75: Chapter 75 Surrounded by Beauties, Xu Ruyu Arouses the Jealousy of Her Fellow Disciples

The mountain path leading to the Hall of Power Transmission on Bowen Peak wound upwards in the morning mist, with exotic flowers, strange plants, flowing springs, and flying waterfalls along the way, a truly breathtaking sight.

However, Xu Ruyu, walking on this path at the moment, had no mind to appreciate it.

He was "surrounded" by a group of Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters, each with her own unique charm, like stars clustered around the moon. His ears were filled with their melodious voices, his nose with their sweet fragrance, and his eyes were dazzled by their enchanting figures that made his blood surge.

Such a scene, if seen by others, would surely make their eyes red with envy, lamenting Xu Ruyu's incredible luck with women.

But Xu Ruyu, caught in the middle of it, only felt a prickling sensation on his back, each second feeling like a year.

What he was wearing now was no longer the tattered clothes from yesterday, but a specially made Sect Master Personal Disciple uniform.

This outfit was moon-white, made of exquisite material, cool and smooth to the touch, with a faint, hidden shimmer.

The lapels, cuffs, and waist-seal were embroidered with the Hehuan Sect's unique intertwined lotus pattern in silver thread, and the inside of the collar was embroidered with a delicate character "Yin," representing the Ningyin Hall lineage.

Although the style remained simple, the tailored fit made him appear tall and upright. Coupled with his refreshing short hair, which was out of place among the long-haired Cultivators around him, it actually gave him a unique, untamed air.

This attire had been sent to the Side Hall yesterday by Xiao Nianyin, signifying his official status within the Sect: Sect Master's Personal Disciple.

Wearing it now should have been an honor and a protection, but in the current bizarre atmosphere of "surrounded by beauties," it felt more like a conspicuous target.

To his left, Su Mei's mature and charming body always "accidentally" brushed against him, the soft touch and rich fragrance making it hard for him to breathe.

To his right, Qingyan seemingly obediently led the way, but her fingertips would occasionally "unintentionally" brush across the back of his hand, causing a slight tremor.

Ahead, Liu Yueer's tall and valiant back occasionally turned, her glances carrying an undisguised allure.

What made Xu Ruyu even more vexed was that around him, the other Senior Sisters' whispers, whether bold or subtle, wove an invisible net, firmly trapping him, the targeted "lamb," in the center.

He was like a fly that had mistakenly entered the Silk Web Cave; the more dazzling and beautiful his surroundings, the more dangerous and deadly they were.

What made him even more uneasy was that he could clearly feel that beneath this "enthusiasm" surrounding him, various intentions lurked: inquiries into the secret of his "breaking the illusion," curiosity about the value behind his "Personal Disciple" status, conjectures about the Sect Master's unusual actions, and even a certain covetousness that regarded him as a potential "Cauldron" or "prey."

None of it was sincere; it was all calculation.

"Junior Brother Xu, look over there, that's our Hehuan Sect's famous 'Hundred Flower Valley.' Flowers bloom there all year round, and the Spiritual Qi is denser than elsewhere."

Su Mei pointed to a distant valley ablaze with colorful flowers, her voice sweet and soft, as her body leaned closer to Xu Ruyu.

"Uh... thank you for the guidance, Senior Sister."

Xu Ruyu stiffly nodded, trying to move half a step sideways to create some distance.

Qingyan immediately and "considerately" added, "Does Senior Brother Xu feel Senior Sister Su is too close? Indeed, this mountain path is narrow, and it's a bit crowded for everyone to walk together.

Senior Sister Su, perhaps... you could walk a little ahead?"

She seemed to be helping Xu Ruyu out of a predicament, but in reality, she was subtly implying Su Mei's improper behavior.

Su Mei glared, about to speak, but Liu Yueer scoffed, "Alright, both of you say less.

Ahead is 'Listening Tide Ravine,' and there's only one narrow iron chain bridge over it. Everyone be careful not to squeeze our 'precious Junior Brother' off."

Indeed, after turning a mountain bend, a deep ravine appeared ahead, with roaring water and steaming mist.

An iron chain bridge, wide enough for only two people to walk abreast, spanned across it. The bridge deck was made of wooden planks, swaying slightly in the wind.

The women stopped at the bridgehead, their gazes naturally focusing on Xu Ruyu.

"Junior Brother, the bridge is narrow. Shall Senior Sister hold your hand to cross?"

