Jiang Beiran had actually given the matter of clothing a great deal of thought.
First, if they all went down the mountain dressed in silks and satins, they could indeed intimidate some petty criminals, making them hesitate to act rashly out of fear that Liu Zijin and the other girls might be descendants of some great family.
But while petty criminals could be cowed, Jiang Beiran could not withstand those Second Generations with lust clouding their brains.
With the beauty of Liu Zijin and the other five, if they were allowed to flaunt themselves freely, heaven knew how many Dukes, Great Heroes, and minor officials they would attract. By the end of this trial, Jiang Beiran figured he would trigger at least a dozen Yellow Grade missions.
Who could possibly bear that!?
But now that they had changed into Coarse Cloth Hemp Clothes, they had not achieved the effect Jiang Beiran had imagined—blending into the crowd and keeping a low profile. Instead, it was like throwing five fat sheep into a pack of wolves.
Just think about it: five peerless beauties dressed like commoners. Wouldn't the men down the mountain beat their brains out like dogs for them?
Alas, it seems the things I made still have to be used after all. I only hope they don't discover what is special about them.
Sighing inwardly, Jiang Beiran looked at Liu Zijin and the other five. "Very good. You all returned within the allotted time. That is a fine beginning for us. Now follow me. I'll help you complete the rest of your equipment."
At this point, Jiang Beiran's authority as Iron Seal had been thoroughly established. Upon hearing his command, even Fang Qiuyue, who was the most unconvinced, merely pursed her lips before obediently following behind.
They arrived at an unoccupied pavilion nearby, where Jiang Beiran took five Straw Hats and five pairs of Straw Shoes from his Universe Ring.
This Universe Ring had been a welcome gift Jiang Beiran received when he first entered the sect. A character for [Heart] was engraved upon it.
When Jiang Beiran first received it, he had worshipped the Returning Heart Sect to the utmost. Something only novel protagonists possessed was actually handed out here as part of a Newbie Pack.
But later, he gradually learned that in this world, every cultivator basically had a Universe Ring. The only difference was the size of its storage space. Jiang Beiran's ring had a capacity roughly equivalent to a burlap sack, which was also the standard configuration for most cultivators' Universe Rings.
The Universe Ring was as convenient as Jiang Beiran had imagined. Other than Living Things, it could hold anything.
Seeing the Straw Hats and Straw Shoes Jiang Beiran had taken out, Fang Qiuyue's brows knitted tightly again. But this time, she said nothing. She had already begun treating Jiang Beiran as part of her trial. She only needed to endure this once.
Even if I'm cursed to death, die outside, or get driven out of the hall by Protector Yu, I will never ask this person to be my Iron Seal again!
Setting the Straw Hats and Straw Shoes before the five junior sisters, Jiang Beiran smiled. "It is the height of summer now. I prepared these Summer Relief Items especially for you. Put them on. If the shoes do not fit, tell me, and I will alter them for you."
Although Liu Zijin did not particularly like the style of the Straw Hats, she still nodded politely. "Thank you, Jiang Shixiong." Then she selected a Straw Hat and a pair of Straw Shoes.
After sitting to one side and changing into the Straw Shoes, Liu Zijin casually put the Straw Hat on her head.
Huh...
The instant she put on the Straw Hat, Liu Zijin suddenly felt the scenery before her blur, but it quickly returned to normal.
Fang Qiuyue, who had just collected her own Straw Hat and Straw Shoes, glanced at Liu Zijin and blinked in puzzlement. She did not feel quite the same as Sister Zi Jin usually did, but when she looked more carefully, there seemed to be nothing wrong.
Perhaps it is because this is the first time I've seen Sister Zi Jin dressed like this. But Sister Zi Jin is still Sister Zi Jin—she is still so beautiful even dressed this way~
At that moment, Jiang Beiran nodded with satisfaction when he saw Liu Zijin wearing the Straw Hat and Straw Shoes.
