guò le bàn shǎng ， yú fù lǎo zhě yǎn zhōng de mí máng fāng cái huǎn huǎn sàn qù 。
过了半晌，渔父老者眼中的迷茫方才缓缓散去。
After a while, the old fisherman's confusion gradually dissipated from his eyes.
bù guò tā què shì quán rán méi yǒu zhù yì dào zì jǐ yì yàng ， jiē zhe shuō dào 。
不过他却是全然没有注意到自己异样，接着说道。
However, he did not notice anything unusual about himself. He continued speaking.
“ nǐ zhè jiàn fǎ qì xī ， wǒ dǎo shì jué de shí fēn shú xī 。”
“你这剑法气息，我倒是觉得十分熟悉。”
"Your sword technique’s aura feels very familiar to me."
“ sì hū gēn wǒ yào zhǎo de dōng xī de jí qí xiāng sì 。 gāng gāng wǒ gǎn yìng dào qì xī bō dòng ， hái yǐ wéi wǒ de shī wù jiù zài cǐ chù ne 。”
“似乎跟我要找的东西的极其相似。刚刚我感应到气息波动，还以为我的失物就在此处呢。”
"It seems extremely similar to what I’m looking for. Just now, when I sensed the fluctuation in the aura, I thought my lost item was right here."
“ bái huān xǐ le yī cháng ！”
“白欢喜了一场！”
"A false hope!"
yú fù lǎo rén yáo le yáo tóu ， yǒu xiē gǎn kǎi 。
渔父老人摇了摇头，有些感慨。
The old fisherman shook his head and seemed somewhat reflective.
“ xiāng sì …… shī wù ？”
“相似……失物？”
"Similar... lost item?"
zài zhī qián chá kàn dào de xìn xī zhōng ， lǐ fán yǐ jīng dé zhī 。
在之前查看到的信息中，李凡已经得知。
Li Fan already knew from previous information that this old fisherman roamed between states because he had lost something. He now felt the aura of the Heaven's Five Elements Annihilation Sword, leading him to Li Fan’s location.
zhè yú fù lǎo rén zài gè zhōu piāo hū bù dìng ， jiù shì yīn wèi zì jǐ de mǒu yàng dōng xī zhǎo bú dào le 。
这渔父老人在各州飘忽不定，就是因为自己的某样东西找不到了。
In a flash, Li Fan considered a possibility: The Heaven's Defiling Sword!
ér cǐ kè tā yòu gǎn shòu dào le dà wǔ xíng jì miè jiàn de qì xī ， zhuī zōng lái dào lǐ fán zhè lǐ 。
而此刻他又感受到了大五行寂灭剑的气息，追踪来到李凡这里。
But if this answer was true, then the old man’s strength...
diàn guāng huǒ shí jiān ， lǐ fán xiǎng dào le yí gè kě néng 。
电光火石间，李凡想到了一个可能。
The handle of the Heaven's Defiling Sword had once stood in equal combat with Qingfeng and even surpassed it. And the broken Heaven's Defiling Sword body could already exchange blows with Mo Shā.
tiān shā jiàn ！
天煞剑！
If the complete Heaven's Defiling Sword existed, how powerful would it be?
bù guò ruò shì zhè ge dá ān wèi zhēn ， nà me zhè lǎo zhě de shí lì ……
不过若是这个答桉为真，那么这老者的实力……
And what cultivation stage would this old fisherman possess if his true identity was the master of the Heaven's Defiling Sword?
tiān shā jiàn bǐng ， hé qīng fēng fēn tíng kàng lǐ 、 shèn zhì hái yào shèng guò yī tóu 。
天煞剑柄，和青风分庭抗礼、甚至还要胜过一头。
Li Fan had two choices before him.
ér cán pò de tiān shā jiàn shēn ， yǐ rán néng yǐn yǐn hé mò shā dǎ dī yǒu lái yǒu qù 。
而残破的天煞剑身，已然能隐隐和墨杀打的有来有去。
One was to truthfully inform the old fisherman about the Heaven's Defiling Sword’s whereabouts.
ruò shì wán zhěng de tiān shā jiàn ， yòu jiū jìng huì yǒu duō qiáng ？
若是完整的天煞剑，又究竟会有多强？
Although he might receive a reward from such a powerful figure, there were risks.
