Chapter 496: Chapter 18: Mysterious Guest_3
A moment later, the commerce association’s gathering for today concluded.
"Honored Guest Guo, Honored Guest Huang, Little Friend Yao, and Jingzhu, please stay for a moment," Master Yu Xiao called out to the four.
Once everyone else had dispersed.
The four came forward, and Master Yu Xiao stepped down from the president’s seat to sit across from them.
"Mother, is the mysterious guest at Jinhua Commerce Association a fat cultivator?" Yuan Jingzhu asked first.
Master Yu Xiao was slightly surprised, as it was only recently that the association’s informant had obtained accurate information.
"Jingzhu, how do you know?"
"I saw a fat cultivator following Wu Yehua during the auction for the Green Blood Pill at Fierce Tiger Commerce Association. Wu Yehua was particularly respectful towards him," Yuan Jingzhu recalled.
"In that case, Wanzhi, you must have seen that person too?" Master Yu Xiao turned to Guo Wanzhi.
Guo Wanzhi nodded: "If it’s that fat cultivator, then yes, I’ve seen him."
"Do you recognize that person? Can you determine which sect’s true disciple he is?" Master Yu Xiao asked urgently.
The Si Shui Commerce Association had been lurking in the Celestial Cyan Domain for centuries and had an understanding of the Holy Palace Sects within the domain.
As long as they could determine the background of the fat cultivator, they could naturally learn about his cultivation techniques and magical divine abilities.
That way, they could have a targeted approach.
Guo Wanzhi shook her head: "Please understand, President. Wanzhi has been devoted to alchemy in the sect for years and is not well-acquainted with disciples of other sects aside from our own true disciples."
Master Yu Xiao nodded slightly and then said: "It’s alright. Your dedication to alchemy skills is as it should be."
Then he turned to Yao Rui: "Little Friend Yao, as a true disciple of the Biyun Sect, you should have met the true disciples of other sects, right?"
Yao Rui nodded: "I’ve experienced many trials after reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage and have fought alongside Holy Palace true disciples in sect wars. Once I’ve seen someone, I can recognize them."
"Good. Jingzhu, project the appearance of that fat cultivator."
Yuan Jingzhu nodded, then pointed to her forehead, recalling the image of the fat cultivator from her sea of consciousness, and projected it with magical power.
The next moment, the disguised form of Li Ji’an as Liu Qingyun appeared before everyone.
"This..." Yao Rui stared for a moment and shook her head: "I’ve never seen this person; he might not be listed among the true disciples of any sects."
"Not among the true disciples of the sects?" Yuan Jingzhu was somewhat surprised. In general perception, only the disciples of the Holy Palace Sects had considerable depth in the Celestial Cyan Domain.
"Fairy Yao, please think carefully. Could he be a hidden prodigy of the Ten Thousand Laws Palace?"
Yao Rui firmly shook her head: "No, I’ve seen the current prodigies of the Ten Thousand Laws Palace, and there was no such fat cultivator. Moreover, to my knowledge, no other sects have such a fat cultivator either."
"Could it be a disguise technique?" Yao Rui asked in return.
"Impossible. Given my divine sense, it’s impossible not to detect the disguise of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and during the spiritual beast appraisal at Fierce Tiger Commerce Association, which was presided over by a True Core cultivator, he couldn’t possibly sneak in using magic," Yuan Jingzhu affirmed.
"Then... might he be a loose cultivator?" All eyes immediately turned to Li Ji’an, who had been silent.
Li Ji’an gazed at the magically projected image for a moment, then shook his head with a slightly twisted expression: "This... I don’t recognize him."
"If he were a cultivator from the Celestial Cyan Domain, no loose cultivator should have such strength," Yao Rui said confidently.
"One shouldn’t be too hasty to conclude," Master Yu Xiao replied, shaking his head in denial.
Yao Rui was taken aback by his words and then remembered Huang Jie’s master.
"Alright, the two of you should leave now and prepare well for the Flying Crane Dao Discussion. Honored Guest Huang and Wanzhi, stay and talk with me."
Yao Rui initially wanted to say more but had to stop. Before leaving, she glanced at Li Ji’an, signaling with her eyes that there was more to discuss later.
After only Li Ji’an and the remaining three were left, Master Yu Xiao turned to Li Ji’an.
"Little Friend Huang, I didn’t intend to trouble you again, even though Wanzhi discovered your identity two years ago and didn’t disturb you then. However, now that it concerns the commerce association’s future, I must ask for your help, and I hope you won’t mind."
Li Ji’an furrowed his brows slightly and instinctively looked at Guo Wanzhi.
He was somewhat prepared for this, considering that Guo Wanzhi had visited the Nine Tripods Commerce Association and learned about the past of "Li Fan" and the commerce association.
As expected, Guo Wanzhi spoke openly, "Fellow Daoist Huang, perhaps we are indeed siblings in discipleship."
"Oh?" Li Ji’an was slightly surprised.
"If the Nine Tripods Commerce Association identity token you gave me earlier was truly left by your master, then your master is my master," Guo Wanzhi said, explaining the situation she encountered at the Nine Tripods Commerce Association two years ago.
"Master was actually still an Upper Sect Elder?" Li Ji’an exclaimed in surprise.
Upon hearing this, Master Yu Xiao’s expression changed instantly: "Little Friend Huang, are you sure?"
"If so, then Li Fan, the True Man from Biyun Sect who passed away, was the teacher who once bestowed great favor upon my Si Shui Commerce Association!"
Li Ji’an fell silent for a moment.
He had never feared that his past identity would be exposed; after all, it was a past life, and it had no impact on his current life.
"Senior Brother!" Guo Wanzhi then solemnly saluted Li Ji’an.
She had heard before that their master had other disciples outside but was unsure who they were. Now it made sense.
"Senior Brother, do you know if Master took any other disciples?"
"Indeed, I have a strong premonition that the fat cultivator from the Jinhua Commerce Association seems to have a connection with me, aside from your master, as I can’t think of anyone else," Master Yu Xiao eagerly added.
"Other disciples of my master?" Li Ji’an was slightly surprised, not expecting Master Yu Xiao to have such premonition and ability to sense destiny.
"Perhaps so!" Eventually, Li Ji’an gave a vague answer.
"That must be it!" Master Yu Xiao was immediately delighted.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly looked at Li Ji’an with burning eyes: "Little Friend Huang, I have a favor to ask of you, and I hope you will agree!"
Seeing the seriousness in his demeanor, Li Ji’an felt slightly uneasy.
As expected, he then spoke: "I dare to ask Little Friend Huang to go to the Golden Radiance Immortal City on behalf of our commerce association and find a way to contact that fellow disciple of yours."
