Meanwhile, in the Eastern side of the city.
"Quick! Master said we only have three hours to finish the task. These f*ck*ng guards! They are like paranoids! They just can't help but check everyone's belongings! I even lost some coins to them! Only officials and master cultivators are spared! What troublesome fellows!" complained one of the eight cloaked figures gathered at the back of an alley.
"Stop your quabble. We are here to accomplish master's wish. Now, get going! Not one second must be lost!" A tall figure commanded.
Suddenly, sound of rapid footsteps could be heard approaching their location. Everyone tensed up as they thought they had been discovered and had no way to escape. However, what they saw differed completely from what they expected.
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"Hey! What are you all doing in this dirty place?" Li Tengfei asked.
'I should first strike up a conversation before investigating what is making my bloodline respond.'Li Tengfei said in his mind, completely ignoring the enraged rebukes like 'You fool!What have you done!' or 'Do you want to die!' of Ancestor Li.
Upon glancing quickly at Li Tengfei, the bodies of the cloaked figures relaxed considerably. Still, they maintained their vigilance due to the unknown pressure bearing down on them.
"So it's just a kid!""Let's tidy him up, we do not have time to lose.""I feel I have already seen him before..." the shadows conversed in hushed voices.
Seeing that they were completely ignoring him, Li Tengfei decided to reveal his identity. He flashed his own token before them and declared:
"I, Li Tengfei, am the disciple of Elder Ye. Could you let me see your bags? I am on patrol duty as city guard."
"What""How could that be..." some figures exclaimed but they quickly shut up due to the vigorous training that their master had given them. How were they supposed to react when the thing you searched for just got delivered at your doorsteps? They all took off their cloaks and faces full of scars were displayed. The group leader-like figure took a step forward and checked the token. After confirming it was the real deal, he instantly made a fawning expression and said:
"How could we, lowly merchants like us, dare disobey Young Master Li! We do not deserve for our names to be remembered by Young Master. We have just come to do business here. Everything in our bag is for sale. Feel free to take anything you like!"
'I never thought it would work!'Li Tengfei was astonished. However, he appeared as nonchalant as before and searched the bags one by one. Meanwhile, Ancestor Li had already facepalmed himself for the nth time.
After a thorough search, Li Tengfei found that a cube-like object was attracting his bloodline. It was as if it was resonating with him to make his bloodline aura much stronger. However, he looked as if he was not interested in it at all. The suspicious figures were secretly exchanging glances and moving subtly their heads to not make themselves appear 'more' than simple merchants.
"Can I get this cube with engravings on it?" Li Tengfei asked as it would only make it more troublesome if he had to act. When he said that, all eight figures were astonished but they maintained a poker face as they had already got numb to all the coincidences happening that day. Maybe the heavens were helping them they thought.
"Of course Young Master! We would even be glad to offer it to your Esteemed self." the leader was smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum. Inside his head, he was dancing with joy.
Li Tengfei did not take note of the weird surroundings. His mind was solely focused on the cube with ancient markings. For others, it may appear as ordinary, but for him, he could feel a frightening familiar energy in it.
"Now, if you could excuse us, we will now take our leave, Young Master." immediately after, they walked away and hastened their footsteps and disappeared.
'What strange fellows...I guess master is an extremely well-known figure as even merchants would offer their goods willingly.' Li Tengfei thought. Ancestor Li was trying to meditate to calm his roller coaster of emotions.
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A ball of light drifted swiftly in the river of space and time.
"Hmm? What a strong dragon bloodline resonance! The last time was disappointing. That brat could not even contain one-thousandth of my soul capacity. That birdbrain should have already found an appropriate vessel already. Let's take a look."
With this thought, the ball of flames plunged straight in a space-time crack.
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"Hmm! Even I, who have lived for milleniums, have never seen this cube before! What is this bit of intent doing on this cube! Well, let's destroy it. This will make me avoid some future troubles." Ancestor Li blurted out, leaving Li Tengfei oblivious of his decision.
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Meanwhile, on a hill, some hundreds of meters away from the Soaring Dragon Sect gates, stood an elderly figure with a hunched back. He was observing the sect being under chaos after being besieged by a bunch of 'bandits'. With one glance, one could tell they were not your average bandits as they all possessed a cultivation at the peak of Body Refinement while the two leaders had already surpassed that realm.
"Hmm? What?! My trace of intent was destroyed?! How powerful must he be to actually succeed in destroying the intent I left! It must be that Old b*stard Ye! Always ruining my plans! This time, it was a close shave! The Soaring Dragon Sect can wait. I will definitely annihilate everything that you cherish, I swear!" flames of revenge could be seen blazing in his eyes. He walked away silently, while leaving behind the chaotic battlefield...