279: Chapter 277 Greetings, Master!

"This is something Weiwei designed specifically for you, Revered Master! Void travel is so long, you're bound to get tired.

When that happens, you can lie in this Jade Pond, soaking in medicinal baths that strengthen your sinews and bones while sipping fine wine."

"I personally prepared the water! I added so many precious medicinal herbs; it can make your skin as smooth as a baby's!" Chu Weiwei added.

"You call this a bath? This is more extravagant than an emperor's wine pools and forests of meat!"

Su Lin said through gritted teeth, "I said we need to keep a low profile! What kind of spectacle is it to have something like this built in my room?!"

"What's wrong with it?"

Luo Ximei strolled in leisurely, her gaze lingering on the bath and the ridiculously large bed.

"Revered Master is a transcendent expert. What's the big deal about enjoying these meager offerings? Besides..."

She suddenly lowered her voice, walked to the edge of the bath, reached out to stir the red petals floating on the water's surface, her tone becoming extremely languid and full of suggestion.

"This bath is built so large. Wouldn't it be boring for Revered Master to bathe alone?"

"If Revered Master permits, we sisters could come in anytime to serve you during your bath.

Helping scrub your back, massage your Acupoints... we'd absolutely ensure Revered Master experiences the joy of an emperor."

"In your dreams! Why should you be the one to serve? If anyone's going to serve, it should be me!"

"With all the poison on you, aren't you afraid you'll scrub a layer of Revered Master's skin off? My Demonic Lord's soft-bone technique is the perfect match!"

Luo Ximei retorted without backing down.

"I am the First Disciple. Matters of such intimate service should naturally be arranged by me!"

Mu Qingxue, who had been standing at the back with a cold face, couldn't help but speak up now. The temperature around them instantly dropped to freezing with her words.

"Water that's too warm can easily stir distracting thoughts.

If Revered Master wishes to bathe, I will turn this pool into a Cold Spring. Only then can one truly achieve a clear mind and few desires."

"Ice water? Do you want to freeze the Old Man to death?!"

Although Su Hongling didn't understand matters of 'romance', she knew bathing in ice water was absolutely uncomfortable. "Old Man, don't listen to them!

If you want to bathe, I'll go catch a couple of Fire-Spitting Fish from the seafloor later to heat it up. I guarantee the water will be scalding hot, leaving you flushed all over!"

"Fire-Spitting Fish?"

Su Lin felt as if someone had hammered his temples twice with a great iron mallet, throbbing violently.

He took a deep breath, trying hard to appear like an enlightened Revered Master with a heart as still as water, unmoved by external things.

"Hong Ling, if you dare throw those foul-smelling, magma-spewing sea beasts into your Revered Master's bath, I'll put you and that fish in the same pot for stew."

"Oh..." Su Hongling shrank her neck, stuffing the beast-catching net she had somehow already pulled out back into her storage ring with a pitiful look, muttering softly, "Fine, I won't put them in... Stew is pretty tasty anyway..."

But Su Lin, looking at their flickering eyes, understood the situation perfectly.

Understanding was one thing; whether they would actually comply was another matter entirely.

These Rebellious Disciples were the very model of 'humbly accepting criticism but stubbornly refusing to change.'

"Out. Your Revered Master needs to meditate and regulate his breathing. Assemble in the bottom hold in half an hour. We're preparing to depart."

Su Lin waved his hand impatiently, directly issuing the order to leave.

"Yes, Revered Master. Please rest well. Your disciples will be waiting for you below."

Gu Qiuyue led the way out with a smile, and before leaving, she thoughtfully closed the heavy door for Su Lin.

*Click.*

As the door shut, the heavy soundproof Formation instantly activated, completely isolating all noise from the outside world.

Su Lin stood in place, listening quietly for a moment.

Only after confirming no one was eavesdropping outside did he let out a long, heavy sigh.

It was as if all his strength had been drained. His shoulders slumped instantly.

"What a disaster..."

He walked over to the super-sized bed—five zhang wide, crafted from the spine of an Ancient True Dragon, and covered with a quilt of Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Silkworm silk—and collapsed onto it unceremoniously, lying flat on his back.

*Hum...*

The moment he lay down, the [Sea-Calming, Spirit-Soothing Formation] beneath the bed automatically activated.

A gentle, pure stream of Spiritual Qi flowed slowly into his body along his spine, smoothing away all the fatigue, hidden injuries, and the liver fire stirred up by his disciples just moments ago.

This bed... was damn comfortable!

