Chapter 71: Crown Prince Tianzhi and Daoist Bichen

“You ungrateful little beast!” Su Miaoqing snapped, raising her hand to strike. “We save your life, and you repay us with a bite?”

“Stay your hand, Junior Sister,” Elder Lingxu interjected, chuckling as he blocked her path with his horsetail whisk. “This isn’t aggression. Junior Brother Yifeng has stumbled upon a great fortune. This spirit beast is recognizing him as its master—a repayment for saving its life.”

Su Miaoqing paused, looking closer. The small white snake had indeed bitten Xiao Yifeng, but it hadn’t torn flesh or drawn blood in anger. It held on just long enough to break the skin.

A moment later, a complex, ancient rune manifested on the snake’s forehead, glowing with ethereal light. The serpent released its grip and floated in mid-air, locking eyes with Xiao Yifeng. The connection was forged. With a flash of light, the snake dissolved into a streak of energy and shot into Xiao Yifeng’s shoulder, leaving behind a tattoo-like mark.

“It is done,” Lingxu nodded, stroking his beard. “Though it successfully transcended the tribulation, the process took a heavy toll. It has fallen to the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage and will need time to recover. However, its life form has fundamentally evolved. Treat it well, Junior Brother. In the future, it will be your greatest aid.”

“I understand, Senior Brother,” Xiao Yifeng replied respectfully. He rubbed his shoulder, then bowed to the old Daoist. “Senior Brother, I have a request. Could you transport the Divine Tree root and the Spirit Turtle shell back to Wuya Hall immediately? They are too precious to carry around. I will stay here and look after Senior Sister.”

Lingxu hesitated. “Very well. I will take these treasures back to the sect for planting and then return for you. Wait here, and do not wander off! I will be back within three days.”

Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing nodded their heads vigorously, looking like obedient children.

“Don’t worry, Senior Brother,” they said in unison. “We won’t move an inch. We’ll be right here waiting for you.”

Reassured by their earnest expressions, Lingxu swept up the massive root and the turtle shell. With a flash of green light, he vanished toward the horizon.

The two stood like statues, watching the sky.

They waited for the time it took to burn half a stick of incense, ensuring the old Daoist was truly gone. Then, they exchanged a glance. A silent understanding passed between them.

Instantly, two streaks of light shot into the sky, flying in the exact opposite direction of Wuya Hall.

“Senior Brother Lingxu is way too easy to fool,” Su Miaoqing’s voice drifted back on the wind, filled with mirth.

“Of everyone in Wuya Hall, he’s the most honest,” Xiao Yifeng agreed, accelerating. “Eldest Senior Brother looks honest, but he’s actually a fox. Lingxu is the real deal.”

Three days later, on the edge of the Bohai Sea.

A majestic fleet cut through the waves. At the center of the formation sailed a colossal vessel, flanked by smaller escort ships. Banners snapped in the wind, blotting out the sun, projecting an aura of imperial might.

The flagship was a floating fortress, rising five stories high. Its hull, painted ink-black, stretched over 130 feet in length and rose 30 feet above the waterline. The interior walls were lined with white jade, and massive metal rings reinforced the hull on both sides.

Hanging from the bow was a golden plaque inscribed with three ancient seal characters: Heavenly Dragon Kingdom.

On the highest deck, a young man stood gazing at the ocean. He was handsome and dignified, with an air of heroic spirit, yet his brow was furrowed with worry. He was surrounded by a dozen heavily armored guards and an elderly man in Daoist robes.

The guards were tense, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of an ambush.

“Crown Prince Tianzhi,” the old Daoist spoke softly. “We have reached the Bohai waters. Just a little further, and we will enter the territory of the Yuanhai Kingdom. We must increase our speed. The danger is not yet passed.”

“I am no longer the Crown Prince, Immortal Bichen,” the young man replied with a bitter smile. “I apologize for dragging you into this mess. I only hope we can reach our destination safely… or at the very least, ensure Yuge is delivered.”

“Alert!”

A lookout shouted, pointing to the sky. “Two streaks of light approaching fast!”

The guards instantly drew their blades and nocked arrows. Warning bells clamored across the deck. All eyes turned to the two beams of spiritual light streaking across the sky.

Originally, the lights were set to pass them by. But noticing the commotion below, the lights banked and turned toward the fleet.

On the deck, tension spiked. The soldiers looked to the Daoist for guidance.

