Wang Sheng was firmly against the plan at first. "What kind of plan is that? It's completely unworkable. Besides, I doubt having me meet your father would make any difference." —You can try to persuade him. Captain Chi Ling did mention that you've become quite powerful, Wang Sheng. Shen Qianlin was so casual about it that it seemed as if it was nothing. —What, are you worried your senior sister will get jealous? I can explain everything to her ahead of time. I'm just borrowing you to meet my father. We can also bring your side's 'guardian' along, so the officials can directly speak with them." Wang Sheng frowned. Does this really have to involve me? This was clearly just a formality. Shen Qianlin could have simply gone home and used her identity as a daughter to bring a few friends over to hang out. It would be a completely normal family situation. He glanced at Mu Wanxuan, who was beside him. His senior sister gently waved at him and smiled softly, gesturing at him to decide on his own. If it were two years ago, Wang Sheng might not have hesitated and would have agreed to Shen Qianlin's plan right away. After all, he would only have to pretend to be her boyfriend, not the real thing. Moreover, Shen Qianlin currently held a bit of initiative. Even though the unspoken understanding between him and Mu Wanxuan had yet to be broken, it was already more or less there. Mu Wanxuan also understood matters between men and women a bit better by now. The lemon water and grape juice from earlier clearly meant something! In any case, Wang Sheng didn't want this situation to give Mu Wanxuan any unsettled feelings. Looking at the number on his phone screen, he smiled. "Senior Sister, I don't have striking looks or an impressive presence. You've always been single, right? If you suddenly say I'm your boyfriend, your family definitely won't believe it." —All right, then. What do you suggest? Shen Qianlin's tone didn't show any disappointment. Wang Sheng thought for a moment. "I've got a perfect fake boyfriend option for you. He's the most popular man in today's cultivation world. He's tall, handsome, calm, and elegant. If you say it was love at first sight, no one would doubt it." "Liu Yunzhi, a prominent disciple of Mount Mao. Ever heard of him?" Shen Qianlin clicked her tongue. —Seriously? Show me some photos. Unedited ones. Wang Sheng laughed. He hadn't expected Liu Yunzhi's appearance to help resolve such an awkward issue. "Wait a moment. I'll have him send over some selfies." Then, Wang Sheng tagged Liu Yunzhi in the fixed chat group of five people plus Mou Yue, asking if he was free to help with a task. Liu Yunzhi: Sure! Is it about the trip to Sakura Island? I just broke through yesterday. I could use a break and explore the outside world. I've also refined my lightning technique to a solid level over the past year! I'm still ahead of Daoist Brother Shi in cultivation! Huai Jing immediately joined the conversation. Huai Jing: Amitabha. Let's talk after I finish this match. I've made a breakthrough, too. Meanwhile, Shi Qianzhang just lurked silently in the chat. Wang Sheng: It's not about Sakura Island. That opportunity has yet to come. This is something else I'd like to ask of you, Daoist Brother Liu. Liu Yunzhi: No need to be so formal. Just tell me what it is, Fei Yu. I'll help however I can. Wang Sheng: Send me a few selfies. Make sure they look good. The group chat quieted down for a few seconds, then suddenly exploded with flashing icons and a barrage of messages. Shi Qianzhang: What the heck, Brother Sheng? When did you start chasing someone new? Is the Quiet Fairy no longer attractive enough for you? Huai Jing: Fei Yu, as a Daoist sect disciple, you must remember the principle of avoiding solitary yang. Shi Qianzhang: Want my selfies too? I can send shirtless ones! Huai Jing: Amitabha. Fei Yu, you should also consider Daoist Brother Liu's feelings. You can't force it or act recklessly. Wang Sheng suddenly wanted to smash his phone. How can those two type so fast? Mu Wanxuan's icon lit up. She sent a captioned meme. This is far too vulgar for someone pure like me. Immediately after, ellipses filled the screen. Wang Sheng silently initiated a group voice call, pulled everyone in, and calmly said, "Now, repeat everything you just typed. Out loud. I'm listening." Huai Jing and Shi Qianzhang both chuckled sheepishly. Mu Wanxuan sent another meme. "Back to the real issue." Wang Sheng's tone turned a bit serious, making everyone quiet down and listen carefully. "This matter is actually classified." He didn't have any issue telling them about it since he trusted them all. Moreover, they already knew about the Nether Gate, though they only knew that the government was investigating the Small Nether Realm and the secrets of reincarnation. They hadn't heard of the Hidden Earth Sect. "The authorities are wary of the Hidden Earth Sect's secret treasures, but they don't want to act against the descendants of immortals unless negotiations fall apart." Wang Sheng paused, then laid out the plan to pose as Shen Qianlin's boyfriend to