Chapter 33: Duo Of Talented Sisters

Li Fan asked several baffling questions in a row, leaving Yin Yuzhen thoroughly confused about his intentions.

Abruptly, a possibility seemed to dawn on her. She stared at Li Fan, her face paling. “Don’t tell me... you’re our long-lost father?”

But she quickly dismissed the idea herself. “No, that can’t be right. You don’t look anything like us.”

“I was just curious,” Li Fan said dismissively, ignoring the girl’s flighty train of thought.

“Right, right, curiosity about one of your own kind. Perfectly natural.” Yin Yuzhen nodded repeatedly, wearing an expression of deep understanding.

Li Fan couldn’t be bothered to explain.

Yin Yuzhen sighed and began speaking slowly. “We’re originally from Yelan Island in the north. Our parents died in a disaster when we were kids. My sister and I only had each other after that. We begged for food daily, never knowing when the next meal would come.

“But then, at some point in time, my sister started finding valuable items in all sorts of places. So our lives gradually improved, and eventually my sister single-handedly established the Tianbao Pavilion,” Yin Yuzhen recalled.

“The sad part is, I haven’t seen my sister for several years now.” Her eyes filled with nostalgia.

“Oh? Where did she go?” Li Fan frowned.

“Three years ago, an Immortal Master passing by took a liking to her and brought her away. At first, she’d have people pass along messages to let us know she was safe. But later... we never heard from her again.” Yin Yuzhen rested her chin in her hands, looking utterly pitiful.

“Taken by an Immortal Master? Could she have been taken to cultivate immortality?” Li Fan couldn’t help but ask.

Yin Yuzhen sighed. “If only that were true. In her earlier letters, she used a code only the two of us understood to tell me she was in a very precarious position. She said if she stopped contacting us, it meant something terrible might have happened to her. She told me not to look for her.”

Hearing this, Li Fan asked, “Could her special treasure-attuned body have brought this disaster upon her?”

“That’s exactly what I can’t figure out. While the treasure-attuned body is indeed remarkable, allowing one to sense treasures within a certain range, its abilities are limited.

“My sister is just an ordinary mortal. The things she can sense are only valuable to regular people. To those Immortal Masters, such treasures might be little better than scrap metal.

“It’s not like Immortal Masters hadn’t noticed her talent before, but none of them ever made a big deal out of it. I don’t know why that particular Immortal Master ultimately took her away.” Yin Yuzhen sighed again, a deep sorrow flickering in her eyes.

“Even though my sister’s chances seem slim, the foundation she built remains. I can’t let the Tianbao Pavilion, which she worked so hard her whole life to establish, be ruined in my hands.” As she spoke, Yin Yuzhen fixed her large eyes on Li Fan.

“That’s actually why I asked to meet you today.”

Li Fan raised an eyebrow but remained silent.

Yin Yuzhen continued explaining. “I don’t have my sister’s miraculous ability. After she disappeared, the Tianbao Pavilion’s business has been declining day by day.

“And on top of that, I later misjudged several treasures, failing to recognize they were counterfeits, which cost us a significant sum.

“The elders gradually grew dissatisfied with me, even conspiring with outsiders to oust me and carve up the Tianbao Pavilion’s assets.

“Fortunately, they still fear my sister as she has connections to a Immortal Master, so they haven’t made their move yet.

“That’s why I came to Liuli Island from Yelan Island under the pretext of expanding our market. Essentially, I’m lying low for a while.

“Originally, I planned to develop Tianbao Pavilion here for a few years, build up some strength, and then return to settle scores with them. But I never expected to encounter another person with a treasure-attuned body here on Liuli Island.”

Yin Yuzhen grew visibly excited. “With your help, I’m certain I can regain control of the Tianbao Pavilion.”

“Why should I help you?” Li Fan remained unmoved. “I have no interest in the Tianbao Pavilion’s affairs. My only desire is to cultivate immortality.”

“You promised that if I helped you secure a slot in the fleet, you would assist me in obtaining a spot in the Body Purification Spirit Pool. You haven’t gone back on your word, have you?”

Yin Yuzhen seemed prepared for Li Fan’s response. She nodded. “At Tianbao Pavilion, we prioritize integrity above all else in our business. We will certainly deliver what we promised you. But...”

She paused, a cunning glint in her eyes.

“But what?” Li Fan’s expression darkened.

Yin Yuzhen chuckled softly. “Even if you enter the Body Purification Spirit Pool, Uncle, purging the miasma from your body is no easy task. Every year, only about half of those who enter the spirit pool succeed. And the older you are, the higher the chance of failure.

“You’re not exactly young anymore, Uncle. Are you absolutely certain you’ll succeed? Each person only gets one chance to enter the spirit pool in their lifetime. If you fail, I’m afraid you’ll have to bid farewell to immortality forever.”

“I’m aware the Body Purification Spirit Pool doesn’t guarantee success,” Li Fan said, his eyes narrowing as he watched her. “But even a fifty percent chance is worth trying. Still, from the sound of it, you’re suggesting...”

“Exactly.” Yin Yuzhen’s face lit up with the triumphant look of someone who knew she had hooked her prey. “Along with my sister’s last letter, she sent a pill called the Mundane-Leaving Pill.

“According to her letter, taking this pill significantly increases the chances of successfully purging miasma from the body. Combined with the Body Purification Spirit Pool, even someone

your

age would have a very high likelihood of success.”

“If the pill is so miraculous, why haven’t you taken it yourself?” Li Fan couldn’t help but ask.

“Uncle, not everyone is as determined to cultivate immortality as you are. My wish is to excel in business and protect the Tianbao Pavilion my sister left behind,” Yin Yuzhen replied.

“To each their own...” Li Fan nodded slowly.

“So, Uncle, does that mean you agree?” Yin Yuzhen looked at him with hopeful eyes.

“Allow me to consider it. I’ll give you my answer in three days.” Li Fan pondered for a moment, not immediately committing.

“Very well, then. I’ll await your news, Uncle.” Though slightly disappointed, Yin Yuzhen nodded in acceptance.

“Farewell.”

***

I hope I haven’t misjudged him this time.

Yin Yuzhen watched Li Fan’s retreating figure, her expression turning serious as she mused to herself.

Throughout her interactions with Li Fan, Yin Yuzhen had deliberately played the role of a junior or young girl. Her instincts told her that Li Fan didn’t dislike this approach. Moreover, dealing with him from the position of a junior made things more likely to succeed.

Yin Yuzhen wasn’t like her elder sister, who possessed an innate divine ability to sense hidden treasures. But she had her own unique gift.

Apart from her sister Yin Yueting, no one knew that Yin Yuzhen had, since childhood, possessed the ability to vaguely sense whether an action would bring fortune or misfortune.

It was precisely through the elder sister’s treasure-attuned body and the younger sister’s knack for averting misfortune and pursuing good fortune that the two sisters had managed to grow up safely and smoothly.