Chapter 23: Fortune Teller

The unexpected discovery of a potential recruit who fit the eighth sect rule was too good an opportunity to pass up. If they could bring this person back, the Moon Embracing Sect would have two disciples with the protagonist's template, and Lin Fan's own strength would grow as well. Why not take the risk?

Lin Fan made his decision immediately. He would go himself.

Before this, he had been hesitant. What if they got caught up in trouble? But now, the potential reward outweighed the risk. He was willing to take the chance. Looking at the Elder, he spoke. "Let's activate the sect-protecting formation at full power. The energy consumption doesn't matter right now. Only the seven disciples will remain in the Sect during our absence. Safety must be guaranteed. I also need to stay in constant contact with the Fifth Elder. If nothing happens, they can return on their own."

"As for me…" Lin Fan's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'll go meet this person who fits the eighth sect rule."

"Let's go!"

The five of them leaped into the air, speeding toward Hongwu Immortal City.

…..

Meanwhile, Duan Qingyao and Xiao Ling'er were also preparing to leave.

"The Sect Leader and the others have already departed. We should go too," Duan Qingyao said. "The longer we stay, the greater the risk."

"Understood, Fifth Elder."

Disguised completely, the two set off quietly. Outside the inn, watchers lurked, their presence subtle but not unnoticed by Liang Danxia, the 'immortal' accompanying Xiao Ling'er. However, these watchers never imagined that Duan Qingyao and Xiao Ling'er could not only change their appearances but also alter their spiritual auras, allowing them to slip away right under their noses.

The journey was smooth. No one noticed their departure from Hongwu Immortal City, but neither of them let their guard down. "We'll take a detour," Duan Qingyao whispered. "There are too many people outside the city, and some are bound to be cautious. They might follow anyone heading in the direction of the Moon Embracing Sect."

"So, we'll head west first. Once we reach a secluded area, we'll double back and return to the sect from the side."

"Understood," Xiao Ling'er, now disguised as an old woman, nodded.

Duan Qingyao, for his part, looked like a rough old man. Thanks to the effectiveness of their disguise technique, no one paid them any attention. Even if there were any unexpected encounters, Duan Qingyao's strength would be enough to handle them.

…..

On the other side, Fan Jianqiang hid in the shadows, pulling out the divination tools he always carried. He cast a fortune for himself.

"Huh?"

"Good luck?"

The result surprised him. "For the first time in so long, I've drawn a lucky hexagram. I can't let this opportunity slip away. According to the hexagram, outside the northeast gate, I should pose as a fortune teller."

He frowned slightly. "I wanted to leave quietly, but it seems that's not the best option now. As long as I'm careful, there shouldn't be any problems."

After a moment, Fan Jianqiang packed up his things and transformed into a middle-aged fortune teller. He held up a banner with four characters written on it: Iron Mouth, Straight Cut.

With that, he left his hiding place and made his way to the bustling streets.

Soon, outside the northwest city gate, among the many street stalls, a fortune-telling booth appeared. Fan Jianqiang set up shop, his demeanor calm and composed.

As time passed and the sun began to set, Fan Jianqiang remained patient. He didn't turn away any customers, accepting yuan stones, copper coins, or silver coins as payment. His predictions were surprisingly accurate, and the crowd in front of his booth only grew larger.

From time to time, the sound of cultivators flying through the air could be heard, adding to the lively atmosphere.

While Fan Jianqiang told fortunes, his eyes remained sharp, constantly scanning his surroundings. He was ready to flee at a moment's notice.

"Even if it's a good fortune, if danger arises, I'll run immediately. You can wait for good luck, but if you lose your life, it's game over."

He shook his head, his eyes darting around.

…..

"They've left, and the journey seems safe."

Wu Xingyun and Lin Fan arrived outside Hongwu Immortal City. The other three elders were positioned to assist Xiao Ling'er and Duan Qingyao from the shadows, ready to intervene only if necessary.

Wu Xingyun guided Lin Fan to a spot outside the northwest gate. "The problem is finding someone who fits the eighth sect rule."

Lin Fan nodded. "If he's as cautious as described, he'll be hiding deeper than anyone else. And… he probably has countless tricks up his sleeve."

Wu Xingyun only half-understood. It made sense for someone cautious to hide well, but having countless tricks? What cultivator didn't have a few hidden cards?

"Let's just see how it plays out," Lin Fan said, a little helpless.

He hoped to recruit another disciple with the protagonist's template, but these things couldn't be forced. They had to let fate take its course.

"There's a huge line over there," Lin Fan remarked, noticing a crowded stall.

It was unusual for a street stall outside the city to attract so much attention. Most low-tier vendors would set up shop inside the city for better business. But this stall was impossible to miss.

"Iron Mouth, Straight Cut?" Wu Xingyun's spiritual sense swept over the stall. "A fortune teller."

"With so many people, he must be quite accurate."

Lin Fan's eyes lit up. "Let's go test him. If he's the real deal, finding Fan Jianqiang won't be hard. If not, we've only lost a yuan stone."

Wu Xingyun wasn't optimistic. "Fan Jianqiang is a cultivator, but this fortune teller has no cultivation base. How can a mortal bear the karma of a cultivator's fortune?"

"Why not give it a try?" Lin Fan insisted.

It wasn't a flash of inspiration—just curiosity. He wanted to see if fortune tellers in this world of cultivation had real abilities or if they were just charlatans like the ones he'd encountered before transmigrating.

He still remembered a fortune teller from years ago who had said, "Young man, I see darkness in your aura. A bloody disaster awaits you!"

Lin Fan hadn't believed it at the time, but the fortune teller added, "Don't believe me? Let me divine this for you: your father died before your mother."

When Lin Fan thought about it, he was shocked. That was spot on!

The fortune teller had swindled him out of half a month's wages. It wasn't until days later that Lin Fan realized the trick. "Father dies before mother" was a classic ambiguous statement. No matter the situation, it could be interpreted as correct.

But in a world of cultivation, surely not all fortune tellers were frauds, right? This one, with such a large crowd, must have some real skill.

Lin Fan's eyes gleamed with mischief. "Second Elder, let's do… If he passes the test, finding Fan Jianqiang will be easy. If not, we've only lost a yuan stone."

Wu Xingyun nodded. "As you wish, Sect Leader."

Seeing Lin Fan's determination, Wu Xingyun stepped forward and exchanged a yuan stone for a spot at the front of the line. The man who gave up his place, an ordinary mortal, left happily, grateful for the payment.

"Next," Fan Jianqiang called out, and Wu Xingyun stepped forward.