A streak of light cut across the clear sky, and a white jade dragon boat sped through the air, followed closely by several celestial ships.
The boatman, whose own vessel was moving slowly, gaped in disbelief at the ships whizzing past. "How fast is that! Does flying through the mist not cost money?" he exclaimed.
"What was that that just flew past?"
"That flying ship is so fast and grand! I'll fly like that when I have money!"
...
Ling Xi sat upright in the boat, clad in a snow-white robe. The luxurious material and meticulous craftsmanship clearly displayed his extraordinary status as the Heavenly Realm's top scholar.
"Scholar, do you truly not require our assistance?" Unbeknownst to him, another celestial ship had drawn level with the white jade dragon boat. A celestial soldier cupped his hands and asked the man on the dragon boat, "Scholar, do you truly not require our assistance?"
"No assistance is needed." The man's refined features were like lofty mountains and flowing water, his lips as delicate as peach blossoms in March. His eyes held a chilling coolness, and his indifferent expression added a touch of aloofness that kept people at bay.
Seeing this, the celestial soldier glanced at the dragon boat. With the front of the boat empty, he couldn't help but break into a sweat. He bowed again, "Perhaps I could take the helm for you, Scholar?"
The celestial soldier was worried. If anything were to happen to the Scholar, the Heavenly Emperor's wrath would be severe.
It was currently the martial examination period, and the Heavenly Emperor had issued a last-minute order for them to escort the Scholar to Jiuling Palace to teach the next cohort of disciples beast taming techniques. It was rather unfortunate timing, practically forcing the Scholar to interrupt his martial examinations. Fortunately, Scholar Ling was highly capable; otherwise, who would be willing to delay their future for such troublesome matters?
"No need."
Ling Xi's expression was serene as he urged the system to speed up.
[System: Lord Ling, we are almost there. Another twenty kilometers ahead is Jiuling Palace. You and your rival are about to meet.]
Ling Xi nodded slightly, his voice a little hoarse. "Mmm," he replied indifferently.
His voice trailed off, weak and listless, as if he had just woken up. It was clear he wasn't taking it seriously.
Although the system was piloting the flying ship, to the celestial soldiers, it appeared to be unmanned. What was more remarkable was that Ling Xi showed no signs of panic. Despite the ship's incredible speed, he remained perfectly steady.
The celestial soldiers marveled: They hadn't seen a self-driving flying ship like this in a hundred years!
[System: Activating 'Wicked Map' for auto-navigation...]
Ling Xi seemed startled. The fan he was fanning himself with suddenly paused. He leaped into the air, snatching the steering device from the system. "You wretched beast, trying to harm me?" he said coldly.
Although he didn't know what this "Wicked Map" was, Ling Xi found the name itself unsettling. He felt safer piloting the ship himself.
If it weren't for completing the mission for "that ultimate being," he wouldn't have bothered traveling such a long distance.
However, he hadn't seen "that ultimate being" for the past two days, and he felt a certain emptiness, as if something were missing.
The thought of Ye Ziling, as she was that time, plucking wilted flowers under the moonlight, brought an unconscious smile to Ling Xi's lips.
[System: Current Mission: Prevent the Rival from Wooing!]
The white jade dragon boat traced a beautiful arc through the sky.
-
The summer breeze was stifling. The Weiyang Palace had an unprecedented number of disciples, all gathered around the palace, exuding an icy aura.
The weather was hot, and with the Palace Master's return, the entire palace had to be infused with the ice-cold air multiple times to lower the temperature.
In their boredom, several disciples began whispering and gossiping.
"Hey, have you heard? The Palace Master brought back a pretty boy, and they say he's from Miao territory!"
"Ah? Miao territory? How did he end up here?"
"Who knows. They say he's a delicate young man, and according to the disciples who returned, they distinctly heard the boy say he wanted to serve the Palace Master!"
"What rubbish! Does he deserve that?!"
...
Inside the Weiyang Palace, Ye Ziling looked at the fair-skinned young man kneeling before her, her hands clasped. A flicker of interest flashed in her eyes. "Speak, what kinds of Gu do you know?"
Yesterday, she had inflicted a poisonous Gu on Jing Mo and found it effective. Thus, she wanted to explore if there were any even more potent Gu.
The young man, dressed in a blue robe and a jade belt with cloud patterns, had a blush on his cheeks. His sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly as he looked up and asked, "Palace Master, you're keeping me only to create Gu?"
His attire, fitting the Central Plains style, made him appear even more handsome. Kneeling on the ground, his refined face seemed like an immortal descending from heaven amidst the swirling mist.
The young man stood straight, like a pure lotus in a pond, unblemished and unattached.
Ye Ziling, seeing his slightly disappointed expression, glanced up at him and chuckled, "Otherwise?"
Though the young man was attractive, she had seen more beautiful people and didn't find him particularly stunning.
"What's your name?"
The young man raised his eyes, his clear gaze seeming to hold the vast expanse of stars. His thin lips parted, "Shen Yan."
"How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
Ye Ziling rested her forehead on her hand, sitting on a wooden chair. Perhaps it was the stifling heat, but a wave of weariness involuntarily washed over her.
"Create three poisonous Gu each day. If you have any requirements, tell Commander Mu. You may go now," she said, closing her eyes and waving her hand.
Mu Heng, who had been dozing against the wall, was instantly startled awake. What? He still had to serve this new brat?!
"Yes." Shen Yan bowed and walked out of the hall.
Although Jing Mo was dealt with, Ye Ziling had felt a persistent twitching of her eyelid for the past two days, sensing an ominous sign.
Just then, the clamor of disciples outside disturbed her, causing her a headache. In her years at Jiuling Palace, the disciples had always been orderly.
With the hot weather and her bad mood, the outside was also so undisciplined.
"Mu Heng, go and manage the disciples," Ye Ziling rubbed her temples. Seeing Mu Heng nod and leave, she finally felt a bit calmer. However, a short while later, the noise outside grew even louder, forcing her to get up and go outside.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw a dense crowd of disciples in the long corridor, gazing at the person in the center with reverence.
Several celestial soldiers were pushed to a corner. Due to the prestige of Jiuling Palace, they dared not reprimand the disciples and could only force a smile amidst the throng. "Everyone, please don't crowd. The Scholar must be exhausted from his journey. Later... we'll have him share his experiences later..."
However, the disciples were too enthusiastic, their ears filled with noise, making it impossible to hear anything.
"Are you the beast taming Scholar from the previous session, Ling Xi? I'm also studying this subject. May I ask what the written exam covers?"
"May I ask why you, after becoming Scholar, didn't take a post in the Heavenly Realm and insisted on retaking the exam?"
"Your esteemed presence here at Jiuling Palace, is it to discuss and exchange tips for the written exam? Also, I heard your Hundred Beast Pouch contains many extinct demonic beasts. Could you sell me one?"
...
Ling Xi's eyes were placid as he walked forward, looking straight ahead. He strode out of the corridor, ignoring the disciples' questions. "Make way," he said indifferently.
The crowd parted, and they followed him relentlessly.
The moment Ye Ziling saw Ling Xi, she felt an uncomfortable sensation. She walked directly back into the hall, closing the door with a wave of her sleeve.
Ling Xi? Why was he at Jiuling Palace?
More importantly, the palace was heavily guarded; not even a fly could get in. How did he manage to enter?
Mu Heng shouted hoarsely from outside the door, "Insolence! What do you take the palace rules for? If you continue to be unruly, you'll be serving in the dungeon. Do you hear me?!"
The noisy commotion abruptly ceased, and the palace returned to its former tranquility.