7: Chapter 7 Xu Ruyu angrily retorts: Don't call me senior brother, you don't deserve it.

Just as Xiao Nianyin was hesitating whether to use her authority as the Sect Master to expel these troublemakers, Xu Ruyu gently tugged on her sleeve.

This was in full view of everyone; although Xu Ruyu was Xiao Nianyin's internally designated Personal Disciple, this action was far too intimate, wasn't it?

Xu Ruyu might not have known Xiao Nianyin's temperament, but who among everyone present didn't know that Xiao Nianyin was a famously cold beauty?

In hundreds of years, when had the Cultivation World ever heard of Xiao Nianyin allowing a male Cultivator to get close to her?

But now, not only was Xu Ruyu standing by Xiao Nianyin's side, he even made such a "frivolous" gesture toward her?

And Xiao Nianyin didn't even show a hint of aversion?

This caused everyone to be momentarily stunned, while the fires of jealousy in their hearts burned even more frantically.

But at that moment, Xu Ruyu stepped forward, trying his best to make his voice sound calm so as not to lose his Revered Master's Face: "Fellow Daoist Lei Xuan, everyone."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it strangely suppressed all the noise at the scene.

The crowd, originally full of doubt, saw Xu Ruyu step out at this time and cast their gazes toward him; they all wanted to hear what this "internally designated" Personal Disciple of Xiao Nianyin had to say.

"Revered Master has her own considerations for taking me as a Disciple." Xu Ruyu's gaze calmly swept over Lei Xuan and the others. "As for this competition, if Revered Master wants me to participate, I shall participate.

As for whether it's just going through the motions..."

He paused, a faint, non-committal curve appearing at the corners of his mouth—an expression he had learned from Xiao Nianyin. Although he was panicking inside, he had to appear as calm as a light breeze on the surface:

"Once the competition begins, won't you all find out?"

He didn't argue or explain; he simply accepted the "privilege" Xiao Nianyin had given him with an almost default posture and lightly kicked the question back.

This attitude was actually more infuriating than a heated rebuttal!

"You!"

Lei Xuan was shaking with rage, feeling as if his punch had landed on cotton, leaving him completely unsatisfied.

The other's condescending, matter-of-fact posture made him feel deeply humiliated.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Lei Xuan said 'good' three times, gritting his teeth as he said, "Then I shall properly 'experience' Senior Brother Xu's brilliant moves during the assessment!

I hope Senior Brother doesn't disappoint!"

He emphasized the words "Senior Brother" heavily, filling them with provocation.

Lei Xuan's words were full of fire, but unexpectedly, Xu Ruyu shook his head and laughed: "Your name is Lei Xuan, right? I've noted it.

Setting aside whether you can pass the Hehuan Sect's Entrance Selection today, even if you, Lei Xuan, are lucky enough to pass, you will only be an Outer Sect Disciple.

You haven't even entered the sect yet, Lei Xuan, and you dare to openly threaten me, the Personal Disciple of the Hehuan Sect's Sect Master. Very good indeed!

I, Xu Ruyu, will also advise you in front of everyone: don't call me Senior Brother. You aren't a Disciple of my Hehuan Sect yet; you are not worthy!"

Xu Ruyu's words made Xiao Nianyin feel quite gratified at heart.

For someone at her level, being questioned publicly by a minor junior was an extremely embarrassing thing.

But constrained by her status, she couldn't have a falling out with him on the spot.

Hearing Xu Ruyu retort like this now, the stifled anger in her heart instantly vanished into thin air.

Xu Ruyu's words also cleared the heads of the candidates who had originally been hostile toward him.

Indeed, even if he was internally designated, he was still a genuine Personal Disciple of the Sect Master!

And they weren't even Disciples of the Hehuan Sect yet. If they offended the Sect Master's Personal Disciple before even entering, wouldn't he give them a hard time once they did?

For a moment, the gazes of the other candidates toward Xu Ruyu became wavering and uncertain.

However, the few troublemakers led by Lei Xuan were still full of hatred.

High on the platform, several Elders exchanged glances secretly, their expressions varied.

There was doubt, dissatisfaction, and deep calculation.

The Sect Master had suddenly taken a Disciple and so dominantly designated him internally; what was hidden behind this? What exactly was the background of this youth named Xu Ruyu?

Xiao Nianyin watched from the side, a trace of imperceptible surprise flashing in her eyes.

She hadn't expected Xu Ruyu to be able to perform so calmly under such pressure.

Although she could tell it was a facade, this quick-wittedness and surface-level composure were beyond her expectations.

"In that case, Elder Li, register Ruyu and prepare him to participate in the assessment," Xiao Nianyin said smoothly, her tone remaining flat.

