54: Chapter 54 The Fifth Elder Seeks Pleasure

"Your Hehuan Sect truly is a small temple with many demons, and shallow waters with many turtles."

A lazy, seductive voice, tinged with a playful tone, echoed from the shadows on one side of the Main Hall.

Light and shadow flickered, and Madam Qingli's graceful figure slowly emerged.

Today, she had changed into a trailing gown of smoky pink, with dark golden fox patterns embroidered on the hem. They shimmered subtly with her steps, adding to her allure.

She walked to the jade platform, extended a finger painted with nail polish, and lightly tapped the Profound Ice Jade Treasure Box. Her peach blossom eyes swirled, carrying a hint of amusement as if watching a show.

"This so-called Grand Elder, outwardly respectful, is probably plotting against you in her heart.

That 'gift of treasure' just now, I'm afraid it wasn't just a habit, was it?"

Madam Qingli glanced sideways at Xiao Nianyin: "It seems that your sudden acceptance of a Personal Disciple of unknown origin and mysterious Aptitude, and your repeated defense of him in front of everyone, even breaking precedent to walk back to the Hall...

These abnormal actions have made many people restless, and they've begun to probe your true situation."

Xiao Nianyin was silent for a moment, not denying it. She raised a hand to rub her slightly aching temples. A trace of fatigue permeated her cool voice, but even more so, an unquestionable resolve: "Previously, at the outer Sect assessment, facing the provocations of those ignorant Disciples, I violated common sense several times by not punishing them severely.

Afterward, I even walked side-by-side with Xu Ruyu, parading through the market... These things might fool those young Disciples, but they can never fool old foxes like Rong Qingliu and Hua Xunhuan.

Let them suspect if they want to."

She slightly raised her eyelids, her gaze as sharp as an ice blade, sweeping across the empty Main Hall, as if it could penetrate the walls and see the prying eyes hidden in the dark.

"As long as they don't have absolute certainty, as long as I, Xiao Nianyin, haven't completely fallen, these old hags of the Hehuan Sect," she enunciated each word, every one seemingly tempered with ice, "still wouldn't dare to truly make a move against me."

As she spoke, the prestige and dominance of a Saint Realm Expert who governs a Sect naturally flowed from her. Although her cultivation was no longer there, the pride and imposing Aura ingrained in her bones still made her like a volcano covered in ice and snow, dormant yet containing heart-stopping power.

Madam Qingli looked at Xiao Nianyin like this, a complex glimmer flashing in her eyes—admiration, amusement, and a hint of imperceptible emotion.

She gently clapped her hands, her tone still carrying its usual playful mockery: "I hope your iceberg can truly remain this tough.

Ah, after talking for so long, I suddenly feel quite sleepy. This Seat will go find a place to nap..."

Before her words finished, her figure began to fade, like a reflection in water disturbed by ripples.

"Wait!" Xiao Nianyin hurriedly called out, "You mentioned earlier that there might be a way from Xu Ruyu's body... Ugh!"

Her question wasn't finished when Madam Qingli's figure completely vanished into thin air, leaving only a faint, ethereal fragrance of the Taihu Clan and a vague, smiling trailing note that seemed to linger in the Hall: "Impatience won't get you hot tofu, Sister Nianyin... When the time comes, you will naturally know."

"Hmph!" Xiao Nianyin glared at the spot where Madam Qingli disappeared, her brows tightly furrowed, a trace of indignation flashing across her beautiful face. "Old vixen! Deliberately being mysterious, clearly trying to manipulate me!"

How could she not understand Madam Qingli's intentions?

The so-called "cooperation" between them was merely a temporary Alliance based on an exchange of interests.

Madam Qingli coveted Xu Ruyu's special "value," while she needed her power to deter those inside and outside the Sect.

Before she regained her strength, especially before regaining control over Xu Ruyu, Madam Qingli would never genuinely and unreservedly help her.

Maintaining her state of "weakness" and "needing help" was most beneficial to Madam Qingli.

This feeling of being manipulated and controlled made the always strong Xiao Nianyin extremely uncomfortable, yet helpless.

