The Profound Maiden Sect’s Rules and a Princess’s Discomfiture

Lin Mo continued to argue with Ji Xue, but as the place gradually filled with people, in order to maintain his image, Lin Mo had no choice but to shut up and act like a humble servant.

After about a quarter of an hour, Host Yun finally put down the scroll in her hands. As she slowly stood up, the desk in front of her suddenly disintegrated before her eyes, transforming into countless points of light that dispersed into the air.

Behind her, a white-backed, blue-bordered light screen suddenly unfurled, much like a whiteboard on Blue Star.

“Snap!”

The crisp snap echoed cleanly through the spacious Yi-Domain, and the cacophony of voices abruptly ceased.

Every gaze turned towards Host Yun, who stood upon the high platform.

Host Yun remained still, yet upon the white-backed, blue-bordered light screen behind her, an invisible brush seemed to be inscribing her name.

Yun Qingfeng.

“This is my name. For the next three months, I will be your direct supervisor. You may simply address me as ‘Host Yun.’”

‘Is she something like a homeroom teacher?’ Lin Mo wondered.

“I presume you have all already heard the rules of the Hall of Clarity from your respective masters and lecturers, so I shall not repeat them here. Should you wish for a detailed understanding, you may directly approach the guide in the main hall to obtain a comprehensive manual, which meticulously outlines the Hall of Clarity‘s regulations and provides an introduction to its various areas. To conserve time, we shall proceed directly to the main topic.

Sect Rules.

As the saying goes, ‘without rules, nothing can be accomplished’—”

What Yun Qingfeng proceeded to explain to the assembly were all the sect rules of the Xuan Nv Sect.

Lin Mo found the explanation utterly shocking.

Lin Mo had long been aware of the Xuan Nv Sect’s aversion to men, but Yun Qingfeng’s explanation granted him a far deeper understanding.

At the core of the Xuan Nv Sect’s philosophy lay the belief in the theory of “Solitary Yin Flourishes, the Profound Womb Gives Birth to Heaven.” They held that only the purest Yin spiritual energy and disposition were the true source of the Great Dao.

Males were regarded as “Turbid Yang” and “calamity’s root,” their very existence deemed capable of polluting spiritual energy and disturbing the Dao heart.

All men in the world were viewed as enemies, believed to be the inherent source of worldly chaos.

However, no detailed explanation was given beyond this, and Lin Mo, observing his surroundings, noticed that few people expressed any doubt or dissatisfaction with the Xuan Nv Sect’s philosophy.

Instead, they watched Yun Qingfeng’s lecture with calm attentiveness.

It was as if she were merely stating a common truth already understood by all.

Fortunately, this particular ideology wasn’t dwelled upon for too long; Lin Mo had half-expected her to elaborate extensively and incite hatred, much like a certain failed art student who swept across Europe.

‘…No, that’s not right.’

Considering his previous experiences in the city, Lin Mo realized that this… this animosity towards men had likely become common knowledge, rendering extensive discussion unnecessary.

Once an enemy was established and hatred deeply ingrained, there was no longer a need for widespread propaganda.

Next, Yun Qingfeng continued to explain the Xuan Nv Sect’s specific regulations.

There was but one rule: the prohibition of Turbid Yang.

Any male, or anything bearing a strong masculine aura or symbolizing male attributes, was strictly forbidden from stepping even half a pace into the sect’s territory.

Beyond this, the Xuan Nv Sect’s rules were remarkably lenient, containing no other specific ordinances.

“Violators will suffer a fate worse than death.”

As she spoke these words, Yun Qingfeng’s amiable countenance abruptly froze into an icy mask, and a chilling killing intent flashed within her cold eyes.

Beneath her, every disciple felt a bone-piercing cold.

Lin Mo, in particular, felt as though he were sitting naked in a snowstorm, clad only in a pair of shorts.

Cold sweat trickled down his back.

Fortunately, the icy expression did not linger; it vanished as quickly as a blink, as if she had momentarily lost consciousness, her amiable smile reappearing.

Seamlessly, she transitioned to the next topic.

“Cultivation.”

‘Here it comes!’

This was precisely what Lin Mo had been most eager to hear!

“Very well, now that the most fundamental matters have been covered, the most crucial topic awaits. Esteemed disciples, I imagine that after a month of brief cultivation, you have all gained a basic understanding. Is there any disciple willing to share their insights and experiences? Please raise your hand to respond.”

“Swish!”

Almost the instant Yun Qingfeng’s final syllable faded, a fair hand shot up decisively, its speed so swift it stirred a faint whisper of wind.

