Chapter 74

Time passed in a blur, and soon, it was the next day.

Early in the morning, the entrance of the Wu family residence was surrounded by guests who had come to offer their congratulations.

The Wu family had produced another genius—this was no small matter. The originally unstable situation in Star Peach City had subtly stabilized due to Wu Lüchen’s sudden rise.

When Ning Xu came out of her room, she learned that Wu Luchen had been called by the Wu family head to welcome the guests early in the morning.

The Wu family head hadn’t forgotten about them either. He had sent people to deliver a delicious breakfast first thing in the morning, saving the Innocent Cultivator from having to cook.

Ning Xu and her three companions, along with two elders, made a total of six people gathered around a stone table, enjoying a sumptuous breakfast.

Seeing the faint traces of exhaustion in Elder Wu Chichun’s eyes, Ning Xu asked the Melon-Eating System, “What did Elder Wu do last night?”

The Melon-Eating System chuckled, 【He spent the entire night studying your masterpiece!】

Elder Wu: …

The North and South Peak Masters: !!!

Ning Xu was silent for a moment before saying, “I didn’t expect Elder Wu to be so invested in the Divine Maiden.” If he weren’t, he wouldn’t have stayed up all night reading the booklet she had written.

The Melon-Eating System casually explained, 【Yu Tao, the Divine Maiden, was born into nobility. Many of her elders fought to the last moment in the war between humans and demons, making her a descendant of heroes. Moreover, she herself is extraordinarily talented. Among her generation, very few do not admire her.】

Ning Xu pondered, “Both are Body Integration Stage cultivators, yet she is referred to as the Divine Maiden Yu Tao, while the one from the Hehuan Sect is merely called Lan Chun Honored one. The difference in recognition is obvious. It seems she is truly beloved in the cultivation world.”

【That’s for sure.】

Ning Xu glanced at Elder Wu Chichun and said, “Today, let’s see Elder Wu’s abilities.”

Just as they finished breakfast, the Melon-Eating System suddenly informed Ning Xu, 【The Divine Maiden has arrived.】

Ning Xu was slightly taken aback. “This early?”

The others were also mildly surprised.

Clearly, they hadn’t expected the Divine Maiden to appear at the Wu residence so early in the morning.

The Melon-Eating System continued, 【Because that scumbag from the City Lord’s Mansion was exposed, the Divine Maiden is feeling down today, so she decided to visit the Wu residence to clear her mind.】

Just as the Melon-Eating System finished speaking, a servant from the Wu family arrived, specifically to inform them of the Divine Maiden’s arrival.

After hearing the news, Ning Xu stood up and said, “The front hall of the Wu residence seems lively. Let’s go and take a look.”

No one had any objections.

On the way, the Melon-Eating System provided Ning Xu with real-time updates on the front hall’s situation.

【Goodness! Truly amazing!】

Ning Xu quickly asked, “What happened?!”

【In just a short time, five different groups have already recommended themselves as her bed companions!】

Ning Xu: “???”

Everyone: …

The North and South Peak Masters exchanged a glance before one of them patted Elder Wu Chichun on the shoulder, giving him a look of sympathy. It seemed that their Wenxin Sect’s Elder Wu had quite a few romantic rivals.

Ning Xu sighed. “I never expected cultivators to be this bold and passionate.”

How long had it been since the Divine Maiden arrived at the Wu residence?

At most, three cups of tea’s time?

And within such a short span, so many people had already offered themselves as her bed partners?

The Melon-Eating System let out a mischievous laugh. 【Among them, there’s even one who volunteered to become her live-in husband!】

【After hearing his proposal, the Divine Maiden didn’t show much expression, but she immediately declined.】

Then, the Melon-Eating System clicked its tongue twice. 【It seems the Divine Maiden isn’t looking for a live-in husband. Otherwise, I would have suggested Elder Wu take the initiative.】

Elder Wu’s expression was blank. He hadn’t even had time to form an opinion before the Melon-Eating System continued, 【But even if he did take the initiative, there would be plenty of competition. Fortunately, the Divine Maiden has no such plans.】

Ning Xu had known that the Divine Maiden Yu Tao was popular, but she hadn’t expected her to be this popular. Perhaps, the Divine Maiden was truly the ultimate heartthrob of the cultivation world.

