Hearing the shout from the red-haired woman, Ian Song shot her a glare. She instinctively stepped back two paces, thinking he was about to hit her too.
After giving the Mystic Maiden Sect Master two more heavy slaps, Ian finally let her go.
Looking at her battered and swollen face, Ian felt all his pent-up frustration vanish. He said coolly, "Are you clear-headed now? Do you still dare to act without asking the reason first?"
"I don't dare anymore!"
To Ian's surprise, the Mystic Maiden Sect Master's attitude became extremely meek.
"Really don't dare anymore?"
"Really, I don't dare!" The Mystic Maiden Sect Master nodded vigorously, her meekness making her look like a timid old housecat.
"Martial Aunt, are you okay?" At this moment, the red-haired woman finally mustered her courage and rushed over. Seeing the middle-aged Daoist nun's battered face, she angrily yelled at Ian Song, "Ian, you've gone too far!"
"Lilian, do not be rude to Sir!" Suddenly, the Mystic Maiden Sect Master rebuked the red-haired woman.
The red-haired woman was stunned, then nodded, "Yes, Martial Aunt."
"Haha, Ian, you two talk. We'll go for a walk!" Cliff Fu said tactfully, then left with Henry Han.
Soon, only Ian and the Mystic Maiden Sect Master remained in the hall.
Ian watched her silently, curious about what scheme she might be plotting.
"Sir Ian, are you a cultivator?"
The Mystic Maiden Sect Master suddenly asked.
Ian was startled by her question and stared at her coldly.
The sect master continued, "Sir Ian, don't be alarmed. In fact, our Mystic Maiden Sect can barely be considered a cultivation sect."
Ian was even more surprised, but kept his composure and said calmly, "Please, go on."
The sect master continued, "Our sect's founder was Chen Xuannü. Before cultivating, she was just an ordinary young lady from an official family. After her family was destroyed by enemies, she fled into the mountains, stumbled into a cave, and discovered a fragmentary immortal cultivation manual. Using that manual, she created our sect's core technique, Mystic Maiden Tribulation."
"Unfortunately, the immortal cultivation manual was incomplete, so Mystic Maiden Tribulation has major flaws. First, only women can cultivate it. Second, before reaching the sixth layer, they must not fall in love or lose their virginity."
Otherwise, their cultivation would collapse.
After breaking through to the sixth layer, losing their virginity would no longer destroy their cultivation, but up to eighty percent of their power could be siphoned away by the man they slept with.
That's why our Mystic Maiden Sect established the rule that disciples may never marry.
At this point, the sect master sighed heavily. "No one knows who leaked this secret, but a hundred years ago, a demonic expert broke into our Mystic Maiden Sect, raped the sect leader and several elders, stole most of their power, and killed them."
Since then, our Mystic Maiden Sect has declined from a top-tier sect to a third-rate one.
Later, after I became sect master, I searched the ancient records and learned that our techniques were derived from a fragmentary immortal-cultivation manual. To repair our flawed art, I have always ordered my disciples to investigate and collect anything related to cultivators.
By chance, I bought an antique from a shop and discovered it was a magical artifact once used by a cultivator. I mobilized most of the sect to trace its origins and learned it had been stolen from a tomb by a farmer. Thus, I suspect the tomb belonged to a cultivator."
"I see," Ian nodded, then asked, "Where did you learn the talisman technique you used earlier?"
"I learned it from the handwritten copy of the fragmentary manual left by our founder. Sir, you may take a look." As she spoke, the sect master took out a yellowed book from her robes.
Since she was willing to show him, Ian saw no need to refuse.
Ian took the book and began to read.
With his current mental strength, Ian could memorize anything at a glance. He quickly flipped through the entire book and, comparing it with the Foundation Sutra, confirmed it was indeed a cultivation manual, allowing one to reach the Innate Ninth Layer at most.
However, there were many missing and incomplete sections.
The only valuable part was that the manual included some basic knowledge about talismans.
"How many kinds of talismans can you draw?" Ian asked the sect master after closing the book.
A look of embarrassment flashed in her eyes. "I only know how to draw one kind, the immobilization talisman, and even after all these years, I've only succeeded a handful of times."
The manual described three types of talismans, but to create them, one must infuse true essence. The sect master's energy was only halfway between true qi and true essence, so successfully drawing three was already a stroke of luck.
Moreover, these talismans were all low-grade—useful against ordinary martial artists, but useless against the strong.
"Why did you conclude I'm a cultivator?" Ian asked, returning the manual and looking at her with interest.
The sect master hesitated. "Two reasons: first, my talisman failed to immobilize you. Second, I somehow ended up in your hands for no apparent reason. Only a cultivator could have such mysterious means."
"You're right! I am indeed a cultivator."
Thud!
Suddenly, the sect master knelt before Ian. "Sir, could you teach me a true cultivation art? I am willing to lead the Mystic Maiden Sect to serve under you!"
Seeing this, Ian hesitated.
When Ian still didn't agree, the sect master offered a jade bracelet with both hands. "Sir, this is a magical artifact I obtained. It's useless to me; please accept it!"
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