47: Chapter 47 Mirage Appears

Xu Changsheng's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Is the Second Miss referring to that Robber Cultivator from the Black Wolf Gang?"

"Precisely."

Xie Wantang stared fixedly into Xu Changsheng's eyes, as if trying to detect any abnormality.

"I do not know him."

Xu Changsheng's face wore an appropriately dull expression, looking as if he had no idea what Xie Wantang meant.

"Why do you say that, Second Miss? Do you suspect that I am in league with a Robber Cultivator?"

"No, I saw Lu Yuanze once and thought you two looked very similar. Furthermore, it is said that Lu Yuanze's Black Wolf Gang possessed the method for refining Spirit Condensing Talismans..."

Xie Wantang openly stated all her points of suspicion.

"Second Miss, you worry too much. I have only seen that person on a wanted poster. As for the method for refining Spirit Condensing Talismans, I purchased it from the black market."

He rubbed his nose. "Isn't saying I look like him a bit insulting? Do I really look that much like a Robber Cultivator?"

"No, it was just a slight doubt. Thank you for clearing it up, Fellow Daoist."

Afterward, the two returned to their respective rooms.

Once he was certain the door was completely closed...

Sitting on the paper boat, Xu Changsheng's heart was thumping.

"That was terrifying. I didn't expect that even though I hid so well, this woman would still catch a trace of a clue."

He once again recalled the process of killing the Robber Cultivator, rescuing the two Xie Family girls, and seizing the green vine sword.

He re-examined every word spoken and every action taken.

"It shouldn't be. I didn't show a single flaw the entire time; I was a perfect actor."

In the end, he could only attribute it to a woman's sixth sense.

"Forget it. I basically won't be using the identity of 'Lu Yuanze' anymore. I'll throw away the painted skin and let her investigate as she pleases; I don't believe she can find anything."

...

Fifteen minutes later.

The people at the valley entrance had long since noticed the commotion on the Talisman River.

Several Foundation Establishment Cultivators were already waiting on the shore.

Those they had sent out were all elite Disciples of their organizations; they hadn't expected to encounter a natural disaster as soon as they set out. It was truly unfortunate.

Especially for Xiao Tongguang.

Jiang Wenzhou could be considered one of the top Genius Disciples in the entire Chu State cultivation world. If he were to perish here, it would be a total disaster.

He stood at the furthest point of the extending pier, looking forward with anticipation at the river surge constructed from countless Talismans filling the sky.

"There shouldn't be any problem; Junior Martial Uncle's transmission Talisman hasn't reacted..."

Sure enough.

After a short while.

The light-crossing boats returned one after another.

"Revered Master, I have returned."

Chen Xuan bowed with his hands clasped.

"Where is Martial Nephew Jiang?"

"He said his biluo flying boat could reach the opposite shore, so he didn't return with us."

"Nonsense!"

Xiao Tongguang's face was filled with anger.

Xie Chengming also hurriedly stepped forward. "Then what about Tanger? Did she not return with you?"

Ding Zhengxiang looked ashamed. "Clan Chief, the couple were together, and none of us could persuade them otherwise."

"Oh, these two juniors are truly reckless."

And so, another person joined the pier.

Xie Chengming also joined the queue of those anxiously waiting for the biluo flying boat; the messages he sent to Xie Wantang had gone unanswered.

Nowadays, the Lai Family was flourishing. Lai Tianxiang, who was by Lai Mingyuan's side, had already reached the Qi Refining Great Perfection Realm, and it was unknown if he had purchased a foundation establishment pill.

If he had, given this boy's Earth-grade Spiritual Root Aptitude, he could advance to Foundation Establishment at any time.

As for his Xie Family, although they were currently supported by two Foundation Establishment Cultivators—himself and his brother Xie Chengye—and could temporarily suppress the Lai Family, both of their Lifespans were running short.

life continuation pills were only a temporary measure.

The most critical thing was to use Jiang Wenzhou's support to help the Family produce another Foundation Establishment Cultivator; only then could they contend with the Lai Family.

If anything happened to either Jiang Wenzhou or Xie Wantang, it would cause everything he had built to lose its foundation.

