The words ignited a fiery determination within Bu Yu, Zhang Changsheng, and Gu Wang. As disciples who had grown up in the sect, their affection for it ran deep. They had once dreamed of the sect expanding its territory and dominating the land. However, the harsh reality had forced them to abandon such impractical fantasies long ago.
Is this Fang Xia’s real nature, or is he just letting loose after being imprisoned for so long? Wu Yuan observed the scene with a hint of skepticism.
Having joined the Cloudstride Sect not long ago, his sense of belonging did not run as deep as theirs. Regardless, Wu Yuan had no intention of obstructing Fang Xia. In the near future, when he became an eldritch warrior, his power would reach unparalleled heights. Alongside Huan Jian’s breakthrough and Fang Xia’s late-stage Qi Sea phase cultivation, the might of the sect was far too powerful to be confined to four provinces alone.
“Enough talk, let’s return to the sect,” Fang Xia declared.
With a wave of his hand, a streak of light shot out from his palm, rapidly expanding into a black, semi-open longboat. The vessel was about five meters long and less than a meter wide at its widest point, and its surface was covered with intricate cryptic patterns. Astonishingly, the boat hovered about two meters above the ground!
“This is?” Bu Yu and the others were taken aback.
“It’s a flying boat artifact,” Wu Yuan explained with a smile. “Controlled by Ancestor Fang Xia, this ninth-grade spirit flying boat is specifically designed for travel.”
Wu Yuan had arrived with Fang Xia on this very flying boat. With a graceful leap, he landed at the forefront of the vessel, followed by Bu Yu and Gu Wang, who quickly followed suit. The flying boat was more than large enough to accommodate five individuals.
Soon, Wu Yuan, Bu Yu, and the others took their seats.
“Sit tight.” Ancestor Fang Xia stood alone at the front of the boat, his white robe billowing like a deity among mortals.
Whoosh~ Their surroundings distorted momentarily before the boat vanished from its original position.
In the eyes of Wu Yuan, Bu Yu, and the others, the flying boat shot forward like a fish gliding through water, rapidly taking off. The city below shrank in size while the looming dark clouds grew closer.
The intricate lines etched on the boat’s surface formed a protective barrier, perfectly shielding its occupants from the external environment. Additionally, the boat’s sleek shuttle-like design minimized air resistance to an almost negligible level.
Wu Yuan marveled silently, transmitting his thoughts to Ancestor Fang, “The speed of this flying boat must be close to one kilometer per second. What is its maximum velocity, Ancestor Fang?”
“Approximately ten li per breath,” Fang Xia’s voice resounded in Wu Yuan’s mind. “This is merely ninth-grade spirit equipment, a gift from the realm master. If Young Master is fond of it, I can gather materials, nurture Earthfire, and fashion a cauldron to create a flying boat artifact for you when we return to Cloudhill.”
“Sure,” Wu Yuan nodded in agreement.
Cultivation encompassed more than just combat; the pursuit of knowledge and mastery in refining pills, crafting artifacts, and understanding arrays and talismans were equally vital aspects. The study of such disciplines was challenging. According to the immortal slips, these auxiliary methods were greatly varied and intricate, and required one to tap into heaven and earth’s power. Thus in this aspect, qi refiners were far superior to body refiners!
Body refiners excel at wreaking havoc. But when it comes to construction, they can’t keep up with qi refiners no matter how hard they try.
During his hundred-year imprisonment, Fang Xia, an eldritch mage, focused on cultivating his mana and exploring various subjects in his spare time. However, he was only able to acquire theoretical knowledge, leaving practical skills to be honed through hands-on experience after leaving the realm.
“Young Master, once you become an eldritch warrior, even the fastest seventh-grade flying boats won’t be able to match your running speed,” Fang Xia’s voice resonated in Wu Yuan’s mind.
“Oh?” Wu Yuan was intrigued.
