Mans & Dogs Don't Enter!

Although Sam had merged with the memories of the soul fragment, he found himself unable to underestimate the complexity of inscription.

To fill the gaps in his knowledge and truly integrate the soul's memories within his body, he needed to engage in rigorous mental and physical coordination.

The materials for inscription were as precious as the hard-earned gold he had amassed. Every bit was invaluable, and Sam couldn't afford to squander any of it.

In this critical moment, he hesitated to utilize any of his precious materials.

Instead, he concentrated on harnessing the true essence within his body to practice.

He meticulously circulated the energy, syncing it with the memories from the soul fragment, etching each sensation into his mind.

This process was laborious and spiritually draining, yet in Sam's mind's eye, he could envision thousands of pages turning, one after another, as his soul and body gradually adapted, making his movements increasingly fluid.

The soul force required was incredibly demanding. Periodically, Sam would take short breaks, using the time to peruse a book titled 'Inscription Techniques: How to Get Started on the Path to Inscription.' While the book didn't offer any new insights beyond what he already knew from the soul fragment, it provided him with a more tangible grasp of the engraving inscription techniques prevalent in the Starlight Spill Continent.

At the end of a full day of practice, Sam closed the book. Disappointingly, it contained no information about Starlight Worm Silk.

Starlight Worm Silk was a matter of utmost importance to Sam.

Although he had come across various materials in the Trade Fair, Starlight Worm Silk had remained elusive. He had, however, gathered some leads.

The Starlight Haven Kingdom indeed possessed Starlight Worms, but they were primarily used for crafting zither strings.

Yet, Sam couldn't be certain that the two were the same...

In the Realm of the Gods, differences in land quality and cultivation methods could lead to variations in materials, despite sharing the same name.

Sam relied not on the name but on other characteristics like appearance and scent to identify materials. If they matched, it was likely the same substance.

However, since he only possessed memories of Realm of the Gods' Starlight Worm Silk and hadn't encountered its Starlight Spill Continent counterpart, he couldn't be sure they were identical.

After careful consideration, Sam surmised that he might find Starlight Worm Silk at the Seven Profound Martial House.

While most martial artists favored weapons like swords, sabres, or bows, there were occasional outliers who wielded exceedingly rare and precious instruments, such as the zither.

The Seven Profound Martial House derived its name from the Seven Profound Valleys, a faction composed of seven individuals, each proficient in various weapons. Among them was a female practitioner whose weapon of choice happened to be the zither.

As a result, the art of the zither was a cherished legacy within the Seven Profound Valleys, passed down from generation to generation and now integrated into the Seven Profound Martial House.

Yet, the path of the zither was fraught with countless challenges. It demanded not only exceptional talent but also a calm and regal temperament.

Consequently, the Zither Department remained relatively isolated compared to its more popular counterparts. The vast majority of its students were women who sought to cultivate their character and musical skills, with little interest in combat or rigorous martial training.

Sam promptly set off for the Seven Profound Martial House's Zither Department Public Lecture Hall, where they conducted public lectures.

Each year, the Starlight Haven Kingdom's Seven Profound Martial House carefully selected top-tier talents to enter the Seven Profound Valleys.

In accordance with the royal family's request, the martial house also granted special access to non-students who wished to attend lectures, provided they possessed a special Pass Card. This restriction was essential to prevent overcrowding.

To obtain entry into the public lecture hall, one had to meet certain criteria: being at least at the third stage of Body Transformation, belonging to the aristocracy, or being a student of the Seven Profound Martial House or the Starlight Haven Martial House.

Others were not granted the privilege of entering the public lecture hall. While the lectures attracted significant interest, the most profound teachings were reserved for core disciples.

Sam's younger brother, Alex, had given him a Pass Card. Given the size and power of his Family, many of its juniors and seniors studied martial cultivation in the Seven Profound Martial House, which made obtaining a Pass Card very simple.

Upon visiting Alex, Sam was met with an incredulous shout. "Brother! Have you finally recovered from your obsession?"

Alex truly admired his older brother's dedication and diligence when it came to inscriptions.

He held the belief that Sam, with his determination, could reach the pinnacle of martial arts and become a legendary figure.

However, the art of inscription was not solely about determination. No matter how resolute Sam was, he needed innate talent.

In Alex's opinion, Sam's pursuit of inscription was more than an idle dream. He worried his brother would waste time, lose his fortune, and become penniless.

But Alex was a true brother to Sam, and despite his inability to dissuade him, he reluctantly lent Sam his Pass Card.

Now, Sam arrived at the Seven Profound Martial House's Zither Department Public Lecture Hall, an elegant three-story building with a spacious lecture area.

Unbeknownst to Sam, the Zither Department's Public Lecture Hall was similar to a ladies' sanctuary, strictly off-limits to men.

