Chapter 79: The Central Continent’s Leviathan Vessel!

When Cao Xuan released his cultivation, the several peak masters all cried out in shock. Only Yu Wan, who had known beforehand, revealed a hint of pride on her face; look, this is my personal disciple. As for Liu Yu’s earlier words, she also found them distasteful. What business is it of a direct disciple of Azure Cloud Peak if my two disciples are close? Besides, propriety between men and women—I am well aware of it. The two of them haven’t even kissed yet...

Yu Wan glanced at the two of them... probably. In her opinion, it was only a matter of time; what was someone from Azure Cloud Peak making a fuss about? Yu Qingsong, as the sect master, showed a trace of gratification.

“Cao Xuan, do you have a suitable magical weapon?”

“This Azure Cloud Sword—take it for now!”

He produced a flying sword, inwardly sighing that if he had met Cao Xuan ten or twenty years earlier, he might not have taken Liu Yu as his disciple at all. Instead, he’d have chosen Cao Xuan.

Cao Xuan accepted it with some delight; his own "Azure Sky Dao Sword" happened to lack a proper flying sword. To be honest, as his strength grew, the items in Qingshan Market seemed increasingly subpar—after all, they were all for the Qi Refining stage, and a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s artifacts had to be custom-made at the Artifact Refining Peak. Cao Xuan had spent the whole year cultivating alchemy and stabilizing his realm, so he hadn’t specifically acquired a magical weapon. Mainly, he thought he was about to break through to the Golden Core stage, and would just find some divine material then, and once he received the rewards, he’d forge his own life-bound treasure, saving himself the trouble.

But with the Azure Cloud Gathering about to begin, he couldn’t just show up and duel using only his [Verity Domain] technique.

“Thank you, Sect Master Uncle!”

At this, both Jin Tiehua and Liu Yu fell silent; the former was only at mid-Foundation Establishment, and the latter had just entered late Foundation Establishment. Compared to Li Yao, the difference didn’t seem so great, but Cao Xuan’s aura was approaching that of the peak masters. Who was stronger or weaker, Liu Yu was no fool—he could see for himself.

As for Xing Mengfan, she was quite the opposite of her master, Li Zhiyun—a taciturn girl, also at mid-Foundation Establishment. She merely cast a curious glance at Cao Xuan, a hint of battle fervor flashing in her eyes.

At this moment, Li Yao sensed the aura Cao Xuan exuded. Though it only lasted for a brief moment, it was enough for her to perceive what had happened. Hands on her hips, she said to Jin Tiehua, “Little Hua, if your senior sister doesn’t reply to your spirit messages in the future, you can go to your Senior Brother Cao instead—his talisman-drawing skills are far better than mine!”

Then she turned to Liu Yu and continued, “And Liu Yu, I’m now in the mid-late stage of Foundation Establishment, not the early-mid stage anymore. Please call me Senior Sister Li!”

In her view, Jin Tiehua was like a younger brother she’d grown up with. As for Liu Yu—what was he to her? Before, when her cultivation was lower, she accepted being called Junior Sister Li, but now they weren’t close, and by seniority of cultivation, she naturally deserved to be called senior sister. Cao Xuan, however, was her little junior brother and couldn’t escape her grasp. All things considered, she was the eldest senior sister of this Azure Cloud generation!

Liu Yu’s face flushed. First, he was suppressed by Cao Xuan’s aura, and now Li Yao showed him no respect. He was left feeling rather embarrassed and finally snorted without replying.

Such is life: it begins with appearances and ends with character. Originally, Liu Yu had entertained some notions as Li Yao transformed from a gentle scholar to an alluring, commanding woman. But seeing her now, arm in arm with Cao Xuan, any such thoughts vanished instantly.

At that moment, a thunderous roar echoed—a massive whale breached the cloud sea!

“The Central State’s Whale-Jiao Vessel has arrived; everyone board!”

As soon as the sect master finished speaking, Liu Yu leapt onto the Whale-Jiao Vessel ahead of everyone.

Cao Xuan gazed curiously at the huge whale, its back covered in pavilions and towers. Even with Liu Yu claiming a room, plenty of rooms remained. Following the others aboard, Li Yao, noticing his curiosity, smiled and explained, “This is the Whale-Jiao Vessel to Central State. Usually, only when Uncle Yu travels there does it appear.”

“Senior sister, this is my first time riding it too!”

Yu Wan chimed in, “This whale-jiao has a trace of dragon blood, and its power has reached late-stage Golden Core. Only sects in Central State can afford to keep such a beast!”

As she spoke, a trace of longing crossed her face. Once, their junior uncle Xian Xiangqiu had also traveled to Central State on this very vessel. In all of Cloud Province, this whale-jiao was nigh invincible.

“In the thirteen provinces of the Eastern Wilderness, Cloud Province is middle-ranked. With this whale-jiao escorting us, the journey will be safe,” Yuan Dan, the master of the Alchemy Peak, explained to Cao Xuan. Over the past year, Cao Xuan had spent much time at the Alchemy Peak and was considered half a disciple there.

“This vessel is exclusive to the Xuanhua Dao Sect. Even Nascent Soul cultivators give it due respect when they see it!”

Soon, everyone chose their own rooms. Since the vessel was sent to escort them to Central State for the Azure Cloud Gathering, there were no other passengers, so they could pick as they wished.

With another thunderous roar, the whale-jiao soared into the sky.

Cao Xuan and the others waved from the deck, bidding farewell to the sect master. As all the peak masters were heading to Central State in search of a breakthrough to the Golden Core, the sect master had to remain to watch over Azure Cloud Sect.

As the Azure Cloud Mountains slowly shrank in the distance, the whale-jiao ascended rapidly, plunging into the cloud sea, prompting shouts of surprise from Li Yao and Ye Caixuan. Foundation Establishment cultivators could ride their artifacts to fly, but seldom soared so high.

After a time, as the vessel glided above the endless clouds, everyone gradually lost interest in the scenery. Yu Wan smiled at Cao Xuan and Li Yao and said, “It will take about a month to reach Central State from here. You may all use this time to cultivate in your cabins.”

Pausing, she added, “Each cabin is equipped with a warding formation. If you need to enter seclusion... to cultivate, remember to activate it.”

She deliberately emphasized “cultivate.” In her view, there was nothing wrong with Cao Xuan and Li Yao’s dual cultivation method, but for some reason, she still felt it best not to let others see.

“Well, it is a unique method—better not to spread it around!” she consoled herself inwardly.

Li Yao, not catching her meaning, replied carelessly, “Got it!”

But Cao Xuan understood his master’s hint and nodded, responding, “Understood, Master.”

Yu Wan was gratified that Cao Xuan understood, yet also exasperated as she glared at Li Yao, who was as oblivious as ever.

...

Back in his cabin, Cao Xuan did not, as Yu Wan imagined, immediately pull Li Yao in for cultivation. On the contrary, when Li Yao wanted to enter, he refused, saying he was inspired and wished to enter seclusion for a while. Li Yao pouted but respected his wishes.

“There’s still some time before reaching Central State—just enough to enhance my cultivation,” Cao Xuan mused, lightly tapping on the system panel suspended in the air. A single Foundation Establishment Cultivation Pill dropped into his hands.