Chapter 71: I

"Greetings, Deacon Li."

Following the appearance of the young man, the Dispatch Department and Water Diversion Department disciples all stopped what they were doing. One by one, their expressions revealed awe, and those who recognized the newcomer's identity immediately bowed to him.

At the same time, Zhao Zhongheng's figure flew out rapidly from within the Dispatch Department. His expression shifted slightly, and he hurriedly bowed toward mid-air.

Seeing this scene, Xu Qing's eyes narrowed. He felt the astonishing fluctuations coming from the person in mid-air. Comparing this to his memory of the Jin Gang Sect Ancestor, Xu Qing quickly felt that the newcomer seemed even more formidable than the Jin Gang Sect Ancestor.

While Xu Qing was observing, Deacon Li in mid-air spoke with a cold expression.

"By order of the Elder, the disciples of the Dispatch Department and Water Diversion Department participating in this battle are fined three months' salary. As for the water diversion, the split remains as before!"

"And Zhao Zhongheng, the Elder summons you. Come with me!"

As he spoke, Deacon Li's gaze landed on Zhao Zhongheng. Although his expression didn't change, he felt some disappointment in his heart.

He knew the reason for all this: the Elder's grandson had been foolish. Clearly a core disciple with an incomparably noble status, he had actually managed to trigger such a group incident while holding a post here.

"How could such a wise person as the Elder have such a stupid descendant?"

Deacon Li withdrew his gaze and raised his hand to grab. Zhao Zhongheng, whose face had turned pale and eyes filled with terror upon hearing the words, was snatched up by him and whistled away toward the Seventh Peak in the distance.

With his departure, the matter between the Dispatch Department and the Water Diversion Department was immediately resolved. However, the blood covering the ground and the dead bodies made the conflict between the two sides only temporarily suppressed; the murderous intent in each other's eyes was very obvious.

"Alright, the show is over, let's go too. That person just now is a favorite of Elder Zhao, Deacon Li Diling. Since he personally took Zhao Zhongheng away, Zhao Zhongheng is going to have a miserable time."

The Captain took out an apple, took a bite, and stood up to walk outside.

The Sixth Team followed. Xu Qing turned his head, glanced at Huang Yan, who was surrounded by Water Diversion Department disciples and discussing something, then withdrew his gaze and slowly walked away.

At this moment, the sea breeze blew, lifting the long hair on Xu Qing's forehead, revealing his slender eyes, and also revealing the clear-cut sense of gratitude and grudges within those eyes.

This day of patrolling gradually slipped away with the setting sun's afterglow and the arrival of dusk.

Having finished his shift, Xu Qing stepped through the twilight, tailing the Mermaid youth, but unfortunately, he still didn't find an opportunity. Thus, he returned to his berth and magic boat to begin his cultivation.

Life in the Seven Blood Eyes was far more colorful than in the scavenger camp, but Xu Qing's cultivation frequency hadn't changed in the slightest. He knew very well that this was his foundation.

Moreover, his plan to go out to sea was also nearing, with his cultivation base about to break through.

"Breaking through my cultivation base isn't difficult, it's just that I can't afford the materials to upgrade the magic boat to level seven yet," Xu Qing muttered, taking a wine flask from his leather bag and taking a sip.

He didn't know when he had started to like the taste of wine. Drinking it now, he pondered whether he should go to Banquan Road again to earn money, but after thinking it over, he felt that before he had the certainty of killing the other party, he shouldn't startle the snake.

Thus, Xu Qing took another sip of wine, then shook the flask and found it empty.

But it was dark now, and Xu Qing didn't want to go out to buy wine, so he simply put the flask aside and closed his eyes to meditate.

Time passed, and soon the bright moon hung high. The moonlight spilled onto the sea surface, refracting the water in the harbor as if it had turned into a mirror in the dark night, possessing a rather mysterious aesthetic.

And in this night, Xu Qing, who was sitting cross-legged in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes and looked outside the cabin.

Not long after, footsteps came from the shore. As they gradually approached the magic boat, and as a sharp glint appeared in Xu Qing's eyes, a familiar voice came from outside.

