Chapter 11: Absolute Cloud Flying Boat

The large flying boat, originally a creation of the demonic path’s ancient sages, had become exclusive to the immortal sects as the demonic path declined.

Having never seen such a colossal magical artifact, long lost to the demonic path, Li Xingruo couldn’t help but ask as they headed to the flying boat plaza:

“Stinking Taoist, I heard that on clear days, a large flying boat can travel three thousand miles a day and carry a hundred thousand jin. Is that true?”

“Correct.”

Shi Xiangwen nodded. “Last year, the Huangji Sect hunted a savage beast in Chaohai Pool. Its body’s spiritual energy was too wild to store in a magical artifact, so a flying boat transported it—148,000 jin.”

“Impressive,” Li Xingruo sighed softly.

Then, turning to Shi Xiangwen, she said:

“I’ve never ridden a flying boat. Is it safe? You sealed my spiritual power—if it’s not safe, won’t I fall and splatter like a meat pie? Why not unseal me now?”

Shi Xiangwen replied, “Rest assured, Miss Xianer. Every landing, specialized artifact refiners inspect the boat, ensuring it’s safe before takeoff.”

“Tch.”

Seeing his unyielding stance, Li Xingruo huffed and fell silent.

They walked quietly to the flying boat plaza.

The plaza was crowded with people lining up to buy tickets.

Spotting the dozens-of-meters-long queue, Li Xingruo’s eyes gleamed:

“Why so many people? I don’t want to squeeze in. How about I wait here, and you go queue?”

Shi Xiangwen chuckled. “If I go queue, won’t you disappear by the time I return?”

He pointed to a narrow passage beside the plaza. “Follow me.”

“Hey, aren’t we boarding the flying boat? Where are you dragging me?”

Li Xingruo asked reluctantly. “You’re not buying a ticket?”

A few steps later, she saw the answer.

Above the narrow passage hung a small, exquisite bronze plaque: “No Entry for Outsiders.”

“Stinking Taoist, why bring me here?”

Li Xingruo shook off his grip, pointing at the plaque. “This is for flying boat staff, right? Are you using the Huangji Sect’s name to demand tickets?”

“You’re not entirely wrong, Miss Xianer,” Shi Xiangwen nodded slightly.

“Hah, I knew it!”

Li Xingruo crossed her arms, sneering. “You act all righteous, but you’re just flaunting your sect’s influence. Even for something as small as a flying boat ticket, you pull rank with your Huangji Sect status!”

Her words felt satisfying.

As expected, the immortal sects are all shiny on the surface but no different from the demonic path underneath.

Hypocrites!

“Now, now,” Shi Xiangwen said, shaking his head helplessly at her mocking expression.

“Miss Xianer, consider this: the flying boat is operated by the Huangji Sect. Our disciples don’t need to buy tickets.”

Li Xingruo froze, then muttered stubbornly:

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Not engaging in her verbal sparring, Shi Xiangwen stepped aside, gesturing for her to go ahead:

“Let’s go. This way, we board directly.”

Knowing that once she boarded, reaching the Huangji Sect would make escape nearly impossible, Li Xingruo pouted:

“I’m not going. I get seasick! Hey, don’t pull me! I’ll scream!”

“Keep making a fuss, and I’ll seal your voice too.”

“You… stinking Taoist, if you’ve got the guts, unseal me, and we’ll fight fair and square!”

“Fine, but only after you reach Chui Xing Peak.”

“Filthy cow nose, if you drag me to Chui Xing Peak, I’ll tell everyone in the Huangji Sect we’re involved. They’ll all curse you for seducing a betrothed woman!”

“…”

Amid Li Xingruo’s threats, Shi Xiangwen pulled her through the narrow passage into the flying boat plaza.

Turning a corner, Li Xingruo was instantly awestruck by the legendary large flying boat of the demonic path.

In the vast plaza stood a massive metallic structure gleaming with light.

Though called a flying boat, it lacked sails and resembled a giant ship with its stern cut off.

Two rows of dark holes lined the rear, each emitting a heart-palpitating energy fluctuation.

It was so immense, so majestic, that even grounded in the plaza, it exuded an overwhelming presence.

“Jueyun…”

Li Xingruo stared at the two large red characters painted on the boat, unable to imagine how this metal behemoth took flight or the awe-inspiring sight of it soaring through the clouds.

“This is the latest generation flying artifact, built by the Huangji Sect and Chuyun Pavilion. Both sects poured everything into it, yet only two such giant boats exist,” Shi Xiangwen explained, his voice tinged with both admiration and regret. “Jueyun rides the heavens, the pinnacle of immortal sect artifact crafting.”

“Even a Nascent Soul expert couldn’t sustain such a massive thing in flight, right?” Li Xingruo marveled.

Shi Xiangwen nodded. “No individual’s spiritual energy could power the Jueyun boat. It runs on spirit stones, with cultivators only steering it.”

“Spirit stones? How many does this thing burn per trip?” Li Xingruo asked, eyeing the boat’s jet holes.

“I don’t know the exact amount,” Shi Xiangwen said. “But even fully loaded with passengers, each trip loses about a thousand spirit stones.”

“So this beast is losing money every year?” Li Xingruo blinked in shock.

“Yes, and the losses are huge,” Shi Xiangwen sighed. “Many elders want to ground the Jueyun boat, but the sect leader and most elders see it as a symbol of the Huangji Sect’s strength. Even if it burns spirit stones, they insist on keeping it running.”

“They’re right. Operating this monster is a show of power…” Li Xingruo fell silent, then spoke.

A single trip cost over a thousand spirit stones. While marveling at the Huangji Sect’s wealth, she couldn’t help but think of the Radiant Sect’s pitiful spirit stone reserves.

The demonic path’s entire stockpile probably wouldn’t fuel the Jueyun boat for a month.

The decline of the demonic path and the might of the immortal sects were starkly clear.