92: Chapter 92 The tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease; the mortal enemy has come knocking.

Deep within District C of the Hall of Power Transmission.

Xu Ruyu was buried in a pile of ancient Jade Slips that gave off an aged scent, his brow furrowed.

Spread out before him were obscure and even speculative texts such as Study of Ancient Qi Refiners, On the Secrets of the Nine Revolutions of the Qi Sea, and On Exotic True Qi and Realm Barriers.

The slight fatigue from the previous night's "fierce battle" had been washed away by his intense confusion regarding the "fifth level of Qi Refinement" and his refusal to give up.

He had to figure out exactly what was happening to his body.

"My True Qi condensation far exceeds those of the same rank, and the total amount is even comparable to the early stage of Foundation Establishment, yet my Qi Sea hasn't opened and True Essence hasn't formed... Does this description somewhat resemble the 'Qi Refinement Limit' or 'Qi Sea Foundation Stone' stage mentioned in some ancient texts?"

"But those records are either vague or require harsh natural treasures or special Opportunities. They don't seem to match my situation of 'Air Cultivation' and being matured by a Saint Realm Fragment..."

Xu Ruyu rubbed his temples and muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously tracing the obscure ancient script on the Jade Slip.

He was immersed in his own world, completely unaware that a storm caused by him was quietly descending upon the Hehuan Sect's mountain gate.

Hehuan Sect, Guest Greeting Peak.

The atmosphere at the mountain gate square, which usually had a somewhat romantic and relaxed air, was unusually tense today.

The Disciples responsible for patrolling and reception showed signs of tension and alertness.

The reason was simple: a group of uninvited guests had arrived outside the mountain gate.

Leading them was a woman dressed in crimson cloud-patterned palace robes, her figure exceptionally slender and graceful.

Her hair was piled high and held by a golden step-shake shaped like a bird about to take flight. Her beauty was peerless, her eyes seemed to drip with sweetness, and the natural upward curve of her lips carried a soul-stirring smile.

However, hidden deep within that smile was a subtle, sharp coldness and scrutiny. She was Liu Rurao, the Sect Master of the Meiying Sect—a major Demonic Path Sect that shared the same fame (or rather, rivalry) as the Hehuan Sect.

Behind her followed several women who were equally outstanding in appearance but different in temperament, all of whom were the cream of the crop among the younger generation of the Meiying Sect.

Particularly eye-catching among them was a young girl in a Seven-Colored Rainbow Raiment, her face cute yet arrogant. She toyed with a shimmering butterfly-shaped Magical Artifact, her eyes scanning the scenery of the Hehuan Sect's mountain gate with a mix of curiosity and criticism. She was Fairy Caidie, one of the Core Disciples of the Meiying Sect's current generation.

Standing slightly behind Fairy Caidie with a respectful and fawning posture was a man whom Xu Ruyu would have recognized instantly if he were here—Lei Xuan, the one whose illusion he had shattered with "scientific" methods during the Outer Sect Disciple examination, causing him to fail the selection!

At this moment, Lei Xuan had long lost the arrogance he displayed during the Hehuan Sect examination, but the jealousy and malice deep in his eyes had grown even stronger.

He bowed slightly, whispering something into Fairy Caidie's ear, his gaze occasionally darting toward the depths of the Hehuan Sect, specifically toward the Ningyin Hall, with a cold smirk on his lips.

"Te-he..." Liu Rurao laughed before speaking, her voice so seductive it felt like it had little hooks. "It's been a while since I last visited. The Hehuan Sect is still so... elegant and unique."

"I wonder how Sister Nianyin has been lately? I've missed her dearly and have come specifically to pay my respects."

The one responsible for the reception was a Hehuan Sect External Affairs Elder surnamed Hu, a middle-aged beauty with a kind face but shrewd eyes.

She groaned inwardly but put on a professional smile, stepping forward to salute. "So it is Sect Master Liu's grand arrival. Please forgive us for not welcoming you sooner."

"It's just unfortunate that our Sect Master has recently gone into seclusion to contemplate a vital Divine Ability and specifically ordered not to be disturbed."