It was Ji Xue.

‘Wow, so eager?’

However, Lin Mo mused that it made sense; after all, she would hardly let such an opportunity to showcase herself slip by.

Yun Qingfeng’s gaze fell upon the raised hand, her amiable smile seemingly unchanged, as she simply stated, “Your Highness, please come to the stage.”

Ji Xue said nothing further, rising to her feet.

Though she wore the same disciple uniform as most others, her composed steps and confident, dignified demeanor radiated an innate nobility and grace, making even the simple uniform appear regal.

‘This is likely what the books describe as ‘outstanding temperament,’ isn’t it?’

‘It’s just a pity; given that there’s no cosmetic surgery technology in this era, why is her chin so unnaturally pointed?’

Nevertheless, one’s appearance did not unduly overshadow their inherent charisma.

As she ascended the final step of the high platform and elegantly turned to face the assembly, every eye in the entire Yi-Domain converged upon her, making her the absolute center of the area at that moment.

Upon reaching the stage, she did not immediately speak, but first, with her serene eyes, slowly swept her gaze across the entire hall.

Where her gaze landed, it seemed as if even the air momentarily stilled, and every disciple she surveyed unconsciously straightened their backs, as if undergoing inspection.

A formidable aura of royalty silently diffused as her delicate lips parted.

“Everyone,” her clear voice resonated through the silent space, carrying a penetrating quality that reached every ear, “This is the spiritual energy between heaven and earth.”

She raised her right hand, her fingertips lightly tapping the empty air.

The surrounding light suddenly dimmed, and wisps of pale silver energy materialized from thin air, swirling like living tendrils around her slender, fair fingers—it was the very spiritual energy that permeated everyone’s surroundings, yet remained unseen.

“It is convergence, it is gestation, it is the net that controls all phenomena.”

The swirling spiritual energy, at her words, suddenly tautened, transforming into intricately interwoven silver threads before instantly vanishing without a trace.

She loosely cupped her hand, and the dissipated spiritual energy motes abruptly converged above her palm, coalescing into a luminous orb.

“To remove its impurities, to preserve its purity; to seize its form, to refine its essence—this is the key to mastering spiritual energy: outwardly manifesting softness, while inwardly possessing the might of the heavens.”

However, these words failed to elicit any astonishment from anyone other than Lin Mo.

Ji Xue’s brow furrowed slightly; she couldn’t understand why.

The insights she had gleaned from ancient texts, when spoken in the palace, had always drawn gasps of admiration, with people remarking on her profound understanding at such a young age.

Yet, here… there wasn’t even a ripple of reaction?

Except for her little follower—Lin Mo.

She saw Lin Mo silently giving a… thumbs-up?

She didn’t understand what it meant.

“Your Highness, what you have said is excellent, but I fear these are not Your Highness’s own insights, but rather those found in books, are they not?” Yun Qingfeng’s gaze was clear, and she lightly tapped the light screen behind her.

“This is not a schoolroom; there is no need to be confined by ancient texts. Cultivators most dread being restricted by the experiences of others. Spiritual energy encompasses myriad forms and contains countless variations. Some perceive spiritual energy as a raging inferno, capable of incinerating all. Others believe spiritual energy to be as frigid as ice, able to freeze thousands of miles. Your Highness, who do you believe is correct, and who is mistaken?”

This question suddenly left Ji Xue speechless.

She had never considered it; whatever was written in books, she simply memorized.

As long as she memorized well, her imperial mother would be pleased; as long as she recited smoothly, her imperial mother would embrace her.

‘Spiritual energy… isn’t it just spiritual energy?’

‘What else could it be? What else can it be?’

Suddenly, Yun Qingfeng turned to Ji Xue, her fingertip pointing towards Ji Xue’s abdomen, and asked, “Within Your Highness’s dantian, what kind of existence is it truly?”

‘How could it exist?’

‘Isn’t it just a mass of spiritual energy? A sea of Qi, and once the sea of Qi condenses into a pearl and forms a pill, isn’t that Foundation Establishment? What else could it be?’

“Your Highness, please step down for now and reflect carefully.”

Yun Qingfeng remained impassive, her expression still amiable; she neither affirmed nor denied, nor did she offer any criticism.

Yet, Ji Xue felt her face burn, and a wave of shame and indignation surged within her.

The gazes that had once bathed her in admiration now, for some unknown reason, felt like stinging nettles; prolonged scrutiny felt like acupuncture needles, pricking at her very being.

She turned, and for the first time, fled in disarray from the eyes of the crowd.