ér zhè zhēn shí shēn fèn kě néng shì tiān shā jiàn zhī zhǔ de yú fù lǎo rén ， yòu jiū jìng huì shì shén me xiū wèi ？
而这真实身份可能是天煞剑之主的渔父老人，又究竟会是什么修为？
The old fisherman had been wandering in the Xuanhuang Realm for centuries. Why did he lose his memory? What caused the Heaven's Defiling Sword to break and separate?
xiàn zài bǎi zài lǐ fán miàn qián de xuǎn zé ， yǒu liǎng zhǒng 。
现在摆在李凡面前的选择，有两种。
These were too many layers involved, too much at stake.
yī zhǒng shì jiāng zì shēn suǒ zhī de tiān shā jiàn de xiāo xī rú shí gào zhī 。
一种是将自身所知的天煞剑的消息如实告之。
A slight misstep could lead to his destruction if he got entangled in a fight.
suī rán kě néng huì dé dào yú fù lǎo rén zhè děng qiáng zhě de bào chóu 。
虽然可能会得到渔父老人这等强者的报酬。
Perhaps even the True Real Technique wouldn’t be enough to save him.
dàn shì ……
但是……
The other choice was to pretend not to know.
zhè yú fù lǎo rén zài xuán huáng jiè sì chù yóu dàng ， yǐ rán yǒu shù bǎi nián zhī jiǔ 。
这渔父老人在玄黄界四处游荡，已然有数百年之久。
Though it would mean missing this great opportunity, Li Fan had the option of using his avatar in future lives or being more cautious by having another cultivator inform the old fisherman that the lost item was information about the Heaven's Defiling Sword in the Cunyun Sea.
tā dāng chū shì yīn wèi shén me shī yì ？
他当初是因为什么失忆？
*The True Real Technique and the Odd Fate*
tiān shā jiàn yòu shì wèi hé biàn dé cán pò bù kān 、 yǔ tā fēn lí de ？
天煞剑又是为何变得残破不堪、与它分离的？
He wanted to see if there were any dangers involved and what changes would follow. If he could gain anything significant, it wouldn’t matter much even if it delayed him for a few lives.
zhè qí zhōng qiān chě tài dà ， shè jí de céng cì tài gāo 。
这其中牵扯太大，涉及的层次太高。
Comparing these two options, the second seemed more prudent.
shāo yǒu bù shèn ， yí dàn bèi juǎn rù zhēng dòu zhī zhōng ， jiù yào huī fēi yān miè 。
稍有不慎，一旦被卷入争斗之中，就要灰飞烟灭。
Therefore...
kǒng pà 【 hái zhēn 】 dōu wèi bì néng lái de jí shī zhǎn 。
恐怕【还真】都未必能来的及施展。
Li Fan chose to wait.
èr shì jiǎ zhuāng bù zhī 。
二是假装不知。
He was waiting to see if this reclusive powerhouse, the old fisherman, had the same ability as the former Heavenly Physician to perceive his thoughts.
suī rán huì cuò guò zhè cì tiān dà de jī yuán ， dàn duì yú lǐ fán lái shuō ， tā kě yǐ xià yī shì zài yòng fēn shēn 、 huò zhě gèng bǎo xiǎn yì diǎn 。
虽然会错过这次天大的机缘，但对于李凡来说，他可以下一世再用分身、或者更保险一点。
Li Fan had already thought through all the details in his mind. If the old fisherman truly could sense his thoughts, then pretending not to know would be impossible.
tōng guò qí tā xiū shì dài tì tā ， xiàng yú fù lǎo rén tòu lù ， shī wù jiù shì zài cóng yún hǎi de tiān shā jiàn de xìn xī 。
通过其他修士代替他，向渔父老人透露，失物就是在丛云海的天煞剑的信息。
If he couldn’t, making that choice was clear.
