"This is really amazing, Xin Ci. How did you do it?" Ming Huang asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
"Well... it's probably due to the special cultivation technique I practice," Xin Ci replied. Now transformed into a woman, Xin Ci was unaware of how alluring her current appearance was, and even her shy tone made her seem incredibly cute.
Ming Huang was stunned, wondering to himself, "Is this kid male or female? I can barely tell the difference even when he's transformed into a woman."
Meanwhile, Xin Ci felt incredibly awkward. Having suddenly transformed into a female body, she was unaccustomed to it, especially the soft, full sensation in her chest, which was quite uncomfortable.
At the same time, Xin Ci could hear the muffled laughter of Han Lao and Mu Qingqing in her mind. The old man and the young woman were secretly amused.
"Han Lao, Qingqing, can you two laugh any louder?"
Han Lao coughed deliberately. "Ahem, Xin Ci, actually, that method of yours, Qingqing, isn't bad. Although you've become a girl, with you like this, won't the Xin family's spirit blood jade token be able to find you?"
"Yes, we were laughing out of happiness for you, not to mock you," Mu Qingqing said with feigned seriousness.
Xin Ci listened to their nonsense with a darkened expression, thinking to herself, "If I believed you, I'd be a fool. You're definitely laughing at me."
...
Sacred City, Heavenly Spirit Layer, Xin Family Mansion.
The Xin family was in a festive mood. The marriage alliance between the Xin family and the Changyang family had invited powerful figures from many top factions in the Central Continent to celebrate. In no time, the mansion was teeming with guests, all of whom were either Heavenly Venerates or Holy Emperors.
Inside the mansion, the lights were brilliant, and red silks adorned every corner, creating a scene of great festivity and prosperity. As an ancient family, the Xin family's mansion was as vast and magnificent as an imperial palace. Outside, numerous luxurious spirit beast carriages were parked, suggesting the arrival of guests from other sects and families. The two guards at the entrance were overwhelmed by the constant stream of distinguished guests.
After a busy period, the two guards finally had a moment to converse.
"Why do you think the family head is marrying Miss Huanyan to the young master of the Changyang family?" one guard asked, puzzled.
The other guard shrugged. "What else could it be? It's to form an alliance with the Changyang family, deepen the relationship between the two great families, and facilitate future cooperation."
"But if it's to deepen their relationship, why not choose Miss Huanyan? Aren't there other direct descendants among the Xin family? And I recall the family head having several daughters."
"You wouldn't know about that," the second guard said, glancing around before leaning in and whispering to the other guard, "I heard the Xin family is having Miss Huanyan marry into the Changyang family because their young master has set his sights on her."
"It's said that during a visit to the Xin family, Changyang Gushuo was instantly captivated by Miss Huanyan. The very next day, he sent a betrothal gift to the Xin family, stating his intention to marry Miss Huanyan as his thirteenth official wife."
"Thirteenth official wife? Isn't that Changyang Gushuo being overly ambitious? He has so many beautiful wives and concubines, and he still wants more? Wouldn't marrying him be a great loss for Miss Huanyan?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down. If the Changyang family hears this, we'll be finished." The two guards quickly looked around to ensure no one was eavesdropping before breathing a sigh of relief. Their fear of Changyang Gushuo was understandable. To outsiders, Changyang Gushuo was not only a top prodigy among the Four Great Families but also the foremost young expert in the Sacred City. With his impressive titles and background, Changyang Gushuo was incredibly arrogant and conceited. More importantly, he had a harem that numbered in the hundreds, with twelve official wives so far, each a saintess from a top sect or a princess from a kingdom. His concubines exceeded a hundred, all daughters of noble families. Regardless of their status, if Changyang Gushuo desired them, he would obtain them. After all, no one dared to refuse a marriage proposal from the Changyang family, ranked first among the Four Ancient Families.
One guard shook his head helplessly. "Alas, Miss Huanyan is out of luck to have caught Changyang Gushuo's eye. And it's obvious to anyone that Changyang Gushuo doesn't genuinely love Miss Huanyan; he's definitely after her looks and her body."
"Indeed, but Miss Huanyan is truly a beauty that can topple cities and nations. Which man wouldn't be moved by her?"
"What are you talking about? I've never seen a woman more beautiful than Miss Huanyan..." As he spoke, one of the guards noticed the other had fallen silent. He saw his companion staring blankly, his mouth agape, a look of utter astonishment on his face, as if he had seen something extraordinary. Lost in a dazed state, he murmured, "A woman more beautiful than Miss Huanyan has appeared..."
"Really? How co—" The guard turned around, half-believing, half-skeptical. When he saw a woman in a simple, elegant white dress standing not far away, looking like a celestial being, he was utterly petrified. The woman had a delicate figure, and her beauty was as exquisite as an earthly elf. Her starlike eyes sparkled with a lively sheen, and her lustrous black hair was tied into a low ponytail, falling on her chest, giving her an air of pure grace and gentle beauty.
Xin Ci, in her female form, immediately attracted the attention of everyone present. Many young lords from noble families who had been invited to the Xin family's celebration could not help but stop in their tracks, their gazes captivated by Xin Ci.
Feeling the intense stares, Xin Ci's embarrassment intensified. Perhaps it was due to being a woman, but under such scrutiny, her cheeks involuntarily flushed. She unconsciously clutched Ming Huang's sleeve. However, to the onlookers, Xin Ci's demeanor appeared as that of a shy and charming young girl, further deepening their infatuation with this beautiful maiden.
Watching Xin Ci's shy and captivating appearance, Mu Qingqing, from within the consciousness space, couldn't resist teasing, "Oh my, oh my~ Whose girl is this? Looking so cute isn't good."
"It's over. I feel like this is going to become a black mark on my life." Xin Ci felt extremely uncomfortable being the center of attention and wished she could sink into the ground. Although her body had transformed into a female's when her second personality took over, that had always been under Mu Qingqing's control. Now, with her main personality controlling a female body, she was still somewhat unaccustomed to it. With this thought, Xin Ci cast a slightly resentful glance at Mu Qingqing.
"Qingqing, how can you even say that? This is your brilliant idea, turning me into this."