Volume 1, Chapter 20 – The Feminization Always Beats Me (Part 1)

“Could I actually be a Water Spirit Body instead of Earth? Did that testing elder make a mistake from the start?”

This was Huang Qi’s first thought. For a moment, he even felt resentment toward the elder who had tested him. If they hadn’t messed up, he might already be a revered cultivator by now!

“But that’s impossible. Men can’t have Water Spirit Bodies.”

Huang Qi quickly dismissed this unrealistic notion. It was common knowledge throughout the cultivation world:

Men’s bodies aligned with Metal, Fire, or Earth.

Women’s bodies resonated with Water or Wood.

Baffled, Huang Qi focused inward again. He noticed that most of the Water spiritual energy was gathering from above his chest into his dantian, with negligible amounts coming from elsewhere.

“Could it be… the Human Skin Mask?”

His suspicion gradually settled on the mysterious artifact.

“But that doesn’t make sense either! It’s just called ‘Human Skin Mask’—it’s not actually made of human skin. How could it generate so much Water spiritual energy?”

He shook his head, mocking his own wild imagination.

“Forget it. No point overthinking. As long as the Water spiritual energy meets cultivation standards, I still have a chance!”

Hope reignited in Huang Qi’s heart. He steadied his mind and prepared to cultivate. Unlike eating or drinking, cultivation demanded immense time and concentration. As a mere mortal, he could stay awake for two or three days at most.

Huang Qi knew reaching Spirit Gathering Layer 1 in such a short time would be difficult even for prodigies from major sects. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t dare hope. But now, with his abundant Water spiritual energy, a sliver of possibility emerged.

“The odds are slim, but I can’t give up!”

Gritting his teeth, he sat cross-legged on the bed and resumed cultivation. As the Returning Sea Art circulated, more and more Water spiritual energy converged into his dantian, transforming into true qi.

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Meanwhile, in Ping’an County…

The bustling town was as lively as ever, but the arrival of five swift horses still drew attention—especially since their riders were all young women in uniform attire.

The leader, around 24 or 25, wore her hair in a high ponytail. Her oval face was exquisitely beautiful, with a delicate nose adorned by a tiny black beauty mark. Her tall, graceful figure exuded an air of superiority.

This was Ruan Lingyu, the senior sister tasked with leading this mission.

Behind her rode an 18 or 19-year-old girl with silky black hair flowing in the wind. Her petite face, partially hidden, bore delicate features and an aloof expression that warned strangers to keep their distance. This was Su Qingying, renowned alongside Ruan Lingyu as one of the Honghua Sect’s Twin Beauties.

The remaining three—Shen Yuan, Yun Fei, and Miao Xiang—though not peerless in looks, still surpassed ordinary women.

Eager to complete their mission, the group headed straight for an inn.

Without even pausing for water, Ruan Lingyu gathered her sisters to discuss their plan.

“Listen, everyone. Though we’re exhausted from the journey, we must act immediately. That impostor is posing as our junior sister—who knows what schemes they’re plotting?”

“Senior Sister, could you describe their appearance? It’ll help narrow our search,” asked Yun Fei, the second eldest and most meticulous of the group.

“Their height was similar to Little Sister’s…” Ruan Lingyu recalled.

“A woman here as tall as Junior Sister? Are you sure you didn’t misjudge?” Yun Fei questioned skeptically.

“I’m a cultivator—my eyesight isn’t that poor!” Ruan Lingyu retorted.

“Hmph. If your eyes were so sharp, how did you get tricked out of twenty taels of silver? Must be embarrassing,” Su Qingying interjected coldly.

“You—!”

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Ruan Lingyu nearly choked on her anger. “You wouldn’t understand! She looked exactly like her! Even you would’ve been fooled!”

“Identical? More likely she wore a Human Skin Mask,” Yun Fei reasoned.

“Right! Other details differed—dry, yellowish hair, rough and broad hands…”

“Wait. Rough, broad hands? Could she be… a man?” Yun Fei seized the clue.

“Impossible! They had breasts!” Ruan Lingyu snapped.

“Unlikely. A tall woman in this impoverished region? With those hands? The ‘breasts’ could’ve been stuffed,” Yun Fei countered bluntly.

Ruan Lingyu’s lips trembled, her cheeks flushing. She even held their hand… If it really was a man…

“But how do you know their hands were rough?” Yun Fei pressed.

Ruan Lingyu wished the ground would swallow her. Why must you ask that?!

“Did you hold his hand? You always loved teasing Junior Sister—now karma’s bitten you! Lost silver and got groped by a man!” Su Qingying smirked.

“Hey! What happened to your ‘aloof ice queen’ act? Must you be so vicious?” Ruan Lingyu’s face burned crimson.

“Enough joking. Let’s focus. The suspect mimics Junior Sister’s height but differs in features: dry hair, rough hands—likely male. Any ‘breasts’ are probably fake. Stay sharp,” Yun Fei redirected.

“But Second Sister, would he still be here after days?” The doll-like Miao Xiang asked timidly.

“I definitely startled him last time. He has either fled or changed disguises,” Ruan Lingyu admitted.

“Our only option is to wait and watch. Let’s focus on tall ‘women’—they’ll stand out here,” Yun Fei strategized.

With that, the five dispersed across the county, scouring every corner.

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Huatian Village

Zhang Lao’er, beaten black and blue by the villagers, lay moaning in the road until Huang Kaiyou’s family carried him home.

“Brother Zhang, what happened? How’d you anger everyone?” Huang Kaiyou asked worriedly, while his wife and sons stifled laughter.

“Ugh… all for your sake…”

Groaning, Zhang Lao’er recounted the events.

“He spoke… and his hands turned into a woman’s?” Huang Kaiyou echoed in disbelief.

“That’s what witnesses claimed. I didn’t see it myself.”

“Must be fake! Voices can be mimicked, but hands don’t change that fast! That ‘frostbite’ excuse is child’s play!” Zhou Fang scoffed.

“Exactly! The villagers were bribed!” Zhang Lao’er insisted, unrepentant.

“Uncle Zhang, you shouldn’t have turned around,” Huang Long lamented.

“Nephew, I never thought the Huangs could buy off so many! I just wanted to expose the fraud!”

“You did your best,” Huang Kaiyou consoled.

“Brother Huang… about that woman you promised…” Zhang Lao’er wheedled.

“Don’t worry. My daughter-in-law will introduce someone to you.”

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Relieved, Zhang Lao’er relaxed. His efforts had all been for this goal.

Meanwhile, Huang Qi raced against time.

As true qi accumulated in his dantian, exhaustion weighed heavier each day.

One day without sleep…

Two days…

By the third day, dark circles shadowed his eyes, his eyelids fighting to stay open. Yet, his dantian was one step away from being one-ninth full—proof of his astonishing Water spiritual energy reserves.

“Hold on… almost there!”

Finally, he gathered enough true qi. The next step: piercing the Guanyuan acupoint.

Success would enhance his physique, granting him more time to resist the mask’s effects.

“Damn mask… your days are numbered!”

With a surge of determination, Huang Qi channeled his true qi toward the acupoint—

—And then, his head lolled forward.

He had fallen asleep.