Chapter 286: Infiltrating the Zheng Family
Chapter 286: Infiltrating the Zheng Family
What trick are they trying to pull?
An act?
Even Qing could tell that something was amiss, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
If Jin Baowen thought he had found a backer and wanted to forcefully take Big Brother Shen's heavenly treasures, why go to such lengths with this charade when they were already at the door? Why not just sneak in?
"I..."
Jin Baowen scrambled to his feet and instinctively looked up at the sky, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes.
Clearly, he had realized that his actions would likely be misinterpreted by Shen Yi.
But the other party had come as an independent cultivator.
If he acted too subservient, any explanations now would only expose his deception.
In matters of deceit, there was no room for regret. If he failed to please either side, his life would be at stake.
Moreover, how could these two young gatekeepers possess such overwhelming strength? It was perplexing!
With these thoughts in mind, Jin Baowen quickly averted his gaze and put on an indignant front. "Absurd! I am a long-time in-law of the Zheng family. On what grounds do you bar me from entering? My loyalty to the Zheng family is unwavering. These friends here are new acquaintances, and they wished to visit upon hearing of the Zheng family's reputation. Don't be too rude!"
His words were directed at the Zheng family, but his true allegiance lay elsewhere.
A peculiar expression flitted across Wan Yun's face.
She glanced quietly at the young man beside her.
What kind of ability did he possess to strike such fear into that old man?
"..."
Shen Yi's suspicions had not been aroused by Jin Baowen from the start. He lowered his gaze, focusing on the two young men guarding the door.
Just now, when they had made their move, there had been no fluctuation in their auras.
This was not a new situation for Shen Yi.
After all, he had benefited numerous times on his journey by using his body-tempering martial arts without the need to mobilize his aura, and he was well-versed in such tactics.
However, body-tempering martial arts did not rely on talent but on time and practice. It required a significant amount of time to accumulate progress.
Given Jin Baowen's relatively close relationship with the Zheng family, if they truly practiced body-tempering martial arts, it was unlikely that he would be unaware of it. He also wouldn't have shown that moment of bewilderment and loss when he was pushed to the ground.
There were, however, ways to enhance one's progress in body-tempering martial arts.
For example, the Diamond Gate had once possessed a Diamond Bodhi Wishing Tree.
Either the Zheng family possessed some kind of treasure, or they had mastered a technique similar to body-tempering martial arts.
Either way, Shen Yi was intrigued.
"In-law?"
The two guards at the door snickered.
Then, they crossed their arms and said indifferently, "The head of the family said he's not receiving guests. Your two-bit connection won't work, so scram. It doesn't matter who comes to visit; just take them away."
Jin Baowen paused, then suddenly realized something as he saw the two men's serious expressions. It seemed they weren't targeting him specifically.
He grew anxious.
If he couldn't bring Shen Yi into the Zheng family today, returning the heavenly treasures would be the least of his worries. If the other party felt deceived, they might even take his life in their anger.
Jin Baowen lowered his voice. "This is a family of independent cultivators, with cultivation bases reaching the Mixed Yuan stage. They have emerged from seclusion and are seeking a backer. I finally managed to bring them to the Zheng family... Please, show some flexibility."
Usually, independent cultivators led difficult lives.
But there were exceptions.
Some, due to their reclusive and indifferent nature, might possess not only formidable strength but also unique abilities.
Most powers would not easily turn away such individuals.
Hearing this, the two guards slowly lowered their arms and exchanged a glance.
They probably guessed that there was a Mixed Yuan stage expert on the wooden boat, but they hadn't expected him to be an independent cultivator.
The man on the left nodded and turned into the mountain villa.
"What kind of strength does a force like this usually possess?"
Shen Yi glanced sideways at the two women beside him.
Qing was about to speak when her aunt beat her to it. "Out here, a first-rate force can almost be likened to the care of a Nascent Soul cultivator. They either possess a genuine Nascent Soul cultivator, have means comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator, or, at the very least, can call upon a Nascent Soul powerhouse for support."
"The Zheng family clearly falls into the last category."
"Even if they encounter a genuine Nascent Soul cultivator causing trouble, they can stall for time using their mountain-protecting formation until a cultivator from Xuan Guang Cave arrives to lend aid."
Wan Yun continued, "Above first-rate are only immortal sects and supreme powers like Da Qian, with over ten Nascent Soul cultivators in residence. They are peerless giants that none can shake. It's best to stay far away from them. The cultivators within such powers are arrogantly indifferent, viewing people like us as mere meat to be used as they please."
"..."
Shen Yi could now confirm that this woman, like Qing, gained her knowledge from books.
Da Qian currently had not ten, but only one Nascent Soul cultivator besides himself, and that one was as dumb as a rock.
The title of supreme power was utterly undeserved.
"Right, why do you ask?"
Wan Yun suddenly realized something, and her brows furrowed slightly as she asked in surprise, "You don't plan on stealing their age-prolonging wood, do you? Don't joke about that. Even if you invited a genuine Nascent Soul cultivator, they probably wouldn't dare make such a demand."
"Just asking," Shen Yi replied casually.
He wasn't a brute who only knew how to slaughter.
Even if he wanted to steal, he'd first have to see if the item was useful to him; otherwise, he'd be wasting the incense aspiration power.
With that in mind, he communicated with Qinghua through his divine soul.
"How much longer?"
"Reporting to my lord, ten days will be sufficient. Qinghua will return as soon as possible, so please wait for me..."
Hearing Qinghua's anxious reply, as if afraid of being replaced, Shen Yi cut off her rambling.
About half an incense stick's worth of time later, the man at the entrance to the mountain villa slowly took out a jade slip. After listening to the transmitted message, he cupped his hands toward the sky and said, "Please come in."
Jin Baowen's face lit up with a smile, and he stepped forward, only to be pushed back and almost fall again.
"I invited the Sect Master to come in. What are you doing here? Scram."
The doorman glared at him without an ounce of politeness.
"..."
Jin Baowen's expression darkened as he secretly glanced into the mountain villa.
He felt that this group was hiding something, and if he could sneak in and get some new information, he might be able to sell it for a good price later.
At this point, he didn't want to leave.
"I'm a close friend of Sect Master Shen, and he's used to having me by his side..."
Hearing this, the doorman looked at the old man with a smile that wasn't quite a smile. After a moment's hesitation, he stepped aside and said, "Fine."
Wan Yun put away the flying boat.
The three of them descended from the sky and followed the doorman into the mountain villa.
"I forgot to ask the Sect Master's surname."
"Shen."
When traveling, one usually used an alias.
But there were exceptions, like when your real name was completely unknown.
Shen Yi fell into the latter category.
Those who knew his name were either dead or from Xuan Guang Cave or the Thousand Demon Cave, and none of them were still alive. Additionally, he had only been cultivating for just over a year.
As a result, despite being a mid-stage Mixed Yuan Master, he was completely unknown.
(End of Chapter)
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