Volume 3, Chapter 145 – The Enchanting Mu Ruoyi

Cheng Hongling followed the female disciple into Shuiyu Valley. True to the rumors, not a single man could be seen inside. The air was filled with melodious chatter, and the environment was immaculate, as if permeated with a faint pink aura.

Qi Huang observed with curiosity and was soon stunned. Without any men around, the women here behaved and dressed with astonishing boldness. Some even bathed naked in roadside hot springs, utterly carefree—this place was practically paradise.

In truth, it wasn’t just Qi Huang who felt this way. Shuiyu Valley gathered the most outstanding female cultivators from across the Western Radiance Dynasty. Even in a cultivation world where women already outnumbered men, this place was a dreamland many male cultivators yearned for.

Compared to Qi Huang, her main body remained far more composed—after all, she was a proper woman.

Passing by one exquisite pavilion after another, the female disciple led Cheng Hongling to a secluded side hall, explaining that this was the Holy Maiden’s residence.

Qi Huang wasn’t surprised. The Holy Maiden was, after all, the future leader of Shuiyu Valley—special treatment was only natural.

Taking a deep breath, Cheng Hongling gently knocked on the door.

“Please, come in.”

A woman’s voice responded from inside. Unlike the crisp tones of ordinary women, hers carried a magnetic depth, exuding a mature and steady presence—almost masculine in its reassurance.

With permission granted, Cheng Hongling pushed the door open and stepped inside. The spacious living room greeted her with warm-toned furniture, shade-loving greenery lining the walls, and a few refined calligraphy scrolls hanging in tasteful simplicity. It was an elegant abode.

“You must be Junior Sister Cheng from Honghua Sect, correct?”

At that moment, the beaded curtain to the side chamber was lifted, and a tall figure emerged.

Qi Huang’s eyes widened instantly. The visual impact of Shuiyu Valley’s Holy Maiden was nearly on par with her first encounter with Cheng Hongling. It wasn’t just about beauty—objectively speaking, this Holy Maiden’s features weren’t as delicately exquisite as her main body’s. But her striking, chiseled elegance, set upon a mature oval face with light makeup and alluring red lips, exuded an overwhelming aura of womanly charm.

Yet that wasn’t the most arresting part.

Her figure—if Cheng Hongling’s proportions were golden perfection, then hers was voluptuous perfection. Clad in a thin, emerald-green high-waisted dress that pressed her ample bosom into a breathtaking valley, she wore a semi-transparent white shawl draped over her shoulders, leaving her fair skin half-revealed. Unlike the rosy glow of a young maiden, her complexion carried a subdued allure that stirred a primal desire to conquer. With every confident step, her curves swayed like water threatening to spill from an overfilled bowl.

‘So this is the most beautiful woman in the Western Radiance Dynasty’s cultivation world? No wonder her title has remained unchallenged for over a decade.’

Qi Huang was dumbstruck. At this moment, she could confirm one thing: had Cheng Hongling not appeared out of nowhere, Mu Ruoyi would have taken the title of “most beautiful” to her grave.

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To put it plainly—if Cheng Hongling was a perfect ten, then Mu Ruoyi was also a ten. At least for now. While Cheng Hongling’s features were slightly more refined, her youthful age meant she lacked the overwhelming feminine magnetism and mature allure of the woman before her.

“You… you must be Senior Sister Mu?”

Even as a woman, Cheng Hongling froze for a moment before quickly regaining her composure. After all, she was no less beautiful herself—years of seeing her own reflection had granted her immunity.

“Junior Sister Cheng’s reputation precedes her. Seeing you today, I find it wholly deserved.”

Mu Ruoyi’s crimson lips parted slightly as she took in Cheng Hongling’s appearance.

“Senior Sister Mu flatters me. How could my meager looks compare to the most beautiful woman in the Western Radiance Dynasty’s cultivation world?”

Cheng Hongling responded with neither humility nor arrogance, patiently playing along.

“Hehe, if I said this to anyone else, it would indeed be empty praise. But with you, I speak only the truth. The fact that I still hold this title is only thanks to your modesty.”

Mu Ruoyi’s lips curled again in admiration, even referring to herself as “elder sister”—a sign of genuine respect.

‘Modesty? My main body comes from Huangtian County, a place people call a “rat’s nest”. With her tainted reputation and the Immortal Alliance’s schemes, she can’t even secure a state-level cultivation quota. How could she possibly be anything but low-key?’

Qi Huang shamelessly scanned Mu Ruoyi’s figure while inwardly scoffing.

“Don’t worry. Given my origins, I could never steal your title. You have nothing to fear.”

Cheng Hongling’s tone carried self-deprecation, acknowledging the reality—her birth in Huangtian County was an indelible stain. No matter how beautiful she was, those of “noble origins” would never fully accept her.

