Chapter 478: Extreme Joy Flower

Human cultivators are now a rare sight in Fenghai County. Under the unified command of the Sword-Wielding Courts across various states, most have journeyed to the two battlefields in the northwest, fighting to protect Fenghai County. For human sects and factions, this wasn't merely about sending their most powerful members; rather, almost their entire strength had been mobilized, leaving behind only a remnant to preserve the sect's hope.

Thus, at this port in Chaoxia State, Xu Qing observed that most of the cultivators present were non-human. These non-human races typically resided in Fenghai County, having enjoyed a degree of human protection for countless years. While this protection wasn't substantial, it ultimately prevented their expulsion from the county, granting them a place to reside.

However, recalling their myriad excuses and outright refusal when asked to send their strong to participate in the war, Xu Qing shook his head. While he could understand these non-humans, recognizing their belief that the war had no bearing on their race and that it mattered little who governed Fenghai County, he understood why they saw no reason to exert themselves. From their perspective, this might not be incorrect. Yet, Xu Qing was no saint burdened by compassion for all races; his own stance ensured he harbored no goodwill towards these non-humans.

Among these non-humans, Xu Qing particularly noticed the Yanmiao clan. The Yanmiao clan wasn't exclusive to deserts; the abyssal sea of Chaoxia State was shrouded in mist, and any misty environment was suitable for their habitation. Their bodies were composed of mist, making it difficult to discern their gender or precise form without intimate knowledge. One could only perceive clusters of misty shadows drifting around the port's docks, moving to and fro as if searching for something. Alongside them, a peculiar type of black puppet also accompanied the Yanmiao clan. These puppets were riddled with numerous fissures, allowing the Yanmiao to parasitize and control them.

Xu Qing, perched atop the turtle, naturally drew the attention of the Yanmiao clan's scouts. His peculiar setup—a headless turtle with a fist-sized barnacle parasitizing its tail—would have appeared quite odd in isolation. However, amidst the diverse cultivators at the dock, his presence wasn't jarring, especially when compared to other strangely shaped non-humans—some of whom were even riding on corpses.

Xu Qing harbored a deep animosity towards the Yanmiao clan. Their behavior in the desert had been overtly malicious, and the fragment of the Great World where Chu Tianqun had fought him was, in fact, borrowed from this very clan. Xu Qing had later calculated the timing: when he encountered Chu Tianqun, he was merely an hour's journey from the county capital's borders. That crucial hour, he realized, had been precisely engineered by the Yanmiao clan to delay him.

Knowing this was a covert investigation, he suppressed his killing intent after a brief glance, choosing to ignore them. Instead, he settled back onto the stone lion, still shapeshifted into a turtle, and quietly awaited the ferry's arrival at the dock. Soon after, the Yanmiao clan, having found nothing from their search, swiftly departed to continue their efforts at other docks.

Xu Qing paid no mind to their objectives, but he did overhear numerous non-human cultivators at his dock quietly discussing the Yanmiao's departure.

"The Yanmiao clan has been searching for days, and no one knows what exactly they're after. I hear they're not just combing the port, but also the abyssal sea itself."

"Officially, they claim to be seeking the abundant remains scattered across Chaoxia State after the sun's collapse. However, over countless eons, human and other factions have long since located and recovered all such remnants. There haven't been any recorded discoveries of new sun flesh for the past millennium."

"It's unlikely they're after those long-vanished sun remains. I have a hunch they're trying to find and prevent someone from entering Chaoxia State."

Xu Qing appeared pensive, casting a glance towards the distant Yanmiao clan.

An hour later, as the number of non-humans awaiting the ferry at the dock grew considerably, a mournful wail echoed from the mist-shrouded abyssal sea in the distance. The non-humans on the dock all turned to look. Accompanying the sound were gusts of chilling wind. The wind swept from the abyssal sea into the port, and within the churning mist, several bizarrely shaped colossal vessels gradually materialized.

