Chapter 288

What kind of trick are you trying to pull?

Acting?

Even Bai Bai noticed something was off, but couldn't figure out why.

If Jin Baowen truly believed he'd found a backer and wanted to seize Shen's celestial treasures, he'd have just slipped inside the gate—why go through such a clumsy charade?

"I…"

Jin Baowen scrambled to his feet, instinctively looking up at the sky, fear flickering in his eyes.

Clearly, he'd just realized this act would make Shen Yi misunderstand him.

But he'd come here as a lone cultivator.

If he appeared too subservient and explained on the spot, he'd give himself away.

Once you've done something treacherous, there's no turning back—if you fumble it, you'll anger both sides and likely lose your life.

And these two gatekeepers—how could they have such immense strength? Strange!

Thinking of this, Jin Baowen quickly averted his gaze and put on a furious expression: "Absurd! I've been an in-law of the Zheng family for years—why are you stopping me? I've always been utterly loyal to Zheng! These are my newly met friends, who've heard of your family's renown and came specifically to pay a visit. Don't be so rude!"

Every word he spoke mentioned Zheng, yet his true loyalty lay elsewhere.

Xu Wanyun's expression flickered with something unusual.

She stole a glance at the young man beside her.

What kind of power could possibly have frightened that old man so badly?

"…"

Shen Yi had never suspected Jin Baowen from the start—he lowered his gaze to the two young gatekeepers.

Just now, when they moved, there was no ripple of Qi at all.

This situation wasn't unfamiliar to Shen Yi.

After all, he'd used Body Tempering martial arts countless times, striking without stirring his Qi, and knew the technique well.

But Body Tempering doesn't rely on talent—it demands endless, grinding effort and time to accumulate.

Jin Baowen had close ties to the Zheng family—if he truly practiced Body Tempering, he couldn't possibly be unaware of it, and wouldn't have shown that instant of bewildered shock when thrown down.

There are things that can accelerate Body Tempering cultivation.

For example, the Golden Gate once possessed a Golden Bodhi Treasure Tree.

The Zheng family either possesses some rare plant, or has mastered a technique similar to Body Tempering.

Either way, Shen Yi was deeply intrigued.

"In-law?"

The two gatekeepers suddenly sneered.

Then they crossed their arms, indifferent: "The master said no visitors. Your meager reputation means nothing—anyone who comes, regardless of origin, is turned away."

Jin Baowen froze, then suddenly realized—their stern demeanor wasn't aimed at him.

He grew frantic.

If he couldn't get Shen Yi inside the Zheng estate today, returning the celestial treasures would be the least of his worries—he might be killed outright for deception.

Jin Baowen lowered his voice: "These are a group of lone cultivators, their cultivation has reached the Slain Hunyuan stage—they've emerged from seclusion and seek a patron. I've gone to great lengths to bring them here… please, let them pass."

Lone cultivators are usually synonymous with hardship.

But exceptions exist.

Some are detached by nature, hidden within the world, possibly possessing formidable power and unique techniques.

Most factions won't easily turn them away.

Hearing this, the two gatekeepers slowly lowered their arms.

They exchanged a glance.

They'd guessed someone of Slain Hunyuan level was on the wooden boat—but hadn't expected them to be lone cultivators.

Lone cultivators mean no background… and no one cares.

"Wait—I'll go ask."

The man on the left nodded and turned into the estate.

"What kind of strength do such factions usually possess?"

Shen Yi glanced at the two women beside him.

Bai Bai was about to speak, but her aunt cut in: "Outside, so-called first-tier factions are essentially treated as Transformation of Spirit Realm—either they have a true Transformation of Spirit Realm cultivator, or possess methods comparable to one, or at the very least, can summon a Transformation of Spirit Realm expert to back them."

"The Zheng family clearly falls into the last category."

"Even if a true Transformation of Spirit Realm cultivator comes to cause trouble, they can use their mountain-protection array to stall briefly until Xuan Guang Cave sends reinforcements."

Xu Wanyun continued: "Above first-tier, only Immortal Sects and the Great Qian remain—absolute powers with over ten Transformation of Spirit Realm elders seated, untouchable giants. Stay far away from them. Their cultivators look down on everyone else, treating us like livestock to be used at will."

"…"

Shen Yi now confirmed this woman, like Bai Bai, learned everything from books.

The Great Qian now doesn't even have ten—excluding himself, only one remains, still dazed and vacant.

The title "absolute power" is long since hollow.

"By the way, why are you asking?"

Xu Wanyun suddenly realized, frowning slightly in disbelief: "You're not thinking of stealing their Sui Mu… don't joke. Even if you brought a true Transformation of Spirit Realm cultivator, they wouldn't dare ask for it."

"Just curious."

Shen Yi wasn't just a mindless brute who only knew how to kill.

Even if he planned to take it, he'd first check if it was useful—otherwise, he'd waste his incense devotion for nothing.

With that, he communicated with Lady Qinghua via his soul.

"How much longer will it take?"

"Reporting to my Lord, ten days will suffice. Lady Qinghua will return as soon as possible; please wait for me..."

Hearing Lady Qinghua sound as if she feared being replaced, Shen Yi cut straight through the other's chatter.

About half an incense stick's time.

The man at the manor gate leisurely took out a jade slip, and after hearing the message, raised his hands to the sky: "Everyone, please proceed."

Jin Baowen immediately walked inside with a beaming face, but just as he took a step, he was pushed back out by someone grabbing his arm.

"I invited the Shen Zongshi inside; what business is it of yours to make a scene? Get lost."

The gatekeeper glanced at him with no courtesy whatsoever.

"..."

Jin Baowen's expression shifted between gloom and light as he secretly stole a glance into the manor.

He felt these people were hiding something; if he could sneak in and obtain some new information, wouldn't he be able to sell it for a good price again later?

By this point, he actually didn't want to leave.

"I am a close friend of Shen Zongshi Shen; he is accustomed to having me by his side..."

Hearing this, the gatekeeper looked at the old man with a half-smile, pondered for a moment, then stepped aside to clear a path: "Very well."

Xu Wanyun retracted the flying boat.

The three descended from the sky and followed the gatekeeper into the manor.

"I have not yet asked the Shen Zongshi for your surname?"

"Shen."

When traveling abroad, one usually uses an alias.

But there are exceptions: when no one knows one's true name at all.

Shen Yi was exactly this kind of case.

Whether in the Profound Light Cave or the Thousand Demon Den, there were no survivors who knew his name, and on top of that, he had only been cultivating for just over a year.

This resulted in him, a Slain Hunyuan Shen Zongshi of the Middle Realm, being a completely unknown existence.

(End of this chapter)