Boom!
Everyone watched in astonishment as a beam of spiritual light pierced through the Flying Boat.
The members of the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild erupted in cheers at the sight of Yan Wanhong, while the Robber Cultivators' faces turned ashen.
Below, the White-robed Crane Daoist hastily retracted his bloody flesh orb and dispelled the formation. Driven by spiritual energy, the crimson-eyed crane embroidered on his Daoist robe seemed to come alive, emitting a shrill cry as it enveloped him and carried him swiftly away. He abandoned his Foundation Establishment subordinates and Core Formation allies without a second glance.
Without the Crane Daoist's support, the remaining four Foundation Establishment cultivators were no match for the five Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild members, who had formed a battle formation. They were quickly overwhelmed.
In the air, the Black-robed Daoist watched in horror as a Late Core Formation cultivator suddenly emerged from the Spirit Boat and effortlessly subdued his companion who had infiltrated the vessel. His face paled. Seeing the Crane Daoist flee, he cursed furiously.
But Sikong Changming had entangled him completely, making escape impossible.
Glancing around and seeing his comrades falling into disarray, he feared the Late Core Formation cultivator would soon be free to deal with him. A ruthless resolve took hold.
He hurled the Black Banner into the air. Countless Black Feather Geese swarmed forth from it as the banner itself began to crack under the unbearable strain, bright spiritual light bursting from the widening fissures.
With a deafening boom, the cultivator detonated his Core Formation magical treasure. Endless plumes of black smoke billowed forth, obscuring both sight and divine sense.
Wei Zhong flicked his sleeve and retreated swiftly, widening the distance between himself and the enemy before stepping back into the Spirit Boat.
"Female cultivator Ling, how are you holding up?"
Female cultivator Ling brushed a strand of azure hair from her forehead and clasped her hands in a respectful bow. "My spiritual energy is depleted, but I'm unharmed. Thank you for covering me just now."
Wei Zhong waved dismissively. "We Fellow Daoists help each other." He glanced at the black smoke swirling in the air. "I never imagined there was a Late Core Formation Senior aboard our Spirit Boat."
Female cultivator Ling shook her head. "I wasn't aware of this either. Perhaps only Senior Si Kong knows the full story. But with this Senior's assistance, we've safely weathered this crisis."
This was just a routine escort mission, Wei Zhong mused inwardly, yet it proved so dangerous. Could there be hidden secrets aboard the Spirit Boat that I'm unaware of?
Turning to Female cultivator Ling, he asked, "Fellow Daoist Ling, have previous escort missions been this perilous?"
She paused, then shook her head. "Not usually. Spirit Boat escorts only occasionally encounter a few short-sighted Robber Cultivators."
"Normally, we Foundation Establishment cultivators could handle these situations ourselves, relying on the power of our Third-Tier Spirit Boat without needing a Core Formation Senior to intervene.
But this time was different. Not only did three Golden Core Robbers appear with a large group of Foundation Establishment cultivators, but they also possessed special treasures capable of countering our Spirit Boat, leaving us in this precarious situation."
"Female cultivator Ling is right. This ambush was indeed unusual," Sikong Changming said as he landed on the Flying Boat.
As he spoke, his greatly enlarged physique gradually shrank back to its normal human form. His face turned momentarily pale before he swallowed a Medicinal Pill, which brought him slight relief.
Wei Zhong and the female cultivator beside him bowed respectfully. "Senior Si Kong!"
The elder nodded and continued, "These Robber Cultivators don't seem to be loose cultivators. They each wield unique treasures, and their Foundation Establishment subordinates are well-trained. They likely have ties to a sect."
"A sect? Would they openly ambush a Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild caravan's Flying Boat like this?" Wei Zhong asked, puzzled.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Chu, you misunderstand. Out here in this desolate wilderness, if they wipe us all out, who would ever know they were responsible?"
Wei Zhong recalled the Black Banner magic treasure wielded by the Golden Core Robber, a chill creeping into his heart. If not for the hidden senior's presence, once Sikong Changming fell, none of the other cultivators in their group—except Wei Zhong himself—would have escaped the robber's clutches.
"That Golden Core senior..."
"Elder Yan has already pursued the fleeing robbers and will return shortly," Sikong Changming said, turning to Wei Zhong. "Looking back, if Elder Yan hadn't happened to board our Flying Boat along the way, we would have been in dire straits."
"We also owe a great debt to Fellow Daoist Chu," Sikong Changming continued. "He single-handedly restrained two Foundation Establishment cultivators and swiftly eliminated one with astonishing speed—a truly remarkable feat."
