Starting as pearl divers, they have endless jobs.

Chapter 184 Changing Identity
“We can set up a scenario where your loyal servant led you out of the Song Kingdom and headed west, trying to cross the endless swamp to seek refuge. Unfortunately, the old servant was seriously injured and died on the way, while you, as a child, accidentally fell into a cave left behind by an ancient cultivator.”

This opening is classic, but also cliché.

But the more clichéd the story, the easier it is for people to believe it.

Chen Ye nodded, signaling her to continue.

"There was no earth-shattering inheritance in that cave, nor any elixirs that could defy fate. There was only a cultivation manual left by that senior cultivator, as well as some basic cultivation resources. So you relied on the fasting pills left by the senior to fill your stomach while exploring cultivation on your own with your talent and perseverance."

"This setting can explain why you have such cultivation at such a young age, because you are a genius. It can also explain why your cultivation technique has an unusual aura, because you cultivate an ancient method!"

"Most importantly, the resources in the cave are limited. When you reach the Sea Condensation Realm and exhaust the resources, in order to continue to grow stronger and to seek revenge, you will naturally choose to leave the cave and seek opportunities. At this time, joining the powerful Blood Lotus Sect is a logical choice."

Li Qingyan rattled off her idea in one breath, then nervously looked at Chen Ye, awaiting his judgment.

A hint of approval flashed in Chen Ye's eyes.

This Li Qingyan is indeed very clever.

Her fabricated experience was flawless.

It features both extraordinary encounters and unexaggerated elements, making it all quite plausible.

A young genius who has been cultivating alone in a mountain cave for more than ten years, with a tenacious spirit, a proud personality, poor social skills, and complete ignorance of the outside world...

This character is absolutely fantastic!

It perfectly explains all the unsociable behaviors that Lin Xun might exhibit.

"Very good." Chen Ye did not hold back his praise. "Do it as you said, and then perfect all the details of this story, including the location of the cave, the layout inside, the senior's Taoist name, Shengping, etc., make them all up as realistically as possible."

"Yes, Master!" Li Qingyan's face lit up with joy upon receiving confirmation, and he retreated with renewed vigor.

Over the next few days, the two continued to refine and improve Lin Xun's life story.

From his childhood memories before the age of seven, to his turbulent journey on the run, and then to the lonely years of his ascetic practice in his cave...

Every point in time, every key event, is vividly and realistically depicted by them.

It was ten days later when all this was done. By then, all the information about Lin Xun had piled up into a small mountain.

After that, Chen Ye went into seclusion again.

This time, however, he wasn't doing it for cultivation, but to get into character.

He recalled Lin Xun's experiences in his mind again and again, completely immersing himself in the role using his innate talent for illusionary plays.

Gradually, Chen Ye's temperament began to change.

He was no longer the calm and collected Chen Ye.

He became Lin Xun.

A vengeful young man with cold eyes, an aloof demeanor, and an aura that keeps strangers at bay.

When he came out of the room again, Li Qingyan, who was waiting at the door, felt his heart skip a beat.

The man before her made her feel a sense of alienation and...fear that came from the depths of her soul.

“Master…Master?” Li Qingyan called out tentatively.

"My name is Lin Xun."

Chen Ye, or rather Lin Xun, corrected him in a cold and emotionless tone.

Li Qingyan trembled and quickly corrected himself, "Yes, Young Master Lin...."

"Are you ready?" Lin Xun asked.

"Everything is ready." Li Qingyan took out a brand-new blue robe and a package from his storage bag. "These are clothes prepared for you."

Lin Xun nodded without saying anything, took the clothes, turned around and went back into the house to change.

A moment later, when he reappeared, he had completely changed.

His well-fitting blue robe accentuated his tall and slender figure, and his long hair was tied back with a simple wooden hairpin, with a few stray strands falling casually in front of his forehead, adding to his unruly air.

Instead of carrying the fierce and domineering Black Prison Battle Blade, he replaced it with an ordinary fine steel longsword that he had exchanged from the Merit Hall.

At this moment, he looked like a refined and elegant young master from a prominent family.

But the coldness and aloofness in those eyes made people hesitant to approach them easily.

Li Qingyan was somewhat mesmerized by what he saw.

She had to admit that no matter what role her master played, he was always so... eye-catching.

"Let's go." Lin Xun ignored her distraction and strode towards the courtyard gate.

"Yes!" Li Qingyan quickly followed.

The two left the house where they had stayed for more than a month, one after the other.

Their destination was Yunmeng Peak, about three thousand miles from Blackwater Lake.

That place is an important branch of the Blood Lotus Sect.

With Chen Ye's current strength, traveling three thousand miles is naturally no problem. As for Li Qingyan, although her strength has been damaged, she carries a magical artifact that can increase her speed, so she can keep up as well.