Su Lin rubbed his head against the soft fox fur, gazing up at the simulated starry sky formed by 365 top-grade Star Marrows on the dome ceiling. A sense of absurd unreality welled up in his heart.

A hundred years ago, they were weak, pitiful, helpless, cramming together on a single broken wooden plank bed every night, needing him, their Revered Master, to get up in the middle of the night to tuck them in.

And now...

They had scoured the finest things from all under heaven and brought them before him, even building this flying ship that would make even an Immortal green with envy.

Logically, as their Revered Master, he should feel immensely gratified and proud.

But the problem was, the mental health of these seven girls seemed to have, over the past hundred years, galloped off in an extremely bizarre and dangerous direction, impossible to rein in.

They not only wanted to protect him, but also... to possess him.

This possessiveness had already transcended the boundaries of Revered Master and disciple, turning into a pathological obsession.

"I must find an opportunity to give them proper psychological counseling,"

Su Lin closed his eyes, murmuring to himself.

But before that, he had to face the unknown journey ahead.

This trip to the foreign Void Realm, to search for the 'world core' that could completely repair his Mahayana Stage Dao foundation, was absolutely not a casual outing. There was no protection from the Heavenly Dao's Laws there, only endless chaos, slaughter, and abysses.

Even with seven outrageously powerful disciples for protection aboard this seemingly indestructible giant ship, he couldn't afford the slightest carelessness.

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye as Su Lin rested with his eyes closed.

He straightened his Starlight Dharma Robe, confirmed that the [Myriad Heavens Star Chart] obtained from the Myriad Tribulation Ruins had perfectly fused with his Divine Soul, and then pushed open the door. Following the coiling dragon staircase, he headed towards the lowest level of the flying ship.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the bottom hold of the [Starsea Wavebreaker]—Su Hongling's exclusive 'engine room' and training ground—was unusually solemn.

None of the luxury or suggestiveness from the upper two decks remained here. Only cold metal, rugged Formation patterns, and a palpable sense of murderous readiness filled the air.

The seven female disciples had already changed out of their flashy, competitive dresses and into tight-fitting combat attire most suitable for battle.

They stood in a single line before the massive bronze power wheel, their expressions stern.

Seeing Su Lin descend, the seven of them knelt on one knee in perfect unison. Gone was the previous playful banter, replaced by absolute obedience and reverence.

"Greetings, Revered Master!"

Their voices were loud, echoing through the hall.

Su Lin nodded with satisfaction. *This* was the disciples he had taught. They could fool around, but when it came to serious matters, they were always the sharpest swords.

"All rise."

Su Lin walked before the group, standing with his hands behind his back. His profound gaze swept from left to right, taking in each of the seven stunningly beautiful faces.

Cold Moon, clad in dark golden dragon-patterned soft armor, her long hair tied high, her eyes holding the imperial majesty to look down upon the world.

Su Hongling, wearing the pair of [dragon-elephant heaven-suppressing armor] on her arms, her red hair like fire, the great sword [no edge] on her back emanating a heavy sense of oppression.

Chu Weiwei, in a form-fitting dark green outfit, her waist hung with poison bottles of various colors, a bone-chilling madness hidden deep in her eyes.

Ye You, her wild figure tightly wrapped in black leather.

Luo Ximei, her right eye platinum, her left eye pitch black, Devilish Qi and Immortal Qi intertwining around her like an Asura stepped out of myth.

Gu Qiuyue, no longer holding the Golden Abacus but a star chart engraved with celestial trajectories, her gaze calm and precise.

Mu Qingxue, in a close-fitting ice-blue sword attire, the Ice Sword in her hand still sheathed, yet the air around her had already condensed into frost.

Seven peerless powerhouses.

A terrifying lineup sufficient to sweep through any top-tier orthodox sect in the present world, even capable of punching a hole through the Heavenly Dao itself.

"Today, we set sail."

Su Lin's voice was steady and powerful, without a hint of agitation, yet each word carried immense weight.

"Ahead lies the chaotic Void Realm, foreign lands with shattered Laws, a land of death without rules or bottom lines.

"There, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi you've relied upon will no longer exist. The Laws you are familiar with will be distorted.

"But your Revered Master needs you to sail this ship steadily through it."

Su Lin looked at Su Hongling, his voice slightly raised. "Hong Ling!"

"Disciple present!" Su Hongling stepped forward, her fists clashing together with a deafening metallic clang.

"You are this ship's power core."

Su Lin pointed at the massive bronze wheel. "In the Void Realm, Spirit Stones cannot burn, Formations cannot draw Spiritual Qi. The only power source is your pure Physical Body strength!"

