"Yan Ruyu?" Chu Feng's eyes lit up, a look of surprise spreading across his face. He had heard of the Jade Maiden Sect, and naturally he knew who Yan Ruyu was.
Yan Ruyu was an incomparably beautiful woman, as stunning as a fairy from a painting. Even in her youth, she had captivated countless men, and even women were moved by her beauty — which was how she earned the title of the Maiden in the Painting.
Moreover, Yan Ruyu was a martial cultivation genius. Although she was no longer a young girl, she was only nineteen years old and already possessed a cultivation of the fifth level of the Xuan Martial Realm, making her one of the standout figures among Qingzhou's younger generation.
What puzzled Chu Feng, however, was that the disciples of the Jade Maiden Sect were famously proud and aloof. As the sect's first disciple, Yan Ruyu was unmatched in both cultivation and beauty — the other disciples had long since elevated her to the status of a goddess. Such a woman — how could she possibly be betrothed to him? Although the Azure Dragon Sect had become a first-rate sect, Chu Feng knew it couldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as the Jade Maiden Sect. His title as the Azure Dragon Sect's top disciple carried very little weight, and it seemed unlikely that Yan Ruyu would even spare him a glance.
"Ha, kid — don't tell me you doubt my word?" Li Changqing laughed at the skeptical look on Chu Feng's face.
"To be honest, I'm genuinely curious how you managed it, Sect Master," Chu Feng replied with a grin.
"Since you ask — in my youth, I was also a dashing and remarkably handsome young man. The sect master of the Jade Maiden Sect and I actually had a romantic history."
"For various reasons we couldn't be together, but she never forgot me and remained unmarried her entire life." Seeing that Chu Feng had asked, Li Changqing swept his sleeve grandly and, without a shred of modesty, proceeded to boast about his colorful past.
Looking at Li Changqing's weathered, disheveled appearance, Chu Feng found it hard to imagine that the man had ever been a handsome youth. Still curious, he asked, "Sect Master, so what happened next?"
"After news spread that the Azure Dragon Sect had become a first-rate sect, she sent me a letter. She hoped our two sects could form an alliance, and that you and Yan Ruyu could be betrothed. Though the two of us couldn't be together, she wanted me and the disciple she valued most to be united," Li Changqing explained.
Hearing this, Chu Feng sucked in a sharp breath and studied Li Changqing once more, trying in vain to find anything about the man that could have made the Jade Maiden Sect's master so lovestruck. Utterly astonished, he said, "I never would have guessed the Sect Master had such charm."
"Kid, what's that supposed to mean? Are you questioning my charm?" Li Changqing flushed with irritation at Chu Feng's stunned expression, then added, "Pack your things. We leave today."
"Leave for where?" Chu Feng asked, puzzled.
"I'm taking you to see whether the woman I once charmed is still devoted to me after all these years. And while we're at it, you can meet your fiancée — Yan Ruyu," Li Changqing replied.
"No need to pack. Let's go right now." Chu Feng whistled toward the sky, and before long, Little White — the peak-quality white-headed eagle — swooped down from above. Chu Feng leaped into the air and landed on its back.
"This kid's in quite the hurry," Li Changqing muttered with a resigned shake of his head. He then vaulted onto the eagle as well, and the old man and young man of the Azure Dragon Sect set off for the Jade Maiden Sect.
The mountain range where the Jade Maiden Sect was located was small, but the scenery was exceptionally beautiful — high peaks, flowing streams, rainbows arcing across the sky, clouds swirling around the summits. It was a breathtaking sight, like a realm of immortals.
The Jade Maiden Sect itself was built atop the mountain peaks. The path leading up was incredibly treacherous, impossible for ordinary people to climb. As a result, anyone who wished to join the sect had to be guided by a powerful martial cultivator. This meant that the Jade Maiden Sect's disciples all came from prestigious families and possessed natural beauty.
Now that the Hundred Sects Assembly was approaching, the Jade Maiden Sect — as one of the top five first-rate sects — naturally wanted to advance even further at this year's event. Both disciples and elders were busy making preparations, selecting the most elite members to represent the sect. While only a handful of people could truly shine at the Hundred Sects Assembly, bringing along some talented disciples for support would still enhance the sect's prestige.
It was on this very day that a white-headed eagle cut across the sky and descended straight into the Jade Maiden Sect's core territory, immediately putting the sect on high alert. Countless disciples and elders surged forward, bristling with hostility.
"Who are you? Men are forbidden within the Jade Maiden Sect! What is the meaning of this intrusion?"
The Jade Maiden Sect truly deserved its reputation as a sanctuary coveted by every man in Qingzhou. Not only were the young female disciples gorgeous and elegantly attired, but not a single elder was an old crone either. Though time had left its marks on their faces, one could tell that in their youth they must have been stunning beauties.
"How disappointing — I thought the Jade Maiden Sect, hailed as the gathering place of Qingzhou's most beautiful women, would have something special. Turns out it's just ordinary fare. Not a single one can compare to my little Rou or my little Mei. And of course, none of them come close to my Dan Dan."
"Bullshit — who's yours? How dare you have designs on this queen — I'll castrate you!"
Yet for all this abundance of stunning women, none of them could catch Chu Feng's eye. Even so, his gaze swept around freely, lingering on the more... prominent features of the women and their snow-white legs peeking out from beneath their skirts.
"What are you staring at, you little pervert? Keep looking and I'll gouge out your eyes!" Chu Feng's unabashed staring left the Jade Maiden Sect's beauties blushing furiously, and they pointed at him, scolding.
"Oh, so I can't look? If you don't want me looking, then cover up properly — you're showing all that off for a reason, aren't you?" Chu Feng curled his lip and looked even harder.
"You—"
"I am Li Changqing, Sect Master of the Azure Dragon Sect, here at the invitation of your sect master."
Seeing the situation escalating, Li Changqing hastily stepped forward. His forehead was slick with sweat — he had realized that Chu Feng was a born troublemaker. If he didn't identify himself soon, a full-blown battle would be inevitable.
"The Sect Master of the Azure Dragon Sect? Does that mean this little pervert is Senior Sister Yan's…?"
The entire Jade Maiden Sect — from the lowest disciple to the highest elder — was stunned. Every jaw dropped as they stared at Chu Feng with looks of utter disbelief.
They had all heard about the alliance between the Jade Maiden Sect and the Azure Dragon Sect, but none of them had ever imagined that the man betrothed to Yan Ruyu would be such a lecherous, brazen young rascal.
Though they found it hard to accept, upon learning the identities of Li Changqing and Chu Feng, the Jade Maiden Sect's elders didn't dare delay. They promptly ushered the two into the sect's main hall. Before they even set foot inside, an elegant middle-aged woman emerged from the hall, flanked by a group of beautiful women, and strode quickly to meet them.
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