Their designs fell into two distinct categories. One type resembled colossal swallows, thousands of *zhang* in length, adorned with exquisite and luxurious pavilions on their backs. They were attended by numerous sweet-faced, gracefully slender maidens with rabbit ears. Xu Qing's gaze swept over them, recognizing them as members of the Spirit Rabbit clan. This was a numerous clan, yet it possessed no inherent territory of its own, with its members scattered across several states, surviving by attaching themselves to powerful major clans.

The other type of colossal vessel, perhaps not truly a 'boat,' more closely resembled enormous leaves. Beneath them, four slender, pole-like legs extended deep into the abyssal mist. These 'leaf-vessels,' roughly a hundred *zhang* in size, were far simpler in design than the swallow-boats and significantly outnumbered them, comprising approximately ninety percent of the total.

Upon their arrival, cultivators at the various docks promptly ascended, selecting their colossal vessels based on their intended destinations. Xu Qing noticed that several cultivators exhibiting Nascent Soul energy fluctuations boarded the swallow-boats, while all others chose the leaf-vessels. He understood then that these two ferry types catered to different cultivation levels.

He observed briefly, then located the leaf-vessel bound for Qingwu Mountain and stepped aboard. Qingwu Mountain was also located in the central region of Chaoxia State, not far from Chaoxia Mountain itself. Xu Qing felt that proceeding directly to Chaoxia Mountain would be ill-advised. Given that this was a covert investigation, he intended to reach Qingwu Mountain first, then traverse the remaining distance to Chaoxia Mountain using his own cultivation. While Xu Qing believed sustained traversal solely by his cultivation might be impossible, he judged that a short-term crossing was feasible.

Having now boarded the leaf-vessel, Xu Qing's gaze swept over his surroundings. This leaf-vessel was remarkably simple, devoid of any structures or attendants. Only a few green-robed figures, wearing ghost masks, sat cross-legged at the front, tasked with piloting the craft. As for the cultivators aboard, there were over thirty in total. Apart from seven or eight who sat together, the rest were solitary travelers, spread out over a hundred-*zhang* radius, which provided ample space for all of them.

Xu Qing found a corner and settled into a cross-legged position, his gaze fixed on the three green-robed cultivators in the distance. His understanding of Chaoxia State largely stemmed from the Sword-Wielders' archives. For instance, he knew the local ferry services were managed by a trade alliance named 'Dawn'. This alliance comprised numerous factions within Chaoxia State, naturally including the local Sword-Wielding Court. The unique nature of Chaoxia Mountain ensured that the ferry services here were immensely profitable. The green robes worn by these individuals were the signature attire of the Dawn Trade Alliance.

After a thorough observation, Xu Qing's gaze swept over the other cultivators on the leaf-vessel before he closed his eyes and began to meditate silently.

Not long after, roughly the time it takes an incense stick to burn, some of the colossal vessels at the port's dock began their departure. Xu Qing's leaf-vessel was among them. After the fares were paid, the vessel began to vibrate, and its four slender legs beneath slowly propelled it forward. A strong wind immediately swept across the open deck, unobstructed, buffeting everyone aboard. As the leaf-vessel steadily advanced, slowly moving away from the port, the winds intensified. It was only then that a thin, translucent barrier emanated from the vessel, enveloping its surroundings and warding off the gusts. Despite this, the sensation of pitching and swaying grew increasingly pronounced.

Xu Qing paid no mind to these conditions, resting with closed eyes. Thus, three days passed. Over these three days, Xu Qing occasionally opened his eyes to gaze in all directions, seeing only the boundless abyssal sea. A chilling aura permeated the vast expanse, and strange entities occasionally emerged from the depths. Examples included winged whales, countless swirling red lanterns, and immense two-headed bats. However, these exotic beasts evidently held an agreement with the Dawn Trade Alliance; though they materialized around the vessel, they never initiated an attack on the leaf-vessel.

Furthermore, Xu Qing observed a gigantic flower, fully a thousand *zhang* across, blooming in a relatively shallower section of the abyssal sea. This red flower was highly conspicuous beneath the abyssal sea, with numerous tendrils rising from its center, floating upon the surface and spreading in all directions. Their appearance drew the attention of many non-human cultivators aboard the leaf-vessel, who looked on with peculiar expressions. For at the tips of those swaying tendrils, females of various races emerged—Xu Qing even spotted human women among them. They were graceful and alluring, perfectly embodying the aesthetic of every human observer. Completely unclothed, they emerged and posed seductively, frequently beckoning to the cultivators on the leaf-vessel.

