Chapter 349 - 282: Journey to Huishui Mountain (2)

Chapter 349: Chapter 282: Journey to Huishui Mountain (2)

Hearing this from Yu Changsheng, Li Minghan scratched the back of his head and gave a simple smile. "Since you’ve all decided to go, how could I possibly stay behind? Besides, this is about you, Senior Brother Zhang. We can’t just ignore it."

Zhang Tianwen looked at them gratefully. "In that case, I won’t waste any more words on thanks. We’ll meet at the sect gate tomorrow at noon. By the way, two of my friends will be joining us. I’ll introduce you then."

"If you have anything else to take care of, make sure you get it sorted out. If all is well, we’ll set out tomorrow. This trip will likely take about a month."

"Understood." The two cupped their fists, took their leave, and went their separate ways to prepare.

After leaving Zhang Tianwen’s residence, Yu Changsheng stopped by Elder Wei’s home. When he confirmed that the elder still hadn’t returned, he shook his head with a soft sigh and went back to his cave residence.

’It’s been a year, Master, and you still haven’t returned. I hope nothing’s happened to you.’

A day passed in the blink of an eye. The next day arrived, sunny and brilliant.

At the foot of the Wanxiang Sect’s mountain, Zhang Tianwen’s group of three reconvened. In addition to them, two other disciples had also come along.

"Senior Brother Zhang."

Glancing at the other two people, Yu Changsheng cupped his fist in greeting to Zhang Tianwen.

"Mm. Changsheng, you’re here." Zhang Tianwen smiled and nodded. He glanced back at the other four before turning to introduce them to Yu Changsheng and Li Minghan.

"These two are old friends of mine: Shen Xingchen from Sword Control Peak and Wang Dingsheng from Magic Peak. You should all get acquainted."

Following Zhang Tianwen’s gaze, Yu Changsheng took note of the other two men besides Li Minghan. He was slightly surprised, and he offered them a smiling nod.

"Yu Changsheng of Beast Taming Peak. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Senior Brothers."

"Junior Brother Changsheng, long time no see! It hasn’t been that long, but you’ve changed a great deal."

Shen Xingchen chuckled, looking at Yu Changsheng with unconcealed surprise.

He had known Yu Changsheng for a relatively long time, which made the degree of his transformation all the more shocking. It had been just over a year since they last met, yet the aura Yu Changsheng exuded was now nearly on par with his own. Though he couldn’t discern his specific Cultivation, he knew it was by no means low.

Recalling the rumors he had recently heard within the sect, Shen Xingchen’s curiosity about Yu Changsheng grew even stronger.

Yu Changsheng was, of course, familiar with Shen Xingchen. He hadn’t changed much from memory, still possessing the air of a graceful young master. With his sword-like brows, star-bright eyes, and his pale green and white robes fluttering in the wind, he was the very picture of elegance.

"It really has been a while. I heard you were in seclusion recently, Senior Brother Shen, so I didn’t want to disturb you. I’m glad we have this chance now."

Yu Changsheng chuckled and exchanged a few words with Shen Xingchen, but inwardly, he was filled with a sense of wonder.

As his own Cultivation had advanced, Yu Changsheng could now clearly perceive Shen Xingchen’s level. He was at the Peak of Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer, the same Realm as himself. Among the five of them, his Cultivation was the highest.

"Brother Zhang and I go way back. There was no way I wouldn’t show up for him. Besides, I was getting bored cooped up in the sect all day, so it was a good excuse to get out."

Shen Xingchen glanced at Zhang Tianwen. A folding fan had appeared in his hand at some unknown point, and he waved it gently, cutting the figure of a scholarly gentleman.

"Mm."

Yu Changsheng nodded, his gaze shifting to the last person. This was the Inner Sect Cultivator from Magic Peak whom Zhang Tianwen had spoken of. He was slender with refined features, and his Cultivation was also at the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer. He cupped his fist and smiled at Yu Changsheng.

"Wang Dingsheng of Magic Peak. A pleasure to meet you, Junior Yu. I hope you’ll look out for me."

"Ah, so you’re Senior Brother Wang," Yu Changsheng said with sudden realization, followed by a chuckle. "If you ever need anything in the future, like Alchemy or whatnot, don’t hesitate to ask."

"Then I’ll be counting on you in the future, Junior Yu." Wang Dingsheng was overjoyed. He took a deep breath, and his expression toward Yu Changsheng became noticeably warmer.

