Chapter 205

Chapter 205

The flying boat suddenly shook violently, startling all the cultivators aboard.

Ning Yuzhou, who was in the middle of drawing a talisman, saw the half-completed talisman flicker with spiritual light before it went out. The white talisman paper turned partly charred, rendering it useless.

Wen Qiao and Qiao Leshui, who were meditating, opened their eyes simultaneously, leaping up to look warily toward the door.

After shaking for a while, the flying boat finally came to a stop.

"What happened?" Qiao Leshui asked in surprise, considering a possibility. "Could it be that someone really dared to hijack the Feilong Chamber of Commerce's flying boat?"

Otherwise, why would the flying boat shake so suddenly?

Wen Qiao listened intently and said to Qiao Leshui, "Let's go out and see."

Leaving Wen Guangun and Wen Tutu behind to accompany Ning Yuzhou, Wen Qiao and Qiao Leshui left the room.

As soon as they stepped out, they saw the door next door open, and a man with a full beard walked out.

When he saw them, his gaze paused slightly.

Wen Qiao and Qiao Leshui felt the extremely dangerous aura emanating from this man, whose cultivation was unfathomable. They politely addressed him as Senior.

The bearded man glanced at them and walked forward, clearly also coming out to check the situation.

Arriving at the spacious hall area at the front of the flying boat, they found many cultivators already gathered there, all of whom had come to investigate the situation. Although they trusted the Feilong Chamber of Commerce, the earlier shaking of the flying boat had left them uneasy, and they needed confirmation.

The manager of the Feilong Chamber of Commerce reassured everyone, "Rest assured, fellow Daoists. Our chamber's Yuanhuang realm Senior has gone out to negotiate with the other party. There is nothing to worry about."

Through the manager's explanation, everyone learned that the earlier shaking was caused by an attack from unknown cultivators.

It had been over ten days since their departure, and the flying boat had finally entered the desolate highlands of the Flying Star Continent.

The desolate highlands have harsh climates and are home to complex and intertwined forces, reportedly consisting of ruthless bandits who plunder without hesitation.

Due to the notorious reputation of the desolate highlands, ordinary cultivators and flying boats dare not approach, fearing a one-way trip. If not for the necessity of passing through the desolate highlands to reach Tianzhiyuan, no one would choose to board the Feilong Chamber of Commerce's flying boat to safely cross the region.

However, they did not expect that there would be bold cultivators daring enough to rob even the Feilong Chamber of Commerce's flying boat, which made many cultivators worried.

After explaining the situation, the manager of the Feilong Chamber of Commerce further reassured everyone, stating that if necessary, they would fight the other party to ensure no harm came to the passengers on the flying boat.

Everyone listened, but what they thought was known only to themselves.

Regardless, they all stayed there, waiting for news and observing the situation outside.

Wen Qiao used her divine sense to look outside and saw two Yuanhuang realm cultivators fighting above the desolate highlands, with some guards wearing robes emblazoned with the Feilong Chamber of Commerce's emblem battling a group of bandits attacking the flying boat.

Half an hour later, the Yuanhuang realm cultivator and the guards returned. Although some guards were injured, there were no serious issues, and the flying boat continued its journey.

Seeing that everything was fine, everyone went back to rest.

When Wen Qiao and Qiao Leshui returned, they were accompanied by the bearded man from the neighboring room. This man's aura was stronger than any cultivator they had encountered before, and neither of them wanted to interact with him, maintaining a respectful distance. After he entered his room, they quickly returned to theirs.

In the room, Ning Yuzhou sat there, with two spirit beasts guarding him.

"Are you alright?" Ning Yuzhou asked.

Wen Qiao told him what had happened, saying, "The Feilong Chamber of Commerce is indeed powerful; they even fought with the people from the desolate highlands."

"I always said that the Feilong Chamber of Commerce wouldn't fear anything by taking this route," Qiao Leshui affirmed, now convinced of their capability. "Their fees may be high, but they do provide safety. In times of danger, they have Yuanhuang realm experts to protect us."

This alone instilled great trust in the Feilong Chamber of Commerce.

Then Wen Qiao mentioned the presence of a Senior with unfathomable cultivation staying in the neighboring room. "Husband, I noticed that the Senior kept looking at Young Master Qiao. Do you know him?"

