A female cultivator is needed to become an immortal?

Bai Lan was somewhat surprised at this moment. He hadn’t expected the woman before him to also bear the surname Bai, nor that she would offer to take him as a disciple. Wasn’t this a little too smooth? he wondered.

He had initially thought he would need to put on a bit of an act, but it seemed unnecessary now.

Numerous strategies had formed in his mind, yet none seemed to be needed. Given the circumstances, he saw no reason to prolong the matter.

“Alright, I have no objections,” Bai Lan stated, after a moment of consideration. “As it happens, Fairy Sister, we share a certain destiny. My surname is also Bai, and my name is Bai Lan. I am willing to take you as my master.”

He directly agreed to become Bai Yiren’s disciple.

Yet, after agreeing, he inexplicably felt as though he had forgotten something. Since it was something he’d forgotten, it probably wasn’t important, so Bai Lan didn’t dwell on it.

“Heh heh, very good,” Bai Yiren purred, her eyes narrowing as a dangerous aura emanated from her. She leaned closer to Bai Lan and asked, “But didn’t you say you’d lost your memory? Then how do you still remember your own name, little one? You’re not planning to deceive your master on your very first day, are you?”

Seeing her expression, Bai Lan immediately offered an awkward smile.

Damn it, I almost forgot! Bai Lan cursed internally, realizing he had just claimed amnesia and couldn’t recall anything from his past. No matter, I’ll just say I only remember my name.

He silently chided himself for nearly giving himself away.

“Cough, cough, well, Master,” Bai Lan began, steadying his thoughts. “Your disciple only remembers this name. As for everything else, I truly cannot recall it. If Master doesn’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do. At worst, you simply won’t take me as your disciple.”

Unfortunately for him, Bai Yiren did not press the matter further.

“Hmph! This Venerable One holds no interest in such trivialities, nor in your origins,” Bai Yiren declared. “Since you are taking me as your master, perform the kowtow.”

She took a step back, adjusted her robes, and stood gracefully, radiating an aura of unparalleled elegance that enveloped Bai Lan, stirring a unique sensation within him.

He took a deep breath, then knelt, performing the disciple’s bow to Bai Yiren.

Having such a beautiful master isn’t so bad, Bai Lan mused inwardly. The Xue Clan must be searching for me everywhere, but they’d never imagine I’d be hiding here.

Only when Bai Yiren saw Bai Lan complete the ceremony did she smile with satisfaction, her cold expression finally softening.

“Rise, Bai Lan,” Bai Yiren said, helping him to his feet. She then took it upon herself to give him a pet name, “Lan’er.”

However, Bai Lan was far from fond of this nickname.

“Ah? Master, could we possibly use a different address?” Bai Lan couldn’t help but interject. “This ‘Lan’er’ sounds far too feminine, as if I were a girl.”

He had strong feelings about that particular appellation.

However, Bai Yiren’s subsequent words brought back to Bai Lan the information Yun Yao had given him not long ago.

“This appellation is quite fitting for your current identity, little one,” Bai Yiren reminded him. “You might not be aware, but our Luoshen Sect is a sect exclusively for female cultivators. Only female disciples are permitted within its gates; our rules strictly forbid men from entering.”

Bai Lan initially didn’t react to her words, but then it clicked.

“A female cultivator sect? Eh? Wait, Master,” Bai Lan exclaimed, pointing to himself earnestly. “If this is a female cultivator sect, then why… why would you still take me as a disciple? I am a man!”

With a wave of Bai Yiren’s hand, a significant amount of icy qi condensed before her. Swiftly, a smooth ice mirror materialized before Bai Lan, reflecting his entire form perfectly.

“Indeed, you are a man,” Bai Yiren said with an odd chuckle. “But take a look at yourself. Do you truly believe outsiders would discern your gender in that appearance?”

“Ah?”

Bai Lan was utterly bewildered, but upon seeing the peerlessly beautiful maiden in a white dress reflected in the mirror, he understood everything.

“This? Master, you’re not suggesting I cross-dress as a woman to stay in the Luoshen Sect and be your disciple, are you?” As someone who had once been an adult, failing to guess this would mean he had lived for twenty-odd years in vain.

Seeing his dumbfounded expression, Bai Yiren waved her hand, making the ice mirror vanish. She then spoke with a beaming smile.

“Precisely! That is this master’s intention,” she affirmed. “Given your exquisite features and appearance, disguising yourself as a girl poses no significant challenge. So, it is decided.”

The moment these words left her lips, Bai Lan’s mind erupted in a clamor. It was true, his face did possess more feminine features, but he still had all the attributes of a man. Furthermore, he was a genuine, pure male, and his interest in cross-dressing was practically nonexistent. Had there been any male attire available, he would have long since changed out of the clothes he was wearing.

“What? Cross-dressing? Cross-dressing in a female cultivator sect?” Bai Lan asked, his face darkening. “Master, you can’t be serious! Even if I resemble a woman, I am still fundamentally a man. While it might not be obvious now because of my young age, if I grow a few more years and my body develops, it will be impossible to conceal. If I’m exposed then, it’ll be over!”

Yet, Bai Yiren seemed utterly confident that no one would be able to tell.

“Heh heh, it’s fine, little one,” she reassured him. “Are you truly unaware of your own physique? Though you are male, you possess an exceptionally Yin-cold constitution. Even with your Divine Bone stripped away and much of your aptitude ruined, for cultivators like us who practice Yin-cold cultivation methods, you are unequivocally the best choice to inherit our legacy.”

“Furthermore, if a man possesses a Yin-cold constitution, both their personality and their appearance tend to lean towards the feminine,” Bai Yiren explained with a smile. “In other words, rest assured, you will never truly develop a rugged physique.”

Bai Yiren’s words, however, served as a peculiar reminder to Bai Lan. Upon closer reflection, it seemed that the people of his Xue Clan were indeed all like this. The external differences between males and females within the clan were minimal; the men were all exceptionally handsome, and the women were all great beauties. Moreover, Xue Clan members’ appearances would cease aging at around twenty-five, meaning no elders were ever seen within the Xue Clan, and a sense of age was absent.

No wonder that Xue Yue fellow looks so effeminate, Bai Lan wailed inwardly. It turns out it’s a genetic issue! If she hadn’t reminded me, I never would have thought of it. But this isn’t good news at all!

If I look this feminine, how will any girl ever like me? Being a bachelor in my previous life was one thing, but I definitely don’t want to be one in this life!

Bai Lan screamed in his heart.

Yet, another voice simultaneously echoed in his mind: this appearance would make it easier to approach girls. The pavilion closest to the water enjoys the moon first, he thought, realizing his looks presented both advantages and disadvantages.

Damn it, even though it’s infuriating, it seems I have no choice, he mused. Whatever, as long as I don’t feel ashamed, I’m invincible. Besides, no one in this world knows me, so what’s there to be afraid of?

Having finished his contemplation, Bai Lan no longer dwelled on the matter.

“Alright, your disciple will follow all of Master’s arrangements,” Bai Lan declared.

“That’s more like it, isn’t it?” Bai Yiren said. “However, I must warn you: your true identity must not be revealed to anyone. Of course, besides myself, your two senior sisters are also aware of who you truly are. For the past three years, your senior sisters have largely been looking after you, and your awakening timing is perfect.”

“Our Luoshen Sect will welcome a batch of new disciples in three days. At that time, you’ll join them in the outer sect for a while, and once you’ve settled in, I will find a suitable reason to bring you into the inner sect.”