Chapter 401: Of Course It

Just as Xu Xing arrived at the Joyful Sect and met Master Mei Zu.

On the other side, the Xiang Jianzong's Starship Traction Array.

Amidst the towering mountains, mist swirled as starlight gathered from all directions, outlining a vast and intricate network of star arrays.

A black Gao Ta rose within, piercing the clouds.

Its overall appearance resembled the Starlight Leap Array, differing only in minor details of the array patterns.

Unlike the Starlight Leap Array, which activated only on specific days each week, the Traction Array activated far more frequently—three times daily to draw in starships from the starry void.

Since both arrays were completed, this had remained unchanged, altered only under special circumstances.

Yet over these many years, it had been changed only a few times.

Soon, the surface of the arrow-like Gao Ta glowed with engraved azure array lines, drawing in spiritual energy like a roaring flood.

The mist swirling between the mountains and the Gao Ta was violently churned by this flood of spiritual energy.

Hum~!

Azure spiritual energy surged upward from the array's peak, like a lighthouse guiding the way.

A ring of spiritual energy rippled outward, forcing the already turbulent mist to be crushed and flung in all directions.

For a moment, the cosmos cleared!

The gushing spiritual light persisted for ten seconds before gradually thinning, contracting, and vanishing completely.

Then, ripples became visible in the void, tiny specks of light flickering within, converging into brighter radiance.

With night falling, it appeared as if countless stars had fallen among the mountains.

When the light reached a certain intensity, it seemed saturated, then dimmed, revealing the long, cold, rigid hulls within.

Dozens of starships had returned to the Central Continent under the Traction Array's pull, turning the once-empty array into a crowded space.

As the violent spiritual energy gradually calmed.

【Depart the Leap Array zone within twenty minutes—violators will be punished according to law!】

【If your starship is damaged and cannot be relocated, upload relevant data to the Starship Comprehensive Service Center via the Battle Net immediately!】

【Depart the Leap Array zone within twenty minutes…】

A cold mechanical voice echoed repeatedly throughout the entire Traction Array.

One by one, starships began flying toward the Starship Parking Zone beyond the Leap Array, while others headed toward the Starship Maintenance Zone to inspect their condition.

Zhang Yunlu's starship was among them.

Inside, the main control room.

Chi Jiuyu leaned back in her seat, holding two feather souvenirs; light filtered through one feather, casting dappled spots on her face.

When I reach a high enough realm, I'll definitely try the top tier!

Zhang Yunlu turned back to her from the front: "Senior sister, can you tell me now?"

Suggesting the Maintenance Zone was her idea.

Chi Jiuyu sat up: "Just checking the overall wear rate."

"During each leap, every module of the starship suffers some degree of wear."

"When we selected this starship, I checked its records—during initial use, the overall wear rate per leap should not exceed 0.01%."

"If it exceeds that value, the starship is a defective unit—we can then promptly request a replacement."

Moreover, as leap frequency increases, the overall wear rate per leap gradually rises; once it reaches a certain threshold, maintenance is required.

Of course, that takes a very, very long time.

Starships are still very durable.

So that's how it is…

Zhang Yunlu nodded slightly, then turned her gaze forward again—in the time it took to say those few words, the Starship Maintenance Zone was already right ahead.

Although leap engines cannot be used on the Central Continent, the starship's speed still surpasses most low- and mid-tier traditional flying vessels.

……

……

Several minutes later, the two exited the Xiang Jianzong's inner sect Starship Maintenance Zone.

The sky had grown completely dark.

A cool evening breeze blew; Chi Jiuyu stretched, loosened her limbs, then turned her head toward Zhang Yunlu beside her.

"I'll go submit my mission first—you go tell Master." She held up the Xiang Jianzong Token, weighing it in her hand.

Uncle warned me twice not to use this token to pressure the Sect Master…

Hmm…

But Uncle never said I couldn't use this Xiang Jianzong Token for other things!

Before Uncle returns, I'll think hard about what else I can use this token for.

It'd be such a waste to let such a good opportunity slip away!

"Mm." Zhang Yunlu didn't overthink it.

Master sent Ye Shijie to take me out for a break—now that we're back, I really should report in right away.

"Then it's settled!"

Chi Jiuyu took a step forward, wondering in her mind what Uncle had gone to the Joyful Sect for.

Yet before she could react, the surroundings suddenly changed.

A spacious, brightly lit training ground, surrounded by stone pillars burning with flame; on the far wall, a massive character: "Sword."

Sitting at the center was one person—Bie Xuening.

"Master?"

"Master."

Zhang Yunlu beside her had clearly just now realized it.

emm……

Why did you suddenly pull them over?

Could it be you're going to punish me?

Chi Jiuyu recalled whether she had offended Bie Xuening lately, while quietly stowing away the Xiang Jianzong Token.

But after thinking for a while, she realized she'd been unusually well-behaved lately—her confidence instantly rose: "Master, we were just about to submit our mission and then come see you!"

