Chapter 219: Chapter 219: Provocation from the Li Family
Translator: 549690339
Above the sea of clouds, a majestic flying boat was steadily flying southwards.
The boat’s mast fluttered with a striking purple flag, on which a large character “Han” was sewn in gold thread.
This flying boat belonged to the Purple Mist Sect, carrying all the disciples selected to travel to the Endless Dungeon along with several formidable escorts from the sect.
Across Qian Country, only three or four factions could boast ownership of such a vessel, not even the royal family of Qian Country had more than two.
The Purple Mist Sect had a single flying boat, rarely mobilized unless necessary. Due to the gravity of this venture to the Endless Dungeon and the need to save time, the boat was dispatched to transport everyone.
Not only was it faster, but it also offered safety along the journey. For traveling on land might have exposed them to ambushes, while an airborne journey significantly reduced such threats.
Besides, the flying boat was equipped with arrays; even in case of an ambush, the arrays ensured robust defense against the enemies.
Fang Lin was standing at the front of the boat, looking down at the sea of clouds underneath, feeling surprisingly calm.
On the contrary, aside from a few with strong mental fortitude, most people showed restless and tensed expressions.
Fang Lin understood their feelings–they were sheltered within the Sect and had seen little of the world. Suddenly thrown into such peril, it was natural for them to be afraid.
“What are you thinking about?” Meng Chaoyang approached Fang Lin and asked.
For this trip to the Endless Dungeon, among the Four Elites of the Pill Sect, both Meng Chaoyang and Yu Qiufan were on the list.
Fang Lin looked at Meng Chaoyang and answered, “I’m wondering how much this flying boat is worth?”
Meng Chaoyang was taken aback. He had thought Fang Lin’s concern should be the imminent dangers of the Endless Dungeon, and seemed unprepared for such an off-the-beat response.
“Well, this flying boat is a treasured asset of the Sect. It’s absolutely priceless.” Meng Chaoyang replied as diplomatically as he could.
Fang Lin gave a slight smile. “Meng junior brother, you’ve been in the Purple Mist Sect for a long time, do you know how dangerous the Endless Dungeon is?”
Fang Lin, now being a True Disciple of the Purple Mist Sect, held a prestigious position whereas Meng Chaoyang was still an ordinary disciple. Therefore, it was befitting for Fang Lin to call him “junior brother”.
Meng Chaoyang shook his head. “I have never ventured into the Endless Dungeon either. But I’ve heard a senior brother, who survived it a decade ago, say that it is akin to a labyrinth. It’s easy to lose one’s way once in, and it’s full of demon beasts, including even the ancient ferocious ones. Encountering those would leave you with no hope of survival.”
Seeing worry knit between Meng Chaoyang’s eyebrows, Fang Lin patted him on the shoulder and said, “No need to fret so much. Although the Endless Dungeon is perilous, it also harbors great opportunities. Maybe Meng might fetch himself a tremendous fortune.”
Meng Chaoyang gave a bitter smile. Such great fortune seemed trivial to him compared to the fear of perishing inside the Endless Dungeon.
The flying boat traveled extremely fast. What would normally take half a month by foot to reach the Endless Dungeon, took only three days by boat.
After three days, the boat broke through the cloud layer and descended. Everyone gathered at the front of the boat, peering downwards.
Beneath them were towering mountains, but one of them, incomparably tall and peculiarly shaped like a human head, stood out.
“We’re here. That’s the entrance to the Endless Dungeon,” informed one of the Martial Sect Elders leading the team.
Upon hearing this, the faces of the group fell, filled with bitter expressions. Indeed, this place was not an Endless Dungeon to them, but the Ghost Gate.
At the same time, the sky afar, another flying boat throned the heaven, filled with people. The person at the lead was dressed in a golden gown, honorable and formidable.
A dragon flag fluttered atop the golden boat.
Seeing this flag, everyone from the Purple Mist Sect recognized that the royal family of Daqian had arrived.
Compared to the boat of the Purple Mist Sect, the royal boat was more majestic, which was inevitable, for its royal lineage demanded a grandiose display.
The man in the golden outfit, from a distance, called out to the Purple Mist Sect group, “May I ask who is in charge of the Purple Mist Sect? This is Prince Yang Hongyi, at your service.”
Among the handful of Elders leading the Purple Mist Sect, Elder Yan Ze had the highest cultivation level. Hearing the man in the golden gown, he positioned himself at the forefront, took a bow, and replied, “I am Elder Yan Ze. Honored to meet the Xuan Prince.”
“So, it is Elder Yan in charge. My apologies for my previous lack of understanding,” the man in the golden outfit returned the bow. His demeanor was respectable and showed no signs of haughtiness.
After all, the relationship between the Daqian royal family and the Purple Mist Sect was fairly cordial, and such an encounter demanded mutual respect.
On this mission, the person leading the royal family team was an renowned Prince, the Xuan Prince.
Even Fang Lin had heard of this Xuan Prince, an eminent figure within the Daqian royal family. He was indeed a late bloomer. Although his talents appeared ordinary in his youth, his cultivation flourished miraculously after he turned thirty.
Among the Princes who had previously encircled Feng Qianqiu, one of them was Xuan Prince, Yang Hongyi.
Just when the two flying boats were gradually drawing close, out of the blue, a flying boat rushed out from the clouds and brazenly crashed into the flying boat of the Purple Mist Sect.
“Bastards!” Elder Yan was furious. He immediately tried to steer the boat away, but it was too late; the other boat was too fast.
With a loud thump! The two boats collided brutally.
The Purple Mist Sect’s boat started shaking violently. Everyone onboard was thrown off balance, many tumbled onto the deck, narrowly avoiding being thrown off the boat.
Fortunately, arrays protected the boat from flipping over completely. Still, the Purple Mist Sect’s disciples appeared utterly embarrassed and shaken.
Fang Lin, too, had to hold onto the wooden railings of the boat tightly to keep from falling like the others.
“Hahaha, sorry for the surprise. The boat was too fast, and I lost a bit of control,” a hearty laughter sounded from the other boat, smacking not of guilt but rather an evident delight.
The disciples of the Purple Mist Sect were enraged and turned to see a black boat behind them. A “Li” character fluttered on the boat’s mast.
It was unmistakably the Li Family’s flying boat!
Elder Yan, unable to curb his fury, pointed at the Li Family’s boat and yelled, “What do you think you’re doing? Want to start a war with us Purple Mist Sect?”
A middle-aged man with a defiant expression emerged from the Li Family’s boat and scornfully declared, “If you want a war, we, the Li Family, are more than willing to comply.”
The Li Family disciples onboard started yelling boorishly, their attitudes arrogant and brash.