"'My lord, our luck is good,' came the voice from the barnacle on the turtle's tail as Xu Qing gazed at the tendrils. The barnacle, which was the transformed head, now revealed its eyes, gazing out with infatuation.

"'Ah, the Joyful Flowers,' it sighed, 'my favorite blossoms from back in the day.'"

Xu Qing frowned. He didn't recognize this type of flower.

"'Joyful Flowers are a unique type of mystical plant in Chaoxia State. When they bloom, their tendrils transform into the likeness of women from various races, alluring passersby. Once successfully ensnared, victims are dragged to the abyssal seabed and sucked dry into desiccated corpses. Golden Core cultivators might endure a little longer, but not significantly. Only those with extraordinary talent, such as myself, could truly revel in them back in the day, savoring the supreme ecstasy the Joyful Flowers offered.'"

The head murmured, its eyes clouding with reminiscence.

"'So that's how you lost your body?' The question wasn't from Xu Qing, but from the large turtle beneath him.

The head's eyes widened, and it was about to retort when Xu Qing's low voice suddenly cut in. "'Silence.'"

Instantly, both the large turtle and the barnacle fell silent. From his cross-legged position, Xu Qing extended his perception, letting it envelop the area where the seven or eight non-humans were gathered in the distance. He had faintly overheard them seemingly discussing the Sword-Wielding Court. Now, as he focused, their voices grew clearer.

"'What a chaotic era. I hear that only when the population of races in Chaoxia State significantly dwindles do wicked mystical plants like the Joyful Flowers truly bloom.'"

"'The Human Race is in grave peril this time; even the Sword-Wielding Palace is on the brink of collapse. Have you heard? It seems many factions and rogue cultivators are ruthlessly plotting to seize control of the Sword-Wielding Court at Chaoxia Mountain.'"

"'I've also vaguely heard whispers. It appears someone is rallying rogue cultivators, master thieves, and ruthless villains from various races to launch an assault on Chaoxia Mountain soon, intending to seize the Sword-Wielding Court.'"

"'Indeed, it's a tumultuous period. I've certainly seen many new faces these past few days, none of whom seem to be native cultivators of Chaoxia State.'"

"'This matter has no bearing on us. We should quickly return to our clans. We can't concern ourselves with the fate of the Human Race. If they ultimately fall... well, there's no reason we shouldn't claim a share of the spoils.'"

"'Exactly. I've heard the Sword-Wielding Court is incredibly wealthy...'"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing's brow furrowed slightly, and a flicker of coldness appeared in his eyes. Just then, his expression subtly shifted as he looked up towards the mist over the distant abyssal sea. Faintly, seven or eight black puppets, ten *zhang* in height, materialized within the mist. They strode across the abyssal sea, their eyes glowing red with ill intent as they fixed their gaze on the leaf-vessel.

It was the Yanmiao clan.

A fleeting glint of coldness flashed in Xu Qing's eyes as he assessed the cultivation and combat prowess of the approaching Yanmiao black puppets. As they drew closer, wisps of mist could be seen seeping from the fissures within the black puppets, forming indistinct figures that scrutinized the leaf-vessel. Most of these misty wisps then dispersed, encircling the leaf-vessel. Meanwhile, the seven or eight massive black puppets positioned themselves directly in front of the leaf-vessel, blocking its path.

The leaf-vessel's four legs trembled slightly, ceasing all movement. The cultivators aboard were visibly startled, many clearly displaying expressions of caution and vigilance. The three green-robed cultivators, wearing ghost masks, swiftly rose to their feet, their gazes fixed on the Yanmiao clan. One of them clasped his fists and spoke in a deep, resonant voice.

"'Fellow Daoists of the Yanmiao clan, may I inquire about the purpose of your visit?'"