Meet old friends again

After the banquet, everyone followed Bai Youqianshan and boarded a large flying boat.

The flying boat was inlaid with many scales, and ancient runes covered its entire body; this massive contraption could definitely unleash powerful defenses at critical moments.

At the rear of the flying boat was the operating System, responsible for Qi supply, but only a few Cultivators were stationed there.

Beside them were the flying boat's fuel, for unforeseen needs.

However, those so-called fuels were actually a group of living people!

Or rather, a large group of Mortals with no cultivation!

Old people, young children, tall, fat, ugly, short—there was no telling how many, but here they were all treated equally.

There was no difference; they were all a piece of fuel that could be replaced at any time. The flying boat was about to take off, and their lives would come to an end.

Their only purpose was to make this massive contraption fly into the air, carrying everyone away freely.

Li Tan had no doubt that the Cultivators' storage rings still contained a large number of Mortals!

......

With Bai Youqianshan leading the way, they proceeded without hindrance and soon boarded the interior of the flying boat.

The place was incredibly vast, with its own inner space, and countless small rooms were tightly packed together.

At the very center was a grand hall that stretched as far as the eye could see.

The maidservants were busy with their work, serving tea and water, preparing pastries, brewing wine in the stove, cleaning the architecture....

They had clear divisions of labor, each one careful, fearing they would mess up the small tasks at hand. Except for their companions, they were obsequious to everyone.

They were extremely humble, with no human rights whatsoever, and occasionally, a few reprimands could be heard.

Looking in the direction of the sound, oh... it turned out to be a new maidservant, unfamiliar with the rules and clumsy in her work, currently lowering her head and silently enduring punishment.

The next moment, the maidservant in charge, who held a not-insignificant status, walked towards her team.

Her movements were deferential, and her low, humble tone revealed timidity and subservience.

Her cautious gaze dared not wander, only silently staring at her cloth shoes.

Bai Youqianshan paid her no mind, merely leading the group forward with large strides.

It was as if this person had never appeared before him.

As for her pleasantries, her voice was faint and her words insignificant; no one paid them any attention.

......

Li Tan saw many familiar faces: Wang Longzhi of the Wang Family, and Zhao Aotian of the Zhao Family.

These two had some connection to him; while they couldn't be called close friends, their relationship hadn't soured either.

As for the others, Li Tan had no impression of them in his mind, nor was there any need to remember them; the gap in cultivation had already divided everyone into different ranks.

With the thought that it would be good to make some acquaintances, Li Tan quickly left the group and headed to the two's location.

The remaining members of the Li Family also did not stay put; they all wished to add more color to their network of relationships.

Li Yan was like a dog's plaster, as usual, sticking to the strong and trampling on the weak.

Several women, relying on their excellent appearance, quickly mingled with many new faces.

Li Shang also fully integrated into the atmosphere; from their conversations, it seemed their relationship was good on normal days.

At a luxurious table, the three talked and laughed. The table, made of an unknown wood, was very exquisite and beautiful.

While the wood was hard, its surface was also smooth and flawless, emitting a subtle, mellow fragrance that made one feel pleasant and comfortable.

“Long time no see, Brother Aotian, Brother Long.”

When Wang Longzhi saw Li Tan's empty sleeve, his eyes were filled with indignation, and he clamored to stand up for him.

He wasn't one for many twists and turns; he was forthright and upright. For those he disliked, he wouldn't give an inch!

If his friends were bullied, Wang Longzhi would be the first to stand up and object!

In this indifferent cultivation world, having such a person as a good friend, Li Tan couldn't help but feel a strange emotion in his heart.

Zhao Aotian, however, was much more restrained, merely inquiring about the incident and advising Li Tan to endure.

As he put it: “People will always encounter existences they cannot contend with. If they don't flee in a sorry state, then a desolate fate will be set.”

When one is weak, one must pay attention to the path beneath their feet, whether it is bumpy, whether it will cause them to slip.

Spring will always come, and the cold snow will disperse. The sun will purify the haze, and the weak self will also have the day of transformation.

“When the flowers bloom, the garden will be full of fragrance.”

After a brief discussion and observation, Li Tan quickly discovered Zhao Aotian's enormous changes.

His eyes had lost some of their naivety and gentleness, replaced by sharpness and decisiveness.

The smile that usually hung on his face had also disappeared, replaced by a cold killing intent emanating from his entire body.

Li Tan did not know what Zhao Aotian had experienced; since he was unwilling to speak, Li Tan found it inconvenient to ask further.

Words of encouragement were also unnecessary; meaningless platitudes would only cause disgust and a chill in the heart.

“Without knowing the full picture, I will not comment.”

.....

Amidst the three's laughter, time quickly came to evening.

“Two benevolent brothers, when we are away from home, let us use assumed names. In the future, you may call me Li Tan.”

His true name had already been revealed to all the Elders and Bai Youqianshan by Li Yong!

Presumably, Li Yong's intention was not to let him continue using Li Yasi's name, though he couldn't fathom the reason.

But being in the same boat, he wouldn't suddenly make trouble at this moment.

Since things had come to this, Li Tan's name no longer needed to be hidden, but one must always be wary of others.

The two in front of him were even the elites of their respective Families; if they were to learn his true name and harbor ill intentions, they might trace him back!

It was better to mix truth and falsehood; fact and lie are only a fine line apart.

“Li Tan.”

“A good name. Since Brother Si has already made up his mind, then we two certainly cannot spoil the fun!”

Wang Longzhi waved his hand, saying nonchalantly, “It's just a name, there's no difference. What I, Wang Longzhi, recognize is you two as people!”

“If I despise a person's actions, then even if his name shakes the heavens and earth!”

“Before me, Wang Longzhi, he is nothing but a dirty, wriggling maggot!”

Zhao Aotian was somewhat helpless, looking at the gazes cast from all around, feeling for the first time that sitting still was so difficult.

Wang Longzhi's voice was very loud; dozens of people around could hear him clearly, and they all cast curious glances, adopting a posture of watching a good show.

“Brother Long, lower your voice. We're about to become the center of attention.”

Zhao Aotian gently tugged on Wang Longzhi's sleeve, his words as soft as a mosquito's buzz, and even his movements were cautious.

Li Tan didn't know what to say for a moment, so he simply echoed with an awkward, light chuckle.

The next moment!

Wang Longzhi showed no restraint at all, standing up aggressively and glaring at everyone, his Qi Condensation seventh-level Cultivator cultivation sweeping out as well.

He even shouted unreasonably, “What are you all looking at? Do you not want your eyes anymore?!”

“Look one more time! This big master will make you all suffer today!!”

Although his words were crude, they were extremely effective; the gazes from all around quickly withdrew.

They were afraid of provoking this fiend. “If we can't afford to provoke him, can't we at least avoid him?”

Everyone on the flying boat was there to join the Heaven Sword Immortal Sect, so they naturally didn't want to get into trouble.

If their reputation were sullied over such a small matter, that would truly be picking up sesame seeds and losing the watermelon.