The Grand Entrance and a Glimmer of Hope

The blue light of the teleportation array had not yet dissipated, but the biting cold had already penetrated the bone marrow.

The light faded away, and the prosperous Luofeng City was no longer there.

A three-thousand-step stairway of cold jade plunged directly from the sea of clouds before his eyes.

Beside the steps, a dragon statue, frozen in ice with a broken head, lay pinned beneath a colossal sword.

Unidentifiable patterns were etched into the surface of the great sword.

The three characters, “Xuan Nü Sect,” glowed with a faint blue light beneath the leaden-gray sky.

Yet, the magnificent scene unfolding before him failed to capture his attention.

Far more crucial at this moment was to ascertain whether he was, in fact, still alive!

Lin Mo immediately ran his hands over his entire body.

Only after confirming he was completely unharmed did he finally exhale a breath of relief.

‘According to the recruiter, shouldn’t he have been reduced to ashes?!

What was going on? Could it be that my disguise was so beautiful it fooled even the sect-protecting formation?!’

‘Surely not…?’

‘And… where was the person meant to meet him?’

‘Was he supposed to rest here temporarily, and then someone would come for him later? Wait, no, that couldn’t be right. The hairpin had been taken away; how was he supposed to give the secret signal?’

‘Something felt off!’

‘If he were the only one here, her actions might make sense.’

Yet, as Lin Mo quickly glanced around, he realized he wasn’t alone.

‘Could this outfit he was wearing also be a signal? Or perhaps the choker he used to conceal his Adam’s apple?’

Just as Lin Mo was pondering this, someone gently tapped his arm.

“Elder Sister, are you worried something might be wrong with your body?” A voice as melodious as silver bells drifted from behind him.

Lin Mo turned around to find a petite and delicate young girl, barely reaching his waist.

She appeared to be no older than thirteen or fourteen.

Her dark green twin pigtails cascaded over her shoulders.

With her round face and sparkling, expressive eyes, she looked, in every way, like an adorable loli.

For Lin Mo, however, he felt not an ounce of cuteness, only profound dread.

He instinctively recoiled a few steps, a trickle of cold sweat breaking out on his brow.

‘A very cute loli, but… because of Qiu Yue, Lin Mo now harbored deep psychological trauma when it came to lolis of this type.’

‘Who knew if this was another yandere who would imprison him for ten years?’

“I-I’m sorry… Elder Sister, did I scare you? I-I meant no harm. My name is Liu Ruyan.” The girl introduced herself with utmost gentleness and politeness.

‘Ru… Ruyan the Great?! This name, could this little girl possibly bear its weight?’

Liu Ruyan, sensing Lin Mo’s wariness, immediately broke into an innocent and cheerful smile, saying, “I saw Elder Sister seemed worried that her body might have suffered some mishap during the teleportation, but Elder Sister doesn’t need to worry.

The Xuan Nü Sect’s mountain-protecting formation, besides repelling demons and men, poses no harm to us.

The Xuan Nü Sect has always maintained its purity precisely because the mountain-protecting formation is always active.”

‘Look! Just look! This is what a loli is! This is what gentleness is!’

‘Now this is a healing-type loli.’

However, Liu Ruyan’s subsequent remark genuinely surprised Lin Mo.

‘Unless someone with ‘a handle’ (TL Note: A slang term for male genitalia, referring to a man) wasn’t considered a man in this world, how was it that he hadn’t died?’

‘Had he been secretly castrated?! A painless procedure?!’

After a moment of wild speculation, Lin Mo forced a smile and replied, “Oh, so that’s how it is~ Thank you for your concern, little sister Ruyan. My name is Lin Wan’er.”

“You’re welcome, Elder Sister. After all, we’ll be fellow disciples from now on, so it’s only right we look out for each other.”

Her sweet and adorable smile was incredibly therapeutic.

It gradually calmed Lin Mo’s startled heart.

‘How to put it? The difference between people was greater than between dogs.’

‘Qiu Yue only inspired fear, while Liu Ruyan only inspired affection.’

‘Perhaps he should switch names? He felt Qiu Yue was more suited to this one.’

Just as Lin Mo was allowing the cute loli to soothe his inner wounds, he was abruptly interrupted by a sharp, acrimonious voice.

“Oh, fellow disciples already, before the test has even begun? What do you take the Xuan Nü Sect for, some run-of-the-mill sect (TL Note: A Chinese idiom referring to various professions, often implying a lower social standing or lack of prestige)?

Don’t you even look at yourself?

Don’t think you’re safe just because you’re here.