"Everyone’s here now. That being the case, let’s depart."

Zhang Tianwen glanced around at the group. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, a Flying Ship appeared. It swelled in the wind, instantly becoming a colossal structure akin to a pavilion in the sky. Eighty zhang long, its form was sleek and streamlined.

The bow was shaped like a giant beast, resembling both an ox and a dragon, utterly majestic. The stern was sharp as if carved by a knife, glinting with a cold light. Tiers of buildings were arranged across the ship in neat rows, shimmering with a golden light under the sun, creating a truly magnificent sight. A protective Array enveloped it all, sending out ripples of Spiritual Qi.

"This Spirit Ship must consume over ten thousand Spirit Stones a day, wouldn’t you say? It’s definitely a top-tier Magical Treasure. Incredibly valuable. Senior Brother Zhang, you’re truly extravagant."

Shen Xingchen’s eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at the Flying Ship, his voice filled with awe.

Even someone with Li Minghan’s family fortune was visibly stunned for a moment, a flash of envy crossing his face.

"I couldn’t afford this Spirit Ship," Zhang Tianwen said, giving Shen Xingchen a sidelong glance and a small smile. He then led the others as they leaped aboard.

"Oh? If you didn’t buy it, don’t tell me it was a gift from Peak Master Mo?" Shen Xingchen asked, his curiosity piqued.

"This thing... it belonged to that Golden Core cultivator I killed," Zhang Tianwen said quietly after a moment of silence, shaking his head.

"...My apologies." Shen Xingchen froze, then after a moment of silence, he cupped his fist toward Zhang Tianwen.

"It’s nothing. At least his things were put to good use," Zhang Tianwen said with a dismissive wave. Unconcerned, he chuckled and activated the Flying Ship.

RUMBLE!

With a deep rumble, the Spirit Ship beneath their feet slowly ascended. A protective shield materialized around it, warding off the fierce Gang Wind. Accelerating from a slow drift to incredible speed, it transformed into a long streak of light and shot across the horizon.

"Our destination is Huishui Mountain, located in the southwest of the Martial Continent. It’s completely outside the Wanxiang Sect’s territory. The journey is long; even with the Flying Ship, it will take five days. Use this time to get adjusted and rest well."

After Zhang Tianwen finished speaking, the others nodded and found their own rooms.

"Haaaah..."

Yu Changsheng let out a long breath and slowly walked to the edge of the Flying Ship. He gazed down below, a complex expression in his eyes.

Clouds and mist swirled around them. Looking down, he could see the entire Cloud Mist Mountain Range rising and falling like a great dragon coiled upon the earth. The Wanxiang Sect was situated right at the dragon’s head, watching over the region. In the distance, a large river snaked its way toward the horizon.

The Spiritual Qi was much thinner at this high altitude. So, even though the Spirit Ship had a Spiritual Energy Conversion Array, it still required a significant input of Spirit Stones to stay airborne.

’This is the Cultivation Realm... a completely different civilization.’

Yu Changsheng mused, his gaze fixed on the horizon as he became lost in thought.

’I wonder if I’ll ever have a chance to go back... I miss home...’

Shaking his head gently, Yu Changsheng didn’t stay outside for long before finding a room for himself.

Inside his room, Yu Changsheng sat cross-legged in meditation as this information about Huishui Mountain surfaced in his mind.

’Huishui Mountain... it spans eight hundred li in the southwest of the Martial Continent. It gets its name, "Converging Waters," because underground streams and tributaries from rivers and seas all gather there. As a result, the water element is incredibly dense, and the mountains themselves are spiritually potent.’

’Because of Huishui’s unique environment, many Spirit Grasses and Spiritual Medicines grow there, a lot of which are rarely seen in the outside world. In a place like this, it’s not impossible to find Nascent Building Grass.’

’The dense, humid air, the complex terrain, and the endless emergence of various Spirit Beasts make the Huishui Mountain Range a kind of lawless land—an intricate and tangled place. Our group for this trip, including myself, consists of five people. The weakest among us is at the Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer.’

’With this lineup, as long as we’re careful, there shouldn’t be any problems. As long as we don’t go looking for trouble, our safety should be guaranteed.’

A thousand thoughts raced through Yu Changsheng’s mind, but this last one brought him a measure of peace.

Given the unique nature of the Foundation Establishment Realm, a lineup of two at the Eighth Layer and three at the Seventh Layer was practically the pinnacle of power for this stage of cultivation.