"Yes, Sect Master," Elder Li replied with a bow, then looked at Xu Ruyu with a flicker of complexity in his eyes. "Nephew... Nephew Xu, please follow me to register."

However, seeing Xiao Nianyin's attitude, Xu Ruyu's heart skipped a beat.

Wait... what did Master say? Prepare to participate in the assessment?

Wasn't she just saying that? Does she really want me to participate in the so-called assessment?!

In Xu Ruyu's mind, he was certain that his Master would step in at the critical moment to speak for him, which was why he dared to step out and say those grand words.

He assumed that once he helped his Master regain Face, shouldn't she use her power to take him away directly and avoid this storm?

I'm a damn Mortal! I don't know how to do anything!

His heart sank, but looking at Xiao Nianyin's calm gaze, he felt he might be overthinking it.

Maybe Master was just saying it for show, and in a moment she would find an excuse to take him away, not actually letting him compete with these Genius youths.

After all, how could Master not know that he was a Mortal?

Although his heart was racing, he knew he absolutely couldn't show weakness at this moment.

Since Xiao Nianyin had pushed him to this position, he had to take it—at least on the surface.

Moreover, deep down, he still held a glimmer of hope: maybe because he stepped out to resolve the situation for Master, she would take note of it and find an excuse to take him away later, not really letting him make a fool of himself.

However, when he subconsciously looked back at Xiao Nianyin, his eyes held a hint of inquiry.

But Xiao Nianyin only gave him a faint glance, her eyes calm and rippleless, as if saying: Go.

Xu Ruyu's heart went completely cold.

Wherever he passed, the crowd automatically parted to form a path, but the gazes cast upon him became increasingly cold and sharp.

"So he's Xu Ruyu..."

"He doesn't look like anything special..."

"Why would the Sect Master take an interest in someone like this?"

"Maybe he has some special 'skills'..."

The whispers slithered into Xu Ruyu's ears like venomous snakes.

He could feel the malice in those gazes, especially the ones from some male Disciples within the Hehuan Sect, which almost wanted to swallow him whole.

Xiao Nianyin was the Sect Master of the Hehuan Sect, the universally recognized cold beauty of the Cultivation World, an invincible existence that countless male Cultivators didn't even dare to approach.

For hundreds of years, she had never had any male close to her; even her attendants were all female.

But now, she had not only taken a male Disciple but also brought him before everyone so high-profilely, even publicly announcing him as the "internally designated" Personal Disciple!

How could this not make those male Disciples who secretly loved and admired Xiao Nianyin go mad with jealousy?

Xu Ruyu could even hear some suppressed discussions:

"What right does he have..."

"Just a pretty boy..."

"The Sect Master must have been blinded by him..."

The registration process was simple.

Elder Li asked for his name, age, and background. Following what Xiao Nianyin had instructed beforehand, Xu Ruyu only said he was the descendant of a Loose Cultivator from a remote area and was accidentally spotted by the Sect Master.

Elder Li obviously didn't believe him but didn't dare to ask more, simply handing a wooden token carved with a number to Xu Ruyu: "This is your assessment number, Bing-79.

The assessment is divided into three stages: the first stage tests Spiritual Root Aptitude, the second is the Heart-Nature trial, and the third is combat confrontation.

Nephew Xu... take care."

Elder Li spoke those last four words with deep meaning.

Xu Ruyu took the wooden token, his palms covered in cold sweat.

He said his thanks and, as he turned to walk back, while no one was paying attention, he quietly gripped the Message Jade Talisman Xiao Nianyin had given him earlier—she had slipped it to him while he was changing, saying he could use it to contact her if anything happened.

Hiding it in his sleeve, he quickly traced a few words on the jade talisman with his fingertip: "Master, do I really have to go? I don't know anything!"

Almost instantly, the jade talisman warmed slightly, and Xiao Nianyin's voice rang directly in his mind, calm and brief: "Go. Believe in yourself."

Believe in myself? What do I have to believe in?!

Xu Ruyu was almost in tears.

He was a Mortal who had just Transmigrated and didn't even know the most basic Qi Induction; how could he compete with these geniuses who had clearly been Cultivating since childhood? Wasn't this clearly setting him up to make a fool of himself?

Could it be that Master wants to use this opportunity to let everyone see how useless I am, and then rightfully kick me out? Or... does Master have some other plan?

Xu Ruyu was filled with unease, but things had reached this point, and he had no way out.

He braced himself and returned to Xiao Nianyin's side, his Face somewhat pale.

Xiao Nianyin glanced at him and said nothing, simply turning her gaze back to the center of the plaza.

At this time, the first stage of the assessment had already begun.