During their journey to Snow Maiden City, Mira spent the majority of her time trying to find a way to hide her tails and fox ears. She didn't have much of a problem hiding her fox ears as she could just lower and cover them with her hair, but her tails are different.
No matter how hard she tried, she could not find a way to hide them. Maybe if she only had one tail, she could just wrap it around her body and cover it with a slightly oversized robe, but having nine tails is a different story.
Her tails are essentially a new set of limbs that also act as a secondary energy container. Since she can't polymorph her arms or absorb them into her body, it'd only make sense that she also can't do it for her tails.
She can, however, move the energy within each tail into her body which will flatten them out a bit, but there's a slight problem in doing that.
It causes an imbalance of Qi in her body, and from what Mira could tell, leaving it like that for an extended period of time could leave irreparable hidden damage to her body. Such a risk just to hide her tails is not something Mira is willing to take.
Even if she has to risk not being able to join the Battle Maiden Sect's Main Branch because of her tails, she'd never do something that could possibly hinder her future.
At this point, she can only hope that her tails don't cause too much of a commotion, or else things will be a huge pain in the ass in the future.
Although Mira couldn't care less about the opinions of others, not being able to enter cities would seriously hinder her growth. Sure, she has the F.LD.I.L that can help her gather resources, but she'd rather not have to go through those trials just to get some relatively common items.
Also, each trial only gives one of the specified items unless said otherwise. She should be able to repeat the trials for common items, but she'd still have to spend an insane amount of time for some things she can buy for a few hundred to a few thousand Spirit Stones!
Lastly, the whole reason she wants to join a Sect isn't because of cultivation techniques, rare items, or anything like that. Part of the reason is that she'll have access to things in this world that she wouldn't otherwise have if she wasn't part of an organization. Being in a place where she can buy and sell items also isn't bad, but the main reason is that she's still mostly ignorant of the Cultivation World!
She needs information!
What better place to gather information than a Sect that has existed for thousands of years, or perhaps much longer than that!?
The Battle Maiden Sect has branches all over the Western Continent. Such a Sect should be loaded with all kinds of information.
Interesting Techniques, complete or at least almost complete knowledge of the side-occupations, information on rare herbs or items that can boost one's strength, knowledge of places that can increase one's Dao comprehension, information about the other Continents, etc. These are all things that Mira can't find an abundance of anywhere but a large Sect like the Battle Maiden Sect.
Then, there's the fact that it's an all-girl sect.
If Mira can't enter this Sect because of her tails, then her future will no doubt be annoying.
The only thing she can do now is to approach the city with a calm, confident, and steady gait.
Maria walked next to Mira with concern in her eyes. She knew that this wasn't as simple as being able to join a Sect or not. Right now, it's not about whether she can join a Sect or not, but about whether this world will accept her…
Before Mira appeared before any people, she put on a fox mask to prevent her overly beautiful face from causing any more issues and walked towards the entrance where only those with some form of ID related to the Battle Maiden Sect could use.
Unsurprisingly, when she started walking past people, they all stared at her, or more specifically, her tails.
"Look! That woman over there has tails! Is she someone from the Fox race? Is she a beast? But then why does she look like a human?"
"Shut up, idiot! If she was a beast, then that'd mean she's a Rank 8 beast who was able to take on a human form! Do you want to piss off a Rank 8 Beast?!"
"RANK 8?! Are you sure?! Then why don't I feel a beastly aura coming from her?"
"Now that you mention it, she really doesn't feel like a beast. How peculiar…"
"Hmph! All of you guys are idiots! Who cares if she's not releasing any beastly aura!? Her tails alone tell you that she's not an ordinary woman!"
"I guess you're right.
"Yeah, now that you mention it, she's definitely not an ordinary person or beast."
"That woman is probably nothing but trouble. I'll be sure to keep my distance from her if possible."
One might think that Mira or Maria would be upset listening to these whispers, but on the contrary, they actually released a sigh of relief. She might not necessarily be accepted, but at least they didn't start trying to kill her for no reason. Though, it could also be said that they just didn't want to involve themselves with someone troublesome like her.
