Translator: CinderTL
Near the bow of the ship, five prominent formation nodes were etched into the deck.
According to Li Changhe's explanation, each node corresponded to a Sky-Soaring Formation. When jointly operated by five nascent soul cultivators, these formations could propel the Giant Flying Ship to speeds rivaling those of a late divine transformation stage cultivator.
Furthermore, if a divine transformation stage cultivator were added to oversee these Sky-Soaring Formations, the ship could unleash a burst of speed comparable to that of a Void Refinement Stage cultivator.
Near the stern, three more conspicuous formation nodes marked the activation points for the Profound Kunming Harmony Formation. This defensive formation required the combined efforts of three divine transformation stage cultivators to activate and was capable of withstanding attacks from early Void Refinement Stage cultivators.
This explained why the Dual Polarity Sect recommended assembling at least three divine transformation stage cultivators and five nascent soul cultivators for safe operation.
Along the deck's perimeter were eighty-one recessed slots, arranged in a nine-by-nine grid, designed to hold spirit stones.
Activating the ship's myriad formations required not only the cultivators' Spiritual Power but also a substantial supply of high-grade spirit stones.
"Fellow Daoists," Li Changhe asked after explaining all the formations, "are you satisfied with this Giant Flying Ship?"
Wei Qian replied, "Fellow Daoist Li, the sheer number of formations packed into such a small vessel is truly astonishing."
Li Changhe smiled. "Since everyone is satisfied with the flying ark, please settle the remaining spirit stone balance. After that, you may depart in this vessel."
Song Wen and the others had each paid a deposit of one hundred high-grade spirit stones to the Dual Polarity Sect, totaling nine hundred high-grade spirit stones for the group of nine.
The Qicang Flying Ark was priced at ten thousand high-grade spirit stones, meaning they still owed nine thousand one hundred high-grade spirit stones.
Without hesitation, the group pooled their spirit stones according to their previously agreed-upon proportions.
The six nascent soul cultivators, including Song Wen, covered seventy percent of the cost, each contributing over eleven hundred spirit stones.
The three divine transformation stage cultivators each contributed one thousand high-grade spirit stones.
"Fellow Daoists, from this moment forward, this flying ark belongs to you," Li Changhe announced, producing an Array Disk. "This is the control Array Disk for the flying ark. To which fellow Daoist should I entrust it?"
"Give it to me."
Zhong Jun, standing closest to Li Changhe, reached out and took the Array Disk.
He then turned to Song Wen and the others.
"I'll hold onto the Array Disk. I trust no one objects?"
The nascent soul cultivators remained silent, recognizing they had no say in the matter.
Shui Bing, cloaked entirely in her hood, showed no reaction.
Wei Qian's mouth twitched slightly, but he didn't utter a word.
The eight cultivators' silence served as tacit approval of Zhong Jun's actions.
Zhong Jun smiled faintly and put away the Array Disk.
At that moment, Li Changhe produced nine jade slips and distributed them among the group.
"Each jade slip contains three routes, all previously verified as safe paths to the Qicang Domain. The specific route you choose is up to you."
Song Wen received a jade slip and immediately probed it with his Divine Sense.
The three routes within the jade slip were all winding and circuitous, traversing the entirety of the Rotting Miasma Ridge. However, detailed information about the terrain along the way was almost entirely absent, with only sparse records.
Clearly, whoever had mapped these routes had merely passed through quickly, without conducting any in-depth exploration of the area.
"Fellow Daoists, the transaction is complete. I wish you all safe travels and a smooth journey to the Qicang Domain," Li Changhe said.
He then turned to Zhong Jun and added, "Senior Brother Wu Wei, may your wishes be fulfilled, and may you find the opportunity to advance to the Void Refinement Stage in the Qicang Domain."
"Thank you for your kind words, Junior Brother Li," Zhong Jun replied.
"Farewell," Li Changhe said, cupping his hands in farewell before leaping into the air and departing.
Zhong Jun addressed the group, "Fellow Daoists, it's time to set off. We can discuss the specific route and other matters once we're underway."
"Agreed!" Wei Qian responded.
