"What's the intelligence this time?"
Xie Lingyu pondered briefly to confirm, then answered:
"According to Tai Dao Sect intelligence, one of the evil cultivator leaders emerged from here. Moreover, his cultivation advanced extremely quickly, far exceeding normal evil cultivator progress. Even with impressive talent, it doesn't resemble the pace of a rootless cultivator who strayed onto the wrong path."
"Yuyang believes that some evil cultivators may have been specially selected. Perhaps the [Demon] didn't help openly, but there must be covert support."
"He also thinks that since this place is extremely close to Fuyao Immortal City, if someone truly wanted to experiment with something without being easily discovered, then awareness of intelligence would matter far more than finding a remote location."
Chu Xingchen shifted his gaze. "What does Lady Lingyu think of young Yuyang's words?"
Xie Lingyu looked over, only to see Chu Xingchen's eyes slightly raised as if teasing.
"Naturally it makes some sense. Besides, with Tai Dao Sect intelligence as a foundation, what—do you think I'm stupid?"
Chu Xingchen's expression instantly turned serious as he said:
"Not at all. I just feel that with young Yuyang's head, he wouldn't think things through so clearly. Only Lady Lingyu's brilliance and wisdom could be so thorough."
Xie Lingyu naturally understood that Chu Xingchen was half-flattering and half-teasing. She didn't mind, and returned to the main topic:
"Let's get to business. We already have that person's specific name and address."
"How do you plan to approach this? We'd better not alert them, or it'll make things harder for the other lines of investigation too."
"How? By going door to door spreading warmth, of course." Chu Xingchen sighed lightly.
"If I'd known we'd have to deal with this, I should have brought Cui Hao along. That kid has probably had enough of staying at Wan Hua Ridge by now anyway."
Xie Lingyu didn't argue; instead, she nodded in considerable agreement.
She had also been at Wan Hua Ridge in recent years. Even without deliberate interaction, she naturally came to understand Cui Hao's talent.
Zhou Ping might shrink back from communicating because of Li Xingtian's ever-ready-to-kill expression. Qing He might dislike Lin Luoyu's straightforward, no-nonsense approach.
But Cui Hao alone—look across the entire sect inside and out, and there was truly no one who wasn't familiar with him.
Even after being arrested multiple times and experiencing the methods of the furious Third Senior Sister, Cui Hao could always seem to forget it all. The very next day, he'd still show up with a smile and ask Chen Baiqing for a cup of tea.
Cui Hao was no fool or pushover who couldn't hold a grudge. On the contrary, Qing He always called him the number two black-hearted kid.
He seemed to always be laughing and joking all day, yet could effortlessly close the distance with anyone.
This seemed to be an innate talent of his. Truly, no matter who it was, as long as he was willing, he could always build a good relationship with them. Even Bai Xuanling would clink glasses with him openly.
If it came to going undercover, Cui Hao might also be quite skilled.
Li Xingtian could infiltrate using his blood-qi, but Cui Hao could infiltrate through his connections. He might even work his way up to a not-insignificant position.
One could only say that talent would shine with a unique brilliance wherever it went, drawing attention.
Chu Xingchen's gaze fell on the small city ahead. Qu Lin was, after all, close to Fuyao Immortal City. With merchants passing through, it had eventually developed into a small city rather than a village.
Chu Xingchen raised his hand slightly and called forth Wan Ban. A wave of emerald spiritual energy gently enveloped him and Lingyu.
Xiao Baiqing's illusion skills had grown increasingly impressive. Wan Ban could also enhance them, which saved quite a bit of effort.
———————
"Step right up, don't miss out! Miss this and you'll wait a lifetime!"
"Don't like watching street performances? Then how about picking up free money?!"
Chu Xingchen had transformed into a middle-aged Daoist. His right hand held a horsetail whisk as he stood in the bustling market, while his left hand held some loose silver. As his words fell, he directly scattered the silver from his hand.
The sound of those small silver pieces striking the ground rang out like a massive bronze bell in the bustling market.
There had been no one in front of Chu Xingchen moments ago, but a large crowd quickly squeezed in.
The scattered silver was swiftly picked clean. Someone was already shouting:
"Immortal Master, throw some more!"
