67: Departure, spirit ship construction?

Wang Man set down her wine glass and sighed softly, continuing,

"As a Named Disciple of an Immortal Master, I still have some autonomy and can choose whether or not to participate. But as a newly promoted Outer Sect Disciple, Junior Brother, I'm afraid your first mandatory Sect mission will be this 'Demonic Path Sweeping'."

Du Qinghong listened from the side, completely lost and wearing a face full of confusion.

Meanwhile, Shen Nan's face turned pale, and his hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly.

Outer Sect Disciples had no choice in the matter; as a Utility Disciple, he was even more at the mercy of others.

The Cangye Sect recruited hundreds of Utility Disciples every three years, providing them with food and drink; their greatest purpose was manifested at moments like this.

To serve as pawns to scout the way, fodder to exhaust Demonic Path traps.

Lu Xian tapped his knuckles lightly on the tabletop, sinking into thought.

A sweeping operation lasting ten years... this was far too long. Any delay could mean missing the optimal window for Foundation Establishment.

He thought of the token gifted to him by Gao Ping of Xuanshu Peak.

The other party had said that with this item, his treatment could be raised by one level.

Presumably, this 'one level higher' privilege would manifest as an exemption from such tedious and dangerous mandatory missions.

No wonder Gao Ping had looked so confident at the time.

Thinking of this, Lu Xian no longer hesitated. He raised his glass and said, "Drink! It's rare for us to gather like this; let's not go home until we're drunk!"

After three rounds of wine, the night grew deep.

"Big Brother Han, we need to head back to visit our family members. According to Sect rules, I'm afraid we won't have many chances to descend the mountain for several years after this."

The two of them departed.

Only Lu Xian and Du Qinghong remained in the room.

"Brother Han, congratulations!"

Du Qinghong raised his glass again, draining the spiritual wine in one gulp. His eyes were filled with sincere joy, yet they also carried a trace of bewilderment. "Tell me... after entering the Immortal Gate, will we brothers still have a chance to meet again?"

"Damn you, I'm not going off to die."

Lu Xian cursed before saying, "I left you several thousand catties of Yao Beast meat and over three hundred Spirit Bird. Remember to sell them slowly; it's enough to support half a year's expenses."

"Don't worry, Brother Han! Are you still worried when I'm the one handling things?"

"Alright, I have things to take care of."

With that, Lu Xian stood up and stepped into the underground teleportation room.

With a flash of light and shadow, he arrived at the small courtyard outside the city.

In the spiritual fields of the backyard, that hundred souls banner swayed slightly in the night wind, emitting a chilling aura.

With a thought, Lu Xian summoned Tian Da from the banner.

"I will be leaving for a period of time, the duration is uncertain. During this time, manage the Chicken Coop, spiritual fields, and livestock pen—all my properties—properly. If you're hungry, kill a Spirit Bird to eat yourself. After completing your daily tasks, return to the soul banner to rest on your own."

Lu Xian's tone brooked no argument.

"As... you command, Mas... ter."

Tian Da replied in a gloomy voice.

Lu Xian was satisfied.

A malicious soul could not stray too far from the hundred souls banner, and even if it could, he didn't want to bring it with him.

This was a genuine Demonic Path Magical Artifact; even thousands of years ago, it was something everyone would hunt down.

Once exposed within the Cangye Sect, the consequences would be unimaginable.

With the basic matters handled, Lu Xian felt a sense of relief.

It wasn't as if he wasn't coming back.

If the plan went smoothly, within two months, he would be able to establish a third Immortal Cave and set up A Bridge of So close yet so far. At that point, he could come and go as he pleased, and everything would be much simpler... The next day, a sliver of white appeared in the eastern sky.

Qingyun City Square.

A giant spirit ship that blotted out the sun had already quietly suspended itself there.

As the new Disciples approached, they were lifted by an invisible and gentle force, slowly rising into the air and eventually landing steadily on the spirit ship's broad deck.

Lu Xian didn't arrive particularly early. Just as he stood firm, two people came over to greet him.

It was Wang Man and the Disciple responsible for the testing yesterday, Chen Guangan.

Both were stunned to see the other.

"Junior Sister Wang, you know Junior Brother Han too?"

Chen Guangan asked.

Wang Man tilted her head back and said with a bit of pride, "Of course, we're good friends!"

"Junior Brother Han truly has no lack of luck."

Chen Guangan's tone was a bit sour.