Su Mei was the first to extend her jade-like hand, painted with nail polish, her eyes sparkling.

"Let me do it. I've practiced movement techniques, so I'm steady on this bridge."

Liu Yueer said calmly, crossing her arms.

Qingyan bit her lip and whispered, "I... I'm a bit afraid of heights... Senior Brother Xu, can you walk in front of me?"

She took a different approach, not trying to compete but feigning a need for protection.

Xu Ruyu's head throbbed.

The bridge wasn't wide to begin with, and these women still wanted to argue over who got to walk next to him?

He decided to steel himself and, with a stiff upper lip, said, "No, no need to trouble you, Senior Sisters. I can walk by myself."

With that, without waiting for their reaction, he quickly stepped onto the swaying iron chain bridge.

Seeing his actions, the women exchanged glances, some disappointed, some playful, and some with a hint of undetectable coldness.

But in the end, they didn't contend further and followed him one by one. However, while walking on the bridge, Su Mei let out a soft "Oh dear!" pretending to slip, her body swaying, almost bumping into Xu Ruyu's back, which he narrowly avoided.

Qingyan, on the other hand, had a pale face, gripping the bridge cable tightly, trembling with every step, causing a few female Disciples behind her to chuckle softly.

After finally crossing the bridge, everyone continued onward.

However, this entire journey, especially Xu Ruyu's conspicuous moon-white Personal Disciple uniform and his distinctive short hair, had already attracted countless gazes.

The Hehuan Sect had tens of thousands of Disciples, both male and female.

It was currently the time for morning cultivation or heading to various halls for duties, so there were many Disciples coming and going on the mountain path.

When they saw a group of Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters—who were usually aloof, charming, or difficult to deal with, and whom countless male Disciples yearned for but could never obtain—actually surrounding a handsome young man with neat short hair, dressed in the Sect Master's Personal Disciple uniform, chatting and laughing (at least on the surface) as they walked together, the passing male Disciples' eyes all widened!

Once they carefully identified him as Xu Ruyu, the one who had recently stirred up trouble within the Sect, rumored to have "no Spiritual Root" yet was exceptionally taken as a Personal Disciple by the Sect Master, and even caused the Sect Master to consult the Heavenly Charm Mysterious Maiden Heart Sutra—the old jar of jealousy, mixed with resentment and indignation, completely shattered with a crash!

"It's Xu Ruyu! The Sect Master's new Personal Disciple!"

"Is that him? The one rumored to be in the Great Fox Illusion... Hmph!"

"Look at that outfit! The moon-white Personal Disciple uniform! With the 'Yin' character embroidered on the collar! The Sect Master really values him!"

"Damn it, why him? A Qi Refinement Stage good-for-nothing? Just because he has a pretty boy face? Or does he have some 'special talent' we don't know about?"

"I heard Senior Sister Su wanted to invite him to Meixiang Court before! Now he actually..."

"That Liu Yueer woman, she's so arrogant, how did she get involved too?"

"Junior Sister Qingyan looks so dependent on him... What virtue and ability does he possess?!"

"The most infuriating thing is that the Sect Master, for his sake, actually consulted the Heavenly Charm Mysterious Maiden Heart Sutra!

That's a Cultivation Technique the Sect Master always disdained! Is he really that important?!"

Jealousy, doubt, resentment, indignation... various negative emotions, like poisonous weeds, wildly grew and intertwined in the hearts of those male Disciples.

Among them, there were many inner Sect elites, with cultivation at least at the Foundation Establishment Stage, who prided themselves on their talent, strength, and background.

To gain the favor of their beloved Senior Sisters, they had put in countless efforts and hard work, often with little success.

But now, this newly initiated Xu Ruyu, who was only at the Qi Refinement Stage, and seemed to be good for nothing except for his "Personal Disciple" title and strange short hair, not only obtained the Sect Master's Personal Disciple status they dreamed of, enjoyed resource allocation they couldn't imagine (even causing the Sect Master to make an exception to consult the Heavenly Charm Mysterious Maiden Heart Sutra), but was now actively surrounded and courted by a group of goddess-level Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters whom they could never obtain?!

This was simply a ruthless trampling and mockery of their years of effort, self-esteem, and masculine charm!

How unfair the Heavenly Dao was!

Why did all these good things fall upon a "good-for-nothing" at the Qi Refinement Stage?

Just because he knew how to please the Sect Master? Or because of his face and that strange short hair?