An Unexpected Peeping

Xue Linglong’s eyes lit up at these words. It was as if she had found a kindred spirit, someone who understood her unique circumstances. This encounter only deepened her already unusual fondness for Bai Lan.

Truthfully, Xue Linglong couldn’t explain why, the moment she first saw Bai Lan, an inexplicable sense of favor had blossomed within her. This feeling compelled her to draw closer to Bai Lan, to trust her implicitly.

“An even more special ability? What kind of ability, Sister? Can you tell me?” Xue Linglong leaned closer to Bai Lan, looping her arm through Bai Lan’s with a beaming smile as she asked.

Bai Lan instantly stiffened. Every touch from Xue Linglong evoked an uncontrollable feeling within her, and her gaze towards Xue Linglong shifted once more. Just then, a shimmering brilliance emanated from Xue Linglong’s eyes.

Her sight seemed to pierce through the formidable defenses of the Chaos Body, directly perceiving Bai Lan’s innermost thoughts.

This sudden insight caused a peculiar expression to flash across Xue Linglong’s face.

Bai Lan immediately noticed the change in Xue Linglong’s gaze. She quickly averted her eyes, attempting to disrupt Xue Linglong’s intrusion. However, it was already too late, for that single glance had penetrated deep into Bai Lan’s heart.

“Huh?” Bai Lan swiftly withdrew her arm, creating a noticeable distance between herself and Xue Linglong.

“Linglong, what are you doing? Were you just peering into my mind?” Bai Lan asked, a hint of anger in her voice.

Xue Linglong didn’t respond immediately. Instead, her expression grew intensely complex. A moment ago, whether intentionally or not, she had glimpsed into Bai Lan’s mind through her eyes. In that fleeting vision, she had seen Bai Lan’s true self—a male soul from another world.

Yun Yao had once cautioned Bai Lan that the Linglong Body and the Chaos Body were of comparable caliber. The Chaos Body, formidable as it was, could not completely block the power of the Linglong Body.

This was especially true during physical contact, direct eye contact, or when one’s mental defenses were weakened, making it easy for a Linglong Body wielder to perceive inner thoughts.

Of course, it was merely a momentary glimpse, and what Xue Linglong had sought to see wasn’t anything particularly crucial.

“I… I’m sorry, Sister,” Xue Linglong quickly explained. “I was just curious. Every time you look at me, it gives me such a strange feeling, and it happened again just now. So, my instincts just wanted to know what you were thinking. Please don’t worry, I absolutely won’t tell anyone your secret.”

Although she had seen Bai Lan’s past male identity concealed within her heart, these revelations did not seem to deter her from Bai Lan.

“What? Just one glance, and you know everything?” Bai Lan asked, her brow furrowed in disbelief.

“Yes,” Xue Linglong affirmed. “Though I’m not entirely sure what my ability truly is, I can perceive a person’s inner self with just a glance. People wear many facades outwardly, but only their inner being is truly authentic.”

Bai Lan felt a sudden wave of embarrassment. She couldn’t help but rub her forehead. While it was awkward for Xue Linglong to discover her secret, a sense of relief simultaneously washed over her.

Keeping a secret could be a painful burden. Just as Xue Linglong had implied, Bai Lan desired to share her truths with someone she could truly trust.

“Alright, even though you know my secret, rest assured, I am a woman now, truly and completely,” Bai Lan said with a sigh. “If you find me… abnormal, I simply won’t interact with you anymore.”

She had feared her secret would frighten Xue Linglong away.

Surprisingly, however, Xue Linglong showed no particular aversion.

“No, nothing of the sort! I didn’t deliberately try to uncover your secret, Sister,” Xue Linglong quickly shook her head, clarifying. “No wonder you said your special ability was even stranger than mine. Now I understand.”

While she had initially been startled by Bai Lan’s secret, her surprise quickly faded into calm. Firstly, she didn’t care about Bai Lan’s former gender, as she held no distinct boundaries regarding male or female.

After all, she had cultivated for three years without ever interacting with men, making it unlikely for her to understand their psyche. As for her years of wandering, though she had encountered many older men, in her view, people were simply good or bad, regardless of gender.

“Really?” Bai Lan’s eyes brightened at these words, and a new longing seemed to stir within her heart.

It was akin to confessing to someone you admired and not being rejected; one would naturally feel immense joy and become bolder, fueled by the glimmer of hope.

“However, Sister, I don’t understand those feelings you hold in your heart,” Xue Linglong admitted. “I only know that I truly enjoy being with you, but the kind of affection you feel for me, I can’t quite grasp yet.”

She hadn’t refused, nor had she fully accepted, for she needed more time to comprehend such emotions.

Nevertheless, Bai Lan was content that she had managed to voice her innermost desires and that the other party hadn’t scorned her.

“Mm, I understand. Let’s just let fate decide this matter,” Bai Lan said with a smile. “But we are still very good friends, aren’t we?”

“Yes, we are,” Xue Linglong corrected earnestly. “Though, to be precise, our relationship should be considered that of close confidantes, like sisters.”

Bai Lan laughed, a joyous sound she hadn’t fully expressed in a long time. Yet, the earrings on her ears were flashing with white light, actively suppressing the burgeoning excitement within her.

In essence, Bai Lan’s outwardly calm demeanor was due to the earrings’ influence, preventing her from succumbing to overwhelming fervor.

Through this conversation, the two exchanged their secrets, advancing their relationship significantly. Previously, Bai Lan had been somewhat reserved and cautious when facing Xue Linglong, due to her inhibitions.

However, after this exchange of secrets, their interactions became much more relaxed. Everyone, after all, needs someone with whom they can converse freely.

Otherwise, prolonged isolation would inevitably lead to depression.

Naturally, Bai Lan remained as aloof as ever with others, speaking very little. Such was human nature; even the coldest personality possessed a degree of selectivity and was influenced by the closeness of relationships.

A few days later, on Eternal Blossom Island.

Nearly four thousand outer sect disciples had gathered, for today marked the Luoshen Sect’s first new recruitment for the inner sect. These were considered additional inner sect slots, and only disciples with exceptional aptitude would have the chance to enter.

“Disciples, the first three-year period has concluded,” Wu Xueying announced. “Our Luoshen Sect conducts an inner sect assessment every three years. As long as your aptitude and cultivation are sufficient, you may enter one of the five major inner sect factions. I trust you are already aware of these details, so I won’t belabor the point.”

“However, you must exercise self-awareness,” she cautioned. “Disciples who have reached the fifth layer of Qi Refining or above within these three years may attempt to join one of the five major factions. Those below the fifth layer do not possess this qualification.”

As soon as these words left her lips, the vast majority of disciples present revealed expressions of disappointment. Out of the four thousand outer sect members, no more than a hundred had surpassed the fifth layer of Qi Refining.

Conversely, the princesses and noble young ladies among them were delighted, as they possessed the necessary qualifications. Standing beside Bai Lan and Xue Linglong, Li Yunxi heard the announcement and felt a surge of disappointment.

“Sister Bai Lan, Sister Linglong, congratulations to both of you,” Li Yunxi said with a dejected sigh. “With your aptitudes, you will surely enter the inner sect. As for me, I can only remain in the outer sect.”

It wasn’t just Li Yunxi congratulating Bai Lan and Xue Linglong. Other disciples who shared close ties with them also gathered around, offering their felicitations to those qualified for the inner sect assessment.