Qin Wangchuan stood upon the Flying Ship's deck, his black-and-gold robes snapping loudly in the gale wind.
The entire Xuanxiao-class Sky Patrol Boat shimmered with deep-blue Spirit Patterns, while thirty-six pairs of wing-shaped World-Breaking Sails along its sides slowly folded inward—
This was the newest generation of Qin Clan Flying Ships, personally developed by Third Sister Qin Qingni and already entering large-scale use.
Though it could not compare to the Sky Patrol Throne she spoke of, its performance was beyond question.
"Young Master, something is following us." The bell beside Ye Jianwei's ear rang without wind. With a light tap of her fingertip against empty space, ripples revealed a Giant Beast as massive as a mountain.
Qin Wangchuan looked over.
The Cloud-Swallowing Beast resembled a qilin, yet possessed six wings. Clouds and mist constantly spewed from the gaps between its scales.
At that moment, it was closely trailing the Flying Ship from ten li behind.
"Reporting to Young Master, it is a Cloud-Swallowing Beast." A guard clasped his fists as he reported. "This beast usually lies dormant in the Cloud Sea and specifically targets lone Flying Ships. When ordinary cultivators encounter it, scarcely one in ten survives—"
He raised his eyes toward the roiling cloud mass behind them and gave a scornful laugh. "But with that little speed of its, it cannot even touch the tail sails of our Qin Clan Flying Ship. In a moment, it will know better and retreat on its own."
Before his words had faded, another guard beside him stepped forward, cold light flashing in his eyes. "If Young Master dislikes it, this subordinate will simply kill it."
"No rush." Qin Wangchuan raised a hand to stop him, his gaze falling on the newly installed diamond-shaped crystal by the Flying Ship's porthole—it was the "Spirit Light Cannon" developed by Third Sister.
"Try this."
"Charge it." At Qin Wangchuan's command, a thunderous roar of meshing mechanical gears rose from beneath the Flying Ship.
Twelve seams suddenly split open along both sides of the deck, revealing the rotating Spirit Gathering Arrays within.
Like living creatures, those arrays reorganized themselves, assembling around the diamond-shaped crystal in the blink of an eye to form a colossal cannon muzzle three zhang wide.
As if sensing danger, the Cloud-Swallowing Beast abruptly spread its six wings and tried to turn away.
Yet a blinding point of white light flared from the cannon muzzle, and then the entire world was dyed a miserable blue-green.
"Boom—!"
When the beam pierced through the clouds, it actually gave a shriek like a dragon's roar.
The Cloud-Swallowing Beast did not even have time to cry out. Half its body vaporized outright, while the remainder exploded into a rain of blood beneath the aftershock.
The beam did not slow, blasting a distant mountain peak into rubble.
"The power is a little lacking." Qin Wangchuan watched the gradually melting rocks, lightly tapping his fingers. "But..."
"This issue can be solved by increasing the caliber."
Not now, but if the caliber were made ten times, twenty times, even a hundred times larger than it was now...
Perhaps I could invest in Third Sister?
Just as he was pondering this, a surge of Sword Intent suddenly swept toward him.
Where the clouds dispersed, a Giant Sword ten thousand zhang long pierced straight into the heavens, the black iron chains wrapped around its blade clanging sharply in the wind.
They had already entered the Li Clan's territory.
After sailing for some time longer, they finally arrived at the Li Clan.
As the Flying Ship passed through the final barrier, the entire Sword Domain suddenly opened wide.
Nine towering sword peaks stood arranged in the pattern of the celestial Zhou Tian stars. Above every peak hung an upside-down Ancient Sword a thousand zhang long, the black iron chains dangling from their tassels colliding in the gale wind with the clamor of weapons—
It was the famed Nine Luminaries World-Suppressing Sword Array of the Heavenly Sword Li Clan.
Many Sword Cultivators renowned across the world came here in admiration, comprehending the sword upon it.
At the highest point in the center, a crimson Giant Sword actually hung down from the void of the heavens. Boundless Sword Intent radiated from its blade, upon which the two words "Heavenly Sword" were carved.
The Sword Intent contained within those characters made Qin Wangchuan nod in satisfaction. "I did not come to the wrong place."
Several azure sword-rainbows guided the Flying Ship onward.
As if sensing something, he lifted his gaze and saw a graceful white figure descend lightly along the chains, fluttering robes making her seem like an Exiled Immortal descending into the mortal world.
"Wangchuan."
Li Qingluan lightly tapped the deck with the tips of her feet. The instant she landed, even the gale winds howling around the Flying Ship fell still.
She wore a moon-white, wide-sleeved Flowing Immortal Dress. Her features were picturesque, her brows like distant mountains touched with dark paint.
Her phoenix eyes were cool and clear as water, giving her whole person a cold, breathtaking air beyond the dust of the world.
Yet when those ice-crystal-like eyes fell upon Qin Wangchuan, the chill mist in their depths suddenly melted away—like a red plum suddenly blooming atop a ten-thousand-zhang icy cliff. Even the Qingfeng sword at her waist began to hum with delight.
"Was your journey smooth?" she asked softly.
Before Qin Wangchuan could answer, Li Qingluan had already taken out a Snow Handkerchief from her sleeve and gently brushed it over him.
It was unclear what scent he had carried when he arrived, but now his nose was filled entirely with the crisp fragrance of cold plum blossoms from her body.
"You picked up some dust."
The Flying Ship was surrounded by arrays. How could dust possibly have settled on him?
Before Qin Wangchuan could speak, he discovered that Li Qingluan had already extended her cool, soft hand toward him.
"?"
He looked at her in puzzlement, only to hear Li Qingluan reply with an unchanged expression, "The Li Clan is very large."
Of course I know it is large, but what does holding out your hand mean?
Though they were indeed engaged, holding hands was nothing much.
But...
She seems to have become even stranger ever since our relationship was announced?
Qin Wangchuan thought this, yet as he lowered his head, he caught the fleeting curve of Li Qingluan's lips.
"Come. Do not keep the Old Ancestor waiting too anxiously."
Qin Wangchuan let her lead him, lowering his eyes to look at their clasped hands—Li Qingluan's fingers were slender and long, her knuckles distinct, carrying a trace of coolness. The warmth where their palms touched neatly offset it.
Sunlight passed through the wind chimes beneath the eaves of the Sword Pavilion, scattering fragments of luminous haze across her hair.
The young woman walked with light steps, her skirt rippling like waves.
In the distance, nine world-suppressing Ancient Swords rose and fell within the Cloud Sea, their chains swaying gently in the wind. In the morning light, they stirred up faint sounds of gold and jade, as though time itself were lightly knocking.
What a picture of tranquil years.
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