"Brother Xu Qing, are you there? It's Huang Yan from the Water Diversion Department."

Hearing this voice, the sharp glint in Xu Qing's eyes receded. He stood up and walked out of the cabin, seeing the little fatty standing on the shore under the moonlight, his gray robe straining against his belly, creating circles of wrinkles.

Seeing Xu Qing, the little fatty's face broke into a smile. After the matter with the Water Diversion Department was resolved, he had encountered an extremely happy thing on the way back, so he had excitedly drunk some wine at night. In his slight tipsiness, he remembered the scene from the day, so he had inquired and learned Xu Qing's name and berth, coming to express his thanks.

"Brother Xu Qing, thanks for today."

Xu Qing looked at the little fatty, nodded, and spoke with a calm expression.

"No need to thank me. You gave me Spirit-Condensing Leaves at the apothecary that day."

"Ah?"

Huang Yan was stunned. After thinking about it, he seemed to recall the incident, so he scratched his head and asked curiously.

"Because I gave you some Spirit-Condensing Leaves that day? That's why you helped me today?"

"Not some, it was seven stalks," Xu Qing said seriously.

Huang Yan blinked and carefully sized Xu Qing up. As he looked, he began to laugh. Originally, he had come today just to express his gratitude and hadn't intended to have much interaction with Xu Qing, at most giving enough gifts.

But now, he suddenly felt that this Xu Qing before him was a bit interesting.

Thus, he took two palm-sized eggs from his leather bag. The shells of these two eggs were cyan-white, shimmering with a crystalline luster under the moonlight.

"Brother, you are a very interesting person. I'll treat you to an egg."

As he spoke, he threw one over. This egg was strange; it actually penetrated Xu Qing's protective barrier.

Xu Qing's eyes narrowed. With a wave of his hand, a large number of water droplets appeared, densely covering the egg and making it float. He examined it carefully and found that the egg was very complete, without the slightest damage, so he looked up at Huang Yan.

"This is?"

"A little trinket."

Huang Yan laughed happily, raised his right index finger, put it in his mouth to moisten it with saliva, and pressed it onto the egg. He poked a hole in it instantly, swirled his finger inside, pulled it out, brought the egg to his mouth, took a suck, and looked intoxicated.

And as the eggshell broke, a refreshing fragrance spread out. Even through the barrier, Xu Qing could faintly smell it. His internal cultivation base began to circulate on its own, as if attracted by it. A feeling coming from the instinct of life made him realize that this egg was not ordinary.

So, after hesitating for a moment, he thought about it and also poked the egg with his finger, finding the shell extremely hard; even when he used a little force, he couldn't break it in the slightest.

This made Xu Qing feel strange, and a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.

"You have to use saliva. This thing is very weird; if you don't use saliva and use too much force, it will explode directly," the little fatty hiccuped.

Xu Qing hesitated for a moment, moistened it with saliva, and very easily poked a small hole in the eggshell. Instantly, a more intense fragrance spread out, causing his internal cultivation base to circulate abruptly, and even his flesh and blood seemed to emit a longing for a higher level of life at this moment.

Xu Qing's breathing grew slightly heavier. He brought it to his mouth and took a suck, his eyes narrowing instantly. He looked down at the egg and then took another big suck.

The little fatty on the side sat nearby with anticipation, looking at Xu Qing, as if waiting for Xu Qing's evaluation.

But after waiting for a long while, Xu Qing remained silent.

"Um, how is this egg of mine? Is it good?" Huang Yan waited for a while longer and couldn't help but ask.

"Not bad."

Xu Qing nodded, feeling a heat flow emerge throughout his body, and his forehead was faintly sweating.

"That goes without saying. I put a lot of effort into getting this egg. My Senior Sister loves drinking it the most. I'm letting you have a taste today."

Huang Yan looked proud. He looked at Xu Qing and felt he had figured out Xu Qing's personality a bit, so he took a big suck himself and didn't speak again.

Xu Qing didn't speak either, drinking silently.

Time passed, and it was very quiet between the two. One on the shore, one on the boat, there was a faint feeling of not disturbing each other.

