Chapter 335 - 57: Playing a Role

Chapter 335: Chapter 57: Playing a Role

Li Qingyan’s vision swam for a moment. When she focused her gaze again, she froze in stunned silence!

Chen Ye was sitting there quietly. His features and build hadn’t changed.

But the impression he gave off was that of a completely different person!

If the Chen Ye from before was a priceless Treasure Saber hidden in its sheath, his edge may have been concealed, but his calm, steady, and ruthlessly decisive nature still exuded a bone-deep pressure.

Now, however, he was like a piece of smooth, lustrous Beautiful Jade.

His gaze was no longer so deep and sharp. Instead, it held a perfectly measured touch of arrogance and a certain unworldly innocence.

His posture was no longer ramrod straight like a pine tree, but instead had the slightly casual, languid air unique to the scions of Noble Families.

Even the aura of True Essence emanating from him had undergone a subtle change.

His originally dense and frigid Star True Essence, which carried a trace of Evil Qi, had now become light and nimble. While it seemed a bit weaker in intensity, it had gained a serene and pure quality found only in the Cultivation Techniques of Renowned and Righteous Sects.

’H-how did he do that?’

’A Disguise Technique?’

’No, that’s not it!’

Li Qingyan herself had practiced some rudimentary Disguise Techniques, but they could only alter one’s appearance and, at best, mimic their voice. It was utterly impossible to change a person’s entire disposition and the aura of their True Essence so completely!

’This isn’t a disguise anymore; it’s a complete metamorphosis!’

"This..." Li Qingyan’s throat went dry, unable to utter another word.

"Well?" Chen Ye spoke.

His voice had changed too.

It was no longer deep and steady, but clear and melodious, with the magnetic quality unique to a young man. A slight, habitual lilt at the end of his words conveyed a natural confidence and panache.

Li Qingyan felt her scalp go numb.

’What kind of Demon Technique is this?’

"Still think it’s impossible?" Chen Ye asked, watching her with a playful smile.

Li Qingyan shuddered, jolted from her shock. Her reverence for Chen Ye soared to an absolute peak.

’An old monster!’

’He has to be an old monster, reborn through possession!’

She couldn’t imagine any other explanation.

Only an old monster who had lived for countless years could possess such unfathomable methods. Only such a being could go from a mortal to the Sea Condensation Realm in a single month and disguise their entire disposition and aura so flawlessly!

In an instant, it all clicked into place for Li Qingyan. She immediately dropped to her knees, pressing her forehead tightly against the cold ground. "Master, your Divine Techniques are boundless! This servant was blind and short-sighted!"

She no longer held the slightest doubt about Chen Ye’s plan.

With such a miraculous disguise ability, coupled with the intelligence she could provide as an inside contact, infiltrating the Blood Lotus Sect was no longer impossible. It wouldn’t be child’s play, but it was now achievable.

"Get up," Chen Ye said calmly.

He was pleased with Li Qingyan’s reaction.

The effects of his Dramatic Appearance Skill were even better than he’d anticipated.

Empowered by his Illusionary Performance Talent from the Mirage Palace Actor, the Skill was no longer a simple disguise. It was more like a form of deep-level role-playing.

As long as Chen Ye established a character persona in his mind, the Skill would allow him to perfectly match that persona’s appearance, voice, disposition, and even the subtlest fluctuations of his True Essence.

For instance, just moments ago, Chen Ye had set a persona for himself: a young, exceptionally talented Cultivator from a prestigious family, just starting out in the world.

The effect had been instantaneous.

"Thank you, Master." Li Qingyan rose to her feet, trembling, but she still didn’t dare to look directly at Chen Ye.

"Now, let’s discuss the details of the plan." Chen Ye’s voice and aura returned to normal as he sat back down in his chair. "I need an airtight Identity, a background that can withstand the Blood Lotus Sect’s scrutiny."

Hearing this, Li Qingyan immediately snapped to attention.

She knew this was her chance to prove her worth.

"Master, the best way to infiltrate the Sect is to take the entrance examination for new disciples," Li Qingyan said thoughtfully. "Every three years, the Blood Lotus Sect sets up assessment centers in the major cities under its control to recruit talented mortals or Loose Cultivators. By my calculations, the next entrance examination is in six months."

"Six months? Too long." Chen Ye shook his head without hesitation.

He didn’t have that much time to waste.

Li Qingyan seemed to have anticipated this and immediately added, "Besides that kind of large-scale public recruitment, there is another way."

"Speak."

"Recommendation," Li Qingyan explained. "According to Sect rules, every Inner Sect Disciple gets one recommendation slot per year. They can recommend a Loose Cultivator to bypass the preliminary trials and go straight to the Inner Sect’s final assessment. If they pass, they can become an Outer Disciple directly. And if their performance is exceptionally outstanding, it’s even possible for an Elder to take notice and accept them as a personal disciple."

"Recommendation?" Chen Ye’s eyes lit up. "You have such a slot?"

"This servant does, naturally." Li Qingyan’s expression grew awkward. "Although I’ve been demoted and sent here, my status as an Inner Sect Disciple is still intact, so the recommendation slot is retained. It’s just..."

"It’s just what?"

"It’s just that anyone I recommend will inevitably be placed under the intense scrutiny of the Sect’s Stewards," Li Qingyan said with a wry smile. "After all, I’m currently a disciple in disgrace. They will definitely suspect that anyone I recommend has ulterior motives, so the background check on their Identity will be at least ten times stricter than normal."

That was indeed a problem.

Chen Ye rubbed his chin.

But on second thought, Chen Ye felt this was actually for the best.