82: Chapter 82 Xu Ruyu no longer felt guilty, but the troublemakers came again.

The conclusion that "Revered Master cannot actively take away her cultivation" became increasingly clear in Xu Ruyu's mind.

If she could actively reclaim it, why would she come every night, using such an inefficient, obviously detrimental (to her), and humiliating method?

If she could control this "backflow" process, how could she be repeatedly defeated by his "counterattacks" and "tricks," with her power rapidly draining?

The only explanation was: this phenomenon of Saint Realm Power flowing back into a low-level Cultivator, triggered by the Heavenly Charm Mysterious Maiden Heart Sutra and Taixu True Qi (perhaps also a certain characteristic of his Transmigrator Soul), once it occurred, the initiative was no longer in Xiao Nianyin's hands!

At the very least, she could not reverse and reclaim it through this simple, traditional Dual Cultivation plundering method!

She was like a small puddle trying to draw water from a large lake (the fragments of power temporarily stored in Xu Ruyu's body) with a straw, only to find the straw was leaking. Not only could she not draw much water, but the water in her own puddle (her original power) was also flowing into the lake through the straw!

And she had no other tools, so she could only clumsily try again and again with this leaking straw.

Having understood this, Xu Ruyu stood by the window, an uncontrollable, cold and defiant curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

So that's how it is.

All the tension, fear, and apprehension about the methods of a Saint Realm powerhouse suddenly lessened by more than half at this moment.

In its place was a mindset mixed with absurdity, sarcasm, and... a sense of being fearless.

Since you cannot forcibly reclaim it, since the initiative of this process has unknowingly shifted, since you are the one who suffers greater losses and more damage in each "interaction"...

Then what do I have to fear?

I'll just continue to play dumb.

You perform your "Dream-Entering Cultivation Seeking," and I'll cooperate with my "Drowsy Instinct."

Do you want to put on a show for Madam Qingli, who might be watching? Or for your own pathetic dignity?

Whatever.

I can use this to Cultivate, improve my strength, and also... fiercely vent the resentment that has accumulated these past few days.

I'll return the humiliation, schemes, and the suffocating desire for control you imposed on me, with interest.

In the way you least expect, in the Domain where you are most conceited.

Xu Ruyu turned and walked to the copper basin in the corner of the room, splashing his face with cold water.

The icy sensation invigorated him, and the last trace of lingering haziness in his eyes completely vanished, replaced by sharpness and clarity.

"It's time to go to the Hall of Power Transmission."

He murmured to himself, changing into his moon-white Personal Disciple robes.

Wearing these clothes again, he felt less of the initial apprehension and sense of being a target, and more composure and an underlying indifference.

Pushing open the door, Utility Disciple sweeping were already present in the Ningyin Hall corridor in the early morning.

Seeing Xu Ruyu, they respectfully bowed, but their eyes inevitably held curiosity and a hint of imperceptible complex emotions.

Xu Ruyu ignored them, gave a slight nod, and walked straight out of the hall.

As expected, not long after, another "chance encounter" unfolded.

Today it was Liu Yueer and another Senior Sister named Han Shishi.

Han Shishi specialized in the Dao of Alchemy, with a gentle temperament, dressed in a light green skirt, and carrying a faint herbal fragrance. She seemed much more normal than Su Mei, Qingyan, and others.

But Xu Ruyu had long seen through it: in the Hehuan Sect, no one who actively approached him was simple.

"Junior Brother Xu, good morning."

Liu Yueer was still in her neat combat attire, arms crossed, sizing up Xu Ruyu. Her eyebrows slightly raised: "Your complexion seems better than a few days ago? It seems the ancient texts in the Hall of Power Transmission are indeed nourishing."

Her words carried a hidden meaning, whether referring to knowledge or something else.

Han Shishi smiled gently: "Junior Brother Xu's diligence in learning is admirable.

Today, Senior Sister Liu and I also happen to be going to the Pill Refining Room on Bowen Peak to retrieve some medicinal ingredients. Let's go together."

Xu Ruyu felt no ripples in his heart, but on his face, he displayed a perfectly appropriate smile, tinged with shyness and gratitude: "Thank you, Senior Sister Liu and Senior Sister Han. I'll be troubling both Senior Sisters again."

Along the way, Liu Yueer didn't say much, occasionally asking a few questions about what Xu Ruyu had read in the Hall of Power Transmission. She seemed a bit puzzled by his choice of miscellaneous arts over orthodox Cultivation Techniques, but didn't say much more.

Han Shishi, on the other hand, softly introduced interesting anecdotes about some of the medicinal gardens and Pill Refining Rooms along the way. The atmosphere was much more relaxed than when he had accompanied Su Mei and others before.

But Xu Ruyu could feel that in their seemingly casual conversations and glances, the scrutiny and probing never disappeared.

They were observing his aura, his state, and his attitude in response, trying to figure out the reason why "the Sect Master valued him so much," or "if he possessed any special value."

Xu Ruyu was happy to cooperate, playing the role of a diligent, low-key Personal Disciple who had some talent but a shallow Foundation, respectful yet somewhat reserved towards his Senior Sisters.

Occasionally, when Liu Yueer mentioned a key Cultivation point, or Han Shishi spoke of a certain medicinal property, he would ask one or two seemingly naive questions that were actually re-framed by his scientific thinking, often from an unconventional angle, causing the two to pause slightly and think for a moment before answering, their gaze deepening a layer as a result.

Thus, they arrived at the square in front of the Hall of Power Transmission "peacefully."

Compared to more than ten days ago, the hostile gazes in the square had not diminished. In fact, because Xu Ruyu "flaunted" his presence daily, and his cultivation seemed to be steadily improving (although he tried his best to suppress it, changes in temperament could not be hidden from attentive people), they became even more intense and concealed.

Although Zhao Kun and his group no longer dared to openly block the entrance and provoke (Granny Liu's lingering prestige was still present), those cold, resentful gazes, like venomous snakes, remained ever-present.

Xu Ruyu could now face them calmly.

He would even meet some particularly unfriendly gazes with a slight nod and a harmless, even "honest" smile, often infuriating the other party until their face turned green, yet they dared not act out.

Today, he, as usual, thanked and bid farewell to Liu Yueer and Han Shishi, then walked alone towards the main entrance of the Hall of Power Transmission.

Just as he was about to step onto the stairs, a figure blocked his path.

It wasn't Zhao Kun, but a gloomy-faced young man with snake-like eyes, also at the Foundation Establishment Stage of cultivation, wearing Inner Sect Disciple attire, with a "Punishment Hall" token hanging from his waist.

"Junior Brother Xu, stop."

The gloomy youth's voice was hoarse, his eyes sweeping over Xu Ruyu, lingering especially on his Dantian for a moment, carrying an uncomfortable probing intent.

"What advice does this Senior Brother have?"

Xu Ruyu stopped and asked calmly.

"I wouldn't dare offer advice," the gloomy youth said with a forced smile. "I am Zhou Li, a Punishment Hall Enforcement Disciple.

Recently, there have been some rumors within the Sect about certain Disciples whose cultivation progress is abnormal... Junior Brother Xu, you've only been in the Sect for half a month, yet you've gone from having no cultivation to Qi Refining Perfection, and even..."

He narrowed his eyes: "Your aura is solid, with signs of Foundation Establishment. This speed is truly... astonishing, and also curious."

Xu Ruyu sneered inwardly; it had come, as expected.

Cultivating too quickly had finally aroused suspicion.

Punishment Hall? Was it instigated by Zhao Kun's group, or by someone else?