This feeling made Huang Yan feel very novel, and his body and mind couldn't help but slowly relax. The drunkenness also silently covered his eyes at this moment, making Huang Yan's gaze gradually hazy. Under the moonlight, he swept over Xu Qing's incomparably handsome face and couldn't help but comment.

"Xu Qing, your appearance isn't very favorable for when you pursue the person you like in the future. It's too insecure. Someone like me is what makes women feel at ease."

Xu Qing didn't speak, sitting there sucking on the egg, one mouthful after another, not letting a single drop go.

Not caring about Xu Qing's silence, Huang Yan simply lay down on the side, hands behind his head, pillowing on the moonlight, looking at the bright moon in the sky. Seeming to think of someone in his heart, he sighed.

"Xu Qing, do you have someone you like?"

Xu Qing now faintly understood Huang Yan's way of speaking; the other party seemed to be the type with a very casual and familiar personality, so he shook his head.

"See, I told you. With your looks, it's very hard to pursue women. I'm different. Let me tell you, I'm very happy today. It's not because the Water Diversion Department got the reward back, but because I discovered that my Senior Sister actually still cares about me, so I drank a bit more tonight."

"Do you know, Xu Qing? For these years, I've been constantly sending my Senior Sister various things. Today, she finally had something she wanted and even specifically asked me to send it to her as soon as possible. I was especially moved. I discovered that I like her even more."

Xu Qing hesitated for a moment. He didn't have anyone he liked, nor did he know how to express liking someone, but he faintly felt that the other party's words were a bit off.

Thus, he scanned the slightly intoxicated Huang Yan with doubt, and after confirming that the other party wasn't speaking ironically, he fell silent.

In his mind surfaced what the apothecary shopkeeper had said about the other party bitterly pursuing a female disciple for seven or eight years.

After a while, Xu Qing felt he should say something, so he took a sip of the egg and said seriously.

"Congratulations."

Hearing this, Huang Yan was even happier, patting his belly.

"Xu Qing, I can tell that your words are sincere, different from others!"

"I, Huang Yan, repay kindness with kindness. You helped me today, and I won't let you help in vain." After speaking, Huang Yan rummaged through his body, took out a leather bag, and handed it to Xu Qing.

"There are a few magic boat materials in here, consider it a meeting gift."

"I'm off, we'll meet again."

As he spoke, Huang Yan climbed up, his head swaying. While walking outside, he took out a jade slip and began to transmit messages incessantly...

Xu Qing wanted to say something but stopped. Watching the other party's act of transmitting messages while giggling, he felt it was better not to disturb him right now. Thus, after watching Huang Yan go far away, Xu Qing turned and walked toward the cabin.

At this moment, the sea breeze blew, brushing past his body, passing through his black hair, carrying his scent, and drifting toward the Seven Blood Eyes main city under the night.

It blew past building after building, passed street after street, and after witnessing the alternative prosperity in the night, the wind's remaining strength dissipated, finally landing on a person climbing the mountain in the sixth of the city's southern peaks, lifting a few strands of long hair from his forehead, revealing an aged face.

If the wind had a spirit and could bring this scene back to Xu Qing, Xu Qing would be able to recognize at a glance that this person... was exactly the Jin Gang Sect Ancestor.

At this moment, the Jin Gang Sect Ancestor was walking silently on the mountain steps.

Under the moonlight, the wrinkles on his face were even more numerous.

As if every wrinkle contained deep sorrow, piled together, making the Jin Gang Sect Ancestor look bitter to the extreme.

He walked silently until he reached a cave dwelling in the middle of the Sixth Peak's mountain body and stopped his footsteps.

The cave dwelling's stone door was arched, hanging shut, surrounded by lush green grass. Above the door, there were three words written in a flying dragon and dancing phoenix style.

Leisure Gate Cave.

Looking at the name, one could see that the person living in this cave dwelling should be calm and elegant, taking the charm of spring grass closing the leisure gate.

Outside the cave, the Jin Gang Sect Ancestor took a deep breath and bowed with cupped fists.

"Fellow Cultivator Xianyun, an old friend has come to visit, may we meet?"

Two chapters, 8,000 words~ ===== CHAPTER 72 =====