Chapter 002: What Are You Looking At

Yao Yuan strolled down the bustling street, a folding fan clutched elegantly in her hand. With practised motions, she flicked it open and shut, the gentle fanning motion serving not to combat the heat, but as a delicate shield against the prying gazes that seemed to follow her every step.

Since arriving in this city, she had become acutely aware of the peculiar glances cast her way, the lingering stares that invariably drifted towards her chest, eliciting an embarrassed flush to bloom upon her cheeks. With Luo Zhan'en by her side, however, few dared to be too brazen in their appraisals.

Yao Yuan's gaze flickered towards her companion, and a pang of wistful reminiscence tugged at her heart. Her former masculine self must have commanded a similar aura of security, exuding an almost unconscious assurance that dissuaded unwanted attention. Such were the privileges of being a man – privileges she could now only dimly recall.

A soft sigh parted her lips, the melancholic exhalation drawing Luo Zhan'en's inquisitive gaze. "Why the sigh, Brother Yao?" he asked, his brow furrowing with concern at her apparent change in mood.

"You will understand me in due time," Yao Yuan responded cryptically, her spirits lifting as she envisioned the potential revelations that awaited her companion along the treacherous path she had traversed.

Luo Zhan'en's confusion deepened at her enigmatic words. "Why the need to wait until later?" He shook his head bemusedly, marvelling at the mercurial nature of the feminine psyche.

A mischievous glint flickered in Yao Yuan's eyes as she favored him with an impish grin. "How about I help you understand right now?"

"Sure, I'm all ears for Brother Yao's teachings," Luo Zhan'en replied, his curiosity piqued.

A peal of laughter escaped Yao Yuan's lips, the melodious sound tinged with a hint of derisive amusement as she envisioned herself chasing after Luo with a dagger, intent on visiting upon him the same transformative ordeal she had endured.

Captivated by the enchanting sight of her mirth-tinged beauty, Luo Zhan'en found himself compelled to offer a well-intentioned piece of advice. "Seriously, Brother Yao, you should try wearing women's clothing. I'm sure you would look great in them."

Yao Yuan arched an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a wry smile as she retorted, "You can try it yourself, if you want." No, he would likely end up trying it later, whether he desired it or not. The thought prompted another burst of laughter to bubble forth, uninhibited amusement spilling from her lips.

Luo Zhan'en's brow furrowed at her cryptic rejoinder. "That is not a good idea. If my father finds out about it, he will definitely punish me according to our family rules."

"You are so bloody honest, you know," Yao Yuan chided with a shake of her head. "It'll catch up with you sooner or later."

A rueful chuckle was Luo Zhan'en's only response as he wisely refrained from further comment.

Ensconced within the tranquil confines of a teahouse, Yao Yuan sipped her fragrant brew slowly, savoring the rich flavors that danced across her palate. "By the way, may I know what realm you've reached in your cultivation?"

"I've attained the Spirit Infant realm," Luo Zhan'en replied, his tone carrying a hint of well-earned pride.

A startled burst of laughter erupted from Yao Yuan, causing her to spray a mouthful of tea in an inadvertent cascade that spattered across Luo Zhan'en's face. Her hand flew to her mouth, eyes wide with mortification. "Ah, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to. I was just so surprised to hear that."

With a subtle exertion of his cultivated energies, Luo Zhan'en commanded the errant droplets to evaporate, drying his features in an instant. "It's alright, I can understand your astonishment."

Regaining her composure, Yao Yuan posed another query. "Can I ask how old you are this year?" She herself had only recently achieved the Golden Pill realm, and with her newfound condition, that precious attainment had been shattered, leaving her to start anew from the beginning. The comparison was galling, but she pushed aside the sting of envy. It mattered little – if events unfolded as she suspected, he might soon find himself treading the same arduous path she had been forced upon, in which case she would swiftly surpass him.

"I'm twenty-one," Luo Zhan'en replied.

"Then you're older than me; I'm only eighteen."

A slight frown creased Luo Zhan'en's brow as he considered the implications. "In that case, I'll call you Younger Sister Yao then."

"No way," Yao Yuan immediately countered, her tone brooking no argument. "If you want, just call me Brother Yao; I like it that way." Why must he insist on reminding her of her newfound femininity, a state she had not chosen but been cruelly thrust into?

"Alright then." Luo Zhan'en acquiesced, recalling his mother's sage advice about avoiding offense when dealing with the unpredictable sensibilities of womankind, especially those who seemed to have a few screws loose.

"Brother Yao, I am a little curious. How did you end up in that cave? Were you being chased by someone?" he ventured, carefully navigating the precarious terrain of her past.

"Well, sort of," Yao Yuan hedged. She was a wanted fugitive, her crimes against the Hongkun Dynasty rendering her an outcast, forced to flee to the remote seclusion of the Bone Transformation Mountain Range. It was there, amid those inhospitable peaks, that she had stumbled upon the accursed jade stone that had catalyzed her metamorphosis.

"I don't want to talk about it now. My enemies will never find me no matter how hard they try." A rueful smile tugged at her lips as she mused on the delicious irony – how could they hope to track her when they sought a man, unaware that their quarry now walked the earth in a feminine guise? Yet even as the thought brought a measure of dark amusement, she couldn't fully embrace it as a blessing. Definitely not, she decided, for her transformation had been an ordeal thrust upon her, leaving her with little choice but to adapt and persevere.

"I'm not worried about that," Luo Zhan'en assured her with a dismissive wave. "Aside from the royal family, there's no one in the Nine Heavens Kingdom who can threaten the Luo family."

He spoke with such unwavering confidence, such unshakable faith in his clan's prowess, that Yao Yuan couldn't help but be impressed. "You're impressive, I get it."

