In all honesty, Mo Cheng had never thought Li Meirong could possibly become a talented cultivator on her own merit. He had known her at her most pitiful state, when she had just joined the sect, and his impression of her had remained unchanged. Considering Li Meirong's average spiritual foundation, in addition to her lack of skill or backing, Mo Cheng had assumed she would remain as an outer sect disciple, at least until the moment she'd gain a sense of understanding to come to him, pleading for aid.

However, back when Li Meirong had visited his residence, and had thrown Shu Qianqian across the room, Mo Cheng realized that he had been mistaken.

The tides have turned. Something had changed dramatically.

The young, scarred maid with only an average foundation, who possessed a furnace body, had found a way, without his help, to ascend in power. Her cultivation growth was entirely inhuman.

Completely shocked, Mo Cheng watched, hypnotized, as Li Meirong beautifully executed a highly skilled sword technique on the arena stage, turning not only him, but the entire crowd, speechless. The silence was almost deafening.

Soon after, a few hurried whispers began to break the noticeable silence.

"Isn't this the same furnace servant girl who became an inner sect disciple by seducing the Bestiary Division's Grandmaster? Why would this furnace need to seduce anyone when she is so powerful? It sounds like the story I heard was completely fabricated!"

Mo Cheng took a quick glance at the person who had just spoken. It was a senior disciple lady adorned with a Healer's Peak crest, murmuring at his side.

"I heard a similar tale as well. But I've been told it was the Grandmaster's long lost son who took a fancy to her." A fellow sister from the Sword Bearer's division whispered to the Healer's Peak Disciple in response. She snickered and added, "Although, I do wonder why. I mean, look at her. Her skin looks like it's been overcooked!"

The Healer's Peak Disciple snorted. "As cultivators, we must hone every part of our being to become immortals. What is more important than a person's willpower and strength? What does it matter if her face looks bad? Senior Qingyue must have chosen wisely to court this Junior for her talent, or for her use as a furnace. If those rumours are true, that is."

The Sister from the Sword Bearer's division grew silent. She sullenly pursed her lips after being subtly reprimanded.

Noticing the other lady's dejection, the Healer's Peak Senior Disciple drew an excited breath and hurriedly changed the subject. "Nevermind that now… Oh! Have you seen Senior Qingyue before? I've caught a glimpse of his noble visage as I passed by his residence this one time."

A spark of interest quickly flared in her friend's eyes, prompting the senior disciple to continue. "The image was instantly seared into my mind! He seems to be a man of such gentle temperament, and his appearance is as refined as jade. Our Junior must feel fortunate to have someone so handsome and of such high esteem take a liking to her."

"What a pity, I haven't seen him yet…" The other exclaimed, admiration evident in her voice.

"I've heard he's a dragon among men!" Suddenly spoke a third disciple standing nearby, letting out a dreamy sigh. Just like Mo Cheng, she had also been eavesdropping on the ongoing gossip.

Meanwhile, Mo Cheng was so baffled by the chatter he had just heard, that he felt like ripping his hair out! Reigning in his temper, he simply clenched his calloused hands into tight fists at his sides, and held himself back from lashing out at the foolish, besotted girls.

Yet, the chatter kept on, and Mo Cheng began to struggle to remain silent.

"I've heard that because he was so sickly, his hair turned white!"

Mo Cheng groaned aloud, butting in on the foolish girls' conversation as he lost the thread of his patience.

"Zhu Qingyue is nothing like you say he is! That man is an utterly nefarious and ruthless character, who has somehow managed to deceive everyone with his lies."

The three girls rapidly blinked at him, falling into a silent stupor.

"But don't you worry," he said right after, failing to notice their extreme reaction. "Because soon enough, I swear to reveal his true colours!"

The ladies at his side threw him a look filled with disdain.