530: Chapter 530 The Master and Disciple Finally Meet

The location is here, but this...

Zhou Yan stood at the bustling intersection. Everywhere he looked was crowded; he couldn't see Xie Bian at all.

This is troublesome; searching for him one by one would take forever.

Because of a recent collapse, many roads were blocked, diverting most people to this one. Pedestrian traffic had increased significantly, along with security measures.

Using Divine Sense for a large-scale scan here was definitely out; it would be trouble if he were caught as a criminal.

Sigh, no choice but to search slowly.

Zhou Yan checked the location message again, confirmed it was on the left side of the intersection, and scanned through people one by one with his naked eyes.

Where is he? Where is he?

A beggar was sitting there.

Looking over, he saw a beggar with messy hair and ragged clothes huddled against the wall, looking quite miserable.

Can such a prosperous city still have beggars? Is this a specialty of the Eastern Region?

He shifted his gaze nearby.

Are those spiritual youths?

"Hello everyone, I'm Huasheng. Next, we're starting a massive challenge in Dream City!"

"Challenging 100 days of street survival with 20 star coins! Day one begins!"

He then started a series of inexplicable breakdance moves, causing people to subconsciously avoid them with disgusted looks.

"Hey, Huasheng, the audience wants to see a backflip. Do one!"

The man put a finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture.

"Alright~ I get you. Here goes!"

"Bang!"

A hovercar speeding through happened to hit Huasheng just as he backflipped onto the road.

"Oh my god, Huasheng!"

"Oh, stop shouting! What we need to do now is immediately change Huasheng's livestream channel to Peanut Butter's channel!"

"Otherwise, people will say we're using false advertising and get the channel banned!"

Zhou Yan frowned at the scene, not daring to comment, fearing they were some special group.

Suddenly, a person in a trench coat, acting suspiciously, walked past Zhou Yan. Zhou Yan subconsciously focused and followed quietly.

Could it be him?

A phone rang inside the trench coat. The person looked around, activated some barrier, and started talking into the receiver.

To Zhou Yan, this naturally appeared as speech bubbles popping up.

"Hello, it's me. Yes, I want to cash out the money I embezzled."

"Screw you, I need speed! Speed!"

"I need to get the money as soon as possible and then run away to Taiyi City, otherwise... Hey, you... what are you doing!"

Halfway through, a Cultivator in exoskeleton armor descended like divine justice and pinned him to the ground.

Then, two large hovercars landed slowly, and over a dozen fully armed personnel stepped out.

The man was terrified. Pinned down, his face was exposed. One look and Zhou Yan knew he wasn't Xie Bian, nor was he Xie Bian in disguise.

"No, no, no! I only embezzled 3 million star coins! Is it worth this kind of arrest?"

"I want to see my lawyer! I want..."

"Bzzzzzz!"

The person pinning him pulled a small stun gun from a pouch and shoved it into his mouth, shocking him until he twitched, unable to speak.

"You damn animal! Embezzling 3 million is one thing, but you didn't pay a single cent of tax on that 3 million in stolen funds! You're truly lawless!"

"Take him away!"

Just like that, the man was wrapped up tightly and taken into the vehicle.

Meanwhile, the armed personnel scanned the surroundings with fierce eyes, weapons in hand.

After this incident, no one dared to linger on the once-bustling street; everyone scattered.

Even the filming youths quickly packed up and ran, one even losing a shoe.

Wait, why did the Peanut 'Butter' producer run too? Isn't this a hit-and-run?

Before Zhou Yan could react, a popping sound like a cork being pulled rang out.

The Peanut 'Butter' stuck to the ground suddenly bounced back into shape springily, picked up his hat, and bolted.

"Damn it, I just wanted to stage a script for some traffic, but I ran into a tax-evading lunatic!"

So it was a script?

And is not paying taxes the most serious crime?!

Zhou Yan was numb; he couldn't suppress the urge to complain. But then, a hand suddenly pressed onto his shoulder.

Zhou Yan turned around and saw the beggar grab him, shouting.

"Tax Bureau, high risk. Follow me."

