreds of years, so many people wanted to join her lineage, even willing to be her Cauldron, yet she looked down on them all.

Now she has actually taken the initiative to recruit a male Disciple... interesting.

Go investigate. Find out this person's background, when he entered the Sect, and what his relationship is with the Sect Master."

"Yes!"

Throughout the Sect, similar conversations were taking place in the shadows.

The head stewardess of the kitchen, while directing Disciples to prepare spiritual food, whispered to her confidant, "Have you heard? The Sect Master took a male Personal Disciple!"

Outside the Pill Refining Room, two Disciples sorting medicinal herbs whispered to each other, "Custom-made Personal Disciple robes! And the measurements were personally ordered by the Sect Master! What's this guy's background?"

Even the Outer Sect Disciples responsible for sweeping and cleaning had heard the rumors, each one craning their neck to look curiously toward Ningyin Hall.

Everyone found it unbelievable.

The Sect Master of Hehuan Sect, Xiao Nianyin, was the acknowledged ice beauty of the Cultivation World and the most mysterious and aloof existence among the giants of the Demonic Path.

For hundreds of years, countless prodigies and Demonic Path Young Lords had tried to get close to her, only to return in defeat.

She was like an eternal, unmelting iceberg, standing independent at the peak of the Hehuan Sect, avoiding men and having very little contact even with male Cultivators.

But now, she hadn't just taken a Disciple—she had taken a male one!

This news was more shocking and intriguing than the emergence of any high-level Cultivation Technique or the opening of any Secret Realm.

Inside Ningyin Hall, Xu Ruyu had no idea what kind of waves a set of clothes had stirred up outside.

Qingzhu moved extremely fast. In less than an hour, she returned to the outside of the hall carrying a tray and said respectfully, "Sect Master, the Disciple's attire is ready."

"Bring it in."

Qingzhu entered with her eyes lowered, placed the tray on a side table, and her peripheral vision quickly swept across the hall—she saw Xu Ruyu standing in the corner wearing only his inner garments. Her heart jolted violently, but she didn't dare show it and quickly retreated.

On the tray, a set of moon-white robes was neatly folded. The fabric was top-grade 'Ice Silk Cloud Brocade,' cool and smooth to the touch, with a pearly luster under the light.

The cuffs, collar, and hem were embroidered with exquisite silver-thread Hehuan Flower patterns, lifelike, understated, and elegant.

Beside them were a matching hair ribbon, a belt, and a pair of cloud-patterned boots.

Xiao Nianyin gestured to Xu Ruyu. "Put them on."

Xu Ruyu had never worn such complex and sophisticated clothing in his life. He fumbled for a long time before finally getting dressed properly under Xiao Nianyin's indifferent guidance.

When he fastened the belt and tied his long hair simply with the ribbon, his entire temperament underwent a subtle change.

The originally ordinary young man, set off by these luxurious Disciple robes, actually appeared somewhat handsome and upright.

And the dormant Saint Realm Foundation belonging to Xiao Nianyin within his body seemed to resonate with the spiritual energy within the attire, causing a faint, indescribable aura to envelop him.

Looking at Xu Ruyu after his change of clothes, a trace of complex uncertainty flickered deep in Xiao Nianyin's eyes.

These clothes were unexpectedly suitable for him.

She walked up to Xu Ruyu, reached out to straighten his slightly wrinkled collar, and her fingertips inadvertently brushed against his neck.

Xu Ruyu's body stiffened.

Xiao Nianyin, however, had already withdrawn her hand and said calmly, "Remember your current status. Once we go out, watch more, listen more, and speak less."

"Yes, Revered Master."

Xu Ruyu took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

Xiao Nianyin took one last look at herself in the mirror to ensure there were no obvious flaws in her appearance, then turned and led the way toward the hall doors.

Xu Ruyu hurriedly followed.

The heavy hall doors were slowly pushed open by Xiao Nianyin using her remaining strength.

The bright and soft morning sunlight poured in, dispelling the lingering darkness and ambiguity within the hall.

