Ten minutes earlier.
Xie Qing strolled through the sect, using his spare money to buy himself sweets. Fortunately, there were stalls in the sect selling various kinds of food - the sect master allowed commoners to conduct business to maintain the standard of living in this area.
"Here you go, young sir. Here's your caramel-coated apple."
The old vendor handed Xie Qing an apple coated in caramel, pierced with a stick. After paying the old man, Xie Qing began to walk through the sect, savoring the food.
"Darn, it feels like I've been reborn. In the pavilion, I ate nothing but seafood and drank alcohol all the time. I missed normal food," thought Xie Qing, gently smiling.
The observing disciples immediately felt a strange change in their hearts. They were captivated by his smile.
"Oh, he's so handsome! Is he the legendary junior 'disciple White'? He's so gorgeous!" exclaimed a young female disciple in admiration.
"What the heck... why did he appear here during my date?! Hey, Liu Xiang, let's get out of here... Liu Xiang? Hey, where are you looking?"
"Ah? Oh, listen, Shan Tu, I thought about it and decided that we're not really compatible. Let's break up, okay?"
"What?!"
...Xie Qing's arrival in the outer courtyard also brought unpleasantness for male disciples who wept in sorrow. At the same time, for the female disciples, this day became sacred, each trying to approach and talk to Xie Qing. Soon, a crowd formed around him.
"Younger brother! Don't you want to go to this older sister's chambers? I assure you, I'll give you a wonderful night... ahem, I mean, I'll help you with cultivation advice!"
"Haaa?! Dream on, harlot! Don't listen to her, younger brother. I excel in sword art; let me teach you. I'm sure under my guidance, you'll quickly reach the Foundation Building stage!"
"Ah?! Am I the harlot here? Oh, sure, believed you right away, 'teach you how to handle a sword.' Did you perhaps aim for his 'sword,' you bitch?!"
"S-Shut up! And anyway, Xian Jin, you have a boyfriend!"
"Not anymore, we broke up!"
Xie Qing didn't rush to respond; he simply stood in place with an innocent expression on his face, savoring the caramel apple. His innocent look and beautiful appearance stirred a maternal instinct in many girls... and a desire to seduce him.
Very soon, more than twenty girls fought for his attention while Xie Qing finished his apple. The only thing he realized during this time was that he just needed to stay silent in such situations, letting them fight among themselves and diverting attention away from him.
After that, all he needed to do was run away from this place, and no one would even notice. It always worked. However, it seemed luck wasn't on his side today.
"Hey, disperse, disciples! Stop crowding in one place; you're bothering others!"
"Elder!"
"Elder Lian!"
Soon, the female disciples stepped aside, parting like water, and the elder walking straight towards Xie Qing was Moisei.
"Darn..."
Xie Qing could sense trouble from ten li away. Standing in front of him was Elder Lian Xin, influential in the sect.
The mentioned woman had short wheat-colored hair down to her shoulders, and bright blue eyes. She had a large bust and a very attractive body that couldn't be concealed by the elder's robe.
Overall, she was known for her generous and kind nature. There were no shady dealings behind her back, and in general, Lian Xin was famous among the disciples. However...
"Disciple Xie Qing, once again, you're causing trouble. Though, considering how handsome you are, it's not surprising," Lian Xin said with embarrassment, like a young girl in love, with a gentle voice. "I recently studied some documents and saw something related to you. Would you like to accompany me to the Pavilion Restaurant?"
"E-eh..."
...she was in love with Xie Qing! This love began when he joined the sect. Since then, she fought for the right to become his teacher and almost won the competition until Xu Mei intervened, who "politely" asked Elder Lian to step aside.
Although Elder Lian was furious, she could only bow her head and allow Xie Qing to enter the tiger's den. But it didn't mean she forgot her obsession with him.
"Disciple Xie Qing only comes out once a month, so this is my chance to invite him to dinner! While that crazy one sleeps, I can spend time with him!"
Elder Lian Xin barely restrained herself from jumping in joy. While in her thoughts, she trembled with happiness, externally Lian Xin maintained a "normal" expression.
...she definitely needed to learn how to hide her intentions.
"Ugh..."
Xie Qing faced a strange dilemma. He couldn't refuse the elder, as she significantly influenced his entry into the sect, so refusing her would be foolish. Moreover...
The guy quickly glanced at her body and averted his gaze. He couldn't deny that Elder Lian Xin had a lot to be proud of.
"Alright."
Although in his thoughts, Xie Qing complained about his misfortune, he still nodded affirmatively, showing a gentle smile on his face.
"Ah..."
All the girls in the vicinity were charmed by his smile, including Elder Lian, who blushed profusely and fidgeted, rubbing her thighs against each other.
"How I desire to 'consume' him..."
Feeling her body becoming hotter and hotter, Lian Xin passionately grabbed Xie Qing's hand, squeezing his right hand against her soft chest.
"..."
The young man barely maintained his usual expression. This softness was otherworldly, and his mind felt as if he were floating on clouds!
But before they could even take ten steps, a sudden cold voice echoed, instantly wiping away Elder Lian's excitement and lowering the temperature by several degrees.
"Elder Lian, what are you doing with my disciple?"
Upon hearing her name spoken with such coldness, Lian Xin turned her head as if she were a rusty robot. And seeing the devil... she began to sweat profusely.
"It's over for me! This witch caught me!" Lian Xin thought in despair, quickly releasing Xie Qing's hand and creating a distance of ten meters, albeit reluctantly.
Standing aside, Xie Qing pretended to be a plant. "I am a tree. A tree cannot think, a tree sees nothing..."
"Disciple."
"Y-yes?!"
However, Xu Mei's cold voice was powerful enough to ignore her.
"Follow me."
"Yes..."
Xu Mei used 'Intimidation'. It proved to be effective!
***
Already in his room, Xie Qing sat before Xu Mei, awkwardly silent. His master looked like a wife who had caught her husband with a lover.
"I don't understand this woman... she clearly doesn't love me, but she continues to bother. Can't she let me build relationships?" Xie Qing thought with dismay. At this rate, he would have to die alone!
"Foolish disciple, haven't I told you to stay away from other women?" Xu Mei asked irritably, narrowing her eyes.
"You did, but..."
"But?!"
Xie Qing sighed heavily, feeling suffocated. Xu Mei was angry, and her Qi was starting to get out of control. He suddenly began to scrutinize her face, as if looking for something. Xu Mei was surprised by this action, and her anger started to subside.
"Why are you looking at me like that, foolish disciple?" Xu Mei asked, drinking wine straight from the bottle.
"Master, maybe you're jealous?"
"Ugh! Cough, cough, cough..."
At his unexpected words, Xu Mei suddenly coughed and spilled wine on her hanfu. She blushed and looked at Xie Qing, who had a calm expression.
"W-what are you even saying, you foolish disciple!"
"Hmm?"