Simultaneous travel: I am a talented person in all the worlds

Chapter 216 Zhou Zhiruo's Feeling of Powerlessness

The morning light, like a thin veil, gently shrouded the foothills of Mount Emei.

The bell tolls, echoing through the mountains, as if awakening the slumbering peaks.

The Emei Sect is built along the mountainside and is divided into a front courtyard and a back courtyard.

The front courtyard is located on the mountainside, with bluestone-paved paths and a number of simple and rustic courtyards. It is used for handling foreign affairs and receiving guests, and disciples and their families also live here.

The backyard, perched atop a golden roof, is the core of the sect and the living quarters of the female disciples. Since they are all women, they have become more casual and less reserved over time.

In the backyard, the female disciples emerged from their rooms one after another.

Early risers yawned, their steps languid, their gray or blue monk robes draped loosely over their bodies, the hems swaying gently in the wind; late risers, on the other hand, appeared slightly flustered, their outer robes casually draped over their shoulders, their slender hands busy fastening the buttons, revealing their snow-white wrists and occasionally slipping shoulders, their skin glowing like jade in the morning light.

Soft laughter echoed along the path, mingled with casual chatter before morning exercise.

In the front yard, inside the guest room where Mo Yu was.

Zhou Zhiruo lay on the table, fast asleep, her long black hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall.

Her heavy, full breasts pressed against the edge of the table, her loose robes were squeezed tight, outlining full, semi-circular curves, softly squeezing out deep cleavage, as tempting as a ripe peach.

In subtle contrast to the lingering youthfulness on her face, her inner purity and outer charm made her even more captivating.

The melodious chimes reached her ears, and the girl, still in her dream, instinctively sat up straight, her sleepy eyes narrowed into slits, half-open, with a touch of adorable dazedness.

As the third bell rang, her blank eyes suddenly cleared, and she stared wide-eyed:
"Oh no... how did time fly by so fast?"

Zhou Zhiruo clutched her forehead in anguish, lamenting, "It's all over! I returned to the sect yesterday and haven't even paid my respects to Master yet! I was just planning to say hello to my senior brother before heading out, but now it's all ruined!"

Just thinking about Abbess Miejue's stern face later, questioning her about where she had been yesterday and why she hadn't come to pay her respects, and what if she found out that she had spent the whole day, or even the night, with a man...

I suddenly felt like the sky had fallen!

She suddenly turned her head and glared at Mo Yu, who was sitting on a chair to the side.

The guy was leaning back in his chair, his dead fish eyes half-closed, a mocking smile on his lips, his gaze roaming over her, making no attempt to hide his appreciation of the 'perk' she had unintentionally given him so early in the morning.

"Senior Brother Mo Yu, why didn't you remind me!"

Enraged, Zhou Zhiruo grabbed his collar and shook it violently, completely unaware that her collar was slightly open, revealing her soft curves, which shimmered in the morning light, dazzling the eyes.

"Didn't I call you? Who was it last night shouting 'last round'? 'Last round, last billion rounds!' I advised you to take a break, but you insisted on continuing. Is it my fault?"

Mo Yu lazily let her sway him, his tone playful, but his gaze wandered over her disheveled clothes, his smile deepening as if he were deliberately teasing her.

Zhou Zhiruo was stunned, her cheeks flushed instantly, and she released him in embarrassment and annoyance. She lowered her head to straighten her blue robe, bit her lip, glared at him, and said angrily:

"Senior brother, you're still laughing! What are we going to do now? If Master finds out about me... I was here with you last night..."

She spoke more and more urgently, completely unaware of the suggestive things she was saying.

Mo Yu raised an eyebrow and slowly leaned back in his chair: "Do you know what you did here? Hmm? Tell me, what did we do last night?"

"Senior Brother Mo Yu!!"

Zhou Zhiruo stomped her foot in embarrassment and anger, her curves trembling slightly beneath her thin dress. Knowing she couldn't win an argument with him, she turned and pushed open the wooden door, rushing out without looking back.

The morning breeze is cool, carrying the fresh scent of pine trees.

Zhou Zhiruo used all her lightness skill, her figure as swift as a swallow, and sped up the bluestone path.

The internal energy flowed through the meridians more than 30% more smoothly than before, and the steps were as light as if walking on clouds.

She took a deep breath, the morning freshness filling her lungs, and the fatigue from last night's life-or-death struggle with Mo Yu in the Taiji Heavenly Palace vanished.

The joy of increased cultivation level surged into my heart like a warm current, dispelling my earlier shame and anger, as well as my worry about my master's punishment.