If your aptitude is too poor, no one will want you, and you’ll still be thrown out.”

He looked over, seeing a woman dressed in luxurious clothes, her small, oval face made unnaturally pale with makeup.

Her willow-leaf eyebrows were deliberately drawn long and upturned.

Her lipstick was always three shades brighter than anyone else’s, as if she had just drunk blood.

Her neck was perpetually held high, as if a crown might truly fall if she dared to lower her head—a truly haughty woman.

“I-I…” Choked by the woman’s words, Liu Ruyan instantly lost her nerve, stammering and unable to articulate a response.

“Heh, just like this, and you still want to pursue the immortal path?

You’d probably die somewhere along the way.

Just like a man, a coward (TL Note: The term ‘naozhong’ (孬种) literally means ‘bad seed’ or ‘coward,’ often used as an insult, particularly in reference to men. Its use here highlights the sect’s anti-male sentiment).

If you get in, you’ll only bring shame upon the immortal sect later!”

At these words, a murmur rippled through the surrounding women.

Lin Mo listened carefully, realizing the women around him were whispering, marveling at the speaker’s viciousness and the vulgarity of her insults.

‘Hmm? How was “like a man” an insult?’

Yet, upon further thought, it seemed logical, given that… this sect apparently harbored great animosity towards men.

“I… I… I-I’m sorry… but I will…” Liu Ruyan hung her head, her voice thick with sobs.

“Sorry, sorry, what good is ‘sorry’?

Can you say anything else besides that?

In my opinion, you don’t need to cultivate immortality; just go home.

It’ll save you the embarrassment of making a spectacle of yourself here.”

Liu Ruyan’s body trembled repeatedly at the verbal assault.

Large, pearl-like tears began to patter down.

No one spoke up to refute the woman.

For some reason, everyone seemed a little afraid of this haughty woman.

They remained silent, merely casting sympathetic glances towards Liu Ruyan.

‘This woman’s background seemed quite extraordinary…’

Lin Mo also intended to remain silent.

He possessed no cultivation.

Her luxurious attire suggested an impressive family background.

And she, like Qiu Yue, had probably cultivated before.

‘He could very well be slapped to death by her…’

‘Speaking up now would be courting death.’

‘He and Liu Ruyan were complete strangers.

There was no need to risk his life for a stranger.’

Yet, the soft sobs reaching his ears made it impossible for Lin Mo to convince himself otherwise.

‘A man watching a cute little girl being bullied right beside him, yet remaining indifferent, wouldn’t he truly become a coward then?’

‘He was a young man, after all.

If he didn’t act impulsively, could he even be called young?’

Lin Mo immediately stepped in front of Liu Ruyan, a sneer playing on his lips.

“Just look at your hair, parted in the middle and plastered tightly to both sides of your head.

From a distance, what does it resemble, dear sister, do you know?

It looks like something from a man’s crotch (TL Note: A crude and highly offensive insult, implying male genitalia).”

Coupled with his affected voice, the insult became even more sarcastic and insidious.

At these words, some people were instantly shocked, secretly exclaiming, ‘How vicious!’

More, however, were confused, especially the haughty woman, who apparently didn’t understand why Lin Mo was insulting her in such a way.

‘What’s in a man’s crotch?’

Not until someone behind her whispered into her ear did her face instantly darken!

She glared at Lin Mo, her face contorted with rage.

Her eyes seemed to spew fire, threatening to incinerate Lin Mo into ash.

Seeing that she understood, Lin Mo scoffed lightly, then he continued to mock her.

“So, you’re saying my little sister’s natural beauty isn’t wanted, but you, this thing that damages the sect’s reputation, are?”

“You!” The woman first raged, then quickly regained her composure.

“So burly, like a man, with no chest and no backside—why don’t you shave your hair, little sister, and just become a man?”

“At least then you could be a person, unlike you, who can only be something from someone else’s crotch.”

The woman was clearly provoked.

Even her rouge couldn’t conceal her rapidly reddening face.

Her right hand visibly clenched into a fist.

Some invisible force seemed to gather in her right fist.

The surrounding space even distorted strangely.

‘It looked like she was gathering spiritual energy!’

‘She was going to attack!’

‘But he couldn’t show weakness now.

Otherwise, he’d lose both face and the fight.

He could only gamble, betting on her reverence for the immortal sect.’

Instead of retreating, Lin Mo advanced directly, stepping right in front of the woman.

He leaned in close and sneered, “Want to kill me? Come on~ I welcome it~ I have no cultivation whatsoever; you touch me, and I die.

