Chapter 12: The Essence of Identity

Xiao Ningxue did not make things difficult for him. “As long as you all try your best, that’s enough. After all, clan rules cannot be broken. The noble females should set their sights on better and more suitable partners.”

The status of females was extremely high, and every move they made attracted everyone’s attention.

If her words displeased the people here, unless she was willing to reveal her female identity, her days would be anything but easy.

However, those who made mistakes still had to be punished.

Xiao Ningxue came happily but left with a troubled face.

Qin Yixuan stayed by her side. Seeing her expression, he wanted to comfort her but didn’t know how to start.

“Enough, fight fire with fire, water with earth. I refuse to believe those females can just drag me to their beds and get away with it,” Xiao Ningxue temporarily set this matter aside. After all, the most urgent time hadn’t come yet—she would deal with it when the moment arrived.

Qin Yixuan knew she just didn’t want to reveal her worries in front of him, but unfortunately, his influence before the females was quite limited...

“Don’t worry. Once I return, I will discuss with everyone what should be done.” The females occupied the highest positions, and their group was untouchable for now. But cooperation with the botanist was real; they had to find a way to protect this botanist. Otherwise, what would happen if their supply of edible plants was cut off?

Though she held little hope, Xiao Ningxue still thanked him sincerely: “Thank you for your efforts.”

Coming from a post-apocalyptic world, Xiao Ningxue naturally understood that even if the females wouldn’t tie her to their beds, their followers might not be so restrained.

Many things in this world were black or white.

If she wanted to live a peaceful life here, it was best to tightly conceal her female identity.

“Today is September 13th. The First Military Academy follows the traditions of our ancient Blue Star era—new students enroll every year on September 1st. Their military training finishes tomorrow. Can we arrange your enrollment for the day after tomorrow?”

Xiao Ningxue had no objections. As long as it kept her away from those females, she was willing to do anything.

“That works. How will the dormitory be arranged?”

The dormitory at the First Military Academy was a triple room. This year, there were exactly three Wood-element psychics, and she was the fourth.

This meant... she couldn’t possibly room with peers from her own specialty.

Xiao Ningxue forced back a smile.

That was really wonderful!

“Botanists don’t room with others from the same specialty.”

Qin Yixuan’s words shattered Xiao Ningxue’s beautiful illusion of living alone in a triple room.

Deadpan, she stared at Qin Yixuan.

He was confused, not understanding why her mood had worsened.

He opened his mouth to explain further: “Because botanists generally have weaker constitutions, the First Military Academy disperses them among the dorms of the psychic combat and mech combat departments. One reason is to protect them as best as possible, and the other...”

He paused and glanced at Xiao Ningxue.

She caught a hopeless omen in his eyes.

“Go on. I can take it.”

Qin Yixuan coughed strategically. “The other reason is related to the botanists’ marriage prospects. Whether female or male, all awaken at fifteen, so most botanists at the First Military Academy already have betrothals. Sharing a dorm with a botanist means there is a high chance of catching the eye of the botanist’s future spouse...”

Unless under special circumstances, the two combat department students sharing a dorm with a botanist would become one of the spouse’s mates.

Xiao Ningxue turned to stone.

The obsession with females in this world was madness. No matter which way she turned, her ultimate fate seemed to be exposure of her female identity.

“Then what about me...” Xiao Ningxue pointed to herself.

Her situation was exceptional—exceptionally complicated!

Qin Yixuan turned away, avoiding her gaze, and the lightning-fast words kept coming: “I say we’ll try to protect you because the females’ power is rising. If a dominant female really chooses you...”

He left the rest unsaid, but Xiao Ningxue understood perfectly—she would have no choice but to ‘marry’ that female to end this farce.

Frowning, Xiao Ningxue wondered why, despite having no worries about food or clothing, she felt a longing to return to the post-apocalyptic world.

No matter what choice she made here, it never seemed to be what she truly wanted.

Qin Yixuan tried to console her: “It’s not trouble because your identity was exposed, but because your identity itself is a problem...”

Xiao Ningxue was speechless.

Indeed, her current trouble didn’t stem from exposure but from revealing her Wood-element psychic ability...

“Thank you. I was looking in the wrong place,” Xiao Ningxue said sincerely, finally understanding. “Since that’s the case, I’ll just take it one step at a time.”

Seeing her come to terms with it, Qin Yixuan breathed a sigh of relief.

“As long as you understand, it’s good. Actually, following a female has many benefits. The most important is the chance to naturally reproduce offspring. You can consider that carefully.”

Qin Yixuan was busy with official duties and couldn’t stay with Xiao Ningxue for two days, so he booked a room for her and paid a deposit in advance before hurrying off.

Xiao Ningxue had intended to go out for a walk after he left but, thinking about the matters on the interstellar network, she finally suppressed her restless heart and obediently stayed in the inn.

The interstellar population was more than five times that of Blue Star at its peak. What if some talented psychic group targeted her...

The more Xiao Ningxue browsed, the more troublesome it seemed.

Normally, if a hot topic was downplayed and the person involved wasn’t “doxxed,” the trend would soon fade.

But this hot topic defied normal rules.

Two females had started a “fight” on the hot search.

The cause wasn’t even Xiao Ningxue.

Those two females probably held grudges offline. As a botanist, Xiao Ningxue naturally became the subject of their rivalry. After fierce competition, only five females remained for the final “showdown.”

Everyone expected the champion to come from those five, but one “eliminated” female refused to accept defeat.

She was determined to interfere.

Among the five females, one did not get along with her, and the two began arguing back and forth on the forum.

This attracted a large group of males watching. It only increased their envy, jealousy, and hatred toward Xiao Ningxue. Some even vowed to uncover her identity so they could see what she looked like.

Seeing this, Xiao Ningxue thought:

“Wait, how is this related to me?”

Could the interstellar community please be reasonable?

Of course, beneath the two females, even more males volunteered, and this virtual floor was already more crowded than the entire interstellar population.

One could only be thankful for the interstellar network’s powerful capacity; if this were Blue Star’s technology, it would have collapsed long ago.

Unbeknownst to Xiao Ningxue, the forum’s backend administrators were nearly overwhelmed.

The interstellar technology was indeed advanced, but even so, it wasn’t meant for everyone to discuss whatever they pleased so freely!