The two flew one after the other at an extremely fast speed and arrived at Yunmeng Peak in just one day.

Yunmeng Peak is majestic and imposing, with red mist swirling around its summit. Various overt and covert restrictions and formations are scattered throughout the mountain, and the slightest disturbance will attract a thunderous strike, making it extremely ominous.

"Master, we've arrived." Li Qingyan's voice trembled slightly.

Returning here again, her feelings were extremely complicated.

After all, she was once a prominent figure on Yunmeng Peak, full of vigor and with a promising future, but now all of that is in the past, so she is naturally filled with emotion.

Chen Ye remained calm, or rather, Lin Xun's expression was as cold and aloof as ever.

He looked up at the mountain shrouded in clouds, his eyes calm, but his mind was racing.

The defenses here are hundreds of times stronger than those at Blackwater Lake Wharf, and the hidden magic arrays made him feel a sense of threat.

As expected of a branch of a major demonic sect, its foundation is indeed profound.

"What's the next step? Should we just go up?" Chen Ye asked.

“No…we can’t go straight up.” Li Qingyan quickly shook his head. “Yunmeng Peak has a protective array. Anyone who trespasses without an identity token will be executed. So we need to go to the welcoming hall at the foot of the mountain to report our identities first.”

"Is your current identity convenient?" Chen Ye glanced at her.

Li Qingyan's face paled slightly, and he said with a wry smile, "It's inconvenient, but there's nothing we can do about it!"

She knew that she was now the most important part of her master's plan and absolutely could not afford to make any mistakes.

"Hmm." Chen Ye responded indifferently, which was taken as agreement.

The two walked along the mountain path toward the welcoming hall not far away. When they got closer, Chen Ye found that it was a magnificent hall built entirely of black stone. Two guard disciples stood in front of the hall, their auras solemn, clearly members of the inner sect.

Upon seeing Li Qingyan approach, one of the guards paused for a moment, then a mocking smile appeared on his face.

"Who do we have here? Isn't this Senior Sister Li? What, you couldn't stand staying in that remote, impoverished place like Blackwater Lake, so you've come back?"

Another disciple added sarcastically, "Hey, Senior Brother Liu, you can't say that. Senior Sister Li is currently under investigation; maybe she's come back to apologize to the sect?"

The two men spoke in unison, their words dripping with sarcasm.

Li Qingyan's body trembled slightly, and his hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched into fists so tightly that his nails almost dug into his flesh.

These two used to follow her around like glue, calling her "senior sister" sweeter than anyone else. I never expected them to be so ruthless now that she's fallen on hard times.

This is the reality of the Demonic Sect: when it falls, everyone pushes it down.

"I want to see Elder Sun." Li Qingyan forced out the words through gritted teeth, barely suppressing his anger.

"Elder Sun is busy, and even if he were, he probably wouldn't bother to see you," the first disciple said lazily.

Just as she was caught in a dilemma, a cold voice rang out behind her.

"She wants to recommend someone to join the sect. This is a matter of great importance. If it is delayed, can you bear the responsibility?"

It was Chen Ye who spoke.

He stepped out from behind Li Qingyan and gave the two guards a cold look.

The two felt a chill run down their spines when they saw his gaze.

Who is this person?

"Recommend?" Liu Chen frowned, then sneered, "Li Qingyan, you're a convicted criminal who can barely protect yourself, how dare you recommend others? Don't be ridiculous!"

"Whether I'm qualified or not isn't for you to decide," Li Qingyan said coldly, seizing the opportunity. "I advise you to report this now, otherwise, when Elder Sun comes to blame, neither of you will escape!"

She invoked Elder Sun's name, hoping to intimidate the two men.

The two guards exchanged a glance, both hesitant.

Although they looked down on Li Qingyan, Elder Sun was someone they couldn't afford to offend. If what Li Qingyan said was true, it would be even more troublesome.

"Hmph, wait here!" Liu Chen ultimately didn't dare to gamble, snorted coldly, and turned to walk into the main hall.

The remaining disciple watched Chen Ye and Li Qingyan like they were thieves, afraid they might do something reckless.

In the main hall.

Senior Brother Liu arrived at a quiet room and respectfully reported, "Reporting to Steward Qian, Li Qingyan is outside requesting an audience, saying he wants to see Elder Sun."

Inside the quiet room, a middle-aged man who was meditating slowly opened his eyes and frowned: "Li Qingyan? What is she doing here?" This man was Qian Feng, the steward of the Reception Hall.

"She said she wanted to recommend someone to join the sect and asked Elder Sun to make the decision," Senior Brother Liu replied cautiously.

"Recommend?" Qian Feng was stunned, then an absurd expression appeared on his face. "Is she crazy? A criminal who was punished to go to the outer waters of Blackwater Lake actually wants to make a recommendation? Who would dare to accept the person she recommends?"

