Chapter 275: Purple Profound Immortal

Xu Qing walked on the eighth bridge leading to Seven Blood Eyes. Beneath the bridge, river water, rich with spiritual energy, flowed swiftly.

Above the bridge, the red twilight was fading.

Xu Qing gazed at the slowly approaching nightfall, at the emerging bright moon, then gradually withdrew his gaze. He walked back to the main city of Seven Blood Eyes and went to Zhang San.

On his way back, he had received a message from Zhang San, informing him that his Dharma boat had been completed.

Xu Qing had felt a bit unaccustomed to not having his Dharma boat. So, upon returning to the main city, even though night had fallen, he immediately went to find Zhang San.

In the courtyard of Zhang San's Transport Department, Xu Qing saw his Dharma boat.

The boat's hull, over six hundred zhang long, was astonishing to behold. While it bore some resemblance to its previous form, it also had distinct differences, most notably in its bow and stern.

The bow was no longer a sea dragon, but had transformed into a massive, featureless face, like a black iron mask.

As for the stern, it was clear that the giant vessel they had visited earlier had inspired Zhang San, as he had designed nine tails for it.

Although much smaller, each tail was infused with spell formations, possessing different powers.

The eight sails had also been augmented into sixteen, becoming both more numerous and larger.

"Xu Qing, your Dharma boat has reached the pinnacle of the Dharma Lead tier, essentially a half-step Dharma Soar," Zhang San said, standing on the boat. Though his expression was tired, his tone remained proud.

"All the techniques I've developed have been applied to this. Not only can it fly, dive, and sail, but it can also transform into a mask for storage."

Xu Qing's expression was solemn. He clasped his fists and bowed deeply to Zhang San.

"Although the cost this time was enormous, the revenue from South Phoenix Continent's port is sufficient to cover it."

"Furthermore, I've specifically developed a self-detonation capability for it. To be honest, my main focus was on how to maximize its power after self-detonation."

"After my adjustments, your Dharma boat can withstand multiple self-detonations. It has three layers of hull, which is plenty for you to use for self-detonation," Zhang San said, glancing at Xu Qing.

Hearing this, Xu Qing listened even more intently.

"It contains a good amount of divinity and immense power. Once fully activated, even a three-flame combatant wouldn't be able to damage it in the slightest."

"Its only current lack is a soul, which is why I left the faceless bow."

"As for the soul, the sect's cultivation methods already describe it. I know you cultivate the Fiery Soul Devourer Scripture, and so do I. Do you remember the description in the scripture about how, once mastered, you can suppress a wisp of an enemy's soul within each Dharma Aperture?"

"After mastery, once you've suppressed enemy souls in all your Dharma Apertures, you can gather them together and channel them into the Dharma boat to form its soul, elevating it to a Dharma Battleship!"

Zhang San's eyes shone with intense light. "This is the first ship I've built that comes infinitely close to a Dharma Battleship. Xu Qing, when you eventually detonate it, remember to pick up some wreckage when you clear the battlefield. Don't just leave everything; if you bring things back, I can better understand my shortcomings." Zhang San looked at Xu Qing.

Xu Qing was also deeply impressed by the Dharma boat Zhang San had created. Hearing this, he nodded heavily, feeling that Zhang San's words made perfect sense. He then discussed some details with Zhang San before bidding farewell and leaving.

It wasn't until he watched Xu Qing walk far away that Zhang San yawned, a deeper weariness surfacing. He hadn't rested much lately, having dedicated his time to building the Dharma boat for Xu Qing.

On one hand, it was due to their friendship. On the other, Zhang San felt an itch in his heart; he truly hoped that the Dharma boat he built would showcase the impact of his design after Xu Qing's major battles and detonations.

"Last time, my technique wasn't mature enough. This time, it won't be like that," Zhang San said proudly, puffing on his pipe as he headed back to rest.

Xu Qing departed feeling very satisfied. He felt that Zhang San truly shouldn't be in the Transport Department, as his craftsmanship had reached a remarkable level.

However, Zhang San was clearly content with his current life. Although his cultivation progress was slow, Xu Qing could feel Zhang San's satisfaction; it seemed that for him, as long as Xu Qing and the Captain grew stronger, he could rest easy.

"I must repay him handsomely when I get the chance!" Xu Qing murmured, heading towards the harbor.

During the early stages of the new city's construction, he had already chosen a berth for himself. Arriving now, he docked the Dharma boat. As the waves rose and fell, Xu Qing swayed slightly and stepped aboard, activating the concealment feature before returning to the cabin.

Looking around, everything was no different from his previous Dharma boat.

Xu Qing sat down cross-legged, content. Amidst the gentle swaying of the boat, his heart slowly calmed, gradually freeing itself from the lingering influence of that past dream.

He meditated for a long time. When it was late at night, Xu Qing opened his eyes, ending his day's cultivation. After checking on the batch of small black bugs that had eaten the immortal jelly, finding them still in slumber, Xu Qing began studying the spells taught by Seventh Grandmaster.

Xu Qing was very serious and diligent about his cultivation.

Thus, time passed, and soon three days had gone by.

During these three days, Xu Qing did not leave his Dharma boat or go to the Security Special Division. His entire focus was immersed in cultivation and the study of cultivation methods, and his 102nd Dharma Aperture also began to loosen.

It wasn't until the night of the third day that Xu Qing, who was meditating, slowly opened his eyes. Helplessly, he rose and walked out of the cabin, looking out from the boat into the night.

The Captain was squatting there, throwing apples at Xu Qing's Dharma boat.

