Tong Ke was long used to Zhang Yuan ignoring her words. Rather than getting annoyed, she answered:
"Here's the thing. This magic ship bound for the Mysterious Court was originally reserved for core disciples of the Azure Talisman Grotto-Heaven and the Spirit Emperor Blessed Land on diplomatic missions to the Mysterious Court. But both organizations have been strapped for funds lately. After discussions between Master, the other elders, and several seniors from the Spirit Emperor Blessed Land, they unanimously decided to turn this dedicated vessel into a merchant ship and sell tickets. That's why we were delayed for a night."
Zhang Yuan listened quietly, understanding dawning within him.
Strapped for funds? Selling tickets? All excuses. The real reason was probably me.
Even with Tong Ke vouching for him, the Azure Talisman Grotto-Heaven and the Spirit Emperor Blessed Land had remained wary after learning of his existence. After all, Celestial Persons from the Dust-Dyed Realm possessed divine abilities that could cloud the minds of Lower Cultivators. That was hardly a secret in the Five Realms Heavens.
The true purpose of turning the magic ship into a merchant vessel was presumably to muddy the waters. With not only disciples from their two organizations aboard, but cultivators from every faction in the Boundless Southern Heaven Realm as well, they hoped to make him hesitate to throw a stone for fear of smashing the vase, keeping him from slaughtering everyone aboard.
And in the calculations of Shangxian True Person, Baihui True Person, and the others, even if he truly did go on a killing spree, it would no longer be a matter involving only their two organizations. Every faction backing the passengers would issue warrants for him and hunt him down.
The whole point was to guard against a thief.
*A clever move. It