The two waited with bated breath.

Fortunately.

Fifteen minutes later.

A flying boat emitting a green light slowly approached from the distance.

The two let out a long sigh of relief. "Fortunately, they are safe."

The biluo flying boat arrived at the pier.

Jiang Wenzhou stepped off the flying boat in a disheveled state.

Seeing this.

Xiao Tongguang moved forward joyfully. "Congratulations to Martial Nephew Jiang for surviving this calamity."

But Xie Chengming could not find any joy.

He waited and waited, but he did not see Xie Wantang step off the flying boat.

"Nephew Jiang, where is Tanger?"

Upon hearing this.

Jiang Wenzhou's heart sank to the bottom, and he replied despondently, "Uncle, Wenzhou is guilty. I failed to bring Tanger back."

Instantly.

Xie Chengming felt the world spinning.

The next moment.

He lost his footing and stumbled backward.

"Uncle, be careful!"

Jiang Wenzhou hurriedly stepped forward to support Xie Chengming, who was about to fall into the Talisman River.

Xiao Tongguang also looked regretful. "My condolences, Fellow Daoist Xie. Even we would have to deal with such a great calamity cautiously, let alone a Qi Refining Cultivator like little friend Xie."

Xie Chengming pounded the ground, wailing inwardly, "It's over, everything is over! The marriage contract with the Chixiao Sect is gone, Chengye's life continuation pill is gone—the Xie Family is finished!"

He looked fiercely at Lai Mingyuan in the distance, and a desperate thought slowly surfaced in his mind: "No, I must find an opportunity to take him down with me while the Lai Family is off guard."

From beginning to end, almost no one cared about the fact that Xu Changsheng had not returned either.

With two exceptions.

Under a tree not far away.

Ding Zhengxiang brought over a bottle of aged fine wine and filled a cup, his old face full of joy. "Fellow Daoist Chen, this is a first-tier Medium Grade spiritual wine, Vermillion Fruit Wine. Let's have a couple of drinks!"

Chen Xuan took out a jar of green beans. "Drinking without a side dish won't do. These Green Spirit Beans have been specially prepared for forty-nine days; they are the perfect little snack for wine!"

"Good, good, good. This is the Xie Family's temporary camp. Drink at ease, Fellow Daoist Chen; no one will disturb us."

"Excellent! Today, we shall not return until we are drunk!"

...

An hour passed in the blink of an eye.

The sun had set, and the twilight was hazy.

A layer of thin gray mist shrouded the sky.

Just then.

A strange change occurred in the sky.

The clouds seemed to be torn apart by an invisible hand. Against the vast twilight, purple mist reflected a gray scene.

Soon, a Loose Cultivator noticed it.

"Look, what is that?"

"It doesn't look like a scene from inside the Secret Realm."

An experienced hand immediately stepped out to explain, "It's just a mere mirage. They occasionally appear over the Flowing Light Talisman River. What's all the shouting for?"

"But I think this mirage seems to be moving."

"There is such a thing? I have never heard of it!"

Exclamations of wonder spread along the riverbank one after another.

Disciples from the Xie and Lai families, along with the Loose Cultivators, gathered by the riverbank to see what was happening.

The four Foundation Establishment Cultivators and Jiang Wenzhou were no exception.

Soon, the riverbank was crowded with people.

In the mirage in the sky, an exquisitely styled paper boat actually appeared in the image.

Someone immediately recognized the boat.

"It's a ningguang boat! Someone is actually using that boat to cross the Flowing Light Talisman River!"

"I wonder which Senior Foundation Establishment Talisman Revered Master has such heavenly methods to have deceived the several Foundation Establishment Seniors here!"

Hearing this.

The four Foundation Establishment Cultivators were instantly intrigued and looked up.

"Which Fellow Daoist possesses such a secret concealment technique to cross the sea in such a deceptive manner?"

"It shouldn't be. Since I, Xiao, entered, I have been guarding the shore and have not discovered any suspected Foundation Establishment peer crossing the river."

"Why bother with that? Keep an eye on the ningguang boat. It's about to reach the shore. The owner will surely disembark, and then we'll see clearly whether it's a man or a ghost."