“Immortal Bichen,” Zhang Tianzhi asked respectfully, “Can you sense their strength? Are they friend or foe?”

Daoist Bichen narrowed his eyes, extending his spiritual sense. “They are fast… their Qi is condensed. They appear to be Foundation Establishment cultivators, roughly on par with my own cultivation.”

“How should we handle this?” a general asked, his hand gripping his sword hilt.

“They likely aren’t assassins,” Bichen analyzed. “Assassins wouldn’t approach so openly. They are probably passing cultivators looking for a place to rest. Let them land. Offending them would be unwise.”

Zhang Tianzhi nodded and waved his hand. The general signaled the troops, and the guards lowered their weapons, though they remained vigilant.

The two streaks of light circled the fleet once before descending toward the flagship. They landed lightly on the deck, the light fading to reveal a young man and woman.

A collective gasp went through the crew.

The man was tall and handsome, with an air of refined nobility. The woman was breathtaking, her beauty ethereal, like a fairy descended from the Moon Palace. They were a striking pair, the kind of “Immortal Couple” mortals only heard about in legends.

Daoist Bichen noticed something else: their attire was exquisite, woven from spiritual silk, and they radiated the faint shimmer of high-grade Dharma Treasures. These were not vagrants.

It was, of course, Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing. They had taken a detour specifically to throw Lingxu off their trail.

Seeing the crew staring at them, Xiao Yifeng cupped his hands politely. “Greetings. I am Xiao Yifeng. My Senior Sister and I were passing through and did not mean to cause alarm. We simply wished to ask—is this the territory of the Yuanhai Kingdom?”

Zhang Tianzhi stepped forward. Seeing their extraordinary appearance and polite demeanor, his guard lowered. He also saw an opportunity.

“Fellow Daoist, there is no need for such formality,” Zhang Tianzhi smiled, returning the salute. “I am Zhang Tianzhi. You are correct; these are the waters near the Yuanhai Kingdom. Are you heading there? We happen to be traveling to the same destination. If you don’t mind the slower pace, you are welcome to join us.”

Before Xiao Yifeng could decline, Su Miaoqing’s eyes lit up. She tugged on his sleeve.

“Xiao Feng, let’s go with them,” she whispered, pouting slightly. “I’m sick of flying. It’s exhausting staring at the same water for days.”

Xiao Yifeng considered it.

If Senior Brother Lingxu returns to the island and finds us gone, he will sweep the skies with his Divine Sense. But he might not check a mortal vessel. Hiding our aura on a ship is the perfect camouflage.

“In that case,” Xiao Yifeng nodded to the Prince, “we would be honored to tag along. Thank you for your hospitality.”

Zhang Tianzhi couldn’t take his eyes off Su Miaoqing. Her beauty was dazzling, her energy vibrant and untamed. Hearing they would stay, he was overjoyed.

“Excellent! Men, prepare the finest guest quarters immediately!” he ordered. Then, gesturing to the cabin, “Two Immortal Masters, please, come inside for tea.”

The two cultivators leaped effortlessly to the upper deck, landing beside the Prince and the Daoist.

“Greetings, Fellow Daoist,” Xiao Yifeng said, nodding to Bichen.

Bichen returned the bow. “Greetings.”

“Please,” Zhang Tianzhi laughed heartily, leading the way. “Let us talk inside.”

The group entered the main cabin. The interior was resplendent, decorated with gold and rare woods, exuding luxury and wealth. It was a palace on the water.

After they were seated and tea was served, Daoist Bichen stroked his beard, his eyes sharp. “You two have achieved such cultivation at such a young age. You must hail from a prestigious sect. May I ask which great mountain you descend from?”

Xiao Yifeng exchanged a glance with Su Miaoqing. He smiled, calm and impenetrable. “We are from a small, insignificant sect. There is no need to mention it. We are all just seekers of the Dao; why worry about titles?”

Bichen saw the deflection and didn’t press. He tried a different angle. “And what brings you to the Yuanhai Kingdom? If it is convenient to ask.”

“We are visiting relatives on behalf of a friend,” Xiao Yifeng lied smoothly.

They chatted for a while longer. Xiao Yifeng remained watertight, answering every question with polite vagueness until he finally pleaded fatigue.

Zhang Tianzhi took the hint. He summoned a maid to escort them to a spacious VIP suite on the fourth floor.