Once I’m dead, let’s see if you can still be chosen.

In broad daylight, within the sect, killing an innocent person after a mere argument, and right in front of the mountain gate at that.

I’d like to see who dares to accept you, who dares to take you in?”

‘The Temptation to Go Back to the Village,’ ‘Becoming a Mother-in-Law,’ ‘Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Relationships’ (TL Note: References to popular Chinese melodramatic TV series, often featuring intense family conflicts).

Had he watched these melodramatic dramas for nothing?

Lin Mo might not know how to be a good wife, but when it came to being a wicked mother-in-law or a bad woman, he had truly mastered the art.

“Anyway, I have nothing.

I’m not as precious as a young lady like you.

If I die, I die.

But if I can ruin your immortal path before I die, then I’ve truly gained something~ Please, ‘Crotch Sister’~ Kill me, kill me!

I really want to die, I really want to die with your immortal path along with me~”

Watching Lin Mo’s wretched expression, the woman’s face was twisted with fury.

Yet, Lin Mo’s words were undeniably true.

If she actually attacked, any talk of cultivating immortality for herself would be over.

Her last chance lay with the Xuan Nü Sect.

However, if she remained silent and endured this humiliation, it would be a disgrace to the royal family.

Fortunately, at that moment, the faint jingle of jade pendants drifted from the end of the jade steps.

Seven figures clad in plain white emerged from the mist.

She knew that people from the immortal sect had arrived, which conveniently provided her with an excuse.

She didn’t press the issue further, merely casting a vicious glare, indicating that this matter was far from over.

“Hmph, commoner, you will regret this!” The woman spat a harsh threat and turned to leave.

‘Tch, just you wait~ Anyway, I have someone to meet me, and I’ll be making my escape soon~ Then we’ll never have to see each other again~’

‘Once I take off this disguise, will you even recognize me?’

‘No worries, no worries~’

“Farewell, Elder Sister~” Lin Mo said in a saccharine voice.

“Don’t worry, I will certainly keep your ‘crotch’ secret!”

The sound was loud, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“I’m sorry… Elder Sister Wan’er… It’s all, all my fault for being too timid… and causing Elder Sister to offend someone…” Liu Ruyan continued to cry, but not for herself.

Her heart was filled with guilt and self-reproach, and she lowered her head, not daring to look Lin Mo in the eye.

“Ruyan.” Lin Mo gently stroked Liu Ruyan’s head, comforting her.

“That’s not true. That person is just a despicable petty individual, merely trying to strike you down and make you lose confidence, so she‘d have one less competitor.

This is an immortal sect, and to get in, people will definitely resort to underhanded tactics.

She‘s deliberately trying to demoralize you.”

“R-really… So Ruyan isn’t like a man, not a coward?” Liu Ruyan cautiously lifted her head, gazing at Lin Mo.

‘How could such a cute little girl constantly express disdain for men?’

But since things had come to this, he could only force a smile and nod, saying, “O-of course.

Cheer up.”

“Elder Sister is so kind!” With that, Liu Ruyan’s sadness turned to joy, and she gave Lin Mo a big hug.

Her small, rabbit-like body, and that soft touch, immediately made Lin Mo feel uneasy.

His body arched slightly, and his legs clamped together.

“What’s wrong, Elder Sister Wan’er?”

“N-nothing.

It’s just, cough cough… I’m not very good at physical contact.

Could you please let go for a moment?”

“Oh! I’m sorry, Elder Sister.”

As they spoke, the female cultivators of the Xuan Nü Sect advanced, their feet not touching the dust, treading on sword blades.

Their sleeves fluttered, stirring up swirling snowflakes.

Their imposing presence drew gasps of admiration from everyone present.

The leader smiled, quite pleased with the crowd’s reaction.

Immediately after, she lightly tapped the jade token at her waist, and a buzzing sound resonated.

Everyone present felt their knees buckle, as if an invisible mountain pressed upon their spines.

A subtle, low-frequency vibration churned in their minds, causing pain and dizziness.

Internally, their stomachs churned, making them want to vomit everything out.

Several young women couldn’t endure it and simply fainted.

The leading female cultivator slowly began to speak, “Welcome, everyone, to the Xuan Nü Sect.

Today, the Xuan Nü Sect’s grand formation is undergoing repairs, so we cannot directly teleport you to the inner sect.

Therefore, we have come to guide you, and to conduct a small test.

This is to prevent unqualified individuals from mixing into the disciple selection ceremony.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Mo felt half-relieved.

