The next morning.

As the first light of dawn broke the horizon, the entire Exquisite Sanctuary roared to life. Disciples, Deacons, and Elders alike wore expressions of vibrant joy, moving with methodical haste to prepare for the upcoming Grand Ceremony.

For any faction, adding a Great Ascension realm powerhouse to their ranks was a monumental event.

It signified dominance. It meant a stranglehold on resources. Every member of the sect stood to benefit, and no amount of pomp and circumstance was considered excessive.

Hosting a grand celebration wasn’t just about morale; it was a flex. It was a chance to display their might to the world, terrifying rivals and attracting talent. It was a strategic masterstroke, killing multiple birds with one stone.

Inside and outside the mountain gate, the atmosphere was electric. Clouds of multicolored mist rose like steam, and auspicious lights paved the sky. Spirit cranes danced, exotic beasts roared in salute, and the sect was draped in a brocade of blooming flowers.

But amidst the hustle of countless female disciples, a scandalous rumor was spreading at the speed of light.

“Did you hear? It’s huge news! Ancestor Feihuang personally ordered our Holy Maiden to become the Supreme Mystery Holy Scion’s woman!”

“What?! Are you serious? Don’t joke about this!”

“Who dares to joke about the Ancestor? I heard several Elders went to ask the Sect Master personally. She didn’t deny it! That’s basically a tacit admission!”

Hiss…

Gasps of shock echoed through the corridors.

“Your news is outdated,” another disciple whispered, eyes wide. “According to the latest intel, the Holy Maiden and Qi Yuan already ‘sealed the deal’ last night. They shared the rain and clouds of Mount Wu! Someone saw her coming out of the Resting Mist Courtyard this morning!”

“Real or fake?”

“Real! The Holy Maiden looked flustered, her face was flushed red, and she had that… glow. You know, the look of a woman who has been thoroughly nourished. Hell, she might even be pregnant by now!”

“Slander! Absolute slander! The Holy Maiden is as pure as ice and jade. How could she have a secret rendezvous with a man? Someone is trying to ruin her reputation!”

“Shh! Keep it down. We can’t let the guests from other sects hear this, or the Sanctuary’s reputation is toast…”

Despite the doubts, the rumors boiled over, turning the solemn sect into a cauldron of gossip.

Exquisite Sanctuary, Main Hall.

Sect Master Shao Xuanji sat on her throne, her gaze fixed on her beloved disciple standing below. Her brows knitted together in a deep frown.

Xiao Yuening stood there, her dress immaculate and her posture dignified. Yet, her eyes darted nervously, avoiding her Master’s gaze. A lingering trace of sultriness hung about her brows—the undeniable afterglow of intimacy.

Feeling the intense scrutiny, Xiao Yuening panicked. A sudden, irrational thought struck her: Did I not clean up properly?

She subconsciously raised a hand to wipe the corner of her mouth.

“Ah!”

Halfway through the motion, she realized what she was doing. She froze, dropping her hand as if she had touched a hot iron.

“Yuening, answer me…” Shao Xuanji stepped down from the dais, her voice dropping to a glacial chill. “Did that little beast bully you?”

“If he forced you, even if I have to defy the Ancestor’s orders, I will demand justice for you!”

Xiao Yuening’s delicate body trembled. She lowered her head, her face burning.

“Master, it is not what you think. This disciple went to him voluntarily to gather information. And… and this disciple does not regret it.”

As she spoke, images of the previous night flooded her mind. Her eyes glazed over with a misty, confused look.

I must have been crazy.

To actually let him do those shameless things…

Seeing this reaction, Shao Xuanji’s heart sank. She sighed heavily.

“If I hadn’t checked and confirmed that your Primordial Yin is still intact, I would have already gone over there and skinned that boy alive.”

“But listen to me. The situation right now is delicate. The sect is swarming with guests. One wrong move, and this becomes a global scandal. The Exquisite Sanctuary would lose all face.”

Shao Xuanji paced back and forth. “Since you couldn’t get any information out of him, keep your distance for now. I will handle the rest.”

“We can only hope that Qi Yuan understands the concept of moderation. He better not rely on Ancestor Feihuang’s favor to push his luck.”

Xiao Yuening forcibly suppressed the chaotic mix of shame and lingering pleasure in her heart. She nodded obediently.

“This disciple obeys. Coincidentally… after breaking free from the Illusion Realm yesterday, I gained some insights. I feel the opportunity to break through to the Soul Formation realm is close at hand.”

“After the celebration, I wish to enter secluded cultivation to prepare for my tribulation.”

“You’re about to break through?”

Shao Xuanji paused, surprise replacing her worry. She scrutinized her apprentice, her face lighting up with joy.

“Good! Excellent! Your spiritual energy is overflowing, and your intent is perfectly rounded. You have indeed reached the absolute peak of the Nascent Soul realm.”

“Do not rush. If you stay steady, you have a high probability of achieving the Hundred Tribulations Soul Formation. This is years faster than I anticipated!”

Meanwhile. Resting Mist Courtyard.

Qi Yuan stepped out of his room, stretching his limbs and inhaling the morning air. He felt fantastic.

Refreshed. Invigorated. Like a new man.

Who would have thought that the aloof, icy Exquisite Holy Maiden had such a fiery hidden side? The contrast between her public persona and her private reactions gave him a thrill that was… electric.

After savoring the memory for a moment, he noticed the atmosphere outside was strange.

Passersby were glancing at him. Some covertly, some openly.

The male cultivators, in particular, looked at him with a complex mix of emotions: envy, jealousy, hatred… and a grudging, almost religious admiration.

What’s going on?

Qi Yuan frowned. Just as he was about to grab someone and ask, a figure in green robes charged at him like a bull.

It was Lu Changfeng.

His Eldest Senior Brother rushed up and punched him lightly on the shoulder, his face flushing with excitement.

“Junior Brother Qi! I knew I wasn’t wrong about you!”

Lu Changfeng’s voice trembled with emotion. “On the surface, you rejected my proposal to date her. But in reality, you couldn’t bear to see your Senior Brother trapped in the torment of unrequited love! You sacrificed yourself to help me cut ties, didn’t you?!”

Tears welled up in Lu Changfeng’s eyes.

“As expected of my brother. It only took you one night to conquer Fairy Xiao. Compared to you, my ten years of simping look like a bad joke.”

“Although… I still kind of want to strangle you right now. But seeing how far you went just to help me give up, if I didn’t appreciate it, I would be worse than a beast!”

Lu Changfeng grabbed Qi Yuan’s shoulders, shaking him earnestly.

“Junior Brother Qi, from this day forth, you are my great benefactor! If you ever need help, just speak the word. Even if it means climbing a mountain of swords or swimming through a sea of fire, your Senior Brother will not hesitate!”

“Take care, Brother! I am going back to seclusion immediately. I must comprehend the Path of Forgetting Love!”

With that, Lu Changfeng turned on his heel. He marched away, chest puffed out, head held high, his silhouette looking tragically heroic against the morning sun.

Qi Yuan stood rooted to the spot, dumbfounded.

A sense of absurdity washed over him. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Damn.

Does the Exquisite Sanctuary have 5G internet? How did the rumors spread this fast?

But soon, Qi Yuan’s amusement faded, replaced by a grim realization.

Xiao Yuening was the Number One Beauty of the Righteous Path. She was the dream goddess of half the male cultivators in the world.

If this news leaked to the guests outside…

Qi Yuan realized he was about to become Public Enemy Number One.

Is the Exquisite Sanctuary trying to pull a ‘Kill With a Borrowed Knife’ on me?