Under the corridors and in the courtyard outside, many people had gathered, some openly and some in the shadows, at some unknown point!

There were Disciples like Qingzhu standing by, deacons who appeared to be passing by but had burning gazes, and even faint figures flickering behind the corner of a distant corridor or behind rockeries.

When Xiao Nianyin's figure in her plain white dress appeared at the hall entrance, everyone's gaze focused instantly.

And when the handsome young man in brand-new moon-white Personal Disciple robes followed her out of the hall—

*Hiss...*

Someone gasped.

Immediately following that was a dead silence.

Everyone's eyes widened and their mouths hung open, as if they were witnessing something impossible.

It really was a man!

A young man they had never seen before!

Wearing Personal Disciple robes personally ordered by the Sect Master!

Walking out from the bedchamber where the Sect Master never allowed outsiders to set foot!

Following closely behind the Sect Master!

Several confidants sent by the observing Elders almost crushed the communication jade talismans in their hands.

Qingzhu kept her head bowed, her shoulders trembling almost imperceptibly.

In the distance, the maid sent by Third Elder Liu Mei, hidden in the shadows of the trees, covered her mouth tightly to keep from crying out in surprise.

"Let's go."

Xiao Nianyin acted as if she were oblivious to everything around her. Her voice was calm and steady as she stepped forward.

Her steps were still somewhat unsteady, but this was masked by her deliberately controlled pace and her straight back.

Xu Ruyu braved the countless gazes that seemed ready to burn through him and forced himself to follow. He could feel the shock, curiosity, scrutiny, jealousy, and even hostility in those eyes.

It felt like needles at his back.

In this manner, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two of them walked past the corridor in front of Ningyin Hall and onto the sky bridge connecting to the Main Hall.

Mist swirled beneath their feet and spiritual birds flew past, but this immortal scenery did nothing to ease the tension in Xu Ruyu's heart.

They encountered more and more Disciples along the way. Every single one of them would freeze instantly upon seeing them, then hurriedly salute, though their gazes uncontrollably stuck to Xu Ruyu.

Whispers spread like a plague:

"My god... it really is a man!"

"A Personal Disciple! The Sect Master actually took a male Disciple!"

"He even came out of the Sect Master's bedchamber... What on earth is going on?"

"For hundreds of years, there hasn't even been a male mosquito around the Sect Master. What happened today?"

"Who is this person? Which power's Prodigy is he? Why have I never seen him before?"

Xiao Nianyin's expression remained unchanged, though she would occasionally sweep a cold glance toward the directions where the discussions were louder, which was enough to make everyone fall silent like winter cicadas.

Xu Ruyu felt like a monkey under a spotlight, completely uncomfortable.

He could only try his best to recall the Sect rules and common knowledge Xiao Nianyin had instilled in him, imitating the mannerisms of characters from the period dramas in his memory to try and look as natural as possible.

He took a deep breath of the faint Spiritual Qi in the air. As it entered his body, it actually caused the dormant power within him to stir slightly.

This strange sensation slightly distracted him from his nervousness.

This Transmigration start was truly over-the-top exciting!

As for Xiao Nianyin walking in front, beneath her calm exterior, her mind was tense to the extreme.

She could feel at least four or five obscure Divine Thoughts sweeping past. Although they all quickly avoided her, most lingered on Xu Ruyu for a moment.

She knew the news had already spread.

Her sudden "recruitment" had successfully captured everyone's attention.

Next was the real test.

She had to "teach" this Disciple as quickly as possible to make him at least look like a Cultivator.

At the same time, she had to seize the time to figure out exactly what had happened inside her body and... what secret this Mortal named Xu Ruyu was hiding.

With their own thoughts, the two walked toward the center of the Hehuan Sect's inscrutable vortex of power under the gaze of countless eyes.

And behind them, various speculations and rumors regarding the "Ice Mountain Sect Master and the Mysterious Male Disciple" were fermenting and spreading at an alarming speed, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, the ripples of which were bound to evolve into a storm that would sweep through the entire Sect.