Excellent. The Aura Concealing Formation is operating smoothly, and her aura has been completely altered.
After accepting such a difficult commission from Protector Yu, Jiang Beiran naturally could not have made no preparations. During the two days of waiting, he had developed this Invisibility Set by combining Weaving Technique with Formation Study.
Put simply, he had woven the [Aura Concealing Formation] into the Straw Hats and Straw Shoes. This turned them into a Mobile Formation that could create a layer of visual deception around the wearer. Its effect was to greatly reduce the wearer's sense of presence, making them difficult to notice as long as they remained among a crowd.
Once all five had put on the Invisibility Set, Jiang Beiran took out five green pieces of Sun-scorched Cloth from his Universe Ring and handed them to the girls.
Sun-scorched Cloth was a heat-relief item commonly used by the ordinary people of the Profound Dragon Continent. The roots and stems of a plant similar to a banana tree were processed into thread and then woven into cloth. Worn over the face, it could block sunlight and drive away the summer heat.
Naturally, the Sun-scorched Cloth Jiang Beiran made had something special about it as well. The weaving method enhanced with Formation Study allowed it to connect to the Formation Eye of the [Aura Concealing Formation] on the Straw Hats, thereby strengthening the Invisibility Set's effect.
"Report! (Report!) (Report!)"
At that moment, the Yu Family Three Sisters raised their hands and shouted at the same time.
Jiang Beiran pointed to Yu Shimei standing in the middle. "You ask first."
"What is that in Jiang Shixiong's hand?" Yu Guizhui stepped forward and asked.
"Hm? You have never seen it before? This is Sun-scorched Cloth, for relief from the summer heat."
"Sun-scorched Cloth?" Yu Guizhui stared with wide eyes, her face full of curiosity.
Jiang Beiran looked at the others and found them equally bewildered. Clearly, none of them had seen it before.
Alas, these young ladies truly live in a different dimension from ordinary common people...
"In any case, you will know how useful it is once you wear it over your face." Jiang Beiran handed the Sun-scorched Cloth to Yu Guizhui, then looked at another Yu Shimei. "What about you? What is your question?"
"Oh, I'm fine now. Second Sister already asked it for me."
Jiang Beiran then looked at the only remaining Yu Shimei. "Is yours the same question?"
"Mm." Yu Guimiao nodded vigorously.
"Alright, then try wearing them together." Jiang Beiran took out two more pieces of Sun-scorched Cloth and handed them over.
"Wow, it smells so good." Yu Guizhui, already wearing the Sun-scorched Cloth, had shining eyes as her jade nose kept twitching, as if she wanted to breathe in even more of the fragrance.
Upon hearing that, the other two Yu Shimei hurriedly put on their Sun-scorched Cloth as well and said in delight, "It really does smell so good."
Earlier, to prevent Liu Zijin or Fang Qiuyue from strongly resisting the idea of wearing Sun-scorched Cloth, Jiang Beiran had specially soaked the finished cloth in Hundred Flowers Honey he had brewed. He then used a Formation Technique to confine the scent within a certain range, so that bystanders could barely smell it.
Seeing the delighted expressions of the Yu Family Three Sisters, Liu Zijin and Fang Qiuyue could not help growing curious as well. They walked over to Jiang Beiran and took the remaining two pieces of Sun-scorched Cloth.
"It really does. It smells especially nice after you put it on. Jiang Shi—" Liu Zijin had just been about to ask when she hurriedly covered her mouth. Though she rather looked forward to being reprimanded by Jiang Shixiong once more, if another two points were deducted, she would fail outright.
"Report." Liu Zijin called softly.
Jiang Beiran was very satisfied with Liu Zijin's reaction. He nodded. "Go ahead."
"May I ask what fragrance is on this Sun-scorched Cloth?"
After Liu Zijin asked her question, the Yu Family Three Sisters also looked toward Jiang Beiran at the same time, their faces plainly saying, "We are curious too."
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