At that moment, the Melon-Eating System suddenly shouted again.

【Trouble! A formidable rival has arrived!】

Ning Xu’s heart tightened. She quickly asked, “What kind of rival? Did a female cultivator from the Hehuan Sect come?”

The Melon-Eating System hurriedly clarified, 【No, she’s still on her way. She won’t arrive until the banquet tonight.】

【I’m talking about Elder Wu’s romantic rival!】

Hearing this, Ning Xu relaxed again.

Originally, Elder Wu Chichun’s presence at the Wu residence posed no major security risks. He wasn’t staying for long, and by the time the female cultivator from the Hehuan Sect learned of his presence, he would have already left. Even if she rushed over, she wouldn’t make it in time.

But who would have thought that Lan Chun would publicly declare that she was coming to Star Peach City to seek revenge for her disciple?

If she were to come to Star Peach City, there would be no guarantee that she wouldn’t, like her disciple, infiltrate the Wu Residence.

If that happened, Elder Wu might find himself in a bit of trouble.

Ning Xu had no regrets about killing Lan Chun’s disciple. Leaving such a scourge alive would mean that who knew how many male cultivators would lose their innocence in the future.

However, since she had called Elder Wu here, she naturally bore the responsibility of ensuring his safety.

Normal means wouldn’t be enough to protect Elder Wu.

All she could do was try her best to help Elder Wu win the favor of the Divine Maiden.

Now that the Melon-Eating System had said a formidable rival had arrived, Ning Xu naturally had to ask for more details. Only by knowing the enemy could she formulate a better strategy.

“Which formidable rival? Tell me more.”

The Melon-Eating System sighed.

【This rival is an exceptional furnace. If the Divine Maiden were to dual cultivate with him, her stagnant cultivation level could very well advance by leaps and bounds.】

【Not only is he of great use to the Divine Maiden, but he is also incredibly handsome, highly emotionally intelligent, and flawless in both conduct and demeanor. Most importantly, Elder Wu is over five times his age.】

The Melon-Eating System let out a long sigh toward the sky.

【How is he supposed to compete with that? How?! Forget the Divine Maiden—even if you didn’t need him and I weren’t more optimistic about the Innocent Cultivator, I would still have to help you snatch him away!】

Ning Xu: “…It’s not that serious.”

Everyone: …

For the Melon-Eating System to give such a high evaluation, this rival must truly be a serious threat to Elder Wu.

【This person had been concealing his identity as an exceptional furnace all this time. But to prove his sincerity, he revealed it the moment he met the Divine Maiden.】

【Such unreserved honesty! How could a decrepit old man like Elder Wu possibly compete?】

【Elder Wu doesn’t even come close in terms of sincerity! What, is he supposed to greet the Divine Maiden by immediately confessing that he was once captured by female cultivators of the Hehuan Sect and forced into slavery for a hundred years?】

Elder Wu: …

Enough. Stop talking about it.

Hearing this, Ning Xu also found the situation tricky. But matters of the heart were unpredictable—perhaps Elder Wu happened to align with the Divine Maiden’s tastes?

Ning Xu spoke leisurely, “Elder Wu is one of our own, after all, and the token he gave me before has been very useful.”

“No matter the outcome, we have to at least put up a fight for him.”

The Melon-Eating System had already lost its earlier enthusiasm. In the end, Elder Wu was just an elder—not particularly significant to it.

The Divine Maiden’s suitors were so formidable that it no longer had much faith in Wu Chichun.

It responded casually.

【Might as well give it a shot.】

Elder Wu Chichun: …So this is what it feels like to lose before the battle even begins?

