Chapter 25

Inside the door was a hall ten times larger than his room.

Five low tables stood in the hall—one at the front, two on each side—with cushions seated behind all except one empty table.

When they saw Wang Yu enter, all turned their gazes toward him.

“This young brother must be Friend Wang,” said a purple-robed elder with snow-white hair and a ruddy face, his eyes brightening as he rose. “Your cultivation level is unclear, but your vital energy is truly rare—please, take a seat!”

“Senior’s praise is excessive,” Wang Yu replied, startled, bowing slightly before sitting at the lone empty table and glancing at the others.

One table held a hooded monk with an iron band around his head and a fearsome face.

Another table held the young couple Wang Yu had seen on the deck.

The last table sat an elderly woman with kind eyes and a gentle expression, dressed in red and green robes, her gray hair pinned with a black wooden hairpin.

“There are few fellow cultivators on this ship; half are already here. The rest dislike crowds, so I didn’t invite them. By the way, Friend Wang, who is your master?” The purple-robed elder sat back down and asked casually.

“Forgive me, my master forbids me from revealing his name while traveling—I cannot speak of it here,” Wang Yu rose again and bowed to all around.

“Quite cautious,” grunted the monk beside him, rolling his eyes. “We all boarded from Huangshi City—how many cultivators could there be there? If you won’t say, fine.”

“In these treacherous times, it’s admirable that someone your age is so composed,” the old woman said gently.

The young couple clearly recognized Wang Yu from the deck and exchanged hushed, surprised words.

“Hah! If Friend Wang won’t say more, then let it be. Let me introduce: this is Iron Arm Chan Master—he cultivates the Golden Stone Art, a famed protective technique among Qi Condensation cultivators. His arms are impervious to blades and spears, immune to fire and water, even capable of blocking magical artifacts. This is Lady Yin, skilled in beast taming and spirit control—she can kill unseen, so never offend her. This young brother is from the Huang family, their most outstanding disciple in the past two decades; beside him is his wife, Friend Hu.” Yu Bin Tian smiled as he introduced them one by one.

Wang Yu bowed to each in turn; when he heard the young man was from the Huang family, his heart tightened, but his face showed no sign. He sat back down.

“Friend Yu, though we’re only nodding acquaintances, you’ve learned our backgrounds well—but you just said Friend Wang’s vital energy is exceptionally rare. What do you mean?” Lady Yin asked the purple-robed elder.

The others also looked puzzled.

“To be honest, I’ve cultivated a method to observe vital energy, and I have a special sensitivity to those with strong life force. When Friend Wang entered, I felt as if a furnace had been brought into the room. Such intense vital energy—I’ve never encountered it before.”

“I suspect Friend Wang either cultivates a rare body-refining art or has awakened a bloodline. Of course, this is only apparent because your cultivation is still low. Once your spiritual power deepens, outsiders won’t be able to perceive it so easily,” Yu Bin Tian replied with a chuckle, glancing at the old woman.

Awakened bloodline!

Before Lady Yin could react, the monk and the Huang couple all gasped involuntarily, their gazes toward Wang Yu now sharply altered.

Observation of vital energy!

Wang Yu felt uneasy—his bloodline power was far more distinctive than he’d thought. He hastily mumbled:

“Senior, you jest. I haven’t awakened any bloodline—only practiced a few basic body-refining techniques.”

His “Iron-Eating Crocodile” bloodline had only awakened halfway—so it wasn’t a lie.

“Body-refining arts are rare even in Qi Condensation. I myself cultivate the Golden Stone Art, which is half a body-refining technique. If we have the chance, let’s exchange insights,” the monk said, his tone shifting entirely as he nodded respectfully to Wang Yu.

“My husband and I are also quite interested in your body-refining art,” said the Huang man. “The Huang family holds several rare secret techniques uncommon outside our clan—if you’re willing, we can exchange knowledge.” He bowed to Wang Yu across the table.

Wang Yu could only nod in agreement to each.

Watching all this, Lady Yin smiled faintly and turned back to the purple-robed elder:

“Friend Yu, you’re different from us. Though also a lone cultivator, you’re fabulously wealthy in Tongzhou, surrounded by servants and family—why come to Huangshi City, this barren spiritual land, and leave so soon?”