After Rong Qingliu exited Ningyin Hall, she did not return to her Hall of Power Transmission. Instead, her figure flickered several times, transforming into an inconspicuous streak of light, and headed straight for another magnificent palace complex deep within the Hehuan Sect, one that exuded an atmosphere of decadent music and pleasure—Xunhuan Hall.

Xunhuan Hall was the sleeping quarters and Dao field of the Hehuan Sect's Fifth Elder, Hua Xunhuan.

In stark contrast to Ningyin Hall's purity and solemnity, Xunhuan Hall, from exterior to interior, was permeated with a sweet, luxurious, and ambiguous Aura.

Large patches of enchanting exotic flowers and plants were cultivated outside the Hall, and an invigorating warm fragrance perpetually wafted through the air. The interior was lavishly decorated with light gauze curtains, warm jade paving the floor, and alluring murals and sculptures visible everywhere.

At this moment, the Main Hall of Xunhuan Hall was even more vibrant and sensual.

A woman who appeared to be around thirty years old, dressed in a crimson, gold-embroidered sheer gown, was sprawled ungracefully on a wide, soft chair covered with a complete white tiger skin.

Her cloud-like bun was slightly loose, hairpins partially removed, revealing a fair, slender neck and delicate collarbones. Her skirt was lifted high, and a pair of straight, round, snow-white legs, with skin like congealed fat, were brazenly exposed to the air. Golden bells tied at her ankles jingled with a crisp, enticing sound as she occasionally wiggled her toes.

Beside the soft chair, four or five handsome youths with varying temperaments knelt.

Some were carefully massaging her legs, with just the right amount of pressure; others held her delicate jade feet, gently wiping them with soft towels dipped in fragrant dew; and one bolder youth was holding a peeled, sparkling spirit fruit with his lips, attempting to feed it to her.

This woman was none other than the Hehuan Sect's Fifth Elder, Hua Xunhuan, known for her exquisite Charm Technique and unrestrained personality.

"Oh my, I wonder what fragrant breeze blew our Hall of Power Transmission Grand Elder here?" Hua Xunhuan's eyes swirled, and she cast a seductive glance at Rong Qingliu, who had suddenly appeared in the Hall. She chuckled, her voice sweet enough to drip honey, "Did the sun really rise from the west today?

You old stick-in-the-mud, instead of pondering those rigid Cultivation Techniques in your cold Hall of Power Transmission, you actually have the leisure to come to my Xunhuan Hall... Could it be that you've taken a fancy to one of my lively young gentlemen here? Or perhaps..."

Her gaze ambiguously swept over Rong Qingliu, "Have you finally enlightened yourself and want to taste the flavor of the new young maidens in my Hall?"

As she spoke, a serving female Disciple nearby happened to look up and met Rong Qingliu's gaze.

Upon seeing Rong Qingliu's face, the female Disciple's face turned pale with fright, like a startled rabbit, and she hurriedly hid behind Hua Xunhuan's soft chair, only daring to show a corner of her skirt.

Everyone in the Hehuan Sect knew that this Grand Elder Rong Qingliu had a rather peculiar, even chilling, habit—she paid no mind to handsome young men, but instead had an extraordinary "interest" in some good-looking, pure- temperament female Disciples within the Sect.

Anyone she took a fancy to, no matter the means, would eventually be brought to her side, ostensibly for "guidance in cultivation." As for the reality, outsiders dared not speak openly, but privately, everyone knew the truth.

Rong Qingliu ignored the hiding female Disciple, her gaze falling on Hua Xunhuan's charming and seductive face. Her expression was her usual rigid calm, as if she hadn't heard the teasing, and she simply said in a deep voice, "Have everyone leave. I have important matters to discuss with you."

"Important matters?" Hua Xunhuan's red lips curled slightly. She extended a finger painted with bright red nail polish and lightly tapped a youth's forehead. The youth immediately looked up at her, mesmerized.

She chuckled, "In my Xunhuan Hall, what could be more important than this Elder 'seeking pleasure'? Just speak your mind; as for them..."

Her gaze swept over the youths, her tone lazy and cruel, "They can all be treated as if they don't exist."

Despite her words, she still waved her hand at the trembling female Disciple behind the soft chair.

The female Disciple, as if granted a great pardon, quickly bowed and retreated into the back hall, her figure disappearing.