In the Central Divine Land, the Miaoshou Gate was an extremely ancient sect. However, it had declined long ago and was gradually forgotten by the world.
One could say that those in the Central Divine Land who still remembered the Miaoshou Gate could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Only a few ancient relics who had lived for countless eons retained vague memories of this ancient sect.
This Situ Kong'er before him was one of the few remaining descendants of the Miaoshou Gate. This identity was only known to him and his master. He never expected it to be blurted out so casually by the unfamiliar young man before him, which shocked him deeply.
"Alright, Brother Situ, first withdraw your transformation technique and reveal your true self," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
Situ Kong'er stared at Ye Yunfei for a moment, full of vigilance.
"Brother Situ, rest assured, I bear you no ill will," Ye Yunfei said.
After hesitating briefly, Situ Kong'er gave his body a gentle shake and instantly transformed into the dark-skinned, burly young man who had been running the street stall earlier.
"It really is him!"
The Young Lady of Longevity Palace and her maid Rou'er watched this scene unfold, momentarily stunned.
"So incredible! When he transformed into different people just now, I couldn't see any flaws at all! With every transformation, his appearance and Soul Body aura were completely different. How amazing!" Rou'er exclaimed in wonder.
"Not just you; even if a Longevity Palace elder came here, they might not necessarily recognize him," Ye Yunfei said with a laugh. "The Miaoshou Gate's Seventy-Two Transformations were renowned throughout the Primordial Continent in ancient times, a technique entirely unique."
"Humph, nonsense! You have no idea how powerful our Longevity Palace elders are!" Rou'er protested defiantly.
"Rou'er, don't speak rashly! When we're outside, we mustn't carelessly reveal our identity!" The Young Lady tugged at Rou'er's sleeve, frowning as she spoke.
Witnessing this, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but find it inwardly amusing. This Young Lady of Longevity Palace and her maid had likely spent many years within the palace, rarely venturing out and lacking worldly experience. Their thinking was rather simplistic.
"What did you come to find me for?" Situ Kong'er asked, staring at Ye Yunfei. By now, he could tell this stranger had deliberately sought him out.
"I came looking for Brother Situ because I simply wished to make a friend. By the way, Brother Situ, over these years, have you been searching for a certain Heritage Treasure? That treasure holds great significance for you. If you can find it, your strength is bound to increase dramatically because of it," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"How do you know this? Who are you, really? Why do you know my affairs so clearly?" Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Situ Kong'er wore an expression of utter incredulity. After a moment, he took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart, and asked in a serious tone. The search for the Heritage Treasure was a secret known only to him and his master, yet this young stranger had just bluntly exposed it.
"Brother Situ, you don't need to question how I know. I have a way to help you find that Heritage Treasure. I wonder if Brother Situ is interested?" Ye Yunfei said, continuing to smile.
In truth, the reason Ye Yunfei knew Situ Kong'er's situation so clearly was that in his previous life, when he came to the Central Divine Land to seek his fortune, he had accidentally encountered Situ Kong'er.
At the time, Ye Yunfei had gone to the treasure street in Yueying City. Shortly after entering, he discovered his belongings had been stolen. Furious, Ye Yunfei employed a secret technique, using the traces of aura he had left on his possessions. After a difficult search, expending considerable time and effort, he finally tracked Situ Kong'er down.
In the end, the two of them, starting from conflict, developed a mutual respect and became fast friends who could share anything. Later, Ye Yunfei and Situ Kong'er, purely by chance, found the sect Heritage Treasure that Situ Kong'er had long yearned for. That was why Ye Yunfei understood Situ Kong'er and the Miaoshou Gate's circumstances so well.
"What? You can help me find the Heritage Treasure? Is that true?" Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Situ Kong'er almost jumped. He stared at Ye Yunfei, his gaze filled with doubt but also a touch of anticipation.
"Brother Situ, let's speak in a different place. After all, you wouldn't want outsiders to know too much about these matters, right?" Ye Yunfei said.
"Fine. Let's find a quiet spot and talk properly," Situ Kong'er finally reacted. The shock Ye Yunfei had given him was so great that only now did he realize discussing Miaoshou Gate affairs wasn't appropriate in such a public setting.
"Follow me." Situ Kong'er turned and left, speeding away in an instant. He knew Ye Yunfei would surely be able to keep up.
With a wave of his sleeve, Ye Yunfei brought Hu Miao along, took a single step, his figure transforming into a streak of light that also sped away and vanished in an instant.
A short while later, on an unremarkable mountain peak dozens of miles from Yueying City.
"Who exactly are you? Why do you know my situation in such detail? What exactly is your purpose in seeking me out?" Situ Kong'er stared at Ye Yunfei and asked once more.
"There's no need for you to ask about my origins. Just know this: I am a friend, not an enemy. If you're willing to befriend me, I can help you find that Heritage Treasure. Of course, if you don't believe me, then just pretend we never met, and I'll leave right now," Ye Yunfei said indifferently, hands clasped behind his back, projecting an aura of profound mystery.
"Alright. I'll be your friend. May I ask for your honorable name, sir?" Situ Kong'er pondered for a moment and finally made his decision.
"I am Su Fei," Ye Yunfei answered with a smile.
"Brother Situ, I would like you to help me investigate a few matters. First, how many experts and forces from the Corpse World are stationed within the Land of Life and Death? Second, which powerful enemies or grudges does the Corpse World have with the Tianyou Tomb? Third, where is the Tianyou Tomb's headquarters?" Ye Yunfei stated.
"The Corpse World and Tianyou Tomb are both superpowers within our Central Divine Land. Ordinary people steer clear of them, not daring to provoke them. Yet you actually want to investigate these two organizations? You wouldn't be harboring some grudge against them, would you?" Hearing Ye Yunfei's questions, Situ Kong'er couldn't help but be greatly alarmed.
"I believe with Brother Situ's abilities, you should be able to help me," Ye Yunfei replied with a smile, not giving a direct answer.
"Fine. I'll do my best," Situ Kong'er hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. Though investigating the Corpse World and Tianyou Tomb was an extremely dangerous task, Ye Yunfei had promised to help him find the Heritage Treasure. That was a monumental favor. Naturally, he understood the principle of reciprocity.
"Then I offer my thanks," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
Situ Kong'er was not only proficient in the Seventy-Two Transformations but also had a special talent for gathering information and investigating secrets. For years, he had mixed in all corners of the Central Divine Land, engaging in scams, cons, deceit, theft—his footprints had nearly covered every city, big and small, throughout the land. He could be said to know the circumstances of every region, every faction, and every city like the back of his hand. Ye Yunfei had specially sought him out, not only out of consideration for their bond from a past life but also because he valued these very skills of Situ Kong'er.
"Brother Su, when will you help me search for that Heritage Treasure?" Situ Kong'er couldn't help but ask. What he cared about most was still that treasure.
"We can go right now," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.