Mira had her unique Core to thank for this. Unless she deliberately reveals her cultivation or if someone is especially sensitive, it's nearly impossible for someone to sense her cultivation Realm. That, combined with her natural aura, can give off the illusion that she's someone strong.
Of course, there are most likely people who can tell what her general cultivation or strength level is just by looking at her or by their intuition, but that's only an approximation. That's why nobody confronted her.
Well, they are also right outside Snow Maiden City, and nobody wants to cause trouble with some unknown person that may or may not be related to the city or Sect.
Some of the more knowledgeable people knew that humans aren't the only race on the Continent or in the World and were only a bit surprised that someone like Mira showed up.
Just like that, Mira was able to make her way to the entrance of Snow Maiden City without any issues.
When the guards at the entrance noticed Mira, they too were quite surprised. Although they've heard of beasts being able to gain a human form after advancing to Rank 8, they've never actually seen one.
They also knew there was a possibility that she was not a Rank 8 Beast and instead some other race, but that wasn't their job to figure out. Their job is to ensure no wanted criminals enter the city, collect the entrance fee, report to their superiors any suspicious activity they find, and ensure that only authorized people are allowed into the City.
"Welcome to Snow Maiden City! In case you didn't know, this entrance is only for those who are either a resident of the city, a disciple at any Battle Maiden Sect Branch, or a disciple at the Main Branch. If you don't have some form of identification, you'll have to go to the back of one of the lines over there. If you have any form of identification, please show us now so we can allow you into the City!" One of the guards said in a slightly authoritative tone.
Mira nodded and inwardly praised this guard for their professionalism.
Mira and Maria both took out their tokens, proving that they were part of a Branch of the Battle Maiden Sect.
The two guards were surprised that Mira actually had a form of identification but quickly regained their composure and began inspecting the token.
"It seems these tokens are real. Now please allow me to ask a few questions to confirm your identity as a disciple of the Battle Maiden Sect!" The guard said to which Mira and Maria nodded.
"Which Branch Sect did you come from?"
"The one near Lunar Fox City," Mira answered indifferently.
The guard nodded and asked her second question, "Who was the Sect Master of the Branch Sect outside of Lunar Fox City?"
"Sect Master Jane."
"What is your name?"
"Mira."
"Maria Zaria."
Mira and Maria said at the same time.
"Do you have a last name, Mira?"
"No."
The guard nodded her head and said, "Thank you for your cooperation. Now, if you don't mind, can you please wait here while I go confirm your identities?"
Both Mira and Maria nodded, and the guard left the entrance to go into a nearby building.
The other guard stood there, a little uncomfortable. She clearly wanted to say something but didn't know if she should.
Mira noticed this but didn't care. She had an idea as to what the guard wanted to ask, but she couldn't be bothered to answer her curiosity.
A few minutes later, the other guard came back.
"Thank you for waiting. I have officially confirmed your identity as someone of the Battle Maiden Sect. You two are free to enter, but if you want to bring this little girl and those two beasts inside, there will be a fee. The girl, since she's only at the Foundation Realm, will cost 100 Low-Grade Spirit Stones. While the beasts will cost 1,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones each, and you'll have to put a collar on them to signify that they are your beast companions." The guard said.
Mira nodded at the price and conditions as she expected something like that. Although it was a bit pricey, she understood why.
She took out 2,100 Low-Grade Spirit Stones and tossed them over to the guard, who grabbed them without any change in her expression.
The guard then took out a small token with the silhouette of a woman in white on it, along with two collars that had the same symbol.
Mira grabbed them, gave Dominique the token, and put the collars on Vulcan and Rhydian.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Mira, Maria. I hope you all enjoy your stay in Snow Maiden City!" The guard said with a light bow.
Just like that, Mira, Maria, Dominique, Vulcan, and Rhydian were able to enter the city without encountering any trouble!
However, after they left, that same guard ran off to go inform her superiors about Mira and her unique appearance.
***
Thank you to Nyviria for gifting me a Castle worth 15000 coins! I really appreciate the support! Here's a bonus chapter for supporting me!
