Nighttime Wanderings by Candlelight

Cheng Zhaolu and Yao Xiaoyan tidied up the stewpot, bowls, and chopsticks. One genuinely enjoyed such chores; the other, young as she was, had already resolved to become a virtuous wife and mother. As for sword practice, to a Sword Immortal Embryo from the Sword Qi Great Wall, it was as ordinary as eating, drinking, and sleeping. None of them would slack off. It was much like scholars in the Vast Heaven and Earth studying for official honors: simply the natural thing to do.

Chen Ping'an rose and handed his bowls and chopsticks to Cheng Zhaolu, then looked up. It really was a Cross-Continent Ferry bound for Tongye Continent. The tower ship's design had an ethereal air. Spiritual Energy curled around it, as though painted women in colorful robes stood amid the clouds, sleeves and sashes fluttering. Chen Ping'an focused and looked closer. Sure enough, the ferry's walls bore paintings made by immortal family methods: flying dragon maidens, water immortals, and Electric Mothers, their eyes brought to life by mountain adepts. Every figure was a woman, vivid as life. Having learned his lesson at Creation Cave, Chen Ping'an immediately withdrew his gaze. Sure enough, one dragon maiden in the mural seemed to sense someone spying from afar. Her eyes swept about, but she could not follow that faint trace to the Talisman Boat far out at sea. After a moment, the divine light in her eyes faded and she returned to stillness. Only her colored sash continued to stream a hundred zhang behind her.

Chen Ping'an adjusted his bamboo hat and rubbed his chin. This ingenious Mountain Water Formation helped the ferry cross stretches thin in Spiritual Energy and pass through thunder, lightning, clouds, and rain without too much rocking. It looked beautiful and ethereal, but it was practical too,