Qiao Leshui looked puzzled. "I don't know him." Then, after thinking for a moment, he hesitated, "He couldn't possibly be someone friendly with the Qiao family, right? That's impossible; those people from the Qiao family don't have the ability to befriend such a powerful Senior."

Wen Qiao continued, "From the looks of it, the Senior harbors no ill will toward Young Master Qiao."

Ning Yuzhou thought for a moment, "Perhaps he knows someone related to the Qiao family."

Qiao Leshui mentioned that he and his brother shared a resemblance, making it easy to recognize him. He guessed that the man knew Qiao Leshan, which was why he noticed him.

Otherwise, as a disciple from a minor clan, it was hard for Qiao Leshui to attract the attention of high-level cultivators.

"That's possible," Qiao Leshui touched his face. "You know how strict the rules are on Feixian Island. Since my brother joined, he rarely appears in public. Not many people have seen him, and those who know him must be of significant status..."

If the man recognized him because of his brother, it didn't matter. Qiao Leshui never intended to hide the fact that he was alive. He wanted the Qiao family to know he was still alive, now healed, and ready to seek justice.

"Regardless, as long as he has no ill intentions, we needn't worry too much," Ning Yuzhou concluded.

He trusted Wen Qiao's intuition, as a half-spirit plant, she had a natural sensitivity to discern good and evil. Since she said the man had no ill intentions, it was likely true.

For the remainder of the journey, the flying boat encountered several more attacks, but the accompanying Yuanhuang realm experts from the Feilong Chamber of Commerce handled them, ensuring the safety of the cultivators aboard.

"These people from the desolate highlands are truly audacious, risking their lives for money," Qiao Leshui remarked. "Fortunately, the flying boat has Yuanhuang realm experts on board."

Cultivators who reach the Yuandi realm rarely covet the possessions of ordinary cultivators and seldom engage in highway robbery. Thus, having a Yuanhuang realm expert on board is sufficient. Every flying boat of the Feilong Chamber of Commerce has a Yuanhuang realm cultivator, justifying their high fees.

The flying boat continued its journey and, after a month, arrived safely at Tianzhiyuan.

The flying boat stopped near a small town not far from Tianzhiyuan.

After returning their tokens to the Feilong Chamber of Commerce, the cultivators disembarked.

Upon stepping out of the flying boat, everyone felt the malice emanating from all directions.

Wen Qiao looked around and noticed that the town was small, barely more than a long street. Despite its size, it was surprisingly bustling with many cultivators coming and going, often in groups, entering the town.

Those malicious intentions came from the cultivators in the small town.

Although these cultivators seemed to have low cultivation levels, they exuded an intimidating aura, as if they were ruthless killers who had fought through countless battles and killings. They were not like the righteous disciples Wen Qiao had encountered before, who acted honorably and only killed those who deserved it, avoiding unnecessary carnage.

These cultivators cast ill-intentioned glances at everyone entering the town, without any attempt to hide their hostility.

Qiao Leshui noticed this and his pupils constricted, realizing that even if these cultivators were not from the Wasteland Plateau, they must have some connection to it.

Tianzhi Plain bordered the Wasteland Plateau, so any cultivator wanting to enter Tianzhi Plain would have to pass through the Wasteland Plateau. This also made it convenient for the forces of the Wasteland Plateau to establish a presence near Tianzhi Plain, and the cultivators from there were never friendly to outsiders.

Ning Yuzhou glanced around subtly and said, "Let's go into the town first."

The three of them entered the town under those hostile gazes.

The town was a mix of all sorts, offering little safety but still better than staying outside.

This was the first time all three of them had come to Tianzhi Plain, and they were unfamiliar with the area. They wanted to ask someone for information, but the cultivators in the town did not seem trustworthy. Trying to get information from them would likely yield mostly lies and nonsense.

It wasn't worth wasting time and spirit stones on such people.

Passing by a bustling inn, Ning Yuzhou said, "Let's go in and sit down, have something to eat."

Eating was not the main purpose. When the smiling innkeeper approached, Ning Yuzhou ordered a lot of expensive dishes, and the innkeeper's smile became genuinely warm.