“One’s strengths are dependent on their core cultivation path. The physical power of an eldritch warrior is terrifying. Killing a qi refiner with a single punch is nothing out of the ordinary,” Fang Xia communicated telepathically. “With such incredible strength, their running speed is astonishing, covering 20 to 30 li in one breath is normal.”
“Before reaching the Spiritual Body phase, the running speed of an eldritch warrior on land is usually faster than their flying speed.”
Wu Yuan nodded in agreement.
20 to 30 li in one breath? That was roughly ten times the speed of sound!
In fact, this was similar to qi refiners. When they had yet to accumulate sufficient essentia, their speed on the ground surpassed their flying speed.
An eldritch warrior also had to reach the Spiritual Body phase before their bodies underwent major changes. Only then did they possess the ability to generate force from thin air and tread on air as if it were solid ground. Flying was more flexible and looked befitting of an immortal. But for low-tier cultivators, flying might not always be faster than running on the ground.
“Old Fang, we must be several kilometers above the ground by now,” Wu Yuan looked down as they approached the cloud layer.
“2000 zhangs!”
“Can we go higher?” asked Wu Yuan, his curiosity piqued.
“It is indeed possible,” Fang Xia replied with a laugh, “but I would prefer that we didn’t embark on our journey to the afterlife so soon.”
Wu Yuan was taken aback by Fang Xia’s response.
“Beyond 10,000 zhangs above the ground lies the Heavenly Lightning Stratum,” Fang Xia explained. “Occasionally, powerful lightning strikes occur at these high altitudes. This is not your ordinary thunderstorm, but rather heavenly lightning that operates according to the laws of the world.”
Fang Xia continued, “A Golden Core Superior cultivator can withstand a few strikes without much concern. In fact, according to the Eldritch Codex I’m cultivating, some powerful cultivators with affinities for lightning arts intentionally venture into the Heavenly Lightning Stratum to capture heavenly lightning.”
“But,” Fang Xia chuckled, “if we were to be struck by the heavenly lightning, haha… let’s just say we will be off to the afterlife!”
…
As time passed, Fang Xia swiftly guided the flying boat back to Cloudhill.
About a hundred li from Jiexian Mountain stood a large military encampment. Here, a 10,000-strong army of Great Jin was garrisoned, surrounded by tight defenses. Within the central command tent, a woman dressed in black sat in the host seat, appearing to be in her 30s. She was none other than Tang Jin, a Grandmaster of Great Jin.
A heavily armored general stood respectfully at her side. “Senior Tang, why aren’t the other seniors present?”
Tang Jin coldly declared, “It’s not your place to ask.”
The general immediately bowed in deference. Though he held a position of authority and was a Savant expert, he knew he was no match for a Land Ranker like Tang Jin.
Although Tang Jin appeared calm on the surface, her emotions were in turmoil. Before entering the Chu-Jiang Immortal Realm, the team had decided to gather at this military camp once they were sent out of the realm. But now, several hours had passed! Apart from a few Savant experts hurrying over, there was no sign of anyone else from Great Jin’s team arriving, naturally causing Tang Jin to feel anxious.
Suddenly, a frantic voice called out from outside the tent, “Senior Tang, there’s a message from Grandmaster Song Guang of the Starcom Consortium.”
“Bring it to me quickly,” Tang Jin ordered.
Soon, a written message was delivered to her. Suppressing the fear in her heart, she quickly scanned through it. It didn’t take long before her last shred of hope was extinguished.
He’s dead? Grand Elder is truly gone? Tang Jin’s hand dropped to her side despondently as she fell into a daze. She still couldn’t completely believe it. In the Fourth Eldritch Realm, she had witnessed the intense battle between Jin Qing and Wu Yuan from a distance, too afraid to approach them. Therefore, she wasn’t sure of the outcome of the battle until now.
“General Wang, I’m leaving this place in your hands. I must return to the Holy Capital immediately.” With those words, Tang Jin abruptly stood up, her eyes filled with determination.