"I don't deserve such praise, Senior," Wei Zhong replied. "With Elder Yan overseeing the situation, my presence hardly influenced the overall outcome."
"Fellow Daoist Chu, there's no need for false modesty," Female cultivator Ling interjected. "Without your intervention, we would have lost several Qi Refining cultivators, and even my own life would have been in danger."
With that, she bowed deeply to Wei Zhong.
Wei Zhong rubbed his nose, accepting the gesture. "I've heard you hail from Luochuan Prefecture, Fellow Daoist Ling. I'm planning to settle there myself and would appreciate your advice later."
"It would be my pleasure," she replied.
As the three conversed, the black smoke dissipated, and the situation had stabilized.
The two Core Formation cultivators had escaped, while the four Foundation Establishment Robber Cultivators, initially restrained by five fellow Daoists, were easily defeated after a brief struggle. None of the Qi Refining Robber Cultivators managed to flee; all were captured by the Chamber of Commerce cultivators.
"Senior Si Kong, the person I was fighting earlier seems to have escaped?" Wei Zhong asked.
The senior nodded. "I intended to capture him, but the black smoke hindered me. Combined with his possession of a decent flying escape treasure, he managed to flee."
"However, Fellow Daoist, there's no need to worry," Senior Si Kong continued. "Once we depart on our Spirit Boat, we'll be tens of thousands of miles away from Luochuan Prefecture. You won't have to fear him seeking revenge."
"Your words reassure me, Senior," Wei Zhong replied, his tone tinged with regret. "It's a pity that old woman's rescue came so swiftly. I didn't even manage to claim the slain Robber Cultivator's Storage Pouch. She even snatched my Second-Tier Magic Sword—it's truly... unfortunate."
Wei Zhong's voice dripped with bitterness, his expression that of a downtrodden Loose Cultivator who had lost a treasured artifact.
"Haha, young friend, fret not," Senior Si Kong chuckled. "You played a pivotal role in this battle. The distribution of spoils will certainly not disappoint you."
"Then I thank you in advance, Senior," Wei Zhong replied.
After the battlefield had been cleared, Elder Yan returned, carrying the half-dead Black-Robed Daoist.
"Senior!"
"Senior!"
The cultivators greeted him respectfully. Elder Yan waved dismissively. "No need for formalities. Clean up and let's move on."
Moments later, two Core Formation cultivators gathered with seven Foundation Establishment cultivators, including Wei Zhong.
"My investigation reveals that these Robber Cultivators originate from a Demonic Dao Sect across the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range," Yan Wanhong announced from his position of authority. "I captured the Black-Robed Daoist, but the White-robed Crane Daoist escaped. Remain vigilant; they may regroup and return."
"Understood," the others replied.
"But how could so many Demon Cultivators cross the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range? Does this foreshadow a full-scale war between the righteous and demonic paths?" Sikong Changming mused.
"Such matters are beyond our purview," Yan Wanhong replied. "The Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild only deals in trade, not politics. I will inform the guild; future caravans through this region will likely reinforce their defenses. The rest is up to you. I must depart."
With those words, Yan Wanhong vanished in a flash, leaving the group to exchange bewildered glances.
Only Wei Zhong heard a faint voice in his ear. His expression flickered momentarily before he suppressed it.
"I have a question," Wei Zhong said, his tone thoughtful. "We've always heard about the dangers of the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range. How did these Demon Cultivators manage to cross it?"
Female cultivator Ling explained, "Fellow Daoist Chu, you're new to Wild Plains Prefecture and may not be aware. While the Myriad Beasts Mountain Range divides the prefectures, it's not impenetrable. Our human ancestors discovered several weak points and established passages for inter-prefecture travel."
Wei Zhong nodded in understanding. "Thank you for clarifying, Fellow Daoist Ling. My knowledge was indeed lacking."
Female cultivator Ling returned a warm smile.
"Alright, Fellow Daoists, save your private conversations for later. Let's divide the spoils now," Sikong Changming interrupted. "Fellow Daoist Chu and Female cultivator Ling contributed the most to this battle. They should have first pick of the spoils. Any objections?"
The remaining five Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged glances. Fellow Daoist Yu spoke for the group: "None whatsoever."
Having received permission, Wei Zhong selected a Second-Tier Magic Sword and some Spirit Medicine from the Storage Pouches, leaving the spirit stones, Cultivation Techniques, and Medicinal Pills untouched.