《 xiān mù qí yuán 》
《仙木奇缘》
Perhaps it was because the old fisherman’s mental state was abnormal or because he wasn't skilled at such things but his seven senses were somewhat active.
kàn kàn jiū jìng yǒu méi yǒu xìng mìng wēi xiǎn ， yǐ jí hòu miàn huì yǐn lái zěn yàng de biàn huà 。
看看究竟有没有性命危险，以及后面会引来怎样的变化。
Fortunately, Li Fan's hasty thoughts and reflections on the old fisherman's seemingly contemplative demeanor led him to remain silent for a breath, two breaths, three breaths.
ruò shì zhēn de néng cóng zhōng huò dé shén me jīng rén de hǎo chù ， yú lǐ fán ér yán ， zuǒ yòu yě zhǐ bù guò shì dān gē liǎng sān shì de shí jiān ér yǐ 。
若是真的能从中获得什么惊人的好处，于李凡而言，左右也只不过是耽搁两三世的时间而已。
The old man showed no special reaction.
liǎng zhǒng xuǎn zé yī jīng duì bǐ ， xiǎn rán shì dì èr zhǒng zuì wèi wěn tuǒ 。
两种选择一经对比，显然是第二种最为稳妥。
Li Fan was certain that the old fisherman couldn’t sense his thoughts.
suǒ yǐ ……
所以……
His mind began to feel more agile.
lǐ fán xuǎn zé le děng dài 。
李凡选择了等待。
After four breaths, he pretended to think and said, "My sword technique actually resembles your lost item? It seems we are fated for each other."
tā zài děng ， zhè wèi yǐn shì qiáng zhě 、 yú fù lǎo rén ， jiū jìng xiàng bù xiàng dāng chū de tiān yī yì bān ， néng gòu chá jué zhī xiǎo duì miàn xiū shì de xīn lǐ huó dòng 。
他在等，这位隐世强者、渔父老人，究竟像不像当初的天医一般，能够察觉知晓对面修士的心理活动。
"Indeed, I must have a connection with you," Li Fan continued.
lǐ fán yǐ jīng zài nǎo hǎi zhōng ， bǎ shì qíng de qián yīn hòu guǒ quán dōu xiǎng le yī biàn 。
李凡已经在脑海中，把事情的前因后果全都想了一遍。
Then he asked, "What did you lose, sir? I heard that you've been searching for it for a long time without success?"
rú guǒ yú fù lǎo rén zhēn de néng chá jué dào lǐ fán xīn zhōng suǒ xiǎng ， nà me dì èr zhǒng jiǎ zhuāng bù zhī de xuǎn zé ， yě jiù wú cóng tán qǐ le 。
如果渔父老人真的能察觉到李凡心中所想，那么第二种假装不知的选择，也就无从谈起了。
The old fisherman shook his head. "I can't remember. Like my name, I can’t recall anything."
fǎn zhī ， rú guǒ yú fù lǎo rén bìng bù néng de huà 。
反之，如果渔父老人并不能的话。
"But if I could see it again, I might remember everything."
nà me zuò chū dì èr zhǒng xuǎn zé ， zì rán shì háo wú yí wèn de 。
那么做出第二种选择，自然是毫无疑问的。
"Exactly, as soon as I find it, I’ll be able to recall all the details..."
huò xǔ shì yīn wèi yú fù lǎo rén jīng shén zhuàng tài bú zhèng cháng ， yòu huò zhě shì yīn wèi tā bìng bù shàn cǐ dào ér qī qiào líng lóng xīn yòu fā huī le yī bù fèn xiào yòng de yuán gù 。
或许是因为渔父老人精神状态不正常，又或者是因为他并不善此道而七窍玲珑心又发挥了一部分效用的缘故。
Seeing that the old fisherman was about to fall into confusion once more, Li Fan handed over his storage ring. "If that’s the case, sir, why don’t you take a look? There might be something useful for you."
zǒng zhī ， xìng yùn de shì 。
总之，幸运的是。
"Considering our connection, it's possible you can find something valuable in here," he added.
lǐ fán hú sī luàn xiǎng zhōng ， zài gǎn kǎi de yú fù lǎo rén miàn qián ， chén mò le yī xī 、 liǎng xī 、 sān xī 。
李凡胡思乱想中，在感慨的渔父老人面前，沉默了一息、两息、三息。
This was what every cultivator did when they met an old fisherman.
