76: Chapter 76 Faced with the male disciple's predicament, the passionate senior sisters fell silent.

In an instant, the gazes cast from along the path rapidly shifted from initial surprise and curiosity to scrutiny, disdain, and undisguised hostility, jealousy, and resentment.

Xu Ruyu could clearly feel those eyes falling on him—especially on that moon-white Personal Disciple robe—like poisoned needles, carrying a bone-chilling malice.

He knew that even greater trouble was coming.

Sure enough, when the group finally reached the mountainside of Bowen Peak and the towering, grand "Hall of Power Transmission" appeared before them, a large number of Disciples had already gathered on the wide plaza in front of the hall.

Male Disciples made up the majority of them; they stood either in groups of three to five or alone with arms crossed. Their gazes, like searchlights, shot in unison toward Xu Ruyu as he walked onto the plaza surrounded by the women. The ill-will and jealousy in their eyes almost condensed into substance, and even the air seemed to stagnate due to this collective negative emotion.

Warning bells rang loudly in Xu Ruyu's heart, and his pace involuntarily slowed down a bit.

He could feel the atmosphere on the plaza was suffocatingly oppressive, the invisible pressure ten times greater than it had been on the mountain path.

The Senior Sisters crowding around him also seemed to sense this tension, but their reactions were surprisingly consistent—Su Mei, who had been pressing close to Xu Ruyu, subtly pulled away by a small step. A charming smile remained on her face, but her eyes held the intent of watching a good show, as if saying, "Let's see how you handle this."

Liu Yueer stopped in her tracks and crossed her arms, the corner of her mouth curling into a playful arc. Clearly, she did not intend to intervene and only wanted to watch from the sidelines.

Qingyan shrank toward the edge of the crowd, lowering her head as if frightened by the scene. However, her large eyes were quietly raised, observing Xu Ruyu's reaction.

Most of the other female Disciples also stopped their steps, either standing to the side or talking in low voices. Their gazes shuttled between Xu Ruyu and the group of ill-tempered male Disciples, as if evaluating a play that was about to begin.

Their standing idly by was, in itself, a silent test and screening.

Within the Hehuan Sect, the strong devoured the weak. Having "uniqueness" and "attraction" or relying solely on the Sect Master's favor was not enough; one also needed the matching ability to cope, Heart-Nature, and... the skill to survive under peer pressure.

Xu Ruyu stood isolated and helpless at the edge of the plaza. Ahead was the towering Hall of Power Transmission; behind him were the Senior Sisters who had "escorted" him but had now quietly dispersed; and surrounding him were more and more male Disciples closing in with gloomy faces and unkind eyes.

His moon-white Personal Disciple attire was exceptionally eye-catching in the crowd, and his short hair made him even more out of place, like a lighthouse in the dark night, attracting all the hostility.

"Hmph, I was wondering who had such a grand air. Turns out it's our Sect Master's 'darling,' the Great Personal Disciple Xu."

A sarcastic, high-pitched voice was the first to break the silence.

A young man wearing the purple-and-gold trimmed robes of an inner court elite Disciple stepped out from the crowd.

He had a cultivation at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, and his aura was steady, making him quite prominent among the crowd.

His name was Zhao Kun, a standout from the inner court's "War Hall." Usually arrogant, he harbored some admiration for Eldest Senior Sister Leng Ningshuang, but unfortunately, Leng Ningshuang only had eyes for cultivation and her Revered Master, Xiao Nianyin.

He had long seen Xu Ruyu—who had suddenly appeared and snatched all the attention, and might even "defile" the reputation of the goddess in his heart (Xiao Nianyin)—as a thorn in his side.

At this moment, his gaze was like a blade, scraping over Xu Ruyu's glaring Personal Disciple robe and finally landing on his handsome face, which seemed to be "feigning calmness" in his eyes. The mockery in his tone was almost overflowing:

"Junior Brother Xu truly lives up to being the Sect Master's Personal Disciple; this 'treatment' is indeed extraordinary.

Going out for 'experience' and having so many Senior and Junior Sisters 'protecting' you... it really makes us ordinary Disciples quite envious."

He bit down hard on the words "experience" and "protecting." Combined with that mocking expression, anyone could hear the sarcasm within—ridiculing Xu Ruyu's low cultivation and his need for women's protection when going out; ridiculing him for rising to his position by relying on women and the Sect Master's favor.

A burst of suppressed snickering and sounds of agreement immediately rose from the surroundings.

Xu Ruyu's heart sank, knowing the visitor had ill intentions.

He forced himself to be calm, slightly raised his head to meet Zhao Kun's gaze, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Senior Brother Zhao speaks too heavily.

The Senior Sisters were merely traveling along the same path and pointing out the way for this Junior Brother.

I have just entered the Sect and there is much I do not understand. In the future, I will need to ask for more guidance from Senior Brother Zhao and all the other Senior Brothers."