Before General Wang could react, she had already rushed out of the large tent, disappearing into the darkness. Only a piece of paper gently floated down to the ground.
“What’s this?” General Wang had a sinking feeling. He quickly picked up the paper, on which a few words were written:
In the battle between the quasi-Heavenly Rankers Shadow Blade and Jin Qing, Shadow Blade emerged victorious and Jin Qing perished! Within a month, or at most half a year, Shadow Blade will undoubtedly enter the Heavenly Rankings.
“Jin Qing? The north king has reached the quasi-Heavenly Ranking level? And now he’s dead?” General Wang’s astonishment was palpable. “Shadow Blade is on the cusp of the Heavenly Rankings as well?”
General Wang was well aware of the bounty posted by Great Jin, which had spread far and wide. He was naturally familiar with the notorious reputation of Shadow Blade
…
As soon as Tang Jin received the urgent message, she hastened to the Holy Capital at full speed.
Meanwhile, within a sprawling courtyard house in Ly City, Song Guang and Li Yan met.
“Song Guang, aren’t you worried about enraging the Cloudstride Sect by sharing this intelligence with Great Jin?” Li Yan shook his head. “If it were me, I wouldn’t dare take such a risk.”
“Afraid?” Song Guang responded with a smirk. “What do I have to fear? It isn’t just the two of us who witnessed Shadow Blade’s strength. Jin Qing met his demise in the Chu-Jiang Immortal Realm. Who else but Shadow Blade could have slain him? Even if I don’t say anything, it won’t be long before Great Jin connects the dots.”
Li Yan shook his head, voicing his skepticism. “Even if Great Jin suspects him, it will take time for them to respond if we remain silent.”
“But the moment Great Jin receives this message, they will plunge us all into war!” Li Yan exclaimed with exasperation. “Your Starcom Consortium has always thrived on chaos.”
“Only amidst chaos is there a place for us to survive,” Song Guang retorted. “Li Yan, don’t pretend to be innocent. Aren’t you going to report this news once you return anyway?”
“Once you report it, won’t your two friends from the Pleiades Guild make their way to Cloudhill?” Song Guang sneered. “There’s no need to put on pretenses when our intentions align.”
Li Yan cast him a sidelong glance but remained silent.
“That settles it,” Song Guang declared, making his way toward the courtyard’s exit. “Inform your faction’s ancestors as soon as possible. We must reach Cloudhill before the Heavenly Rankers from Great Jin do.”
“This is but a play in progress. Shadow Blade is smart, and there’s a 99% chance he won’t return to Cloudhill until he truly becomes a Heavenly Ranker.”
“However, if we unite our factions’ strengths to support the Cloudstride Sect against the Heavenly Rankers of Great Jin, and simultaneously approach Wu Yuan with friendship while employing both intimidation and allure tactics on Bu Yu and Huan Jian, we may just coax Shadow Blade out of hiding,” Song Guang proposed, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
“Then, we’ll have the chance to capture him and loot his treasures. His Purplewood Spirit Fruit will be ours.”
“Time is of the essence,” Song Guang declared, pushing open the courtyard doors and vanishing into the cloak of night.
This Song Guang. Li Yan couldn’t help but furrow his brow as he observed Song Guang’s departure. He understood Shadow Blade’s nature, yet he also recognized that Song Guang’s proposition was the best course of action. After all, who wouldn’t be enticed by the wealth that Shadow Blade possessed, especially when he lacked the protection of a Heavenly Ranker?
Song Guang had sent a message to the Great Jin not to lend assistance, but to orchestrate circumstances in a way that would compel Shadow Blade to reveal himself.
The Starcom Consortium, always weaving their treacherous schemes, pitting the tiger against the wolf. Li Yan’s brow creased. Their true aim is to capture Shadow Blade and obtain his Spirit Fruit, but they fear the consequences of a direct assault on Cloudhill.
Enough deliberation. I’ll just report this and allow the ancestors to decide. Li Yan concluded.
He dared not withhold such critical information.