"And why does that trouble you?" Mo Han asked.

Lambu turned, his expression a perfect blend of terror and indignation. "Why? WHY? Because they're definitely not coming for me! They're coming to seduce you, Brother Han! Don't you see? They're making plans, whispering among themselves… I tell you, this is like a siege! We're surrounded!"

From the inner room, Jia Kai stepped out, brushing her long hair as her sister Chi Kai followed, her face still glowing faintly from the progress she made in cultivation the previous night. Both sisters exchanged a glance, unable to suppress a chuckle at Lambu's dramatic whining.

Mo Han ignored the panic in Lambu's tone and instead asked the sisters, "How is your progress in the cultivation techniques I gave you yesterday?"

Chi Kai bowed her head slightly, her voice calm but carrying excitement. "I managed to circulate the first three cycles of the Moon Petal Yin Flow. With the spirit stones you provided, the qi rushed like a river. If I keep this pace, I can break through another rank in less than a month."

Jia Kai added, "I advanced steadily in the Flowing Mist Movement. With the stones, the bottleneck I expected at the second layer is already loosening. We will continue until our foundation stabilizes."

Mo Han nodded in approval, his tone firm yet reassuring. "Good. Don't think of conserving the stones. Use as many as you need. Cultivation speed matters more than hoarding wealth. Wealth can always be earned again, but wasted time never returns."

The sisters' eyes softened. Chi Kai bit her lip gently, her gaze filled with gratitude. "Brother Mo Han… your generosity shames us. We will not let you down."

Meanwhile, Lambu's attention never left the window. His eyes widened again as he nearly squealed, pointing with his stubby finger. "Look, Brother Han! Look there! Two of them again! Those two are worse than the rest. They come every morning and linger, like wolves waiting for a sheep!"

Mo Han finally sighed and walked to the window. Outside, just beyond the stone wall of the courtyard, two women in shimmering silk robes stood side by side. One was tall with crimson lips, her curves accentuated deliberately as she laughed too loudly at her companion's whisper. The other was slender, her eyes sharp and calculating as she stole frequent glances at the stone house. They pretended to be simply conversing near the garden's lotus pond, but their bodies leaned subtly toward the courtyard, their every action betraying their intent.

Mo Han's voice was calm, almost dismissive. "Ignore them."

Lambu turned to him with disbelief. "Ignore them? Brother Han, how can you ignore an incoming flood? I'm telling you, they're scheming to drag you to their chambers. One of them even brought a basket yesterday—what if it was filled with aphrodisiac wine? What if they burst in here while we're sleeping?"

Chi Kai giggled softly, covering her mouth. "Fatty, you think too much. Women may scheme, but barging into Elder Mei's garden? They'd never dare."

Jia Kai, however, kept a sterner tone. "Still, he's not wrong. Many of the sect's women are persistent when they find a man they desire. And here, men are few, but women are plenty. A handsome face like Brother Mo Han's is bound to attract waves of temptation."

Outside, the number of women was indeed growing. One group of three lingered by the path, pretending to argue about cultivation techniques while their eyes darted frequently toward Mo Han's courtyard. Another pair of disciples, younger and bolder, whispered as they pointed at the spirit crane tied near the aura tree.

"See that beast? Only someone extraordinary could own it. And he lives here now."

"They say Elder Mei gave him this house directly. Maybe he's her secret lover."

"No… he's too young. I heard he cut the Eternal Night Mansion's entrance trees into perfect animals overnight. His swordplay must be divine!"

Whispers spread like wildfire. Some women looked curious, others jealous, and many more harbored greed in their eyes.

Back inside, Lambu groaned and ducked under the window. "Brother Han, what do we do? If this keeps up, soon they'll storm the gates! I'm too young to become a casualty in your war of beauty!"

Mo Han finally turned to him with a faint smile. "Then keep hiding under the window, Lambu. No woman will seduce you if they can't see you."

The sisters laughed, and even Mo Han allowed a rare chuckle.

But outside, the murmurs grew bolder. One woman, with a sharp smile, whispered to her companion, "We should strike first. If we make him ours before the others, his strength will raise our cultivation faster than years of effort."

Another, more cunning, narrowed her eyes. "No. Better to let him stew. Men who resist only become hungrier later. I'll wait for the right time—when he's alone, I'll invite him gently. A lotus may resist rain, but even lotus needs water."

Yet another group, from a wealthier family, whispered among themselves. "If Elder Mei protects him, approaching openly is dangerous. But if we offer treasures, he might be tempted. A man without roots can always be bought."

By mid-morning, the courtyard felt surrounded by invisible threads of desire and plotting.

Lambu's face paled. "Brother Han, they're multiplying! I count at least fifteen outside! This is no longer seduction—it's a siege army!"

Jia Kai rolled her eyes. "You exaggerate, Lambu. They won't act rashly."

But Chi Kai's voice was quieter, almost worried. "Still… Brother Mo Han, you must be careful. Too much temptation can ruin even the strongest will. Promise us you won't falter."

Mo Han's eyes gleamed with cold determination. He folded his arms, standing like an unshakable mountain. "My path is not built on fleeting pleasure. Let them plan, let them whisper. I am not a man who can be bought or broken so easily."

His words filled the stone house like thunder. Lambu, though still trembling, felt reassured, while the sisters exchanged glances, their eyes shining with both pride and respect.

Outside, the crowd of women continued to grow, their whispers thick as smoke. Each had her own scheme, her own plan to claim Mo Han as a partner. Yet inside, Mo Han sat cross-legged on his mat, utterly unmoved, his heart steady as iron.