His attitude seemed respectful, yet there was no fear, and he even faintly pointed out that the other party was bullying the small and the new with their seniority.

Seeing this reaction, the chill in Zhao Kun's eyes grew even deeper.

A trash at the Qi Refinement Stage, who had gained a status symbol by relying on the Sect Master's favor, dared to put on airs in front of him?

"Guidance? I wouldn't dare." Zhao Kun gave a fake smile. "For Junior Brother Xu to be so 'highly regarded' by the Sect Master, even to the point of... well, accessing the Sect's core scriptures for 'instruction,' you must surely have 'extraordinary qualities' that we cannot hope to reach."

He deliberately spoke vaguely about the Heavenly Charm Mysterious Maiden Heart Sutra, but that suggestive tone and the gazes around them—which instantly became strange and filled with mixed jealousy—all hinted at that matter which made all male Disciples feel absurdly indignant.

"Just right," Zhao Kun's tone shifted, his eyes becoming sharp. "I have been practicing a sword technique recently and have some doubts regarding 'Spiritual Power Micro-manipulation' and 'energy flow.' I heard that Junior Brother Xu was able to 'break' the Great Fox Illusion, so you must have unique insights into spiritual power sensing and control.

Why not... please enlighten us, Junior Brother Xu? It would also allow us to open our eyes and witness the 'true talent' of the Sect Master's Personal Disciple."

These words were even more poisonous than before!

He directly pointed out the contradiction between Xu Ruyu's Qi Refinement Stage cultivation and the rumors of him "breaking the illusion," forcing him to demonstrate in the field of "Spiritual Power Micro-manipulation" (what kind of profound micro-manipulation could there be at the Qi Refinement Stage?) in public. His intent was truly malicious!

Cold sweat broke out in Xu Ruyu's palms.

Spiritual Power Micro-manipulation? Aside from instinctively circulating that bit of Taixu True Qi, what did he know about profound micro-manipulation techniques? This was clearly intended to make him a laughingstock in public!

"Senior Brother overpraises me." Xu Ruyu steadied his mind and tried to keep his voice steady. "I only managed to hold on for a moment in the illusion by luck and sheer willpower. I am truly ignorant of Spiritual Power Micro-manipulation; how would I dare show off my meager skills before Senior Brother?

Revered Master ordered me to come to the Hall of Power Transmission precisely to have me read more scriptures, solidify my Foundation, and make up for my deficiencies."

"Oh? Truly ignorant?" A flash of triumph appeared in Zhao Kun's eyes, and his tone became even more aggressive. "Then that is strange indeed.

With such a shallow Foundation, to be able to receive such favor from the Sect Master, even... heh."

He paused meaningfully once again, drawing even louder discussions from the surroundings.

"It seems Junior Brother Xu is being too modest." Zhao Kun took a step forward, faintly releasing the Spiritual Pressure of the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment. Although he didn't use it to oppress directly, it formed a powerful psychological deterrent. "Since we've met today, and it's a 'request for guidance' between fellow Disciples, Junior Brother can't keep making excuses, can he?

Why not... just demonstrate the most basic 'Spiritual Power Manifestation'? Let us see to what extent Junior Brother's 'Foundation' is actually 'solid'?"

Spiritual Power Manifestation was a technique that Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators only began to attempt, requiring strong control over spiritual power.

Asking a Qi Refinement Stage Disciple to demonstrate this in public? This was no longer just making things difficult; it was blatant humiliation and obstruction!

The other male Disciples around also began to jeer, their voices full of malice:

"Senior Brother Zhao is right! Junior Brother Xu, don't hide your talents!"

"Exactly, let us learn a bit too, and see the basic skills of a Personal Disciple!"

"Don't tell me... you can't even do the most basic External Release of Spiritual Power? Then where did this Qi Refinement Stage come from? Hahaha!"

"The Sect Master accessed the Heavenly Charm Mysterious Maiden Heart Sutra; did she not teach you anything practical? Or... did she only teach you some other kind of 'skills'?" These words were nearly lewd insults, causing a burst of wretched low laughter.

Ridicule, questioning, and insults—like a surging tide—threatened to drown Xu Ruyu. Those Senior Sisters watching from the sidelines still did not speak up.

Su Mei had a smile on her lips, but her eyes had turned cold. It was unclear whether she was dissatisfied with the crudeness of Zhao Kun and the others, or if she was looking forward to the possibility of Xu Ruyu making a fool of himself.

Liu Yueer's brows were tightly furrowed, and her hand gripping her sword hilt tightened. She seemed unable to bear the sight, but after glancing at Xu Ruyu's Personal Disciple robe, she forced herself to hold back.

As for Qingyan, she pretended to be so scared that her face turned pale, tightly covering her mouth and remaining silent.