Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

The Thousand Feather Spirit Boat, with the character "Spirit" in its name, is mostly a second tier Spiritual Artifact.

The Thousand Feather Spirit Boat is indeed a second-tier flying boat, with a considerably high grade.

Its interior space is vast, ample enough to comfortably accommodate three to five people. With Wang Chen and Zuo Xiaomo riding together, it naturally feels very spacious and relaxed, and fitting in a tea table inside is completely feasible.

The most important thing is that the Thousand Feather Spirit Boat flies exceedingly fast and is exceptionally stable.

It skims over the clouds like a streak of light, covering a hundred yards in the span of a single breath.

At such a rate, Wang Chen estimated that it would not take long for the two of them to reach their destination.

The Thousand Feather Spirit Boat can be driven either by Spirit Stones or by Mana.

Compared to the Flying Sword that relies solely on Mana, it is really effortless as long as one is willing to use Spirit Stones.

"Your friend is truly not bad," said Wang Chen with a smile.

Wang Chen smiled and said, "Junior Brother Zuo, you really ought to cherish her."

The value of such a flying Spiritual Artifact is certainly above his Red Nether Sword.

Zuo Xiaomo's beloved is willing to lend it to him, which definitely means their relationship is very close.

In response to Wang Chen's teasing, Zuo Xiaomo scratched his head, displaying an embarrassed expression, "I'm not worthy of her."

"If you really think that, then you truly are not worthy of her," said Wang Chen, shaking his head.

Wang Chen shook his head and said, "I think your beloved would not mind the gap between you, but if you lose the spirit to strive upwards and stop making efforts, that's when she might leave you."

Zuo Xiaomo opened his mouth, his expression freezing completely.

Wang Chen did not say anything more, closing his eyes to begin practicing the Innate Five Elements Skill.

The Thousand Feather Spirit Boat comes with a navigation and intelligence system; all one needs to do is communicate with the Artifact Spirit, inform it of the destination, and it will fly there automatically, without any need for manual intervention.

Compared to the two flying artifacts Wang Chen possesses, the difference is like that of a smartphone to a feature phone!

As for Zuo Xiaomo, Wang Chen could see his lack of confidence.

This is something he needs to realize on his own.

The flying boat glided through the air, speeding like lightning, and arrived at their destination the following afternoon.

Beiwang City.

Beiwang City, much like Huai Mountain City that Wang Chen had visited before, is a small city located on the borders of Central State.

To the north of it lie rolling mountains, while to the southwest stretches an endless vast prairie, guarding the Chi Path that connects Central State and Northern State—an extremely important geographic location.

Although cultivators can rely on flying artifacts and Flying Swords to travel through the air, even in the Spirit Energy-rich West Sea Spirit Domain, Mortals and those in the Shedding Mortality stage still constitute a large proportion.

Their daily transportation relies on the various Chi Paths.

Indeed, most ordinary cultivators seldom use flying artifacts as a means of transportation due to the cost of use.

Wang Chen's current mission is to eliminate bandits, specifically a group of horse bandits that prowls the border between the two states, raiding merchants, Loose Cultivators, and herders.

Their leader calls himself "Mysterious Intent Taoist," possessing Purple Mansion cultivation level, and is very cunning and difficult to deal with.

It is said that the Guarding Envoy of Beiwang City has organized several expeditions to encircle and suppress them, but every time Mysterious Intent Taoist has managed to escape, leaving the locale in unrest and making it difficult for merchants and travelers to find peace, hence the mission dispatched by the Sect.

The Sect would not go so far as to send a Golden Core True Person to kill a mere Purple Mansion bandit.

Typically, the Sect evaluates the situation reported by the local area, categorizes the danger level, and then assigns the task to disciples within the Sect to handle.

To put it plainly, in the lofty eyes of the West Sea Sect, these bandits are nothing more than experience bags for the disciples to grind.

Normally, such tasks would be listed in the mission hall.

