Chapter 430: Chapter 38: Thief Cultivators Revealed (Part 2)

The Zhao family has eighty-four Qi Cultivators, including six in the Late Period, but suddenly there are eight more within half a year.

Except for two newly promoted Qi Cultivators within the clan, the other six newcomers have no trace or origin.

The nearby Zhu family, a long-time foe of the Zhao family, informed the Qin Family Steward during their investigation, allowing them to narrow down the target to the Zhao family.

However, when the Steward visited the Zhao family for inspection, they found all ninety-two cultivators accounted for, with names and familiarity among all members, showing no newcomers.

Fortunately, the Zhu family provided almost daily secret intelligence monitoring the Zhao family, enabling the Qin Family Steward to confirm that the Zhao family indeed added six Qi Cultivators, but which six were unidentified.

For the sect’s trial, Li Ji’an didn’t let them further advance, so the focus narrowed to the ninety-two Qi Cultivators of the Zhao family.

But accurately identifying them is not easy.

Moreover, one cannot exclude the possibility that the Zhu family is maliciously framing the Zhao family.

During their true disciple trials, chaos and killing cannot be arbitrarily caused.

Hu Zaiyi was stunned upon hearing this; being a sect’s true disciple is achieved only through extraordinary determination, and besides having Spirit Roots, they are not fools.

If Yao Rui and the other two can’t find the six individuals, can he and Senior Brother Li find them?

Three days later, Li Ji’an and Hu Zaiyi arrived at the Zhao family.

The entire Zhao family anxiously welcomed the true disciples of the Upper Sect.

Especially Li Ping’an, the chief true disciple!

As expected, Yao Rui and the other two were in attendance as well.

The three were still scrutinizing the Zhao family’s ninety-two Qi Cultivators, evidently unable to find any clues.

Zhou Zheng was the first to step forward and greet, "Greetings to Senior Brother Li."

After previously imposing his presence, Li Ji’an established significant authority, making Yao Rui hesitant to speak as unruly as before.

After the greetings, Li Ji’an was led into the ancestral hall.

"Senior Brother Li, we might have been used," Zhou Zheng said somewhat despondently after dismissing the Zhao family members.

"Oh?" Li Ji’an glanced up at him.

"We’ve been here for five days, interrogating almost every Zhao cultivator, and none is seemingly unaccounted for, also maintaining strong familiarity among themselves," Zhou Zheng explained.

Before Li Ji’an could respond, Yao Rui smirked with a hint of ridicule, "Who knows if the Qin Family is secretly undermining Senior Brother Li, or just eager to hurry him away? How could thief cultivators sneak into the Zhao family, where ninety-two cultivators have known each other for years?"

"Have you considered the possibility of the six thief cultivators killing and assuming others’ identities?" Hu Zaiyi frowned, inquiring.

"Naturally, if posing as someone else after killing, even their aura can be faked, though daily minutiae leave traces. We interrogated the ninety-two cultivators separately, and Senior Sister Yao even used Heart Inquiry Technique without finding anything unusual," Zhou Zheng replied.

Li Ji’an nodded slightly, having suspected similarly at first.

The idea of killing and replacing, then using special means like his Faceless Mask to conceal oneself, while silently waiting for the poison to take effect, thus wiping out the clan and escaping.

"Not replacement?" Li Ji’an’s eyes slightly narrowed.

"Then it’s the Divine Soul!"

To entirely blend into a family like the Zhao family and gain full recognition might mean replacing a well-acknowledged family member.

That involves simulating the individual’s aura, memory, even daily lifestyle after killing them.

His Faceless Mask can easily accomplish the first two points, yet the lifestyle aspect causes discrepancies due to fragmented memories, leading to inconsistencies from frequent interactions.

Even directly inheriting memories results in conflict amidst two personalities, making complete assimilation impossible.

Hence, Yao Rui and the other’s investigation approach was correct.

Now that approach is determined unviable.

The alternative to make everyone recognize one’s identity fully is altering their memories.

This ties to techniques involving the Divine Soul.

Given the origins of these six thief cultivators, this possibility is more likely.

"Senior Brother Li..." Hu Zaiyi was about to speak.

Suddenly, Li Ji’an arose, "Summon the Zhao family’s cultivators!"

"Senior Brother Li, how do you plan to conduct the investigation?" Zhou Zheng questioned curiously.

