Chapter 337 - 58: Changing Identity

Chapter 337: Chapter 58: Changing Identity

"We can establish a backstory. After the loyal servant helped you escape from the Song Country, you both headed west, intending to cross the Endless Swamp to seek refuge. Unfortunately, the old servant succumbed to his grave injuries and died along the way. Then you, still just a child, stumbled by chance into a Cave Mansion left behind by an ancient Cultivator."

It was a classic, if cliché, opening.

But the most cliché stories are often the most believable.

Chen Ye nodded, signaling for her to continue.

"That Cave Mansion contained no world-shaking legacy, no heaven-defying Elixir Pills. All it held was a journal of insights left by the senior Cultivator and some basic Cultivation Resources. And so, you remained in that Cave Mansion, surviving on the Fasting Pills he left behind, while teaching yourself how to cultivate through your own Talent and perseverance."

"This backstory explains why you possess such a high level of Cultivation at such a young age: because you’re a genius. It also explains why the aura of your Cultivation Technique is so distinct: because you practice an Ancient Technique!"

"Most importantly, the resources in the Cave Mansion were limited. Once you reached the Sea Condensation Realm and exhausted them, you would naturally choose to leave the Cave Mansion to seek opportunities, both to grow stronger and to seek revenge. At that point, joining the powerful Blood Lotus Sect would be a logical choice."

Li Qingyan laid out her entire concept in one breath. After finishing, she looked at Chen Ye nervously, awaiting his judgment.

A trace of approval flashed in Chen Ye’s eyes.

’This Li Qingyan certainly has a sharp mind.’

The backstory she fabricated was nothing short of perfect.

It involved a stroke of fortune but wasn’t overly exaggerated. It was entirely plausible.

A young genius who cultivated alone in a cave for over ten years, with a tenacious Heart Nature, an aloof personality, unskilled at socializing, and completely ignorant of the outside world....

’This persona is simply brilliant!’

It was the perfect explanation for any unsociable behavior the character of Lin Xun might display.

"Very good." Chen Ye didn’t hold back his praise. "We’ll go with your plan. Now, flesh out all the details of this story. Fabricate everything, including the location of the Cave Mansion, its layout, the senior’s daoist title and life story, and so on. The more realistic, the better."

"Yes, Master!" Having received his approval, a hint of joy appeared on Li Qingyan’s face. She withdrew, her spirits high.

Over the next few days, the two of them continuously polished and perfected the life script for Lin Xun.

From his childhood memories before the age of seven, to the hardships of his life on the run, to the solitary years of arduous Cultivation in the Cave Mansion....

Every point in time, every key event, was fleshed out by them with vivid detail.

By the time they finished all of this, ten days had passed. All the documents detailing Lin Xun’s life were now piled high as a small mountain.

Afterward, Chen Ye entered a state of seclusion once more.

This time, however, it wasn’t for Cultivation, but to get into character.

He replayed Lin Xun’s experiences in his mind over and over again, using his Mirage Palace Actor’s Illusionary Performance Talent to completely immerse himself in the role.

Gradually, Chen Ye’s disposition began to change.

He was no longer the steady and calm Chen Ye.

He had become Lin Xun.

A vengeful youth with a frigid gaze, an aloof disposition, and an aura that warned all to keep their distance.

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

The man before her made her feel a soul-deep sense of unfamiliarity and... fear.

"Ma... Master?" Li Qingyan called out tentatively.

"My name is Lin Xun."

Chen Ye—or rather, Lin Xun—corrected her in a tone that was icy and devoid of any emotion.

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

"Are you ready?" Lin Xun asked.

"Everything is ready." Li Qingyan took a brand-new set of cyan robes and a bundle from her Storage Pouch. "These are the clothes I prepared for you."

Lin Xun nodded. Without another word, he took the clothes, turned, and went back into the room to change.

A moment later, when he reappeared, his appearance had completely transformed.

The well-fitting cyan robes made his figure seem even taller and more slender. His long hair was tied back with a simple Wooden Hairpin, and a few loose strands fell casually across his forehead, adding a touch of untamed spirit.

He wasn’t carrying the fierce and domineering Black Prison Battle Saber. Instead, he had replaced it with an ordinary Fine Steel Longsword he had exchanged for at the Merit Hall.

At this moment, he looked just like a dashing and refined young master from a Noble Family.

Only the coldness and detachment in his eyes dared anyone to approach.

Li Qingyan was a little mesmerized.

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

"Let’s go." Lin Xun paid no mind to her daze and strode toward the courtyard gate.

"Yes!" Li Qingyan hurried to follow.

One after the other, they left the residence where they had stayed for over a month.

Their destination was Yunmeng Peak, approximately three thousand li from Black Water Lake.

It was the location of an important branch of the Blood Lotus Sect.

With Chen Ye’s current strength, a distance of three thousand li was naturally no issue. As for Li Qingyan, although her power was diminished, she carried a Magical Artifact that could increase her speed, so she was able to keep up.

Just like that, the two of them flew through the air at an incredible speed, one after the other, reaching Yunmeng Peak in just a single day.

Yunmeng Peak was majestic and imposing. A red mist coiled around its summit, and various Restriction Arrays, both visible and hidden, covered the mountain. The slightest disturbance would trigger a thunderous strike, making the atmosphere utterly grim and forbidding.