"That's what I think too, so I've come to ask the steward for a decision."

Qian Feng hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let her in."

Qian Feng finally decided to see what she was up to.

"Yes."

Soon Liu Chen came out with a dark face and said impatiently to Li Qingyan, "Manager Qian wants you to go in."

Li Qingyan felt relieved and gave Chen Ye a wink. The two of them walked into the welcoming hall one after the other.

The main hall was spacious and imposing. Qian Feng was sitting in the main seat drinking tea, and he didn't even lift his eyelids when he saw Li Qingyan enter.

"Junior Sister Li, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Li Qingyan took a deep breath, suppressing the humiliation in his heart, and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Senior Brother Qian."

"No need." Qian Feng waved his hand, then his gaze fell on Chen Ye behind her. He looked him up and down, his eyes scrutinizing him. "Is this the person you recommended?"

"Yes." Li Qingyan nodded.

"What's your name? What's your background? What's your cultivation level?" Qian Feng asked in quick succession.

Before Li Qingyan could speak, Chen Ye stepped forward and said in a cold voice, "Lin Xun, a rogue cultivator, early stage of Sea Condensation."

Chen Ye's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and could even be described as somewhat arrogant, which made Qian Feng frown even more.

How dare a mere rogue cultivator put on airs in front of me?

"Early stage of the Sea Condensation Realm?" Qian Feng sneered. "Junior Sister Li, do you think the Blood Lotus Sect's entry requirements are too low, trying to squeeze in any random cultivator at the Sea Condensation Realm? Or do you think you have the influence to do so with your current status?"

Li Qingyan's face turned even uglier, and he hurriedly explained, "Senior Brother Qian has misunderstood. Young Master Lin... he is exceptionally talented, and his combat strength far surpasses that of his peers. He is definitely not comparable to an ordinary Sea Condensation Realm cultivator."

"Oh? Is that so?" Qian Feng's disdain deepened. "Exceptionally talented? How exceptionally talented? Junior Sister Li, I advise you to think carefully. Deceiving the sect is a serious crime. If you were to be charged with another crime, your current situation would probably be more than just being exiled to Blackwater Lake."

This is already a naked threat.

Li Qingyan's heart tightened, and he was about to say something when Chen Ye raised his hand to stop him.

Chen Ye stepped forward, looked directly at Qian Feng, and said calmly, "Whether it is or not, you'll know once you try."

His gaze was calm and confident, as if he didn't take Qian Feng, a mid-stage Sea Condensation Realm manager, seriously at all.

Qian Feng was enraged by his gaze. How dare this wild brat, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, provoke him?
"Fine! 'Try it and see' is a good excuse!" Qian Feng laughed angrily. "I'd like to see what you're capable of!"

Before he finished speaking, a powerful aura erupted from him and pressed down hard on Chen Ye.

Qian Feng's imposing aura was an unbearable pressure for ordinary cultivators in the early stages of the Sea Condensation Realm.

However, Chen Ye stood still, his body motionless, as upright as a javelin.

Qian Feng's aura fell on him like a gentle breeze, without causing the slightest ripple.

Qian Feng's pupils suddenly contracted.

How can it be?

He knew his own aura well. Not to mention the early stage of the Sea Condensation Realm, even a cultivator at the middle stage of the Sea Condensation Realm could not accept it so easily. So this kid named Lin Xun is indeed a bit strange!
"Is that all you've got?" Chen Ye looked at Qian Feng, a perfectly timed sneer curling at the corner of his mouth. "If the managers of the Blood Lotus Sect are all like this, then it's better not to join this sect."

That statement was like adding fuel to the fire.

"You're asking for it!" Qian Feng was completely enraged.

He suddenly stood up from his seat, his right hand forming a sword shape with his fingers together. A blood-red sword aura instantly condensed, piercing straight towards Chen Ye's brow with a piercing sound.

Li Qingyan's expression changed drastically, and he was about to cry out in alarm.

She never expected Qian Feng to be so ruthless, daring to kill someone right here in the reception hall.

However, Chen Ye reacted even faster than her.

Faced with this incredibly swift crimson sword energy, he neither dodged nor parried, but simply unleashed a fierce slash.

Although the Blood Fiend Sword Qi was extremely fast, it was still too slow in Chen Ye's Eye of Tribulation. Therefore, this sword struck the weakest point of its sword momentum, directly knocking it down.

The anger on Qian Feng's face froze instantly, replaced by horror.

He had practiced the Blood Fiend Sword Qi for many years. Although he was not as good as those sect prodigies, he had still gained some skill. However, he never expected to be cut down by this kid named Lin Xun with a single sword strike. Was this guy's swordsmanship really that terrifying?