“Don’t say that. Gold shines no matter where it’s buried. Haven’t you heard the gossips calling us the ‘Twin Moons of the Western Radiance Dynasty’?”

Mu Ruoyi’s expression softened with sympathy.

“Heh…”

Cheng Hongling shook her head indifferently. Such vanity meant little to her.

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“Let’s sit. Calling me ‘Senior Sister’ is too formal. Since we’re both under the Immortal Alliance, we’re practically family. Call me Ruoyi-jie ¹ 姐 (jiě), Elder Sister , and I’ll call you Hongling-mei ² 妹 (mèi), Younger Sister .”

Suddenly, Mu Ruoyi stepped forward and warmly took Cheng Hongling’s hand, guiding her to a chair.

Cheng Hongling stiffened but complied, awkwardly replying, “Alright… Ruoyi-jie.”

Gracefully seating herself, Mu Ruoyi poured a cup of green tea with elegant motions, her crimson nails tracing hypnotic curves in the air.

“Of course, if Hongling-mei is truly worried, you could always join Shuiyu Valley. Your origins would no longer matter, and resources wouldn’t be an issue. Besides… the title of Holy Maiden isn’t limited to just one holder.”

A brilliant smile bloomed across Mu Ruoyi’s mature, lightly made-up face. Though framed as a jest, her intent was clear.

“I appreciate Ruoyi-jie’s kindness, but Honghua Sect has treated me well. I won’t repay their generosity with betrayal.”

Cheng Hongling’s tone turned firm, using the exchange to firmly establish her stance.

“Very well. I won’t insist.”

Mu Ruoyi abruptly released Cheng Hongling’s hand, her smile vanishing as she coolly asked, “Junior Sister Cheng wouldn’t visit without reason. Since you’re not here to join Shuiyu Valley, what brings you?”

‘So warm one moment, so cold the next. Women really are fickle.’

Qi Huang felt like she’d been doused in cold water, snapping back to reality.

“To be frank, I’ve come to ask for Senior Sister’s help.”

Since she needed a favor, Cheng Hongling swallowed her pride and softened her tone.

“Go on.”

Mu Ruoyi sipped her tea impassively, her red lips glistening.

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“It’s like this…”

Cheng Hongling recounted the events in detail. Since this concerned her father, she dared not omit anything.

“What? Your father is missing?”

Mu Ruoyi’s beautiful face suddenly lit up with excitement, a stark contrast to her earlier demeanor.

Qi Huang was dumbfounded. She half-expected the woman to blurt out “Good riddance!”

Cheng Hongling also froze, her expression darkening. “Senior Sister Mu, you seem… thrilled by my father’s disappearance? Should we set off fireworks to celebrate?”

“Ahem—”

Mu Ruoyi coughed awkwardly and hastily explained, “Hongling-mei, you misunderstand! This isn’t excitement—it’s shock!”

‘You’ve been smiling this whole time!’

Qi Huang wanted to facepalm.

“When my father vanished, there were no witnesses. We’ve found no leads. I heard Senior Sister’s ‘Wooden Exquisite’ technique can temporarily grant plants sentience. I hoped you could help trace the culprit.”

Cheng Hongling took a deep breath, suppressing her anger.

“That’s true. But Hongling-mei may not know—each use of the Wooden Exquisite comes at a great cost…”

Mu Ruoyi’s face twisted with reluctance.

“I understand. If it can save my father, name your price.”

Cheng Hongling bit her lip.

“Junior Sister, this matter affects not just my future but Shuiyu Valley’s as well. I can’t decide alone.”

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Mu Ruoyi’s eyes flickered thoughtfully. “Let me consult our elders first.”

‘Is it really that serious?’

Qi Huang was caught off guard.

“Then I’ll trouble Senior Sister further.”

Cheng Hongling had no choice but to agree.

Without delay, Mu Ruoyi swept out in a fragrant breeze, her silhouette outlined by the sunlight filtering through her gauzy shawl—every hypnotic curve swaying with her steps.

Qi Huang’s eyes nearly bulged out of her skull, her heart pounding uncontrollably.

The moment she stepped outside, Mu Ruoyi’s mature face broke into a fox-like smile. She then activated her movement technique, darting toward a secluded area of the valley.

Before long, she arrived before a cave dwelling and called out respectfully:

“Mother, forgive the interruption. Cheng Hongling of Honghua Sect has come seeking my help.”

“What? Cheng Hongling is here? What does she want?”

A woman’s voice, rich with maturity, echoed from within.

“Her father has gone missing. She wants my assistance in finding clues.”

Mu Ruoyi reported dutifully.

“Her father is missing? Hahaha! Excellent!”

Unrestrained laughter erupted from the cave.