Sensing an opportune shift in the conversation, she posed the question that had been her primary motivation for venturing into the city's bustling heart. "Is there anywhere in this city where I can buy martial arts techniques?"

A slight frown creased Luo Zhan'en's brow. "I've already given you the martial arts technique; isn't that good enough for you?"

"It's really good, a high-level cultivation technique," Yao Yuan acknowledged. "But I still want to take a look at what else is available." The truth was, the technique he had provided, though undeniably profound, carried an undercurrent of femininity that left her deeply uncomfortable. She could scarcely envision herself performing the intricate poses and movements described in its teachings without experiencing a nosebleed borne of sheer embarrassment.

"There are three places in Baihu City where you can buy martial arts techniques," Luo Zhan'en began, launching into an explanatory overview. "The Jiang Cheng Academy, the Orchid Palace, and the Fei Song Guild."

He took a contemplative sip of his tea before continuing. "The Jiang Cheng Academy is operated by the City Lord's Mansion to give everyone a chance to learn martial arts. They have a wide selection of techniques, but most are common ones. There aren't many intermediate to high-level techniques."

Yao Yuan nodded, making a mental note of this information.

"The Orchid Palace is a sect exclusively for female cultivators," Luo Zhan'en went on, "but the Palace Master is generous and allows some of the techniques to be sold to outsiders. However, they're only available to female cultivators because their techniques lean towards the feminine energy." He paused, an inquisitive gleam entering his eyes. "Actually, you could also consider joining the Orchid Palace, that way you may even learn their highest level technique."

A silly grin blossomed across Yao Yuan's features as her thoughts drifted to the prospect of being surrounded by beautiful women day and night. Ah, the delights of such an environment! Yet even as the tantalizing fantasy took shape, she knew in her heart that she could never truly embrace it, not with the burning need for retribution that still smoldered within her breast.

Oblivious to the undercurrents of her ruminations, Luo Zhan'en's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her expression. Looks like Sister Yao still has a bit of a woman in her, he mused to himself, before continuing his overview. "The Fei Song Guild is an auction house, although cultivation techniques do appear there occasionally, but to find one is a matter of luck."

"Okay, I understand. Let me consider." Yao Yuan raised her teacup, taking a pensive sip as she weighed her options. "Let's go to the Jiang Cheng Academy, hopefully they have something I can use."

"Alright, I'll lead the way."

They departed the teahouse, their path ultimately leading them to the renowned Jiang Cheng Academy. Luo Zhan'en ushered Yao Yuan through the main entrance, and as they ventured deeper into the complex, their striking figures drew more than a few appreciative glances from the throngs of scholars and cultivators that populated the hallowed halls. After all, who could resist the allure of such an attractive pair? Yao Yuan exuded an undeniable magnetism even garbed in masculine attire, while Luo was widely regarded as the most eligible bachelor in all of Baihu City.

The architectural design of the Jiang Cheng Academy was simple yet functional, akin to a vast library dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of martial knowledge. Its halls stood open to all, a welcoming space where cultivators could exchange insights, borrow manuals, and hone their skills in an environment conducive to personal growth.

As Yao Yuan surveyed the sprawling complex, her gaze was drawn to the eight-story library that formed its central edifice, a structure that dwarfed even the Imperial Palace's esteemed scripture pavilion back in the Hongkun Dynasty. Here, amid these hallowed stacks, lay a wealth of knowledge just waiting to be uncovered.

Their arrival did not go unnoticed, for as they approached the library's entrance, a young woman clad in azure robes emerged, her steps faltering as she recognized Luo Zhan'en. With a cordial smile, she approached, keen to exchange a few words with the esteemed scion of the Luo clan.

"Why do you have time to come here today, Senior Luo?" she inquired, her tone laced with a hint of playful reproach.

"I happened to have some free time today and brought a friend to come here to visit," Luo Zhan'en replied, gesturing towards Yao Yuan with a slight incline of his head.

The woman's gaze shifted, her eyes widening fractionally as she took in Yao Yuan's striking visage. "I suppose this lady is the friend you mentioned," she remarked, a teasing lilt to her words.

Yao Yuan's jaw clenched, a low curse escaping her lips as she bristled at the perceived slight. "You and your entire family are ladies." She had taken pains to present herself in a masculine guise, so why did these ignorant fools insist on perceiving her as a woman?

Luo Zhan'en watched the exchange with undisguised curiosity, wondering how Yao Yuan would respond to the unwitting provocation. To his surprise, rather than erupting into a fiery tirade as he had expected, she simply turned on her heel and strode into the library, refusing to deign the encounter with a retort.

The azure-clad woman stood petrified, her lips parted in a wordless 'o' of bewilderment, utterly at a loss as to how to respond to such blatant dismissal.

One elegant brow arched skyward as Luo Zhan'en regarded his companion's abrupt departure. Shaking his head ruefully, he offered the flustered woman a placating smile. "Junior Sister Chen, don't mind her; that's just how she is. I'll go in first; I'll treat you to tea next time."

"Alright, see you later, Senior Brother Luo." Chen bowed, doing her best to conceal her disappointment as she took her leave.

After bidding her a brief farewell, Luo Zhan'en hurried after Yao Yuan, his ears picking up the faint strains of a commotion unfolding deeper within the Academy's halls.

"What are you looking at?" Yao Yuan's sharp voice rang out, laced with a confrontational edge that hinted at an imminent altercation.

As Luo Zhan'en quickened his pace, he couldn't help but marvel at the tempestuous nature of his enigmatic companion. Truly, life had become infinitely more unpredictable – and undeniably more interesting – since crossing paths with the one called Yao Yuan.

**To be continued