"Now, am I qualified to see Elder Sun?" Chen Ye sheathed his sword and asked coldly.

He was playing a talented, aloof, and arrogant young rogue cultivator, and thus portrayed the character perfectly.

Qian Feng's face flushed red and then turned pale, but in the end he dared not keep the matter a secret, so he snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Soon, an old man dressed in a gray robe, with a thin face and sharp eyes, arrived.

It was Sun Dehai, the elder of the welcoming hall.

As soon as Sun Dehai appeared, an aura of pressure far stronger than Qian Feng enveloped the entire hall.

Sun Dehai's cultivation level had already reached the Inner Realm.

"Li Qingyan, is this the person you're recommending?" Sun Dehai's gaze locked onto Chen Ye, his eyes filled with scrutiny and curiosity.

Li Qingyan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stepped forward to respectfully repeat the words he had prepared.

It simply means that she happened to meet the exceptionally talented Lin Xun while on a mission, and deeply felt that he was a promising talent. Not wanting to let such a gem go to waste, she boldly recommended him, hoping to recruit a genius for the sect.

Sun Dehai listened without comment, and his gaze returned to Chen Ye.

"You're from the Song Guolin family?"

"Yes."

"As far as I know, the Lin family was embroiled in internal strife fifteen years ago, and the direct line was almost wiped out, with only one young son missing. Are you that child?" Elder Sun De's questions were sharper and sharper.

"Yes." Chen Ye's answer was still concise, but when Sun Dehai mentioned the word "internal strife," a deep-seated hatred flashed in his eyes.

This hatred was so real and so intense that it stirred something within Sun Dehai.

"Where have you been for the past fifteen years? And where did your cultivation come from?" Sun Dehai continued to ask.

"I accidentally stumbled upon a cave dwelling of someone who had lived there before, and by chance, I obtained some of their legacy." Chen Ye told the story he had already prepared.

Sun Dehai nodded. This explanation was reasonable, after all, there were quite a few lucky people in the cultivation world who had such extraordinary encounters.

"Since you have a lineage, why do you still want to join my Blood Lotus Sect?"

"The legacy is exhausted, the path forward is blocked." Chen Ye's voice turned low. "Moreover, I need power, I need a powerful backer to avenge my family!"

When Chen Ye spoke of revenge, he almost gritted his teeth, and his aura became somewhat unstable.

Sun Dehai looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

This reason is sufficient and also in line with the code of conduct for those who follow the demonic path.

"Was that swordsmanship you were using just now?" Sun Dehai suddenly changed the subject.

"Yes, I specialize in swordsmanship," Chen Ye replied.

Of course, he couldn't say that he was using swordsmanship. The sword intent of the Myriad Calamities Sword Lord was too domineering, and once revealed, it would be easy for others to see through it.

He had previously dabbled in swordsmanship in the world of swordsmanship, and with the martial arts talent of the Grandmaster of the Divine Realm, it was not difficult for him to integrate the principles of swordsmanship into his sword moves and simulate advanced swordsmanship.

"Show me a few moves," Sun Dehai said.

"Yes."

Without wasting words, Chen Ye picked up a fine steel longsword from the weapon rack next to him and walked to the center of the hall.

The next instant, a sword light flashed!
Chen Ye's swordsmanship has no fancy moves or earth-shattering momentum; it is simply the purest speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness!

Each thrust of the sword seemed to have been calculated hundreds of times, with the angle, force, and timing all being exquisitely precise.

As the sword flashed, clear white streaks were left in the air.

Sun Dehai's eyes widened, and his expression changed from casual to serious, and finally to surprise!

The layman looks at the excitement and the insider looks at the doorway.

He was a skilled swordsman himself, so he could naturally see the intricacies of Lin Xun's sword techniques.

If, as he claims, this young man is a rogue cultivator who has never entered a sect, then his talent in swordsmanship is truly not to be underestimated.

After completing a swordplay demonstration, Chen Ye sheathed his sword and stood still, his breathing calm and undisturbed.

"Excellent! Excellent swordsmanship!" Sun Dehai exclaimed twice. "Li Qingyan, you have rendered a service to the sect this time!"

Li Qingyan was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly replied, "I dare not accept such praise; this is what I should do."

"Hmm." Sun Dehai nodded in satisfaction, then said to Chen Ye, "I am already aware of your situation. In principle, with your talent, you should be more than qualified to become an inner disciple. However, rules are rules, and the necessary procedures must still be followed."

He paused, then continued, "I will personally report this for you, but the internal review will be much stricter than usual. Are you confident?"

"I have nothing to fear from a straight body," Chen Ye said calmly.

"Good!" Sun Dehai clapped his hands and laughed. "With this mindset, great things can be accomplished! You may stay here for now and await the summons from the Inner Trial Chamber."

(End of this chapter)