Chapter 325: Fisherman Wants to Sell Fish

After a long while, the confusion in the old fisherman's eyes slowly dissipated. However, he didn't notice his own strangeness at all and continued, "The aura of your sword technique, I find it very familiar. It seems extremely similar to something I'm looking for. Just now, when I sensed the aura fluctuation, I thought my lost item was right here. It was a false alarm!"

The old fisherman shook his head, a little emotional.

"Similar... lost item?"

From the information he had previously obtained, Li Fan already knew that this old fisherman had been drifting around various states because he couldn't find something of his. At this moment, he had sensed the aura of the Great Five Elements Nirvana Sword and tracked it to Li Fan. In a flash, Li Fan thought of a possibility: The Heavenly Fiend Sword!

But if this answer were true, then this old man's strength... The Heavenly Fiend Sword hilt could contend with Qing Feng, even surpassing it. And the broken Heavenly Fiend Sword blade could already faintly exchange blows with Mo Sha. How powerful would the complete Heavenly Fiend Sword be? And what cultivation level would this old fisherman, whose true identity might be the owner of the Heavenly Fiend Sword, possess?

There were now two choices before Li Fan.

One was to truthfully inform him of everything he knew about the Heavenly Fiend Sword. Although he might receive a reward from a powerful individual like the old fisherman, this old fisherman had been wandering the Xuanhuang Realm for hundreds of years. What caused his amnesia in the first place? And why had the Heavenly Fiend Sword become so broken and separated from him? This involved too much, and the level of entanglement was too high. A slight misstep, once drawn into a conflict, could lead to annihilation; he might not even have time to act.

The second was to feign ignorance. Although he would miss this immense opportunity, for Li Fan, he could use a clone in his next life, or be even safer. He could have other cultivators, acting on his behalf, reveal the information that the lost item was the Heavenly Fiend Sword in Congyun Sea to the old fisherman. He could then observe whether there was any danger to life, and what changes it would bring. If truly astonishing benefits could be gained from it, for Li Fan, it would only be a delay of two or three lifetimes.

Comparing the two options, the second was clearly the most prudent.

So, Li Fan chose to wait. He was waiting to see if this reclusive powerhouse, the old fisherman, could perceive the psychological activities of the cultivator across from him, just like the Heavenly Physician had in the past.

Li Fan had already thought through the entire sequence of events in his mind. If the old fisherman could truly sense what Li Fan was thinking, then the second option of feigning ignorance would be out of the question. Conversely, if the old fisherman could not, then making the second choice was, of course, beyond doubt.

Perhaps it was because the old fisherman's mental state was abnormal, or because he wasn't skilled in this ability and Li Fan's Seven Apertures Exquisite Heart had partially taken effect. In any case, fortunately, amidst Li Fan's wild thoughts, in front of the emotional old fisherman, he remained silent for one breath, two breaths, three breaths. Yet, the old man showed no particular reaction.

Thus, Li Fan became convinced that the other party could not sense his thoughts. His mind couldn't help but become active. On the fourth breath, he pretended to think for a moment before replying, "My sword technique is actually somewhat similar to your lost item, senior? It seems I truly have a strong affinity with you, senior."

Then, Li Fan asked again, "What exactly did you lose, senior? I heard you've been searching for a long time without success?"

The old fisherman shook his head, "I can't remember, just like my name, I can't remember it. However, if I can see it again, I should be able to remember. Yes, as long as I find it, I can recall everything again..."

Seeing that the old fisherman was on the verge of falling back into confusion, Li Fan handed over his storage ring, interrupting him. "Since that's the case, senior, why don't you take a look and see if your item is in here. Given our strong affinity, perhaps you might find something useful here." This was also a mandatory action for every cultivator who met the old fisherman.

The old fisherman did not refuse. He took the ring and began examining its contents. "Heh heh, young man, your strength isn't much, but your wealth is quite decent." A moment later, the old fisherman praised.

Li Fan's expression remained unchanged. For Li Fan, his only true secret was Huan Zhen. Even if everything else was known, it wasn't a big deal, so he wasn't afraid of the old fisherman's scrutiny.

The old fisherman identified items one by one. "This isn't it, nor is this. This one... Hmm?"

Li Fan's heart skipped a beat as he watched the old man take something out of the storage ring and examine it closely before his eyes. "A bit interesting," he said, showing an intrigued expression. The item that even a powerful individual like the old fisherman found interesting was precisely the Heaven-Stealing, Sun-Swapping Sect's most treasured artifact, which Li Fan had always suspected had issues and had left to gather dust in a corner: the Heaven-Stealing, Sun-Swapping Token.

"If I can put this 'waste' to good use and exchange it for a cultivation technique from the old fisherman, that would be perfect." Li Fan's thoughts raced. He immediately put on a surprised expression and exclaimed repeatedly, "Senior, is this what you lost?"

The old fisherman held the token, slightly stunned. "This? No, no," he quickly shook his head, denying it. "I just find this little trinket quite interesting, that's all. It's been a long time since I've come across such a peculiar item."

He looked at Li Fan and asked seriously, "Young man, are you willing to part with it?"

Li Fan grandly declared, "My insight is not as sharp as yours, senior. I've had this item for a long time and always thought it was just a token with storage capabilities. In my hands, it's a pearl gathering dust. Please, senior, take it!"

Seeing Li Fan agree, the old fisherman nodded. In an instant, the Heaven-Stealing, Sun-Swapping Token vanished from his hand, its whereabouts unknown.

"I won't take your item for nothing." The old fisherman scrutinized Li Fan once more, making Li Fan's hairs stand on end. Only then did he say, "Hmm, it seems I happen to have something here that would be of great use to you."

He brought the fish basket from his back to his front, reached in with his right hand, and grabbed something. "This is it!" He then pulled a human figure out of it and tossed her in front of Li Fan.

Li Fan stared intently, his eyelids twitching. The person was wearing a standard black and yellow long robe of the Wan Xian Alliance, clearly an official member of the alliance. She seemed to be bound by invisible ropes, struggling constantly, twisting like a fish out of water.

"Been hungry for so long, yet still so strong," the old fisherman muttered. Then he extended his hand and slapped her through the air. The female cultivator instantly fainted.

"Alright, the transaction is complete, I should go now. Young man, we'll meet again if fate allows." The old fisherman put the fish basket back on his back. Without waiting for Li Fan's reply, he took a step and vanished. Only faint singing could be heard, but the words were indistinguishable.

"A close call, but with an unexpected gain." Glancing at the motionless female cultivator from the Wan Xian Alliance beside him, Li Fan looked in the direction the old fisherman had disappeared, a thoughtful expression on his face.