While they chatted, their group finally arrived at the main hall.

As expected, the hall was packed with cultivators, and at the center of it all stood today’s most important guest—the Divine Maiden Yutao.

The Divine Maiden wore a flowing pink dress today, her waist slender enough to be encircled with one hand. Her beauty was heaven’s blessing, unparalleled among thousands. Her features were charming but not frivolous; instead, she carried an air of nobility that made ordinary cultivators hesitate to act rashly.

Upon seeing the Divine Maiden, Ning Xu remarked to her teammates, “So this is the Divine Maiden Yutao—she truly is as beautiful as a celestial fairy.”

Qingjiu Immortal had seen Yutao before, and not just once, so he showed no reaction.

The Innocent Cultivator naturally had even less of a response—he hadn’t even committed the Divine Maiden’s appearance to memory.

Qin Rilu was still pondering ways to improve his artifact refining success rate. He only glanced at the Divine Maiden briefly before looking away.

Thus, when Ning Xu spoke, the only ones who agreed were Elder Wu and the Melon-Eating System.

After acknowledging the Divine Maiden’s beauty, the Melon-Eating System didn’t forget to add:

【But, Host, once you reach the Body Integration Stage, you’ll be a thousand—no, ten thousand times more beautiful than her!】

Elder Wu and the South-North Peak Lords: !!!

Here it was again! That flattering system, bringing its sweet words yet again!

In a way, it certainly knew how to win people over.

It was sharp-tongued toward others but never toward its host. Instead, it showered her with endless praise.

Ning Xu remained indifferent. Compared to appearance, she cared more about strength.

After all, she had made far too many enemies. Only with sufficient strength could she protect both herself and her teammates.

Their group did not immediately step forward but instead observed from a distance.

While they waited, the Divine Maiden gracefully stepped out of the crowd. Beside her was a young male cultivator, elegant as jade and outstanding in demeanor—likely the exceptional furnace the Melon-Eating System had mentioned.

She turned to the people behind her, her voice as clear as falling snowflakes, carrying a touch of cool detachment.

“Please wait here, everyone. Xie An and I are going to take a walk in the rear garden.”

The Wu family patriarch respectfully offered, “Would you like me to have a steward guide you there?”

The Divine Maiden smiled faintly, her beauty blooming like a delicate flower, radiant beyond compare.

“No need for the trouble.”

The Wu family patriarch didn’t insist and merely smiled. “Then I wish you an enjoyable time, Divine Maiden.”

The Divine Maiden, accompanied by Xie An, strolled unhurriedly toward the rear garden.

Ning Xu gave Elder Wu a look.

Even though the Divine Maiden already had company, the outcome was not yet determined—he could still make an impression.

Who knew? Perhaps she would take notice of him.

Elder Wu Chichun had admired the Divine Maiden Yutao for a long time.

Ning Xu had spent a great deal of time and effort writing that handbook for his sake—he couldn’t let his junior’s hard work go to waste.

With that thought, when the Divine Maiden passed by, Elder Wu stepped forward and cupped his hands.

“I am Wu Chichun of the Wenxin Sect. I greet the Divine Maiden.”

The Divine Maiden courteously paused, glanced at Wu Chichun and his companions, then nodded slightly.

“Good day, Daoist Wu.”

With that, she withdrew her gaze and walked past Elder Wu without a backward glance.

Seeing that the Divine Maiden hadn’t spared Elder Wu even a second look, Ning Xu commented, “The Divine Maiden didn’t give Elder Wu a single extra glance. Elder Wu, you’re down bad.”

The Melon-Eating System remarked casually.

【No kidding. If the Divine Maiden is a rich and beautiful heiress, then Elder Wu is just a penniless nobody. It’s not that nobodies never have a chance, but when the heiress already has a scheming man at her side, the nobody’s odds become very slim.】

Divine Maiden Yutao, who was just called a rich heiress: ???

Xie An, who was suddenly labeled a scheming man: ???