Chapter 812 - 244: Is That You, Young Lady Gu?
Looking at Chen Yan’s composed expression, Nangong Sheng had an additional admiration in his eyes.
If it were a regular low-level loose cultivator who could see a dignified inner sect steward elder of the Celestial Demon Yin Yang Joyful Sect or had the chance to encounter a noble of the Gu Family, they would probably be trembling with fear.
The Junior Brother Zhao Shanhe he admired really had a remarkable demeanor and disposition.
"Ah, by the way, I have read the artifact refining notes you sent earlier," Nangong Sheng smiled and said, "I have already instructed the instructors of the outer sect selection to keep that Nan Qiao in mind. If he doesn’t perform at the bottom during the final selection, I will send someone to bring him into the Artifact Refining Hall."
As he spoke, he patted Chen Yan’s shoulder again: "Go in now, finish the questioning and come out soon. I will visit your courtyard tonight to have a drink with you. I heard you moved to the courtyard in the Southwest Cemetery. It’s a nice place, so I’ll bring a jar of good wine to find you."
Chen Yan didn’t say much more, nodded, and walked towards the main entrance of the hall.
Behind him, Jiang Mo had a strange look on his face and glanced at Nangong Sheng: "I didn’t know that Junior Brother actually appreciated this outer disciple... I heard that you admitted him into the outer sect exceptionally, and I have always been curious, as Junior Brother has always held high standards, it’s rare for someone to catch your eye."
"Jiang Mo old man, you always have solemn behavior, how could you understand the ways of us carefree and unruly men?" Nangong Sheng laughed weirdly, "Your manner in saluting the master could be measured with a ruler, saying it to you would be hard to comprehend."
·
In the hall, after Chen Yan walked in, he saw a row of chairs placed on each side.
Surprisingly, there were three or four people sitting on each side, all dressed in the outer sect elder costumes — Elder Qian from Jing’an Hall, whom he knew, was seated in the lowest position near the door.
However, General Gu Jiu from the Gu Family, whom he had met before, sat in the foremost seat on the left side.
Directly opposite the door, on a chair, sat a person dressed in black finery with jet-black long hair tied up, a face like jade, with three delicate beards — a standard handsome man in ancient attire.
He looked like the type that could play the role of Zhuge Liang if taken outside.
Chen Yan strode inside, walked to the center, and greeted with a proper salute, loudly saying: "Outer disciple Zhao Shanhe from the Artifact Refining Hall, greets all the elders!"
Those sitting on both sides seemed to be mere listeners and did not speak, but Elder Qian looked at Chen Yan with a kindly gaze.
The handsome middle-aged man at the main position spoke slowly: "Zhao Shanhe."
The voice was quite pleasant, not greasy and oily; it had a touch of resonance.
"Disciple present," Chen Yan responded with a smile.
"I am Nangong Yuan, the chief steward of all outer halls. You have not been in the sect for long, so you do not recognize me. I called you here today for questioning personally."
The chief steward of all outer halls, he was the top figure in the outer sect on the ground, second only to the inner sect within the Immortal Mountain.
This position was indeed quite prominent!
However, Chen Yan was moved internally; Nangong Yuan... surnamed Nangong? Could he be a relative of Nangong Sheng?
Thinking of this, Chen Yan bent down to salute again: "Greetings to Elder Nangong. With Elder’s questioning, I will speak frankly without negligence or concealment."
He had just straightened up when suddenly his heart skipped a beat!
Due to the flow of primordial Qi, he clearly felt this Elder Nangong glance at him with narrowed eyes!
That gaze contained a glimmer, surrounded by a feeling of being enveloped in a spell, which instantly made Chen Yan’s heart sink!
The other party was using a spell to observe him!
Moreover, due to the significant disparity in their statuses, he didn’t even need to hide, simply using the spell on him openly.
It wasn’t the Qi Observation Skill, but some higher-level spell capable of probing a person’s reality!
Chen Yan’s heart sank — the Transformation Technique...
The Transformation Technique from the White Fox Inner Core only worked on cultivators below the Celestial Human Realm! Cultivators above the Celestial Human Realm could use spells to see through his true appearance.
In a sect inheriting the teachings of saints, this leader of the outer sect was undoubtedly above the Celestial Human Realm.
If he sees through my true appearance...
Chen Yan took a deep breath and prepared a few statements.
After all... it is not a crime for cultivators to alter their appearance.
I dislike my looks and want to change. Using magic to modify myself isn’t wrong, right?
I’m not connected to this case. No matter how much they investigate, they won’t find fault with me. Changing one’s appearance is simply a personal matter at most.
While thinking this, he was prepared to answer any doubts.
However, unexpectedly, this top figure of the outer sect, Elder Nangong Yuan, glanced at Chen Yan and then withdrew his gaze, calmly saying: "In that case, narrate the events from start to finish once more."
Chen Yan: ???
He didn’t reveal my Transformation Technique?
Chen Yan momentarily felt confused.
He couldn’t believe that the leader of a sect inheriting saints wouldn’t be at the Celestial Human Realm!
If he has seen through my true appearance, why not question it? Why not reveal it on the spot?
Why is he covering for me?
Could it be that Nangong Sheng spoke well of me?
That’s not right, Nangong Sheng hasn’t seen my true appearance and doesn’t know I’ve used the Transformation Technique.
With these doubts in his heart, Chen Yan’s expression remained unchanged, and he slowly replied: "Disciple obeys."
Immediately, he recounted his observations and experiences related to this case.