"I want you to treat this bronze wheel as your enemy. Use the Qi and blood power of your Mahayana Stage Body Cultivator to pedal it into motion by brute force! Even if it's a Void storm, you smash through it for me!"

"Don't worry, Revered Master!" Su Hongling grinned, revealing two sharp little canine teeth, her eyes filled with fanatical Battle Intent. "Forget a Void storm, even if the Southern Heavenly Gate of the Celestial Court blocks our path, this lady will kick open a bloody path for you with these legs!"

With that, she strode to the bronze wheel and jumped right in. Her long, explosive legs locked firmly onto the wheel's teeth, waiting only for Su Lin's command.

Su Lin turned to Gu Qiuyue.

"Qiuyue, you are the helmsman."

"Disciple understands!" Gu Qiuyue held up the star chart with both hands, her formerly mercenary gaze now utterly focused. "I have already input the residual coordinates of the foreign realm into the star chart. I've calculated optimal routes to avoid spatial turbulence, asteroid belts, even potential Void colossus nests along the way. As long as Second Senior Sister provides the power, this ship's course will not deviate in the slightest!"

Su Lin nodded. He had always been most reassured by this Sixth Disciple's organizational abilities.

"Cold Moon, Qingxue."

"Disciple present!"

The two beauties of ice and fire stepped forward simultaneously.

"One of you commands Imperial Dao Dragon Qi, the other absolute extreme cold.

"Your task is to protect this ship's hull."

Su Lin's expression was stern. "The tearing forces in the Void Realm are beyond your imagination. Any leakage of Law will attract unpredictable monsters. I need the two of you to perfectly fuse your auras and lay down the sturdiest [Dragon's Roar, Ice Soul Armor] around the ship's exterior."

"Revered Master, be at ease. With me here, this hull will be like the Southern Yu Divine Dynasty's barrier, impervious to all methods," Cold Moon's voice was cool and domineering.

Mu Qingxue merely nodded silently. Her Ice Sword trembled slightly, and an extreme cold force began spreading towards the ship's outer layer.

"Ximei, Weiwei."

"Your Disciple is here~" Luo Ximei giggled. Chu Weiwei also responded obediently.

"You two are responsible for the dirty work."

Su Lin said bluntly. "Ximei, your [Great Thousand Formless Illusion Formation] must remain active at all times, minimizing this ship's presence. If any Void creatures approach, show no mercy. Use your True Immortal Origin and Devilish Qi to directly shred their Divine Souls. Don't make a big commotion.

"Weiwei, your poison must form an invisible miasma around the ship.

"Anything that touches the ship, I want it dissolved down to the bone."

"As you command~" The two women spoke in unison, dangerous glints flashing in their eyes.

Finally, Su Lin's gaze fell upon Ye You.

"Youer."

"Revered Master." Ye You stepped forward. The vines behind her had already silently pressed against the ship's bulkhead.

"You are the rover." Su Lin looked into her wild, vertical-pupiled eyes. "Your [Abyssal Devouring] Bloodline is like a fish in water in the Void Realm.

"If there are sudden developments, or if we encounter powerful enemies we cannot avoid, you need to be the first to charge out. Resolve them at the fastest speed, then drag back any useful Materials."

"Youer loves hunting for ingredients the most." Ye You licked her lips, her smile bewitching and cruel.

All tasks were assigned.

This was a precise war machine composed of seven monsters, each part interlocking perfectly, turning this seemingly luxurious flying ship into a peerless Vicious Beast lurking in the darkness.

Su Lin took a deep breath, slowly turned, and walked to the captain's platform carved from dragon bone at the front of the hall.

He did not sit down. Instead, he placed his hands on the console, his gaze looking outward through the massive, one-way crystal observation window.

Outside was the newly rebuilt, yet somewhat empty, mountain gate of the Daochu Sect.

At the foot of the mountain, he could vaguely see a group of ragged miners led by Wang Ba, sweating profusely as they dug for Spirit Stones. Occasionally, a few shrill screams could be heard, likely from the poisons Chu Weiwei had left behind taking effect.

Elder Xuan Zhen stood on the roof of the main hall, leading the few hundred remaining Disciples in solemnly gazing up at the purple-gold giant ship in the sky.

They didn't know where the Sect Master and these terrifying young ladies were off to again. They only knew that as long as this Sect Master remained, the sky of the Daochu Sect would not collapse.

"Let's depart."

Su Lin's voice wasn't loud, but through the ship's amplification Formation, it rang clearly in everyone's ears.

"Yes!"