"It’ll be clear upon seeing!" Li Ji’an didn’t answer, making his way toward the Zhao family’s square.

Shortly after, Zhao family’s ninety-two cultivators were gathered once more.

It’s evident several clan members already bore wearied resentment.

These past weeks have been torturous for them.

Yao Rui followed Li Ji’an to the square; she’s conducted similar gatherings numerous times but always to no avail.

She even felt sympathy for the Zhao family’s cultivators at this point.

"Reporting to Young Master Li, our clan’s ninety-two cultivators have assembled," Zhao Zhimo said respectfully, though secretly sighing.

Amidst such disruption, the Zhao family’s entire operations halted, and the clan’s cultivators are nearly out of Spiritual Talent.

Regardless of thief cultivators, if continued this way, the Zhao family will crumble under the Zhu family’s pressure before even facing the threat.

"Patriarch Zhao, amongst these cultivators, you haven’t found any anomaly?" Li Ji’an casually inquired.

At this, Zhao Zhimo immediately prostrated, "Reporting to Young Master, I, Zhao Zhimo, pledge by my life that all these cultivators are native Zhao family members with absolutely no thief cultivators!"

Regarding his inquiry, he’s becoming increasingly jittery.

To expedite resolution, he’s self-examined countless times, individually questioning each cultivator, even conducting one-on-one covert surveillance.

Yet, absolutely nothing unusual emerged.

"Oh? Patriarch Zhao, why don’t you take one more careful look!" Li Ji’an smiled lightly.

Zhao Zhimo sighed inwardly, numbly turning away.

"Shoo~"

Suddenly, a spiritual light flashed.

Immediately, a lapis spirit talisman revealed itself above the square.

Before anyone could react, the lapis spirit talisman exploded.

Waves of Cyan Profound Qi descended.

Upon contact, the Zhao family’s cultivators felt a clarity in their Sea of Consciousness.

Fatigue from recent days dissipated, leaving their minds instantly sharper.

"Is this...the Purifying God Talisman?" Yao Rui and the four true disciples were well-educated on common techniques and artifacts within the cultivation realm, quickly recognizing the talisman.

"Could it be? Yes, the Illusion Technique!" They immediately deduced upon recognizing the Purifying God Talisman.

"Why didn’t I think of this!" Yao Rui gritted her teeth in self-reproach.

Though sect teachings offered insights into navigating the cultivation realm, they weren’t drawn from her own experience, leading to a lack of intuitive application, and not considering Qi thief cultivators may possess such means earlier.

"Huh, who are you?" At that moment, a Zhao family member stared puzzledly at a fellow cultivator in Zhao family attire beside them.

Soon, more attention focused on the six standing amidst the crowd.

"This is..." Zhao Zhimo’s expression changed; now he finally understood that six individuals indeed infiltrated his family, with the entire clan unwittingly deceived.

"Boom!" Before reactions arose, the six among the crowd, realizing exposure, acted abruptly.

"Where do you think you’re going?" Furious and relentless, Yao Rui unleashed her magical power, sending numerous Fire Snakes chasing them.

Hu Zaiyi and the others joined the pursuit with full force.

The six thief cultivators gave a cold sweep around, flinging nearby Zhao family members over them and then fleeing promptly.

In an instant, four Upper Sect true disciples pursued the six thief cultivators beyond the Zhao family grounds.

Coming to, Zhao Zhimo quickly assembled members for the chase.

"Patriarch Zhao, no need to intervene; leave it to us." Li Ji’an, who had activated the Purifying God Talisman without further movement, suddenly spoke.

"Ah? Yes! I obey Young Master’s command." Zhao Zhimo halted immediately, agreeing at once.

The next moment, he prostrated urgently, "Young Master, mercy; I, Zhao, bear shallow cultivation and lacked the discernment, allowing thief cultivators into the family, seeking pardon sincerely."

"No harm done, since thief cultivators possessed divine skills; you’re not at fault. However, if my conjecture is correct, you’re likely poisoned. Patriarch Zhao should seek a physician to detoxify expediently," Li Ji’an raised his hand slightly, using magical power to assist Zhao Zhimo up.

Then he invoked the "Thousand Mechanisms Blood Attraction," tracking the locations of the six thief cultivators, and proceeded methodically.