Wei Zhong wasn't lacking in spirit stones, and he could easily acquire Cultivation Techniques and Medicinal Pills from the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild. He was also wary that the Demon Cultivator might have left insidious traps hidden within these items, so he avoided them.
The Spirit Medicine, however, was quite diverse, with some spiritual herbs Wei Zhong had never seen before. Piqued by curiosity, he decided to take them.
After Wei Zhong and Yu had made their selections, the remaining five quickly divided the rest of the spoils, barely concealing their delight. The gains from this ambush were undoubtedly far greater than what they could earn from honest missions.
With the distribution complete, Wei Zhong cupped his hands in a respectful bow to the group. "I'm feeling somewhat fatigued after the battle," he said. "I'll retire to rest for a while."
He nodded to each member of the group and departed.
Instead of returning to his own quarters, Wei Zhong followed Senior Yan's instructions to a secluded chamber.
"Greetings, Senior Yan!" he announced.
Inside the room, Yan Wanhong was heartily swigging from his gourd of spirit wine when Wei Zhong arrived. He immediately beckoned Wei Zhong to sit down.
"Come, come, bring out your finest brews for this old man to sample," Yan Wanhong boomed.
Wei Zhong smiled awkwardly and produced his treasured collection of spirit wines. There were several First-Tier varieties, but only one Second-Tier brew: Azure Vine Intoxication.
Yan Wanhong uncorked the Azure Vine Intoxication jar and inhaled its rich aroma. "I knew you were hiding something, lad! You've probably been brewing this Second-Tier Azure Vine Intoxication for quite some time, haven't you?"
Wei Zhong maintained his polite smile but remained silent. Yan Wanhong poured himself a bowl of the spirit wine and continued, "No need to answer if you don't want to. It's only natural for a Loose Cultivator to keep a few secrets. I won't hold it against you. I just wanted to emphasize that you should trust Miss Shan more. She greatly values your brewing talents, especially this Azure Vine Intoxication. It's poised to become a sensation in Prefecture City."
Wei Zhong's expression remained unchanged. "Then I humbly request that Senior Yan and Miss Shan keep this Daoist's secret."
"Haha, rest assured," Yan Wanhong chuckled. "No one will ever know you created this brew, except those directly involved in handling it."
Wei Zhong finally felt relieved.
Yan Wanhong sampled the remaining spirit wines before claiming the majority for himself.
"I can't just take these for free," Yan Wanhong said. "You don't seem to be lacking in spirit stones, so I'll trade you this instead."
He produced a golden bowl. As Wei Zhong accepted it, he realized it was a high-grade Second-Tier Magic Artifact.
"This bowl shares a similar function with the flower basket that took your magic sword," Yan Wanhong explained. "Both can seize other people's magic tools. Experiment with it to learn how it works."
Yan Wanhong waved dismissively, and Wei Zhong tactfully withdrew.
Back in their room, Xie Linghua approached him with concern.
"Master, I heard sounds of fighting earlier. Did something happen?"
Wei Zhong shook his head. "Just some foolish Robber Cultivators. We've already driven them off. There's no need to worry."
Xie Linghua clutched her chest. "Thank goodness."
Wei Zhong took out the Golden Bowl Yan Wanhong had given him. As he channeled spiritual energy into it, the talismanic patterns etched inside and out lit up with golden light, and a powerful suction force emanated from its rim.
Wei Zhong instructed Xie Linghua to wield her magic sword. With a flick of his finger towards the Golden Bowl, he effortlessly absorbed the First-Tier Magic Sword into its interior.
It's remarkably effective against lower-tier First-Tier Magic Artifacts, he thought. Even if the owner maintains unwavering control, they can't resist the bowl's power.
Next, he tested a Second-Tier Magic Artifact.
As expected, the effect was significantly weaker. Due to the residual imprints left by Foundation Establishment cultivators and the artifacts' inherent connection to their owners' divine sense, the bowl struggled to contain Second-Tier Magic Artifacts. At best, it could marginally hinder the user's control over the artifact.
To truly seize a magic tool, one would need to strike it with tremendous force, like the old woman who had stolen Wei Zhong's Green Bamboo Sword, momentarily severing the bond between the artifact and its owner.
Moreover, the Golden Bowl seemed to reach its capacity after storing three artifacts of the same tier. To continue using it, he'd need to make room.
Wei Zhong wondered about its effectiveness against Third-Tier Magic Artifacts. Despite his long Foundation Establishment cultivation, he didn't even possess a single Third-Tier artifact. Relying on inferior equipment to practice the Dao of Time in the future would be impractical.