His lips unconsciously curved into a smile, and he quickened his pace by three points.

Near the main hall with its golden roof in the backyard, on the open ground paved with bluestone, several female disciples were doing their morning exercises, their palms rustling and their robes fluttering.

Zhou Zhiruo was focused on getting there and didn't pay attention to what was ahead, but she happened to meet Ding Minjun's gaze.

Ding Minjun, dressed in a gray monk's robe, with a slender waist, was standing on the sidelines whispering to her junior sister.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zhou Zhiruo rushing towards her from the direction of the front courtyard guest rooms. Her steps were light and her breathing was long and steady, far exceeding her usual pace. She couldn't help but frown, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes:
"Junior Sister Zhou, you—"

Zhou Zhiruo, caught up in the exhilaration of her light-footed skill, didn't notice her senior sister's gaze and movements at all.

With a flash, like a whirlwind, he swept past Ding Minjun, creating a gust of wind.

Caught off guard, Ding Minjun was grazed by the sudden gust of wind, stumbled, and felt a dull pain in her shoulder.

She steadied herself, her face instantly darkening. Her gaze, sharp as a knife, locked onto Zhou Zhiruo's retreating figure as she gritted her teeth and muttered, "Damn it... how dare she bump into me!"

"No, her lightness skill... how did it improve so quickly?" Ding Minjun rubbed her aching shoulder, her eyes gradually narrowing, revealing a hint of suspicion.

Although Zhou Zhiruo's movement technique had not yet reached perfection, the smoothness and speed of her internal energy just now were clearly much stronger than a few days ago.

A slight tremor ran through him. He turned his head to look in the direction Zhou Zhiruo had come from, his gaze falling on the winding bluestone path leading to the front yard. A name surfaced in his mind: "Front yard...guest room? Mo Yu?"

A sinister glint flashed in Ding Minjun's eyes, and a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips, as if she had grasped something.

She straightened her clothes, her monk's robe swaying gently, and walked steadily toward the main hall of the Golden Roof. Her slender waist swayed slightly, revealing a deliberate composure.

Bathed in the glow of the morning sun, the main hall with its golden roof gleamed with the light of dawn, and the ancient hall was solemn and dignified.

The incense burner emitted wisps of smoke, filling the hall with a sense of Zen.

Zhou Zhiruo rushed to the front of the hall, took a deep breath to calm her rapid breathing, and stepped into the hall.

Abbess Miejue sat upright in the main seat. Her loose black monk's robe could not conceal her tall figure. The morning light shone in from the palace door, illuminating her cold and stern profile, making her look like a statue that never smiled.

Bei Jinyi and her fellow disciples stood with their hands at their sides, not daring to breathe loudly. The only sound in the hall was the faint crackling of the incense burner.

Zhou Zhiruo bowed her head, not daring to look directly into Abbess Miejue's eyes: "Disciple Zhou Zhiruo greets Master." Abbess Miejue's gaze darkened, her tone hardening: "Zhiruo, where did you go after returning to the mountain yesterday? Why have you only come to pay your respects now?"

Zhou Zhiruo's heart tightened, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. She said in a low voice, "Disciple...disciple felt unwell yesterday and rested in her room. She did not have time to pay her respects to Master. It was my negligence."

"Master, I have something to report."

Just then, Ding Minjun slowly stepped into the hall. She bowed respectfully, her tone gentle yet every word piercing:
"Junior Sister Zhou came from the direction of the guest rooms in the front courtyard this morning. She was in a hurry, and her lightness skill had improved remarkably, far surpassing her usual level. She returned yesterday but did not pay her respects to Master. Instead, she lingered in the front courtyard. Could it be... that she is busy with something else?"

Upon hearing this, the air in the hall seemed to freeze.

Bei Jinyi frowned, as if she wanted to speak, but was silenced by Abbess Miejue's gaze.

Zhou Zhiruo's pretty face paled instantly, and she said urgently, "Senior Sister! I only..."

"enough!"

Before she could finish speaking, Abbess Miejue coldly interrupted her:

“Zhiruo, the rules of Emei Sect are strict, and the reputation of female disciples is especially important. Since you said you were not feeling well, why did you come from the front courtyard instead of resting in the back courtyard? Nephew Moyu is temporarily staying in the guest room. Did you meet with him yesterday?”

Zhou Zhiruo's heart pounded, her throat tightened, and she opened her mouth to try and explain.

Ding Minjun, however, preemptively delivered the finishing blow, her voice gentle yet concealing deadly intent:
“Master, I have also heard that Junior Sister Zhou did not return to the back courtyard last night and only rushed back this morning. I am worried about her safety, so I am reporting this to you. I hope you will investigate.”