rán ér zhè wèi lǎo zhě dōu méi yǒu shén me tè bié de fǎn yìng 。
然而这位老者都没有什么特别的反应。
The old fisherman didn't refuse and took the ring to examine it.
yú shì ， lǐ fán dǔ dìng ， duì fāng bìng bù néng gǎn yìng dào tā de sī xù 。
于是，李凡笃定，对方并不能感应到他的思绪。
"Hmm, although your strength isn’t impressive, your assets are decent."
xīn zhōng bù miǎn huó luò kāi lái 。
心中不免活络开来。
After a moment, the old fisherman praised him.
dì sì xī ， tā zhuāng zuò sī kǎo le yī huì de yàng zi ， huí dào dào ：“ wǒ lǐng wù de jiàn fǎ ， jìng rán huì hé qián bèi de shī wù yǒu xiē xiāng sì ？”
第四息，他装作思考了一会的样子，回到道：“我领悟的剑法，竟然会和前辈的失物有些相似？”
Li Fan's expression remained unchanged.
“ kàn lái wǒ gēn qián bèi hái zhēn shì yǒu yuán a 。”
“看来我跟前辈还真是有缘啊。”
To Li Fan, his true secret was only True Real Technique. Even if everything else was known, it didn't matter much. So he wasn't afraid of the old fisherman’s examination.
jiē zhe ， lǐ fán yòu wèn dào ：“ qián bèi jiū jìng diū le shén me dōng xī ？ wǒ tīng shuō nín zhǎo le xǔ jiǔ ， dōu bù céng zhǎo dào ？”
接着，李凡又问道：“前辈究竟丢了什么东西？我听说您找了许久，都不曾找到？”
The old fisherman carefully examined each item.
yú fù lǎo rén yáo yáo tóu ：“ jì bù dé la ， gēn wǒ de míng zì yī yàng ， dōu jì bù dé le 。”
渔父老人摇摇头：“记不得啦，跟我的名字一样，都记不得了。”
"This isn’t it."
“ bù guò ， rú guǒ wǒ néng zài jiàn dào de tā de huà ， yīng gāi jiù néng xiǎng qǐ lái le 。”
“不过，如果我能再见到的它的话，应该就能想起来了。”
"Nor is this one..."
“ shì le ， zhǐ yào zhǎo dào tā ， wǒ jiù néng bǎ yī qiè chóng xīn huí yì qǐ lái ……”
“是了，只要找到它，我就能把一切重新回忆起来……”
"Ah?"
yǎn kàn zhe yú fù yòu yǒu zhe xiàn rù mí wǎng de qū shì ， lǐ fán jiāng zì jǐ de chǔ wù jiè dì le guò qù ， dǎ duàn le tā 。
眼看着渔父又有着陷入迷惘的趋势，李凡将自己的储物戒递了过去，打断了他。
Li Fan's heart skipped a beat as the old man took out an item from his storage ring and examined it closely.
“ jì rú cǐ ， qián bèi bù fáng kàn kàn ， zhè lǐ miàn yǒu méi yǒu nín de dōng xī 。”
“既如此，前辈不妨看看，这里面有没有您的东西。”
"It’s interesting," he said with interest.
“ wǒ gēn qián bèi rú cǐ yǒu yuán ， shuō bù dìng nín jiù néng cóng zhè lǐ zhǎo dào xiē yǒu yòng de 。”
“我跟前辈如此有缘，说不定您就能从这里找到些有用的。”
The item that caught the old fisherman's attention was precisely what Li Fan had noticed seemed problematic, something he had been storing in a corner for a long time—The Steal Heaven and Earth Command, a treasure of the Steal Heaven and Earth Sect.
zhè yě shì měi gè xiū shì jiàn dào yú fù de bì zuò jǔ dòng le 。
这也是每个修士见到渔父的必做举动了。
"Using this as leverage to swap a technique from the old fisherman would be perfect," Li Fan thought.
yú fù yě méi yǒu jù jué ， shè guò jiè zhǐ ， chá kàn qǐ lái 。
渔父也没有拒绝，摄过戒指，查看起来。
He immediately put on an expression of great surprise. "Sir, is this what you lost?"
