Free Web NovelChapter 330: Chapter 267: Close But Far Away
’The He Family is here?’
Fang Qingyuan frowned, then looked at Li Zhi and asked:
"What banner are they flying?"
As a long-established Golden Core Clan, the He Family had various Golden Core combatants under its command. Each Golden Core had a different temperament, so knowing who it was would allow for better preparation.
Li Zhi’s face was a mask of woe. He had a bad feeling about this. They had just taken Golden Turtle Island, and now the He Family had shown up and surrounded them. It was clear they didn’t come in peace.
However, seeing Fang Qingyuan’s calm composure, he steadied his nerves and replied after a moment of thought:
"Just now, I was leading some men to deal with the assets on Golden Turtle Island when I saw a dozen or so large ships approaching to surround us. The largest ship at the lead flew a banner with the character ’He’ written on it. I don’t know which personage has arrived."
Fang Qingyuan mused to himself. ’Just the single character ’He’ means the visitor is a member of the He Family’s main lineage, not a Guest Minister or Tributor.’
The He Family’s status was somewhat detached. They shouldn’t get too involved in disputes over islands. After all, fighting over islands was a common occurrence in the Outer Sea.
’Besides, even if the He Family is intentionally looking for trouble, I can just leave. The moment I use the Five-Colored Divine Escape, not even a Golden Core Cultivator could stop me. At most, it would just be a three-month delay.’
At this thought, Fang Qingyuan spoke calmly:
"It’s fine. Let’s go out and meet them. The He Family has always had a good reputation."
Walking out from Turtle Head Peak, Fang Qingyuan flew with Li Zhi to the front of the island, taking the position where the previous Island Master of Golden Turtle Island had stood.
Besides Li Zhi, the other cultivators also followed. With a glance, Fang Qingyuan noticed about ten people were missing.
They must have either snuck away or hidden themselves. It was understandable to shrink back when faced with the He Family.
But while Fang Qingyuan understood their reasoning, a ruthless thought formed in his mind. ’Once this is over, I’ll kill every cultivator who retreated. I’ll make an example of them.’
No sooner had they taken their positions than a group of people flew out from the large He Family ship. The one in the lead was surprisingly a Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The man looked at Fang Qingyuan and spoke directly:
"Might I be addressing Fellow Daoist Xiao? Our young mistress would like to invite you aboard the ship for a discussion. There are important matters to attend to."
’It seems the He Family has heard of the name I’ve made for myself these past three months,’ Fang Qingyuan thought. ’And this Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator is amiable, not at all posturing as if he’s here to condemn me.’
Seeing this, Fang Qingyuan understood. ’It seems this young mistress of the He Family needs something from me.’
The He Family had numerous clan members, with no fewer than a thousand direct relatives, but only one person could be called "young mistress": the family’s sole female Golden Core Cultivator, He Yingqiong.
’What could this Golden Core Cultivator possibly want with me?’
Fang Qingyuan couldn’t figure it out at the moment, but he said aloud:
"Since your esteemed mistress has invited me, I will of course make the trip."
After speaking, Fang Qingyuan whispered a few words to Li Zhi, telling him and the others to return to Golden Turtle Island first.
The He Family had only invited him. The cultivators behind him were not included.
"Fellow Daoist Xiao, this way, please."
The leading Late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was friendly. He didn’t need He Yingqiong’s orders to know he couldn’t put on airs in front of a cultivator like Fang Qingyuan, who could overpower someone at his own stage.
Fang Qingyuan followed the man and flew onto the lead He Family ship. This vessel was seventy zhang long, somewhat smaller than the great auction ship from the He Family auction Fang Qingyuan had once attended. freewebnoveℓ.com
’This must be He Yingqiong’s flagship.’ Entering the ship, Fang Qingyuan secretly raised his guard. If things went south in the slightest, he would transform into the Five-Colored Escape Light and flee immediately.
The Five-Colored Escape Light wasn’t just shockingly fast; its most formidable aspect was that no restrictive array related to the Five Elements could hinder its escape.
After navigating a winding, labyrinthine corridor, Fang Qingyuan finally arrived in the depths of the great ship.
Pushing open a door that was a zhang high, a vibrant forest and grassland appeared before Fang Qingyuan.
Fang Qingyuan was startled for a moment but quickly collected himself. A natural scene like this appearing inside a ship was merely the work of some Divine Technique, Magical Artifact, or Array that could open up the void and expand space. At most, it made one feel the owner was extravagantly wealthy, but it wasn’t truly shocking.
Besides, it was a far cry from his own Immortal Mansion.
Therefore, Fang Qingyuan’s demeanor remained natural. He offered a cupped-fist salute from a distance to the figure sitting cross-legged beneath a large tree up ahead and said:
"Xiao Sanyan greets the Young Mistress of the He Family."
He Yingqiong slowly opened her eyes. Instantly, Fang Qingyuan felt a chill run through his very soul, as if a blade of ice were being slowly dragged across his skin.
After a few moments, He Yingqiong slowly spoke:
"Fellow Daoist Xiao, no need for formalities. Please, sit and talk."
A wooden chair abruptly appeared behind Fang Qingyuan. He hadn’t even noticed how it got there.
’Void Divine Techniques? Or the effect of an Array?’
A few guesses flashed through Fang Qingyuan’s mind. He was more inclined toward the former. Considering this space, which far exceeded that of a normal ship’s cabin, he suspected that the He Yingqiong before him likely possessed a Talent for spatial Divine Techniques.
Taking a seat on the chair, Fang Qingyuan was a good twenty zhang away from He Yingqiong, but for Foundation Establishment Cultivators, this distance was practically face-to-face.
But at this moment, Fang Qingyuan didn’t dare casually release his Divine Sense to probe her. He kept his Divine Sense reined in, trying his best not to scan He Yingqiong’s location.
This was the second time Fang Qingyuan had seen He Yingqiong. Compared to the first time, when he had only seen her back at the He Family’s ship auction, he could now get a good, clear look at her. freёwebnoѵel.com
He Yingqiong was not a beauty in the traditional sense. Her features were too sharp, not conforming to the gentle and graceful aesthetics of the Confucian Family.