But due to some people, it was directly assigned to Wang Chen.

The Thousand Feather Spirit Boat landed outside the south gate of Beiwang City.

This time, Wang Chen did not carry the title of special envoy, so according to the rules, he could not directly land inside the city, to avoid being attacked by the Guarding Mansion of Beiwang City.

Having disembarked from the flying boat, Wang Chen took out a talisman message and infused it with mana.

The next moment, the talisman message instantly turned into a stream of light and shot towards Beiwang City.

Half an incense stick's time later, a troop of men and horses appeared at the city gate, among them a burly man leading on a Tiger Lion Beast.

Seeing Wang Chen and Zuo Xiaomo standing outside the city, the burly man dismounted and strode forward to meet them.

He greeted Wang Chen with a bow, "Junior Brother Wang, I, Ji Yongtai, apologize for not greeting you from afar, please forgive me!"

"Senior Brother Ji is too polite."

Wang Chen returned the greeting, "I've come to Beiwang City on a mission, please assist me greatly, senior brother."

Just now, Wang Chen had sent his visiting card to the Guarding Mansion of Beiwang City, declaring his identity and purpose, as per proper etiquette.

The man with the broad back and bristling beard was Ji Yongtai, the Guarding Envoy of Beiwang City!

Wang Chen had learned that this Guarding Envoy also originated from the life of a loose cultivator, having joined the West Sea Sect from Outer Sect to Inner Sect, before leaving to govern Beiwang City, a post he had held for a decade now.

Ji Yongtai, a cultivator at the third tier of Purple Mansion, gave off a rough and imposing aura.

"No problem at all."

Ji Yongtai said with a smile, "We're from the same sect, and I will assist you in any way I can, Junior Brother, just say the word!"

"Thank you, senior brother."

Wang Chen gave a slight smile and introduced Zuo Xiaomo, "This is Zuo Xiaomo, an Outer Sect junior brother who has come with me."

Ji Yongtai carelessly gave a fist and palm salute, "Junior Brother Zuo."

Zuo Xiaomo, not daring to slight, hurriedly returned the salute, "I've seen Senior Brother Ji."

Ji Yongtai waved his hand grandly, "Let's go, we'll talk in the mansion."

Wang Chen and Zuo Xiaomo boarded the carriage brought by Ji Yongtai, and under the escort of the Guarding Envoy, they arrived at the mansion of Beiwang City.

That night, Ji Yongtai hosted a lavish banquet, entertaining the two junior brothers from their sect.

Wang Chen had attended many banquets, but the spread laid out by the Guarding Envoy of Beiwang City was truly an eye-opener.

The main dish of the banquet was a special breed of camel cattle from the grasslands, roasted to a golden brown and emitting a tantalizing fragrance, taking up the entire massive round table, with the side dishes on the periphery looking very diminutive in comparison.

Ji Yongtai, holding a golden knife, began to carve the meat himself, first opening the roasted whole camel's belly, revealing a sheep inside.

The space between the camel and sheep was filled with spices, and within the sheep's belly, a chicken had been stuffed, within which rested a shell-less egg!

The Guarding Envoy retrieved the grease-soaked chicken egg and placed it on a jade plate, handing it over to a nearby attendant.

The attendant respectfully presented it with both hands to Wang Chen.

Without a doubt, this was a reception ceremony of the highest honor.

Wang Chen reached out to take the chicken egg and ate it.

The taste...

was nothing special.

Ji Yongtai let out a hearty laugh and handed the golden knife to an attendant, instructing him to continue serving the meat. Discover more content at empire

As the main guest of the evening, Wang Chen tasted the chicken, sheep, and beef respectively, and had to admit that such a roasted "set meal" had a unique flavor indeed.

After finishing the sumptuous meal, Ji Yongtai ordered the removal of the remnants of the feast.

Attendants served tea and left the hall.

With no one else around, it was time to discuss official matters.

----------

The second update is here.