“I’d like to see what requires deactivating our protective mountain array,” Li Fuxi said calmly.

Yun Wanqing smiled without answering and gracefully raised her hand.

A massive flying vessel abruptly materialized above Spirit Sword Peak. Its hull was ink-black; its bow was carved with overlapping mountain ranges, while cloud patterns flowed along its stern. The entire vessel resembled a mobile celestial palace. Though seemingly smaller than the Cloud Raiment Pavilion’s ship overall, it appeared even more exquisite.

“Holy crap!”

“So majestic!”

“As expected, money lets you do anything—even getting the Number One Beauty herself to make personal deliveries!”

“Dammit, Zhang Xian, you old thief.”

Disciples from various peaks gazed distantly at the vessel hovering mid-air; they exclaimed while looking up, their eyes filled with shock and envy.

Yun Wanqing smiled slightly towards Zhang Xian and the others. “Come aboard and take a look.”

They stepped onto the flying vessel. The deck, paved with spiritual jade, felt warm and smooth like fine fat underfoot. Spiritual patterns shimmered all around—clearly, every inch was meticulously crafted.

“This flying vessel is only half the size of the Cloud Raiment Pavilion’s one but is more fully functional,” Yun Wanqing explained. “Mine is more symbolic—large in size—but this one is practical, stronger, faster, and has lower consumption.”

She led the tour while explaining: “The vessel has a built-in spirit gathering array; daily operation requires five top-grade spirit stones to maintain normal functions, though consumption increases when using other features. It also has pre-installed offensive arrays like spirit gathering cannons, plus extremely strong defensive capabilities: the spiritual energy shield can withstand a full-power strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator.”

“The vessel is also equipped with isolation arrays and concealment arrays for hiding aura. It is extremely fast, too: from here to Jade Capital City takes only half a month.”

Zhang Xian nodded mentally. From Yunmiao Sect to Jade Capital City spanned nearly the entire Southern Region. A normal Golden Core cultivator flying on a sword would travel fast but still take at least three months; the Cloud Raiment Pavilion’s ship took a month. This speed was doubled.

“Now only the final step is left: it needs Heavenly Puppet Peak Supervisor Wei to activate and enlighten the puppet crews. Fellow Daoist Zhang Xian just needs to control the captain role among them, and the ship can sail.”

Supervisor Wei?

Zhang Xian finally realized and laughed. “Didn’t know Sister Zhiyin had skills like this.”

Li Fuxi snorted coldly. “Supervisor Wei’s multitasking secret technique is unparalleled in the Southern Region; only he can arrange such large-scale puppet teams.”

Yun Wanqing nodded, then told Zhang Xian, “This ship is already pre-loaded with a thousand top-grade spirit stones, which should last several years; remember to replace them when used up.”

Zhang Xian quickly said, “How can that be? I heard from Yun Qi you fronted a lot of money for the ship too; I should pay you.”

Yun Wanqing shook her head. “No need. Actually, calculating it, I owe you.”

Huh? The others’ gossip souls blazed fiercely.

“That won’t do; separate matters are separate,” Zhang Xian said, reaching to take out spirit stones.

“You doing this means looking down on me and not treating me as a friend,” Yun Wanqing’s tone brooked no refusal. “Say more, and I’ll get angry!”

Others: “…”

Lin Yinyin internally had a frantic monologue: Oh no! This rich lady is targeting me! My position is threatened!

Danger!!

Zhang Xian’s lines were snatched first by Yun Wanqing, so he could only stand there awkwardly.

Yun Wanqing suddenly turned, facing Li Fuxi. “Peak Master Fuxi, I have some private matters to discuss alone with Zhang Xian.”

Li Fuxi humphed, glanced at Zhang Xian with a smile that wasn’t a smile, then waved her sleeve. Spiritual energy swept up Lin Yinyin, Zhenhai, and Chen Tiexin, directly taking them off the ship.

“Master! Wait! I haven’t seen enough yet!” Lin Yinyin’s struggling voice faded away.

Yun Wanqing raised her hand and pointed; the ship’s protective grand array instantly activated, isolating it from outside observation.

The whole sect erupted!

“They activated the protective grand array!”

