Chapter 122: Are You Also Missing Men?
In the north, Yaochi Tianshan.
Before the Demon Cultivators rose to become a holy land, this place was one of the most sacred spots in the world.
The Sword Flower Palace, one of the three major holy lands, is located here.
Sword Flower Palace is a unique and ethereal force.
Not only does it rarely recruit disciples from outside, but its standards for accepting disciples are also outrageously strict.
They must be girls under the age of six, undergoing examinations of aptitude and character from a young age. Only those with outstanding aptitude and pure hearts are allowed to temporarily become disciples under the mountain for three years before officially entering the palace.
Such stringent criteria have resulted in very few disciples at Sword Flower Palace.
In over a hundred years, there are less than a hundred disciples in the entire palace.
Yet, no other forces dare to disturb the tranquility of this sacred place near Yaochi Tianshan.
After all, there’s a transcendently great cultivator of the supreme level overseeing it.
The name of that sword fairy has been known throughout the cultivation world for a hundred years; no one has not heard of her.
But those who have seen her true form are as rare as phoenix feathers.
After all, it is said that unless it is a duel, Gu Jianxian never reveals her real face.
Even the true appearance of Gu Yingmian has been a topic of endless debate in the cultivation world.
—
And at this moment, at the end of an icy pathway covered in snow on Yaochi Tianshan,
The path leads to the grand gate of Sword Flower Palace.
Under the gate, two young girls dressed in white, still fresh and innocent, yawned as they boredly stared at the gate.
“…Xiao Cui.”
“I really want a man.”
One girl, propping her chin in her hand, suddenly spoke.
The other girl, named Xiao Cui, turned beet red in shock and stammered, “Hua Hua, what are you saying?!”
“This, this kind of dirty talk isn’t allowed! If the palace master hears, we’ll get punished…”
“But I really want a man,” the girl Hua Hua sighed sadly.
“I’ve been on the mountain for over ten years, and the only man I can remember is my dad.”
“Ever since I came to the mountain, I haven’t seen a man or what they look like.”
“Every day, it’s just Senior Sisters and little sisters, each one as delicate and pink as a doll.”
“I feel like if I keep staying up here, I’m really going to have issues with my sexual orientation.”
Xiao Cui’s cheeks burned as she secretly glanced at Hua Hua.
“Well, we can’t think about men… The Sword Flower Palace only recruits female disciples; it’s a rule set by the palace master. Men are forbidden in our place of tranquility.”
“But without men, it’s really boring.”
Hua Hua drooped her head in disappointment. “I saw on the communication device, Fusa Pavilion releases all kinds of romantic stories about men and women every day. They all look so romantic.”
Xiao Cui gasped in a low voice, “You’re, you’re sneaking around with the communication device? Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?”
“But cultivation is so boring; it’s nice to look at the communication device.”
Hua Hua propped her chin up, an imaginative look in her eyes. “I really hope that one day, a man destined for me suddenly appears.”
“He’s dressed in white, suave and elegant, wandering the world with a sword, cold and sharp as frost.”
“With a tragic backstory, burdened with deep grudges, but can stand against the world for his beloved me…”
Next to her, Xiao Cui’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Are you saying this white-clothed man should wear a mask?”
“Yes, yes! A mask is a must!” Hua Hua immediately perked up, “A mask adds mystery, only leaving behind captivating eyes and a jawline sharp enough to cut.”
“And he must have waist-length long hair?”
“Yes! Waist-length hair, delicate lips, and sword-like brows!”
“And be slender and cool?”
“Exactly! Especially wearing clothes that make him look slim but reveals muscle when undressing. Such a breathtaking beauty, when he takes off his clothes, he shows perfectly defined muscles, making people want to lick him from head to toe… ehehe.”
Just thinking about that scene made Hua Hua drool a little, and she excitedly patted Xiao Cui:
“Who knew you, usually looking so serious, have such a deep romantic heart?”
“Um, no…”
Xiao Cui timidly pointed towards the mountain path.
Hua Hua turned to look.
In that moment,
Her eyes were filled with the brilliance of a thousand stars.
Holy moly!
White clothes, a mask!
Waist-length long hair!
Delicate lips, sword-like brows!
A slender, cold, sword-wielding beauty!
As Hua Hua was about to explode from excitement, Sang Zhe finally shook off the dust and snow, gazing silently at the gate of Sword Flower Palace.
“Finally arrived…” he sighed softly.
Damn it.
This place is tough to navigate.
The path up the mountain was divided into three sections, each a maze, winding as if playing a traditional RPG.
Especially the last stretch, with heavy snowfall and plummeting temperatures.
And Sang Zhe, wanting to look cool, had worn thin white clothing.
He was freezing to the point he nearly cursed.
Fortunately, he finally saw the mountaintop, and he heaved a sigh of relief, putting on a gentle smile as he walked towards the two female disciples.
“Excuse me, ladies, is this the legendary holy land, Sword Flower Palace?”
Xiao Cui and Hua Hua stared at him blankly.
Xiao Cui was nervous from not seeing a man for so long.
She just turned red and timidly said, “Yes, this is the gate of Sword Flower Palace…”
While Hua Hua was about to emit a cry of excitement and directly pounced on Sang Zhe, ready to lick him.
“I am a wandering cultivator, Sang Zhe.”
He bowed politely, with refined and courteous words: “I’ve heard that the skills of the palace master, Gu Jianxian, are unrivaled in the world, and I’ve come seeking her for a sword duel.”
Xiao Cui nervously glanced at Hua Hua, who was currently starry-eyed, unable to help but muster the courage to say:
“Um, I’m sorry, young master, the palace master has a rule, men are not allowed inside Sword Flower Palace. Please go back.”
“Is that so…”
A hint of disappointment flashed in Sang Zhe’s eyes, and in an instant, he looked weary yet beautifully melancholic.
“Alas.”
He pretended to be sad, saying, “My father spent his life seeking swords and paths, but never met a kindred spirit, ultimately passing on his wish to me.”
“I thought that after so much hardship, I could finally meet the legendary Gu Jianxian, to fulfill my father’s dying wish.”
“Who would have thought… ha.”
He let out a bitter, relieved laugh, “Forget it. It’s just fate never met.”
After speaking, he turned away, his forlorn back already walking away.
But Hua Hua was on the verge of tears.
Don’t be sad!! A handsome man like him can’t leave like this!!
“Wait!” She shouted with all her might.
“The palace master also said! If anyone can shake this mountain rock with their sword intent, they can report to her for a meeting!”
Sang Zhe stopped in his tracks.
A subtle smile crept across his lips.
