Wilben City stood as a testament to the might and influence of the Wilben Family.
Governed by the Wilben clan for generations, the city was a bustling hub of cultivation, commerce, and intrigue.
At its center lay the majestic Wilben Manor, a sprawling estate serving as both the administrative seat of power and the ancestral home of the Wilben lineage.
Guarded by formidable 2nd-order Array Formations and enchantments, the manor exuded an aura of authority, drawing reverence from all who beheld it.
Surrounding the manor were the labyrinthine streets and alleyways of Wilben City, teeming with life and activity. Here, cultivators from far and wide converged to trade treasures, exchange techniques, and seek opportunities for advancement.
Marketplaces bustled with merchants hawking rare artifacts, exotic elixirs, and mystical talismans, while towering pagodas housed small cultivation sects and academies, each vying for prominence in the city's hierarchy.
Beneath the veneer of prosperity lay a complex web of power dynamics and rivalries. The Wilben Family, with its network of loyal subordinates and allies, maintained a firm grip on the city's affairs, ensuring order and stability through diplomacy and force.
However, whispers of dissent and clandestine plots lurked in the shadows, as ambitious factions vied for influence and supremacy within the city.
Rumors circulated that Wilaavar Wilben, the aging Foundation Building Expert of the clan, was close to death. His recent skirmish with the Lakir Family had aggravated his old injuries, forcing him into seclusion.
As tensions between the factions grew, the struggle for succession within the Wilben Family intensified, casting a shadow over the city's future.
***
Aksai roamed around the city for a few hours before disappearing into an abandoned alley. When he emerged, he was unrecognizable.
In his altered appearance, Aksai resembled a tall, scrawny man who appeared to be middle-aged by mortal standards.
Unlike his usual gentle look, Aksai's altered face portrayed him as a ruthless man. His hair had grown slightly disheveled, with dark circles under his eyes as though he had endured countless sleepless nights. His nose had taken on a sharp, almost eagle-like shape.
A subtle change had also taken place in Aksai's aura. Instead of his usual gentle and non-threatening demeanor, he now exuded a sense of ruthlessness and a slight demonic nature.
[ Qi Fusion Arts ]
[Physical Transformation: Mastery of Qi Fusion Arts allows practitioners to manipulate their physical appearance to some extent. Using qi, they can alter facial features, adjust physique, and even change stature to some extent, providing versatility in various situations.
Current Mastery: 80%]
The inherent features of Qi Fusion Arts allowed Aksai to alter his appearance drastically without the need for an appearance-changing pill. Since the transformation wasn't based on a Spirit spell or alchemy technique, it had no drawbacks or time limitations.
Aksai could maintain his new appearance for hours on end without feeling the slightest discomfort. Furthermore, his ability to cast Spirit spells remained unaffected by the change in appearance.
Even if a Foundation Building Expert were to scan Aksai using their Spirit Sense, it would be challenging for them to discern that he had altered his appearance.
It was nearly impossible for Spirit Refiners to uncover Aksai's true identity when he used Qi Fusion Arts to change his appearance. Unless they knew Aksai before and took some form of action to recognize his identity, Aksai could practically execute a lot of risky endeavors he had planned in advance.
With his new qi-based identity-renewing powers, Aksai had no fear of being detected by most Spirit-essence-based special identification methods as well.
This advantage was perhaps one of the most significant benefits Aksai gained from his body cultivation. He had utilized it opportunistically during his visit to Wilben City.
Having learned from his experience in the Lakir City's black market, where he had been targeted by Nesha and her two subordinates despite his caution, Aksai became even more vigilant upon entering Wilben City.
However, even with this form of almost-perfect physical transformation, Aksai didn't feel entirely secure. He decided to add another layer of protection. To his paranoid mind, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Aksai retrieved a bamboo hat that almost completely covered his face. He also wore a simple cloth mask to conceal his mouth, giving the impression that he was sick and practicing social distancing.
After all, the items Aksai intended to sell and purchase this time were significant, and his list was long. Moreover, Ragui County, like Wuyum County, experienced unrest among its populace due to the appearance of the inheritance grounds.
Various individuals ventured into the inheritance grounds to try their luck. While some returned with serious injuries, others perished, and a few found nothing of significant value.
However, a notable portion of cultivators struck metaphorical gold. These individuals were often eager to sell unwanted items to acquire what they needed in order to streamline their journeys in their respective cultivation paths.
When Aksai began selling the cultivation resources produced on the Everwood farm, it would appear as though he had struck it rich within the inheritance grounds. He needed to ensure that this assumption worked in his favor and didn't come to bite him in the rear.
***
Mystic Treasures Emporium.
Hour of Snake. (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
"Welcome to Mystic Treasures Emporium, esteemed guest. My name is Juyee. How may I assist you?" greeted a middle-aged woman with a business-friendly smile as Aksai entered the shop. Upon sensing his aura, she offered an even more respectful nod upon realizing he was in the late stage of the Spirit Refining realm.
*Cough. Cough. Cough*
Aksai frantically coughed for a moment before clearing his throat. He fixed Juyee with a serious gaze as he spoke in a grave tone.
"Hello, fellow cultivator. I go by the name of Cheyun Min. I wish to sell a quantity of cultivation resources in bulk. Could we arrange this transaction in private?"
"Of course," Juyee replied with a nod, motioning for Aksai to follow her. Leading him to the back of the shop, she indicated a row of cabinets arranged for private transactions.
Guiding Aksai to an empty cabinet in the corner, Juyee stepped aside to allow him entry.
Just as Aksai was about to enter the private space, he noticed the adjacent cabinet's door opening, revealing a figure he never expected to encounter within the Wilben family's territory.
'The mongoose!'
Aksai recognized Haisha Lakir instantly as he emerged from the cabinet, accompanied by a few cultivators, all sharing laughter. It appeared he had struck a favorable deal with them.
'What the hell is he doing here?' Aksai pondered silently as he lowered his head, proceeding to follow Juyee into the private cabinet.
For some reason, Aksai harbored a foreboding feeling regarding the Lakir Family's future and, by extension, the Lakir estate. It seemed that the Wilben family was not as feeble as cultivators in Wuyum County had presumed.
Even managing to sway members of the Lakir Family to their side, the Wilben Family displayed a strength and influence that belied their outward appearance of weakness.
Aksai could only imagine that the facade the Wilben family presented to the world was a deception, and they were poised to take drastic action against the Lakir family's forces.
What fate awaited the Spirit farmers employed by the Lakir Family when their interests were irreparably harmed?
Contemplating this question left Aksai with a sense of unease.
'Change of plans. Consequences be damned. I guess I'll just sell big and buy bigger in this single visit.'
Aksai thought to himself as he entered the private cabinet with determination.