Free Web NovelChapter 35: Chapter 26: Leaving for the East Sea Under the Stars; An Old Clam Produces a Golden Pearl
The East Sea was vast, its breadth even greater than the Donghua Land. Even the most knowledgeable person in the world could never say for certain how many Spirit Islands, Immortal Mountains, or natural treasures it held.
But such a vast Earth Realm meant that the East Sea Cultivation Realm was filled with countless lone Loose Cultivators, partnered Cultivators, small sects, and Loose Cultivator factions. Although the great orthodox Three Mountains Immortal Sect spread its teachings throughout the East Sea, its reach was far from absolute.
Feuds, assassinations, and conflicts erupted across the sea every moment. There were few Teleportation Arrays connecting the various Spirit Islands. And under these circumstances, the Sea Race lurked in the depths, watching with predatory eyes.
Therefore, in the East Sea, sea ships were the essential mode of travel. Only those with profound cultivation dared to travel alone across the sea using Flying Escape.
On the East Sea Coast lay Yunbao Immortal City, known as the largest Immortal Market on the coast and the number one seaport on the Shen Zhou East Coast. A crossroads for all, it was incredibly prosperous. Day and night, thousands of ships of all sizes sailed in and out of its harbor without cease.
Not far from the port, within a treasured building of green glazed tiles, jade rock, and golden pillars, bearing the name ’Pengxuan Pavilion’, Xuzhuang stood before a window with his hands clasped behind his back. He gazed out at the clear, cloudless sky, washed clean and blue. On the sea, waves churned and flying fish leaped from the surf. Birds occasionally skimmed low over the water. Small, single-oared skiffs and massive, hundred-zhang-long galleons alike sailed toward the line where water met the sky.
This bustling scene was vastly different from what he had witnessed when he passed through here on his way to the East Sea in the past, yet in many ways, it was also exactly the same.
As he was reminiscing, a steady male voice suddenly came from behind him. "An honored guest has graced our Pavilion. Forgive me for not coming out to greet you sooner."
Xuzhuang turned to see a man enter the reception hall. He appeared to be middle-aged and wore a Daoist Robe. A jade tablet, attached to his waist by a red cord woven with gold thread, was engraved with the word ’Penglai’. His attire was the standard uniform of a Three Mountains Immortal Sect disciple.
As the only great orthodox Immortal Sect in the East Sea, the disciples of the Three Mountains Immortal Sect all took great pride in their sect, but their numbers were not large.
Although Pengxuan Pavilion was established by the Penglai branch of the Three Mountains Immortal Sect, not all the Stewards in the Pavilion were sect disciples. Therefore, this man was undoubtedly the Chief Steward of this Pengxuan Pavilion branch.
Xuzhuang was not in the habit of acting arrogantly. He turned, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "Not at all. I arrived unannounced, yet your esteemed Pavilion has not slighted me in the least."
The middle-aged Daoist smiled. "You are too modest, Your Excellency. The jade token you presented represents the status of Pengxuan Pavilion’s most honored guest. It’s just that most who hold this token are deep within the East Sea. This is the first time we’ve received such a guest here on the East Sea Coast, which is why my subordinates were a bit slow to react."
"Is that so? Brother Zhang never mentioned this to me. He only said I could find him by bringing this token to a Pengxuan Pavilion," Xuzhuang said with surprise.
’Twenty years ago, when Zhang Ji and I first met, I did not have the standing I possess today as a Tai Su True Disciple and a Top-Grade Golden Core Cultivator. At most, one could have said I had uncommon potential, but that hardly seems to match the value of this jade token.’
The middle-aged Daoist said, "It seems this is indeed the token that Senior Brother Zhang gave away twenty years ago. Back then, when Senior Brother Zhang gave this token away without informing the Pavilion who it was for, it caused quite a stir. Only today do I see what a uniquely discerning eye Senior Brother Zhang has."
Xuzhuang said, "Oh? So you know Brother Zhang, Fellow Daoist?"
"I do. And that is precisely why I came to receive you personally." The middle-aged Daoist said apologetically, "It is embarrassing to admit, but despite your status as an honored guest of Pengxuan, there are two matters you’ve raised that this Pavilion cannot fulfill."
Xuzhuang asked, puzzled, "And what might be the reason?"
"Ahem... Your inquiry about Senior Brother Zhang’s whereabouts would not normally be considered a secret in the East Sea. However, Senior Brother Zhang’s current status is rather special, so if someone comes specifically to a Pengxuan Pavilion to ask about him, we are required to inquire about their intentions."
The middle-aged Daoist continued, "Of course, now that I am aware of the friendship between you and Senior Brother Zhang, there is no reason I cannot tell you. Senior Brother Zhang has now taken charge of the Pengxuan Pavilion on Zhao Yue Island, holding the position of Pavilion Master."
Realization dawned on Xuzhuang. "If my memory serves, the Pengxuan Pavilion on Zhao Yue Island is the main headquarters, isn’t it? I didn’t expect Brother Zhang to have risen to such a high position. It’s only right to be cautious. And the other matter?"
The middle-aged Daoist said awkwardly, "Fellow Daoist, your timing is rather unfortunate regarding your wish to travel out to sea on the Pengxuan Sea Ship. The Pengxuan Sea Ship has already departed two days ago. Its route includes stops at sixteen islands, and it will be a long time before its return... If you are in a hurry to set out, Pengxuan Pavilion has several other sea ships that can take you out to sea immediately."
"I see. It seems I’m not fated to ride the Pengxuan Sea Ship." Xuzhuang said, unconcerned. "As for the other sea ships, that won’t be necessary. Thank you for the kind offer, Fellow Daoist."
The Pengxuan Sea Ship was a great vessel forged by the Pengxuan Pavilion for crossing the sea. It feared no storm or perilous wave and could carry ten thousand people, not including the space for activities and storage. Furthermore, its sailing speed was comparable to the Flying Escape speed of an ordinary Golden Core Cultivator.
However, Xuzhuang had no great desire for the Pengxuan Sea Ship. His wish to board it was merely to satisfy a bit of nostalgia from the awe he felt when he first saw it as a youth.
Since fate was not on his side, Xuzhuang could simply use Flying Escape to travel out to sea. As for the other sea ships, they were a far cry from the Pengxuan Sea Ship, making them unnecessary.
Since there were valid reasons for the situation, Xuzhuang was not annoyed and proceeded to ask about his other requests.
Seeing this, the middle-aged Daoist breathed a silent sigh of relief and replied, "As for your other requests, they have, of course, been prepared for you."
He clapped his hands, and a serving girl entered from an inner room in response. She appeared to have been waiting for some time, yet her smile was still as bright as a flower. She carried a White Jade Square Plate with both hands, upon which lay the items Xuzhuang required. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
"This is the high-quality Fire-attribute Cloud Sand you requested," the middle-aged Daoist said, gesturing with his hand. "There are two hundred units in total. Your arrival was sudden, so this is all our Pavilion had in stock. The remainder of your spiritual currency has been converted into six hundred Three Mountains Immortal Treasures."