After ordering, Ning Yuzhou turned to the innkeeper and said, "Young man, we'd like to ask you something."

The innkeeper was a cultivator at the Yuanmai realm. Although his cultivation level was low, he was no pushover, daring to make a living in such a place.

Perhaps because Ning Yuzhou had ordered so much, he was quite accommodating, "What would you like to know?"

Ning Yuzhou's demeanor was gentle and unthreatening.

He asked softly, "We've noticed many cultivators coming here recently. Are they all heading to Tianzhi Plain?"

"Of course. Why else would they come to our shabby town?"

This small town, called Qingyuan Town, was not large. The buildings looked very old, as if they hadn't been repaired in ages. There were no standard defensive arrays; it was just a simple town that could be destroyed instantly if anything happened, far from an ideal shelter for cultivators.

However, because Qingyuan Town was close to Tianzhi Plain, cultivators heading there would choose to rest here briefly, which kept the town alive. Those who ran businesses here were skilled cultivators or had powerful backers, making others wary of provoking them.

There weren't usually many cultivators in Qingyuan Town, but recently, more had arrived, giving the impression of unusual prosperity.

"What are they doing in Tianzhi Plain?" Qiao Leshui asked.

The innkeeper shrugged, "Whatever they're doing, it's the same as what you're doing."

Qiao Leshui said earnestly, "We're looking for someone!"

The innkeeper glanced at him, sensing sincerity, and shrugged, "I don't know."

Seeing that the innkeeper wouldn't reveal much, Ning Yuzhou changed the subject, "I heard that Feixian Island's disciples will also come to Tianzhi Plain for training. Is that true?"

"Yes, they went in a few days ago," the innkeeper replied casually.

"What?" Qiao Leshui stood up in excitement, then sat back down when pulled by Wen Qiao, causing the other patrons to look away.

Qiao Leshui was agitated, "Didn't they say they would arrive in half a month?"

"Who knows? Those major sects have their own plans. We commoners can't understand their decisions."

"Do you know which disciples from Feixian Island came for training?"

"How would I know? Feixian Island's disciples are beyond our reach." The innkeeper was getting impatient, "If you have nothing else, I'll go back to work."

Ning Yuzhou smiled, "Thank you, young man." He handed over a dozen spirit stones.

The innkeeper immediately beamed, thinking this young master was handsome and generous. He loved such generous guests.

After the innkeeper left, Qiao Leshui seemed distracted, eager to enter Tianzhi Plain right away.

"Don't rush," Wen Qiao said.

Ning Yuzhou remained calm and composed.

Only Qiao Leshui was anxious, but he couldn't push them, so he asked, "When are we going to Tianzhi Plain?"

"After we finish this meal," Wen Qiao insisted, "Such expensive food must be delicious; we can't waste it."

Qiao Leshui: "..."

The innkeeper soon brought their dishes, serving them enthusiastically, in stark contrast to how he treated those who didn't tip.

It was clear that the cultivators in Qingyuan Town were very pragmatic.

Looking at the dishes, Wen Qiao fell silent.

Earlier, Ning Yuzhou had ordered expensive dishes to gather information from the innkeeper. They hadn't expected the food to be so disappointing. Despite this, the inn's spirit chef was confident, indifferent to whether they ate it or not.

Wen Qiao took a few bites and lost interest, saying, "Forget it, let's go to Tianzhi Plain."

Qiao Leshui said dumbfoundedly, "Didn't you say we'd go after eating?"

"I'll take it to go."

Qiao Leshui: "..."

Then he saw her take out a large food box and dump all the untouched dishes into it, turning it into a mixed platter. She drank the spirit wine with a frown and poured a cup for Wen Guangun and Wen Tutu each.

After drinking the spirit wine, the two beasts told Wen Qiao it was terrible and they never wanted to drink it again.

Wen Qiao patted their heads, of course, she would not come back to drink this expensive and unappetizing stuff again.

When the waiter came over to settle the bill, he found all the dishes and drinks on the table empty and happily settled their account, escorting them out the door.

Just as they left the inn, they heard a commotion around them. Following the noise, they saw a bearded man knocking several cultivators to the ground.