“ hē hē ， xiǎo huǒ zi suī rán shí lì bù zěn yàng ， dàn shì shēn jiā dǎo shì hái kě yǐ ma 。”
“呵呵，小伙子虽然实力不怎样，但是身家倒是还可以嘛。”
Holding the token, the old fisherman was momentarily stunned.
piàn kè zhī hòu ， yú fù chēng zàn dào 。
片刻之后，渔父称赞道。
"This? No."
lǐ fán miàn sè rú cháng 。
李凡面色如常。
"No, no." He quickly shook his head in denial.
duì yú lǐ fán lái jiǎng ， tā zhēn zhèng de mì mì zhǐ yǒu 【 hái zhēn 】。
对于李凡来讲，他真正的秘密只有【还真】。
"I just found it interesting; I haven’t come across such a unique item for a long time."
jiù suàn qí yú yī qiè dōu bèi rén zhī xiǎo ， yě méi shén me dà bù liǎo de 。
就算其余一切都被人知晓，也没什么大不了的。
He looked at Li Fan seriously and asked, "Young man, are you willing to part with it?"
suǒ yǐ yě bù pà yú fù de chá kàn 。
所以也不怕渔父的查看。
Li Fan said solemnly, "I lack the wisdom of my predecessor. I’ve had this token for some time and always thought it was just a storage ring."
yú fù lǎo rén yī jiàn jiàn biàn bié zhe 。
渔父老人一件件辨别着。
"In my hands, it’s like dust on a precious gem. Take it as you wish!"
“ zhè ge bú shì ， zhè ge yě bú shì 。”
“这个不是，这个也不是。”
Seeing Li Fan agree, the old fisherman nodded.
“ zhè ge ……”
“这个……”
In an instant, the Steal Heaven and Earth Command vanished from his hand, unknown to where it went.
“ ń ？”
“嗯？”
"I won't take your things for free," the old fisherman said again, scrutinizing Li Fan intently until he felt a chill down his spine.
lǐ fán xīn zhōng yī tiào ， kàn zhe lǎo zhě jiāng chǔ wù jiè zhōng de yī yàng dōng xī qǔ chū lái ， fàng zài yǎn qián zǐ xì guān chá 。
李凡心中一跳，看着老者将储物戒中的一样东西取出来，放在眼前仔细观察。
"Ah, I seem to have just what you need."
“ yǒu diǎn yì si 。” tā lù chū gǎn xìng qù de shén qíng 。
“有点意思。”他露出感兴趣的神情。
He brought out a fish basket on his back and reached inside with his right hand.
ràng yú fù lǎo rén zhè děng qiáng zhě dōu gǎn dào yǒu qù de wù pǐn ， zhèng shì lǐ fán chá jué dào yǒu xiē wèn tí 、 yì zhí bèi tā fàng zài jiǎo luò lǐ chī huī de tōu tiān huàn rì zōng zhì bǎo 。
让渔父老人这等强者都感到有趣的物品，正是李凡察觉到有些问题、一直被他放在角落里吃灰的偷天换日宗至宝。
"There she is!"
tōu tiān huàn rì lìng 。
偷天换日令。
He grabbed someone from within and tossed her in front of Li Fan.
“ ruò shì néng fèi wù lì yòng ， cóng yú fù shǒu zhōng huàn běn gōng fǎ guò lái ， nà zhēn shì zài hǎo bù guò le 。”
“若是能废物利用，从渔父手中换本功法过来，那真是再好不过了。”
Li Fan looked closely and his eyes widened.
lǐ fán sī niàn jí zhuǎn ， dāng jí zuò chū yī fù shí fēn jīng xǐ de biǎo qíng ， lián shēng shuō dào ：“ qián bèi ， zhè ge jiù shì nǐ diū de dōng xī ？”
李凡思念急转，当即做出一副十分惊喜的表情，连声说道：“前辈，这个就是你丢的东西？”
The woman wore the standard black and yellow robes of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, clearly an internal member. She seemed bound by invisible ropes, struggling like a fish out of water.
yú fù lǎo rén ná zhe lìng pái ， wēi wēi yī lèng 。
渔父老人拿着令牌，微微一愣。
"Having gone so long without food, she still has such strength," the old fisherman muttered before striking her with a palm strike from afar.