officially begin contact with the Hidden Earth Sect. Although the Special Investigation Unit hadn't formally approved of the plan, the unit wouldn't object to such a small proposal as long as Shen Qianlin was willing to bring them to the sect. Liu Yunzhi soon presented a question. —Do the selfies need specific poses? —Alright. Hold on, Fei Yu. I'll send them right now. The young talisman and lightning cultivator didn't waste time. Soon, Wang Sheng received a compressed file with over forty high-resolution photos. They weren't mere selfies; they looked like a professional modeling shoot. I didn't know that pretty-boy cultivator had such a hobby... Shen Qianlin wanted to nitpick, but with Liu Yunzhi stepping in, she could only sigh. After hesitating for a while, she finally agreed. However, even with the fake boyfriend sorted out, Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan couldn't avoid going along too. Shen Qianlin strongly urged them to visit her home. Worried that Liu Yunzhi would feel awkward alone, Wang Sheng checked it with Xi Lian and Chi Ling, then agreed. Wherever Wang Sheng went, the half-immortal fox naturally followed. There was another advantage to bringing Xi Lian. According to the Special Investigation Unit's assessment, the Hidden Earth Sect was at most as strong as the Longhu Mountains and unlikely to have any experts above the Golden Core Realm. As long as Xi Lian unleashed her aura, no one would dare act recklessly. She could also intimidate the descendants of immortals a bit. Though it was a bit theatrical, this matter was serious. Liu Yunzhi departed ahead of them to take a few joint photos with Shen Qianlin and stage the meeting with her father. Wang Sheng and his group also set off that evening. By the next morning, they would meet Shen Qianlin, Liu Yunzhi, and the officials of the Special Investigation Unit before heading together to meet her father, the sect master of the Hidden Earth Sect. Having learned of Shen Qianlin's true identity, Wang Sheng couldn't help but feel a little puzzled. He called her again to confirm. "Didn't your father assign people to watch over you? Has the Special Investigation Unit been exposed?" Shen Qianlin laughed. —Relax, no one's watching me. Right now, only my father and a few elders know where I am. The sect's younger members have been forbidden from approaching me. Wang Sheng heard a hint of helplessness in her voice. "They've caused you a lot of trouble, haven't they?" —Mm. It's really annoying. Even though they are clearly the descendants of the Heavenly Court immortals, they are living like flashy upstarts. —We'll meet tomorrow. I've already set up a meeting with my father. We'll find out by then if it'll turn into a shouting match or a full-blown fight. Wang Sheng wanted to say that there probably wouldn't be any fighting, but shouting was another matter. However, considering the pressure that Shen Qianlin was under, he decided against it. At midnight, Wang Sheng boarded the helicopter sent for them along with his senior sister and the half-immortal fox, who now appeared as a twelve or thirteen-year-old girl. Wang Sheng donned casual clothes, while Mu Wanxuan was in a form-fitting dress. She looked as though she had stepped out of a painting. The half-immortal fox, who sat beside Mu Wanxuan, was in a frilly pink princess dress. Despite her childlike appearance, she was just as dangerous as her older form. Only after leaving the house did Xi Lian start paying attention. She crossed her arms and thought aloud, "Hidden Earth Sect? Never heard of them. I do know that some descendants of Heavenly Court immortals cultivated in the mortal world, though. I just didn't expect them not to leave with the Heavenly Court." "We'll see them tomorrow." Wang Sheng stretched and closed his eyes to rest. This wasn't exactly the best environment for cultivation. Shen Qianlin had chosen the meeting location. At the moment, only she knew where it was. She had only told the Special Investigation Unit the name of the city. The Special Investigation Unit understood but secretly began investigating wealthy businessmen surnamed Shen in that city. Naturally, they found nothing. What surprised Wang Sheng was that the meeting between Shen Qianlin's father and Liu Yunzhi, the "fake boyfriend," would not be in some remote mountain village. Instead, it was in a provincial capital in the eastern region of the Hua Republic. The ancients were right. The best way to hide was within bustling cities. After getting off the private plane and boarding the Special Investigation Unit's vehicle, the trio received their temporary identity cards. Passerby A, B, and C. According to the investigation unit's arrangement, Shen Qianlin and Liu Yunzhi would go in first to create a warm family atmosphere and let Shen Qianlin test her father's mood. Only afterward would Liu Yunzhi's "relatives" appear. Chi Ling would personally attend as Liu Yunzhi's distant relative and handle direct contact with Shen Qianlin's father. Meanwhile, Wang Sheng and the others were mainly there to protect Chi Ling.