After a while, the confusion in the old fisherman's eyes gradually dissipated.
However, he was completely unaware of his peculiar state and continued speaking.
"I find the aura of your sword technique very familiar."
"It seems extremely similar to what I've been looking for. I sensed the fluctuations just now and thought my lost item might be here."
"White Huanxi for nothing!"
The old fisherman shook his head, somewhat nostalgic.
"Similar... lost item?"
From the information he had previously obtained, Li Fan already knew that this old fisherman had been wandering around the realms for hundreds of years because he couldn't find something.
Now that he sensed the aura of the Great Five Elements Annihilation Sword, he had tracked it to Li Fan.
In an instant, Li Fan thought of a possibility.
Heavenly Execution Sword!
However, if this answer was true, then the strength of this old man...
The handle of the Heavenly Execution Sword was on par with Qingfeng and even surpassed it.
And the damaged Heavenly Execution Sword body could already contend with the Ink Kill.
If it were a complete Heavenly Execution Sword, how powerful would it be?
And what cultivation level could this fisherman old man, who might be the master of the Heavenly Execution Sword, have?
There were two choices in front of Li Fan now.
One was to truthfully reveal the information about the Heavenly Execution Sword that he knew. Although he might receive rewards from the powerful fisherman, the fisherman had been wandering around the Xuanhuang Realm for hundreds of years. What caused him to lose his memory initially? Why did the Heavenly Execution Sword become so damaged and separated from it? These questions were too profound and involved too many high-level matters. Any slight mistake might lead to annihilation. Even the True Return might not have time to be executed.
The second was to pretend not to know. Although he would miss this great opportunity, for Li Fan, he could use a clone or a more secure method in the next life. He could let other cultivators convey the information about the Heavenly Execution Sword in the Cangyun Sea to the fisherman. Then, he would observe if there was any danger to his life and what changes it would bring.
Comparing the two options, the second one was obviously more secure.
So...
Li Fan chose to wait.
He was waiting to see if this hidden powerhouse, the old fisherman, was like the former Heavenly Doctor, able to perceive and understand the thoughts of the opposing cultivator.
Li Fan had already thought about the causes and consequences of the matter in his mind.
If the old fisherman could really perceive what Li Fan was thinking, then the second option of pretending not to know would not be feasible.
On the contrary, if the old fisherman couldn't, then making the second choice was undoubtedly the right decision.
Perhaps because the old fisherman's mental state was abnormal, or perhaps because he wasn't skilled in this aspect and the Seven Aperture Exquisite Heart partially played a role, fortunately.
Li Fan was lost in thought, silently standing in front of the pensive old fisherman for a moment, two moments, three moments.
However, the old man didn't have any special reaction.
So, Li Fan was certain that the other party couldn't sense his thoughts.
His mind became more active.
On the fourth count, he pretended to think for a while and then said, "I comprehend a sword technique, and it actually bears some resemblance to the senior's lost item?"
"It seems that I have some fate with the senior."
Then, Li Fan asked again, "Senior, what exactly did you lose? I heard that you've been looking for it for a long time and haven't found it?"
The old fisherman shook his head, "I can't remember, just like my name, I can't remember it."
"But if I can see it again, I should be able to remember."
"Yes, as long as I find it, I can recall everything..."
Seeing that the old fisherman was showing signs of confusion again, Li Fan handed over his storage ring, interrupting him.
"In that case, senior, you might as well take a look inside. Since I have such a fate with the senior, maybe you can find something useful in here."
Every cultivator had the same customary response upon encountering the fisherman.
The fisherman didn't reject Li Fan's gesture; he took the ring and inspected its contents.
"Hehe, young man, though your strength may not be exceptional, your wealth is quite considerable," praised the fisherman after a moment.
Li Fan maintained a calm demeanor. To him, the real secret was the True Return. Even if everything else was revealed, it wouldn't be a significant matter. Thus, he wasn't concerned about the fisherman's scrutiny.
The old fisherman carefully examined each item.
"Not this one, nor this."
"This...?"
"Hmm?"
Li Fan's heart skipped a beat as he observed the old man take out something from the storage ring and scrutinize it closely.
"This is interesting," he remarked with an intrigued expression.
The item that captured the interest of the formidable fisherman was the Daylight Robbery Sect's stolen treasure that Li Fan had discreetly kept—the Daylight Robbery Token.
"If I can repurpose it and exchange it for a technique from the fisherman, that would be excellent."
Li Fan swiftly shifted his thoughts and wore a pleasantly surprised expression, saying, "Senior, is this the item you lost?"
Holding the token, the fisherman seemed momentarily puzzled.
"This? No, no," he hastily shook his head, denying it. "I just find this little thing quite amusing. It's been a long time since I've come across something so peculiar."
Looking at Li Fan, he asked seriously, "Young man, are you willing to part with it?"
Li Fan, adopting a righteous demeanor, said, "I'm not as discerning as Senior. I've had this item for a long time, but I always thought it was just a token with storage functions. In my hands, it's like a pearl covered in dust. Senior, feel free to take it!"
Seeing Li Fan's agreement, the fisherman nodded.
In an instant, the Daylight Robbery Token disappeared from his hands, and no one knew where it went.
"I won't take your things for nothing."
The fisherman carefully scrutinized Li Fan once again, making his hair stand on end.
"Well, I seem to have something very useful for you."
He brought the basket from behind, reached in with his right hand, and grabbed something.
"It's her!"
Then he tossed a figure in front of Li Fan.
Li Fan stared at the person, his eyelids twitching.
This person was dressed in the standard black and yellow robe of the Wanxian Alliance, clearly a member of the organization. Bound by invisible ropes, she struggled like a fish out of water.
"Hungry for so long, and still so strong," the fisherman muttered, then reached out and slapped her across the air.
The female cultivator instantly fainted.
"Alright, the transaction is complete. I'm leaving."
"Young man, we'll meet again if fate allows."
The old fisherman put the basket back on his back.
Without waiting for Li Fan's response, he took a step and disappeared.
Only the faint sound of a song could be heard, but the specific lyrics were unclear.
"Safe and sound, with unexpected gains."
Li Fan glanced at the motionless Wanxian Alliance female cultivator beside him, looked towards the direction where the fisherman disappeared, his face revealing a thoughtful expression.
(End of this chapter)