85: Chapter 85 Encountering Su Mei Again, Xu Ruyu's Scheme

Stepping out of the somewhat dim corridor of the Hall of Power Transmission and into the square bathed in the warm golden glow of the setting sun, Xu Ruyu slightly narrowed his eyes, adjusting to the change in light.

In his mind, the various deductions and miniaturized concepts of the Blazing Fire Illusion Array had not yet fully subsided, carrying a calm eagerness to try them out.

However, this brief moment of mental peace was broken almost immediately.

A sweet, rich aroma, as if a hundred flowers had been crushed and mixed with honey, wafted over him with a fragrant breeze, enveloping him without warning.

Immediately after, a soft body, like a water snake, “coincidentally” leaned against him, and an arm naturally slipped through his, holding on tightly.

“Junior Brother Xu~ What a coincidence, we meet again.”

Her voice was enchantingly sweet, with a prolonged, hook-like trailing note.

Xu Ruyu didn't need to turn his head to know who it was—Su Mei.

This Senior Sister was arguably the one in the Hehuan Sect who showed the most intense and undisguised “interest” in him.

Last time in Meixiang Court, her irresistible charm nearly caused him, who was then of shallow cultivation and limited experience, to lose control of his mind.

After that, constrained by Xiao Nianyin's prohibition of “no approaching Ningyin Hall without reason,” Su Mei did quiet down for a while.

But as Xu Ruyu “flaunted” his daily commutes to and from the Hall of Power Transmission, this prohibition undoubtedly revealed a huge loophole.

These past few days, Su Mei's frequency of “coincidentally” encountering him had noticeably increased. She would either coquettishly greet him or “conveniently” walk with him for a stretch, her words and actions becoming more explicit in their probing and subtle flirtation each time.

Xu Ruyu could clearly feel the strength in the softness clinging to his arm, as well as the deliberately controlled body temperature and subtle friction transmitted through her thin clothing.

Today, she wore a long, trailing dress the color of rosy clouds, with a very low neckline that subtly revealed her fair cleavage. Her makeup was more exquisite and alluring than usual, and as her eyes moved, shimmering with light, they locked onto him, her desire and certainty of success almost overflowing.

'She's here again, as expected.'

Xu Ruyu sneered inwardly, but on his face, he timely displayed his usual slightly embarrassed and helpless expression, attempting to subtly withdraw his hand.

“Senior Sister Su, it's you... it is quite a coincidence.”

His movement was not large, showing a hesitation not to offend, which allowed Su Mei to hold him even more firmly.

“Isn't it though~” Su Mei laughed, her body trembling like a swaying flower branch, pressing even closer, her breath like orchids. “Your Senior Sister here longs to see Junior Brother more often every day.

Junior Brother spends all day buried in those boring ancient texts, how dull~ Look, you've even gotten thinner.”

Her other slender hand, feigning heartache, actually caressed Xu Ruyu's cheek, her fingertips cool and carrying the scent of powder.

Xu Ruyu suppressed his instinct to dodge, only slightly tilting his head, his earlobes cooperatively flushing a faint red, and whispered, “Senior Sister, you jest... I dare not slack off in my Cultivation.”

“Cultivation also needs balance, you know~” A hint of eagerness and impatience flashed in the depths of Su Mei's eyes, but her smile became even sweeter and more alluring. “Coincidentally, your Senior Sister just acquired a pot of excellent 'drunken immortal brew,' along with some exquisite spirit fruits and pastries. Enjoying them alone is truly boring.

Junior Brother, you simply must come to your Senior Sister's Meixiang Court today, sit for a while, chat with your Senior Sister, and relieve some boredom~”

Her tone carried an undeniable intimacy, along with a subtle, implicit pressure befitting a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator.

Some Disciples who had not yet completely dispersed cast glances of envy, jealousy, understanding, or schadenfreude.

Everyone knew that being targeted by Su Mei, an elite inner Sect Disciple renowned for her Harvesting and Replenishing Techniques, Xu Ruyu was likely to be severely “exploited” again.

Thoughts raced in Xu Ruyu's mind. Su Mei's eagerness was evident to him.