“ zhè ge ？”
“这个？”
The female cultivator fainted immediately.
“ bú shì bú shì 。” tā lián máng yáo tóu fǒu rèn 。
“不是不是。”他连忙摇头否认。
"Done, our transaction is complete; I’m leaving now."
“ wǒ zhǐ shì jué de ， zhè ge xiǎo wán yì ， shí fēn yǒu qù bà le 。”
“我只是觉得，这个小玩意，十分有趣罢了。”
"Young man, we will meet again."
“ wǒ dǎo shì hěn jiǔ méi yǒu pèng dào zhè me xī qí de wán yì le 。”
“我倒是很久没有碰到这么稀奇的玩意了。”
The old fisherman put his fish basket back on his back and disappeared in an instant.
tā kàn xiàng lǐ fán ， rèn zhēn de wèn dào ：“ xiǎo huǒ zi ， yuàn yì gē ài me ？”
他看向李凡，认真的问道：“小伙子，愿意割爱么？”
Only the faint sound of a song could be heard but its content was unclear.
lǐ fán dà yì lǐn rán dào ：“ wǒ bù rú qián bèi huì yǎn ， cǐ wù rù shǒu xǔ jiǔ ， yì zhí rèn wéi tā zhǐ bù guò shì kuài yǒu chǔ wù gōng néng de lìng pái ér yǐ 。”
李凡大义凛然道：“我不如前辈慧眼，此物入手许久，一直认为它只不过是块有储物功能的令牌而已。”
"Safe passage with unexpected gains," Li Fan said as he glanced at the motionless Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance female cultivator before looking towards where the old fisherman had gone, his expression thoughtful.
After a while, the old fisherman's confusion gradually dissipated from his eyes.
However, he did not notice anything unusual about himself. He continued speaking.
"Your sword technique’s aura feels very familiar to me."
"It seems extremely similar to what I’m looking for. Just now, when I sensed the fluctuation in the aura, I thought my lost item was right here."
"A false hope!"
The old fisherman shook his head and seemed somewhat reflective.
"Similar... lost item?"
Li Fan already knew from previous information that this old fisherman roamed between states because he had lost something. He now felt the aura of the Heaven's Five Elements Annihilation Sword, leading him to Li Fan’s location.
In a flash, Li Fan considered a possibility: The Heaven's Defiling Sword!
But if this answer was true, then the old man’s strength...
The handle of the Heaven's Defiling Sword had once stood in equal combat with Qingfeng and even surpassed it. And the broken Heaven's Defiling Sword body could already exchange blows with Mo Shā.
If the complete Heaven's Defiling Sword existed, how powerful would it be?
And what cultivation stage would this old fisherman possess if his true identity was the master of the Heaven's Defiling Sword?
Li Fan had two choices before him.
One was to truthfully inform the old fisherman about the Heaven's Defiling Sword’s whereabouts.
Although he might receive a reward from such a powerful figure, there were risks.
The old fisherman had been wandering in the Xuanhuang Realm for centuries. Why did he lose his memory? What caused the Heaven's Defiling Sword to break and separate?
These were too many layers involved, too much at stake.
A slight misstep could lead to his destruction if he got entangled in a fight.
Perhaps even the True Real Technique wouldn’t be enough to save him.
The other choice was to pretend not to know.
Though it would mean missing this great opportunity, Li Fan had the option of using his avatar in future lives or being more cautious by having another cultivator inform the old fisherman that the lost item was information about the Heaven's Defiling Sword in the Cunyun Sea.
*The True Real Technique and the Odd Fate*
He wanted to see if there were any dangers involved and what changes would follow. If he could gain anything significant, it wouldn’t matter much even if it delayed him for a few lives.
Comparing these two options, the second seemed more prudent.