Having made up his mind, Wei Zhong resolved to purchase a Third-Tier Magic Artifact as soon as he settled down, to have it on hand for future needs.
Staring at the Golden Bowl, Wei Zhong's thoughts drifted into the distance.
Severing the connection between a magic artifact and its owner...?
Suddenly, he recalled the newly acquired Soul-Startling Thorn.
Cultivators control their magic tools with divine sense. Wouldn't a Divine Sense Secret Technique that disrupts this connection be the perfect solution?
Though its effect lasted only an instant, that was enough for Wei Zhong to seize the opportunity and snatch his opponent's magic tool.
The only problem was the secret technique's side effects: injuries to the divine sense were notoriously difficult to heal, and the corresponding soul-nourishing treasures commanded exorbitant prices.
Wei Zhong recalled the spirit wine inheritance he had obtained in his trade with Daoist Hu Yang. It contained a special spirit wine called Warm Human Tears, but its efficacy was woefully inadequate. Even Qi Refining cultivators barely felt its effects, let alone those with Foundation Establishment-level divine sense.
In recent years, Wei Zhong had repeatedly tried to improve this spirit wine, but all his efforts had ended in failure. It seemed that when spiritual or divine sense—mental energies—were involved, the difficulty escalated exponentially.
Perhaps I should wait until my brewing skills reach mastery, or even the subsequent Grandmaster and grand master levels, before revisiting this.
Still, practicing this Divine Sense Secret Technique was worthwhile, as it offered a valuable means of self-preservation. As for the injuries it caused, he could always purchase Soul Nourishing Pills from the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild to repair them.
At 10,000 spirit stones per pill, Soul Nourishing Pills were no longer beyond Wei Zhong's means. Moreover, he could exchange them for 80 Contribution Points each.
Based on Yan Wanhong's praise for the Second-Tier Azure Spirit Brew, the wine's potential seemed limitless. Once the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild began mass-producing and selling it, Wei Zhong would receive an endless stream of spirit stone commissions and Contribution Points.
After indulging in this vision of the future, Wei Zhong stored the Golden Bowl in his Grotto-Heaven. He then retrieved the newly acquired magic sword to begin refining it when a gentle tinkling sound came from outside his door.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, are you there? This is Ling Ziwei..."
"Ah, Fellow Daoist Ling! Please, come in quickly."
Moments later, Wei Zhong and Ling Ziwei sat facing each other, with Xie Linghua tending to their drinks.
The spirit wine was the First-Tier Jade Forest Green. Wei Zhong had noticed that cultivators in this realm seemed particularly fond of its unique flavor. While its spiritual energy was unremarkable, its distinctive taste proved irresistibly appealing to practitioners.
Sure enough, after tasting the spirit wine, Ling Ziwei's expression shifted slightly. "Fellow Daoist, this spirit wine has a rather unique flavor—sweet and tangy, making it impossible to stop after just one sip."
Wei Zhong nodded. "I discovered this wine by chance. It sells remarkably well in Wild Plains Prefecture. Because of its unique flavor, I stockpiled some. If Immortal Maiden Ling desires it, This Daoist would be happy to gift you a few jars."
Ling Ziwei smiled gracefully. "Then this humble one would be remiss to refuse."
After boarding the Third-Tier Spirit Boat, Wei Zhong made no mention of his spirit wine brewing skills. Apart from Yan Wanhong, none of the cultivators on board knew of his expertise in this craft.
This was deliberate. Wei Zhong believed that in a new environment, adopting a new identity would be wise.
He had already decided that once settled, he would use his real name, Wei Zhong. The title "Chu Zhong," Grandmaster of Spirit Wine, would be reserved for transactions with the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild.
He might even create an alternate identity as a Loose Cultivator for his future travels and training.
"Fellow Daoist Chu, you mentioned earlier that you wished to settle in Luochuan Prefecture?" Ling Ziwei asked, taking a delicate sip of spirit wine.
Wei Zhong nodded. "Indeed. I had planned to visit Immortal Maiden Ling tomorrow to inquire about this matter, but I never expected you to come to me personally today."
"Haha, Fellow Daoist Chu is a comrade-in-arms who fought alongside me. There's no need for such formality," Ling Ziwei replied warmly. "Please feel free to share your specific requirements, and I'll gladly offer some suggestions."
Wei Zhong nodded, finding her enthusiasm a bit overwhelming, but without dwelling on it, he replied, "I'm seeking a Second-Tier Spirit Ground, preferably one with a lake or river nearby..."