This limitation resulted from the fact that the majority of the Zither Department's students were young women from wealthy families who were well-known for their attractiveness. These women had an unrivaled grace and charm, drawn to the Dao of the Zither by a lifetime of exposure to beautiful music. Young wealthy individuals frequently tried to court this beauty since they couldn't help but give in to immoral thoughts.

They took advantage of their position to obtain Pass Cards and break into the Zither Department, not to listen to lectures but to admire the curves of the female students, especially those with beautiful bodies.

These uninvited guests would loiter after lectures, follow the female students around, dine near them, and pester them while they shopped.

The students of the Zither Department eventually ran out of patience.

In order to study the Dao of the Zither, they needed a calm mind, which was hard for them to attain while these lecherous outsiders were constantly bothering them. As a result, the Zither Department started to restrict male access, especially that of the lustful troublemakers, ejecting them from the location immediately and cruelly.

Sam ventured into the hallowed halls of the Zither Department's Lecture Hall, but the scheduled lecture had yet to commence.

Inside, a group of female students occupied the space, their hushed conversations and zither melodies creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and skill exchange. In the center, a young woman masterfully played a captivating new tune, its notes flowing gracefully, enticing all who heard it.

Sam came up for a closer look out of curiosity. But he realized that the zither's threads were not the anticipated Starlight Worm Silk.

It was unsuitable for people lacking the required cultivation because this unique and expensive substance was known for its excellent craftsmanship and tremendous strength. It would definitely be too difficult for the delicate blooms of the Zither Department to manage such powerful strings.

The devoted zither player continued to be preoccupied with her playing, completely unaware of Sam's presence. However, the two other female students who had been paying close attention and had quickly identified the newcomer. They scowled suspiciously but refrained from expressing their worries.

The lecture hall for the zither department occasionally attracted people with bad intentions who skulked like opportunistic flies. These people pretended to be interested in zither music in order to approach the female learners and covertly stare at their chests. The female students were sensitive and resisted confronting these lecherous intrusions because such behavior repulsed them. A group of sisters led by an Elder Senior Sister expelled some of the deviants from their sacred sanctuary after they engaged in inappropriate touching.

However, a few careless intruders persisted, boasting shamelessly that they had no ill intent and merely intended to study the "Dao of the Zither" with the female students.

In response, the Elder Senior Sister took even more drastic measures. She hung a prominent sign above the entrance reading, "Men and Dogs, Do Not Enter."

This sign marked a turning point, and male presence within the Zither Department Lecture Hall was severely restricted.

Male students were allowed entry only if vouched for by female students and strictly on the condition that they harbored no inappropriate intentions. Those who violated this rule faced expulsion and permanent loss of privileges.

Over time, the Zither Department Lecture Hall became a sanctuary devoid of male presence. Unaware of this history and the ongoing battle against perverts, Sam continued his search for information, scouring the shelves of books, hoping to find anything related to his quest.

As he wandered, several students finished their performances and noticed Sam standing near the bookshelves. They exchanged whispered remarks.

"He doesn't seem like someone who studies zither."

"Yeah, I saw that sly guy looking at Merry's hand earlier."

"He doesn't look that old either, around 15 or 16, maybe?"

"Humph! This is our territory. A 16-year-old boy should already be married. At my age, some might even be mothers by now." The girl who spoke was just 17, highlighting the difference in societal norms.

"Whatever, it's not up to us. The Elder Senior Sister will be here soon for the lecture. If he has any inappropriate thoughts, she'll kick him out."

Unaware of these discussions, Sam continued his search until he stumbled upon the information he sought - a manual titled the 'Starlight Zither List.' This comprehensive encyclopedia detailed ancient musical instruments, including their origins, users, manufacturers, materials, and more.

Despite the absence of a picture, Sam was confident that he had found the elusive Starlight Worm Silk he was looking for.

While Sam delved into the manual with enthusiasm, he remained oblivious to the increasing number of female students around him. Although they suspected his authenticity, they lacked evidence to expel him.

However, the Zither Department had one legendary figure known for her strong prejudice against men – the Elder Senior Sister.

In aristocratic circles, her name was synonymous with a thunderous curse, a symbol of missed opportunities for the young masters. The sign proclaiming 'No Man or Dog shall enter' had deeply offended them, and they hoped for her eternal spinsterhood.

Ironically, the Elder Senior Sister was a stunning beauty in her own right.

She was the definition of attraction with her beautiful face, majestic height, and lovely legs. She was well known for her explosive temper, but she had exhibited little interest in males. Any man who dared to look at her beautiful presence would learn his lesson the hard way.

The Elder Senior Sister arrived for the lecture and saw Sam there right away. She set her zither down and walked over to him, her fine eyebrows furrowing. She demanded sternly, "How did you get in here?"