The Robbery

As Bai Lan and her two companions were situated in a sparsely populated area, the initial wave of troubles did not reach them.

Those outer sect disciples who had been robbed finally grasped a harsh truth: the cultivation world was, at its core, a place where the strong preyed on the weak. They had been far too trusting of those around them.

Outer sect disciples who had yet to be targeted hastily relocated from the bustling areas, venturing into secluded regions in search of new dwellings.

Unable to achieve a breakthrough to the Qi Refining realm in the short term, their only recourse was to lie low. Those who had already been robbed had no choice but to endure the indignity.

Any hint of resistance would inevitably lead to a brutal beating.

Without the power of the Qi Refining realm, they were no more than punching bags, forced to passively endure every strike, utterly powerless to retaliate.

And so, the stipend controversy officially commenced.

Under these circumstances, those who first achieved the Qi Refining realm were destined to cultivate at an accelerated pace. Driven by the fear of being robbed, many disciples proactively formed alliances, seeking the patronage of senior sisters who had already reached the Qi Refining realm.

They willingly surrendered a portion of their stipends in exchange for protection, deeming it preferable to appease the powerful than to suffer outright robbery.

Consequently, in less than a month, the outer sect saw the emergence of numerous factions, both large and small.

The largest groups comprised nearly a hundred individuals, while even the smaller ones boasted dozens of members.

Naturally, Bai Lan and her companions remained completely oblivious to these developments, their entire focus dedicated to uninterrupted cultivation.

Following a month of adjustment, Bai Lan had finally managed to overcome the discomfort stemming from her gender transformation.

With no immediate means to revert to her male form, adaptation was her only option. Fortunately, cultivators were not ordinary mortals; once one became a practitioner, they were spared the typical experiences of ordinary women.

This particular aspect spared Bai Lan a great deal of trouble.

Though Bai Lan and Xue Linglong had received no stipends this month, their cultivation speed was truly astounding.

Xue Linglong, in particular, saw her cultivation advance by leaps and bounds. In just half a month, she had fully stabilized her realm and mastered its newfound abilities.

Bai Lan, having previously experienced this realm, required no extensive deliberation.

More importantly, within a mere month, Bai Lan felt as though she had matured by several years. Though spared the typical physiological issues of women, her physical development was remarkably swift.

The sensation was utterly bizarre, a feeling entirely unknown to the male physique.

To Bai Lan, this sensation was akin to a physical metamorphosis.

She wasn’t the only one; after Xue Linglong achieved the Qi Refining realm, her physical growth also accelerated daily. From appearing only a few years old, she now looked like a girl of at least twelve or thirteen, while Bai Lan’s appearance was roughly that of a fourteen or fifteen-year-old.

Bai Lan was well aware that once an ordinary individual became a cultivator, their physical body would grow several times faster under the stimulation of spiritual energy.

This accelerated growth typically ceased between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, after which their appearance might remain unchanged for an extended period.

Those in the Qi Refining realm possessed a lifespan of two hundred years, meaning aging would not manifest until their life force approached its limit.

However, this did not equate to true immortality. For instance, if Bai Lan failed to break through to Foundation Establishment by the age of one hundred, her physical body would assume the appearance of an adult, around twenty years old.

Should they reach one hundred and fifty years without achieving Foundation Establishment, their appearance would shift to that of a middle-aged individual, aging once every decade until death.

In essence, a Qi Refining cultivator who reached one hundred and ninety years without a breakthrough would appear as an octogenarian or nonagenarian.

At that moment, Bai Lan sat on a rocky outcrop by the shore, her eyes closed in cultivation.

There existed a multitude of cultivation methods. While quiet meditation was considered the most rudimentary, advanced practitioners sought to comprehend the Heavenly Dao itself—the very essence governing the flow of all resources and rules.

The drifting clouds, the whisper of the wind, the fish darting through the ocean, the undulating waves, and the dazzling sunlight—all were manifestations of inherent patterns.

Yet, as she cultivated, a subtle disturbance reached her ears. It sounded like voices, and not just one.

Bai Lan’s gaze immediately snapped towards the source of the voices.

In the distance, approximately a hundred meters to her left, she discerned six or seven figures steadily advancing in their direction.

“Senior Sister Song,” a young girl inquired, “we’ve searched for ages, yet we haven’t found any disciples who haven’t broken through to the Qi Refining realm. Where could they possibly be hiding?”

“Hmph! Who knows?” the girl, addressed as Senior Sister Song, scoffed. “No matter where they hide, can they truly leave this Eternal Blossom Island?

Moreover, starting this very month, all outer sect disciples are mandated to undertake sect missions. They won’t be able to hide even if they wish to.”

Bai Lan faltered for a moment upon hearing her words, then swiftly rose to her feet.

She sensed an ominous intent from the approaching group, prompting her to move towards them without hesitation. Xue Linglong, having also detected their presence, emerged from her room.

Bai Lan and Xue Linglong exchanged a meaningful glance, then nodded in silent agreement.

Together, they advanced towards the approaching figures. This was their dwelling, and they would not permit these intruders to trespass.

“Eh? Senior Sister Song,” a girl from the approaching group quickly alerted, “there are people up ahead, and they’re walking towards us.”

The girl, addressed as Senior Sister Song, subtly furrowed her brow at the sight.

It appeared they hadn’t come to the wrong place after all; some individuals were indeed seeking refuge in the outlying areas, she mused.

With their superior numbers, they would attempt to seize what they desired, even if their targets were Qi Refining cultivators.

“Heh heh! We’ve finally found our prey,” Senior Sister Song declared bluntly. “Regardless of whether they are Qi Refining cultivators or not, their stipends are mine.”

Soon, the group emerged from the treeline, facing Bai Lan and Xue Linglong across a distance of roughly ten meters.

Xue Linglong needed only a single glance to discern the malicious intent radiating from these individuals.

She leaned in, whispering into Bai Lan’s ear.

“Sister, I fear they harbor ill intentions,” Xue Linglong warned softly.

“Mm, I know,” Bai Lan replied, a hint of steel in her voice. “We’ll certainly have to fight. You’ll be alright, won’t you?”

“I’m not sure,” Xue Linglong giggled. “I’ve never actually fought before, so I probably won’t be much good.”

Bai Lan understood her sentiment perfectly; had she not possessed Xue Yue’s memories, her own combat prowess would likely be just as lacking.

“Excuse me, everyone,” Bai Lan stated, stepping forward. “This is our residence. We ask that you please take a detour.”

However, these individuals had come specifically to target isolated disciples. A detour was simply out of the question for them.

Their youth made them direct and unreserved in their speech and actions, entirely devoid of pretense.

“Hmph! Detour?” Senior Sister Song scoffed, stepping forward and gesturing dismissively. “Is Eternal Blossom Island your personal property?

I won’t waste any more words. You two, hand over your stipends now, and we’ll leave immediately.”

Bai Lan’s eyebrow twitched, and she sighed inwardly. She had anticipated such an outcome.

With only half a stipend distributed, those who had already achieved the Qi Refining realm, if lacking their own, would undoubtedly resort to robbing ordinary disciples.

Regrettably, these individuals had targeted the wrong people, for Bai Lan possessed no stipend either.

“Then you’ve made a mistake,” Bai Lan stated plainly. “Neither of us has received our stipends. I suggest you seek out others.”

But how could such a group possibly believe them?

“None?” a young girl demanded haughtily. “Hand over your storage bag for inspection.”

The moment those words left her lips, Bai Lan knew she could no longer afford to be polite.

While she generally preferred not to contend with women, certain situations left her with no alternative.