After listening to Wei Zhong's description, Ling Ziwei pondered briefly before saying, "Such a request might be difficult to fulfill in other prefectures, but it's quite common in Luochuan Prefecture."
Luochuan Prefecture is renowned for its abundant waterways. The Luo River flows through the region, branching into countless tributaries that feed a myriad of lakes.
These lakes border numerous spirit grounds, many of which are Second-Tier or Third-Tier. Fellow Daoist, you have a wide range of choices here.
"Oh?" Wei Zhong was surprised by Luochuan Prefecture's unique geography.
"It seems I made a wise choice in selecting Luochuan Prefecture. Now, how does one acquire these spirit grounds? Through leasing or purchase?"
"Most spirit grounds in Luochuan Prefecture are leased, with few available for sale. However, as a Loose Cultivator, if you ever consider establishing a cultivation family, you might want to look into purchasing one."
As Ling Ziwei spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at Xie Linghua, who was pouring wine beside her. Xie Linghua's face flushed slightly, and Wei Zhong coughed awkwardly.
"This Daoist has no immediate plans to establish a cultivation family. I simply wish to secure a spirit ground for stable cultivation and will reconsider such matters once I reach the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment."
"That simplifies things. Fellow Daoist, you only need to lease a Second-Tier Spirit Ground. As for whom to lease from, you can approach either the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild or local Core Formation sects."
"The spirit grounds offered by the Chamber of Commerce might be slightly more expensive," Ling Ziwei explained, "but given your financial resources, Fellow Daoist, a few extra spirit stones shouldn't be a problem for you."
Wei Zhong nodded. He had anticipated that the Chamber of Commerce's spirit grounds would be pricier, as their primary business was trade rather than land development.
After discussing the spirit ground matter further, Wei Zhong inquired about the Formation Plate Ling Ziwei had used during their recent exchange of techniques.
Smiling, Ling Ziwei produced the Formation Plate and began to explain, "The Formation Dao is vast and profound, and this Formation Plate technique is merely a small trick within it.
"Normally, setting up formations requires Formation Flags, a tedious and time-consuming process.
"To expedite this, Formation Plates were developed. They come pre-engraved with various formation patterns. To activate one, you simply supply it with spiritual energy, allowing you to deploy formations swiftly..."
After her explanation, Wei Zhong, who hailed from the Formation Dao-barren Wild Plains Prefecture, finally understood the principle.
"So, it's analogous to the relationship between talismans and techniques, right?"
"It's similar," Ling Ziwei replied, "but the Formation Plate still requires a constant supply of spiritual energy and can be used multiple times."
"This truly broadens my horizons," Wei Zhong said. "Perhaps I'll use such a device when setting up my Spirit Island in the future." He glanced at Ling Ziwei and praised her, "I never imagined Immortal Maiden Ling not only possessed such a profound cultivation base but also excelled in the Formation Dao."
Ling Ziwei visibly relished Wei Zhong's compliments, her face beaming. "You flatter me, Fellow Daoist. If you ever need to set up formations for your Immortal's Cave, please consider hiring me. I'd be happy to earn some spirit stones."
"Certainly, certainly..."
After exchanging pleasantries, Ling Ziwei happily departed with the several jars of spirit wine Wei Zhong had gifted her.
Xie Linghua teased, "Master, you attract female cultivators wherever you go!"
"Ling'er isn't exaggerating. If Master doesn't believe me, just look at yourself."
With a wave of her hand, Xie Linghua conjured a full-length mirror using her mana. Wei Zhong gazed at his reflection: his slender yet sturdy frame filled out the azure Daoist robe perfectly, transforming him into a living mannequin.
His black hair was loosely tied back, revealing a pale yellow face with harmonious features. His deep-set eyes radiated an inexplicable sense of composure, and a neat goatee and mustache made him appear to be in his early thirties.
He instructed Xie Linghua to dispel her water mirror, then took her hand and reclined to begin practicing the Soul-Startling Thorn secret technique.
For the remainder of the journey, the Spirit Boat encountered no Robber Cultivators, and the voyage remained remarkably peaceful. Wei Zhong, observing from the sidelines, watched Sikong Changming replenish supplies and provide various spiritual treasures at multiple branches of the Cloud Gathering Merchant Guild.
After traversing several prefectures, they finally reached Wei Zhong's destination: Luochuan Prefecture. Ling Ziwei bid farewell to the group and disembarked with Wei Zhong's party. As their guide, she led them to an excellent spirit ground.
"Once the rent is paid, this island will serve as your Clan Grounds for the next hundred years, Fellow Daoist. May I have your name?"
"Wei Zhong."