Therefore...
Li Fan chose to wait.
He was waiting to see if this reclusive powerhouse, the old fisherman, had the same ability as the former Heavenly Physician to perceive his thoughts.
Li Fan had already thought through all the details in his mind. If the old fisherman truly could sense his thoughts, then pretending not to know would be impossible.
If he couldn’t, making that choice was clear.
Perhaps it was because the old fisherman’s mental state was abnormal or because he wasn't skilled at such things but his seven senses were somewhat active.
Fortunately, Li Fan's hasty thoughts and reflections on the old fisherman's seemingly contemplative demeanor led him to remain silent for a breath, two breaths, three breaths.
The old man showed no special reaction.
Li Fan was certain that the old fisherman couldn’t sense his thoughts.
His mind began to feel more agile.
After four breaths, he pretended to think and said, "My sword technique actually resembles your lost item? It seems we are fated for each other."
"Indeed, I must have a connection with you," Li Fan continued.
Then he asked, "What did you lose, sir? I heard that you've been searching for it for a long time without success?"
The old fisherman shook his head. "I can't remember. Like my name, I can’t recall anything."
"But if I could see it again, I might remember everything."
"Exactly, as soon as I find it, I’ll be able to recall all the details..."
Seeing that the old fisherman was about to fall into confusion once more, Li Fan handed over his storage ring. "If that’s the case, sir, why don’t you take a look? There might be something useful for you."
"Considering our connection, it's possible you can find something valuable in here," he added.
This was what every cultivator did when they met an old fisherman.
The old fisherman didn't refuse and took the ring to examine it.
"Hmm, although your strength isn’t impressive, your assets are decent."
After a moment, the old fisherman praised him.
Li Fan's expression remained unchanged.
To Li Fan, his true secret was only True Real Technique. Even if everything else was known, it didn't matter much. So he wasn't afraid of the old fisherman’s examination.
The old fisherman carefully examined each item.
"This isn’t it."
"Nor is this one..."
"Ah?"
Li Fan's heart skipped a beat as the old man took out an item from his storage ring and examined it closely.
"It’s interesting," he said with interest.
The item that caught the old fisherman's attention was precisely what Li Fan had noticed seemed problematic, something he had been storing in a corner for a long time—The Steal Heaven and Earth Command, a treasure of the Steal Heaven and Earth Sect.
"Using this as leverage to swap a technique from the old fisherman would be perfect," Li Fan thought.
He immediately put on an expression of great surprise. "Sir, is this what you lost?"
Holding the token, the old fisherman was momentarily stunned.
"This? No."
"No, no." He quickly shook his head in denial.
"I just found it interesting; I haven’t come across such a unique item for a long time."
He looked at Li Fan seriously and asked, "Young man, are you willing to part with it?"
Li Fan said solemnly, "I lack the wisdom of my predecessor. I’ve had this token for some time and always thought it was just a storage ring."
"In my hands, it’s like dust on a precious gem. Take it as you wish!"
Seeing Li Fan agree, the old fisherman nodded.
In an instant, the Steal Heaven and Earth Command vanished from his hand, unknown to where it went.
"I won't take your things for free," the old fisherman said again, scrutinizing Li Fan intently until he felt a chill down his spine.
"Ah, I seem to have just what you need."
He brought out a fish basket on his back and reached inside with his right hand.
"There she is!"
He grabbed someone from within and tossed her in front of Li Fan.
Li Fan looked closely and his eyes widened.
The woman wore the standard black and yellow robes of the Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance, clearly an internal member. She seemed bound by invisible ropes, struggling like a fish out of water.
"Having gone so long without food, she still has such strength," the old fisherman muttered before striking her with a palm strike from afar.
The female cultivator fainted immediately.
"Done, our transaction is complete; I’m leaving now."
"Young man, we will meet again."
The old fisherman put his fish basket back on his back and disappeared in an instant.
Only the faint sound of a song could be heard but its content was unclear.
"Safe passage with unexpected gains," Li Fan said as he glanced at the motionless Ten Thousand Immortals Alliance female cultivator before looking towards where the old fisherman had gone, his expression thoughtful.