All eyes in the hall fell on Zhou Zhiruo, filled with doubt, worry, and a touch of secret curiosity.

Zhou Zhiruo felt as if she were being pricked by needles; shame and panic surged into her heart like a tide. Her pretty face flushed red, and she whispered:
“Master, I have never done anything to disgrace the sect rules! Last night... last night I was just sparring with Senior Brother Mo Yu and forgot the time. I know I was wrong!”

"Sparring? Forgot the time?"

Ding Minjun scoffed, her tone suddenly rising:

“Junior Sister Zhou, do you know how important reputation is to female disciples of Emei? Master dotes on you, how can you follow in the footsteps of Senior Sister Ji Xiaofu, betray the patriarch, and disgrace the sect?”

These words struck Zhou Zhiruo's heart like a heavy hammer blow.

She looked up abruptly, tears welling in her eyes, and said in a trembling voice, "This disciple has absolutely no personal feelings! How could Senior Sister slander me like this!"

"The reputation of Mount Emei must not be tarnished!"

Ding Minjun pressed on relentlessly, speaking with righteous indignation:
“Junior Sister Zhou, although Mo Yu is a righteous hero, if you are interested in him, you can let him propose to Master openly and honestly. You and I are both lay disciples, and it is not that we cannot marry. Why do we have to be secretive and sneaky, leaving the peace and tranquility of Emei Sect?”

Zhou Zhiruo almost cried out, her voice tinged with despair:

"I didn't! Senior Brother Mo Yu and I are innocent!!"

"Alright then!" A triumphant smile flashed in Ding Minjun's eyes, but her tone became increasingly righteous and awe-inspiring:

"In that case, let's verify their innocence publicly to prevent rumors from spreading and damaging the reputation of our sect!"

"what?!"

Zhou Zhiruo suddenly looked up, her pupils contracted sharply, and her face was full of disbelief.

The "virginity mark" is proof of a female disciple's innocence in the Emei Sect. It requires her to expose her arm in public for verification. Although this is a sect rule, it is extremely humiliating and is usually only used in cases of serious crimes.

She said in a trembling voice, "Master, I didn't..."

"Zhiruo, since there are rumors, we must face them squarely."

Abbess Miejue did not want things to come to this, but Ding Minjun's mention of Ji Xiaofu reopened an old wound in her heart.

Moreover, Zhou Zhiruo herself admitted that she stayed in Mo Yu's room all night, which was her own indiscretion. Unless there is solid evidence, it will be difficult to silence public opinion.

"Someone, bring me a cup of clean water!"

A female disciple responded and brought a clear cup of water, placing it on the table in the hall. The water reflected the morning light and rippled gently.

Extinction pointed at Zhou Zhiruo's arm: "Roll up your sleeve, let's test your virginity!"

"Master..."

Zhou Zhiruo hesitated, overwhelmed by shame, her cheeks flushed red as if they were about to bleed.

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze, and the female disciples' gazes felt like thorns in her back. She bit her lip and slowly rolled up the sleeves of her green robe, revealing her snow-white forearms.

The red mark of virginity is as bright as blood, like a blooming petal, which complements the smooth skin and makes it even more beautiful.

Upon seeing this, Ding Minjun's expression changed slightly, and the smile on her lips froze. She seemed to have not expected this scene, and her gaze turned gloomy, but she had nothing more to say.

Bei Jinyi lowered her head, her delicate shoulders trembling slightly beneath her blue robe, seemingly indignant for her junior sister, yet a complex emotion flashed in her eyes.

Some of the other female disciples breathed a sigh of relief, while others looked away; the atmosphere remained heavy.

Abbess Miejue's gaze swept over the virginity mark, she snorted, and her tone softened slightly:

"Now that your innocence has been proven, the rumors have stopped. Zhiruo, from now on, be careful with your words and actions, and don't give others any more ammunition to use against you!"

Zhou Zhiruo lowered her head and replied, her voice barely audible: "Yes, Master..."

Her slender hands gripped her sleeves tightly, her fingertips trembling slightly. Shame and grievances intertwined in her heart, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she forcibly suppressed them.

This feeling of powerlessness pierced her heart.

It was as if I had returned to seven years ago, when my parents died tragically and my brother and I were being hunted down by the Yuan army.

But there was nothing she could do!
'No, there won't be a third time,' Zhou Zhiruo silently told herself.

At this moment, her desire for power had never been so intense.

"Senior brother... you're right, strength is the foundation..."

(End of this chapter)