He had heard of Wang Man's experience; she came from a utility background, yet because of her outstanding talent in the Talisman Dao, she had ascended to heaven in a single step by becoming a Disciple of an Immortal Master. Now her status actually surpassed his, despite him being an earlier Disciple.

Knowing it was inappropriate to chat here, he found an excuse and left first.

"Junior Brother Han, the spirit ship is about to depart. Within half a day, we will reach the Sect!" Wang Man said with a smile.

Lu Xian was about to respond when he suddenly sensed a faint gaze coming from the pavilion high atop the spirit ship.

It was that Golden Core True Person, Su Yuehan.

"Senior Sister Wang, just what rank of Magic Treasure is this spirit ship? It's so magnificent, it's truly shocking."

Lu Xian pretended not to have sensed the gaze and looked around.

The deck was as wide as a square, with hundreds of Disciples standing in groups of three or five, their robes snapping in the high-altitude winds.

The jade deck beneath their feet shimmered with light, and beyond the crystal walls on both sides, a sea of clouds churned. Nearby, runes on several giant dragon-coiled pillars were glowing with a faint golden light, causing the figures of the crowd to flicker in and out of the shadows.

"This is one of our Sect's foundation-level Magic Treasures, the Void-Ascending Great Boat! It should be a peak-grade Magic Treasure, or perhaps even something that transcends the category of Magic Treasures. It's said to have been in use for thousands of years and was once used to conquer areas where demonic cultivators gathered..."

Wang Man said with pride.

After hearing this, a different thought arose in Lu Xian's mind.

If I were to build a giant spirit ship myself, would it count as a Magic Treasure or a mobile building?

The power of a single shot from those magical cannons on the hull, driven by Formations, would probably be enough to level a mountaintop.

If it counted as a Magic Treasure, then its power would be fixed; aside from being luxurious, its significance would be limited.

But if it counted as a building... that meant it could be upgraded!

Wouldn't that be equivalent to having a mobile aerial fortress?

Lu Xian's mind became active.

The spirit ship had Cultivation Chambers, Pill Refining Rooms, bedrooms... it completely fit the broad definition of a "building."

He could almost imagine the scene of himself in the future, piloting a mobile Immortal Cave, patrolling the heavens and treading the seas!

That would be a true overlord of the skies!

"Thank you for clarifying, Senior Sister Wang!" Lu Xian cupped his hands.

"Why so polite... By the way, Junior Brother Han, do you have a preferred main peak after entering the Sect? I recommend Mozhuan Peak; their Talisman Legacy is the most complete."

Wang Man recommended enthusiastically.

Lu Xian shook his head and spoke frankly, "I appreciate your kindness, Senior Sister, but I have no experience in the way of Talismans, and I have already made an agreement with a Senior from Xuanshu Peak."

"Xuanshu Peak?"

Wang Man looked slightly disappointed, which then turned into realization. "Oh, then never mind."

For the next half day, there was no further conversation.

The spirit ship broke through the clouds and waves, racing through the sky.

Lu Xian stood alone by the side, looking down.

He saw endless vast mountain ranges like giant dragons lying prone on the earth, magnificent and majestic.

Between the peaks, clouds and mist swirled, and Spiritual Qi was dense.

Seven of the most steep and towering peaks stood like seven sharp swords piercing the sky, each emitting a unique spiritual charm.

Between the peaks, white jade bridges and flowing rainbows connected them, while cranes and Spirit Bird circled and soared, their clear cries echoing through the mountain streams.

From time to time, Disciples could be seen riding swords or beasts, shuttling between the peaks—a scene of a true immortal residence.

"Look, Junior Brother Han, the one in the very center is Elder Peak; its status is above the six main peaks. There are also over ten smaller peaks on the periphery that handle various Sect affairs... The Welcoming Platform we're about to land on is one of them."

Wang Man took the initiative to introduce.

Just then, Su Yuehan's cold voice entered the ears of every new Disciple:

"New entrants, hear my command. Utility Disciples have half a month to familiarize themselves with the Sect environment; Outer Sect Disciples have a limit of one month. Once the period is up, immediately begin taking on Sect missions! Other details will be explained to you by the Teaching Deacons!"

Before her voice had even faded, the spirit ship had already slowly landed on the massive platform.

Su Yuehan's figure turned into a streak of light, instantly vanishing into the horizon.

The crowd fell into a temporary silence.

According to the information they had gathered, in the past, Utility Disciples had six months and Outer Sect Disciples had at least a year of adaptation period.

This time, why had it been shortened by several times!

An ominous premonition immediately loomed over everyone's hearts.

This was practically driving ducks onto a perch—forcing them into action!