Chapter 12: The Handsome Junior Brother and the Stirring Rumors

As Ye Cha left the back mountain and made his way towards his residence, the outer sect disciples he encountered along the path couldn’t help but point and whisper. They had undoubtedly already learned of Li Ge’s confinement to Repentance Cliff.

Strictly speaking, the incident wasn’t Ye Cha’s fault.

Rather, Li Ge had reaped what he sowed.

However, despite that truth, every piece of gossip invariably needed a focal point. A handsome man like Ye Cha, brimming with such conversational potential, was naturally inescapable from the rumors.

What made it particularly sensational was that Li Ge’s confinement had been personally ordered by the Sect Master.

This detail sparked endless speculation.

With one being a handsome, dashing male cultivator and the other a renowned female cultivator, their paths crossing created a wealth of discussion.

It was true that Sect Master Shen Ruotong had even rejected Jiang Li, the foremost handsome man of the righteous path. Thus, it was unfathomable to imagine what unspeakable story a weak, newly ascended cultivator like Ye Cha could possibly share with the Sect Master.

Yet, it was precisely the immense disparity in their status that made it all the more intriguing and anticipated!

Even if she had rejected the advances of the righteous path’s most handsome man, there was barely any interaction between Shen Ruotong and Jiang Li, let alone one or two rumors. No one would even suspect if someone claimed the rumors were deliberately fabricated.

In contrast, the encounter between Shen Ruotong and Ye Cha was fresh, having spread throughout the entire Lingtian Sect in less than half a day.

It was even beginning to spread beyond the sect’s borders.

“Ye Cha, I heard you met the Sect Master today?”

With many hearts brimming with doubt and curiosity, Ye Cha was intercepted by several male cultivators on his way back to his residence. Each of them scrutinized him with probing eyes, unable to believe Ye Cha’s fortune could be so exceptional.

If he truly caught the eye of Sect Master Shen Ruotong, this young Ye Cha would undoubtedly soar to unimaginable heights.

The entire Lingtian Sect obeyed the Sect Master’s every command, and the resources she controlled were beyond anyone’s wildest dreams.

Furthermore, Shen Ruotong had been renowned for a long time, accumulating a considerable private collection of treasures.

Rumor had it she possessed eight top-grade Sumeru Rings alone. Considering even a slightly inferior Sumeru Ring could hold several mountains, one could only imagine the immense wealth of Shen Ruotong.

At this thought, their gazes grew fervent. Yet, when they looked at Ye Cha again, they began to find fault.

They felt Ye Cha was merely handsome, lacking both talent and strength. He should rightfully remain obscure within the outer sect, just like them. Why should he receive special favor from the Sect Master?

The fact that Li Ge was punished for Ye Cha’s sake made it obvious to anyone with eyes: the Sect Master had taken a liking to Ye Cha!

The more they pondered, the angrier they became, their gazes at Ye Cha turning hostile. Were it not for Li Ge’s precedent serving as a stark warning, they might have already attacked Ye Cha.

They would have scarred his face, preventing him from seducing other female cultivators.

“Yes, I did.”

After being stopped, Ye Cha’s expression remained as calm as ever. He replied indifferently, seemingly unbothered by the aggressive demeanor of the cultivators before him.

Ye Cha hadn’t even paid much mind to someone like Li Ge, let alone these male cultivators he’d just encountered.

Furthermore, Ye Cha had anticipated such a development.

Dealing with it now posed no challenge.

“…”

Ye Cha’s utterly calm response was something the male cultivators hadn’t expected.

They had assumed that after gaining the Sect Master’s favor, Ye Cha would be insufferably arrogant.

Yet, what was with this composed demeanor?

“So, you and the Sect Master…”

“What are you doing? Do you also wish to go to Repentance Cliff and spend a few years with Li Ge?”

Just as the leading male cultivator began to speak, an angry female voice suddenly rang out.

Within seconds, an outer sect female cultivator stood directly in front of Ye Cha, glaring fiercely at the male cultivators.

She possessed a sharp, oval face, delicate features, and a curvaceous figure. Unlike Zhou Xiaoyue’s demure beauty, this woman exuded a captivating allure that compelled one to look twice.

“Senior Sister Lülüo, you’ve misunderstood. We were merely chatting with Junior Brother Ye Cha.”

Seeing a sudden intervention, the male cultivators’ moods soured. However, upon recognizing the newcomer, their complaints instantly died in their throats.

Within the outer sect, the female cultivator Lülüo was the subject of endless gossip.

Though a prodigy with a dual spirit root, her obsession with romance had hindered her cultivation speed. This caused the peak masters who initially favored her to shake their heads and sigh, lamenting the waste of such a promising talent.

Nevertheless, even with this distraction, Lülüo’s dual spirit root talent meant she could break through to the Foundation Establishment stage in a heartbeat, should she choose to focus.

Rumor had it that her reluctance to leave the outer sect stemmed from the presence of several attractive male cultivators, making her unwilling to depart.

Such a romantic nature made Lülüo unable to bear the sight of men suffering.

Especially handsome men.

Therefore, her proactive assistance to Ye Cha, with whom she hadn’t even spoken yet, was entirely normal.

After all, Ye Cha was undeniably handsome!

“We are all outer sect disciples, just like Ye Cha. We merely wished to comfort him, not as Senior Sister Lülüo might be thinking.”

“Exactly! Senior Sister Lülüo, you mustn’t wrongly accuse us!”

“We were also concerned for Junior Brother Ye Cha, seeing as he was threatened by Li Ge. It was truly pitiful.”

The male cultivators gazed at Lülüo, who hadn’t appeared in the outer sect for a long time. As they each tried to outdo the other in speaking, their eyes darted about. They thought that while Lülüo might seem like a fickle heart, her future was undeniably bright.

Normally, they wouldn’t have the chance to meet her, but now that they had, they absolutely had to seize the opportunity.

If they couldn’t charm the Sect Master, surely they could charm a Senior Sister!

“Senior Sister Lülüo, they truly were just talking to me. Please don’t blame them. I know them, and I’m not sure why they’re acting like this towards me now… but never mind. Thank you for your concern for Ye Cha this time, Senior Sister. I must be heading back now.”

Observing the male cultivators’ strenuous efforts to curry favor with Lülüo, Ye Cha’s expression first faltered, then seemed to register the situation. As he spoke, a hint of fright was barely concealed in his eyes and brows.

Yet, even with this subtle display, it did nothing to diminish his handsome and elegant demeanor.

Instead, it added a touch of vulnerability, making Ye Cha appear even more captivating to Lülüo the longer she looked.

‘Why had she never noticed such a handsome junior brother before?’

And listening to his words, it was clear he wasn’t speaking his mind, intentionally covering for these men!

Lülüo watched this incredibly handsome junior brother being threatened, and listening to his gentle tone, found him to be the perfect combination of captivating looks and charming voice. She simply couldn’t stand by idly!

“Junior Brother Ye Cha, don’t be afraid. I’ll escort you back!”

After earnestly speaking to Ye Cha, Lülüo directed a warning gaze at the male cultivators opposite her. She made it clear they should stay away from Ye Cha in the future, lest she disregard propriety between genders and show no mercy.

Just then, as Lülüo turned away, Ye Cha’s eyes subtly flickered upward, a triumphant smile played on his lips, and his gaze held undisguised mockery. Seeing this, the male cultivators felt their lungs might explode from sheer indignation.

‘This Ye Cha, he’s utterly despicable!’