Zhou Yan wanted to break free. After all, this was Dream City; who knew what this thing pulling him was.

But when he saw the face, Zhou Yan froze. He didn't resist and followed.

They ran fast, crossing several streets into a park.

Both scanned the area. After confirming the Tax Bureau hadn't followed and no one else was around, they sighed in relief.

Seeing it was safe, the beggar lowered his head to leave, but Zhou Yan called out.

"You're Xie Bian, right?"

The beggar froze, turned around, gathered mana in his hand, and signed "An'an wishes you happiness" on Zhou Yan's clothes.

"Here's your autograph," Xie Bian said coldly, then turned to leave again, faster this time.

Looking at the signature, Zhou Yan subconsciously thanked him.

Xie Bian just waved his hand without turning back and said, "Don't mention it."

But as Xie Bian was about to get far away, Zhou Yan finally realized.

"Wait, what's going on?!"

"Senior Brother Xie, I'm your Junior Brother from the Qingxu Grotto-Heaven."

Xie Bian, who was ready to ditch a fanatic fan, heard those last few words. His body began to shake as if it were on vibrate mode.

"Ju... nior... Bro... ther... from... Qing... xu... Grot... to... Hea... ven!"

"Thud."

Xie Bian fell flat on the ground stiffly like a corpse.

"No way, fainted again?"

"What kind of day is this?"

Fortunately, Xie Bian hadn't actually fainted. He was just lying stiffly on the ground, staring blankly at the sky.

"Waaaaah..."

Then, a legendary scene of peak performance occurred.

Onomatopoeic sounds kept popping from Xie Bian's mouth, and large tears rolled down his expressionless face.

"What a creepy way to cry!"

Fifteen minutes later.

"Senior Brother, what's the situation? I heard you're a big star. Are you acting right now or getting into character?"

They sat on a park bench. The bright moon was high. Xie Bian was devouring a pork hock Zhou Yan had made.

"Someone was in trouble, so I lent them money."

"I had no money for a taxi. While walking, a building collapsed and I was buried in the dirt. My high-end outfit was ruined. I couldn't afford to pay for it, so I didn't dare go back."

Seeing this, Zhou Yan's heart broke.

To think a Soul Transformation Cultivator was reduced to this. Sect Master, oh Sect Master, you truly deserve death!

Halfway through the hock, Xie Bian suddenly looked up. His face was as calm as a still pond, but his eyes were incredibly bright, staring at Zhou Yan with anticipation.

"Junior Brother, are you here to take me home?"

The look in those eyes was too dazzling; Zhou Yan couldn't look directly at them. He could only nod reluctantly.

"I came this time hoping you could help me with something. As for going home, I'll find a way to help you."

Hearing this, the light in Xie Bian's eyes dimmed instantly. He went back to eating the hock, saying nothing.

But his disappointment was palpable. On that poker face, the corners of his mouth even dropped a few pixels.

Sect Master, oh Sect Master, you truly deserve death!

Although Xie Bian didn't say it, that old fellow the Sect Master must have sent others to ask him for favors before.

Most likely, when those Senior Brothers or Sisters saw this scene, they brushed him off as awkwardly as Zhou Yan just did. He probably knew this, so he didn't say more.

Zhou Yan felt silent guilt, planning to report this to Sha Fulin when he returned. This Sect Master was no ordinary Sect Master; he had to be dealt with harshly!

Xie Bian finished the hock in no time. Then, to Zhou Yan's shock, he ate the bone as well, finishing with a Cleansing Technique to remove the grease.

He looked at Zhou Yan again.

"Name."

"Ah, are you asking for my name?"

Seeing Xie Bian nod slightly, Zhou Yan realized he was being addressed.

After using Divine Sense to ensure the area was safe, he removed his disguise, revealing his original appearance, and spoke awkwardly.

"My name is Zhou Yan. I'm a Disciple who joined not too long ago."

"You might have heard..."

Before Zhou Yan could finish, Xie Bian's eyes brightened once more, even more dazzling than before. He blurted out:

"Sect Master shall flourish, Zhou Yan is King!"

"Huh?"