Because of the boat's defenses and the Captain's peculiar abilities, the apples, upon hitting the barrier, did not shatter but bounced back.

Catching one, he took a bite, then threw it again, seemingly having a great time. Noticing Xu Qing walk out, the Captain waved.

"Little Ah Qing, are you busy tonight?"

Xu Qing glanced at the half-eaten apple in the Captain's hand and nodded. "No, I'm not."

"Good, if you're not busy, come with me to do something big. I'm short on money recently, so I plan to sell Foolish Huang's finger back to him. We already agreed; he went to gather the money, and the transaction is tonight." The Captain's eyes sparkled as he spoke in a low voice.

"Come with me. I accompanied you when you went back home a while ago," the Captain coughed.

Xu Qing stepped out of the Dharma boat and onto the shore, then asked, "Where's the transaction?"

"At the foot of Mount Xuan You Sect." Seeing Xu Qing agree, the Captain happily stood up, handed Xu Qing an apple, and slung an arm around his shoulder, speaking mysteriously.

"Little Ah Qing, you and your Senior Brother are still the best of friends. That fellow, Old Third, vanished as soon as he heard me talk about this. Don't worry, Senior Brother cares for you. I'm currently pondering a big plan, and we'll do it together then."

"Aren't you afraid of a trap by trading there?" Xu Qing asked.

The Captain's eyes gleamed with excitement. He whispered, "I'm looking forward to it too."

"Besides, if you're with me, if something really happens, the old man will definitely come. If I were alone, he probably wouldn't bother," the Captain winked.

Xu Qing gave the Captain a deep look and nodded.

Soon, the two departed the harbor under the cover of night, heading straight for the city district of Xuan You Sect. They traveled at great speed, arriving at the foot of Mount Xuan You Sect at midnight, the agreed meeting place for the Captain and Huang Yikun.

There was a pavilion there, and not far away was the mountain gate of Xuan You Sect.

In the night, the mountain gate of Xuan You Sect towered into the clouds. Although there were scattered lights, it was mostly dark. Especially noteworthy was a statue on the mountain peak; silhouetted against the moon, its outline was remarkably clear.

It was a statue of an ancient Emperor of Xuan You, standing on the peak, gazing towards the Forbidden Sea.

Even from a distance, Xu Qing could feel the terrifying pressure emanating from the statue; it was clearly extraordinary.

The entire Xuan You mountain gate filled Xu Qing with a sense of mystery.

After all, the Seventh Peak, in a true sense, was formed from a branch of Xuan You Sect back then. Their cultivation methods also shared similarities. Moreover, the current Alliance Leader also originated from Xuan You Sect and was the Senior Brother of this generation's Old Ancestor.

As for this generation's Old Ancestor, Xu Qing had glimpsed him from afar at Seven Blood Eyes that day, but his features were obscured and unclear.

As Xu Qing was gazing at it, the Captain, squatting nearby, spoke in a low voice. "By my reckoning, Foolish Huang should be arriving soon." Xu Qing withdrew his gaze and waited with the Captain.

Time slowly passed. After the time it took for an incense stick to burn, Huang Yikun's figure did not appear, and the Captain raised an eyebrow.

As he took out a jade slip to send a message and inquire, they failed to notice a figure approaching from outside the Alliance in the sky.

This figure moved incredibly fast, silently entering the Alliance's formation. In a single stride, it arrived outside Xuan You Sect's mountain gate, just about to ascend to the peak. It seemed to notice Xu Qing and the Captain at the foot of the mountain, paused in the sky, and looked down.

After this pause, its appearance was revealed.

It was a woman of enchanting charm.

Her long black hair cascaded down her back, gently tied with a pink ribbon. She wore a shimmering purple starry gown, radiant with light, enveloped by a soft mist like a celestial being, not of the mortal world.

The woman had a pale, pear-blossom complexion and a slender, willow-like waist. Her eyebrows were slightly furrowed yet not quite, like faint smoke, and her eyes, though seemingly joyful, held a hint of affection. At first glance, she appeared as a young girl, but upon closer inspection, her deep, profound eyes suggested the wisdom of a young woman.

It seemed there was nothing in this world she didn't know. As if with a single gesture, she could understand your thoughts. She had experienced everything you had, and her life was richer than any you could imagine.

Now in the sky, her gaze fell upon the foot of the mountain, specifically on Xu Qing. She chuckled softly and began to walk.

One step in mid-air, the next at the mountain's foot. As she arrived, an indescribably vast pressure invisibly spread from her, causing Xu Qing and the Captain's expressions to change drastically. Just as they were about to retreat, a soft murmur came from the sky.

"Don't move."

Just one sentence, like a decree, caused the Captain's body to tremble. He recognized her as the Old Ancestor of Xuan You Sect, whose Daoist title was Immortal Zixuan.

Xu Qing didn't know her identity, but his heart pounded wildly. He found himself unable to move even an inch. He could only watch as the enchanting woman walked directly towards him, completely ignoring the Captain, a fragrant breeze wafting from her.

Her flawless face radiated a breathtaking and mature beauty. Within her eyes, lines of Daoist essence flowed, revealing the intent of a hunter spotting its prey.

In Xu Qing's intense nervousness, the woman's gaze fell on his eyes, slowly tracing down to his mouth, then to his collarbone, his chest, and finally to his abdomen.

Her gaze seemed to stretch out, elegant and slow.

Finally, she raised a finger, gently lifted Xu Qing's chin, and exhaled a breath like orchids. "Little one, we meet again. Coming to Xuan You Sect so late, are you lost?"