Chapter 22: Possible Disciple

The alchemy conference had come to an end, and the crowd began to disperse. Xiao Ling'er was the first to leave. As soon as she exited the small world, she reunited with Duan Qingyao and quickly vanished into the bustling streets. However, if anyone was determined to find her, escaping unnoticed would be no easy feat.

…..

Inside the city, major factions were already mobilizing.

Inside the Hundred Treasures Pavilion of Hongwu Immortal City, the manager calls for servants. "Find a way to recruit Xiao Ling'er. Approach her with respect and offer her a position ten—no, a hundred times better than what the Moon Embracing Sect can provide!"

The leaders of the Hongwu Alchemist Association similarly called for their servants. "A talent like Xiao Ling'er belongs in our association. Who will step forward to negotiate?"

The Elders and Patriarch of the Liu Family gathered. "Hmph, Xiao Ling'er is undoubtedly talented, but Fan Qiangqiang is the one we should focus on."

"Master, are you sure? Fan Qiangqiang doesn't seem like someone hiding his abilities. He just got lucky."

"Exactly, Master. That boy stumbled upon a one-in-a-million chance."

"You all know nothing. I believe in fate. As the saying goes, 'One part fate, two parts luck, three parts feng shui.' Our Liu family's strength in Hongwu Immortal City is only average, yet we've flourished in recent years. Why? Because of fate—what you call luck! A good fate is his greatest asset. Besides, he's just a wandering cultivator. Fewer people will compete for him, increasing our chances of success."

"Go, now!"

"Yes, Master."

…..

Inside the inn, Duan Qingyao sighed deeply. "It seems I underestimated you," he said, his expression a mix of pride and concern.

"It was just a stroke of luck," Xiao Ling'er replied modestly, though she too wore a slight frown. "Elder, are you worried about someone…"

"Yes."

"It's my fault."

Duan Qingyao hesitated, unsure how to explain. Before the competition, he had assumed Xiao Ling'er was still a novice, her cultivation level too low to achieve anything remarkable. He never imagined Xiao Ling'er would take first place. As a result, he hadn't taken precautions to hide their identities. Now, it was too late for regrets.

"I underestimated you," Duan Qingyao admitted. "Our Moon Embracing Sect's current weakness is also to blame. If we were stronger, no one would dare target us, no matter how impressive your alchemy skills or the rewards. But I've already sent word to the elders. They'll come to our aid as soon as possible. For now, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate. If things go south…"

He trailed off, unwilling to voice the grim possibility.

Xiao Ling'er shook her head firmly. "The sect and Master have treated me like their own. I would never betray them by joining another sect!"

Duan Qingyao smiled faintly and ruffled Xiao Ling'er's hair. "In that case, the Moon Embracing Sect will stand by you, through life and death."

"Elder, I don't think we need to worry too much."

"Oh?"

"During my travels, I stumbled upon an advanced disguise technique. If we use it to leave the city quietly, no one should be able to detect us."

Xiao Ling'er paused, then added, "However, we can't meet up with the other elders or Master. That would expose us. So, I'd like to ask you to contact them and relay a message."

Duan Qingyao's hope was faint. Disguise techniques were common, but few could fool cultivators of higher realms. Still, she didn't want to dampen Xiao Ling'er's spirits. "What message?"

Xiao Ling'er hesitated, then began to cast the disguise technique. Before Duan Qingyao's astonished eyes, she transformed into an elderly woman, hunched and wrinkled.

"Fifth Elder, can you still recognize me?"

Duan Qingyao's eyes widened. "Your appearance is completely different, and even your spiritual aura has changed! I can't recognize you at all!"

Could it really work? He couldn't believe it. This technique was far beyond anything he'd seen. What he didn't know was that this disguise could even fool cultivators two major realms higher. With Liang Danxia's help, Xiao Ling'er could alter her spiritual fluctuations, making her undetectable even to those in the sixth realm. As for the seventh realm? Those powerful figures wouldn't stoop to chasing after alchemy conference rewards.

"Do you believe me now?" Xiao Ling'er asked, returning to her original form.

Duan Qingyao nodded, his gloom replaced by determination. "I'll pass your message to the Sect Leader. What do you want me to say?"

"I've found someone who might meet the requirements for a 'personal disciple.' I'd like Master to investigate."

"Who?"

"Fan Qiangqiang."

"Him?" Duan Qingyao blinked, surprised. He, too, had been fooled into thinking Fan Qiangqiang was just lucky.

But Xiao Ling'er's words sparked a realization. "You're right. If he's not just lucky but hiding his abilities, he fits the eighth rule of the sect's recruitment criteria: 'timid as a mouse, extremely cautious, always proclaiming his impending doom.'"

Xiao Ling'er nodded firmly. "He must be hiding his true skills. As an alchemist, I have a strong intuition that his abilities surpass mine. In fact, I believe he intentionally lost to me to avoid drawing attention."

"Why would he do that?"

"As a wandering cultivator, becoming the leader would put him in even greater danger than us."

Duan Qingyao studied Xiao Ling'er closely, finally understanding. "I'll send the message immediately. This matter is of utmost importance."

Like Xiao Ling'er and Liang Danxia, Duan Qingyao didn't fully understand the basis of the sect's recruitment rules. But Lin Fan had already proven their effectiveness with Xiao Ling'er. If Fan Qiangqiang was another hidden gem, the sect's future would be even brighter.

…...

Inside the Moon Embracing Sect, Lin Fan and the four elders were preparing to depart. When suddenly, Lin Fan retrieved a communication jade talisman. His eyes gleamed as he read the message.

"A man who's extremely cautious and keeps saying, 'I'm going to die'?" he murmured.

He wasn't surprised by Xiao Ling'er's disguise techniques. With a 'grandpa in the necklace' like Liang Danxia, it was only natural she'd have such methods. But this overly cautious individual? Now, that was an unexpected twist.