Meanwhile, slightly to the right, a street performer with a stone slab on his chest stared wide-eyed. He supported the stone slab with his hands, hesitating over whether to push it off and squeeze through the crowd too.
Damn it, he'd thought it was a fellow performer, but the man had come to play the generous benefactor.
The voices grew increasingly noisy, and more and more people gathered around.
Faced with the growing clamor, Chu Xingchen spoke slowly. His voice wasn't loud, yet it suppressed everyone:
"Whether I throw more silver depends on whether you know how to behave. If anyone shouts again, this Daoist will leave immediately, and the thousand taels of gold in my hands will seek other destined ones."
His voice was clearly conveyed to every single person.
The noisy clamor completely subsided in mere moments. Those who wanted to speak up were held back by the people beside them.
Chu Xingchen pointed at the banner standing to the side:
"Strictly speaking, this old Daoist is no benefactor—a merchant would be more accurate. This old one is desperate to pursue immortality, but alas, my own immortal fate falls short. So I've come here specifically to buy some immortal fate."
"Cultivation requires orderly karma. I use silver to buy your immortal fate—one exchange, one transaction, cause and effect."
"The better the immortal fate, the higher the price. The finest may cost ten thousand gold."
"Naturally, there are worthless ones too, worth only a few copper coins or a single tael of silver."
"High and low prices are determined by heaven. If you think it's too cheap, you don't have to sell. If you feel destined and want to seek fate, you can choose not to part with it."
"But the path of cultivation is fraught with difficulties. Without foundation or backing, how far can you go?"
"Blood and storms are commonplace. Yet the gold before you is a century's opportunity—whether it's worth it is for each of you to decide."
"This old Daoist will seek fate here for three days. After three days, I pack up and leave."
"Those willing to sell their immortal fate, line up starting here. One more thing—I don't buy immortal fate from those who don't follow the rules."
As Chu Xingchen's words fell, the young Daoist that Xie Lingyu had transformed into gently shook the banner. A wisp of golden energy faintly rippled out, drawing gasps of amazement from the surrounding crowd.
Though to those in the know, this was nothing more than a petty trick that even a Qi Condensation cultivator could perform.
After Xie Lingyu finished these tasks, she watched as Chu Xingchen began his solemn, earnest [Buying Fate].
The notion of [Buying Fate] was naturally absurd. The ability to read fate was something only the Tian Yan Sect had some means for, and even then, it was only when someone's fortune was so overwhelmingly great that it couldn't be concealed that they could see it with any clarity.
If an ordinary person tried to discern good or bad fate, even Lü Xuan would be left groping in the dark.
Moreover, immortal fate was only immortal fate. One's temperament and comprehension were equally indispensable.
Chu Xingchen's purpose in setting up a stall to buy fate was obvious. Since going door to door would be conspicuous, wouldn't waiting for people to come to him be more convenient?
Since investigating openly would easily alert people, then taking on the guise of a scheming figure operating covertly would be far better for concealment.
Xie Lingyu felt there was something strange about this. But seeing Chu Xingchen's confident expression, she naturally trusted him. She stood to the side and played the part of the young Daoist holding the banner.
She noticed that Chu Xingchen's eyes seemed to be fixed on the person selling their fate before him, yet not truly looking at them.
Chu Xingchen's voice was steady:
"Your immortal fate is quite good. Two taels of gold—will you sell?"
"I'll sell!" The one selling fate was a slightly frail middle-aged man, his tone extremely excited.
Chu Xingchen retrieved two taels of gold and placed them on the table. A wisp of golden light was theatrically channeled into the gold, and then he proclaimed loudly:
"The gold from selling fate can only be spent by the seller. Those who forcefully seize it will suffer backlash from heavenly fortune—ruined home, lost wealth, and death. Those who don't believe it are welcome to try."
With Chu Xingchen's gentle nod, the middle-aged man reached out and accepted the two taels of gold. He muttered to himself in a barely audible voice:
"Mother... you're finally saved."
With that, he quickly departed.
Chu Xingchen watched the middle-aged man leave with a calm expression.
Good people deserving some good fortune—there's nothing wrong with that.
If heaven won't give it, he will.
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