"We will certainly convey Sect Master Liu's kind intentions."

"Seclusion?" Liu Rurao raised an eyebrow, her smile remaining but her gaze sharpening. "Sister Nianyin already has a Saint Realm Cultivation. Does she still need to be so diligent in her seclusion? Could it be... she's feeling unwell?"

"I just happen to have brought some 'Warm Jade Marrow' to nourish the Divine Soul; perhaps it might be useful to her."

Her words seemed like concern, but the intent to probe was blatant.

Xiao Nianyin had been living in seclusion for years, which already sparked speculation. Now that Liu Rurao had come in person and was being avoided, she couldn't help but overthink.

Elder Hu felt a chill in her heart but remained composed. "The Sect Master's Cultivation is unfathomable. Her seclusion is not something we can presume to guess."

"We will present Sect Master Liu's generous gift once the Sect Master emerges."

"Although the Sect Master cannot receive you personally, she has left instructions. Since Sect Master Liu has come from afar, our Hehuan Sect will naturally fulfill its duty as a host. We have prepared wine and spirit fruit. Please, Sect Master Liu and your esteemed Disciples, move to the Liufang Pavilion to rest. All your needs will be arranged by us."

By framing the visit as a "reception" rather than a "meeting of Sect Masters," she fulfilled the etiquette while blocking Liu Rurao's insistence on seeing Xiao Nianyin.

A flash of displeasure crossed Liu Rurao's eyes, but it was quickly hidden.

She knew Xiao Nianyin's temperament well. If she forced her way in or was too aggressive, it would be beneath her and give others an excuse to criticize her.

She had come today more to probe and enjoy the spectacle than to immediately start a conflict.

"In that case, we shall trouble you," Liu Rurao said with a charming smile. "Coincidentally, my young girl Caidie heard that Sister Nianyin recently took in an exceptionally brilliant male Disciple. She's very curious and insisted on coming to see for herself."

"I wonder if we could invite this junior out for a meeting, so Caidie might learn a thing or two?"

She shifted the topic to Xu Ruyu, her gaze casually sweeping over Lei Xuan.

Lei Xuan immediately lowered his head, but his slightly trembling shoulders betrayed his excitement.

Elder Hu's heart sank.

Here it comes!

While the news of Xu Ruyu being taken as a personal Disciple by the Sect Master was widely discussed within the Sect, it hadn't been publicized to the outside world.

For the Meiying Sect to get the news so quickly and "coincidentally" come for it, there must be something fishy. It likely had everything to do with this Lei Xuan.

She had already investigated that after Lei Xuan was rejected by the Hehuan Sect, he soon appeared in the Meiying Sect as a follower of Fairy Caidie.

"Sect Master Liu is well-informed," Elder Hu smiled. "Junior Nephew Xu has indeed found favor with the Sect Master and was taken under her wing."

"However, he has only recently joined and his Cultivation is low. He is currently practicing hard in the Hall of Power Transmission, so it might be inconvenient for him to come."

"Fairy Caidie is exceptionally talented and a top Disciple of the Meiying Sect. Junior Nephew Xu is merely in the Qi Refinement Stage; what could he possibly have to teach her?"

She deliberately pointed out that Xu Ruyu's "Cultivation was low" and he was in the "Qi Refinement Stage." This was both a fact and a way to handle the situation discreetly, hoping to dampen their interest.

"Qi Refinement Stage?" Fairy Caidie curled her lips, her voice crisp and filled with a mix of disdain and deliberate curiosity. "To be taken as a personal Disciple by Sect Leader Xiao as an exception, I thought he'd be some kind of Genius. It turns out he's just in the Qi Refinement Stage?"

"Lei Xuan, is this the kind of Qi Refinement Stage practitioner you lost to back then?"

She turned to look at Lei Xuan, her mockery completely undisguised.

Lei Xuan's face turned red and blue as he hurriedly said, "Fairy, please understand, that Xu Ruyu must have used some trickery!"

"And... and there must be something strange about him being chosen by Sect Leader Xiao!"

"Perhaps..."