As for those few words on the starship…

The reason was to inform you, fulfilling my duty as a 'loyal disciple'—it shouldn't be enough to warrant punishment over such a small matter.

"Oh! I get it—you want to ask about your aunt, right?" "No." Bie Xuening gazed at her coolly. "After manifesting your Dharma Form in the starry void, did you notice any shortcomings in it?"

The best way to guide this unruly disciple is to lead her to think for herself, so she may forge her own path.

Only then will she one day have a chance to break through the Immortal Gate and attain the Dao.

Her expectation for these two disciples had always been True Immortality.

Dharma Form?

So that's what she meant.

"Yes yes!" Chi Jiuyu nodded eagerly. "Master, our lineage's Dharma Form looks way too simple at the start—I think we should add something to it. Look at your sister's Grand Void Dharma Form—it's much better…"

She rattled off a long list.

"…" Bie Xuening paused. "I meant your own shortcomings."

"Huh?" Chi Jiuyu blinked. "Any?"

No single mistake in content or execution!

Bie Xuening: "…"

If one day this unruly disciple truly breaks through the Immortal Gate and becomes immortal, will it be good or bad for the Xuan Realm?

Thinking this, she glanced at her other disciple, who was quietly watching the unruly one: "During your journey to the starry void, did you manage to calm your heart?"

…………

Several more minutes passed.

Zhang Yunlu and Chi Jiuyu, now deeply aware of her own shortcomings, left the Sword Sovereign Hall to submit their mission.

The training ground was left with only Bie Xuening alone.

Flames flickered; Bie Xuening lowered her gaze for a long while before finally lifting her eyes forward.

Hehuan Sect…

She should have met Master Mei Zu by now; it's time to contact my younger brother and see if there's any progress.

But as soon as she tapped in, she saw the group chat was already discussing this.

The initial topic had been the Xian Sect Grand Competition, but somehow it had shifted to this.

Dan Zu: "It seems choosing the right world still depends on Brother Dao."

Dan Zu: "By the way, I recall Brother Dao was going to Hehuan Sect to find Master Mei Zu—has he departed yet?"

Ba Zun: "He said he was heading to the far side of the starry void to scout and seek inspiration—no one even knows if he's returned."

Qi Zun: "Your news is outdated. Brother Dao was recently spotted in the Yuyao Star System."

Seeing Hong Zun: "There's one person who definitely knows."

Ba Zun: "You've been MIA lately—haven't you made up yet? /side-eye smile"

After a two-second pause.

Seeing Hong Zun: "I remember Yuyao Star System is in the Yuling Star System—Ling Yin Fang has operations there, so Elder Lingzu must know."

That brute simply chose to ignore it.

Dan Zu: "What's the point? Elder Lingzu doesn't even chat in the group. /shrug"

Seeing Hong Zun: "It's not just Elder Lingzu—Master Jianzun must know too."

Qi Zun: "Don't any of you notice something odd?"

Qi Zun: "We've been chatting this long—where are the two usually most active?"

Qi Zun: "Why not just ask Master Mei Zu directly? Brother Dao was going to Hehuan Sect—he must've told her, right?"

Two more seconds passed.

Dan Zu: "Actually, presence doesn't need to be forced."

Ba Zun: "+1"

Seeing Hong Zun: "Agreed."

Qi Zun: "…"

I suspect you've been doing this on purpose!

Hmph!

A bunch of idiots!

Bie Xuening had no intention of joining the group chat; she tapped out and prepared to contact her younger brother directly.

But another message appeared, making her pause.

Master Mei Zu: "/yellow duck spinning with flower confetti"

Master Mei Zu: "Actually, Brother Dao has already arrived at Hehuan Sect."

Master Mei Zu: "He's right here beside me now. /bashful"

Master Jianzun: "What was the outcome? Did you find a solution?"

Master Mei Zu: "I don't know yet, this humble one hasn't had time to look yet / bashful"

Sword Sovereign: "Didn't you already arrive a while ago?"

Master Mei Zu: "This humble one and Elder Brother have been apart for so long—we must surely catch up properly / bashful"

Sword Sovereign: "You're bashful, your second uncle / Little Yellow Duck slashes the fool *"

Master Mei Zu: "Your emoji pack violates the rules—no swearing allowed in the group / pointing with finger"

Facing Master Mei Zu's accusation, Bie Xuening, the sole group admin with authority, paid no mind.

Xiang Yuanjun: "Enough, let's get to the matter at hand—what's the situation?"

Xiang Yuanjun also emerged.

So everyone's been lurking all along…

Master Mei Zu: "I already said—I haven't had time to look yet / bashful"

Master Mei Zu: "But the solution should be just that kind / serious"

Sword Sovereign: "What kind of 'that kind'? Be clear!"

Master Mei Zu: "Didn't I make it clear enough? I am the Founding Master of the Hehuan Sect."

Master Mei Zu: "So naturally, it's dual cultivation."

Master Mei Zu: "/ bashful"

Crack!

The screen cracked, and the entire phone deformed. (End of Chapter)