Mu Yanxi didn’t say this because she was surprised that an artifact spirit could change from male to female.
In this world, undergoing surgery to become a girl was far too easy. What surprised her was that the Spirit Race even had a concept of gender identity.
Artifact spirits themselves had no gender; after all, they were born as objects.
Unless the soul sealed within them possessed a gender, they were genderless at the start, only choosing one when they manifested as a member of the Spirit Race.
Thus, one could simply choose a gender during enlightenment. If someone wanted a female Spirit Race member to serve a high-level cultivator, wouldn’t they just choose female when granting them enlightenment?
That was what the sword spirit company’s advertisements claimed, so why bother turning into a man first and then a woman?
“That certainly wouldn’t be the case. Aside from the fact that a Spirit Race member transforming from male to female is completely redundant, there’s no reason to train a Spirit Race member in male noble etiquette.”
“It’s worlds apart from the etiquette of a manservant, a maid, or a young lady,” Shangguan Yun said, shaking her head.
Mu Yanxi recalled Hai Lingxue’s movements and demeanor during their conversation earlier. For instance, she had kept one hand behind her back and the other at her chest while speaking.
She had bowed slightly instead of curtsying when greeting her, and her tone was somewhat condescending.
‘Wasn’t that exactly how a Young Master acted?’
Aside from being a bit prickly, she was almost identical to how Mu Yanxi had been not long ago. If Hai Lingxue were holding a folding fan, the resemblance would be even more striking.
“Speaking of which, what about you? Why do you still maintain the etiquette of a noble Young Master? It even seems more natural than before.”
“Your grandfather passed away over two years ago. Haven’t you adapted to your current life yet? Or are you still playing the part of a Young Master among your peers in the Chu Sect?” Shangguan Yun asked, turning her head.
‘How sharp!’ Mu Yanxi thought. She had been exceptionally careful not to stand out, yet Shangguan Yun still noticed something off about her etiquette.
Fortunately, Shangguan Yun probably hadn’t seen the original host in two years and couldn’t be certain of her usual state.
“You certainly know a lot about etiquette to be able to notice that,” Mu Yanxi said with a dry laugh, avoiding a direct answer.
“I learned the etiquette of a young lady at home, the etiquette of a maid at the Lingyue Chuzong, and even the etiquette for being a wife, a concubine, a waitress, and workers in different industries.
The etiquette is different for everyone. How could I not know?” Shangguan Yun said with a sigh.
“Furthermore, the Lingyue Chuzong teaches us how to judge what kind of person someone is based on their speech and behavior.”
“Whether they’re a company CEO or a Sect Elder, a nouveau riche who stumbled upon an opportunity, or a big shot from a prestigious family. Otherwise, how else could we climb the social ladder?”
Mu Yanxi felt a chill. Luckily, she had deliberately tried to hide it, leading Shangguan Yun to believe she simply hadn’t adapted to life as a commoner.
If she hadn’t masked it, the other woman would surely have recognized her noble aura and grown suspicious of her identity.
“So, what’s the deal with Hai Lingxue? A member of the Spirit Race with the etiquette of a noble Young Master… could the soul sealed within her originally have been a Young Master from a prestigious family?” Mu Yanxi asked, steering the conversation away.
“I don’t think so. Souls deteriorate. By the time they manifest as the Spirit Race, they’re practically a different person. Etiquette wouldn’t be maintained so perfectly.”
“Besides, there’s no reason to seal a Young Master’s soul into a divine artifact to become an artifact spirit. There are many better options,” Shangguan Yun said.
“Then what’s your guess?” Mu Yanxi asked directly. She was tired of guessing herself, especially since she didn’t understand this world well.
“I don’t know. My guess is that the sword spirit company is conducting some new product experiment.”
“Otherwise, the Spiritual Moon Sect wouldn’t have arranged for her to be my roommate. Their upper management has collaborative projects,” Shangguan Yun said, spreading her hands.