She probably saw that his cultivation seemed to have advanced again (though he had tried his best to hide it, changes in temperament and the density of True Yuan could not escape high-level Cultivators), and worried that the “fruit” would become riper or be snatched by others, which is why she couldn't hold back and decided to act again.

'Perfect timing.'

A cold and clear thought flashed through Xu Ruyu's mind.

He had just initially grasped the essence of the Blazing Fire Illusion Array and was worried about not having a suitable “test subject” for the Formation.

Su Mei's cultivation was at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, so her resolve must be far firmer than that of ordinary Disciples. But similarly, since she Cultivated the Dao of harvesting, replenishing, and enchantment, her desires must also be far more intense and exuberant than those of ordinary people.

This was simply an excellent target to test the power of the “Heart Fire Illusion Array”!

There were risks, of course. Su Mei was not comparable to Zhao Kun and his ilk; once he failed, the consequences would be unimaginable. But similarly, the gains were also immense.

If he could successfully disrupt her mind, not only could he thwart her current attempt at harvesting and replenishing, but he could also verify the effect of the illusion Formation, accumulate valuable experience, and even possibly glimpse flaws in her Cultivation Technique.

In a flash of lightning, Xu Ruyu had made his decision.

The struggle on his face intensified, and he stammered, “This... Senior Sister Su, it's getting late, Junior Brother still needs to return to Ningyin Hall for evening lessons... Revered Master, she...”

He deliberately brought up Xiao Nianyin, both to fit his timid and fearful persona and as a test to see how much Su Mei still feared the Sect Master's prohibition.

As expected, a hint of gloom flickered in Su Mei's eyes, but it was immediately covered by a more fervent glow.

She leaned into Xu Ruyu's ear, speaking in a soft voice that only the two of them could hear, laced with a hint of seduction and provocation: “What's there to be afraid of, Junior Brother~ It's just to sit for a bit, have a cup of wine.

The Sect Master is busy with myriad affairs, how could she constantly monitor the ordinary interactions between Disciples?

Besides... doesn't Junior Brother want to know how to 'stabilize' those restless forces within your body more quickly?

Your Senior Sister here is very experienced, you know~”

The last sentence was meaningful, hinting that she might have detected the presence or influence of an anomalous power within Xu Ruyu.

Xu Ruyu “trembled all over,” as if his thoughts had been exposed, or as if the warm breath had made his earlobes flush, and a trace of wavering and confusion appeared in his eyes.

Seeing this, Su Mei became even more smug, believing her charm and enticement had worked, and she increased her pulling strength without question: “Come on, come on, don't dawdle, your Senior Sister's courtyard won't eat you~”

She almost half-dragged, half-pulled the “hesitant” Xu Ruyu away from the main path of the Hall of Power Transmission square, heading towards her “Meixiang Court,” famous for its extravagance and allure.

Xu Ruyu half-resisted, half-yielded, stumbling, appearing helpless and internally struggling.

However, beneath his lowered eyelids, his eyes were as clear and calm as a cold pond.

He quietly adjusted his breathing, allowing Taixu True Qi to circulate through his Meridians in a more subtle way. At the same time, his understanding of the Blazing Fire Illusion Array rapidly replayed in his mind, and he began to conceive how to adapt to the situation and silently lay out his “Heart Fire Seed” in the Meixiang Court, which might be filled with various aphrodisiac and hallucinogenic arrangements.

His fingers in his sleeve gently caressed the Storage Pouch at his waist—it contained some common Materials he had exchanged for with contribution points from the Sect's General Affairs Hall, under the pretext of practicing basic Formations these past few days. Among them, several were exactly the auxiliary Materials needed for the simplified version of the Blazing Fire Illusion Array.

'Senior Sister Su,' Xu Ruyu silently thought, allowing the sweet scent to envelop him. As his gaze swept over Su Mei's graceful back, a cold, sharp glint flashed in his eyes, 'Since you are so insistent, then Junior Brother... will not be impolite to refuse.

I just hope you have enough control over your own 'Heart Fire.''

The setting sun stretched their shadows long, entwining them as they walked towards the increasingly hazy, more intensely fragrant cluster of palaces.

A covert battle, seemingly a prey willingly walking into a trap, but in reality, a hunter quietly setting a net, was about to begin amidst the embroidered curtains and drapes of Meixiang Court.