“Holy crap! What are they doing?”

“Shocking! Southern Region’s former Number One Beauty, Yun Wanqing, is having a private meeting with Zhang Xian on the flying vessel! Right atop Spirit Sword Peak under everyone’s watchful eyes!”

Elder Wangya stood at Guest Reception Peak, utterly dumbfounded, the teacup in his hand clattering to the ground.

Other elders cast sympathetic glances.

Just then, a clear, cold female voice suddenly rang out. “Let me see, look.”

Everyone turned and saw a woman in blue-white robes with white hair who had unknowingly appeared in front of the elders’ group. Her face was as exquisite as a painting—it was distinctly Heavenly Puppet Peak Master Su Yuanshen’s puppet.

“Elder Su Ling.” The elders were shocked. “How come you came down the mountain?”

Su Ling was the name of this puppet. In the Yunmiao Sect, seeing a puppet meant one must call it by the puppet’s name; it was common sense, just like with Sister Zhiyin. Calling it wrong invited a brutal beating—a lesson learned through blood and tears.

Su Ling said calmly, “Here to gossip.”

Su Ling looked toward the direction of Spirit Sword Peak, her tone placid. “They activated the protective grand array, so I can’t hear them talking anymore, so I came to see and look.”

Elders: “…”

“Heard Pavilion Master Yun earlier said this flying vessel was a gift to that junior and also said she owed him.” Su Ling continued. “Oh, they entered the inner cabin. Now Yun Wanqing is pouring tea.”

The elders were sweating. Su Ling, Head Teacher, don’t say it in such detail, ah. Didn’t you notice Wangya’s figure getting more and more desolate?

Liu Huaigu truly couldn’t bear it and said, “Elder Su Ling, just the key points are fine.”

Su Ling turned back and looked at him. “Huaigu, I remember this junior is currently interacting with the Qingxuan girl, right? He seems somewhat ambiguous with Pavilion Master Yun. You should go knock some sense into him.”

“Ah! That is not necessary. They are in free love; this old man doesn’t interfere much.”

“Oh? Often see you tell the Qingxuan girl, letting her—”

“Ahem, Elder Su is getting off topic. Let’s watch the flying vessel.” Liu Huaigu’s old face flushed red.

Inside the flying vessel’s inner cabin, Yun Wanqing and Zhang Xian sat opposite each other. Yun Wanqing poured a cup of tea and handed it to Zhang Xian, saying with sincere gratitude, “Fellow Daoist Zhang Xian, thank you for the pill gift.”

Zhang Xian waved his hand and laughed. “Small matter, no need to take it to heart.”

Yun Wanqing shook her head, her tone solemn. “Fellow Daoist Zhang Xian need not be so humble; this Immortal Ascension Pill’s value is immense. Now the Lingxu Sect is hosting a Pill Appreciation Conference. The Great Xia Dynasty and Treasure Green Workshop are competing for one Immortal Ascension Pill, and the bidding has reached a white-hot stage.”

“One Immortal Ascension Pill means the possibility of a Golden Core peak cultivator advancing to Nascent Soul.” She sighed softly. “My father is currently taking it. If he achieves Nascent Soul, then the Cloud Raiment Pavilion will ascend to another level.”

Zhang Xian was stunned. “You didn’t eat it yourself?”

“The Immortal Ascension Pill is good, but giving it to my father has a greater effect for the family. He has been stuck at the Golden Core peak for over three hundred years already. I have no extravagant hope of advancing to Nascent Soul myself.”

Zhang Xian was silent for a moment, then suddenly fished out another Immortal Ascension Pill from his robe and handed it over. “Then this one is for you.”

Yun Wanqing’s pupils contracted, and she quickly retreated a step. “This… how can I? Two… giving both to me… absolutely cannot accept!”

She secretly thought, Wangya’s message said he is somewhat lecherous. Him giving both Immortal Ascension Pills… mostly likely infatuated with my beauty. Must quickly cut off his thoughts.

【Ding! Yun Wanqing favorability towards you -2. Current favorability: 18.】

Zhang Xian: “?”

Damn, she thinks I am trying to pursue her, right? This overconfident woman.