He trailed off, his eyes flashing with a suggestive look that left much to the imagination.

Liu Rurao gave a timely soft chuckle. "Caidie, do not be rude."

"How could you question Sister Nianyin's judgment? However... for a Qi Refinement Stage practitioner to gain the favor of a Saint Realm Sect Master is indeed curious."

"Elder Hu, since that junior is in the Hall of Power Transmission and we happen to want to tour your Sect's beautiful scenery, would it be possible to stop by the Hall of Power Transmission on our way?"

"It would also allow my incompetent Disciples to experience your Sect's atmosphere of learning."

She phrased it beautifully, packaging "seeing Xu Ruyu" as "touring and learning," making it difficult to refuse firmly.

Elder Hu cursed the old fox in her heart, knowing the other party was determined to probe Xu Ruyu's true situation and might even use the Opportunity to cause trouble.

As she was quickly thinking of an excuse to decline, a Deacon Disciple rushed over and whispered a few words in her ear.

After listening, Elder Hu felt a bit more at ease, and the smile on her face blossomed again. "Sect Master Liu, Fairy Caidie, it's truly unfortunate."

"Elder Liu of the Hall of Power Transmission is currently conducting a monthly examination for a group of Inner Sect Disciples. The hall is temporarily closed and not open for visitors."

"Why not head to the Liufang Pavilion first for a short rest? We might be able to arrange something later."

This was naturally a pretext. Elder Liu's examination might be happening, but closing the Hall of Power Transmission was a temporary order, clearly following instructions from a higher level—likely directly from Xiao Nianyin or her confidants.

The goal was to isolate the Meiying Sect people, especially Liu Rurao, from any possible direct contact with Xu Ruyu.

Liu Rurao narrowed her beautiful eyes, her suspicions deepening.

The more Xiao Nianyin tried to hide him, the more it proved there was something wrong with this new male Disciple, or... something wrong with Xiao Nianyin herself!

She glanced at the slightly disappointed and dissatisfied Caidie and the dark-eyed Lei Xuan, then suddenly broke into a charming, multifaceted smile. "In that case, we shall follow the host's arrangements. We've troubled you, Elder Hu."

She no longer insisted, as if she had just mentioned it in passing.

But the moment she turned toward the Liufang Pavilion, she exchanged a meaningful look with Fairy Caidie.

Investigation doesn't necessarily require direct contact.

At this moment, within the Hall of Power Transmission, Xu Ruyu, completely unaware of the approaching storm, was holding a fragmented Jade Slip containing a hypothesis for a 'Qi Refinement Stage Limit.' His brow was furrowed as he muttered to himself, "...Needs to be repeatedly washed with exotic True Qi, supplemented by tempering with the Extreme Yin of the Earth Veins or the Heavenly Fire Pure Yang... only then might one open the 'Hidden Meridians' within the Qi Refinement Stage and build an ultimate Dao foundation... Does the Saint Realm Fragment and Taixu True Qi in my body count as 'exotic True Qi'? And where can I find Earth Veins or Heavenly Fire?"

He had no idea that he, a "tiny ant of the Qi Refinement Stage," had become a delicate focal point in the clash between the two major Demonic Path Sects.

The mountain rain was about to fall, yet he was still immersed in the mystery of his own Cultivation.

Deep within the Main Hall of Ningyin Hall, Xiao Nianyin stood by the window. Her white robes were as cold as ever, but her face was paler than usual as she looked toward the Guest Greeting Peak.

Elder Hu's urgent message just now had instantly alerted her.

Liu Rurao... that haunting woman, had to come at a time like this!

"Xu Ruyu..."

She whispered the name, her fingertips unconsciously tightening.

This unexpectedly acquired Disciple, the secrets he held, and the attention he attracted seemed to be growing more and more.

Was this a blessing or a curse?

She had to be more careful; she absolutely could not let anyone see her current state of being strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

As for the boy who brought the trouble... a flash of complex and indefinable emotion crossed Xiao Nianyin's eyes, finally turning into a nearly inaudible sigh.

The storm had already begun. Whether they could pass through it safely... perhaps it would depend on the boy's own fate.