Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Yang Kai's appearance rapidly underwent a dramatic transformation.
Previously, he had been reasonably handsome and dashing, with a striking and refined bearing, but after Shi Tianhe worked her disguise art on him, his features became utterly ordinary. An Ruoyun and the others stared wide-eyed, clicking their tongues in amazement.
Had this transformation not happened right before their very eyes, no one would have believed that a mere disguise technique could achieve such a degree of change.
In less than half a shichen, Shi Tianhe gave Yang Kai's face one final stroke, studied him carefully once more, and nodded. "Done."
She stepped back, and An Ruoyun and Ji Yao immediately crowded in for a closer look, only to discover with astonishment that there was not a single flaw to be found. The plain-faced man standing before them seemed to have been born with those very features.
The only thing that couldn't be altered was Yang Kai's own aura.
However, in the Questioning Heart Sect, not many people had met him face to face. Feng Xuan and Yao Zhuo had dealt with him directly, but as long as he didn't reveal his aura in front of them, they likely wouldn't notice anything amiss.
Bing Yun's luminous eyes brightened. "Marvelous skill. Tianhe, this disguise technique of yours is truly something extraordinary."
Even she offered such praise, which spoke volumes about just how impressive Shi Tianhe's art was.
An Ruoyun asked curiously, "Tianhe, who did you learn this from? Does the Dong family of Taiping City possess such means?"
Shi Tianhe was her disciple, but An Ruoyun had never taught her anything like this. Clearly, she had learned it after going to Taiping City. But how could a mere family like the Dongs possibly possess such a wondrous technique?
Shi Tianhe shook her head. "This disguise technique didn't come from the Dong family. Your disciple learned it from an extraordinary person."
"An extraordinary person?" An Ruoyun was taken aback.
A reminiscent expression crossed Shi Tianhe's face. "That was about sixty years ago. A beggar arrived in Taiping City—unkempt, filthy, and shunned by everyone. One day he was beaten badly and collapsed right in front of the Dong family's gate. Your disciple happened to be returning from an errand and saw him, so I had people carry him to the woodshed and settle him there. Later, just before he left, he came looking for me specifically and passed down this disguise technique as a token of gratitude. At the time, your disciple didn't think much of it. It was only later, when I was idly tinkering out of boredom, that I realized just how brilliant this technique truly was."
"A beggar..." An Ruoyun and Ji Yao exchanged a glance, both finding it utterly incredible.
"He was no ordinary beggar," Bing Yun said, her eyes glinting. "He must have been some kind of hidden master. Tianhe, that you obtained such an opportunity—this is truly a case of good deeds being rewarded. What a stroke of fortune."
An Ruoyun and Ji Yao both nodded in agreement.
If that man had truly been an ordinary beggar, how could he possibly have possessed such miraculous disguise arts? Clearly, he was some formidable powerhouse who liked to wander the world in disguise. Some powerful cultivators were just eccentric that way—instead of living comfortably, they relished the game of hiding their strength and playing the fool.
"What a pity..." Bing Yun sighed again.
"What is Master pitying?" An Ruoyun asked, puzzled.
Bing Yun said, "That expert may well have been searching for a successor to inherit his legacy in this manner. It's a shame that Tianhe perhaps didn't meet his criteria, so he didn't pass on his true inheritance. He merely gave her the disguise technique as a simple token of gratitude."
An Ruoyun nodded in sudden understanding. "That truly is a shame."
If Shi Tianhe had actually received that expert's true inheritance, she might be at the Emperor Realm by now, just like Ziyu. And the Dong family might never have suffered the catastrophe of their annihilation.
"That beggar..." Yang Kai, who had been listening for a while, suddenly spoke up from the side. "Was he rat-faced and shifty-looking, with a mouthful of yellow teeth?"
Shi Tianhe looked at him in surprise. "Martial Uncle Yang, do you know that expert?"
"I think I've figured it out!" Yang Kai nodded, his expression turning dark.
To take a simple disguise technique and elevate it to such an extraordinary level, and to be a rat-faced beggar—Yang Kai already had a pretty good idea who this person was.
That this wondrous art had come from that particular individual and could produce such miraculous results—it all made perfect sense.
Seeing that Yang Kai had no intention of elaborating on the mysterious expert, Bing Yun didn't press the matter. She simply nodded and said, "This disguise technique is indeed remarkable. Even I might well be deceived if I didn't examine it carefully."
Yang Kai smiled. "Then this plan is feasible."
Bing Yun still sounded worried. "But powerful enemies lurk everywhere outside. If you make a single misstep, how will you escape? Why not have Tianhe disguise me instead? If I go myself, our chances will be much higher."
Yang Kai quickly shook his head. "That probably won't work, Senior. You're at the third level of the Emperor Realm. If you actually went to answer the recruitment decree, it would almost certainly alert Feng Xuan and Yao Zhuo immediately. Once the two of them came to investigate, you'd be exposed for certain. I'm different—I'm only at the first level of the Emperor Realm. My cultivation is neither too high nor too low. If I defected to their side, I'd not only be given an important role, but I also wouldn't attract too much attention. It would be perfect for getting close enough to strike. Senior, please don't say any more. The matter is settled. And there's no need to worry about my safety. If things truly go wrong, I'll slip away immediately."
Bing Yun sighed, knowing that Yang Kai had made up his mind. She couldn't very well keep trying to dissuade him, so she simply said with genuine gratitude, "Then you must be absolutely careful."
Yang Kai nodded. "There's one more thing I need your help with, Senior."
"Name it."
"I need a large quantity of Void Spirit Crystals. Void Spirit Jade would be even better, if available."
"Very well." Bing Yun nodded. "I'll have people search the treasury at once. If there are Void Spirit Crystals or Void Spirit Jade, I'll have them brought to you."