Cultivating Immortality Through a Hundred Lifetimes: I Possess the Heavenly Book of Merit

"What is it?"

"Lin Shi is very clever. He's polite to you on the surface, but he's actually keeping an eye on you. He knows your every move. So, you need to be careful."

"Although I have sent someone to meet you, the investigation cannot take too long, lest it arouse his suspicion."

Zhou Yan took a deep breath and nodded emphatically.

"Understood."

There was a moment of silence on the other side of the talisman, then a sigh came from there.

"Zhou Yan, Yu Yan... I know it was wrong of me to involve you in this. But it's too late to say anything more now."

"I will only say one thing: as long as you help me get through this ordeal, I will not treat you unfairly."

"As long as I, Lin Jiu, am on this fourth floor, you will be here too."

As the sound faded, the runes on the talisman gradually dimmed.

A moment later, the talisman floated back into Yu Yan's palm, turning back into an ordinary piece of paper.

Silence fell over the room.

Zhou Yan looked at Yu Yan, hesitating to speak.

Yu Yan looked down at the talisman in his hand and remained silent for a long time.

Zhou Yan finally couldn't help but ask, "Old Yu, are we... really going to investigate?"

Yu Yan didn't answer, but instead asked, "Brother Zhou, how credible do you think what Lin Jiu just said is?"

Zhou Yan thought for a moment and slowly said, "I think... at least eight out of ten."

"Oh?"

"He said Lin Shi would kill us, and I think it's true. Lin Shi's eyes give me the creeps. Even if he says nice things, he's definitely up to no good."

"He said Lin Shi has someone backing him, and I think that sounds true. How could Lin Shi cause such a commotion all by himself? He must have someone backing him up."

Yu Yan nodded.

Zhou Yan continued, "He said those two clansmen might have left clues, but... I don't know if it's true or not. But it can't hurt to investigate."

Yu Yan looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"Brother Zhou, you've really thought this through this time."

Zhou Yan chuckled: "That's right. After all this time, I should have used my brain by now."

Yu Yan stopped smiling and looked out the window.

"Then go check it out."

Zhou Yan nodded, but then frowned.

"But Lao Yu, how do we investigate? Lin Shi's men have been watching us. They'll definitely follow us as soon as we leave the house."

Yu Yan remained calm, saying only, "That depends on Lin Jiu. Since he said he would meet us, he must have considered this situation."

Zhou Yan looked at him with a skeptical expression: "Are you that sure?"

Yu Yan shook his head: "I'm not sure. But what can we do now besides wait?"

Zhou Yan thought about it and realized that there really was no other way, so he could only nod.

Yu Yan carefully put the talisman away and stood up.

"Let's go back and cultivate first. Lin Shi won't make any moves for the time being, so let's continue with what we need to do and avoid giving ourselves away."

Zhou Yan responded and stood up as well.

The two returned to their respective rooms.

Yu Yan closed the door and sat cross-legged on the futon.

He didn't start practicing immediately, but instead took out the talisman again and examined it carefully.

The runes had completely faded, looking no different from an ordinary piece of paper. But Yu Yan knew that as long as he inputted spiritual power again, it would be reactivated.

Lin Jiu said that this talisman could be used to send messages.

In other words, they can tell Lin Jiu directly any clues they find.

But Yu Yan knew in his heart that these talismans were not only communication tools, but also Lin Jiu's means of monitoring them. Lin Jiu could know where they went and what they did through the talismans.

Trust is mutual.

Lin Jiu trusted them, which is why he gave them such an important talisman. But they also had to trust Lin Jiu, otherwise this matter couldn't be accomplished.

Yu Yan put away the talisman, closed his eyes, and began to cultivate.

Time passed little by little.

Outside the window, the sunlight gradually slanted westward, casting longer and longer shadows, and everything was peaceful.

Around dusk, a commotion suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

Yu Yan opened his eyes and listened intently, but suddenly sensed something.

He turned his head abruptly.

Behind me, someone was standing there without me noticing.

The man was wearing a gray robe, had a thin face, and was expressionless.

It was Elder Lin.

He stood there quietly, like a shadow. If he hadn't deliberately released a trace of his aura, Yu Yan wouldn't have been able to detect his presence at all.

Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Yu Yan felt a chill run down his spine and was about to speak when a voice entered his mind.

"Don't speak."

It was Elder Lin's voice.

"I'll tell you, and you'll listen. Nod if you understand."

Yu Yan nodded slightly.

Elder Lin's voice transmission continued to echo in my mind.

"There is a puppet behind you. By dripping blood into it and infusing it with spiritual power, it can temporarily take on your appearance. This will last for a maximum of three days."

"Be careful when you go out. It's best not to let others see your faces, so as not to arouse Lin Shi's suspicion."

"Tell me what you need using that talisman."

After saying that, the telepathic communication in his mind disappeared.

When Yu Yan turned around again, there was no one behind him.

It's as if everything just now was an illusion.

He turned around and looked behind him.

Beside the futon, something lay quietly.

It was a small figure woven from straw.

It was about the size of a palm, crudely made, and looked like a toy that a child had casually made. The straw was a bit yellowed and curled in places, and it was haphazardly tied together with a few red threads.

But Yu Yan dared not underestimate it.

Something that Elder Lin personally delivered could not possibly be an ordinary toy.

He reached out and picked up the straw figure.

It was very light, almost weightless. But upon closer inspection, one could sense a faint fluctuation of spiritual energy deep within the straw.

By dripping it into blood and infusing it with spiritual power, it can transform into one's own appearance.

The maximum duration is three days.

Yu Yan was secretly amazed.

He had never heard of this puppetry technique in the lower three levels.

It can create incredibly realistic clones and maintain them for up to three days.

These arts and crafts are diverse, complex, and profound; I've certainly witnessed their intricacies this time.

The Lin family indeed has a profound history.

He carefully put the straw figure away, stood up, and walked to the window.

Outside the window, it had already gotten dark.

The noise outside the courtyard has disappeared.

Everything returned to calm.

Yu Yan took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and walked towards Zhou Yan's room.

Zhou Yan's door was ajar, and a light was on inside. Yu Yan knocked on the door, and Zhou Yan's voice came from inside.

"Come in."

Yu Yan pushed the door open and went in. Zhou Yan was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding something in his hand.

Upon seeing Yu Yan enter, Zhou Yan looked up, a hint of excitement on his face.

"Old Yu, you're pregnant too, right?"

He held up what he was holding.

It was exactly the same as Yu Yan's, the size of a palm, woven from straw and tied with red thread.

Yu Yan nodded, closed the door, and walked over.

Zhou Yan looked at the straw figure in his hand and clicked his tongue in amazement.

"This Elder Lin is truly resourceful. I was just wondering how to get out and investigate, and he sent me this. With this, we can sneak out without anyone noticing."

Yu Yan sat down next to him and also took out his own straw doll.

The two men stared at the two tiny figures in silence for a moment.

Zhou Yan suddenly asked:

"Old Yu, do you really think this thing will work? It can transform into our appearance without being detected?"

Yu Yan thought for a moment, then slowly said:

"Since Elder Lin dared to send it, there shouldn't be any problem. He's a Foundation Establishment cultivator and works in the Enforcement Hall, so he's very knowledgeable. If he says it's feasible, then it should be."