Zhong Jun then activated the flying ark, steering it out of the Dual Polarity Sect and toward the Rotting Miasma Ridge.
"Which route do you all think we should take?" Shui Bing asked as soon as the Giant Flying Ship cleared the Dual Polarity Sect's gates, her eagerness to decide the route palpable.
Wei Qian replied, "Fellow Daoist Zhong Jun, as a member of the Dual Polarity Sect, you must have some insider knowledge. What's your opinion?"
Wei Qian had initially held Zhong Jun in disdain, but after learning he was a cultivator from the Dual Polarity Sect, his attitude shifted to polite respect. After all, they would likely need his assistance later.
Zhong Jun explained, "These three routes were compiled by the Dual Polarity Sect at great expense, with the Ye Family's help. They gathered information from individuals who had successfully navigated Qicang Flying Arks to the Qicang Domain. As far as I know, the middle route has been successfully traversed by three Qicang Flying Arks. The other two routes each have only one successful passage. In my opinion, we should choose the middle route."
"Then let's follow Fellow Daoist Zhong Jun's suggestion," Shui Bing said. "Fellow Daoist Wei Qian, what do you think?"
"I have no objections," Wei Qian replied.
Zhong Jun nodded slightly and continued, "The Qicang Flying Ark's defensive and Sky-Soaring Formations require a massive amount of spirit stones. How do you propose we secure these resources?"
"What about continuing with the same funding arrangement we used to purchase the ship?" Shui Bing suggested.
"I disagree," Zhong Jun countered firmly.
Zhong Jun clearly had a plan in mind as his gaze swept over Song Wen and the five nascent soul cultivators.
"You six have benefited greatly from the protection of us three divine transformation stage cultivators. Shouldn't you contribute more?"
Song Wen and the five nascent soul cultivators exchanged uneasy glances. After a long hesitation, Yan He spoke up.
"Senior Zhong Jun's words are wise! May we ask how much you expect us six juniors to contribute?"
"Naturally, you will cover all the expenses," Zhong Jun replied with a sardonic smile. "Here's what we'll do: each of you will first pay one thousand high-grade spirit stones, which I will hold in safekeeping. If any stones remain after our journey, I will return them to you. If we run out midway, we'll discuss further contributions."
The six cultivators immediately looked troubled.
"Senior Zhong Jun, please understand," a male cultivator said timidly. "We just paid over a thousand high-grade spirit stones for our passage on the ark. I simply don't have another thousand high-grade spirit stones to spare."
Zhong Jun's face darkened, his gaze piercing the six cultivators.
"A bunch of useless trash. Fine, each of you will pay five hundred high-grade spirit stones for now. If you still can't afford that, you have no business going to the Qicang Domain. Get off the ark now." Perhaps realizing he might still need their help, Zhong Jun reluctantly lowered the amount.
In the end, each of the six cultivators paid Zhong Jun five hundred high-grade spirit stones, finally improving his mood.
However, Zhong Jun didn't let them off easily, maintaining his imperious tone.
"You six, discuss among yourselves and assign five of you to operate the Sky-Soaring Formation. Do you expect this old man to personally pilot the Giant Flying Ship, expending my energy to carry you all here?"
"Senior, please forgive us. We'll operate the Sky-Soaring Formation immediately," Yan He replied hastily.
She exchanged a glance with the others before hurrying to the ship's bow and settling into one of the formation nodes.
The other four nascent soul cultivators quickly followed suit, each occupying a formation node.
Only Song Wen, whether intentionally or not, lagged behind and failed to secure a node, his face etched with frustration.
Under the control of the five nascent soul cultivators, the Qicang Flying Ark soared through the skies, rapidly approaching the Rotting Miasma Ridge.
"Halt the ship!"
A thunderous shout suddenly echoed from the distance.
Three figures materialized on the horizon, flying toward them.
Leading the group was none other than Jiang Lanruo.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (RDC) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c1242. [+2]
🔑Read upto Ch1058 for FREE visit the pinned post on my p@treon to learn how!🎉
💥Translated (6) Series, (4.6K+) Chapters, (6.7M+) Words.