So the grand formation was broken; no wonder he hadn’t died upon arriving here.

He had almost thought he‘d been secretly castrated.

If that was the case, then he should be safe for the short term.

The other half of him was filled with doubt and worry: a test?

Why was there another test?

Where were Yang Po Po’s arranged people?

After counting the fainted individuals, the leading female cultivator turned to the person beside her and instructed, “It seems another junior sister was mistaken when cultivating ‘Physiognomy’ (TL Note: The art of judging character or destiny from facial features) and misjudged them.

Send these people down; they probably don’t even have spiritual roots.”

Upon hearing these words, Lin Mo suddenly had an epiphany!

‘Could it be that the so-called sect repairs were also part of Yang Po Po’s calculations?

As long as I faint during this so-called test, someone can secretly carry me down the mountain, thus pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes!’

‘This way, even if Qiu Yue came looking for him at the Xuan Nü Sect afterward, there would be no need to worry.’

‘After all, Qiu Yue was meticulous and would quickly figure out how he had left the city!’

‘As expected of the gambling addict Yang Po Po!

When it came to psychological warfare, she was truly a grandmaster!

Now, Lin Mo firmly believed that Yang Po Po always losing money was genuinely due to bad luck, and she disdained cheating!’

Lin Mo looked at the leading female cultivator and the others, trying to exchange a secret signal with his eyes.

‘If Yang Po Po’s people were truly here, they would surely be scanning back and forth, looking for a signal.’

‘At this moment, either his female attire, or the choker, or both, were the secret signals left by Yang Po Po, and they would surely look at him a few extra times!’

Thus, Lin Mo carefully observed the female cultivators, looking for someone who fit this description.

Suddenly!

The leading female cultivator looked in his direction.

Lin Mo could feel her gaze fixed intently on him—she must be the contact person!

Lin Mo secretly rejoiced, wanting to quickly feign fainting before it was too late!

But just as he swayed his body, about to pretend to fall, the female cultivator suddenly shifted her gaze and abruptly spoke, “Oh, right, don’t forget to help them change into warmer clothes.

For mortals without spiritual roots, the mountain can be quite cold.”

‘Change clothes?’

Lin Mo immediately slammed on the brakes!

‘If he changed clothes, wouldn’t he be exposed?’

‘Suddenly shifting her gaze and saying those words… was she hinting at him… to bide his time?’

‘Oh!’

‘I understand!

It must be that with the disciple selection ceremony approaching, there are many tasks, and it’s inconvenient for her to break away.

She‘s telling him not to rush, to wait patiently!’

‘That made sense.

It was a grand event for the sect, with many things to do and many busy people, so there was no time.

He just needed to wait patiently~ He could understand, he could understand.’

He, Lin Mo, had endured ten years; could he not endure a little longer?

The leading female cultivator began to chant a spell with her fingers.

As she softly uttered the incantation, the ethereal white mist transformed into more than a dozen lotus platforms.

“Please stand on the lotus platforms.

We will now transport you to the venue for the disciple selection ceremony, where the final bone root test will be conducted.”

“Elder Sister Wan’er! Let’s do our best together!” Liu Ruyan stood on a lotus platform, cheering on Lin Mo.

“Let’s do this!”

‘I will definitely gain a new lease on life!’

Lin Mo believed this implicitly!

‘He had the right time, the right place, and the right people on his side!’

‘Now, how could Qiu Yue ever find him?’

‘Hehe~ Days of freedom! Get ready to welcome my arrival!’

Watching the dozen or so lotus platforms slowly ascend, one after another, disappearing into the swirling mists until they vanished entirely, the group of female cultivators finally let out a sigh of relief.

“I was so nervous, making my first appearance in front of so many people… Why did the sect-protecting formation have to break down at this exact time?”

“Cultivating the art of ‘Physiognomy,’ discerning people is so difficult… I can’t tell who has spiritual roots at all… If I go out to recruit disciples later and bring back someone without spiritual roots, it would be disastrous…”

“Senior Sister, Senior Sister, why were you staring at that person just now?

Was it someone you knew? Or perhaps you’re interested in her~ She’s quite beautiful, that lass~”

The leading female cultivator immediately shook her head, giving a wry smile.

“Don’t guess wildly.

I was simply curious.

Don’t you think it’s very strange for such a beautiful face to be on such a burly body…?

So I couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.

Her body is so much like a man’s; it’s disgusting.

And interested in her? That she wasn’t driven down the mountain is also thanks to our Xuan Nü Sect’s policy of teaching without discrimination.”