“Indeed,” the monk nodded. “I’ve heard of Brother Yu’s wealth in Tongzhou—that’s why we were so easily persuaded to join.”

“Hah, at my age, why travel far? Only to earn a few more spirit stones for my unworthy descendants. Huangshi City is barren, but rich in iron ore. One-third of this ship’s cargo is high-quality iron I bought from the Huang family. Once back in Tongzhou, I’ll have blacksmiths forge it into a batch of thousand-fold hammered iron to sell in the markets.” Yu Bin Tian replied casually.

“That’s true,” Lady Yin agreed. “We lone cultivators can’t compare to those from immortal clans or sects—we must fight for every resource ourselves. You must also support your family’s cultivation—how much harder that is.”

“I often curse myself for not being born into an immortal clan,” the monk added, nodding. “Otherwise, after all these years, I wouldn’t be stuck at this level. Brother Huang, with the Huang family as your backing, you’ve reached our level so young.” He gazed at the Huang couple with envy.

“Iron Brother, even small immortal clans like the Huangs aren’t as easy as outsiders think. Resources within are fiercely contested, and if any clan member offends a powerful cultivator, the whole family suffers.”

“Our Huang family was forced to flee far away, ending up here in Huangshi City. I envy you all—no family ties, free and easy. If I truly wish to advance further in cultivation, I should join a great sect. Only sects can provide resources that might lead to Foundation Establishment.” The young Huang man smiled bitterly.

“Who doesn’t want two hundred years of life once Foundation Established? But after Qi Condensation third layer, you must go to a spiritual vein region to continue. Lone cultivators like us either work in markets under powerful factions, or serve as guest masters for immortal clans. I spent over thirty years laboring in Guangyuan Market, learning a little craft in refining spiritual materials, before I finally saved enough spirit stones to leave.” Yu Bin Tian sighed, stroking his beard.

“I’ve had no such luck,” the monk replied darkly. “I inherited the legacy of a lone elder, which carried me to mid-Qi Condensation. Now, sects won’t take me, great clans won’t hire me as a guest, and I can’t earn spirit stones working in markets—I can only scavenge spiritual energy in places like Huangshi City just to hold my level.”

Hearing their complaints, Wang Yu wondered inwardly—were lone cultivators truly this hard-pressed?

“I’m slightly better off than you two,” Lady Yin said slowly. “I was once an outer disciple of a sect—but I committed a grave offense and was expelled.”

“What? You were a sect disciple?” Yu Bin Tian and the monk both stared, reevaluating the old woman.

The Huang couple exchanged glances, equally surprised.

“Outer disciples are easier to enter than inner ones. Though I look like this now, I had decent talent in my youth. Regretful indeed—I only realized how hard cultivation is outside the sect after being expelled. Decades later, my progress has regressed.” Lady Yin sighed, yet her tone carried quiet pride.

“Lady Yin, may I ask which sect you came from?” the monk couldn’t help asking.

“My master’s grace is too great—I’m now just a lone cultivator, unworthy to mention his name. But Brother Huang, though the Huang family isn’t a great clan, you still have basic cultivation resources guaranteed—far surpassing ordinary lone cultivators.” Lady Yin shook her head, then smiled warmly at the young Huang man.

“Actually, all of you are too modest,” said the young Huang man. “Once we reach mid-Qi Condensation, we can easily establish ourselves in any market. Even with clan support, my wife and I have only just reached this level. You all know: Qi Condensation is easy before mid-level, but each stage after grows harder and takes longer. When Iron Brother says great clans won’t accept us, he means the major clans—if you’d consider joining a small clan like ours as a guest master, we’d gladly welcome you.”

“With those words, Brother Huang, if I ever fail in the outside world, I might indeed come to your clan as a guest master—don’t forget your promise today,” the monk said, a rare smile breaking through his fierce face.

The young Huang man readily agreed.

Wang Yu, who had been listening intently, now noticed all eyes subtly turning toward him. After a moment’s thought, he cleared his throat and spoke:

“I come from a remote corner of Huangshi City, only recently begun cultivation, with very shallow cultivation. I left Huangshi City only because my master permitted me to see the outside world—and perhaps find a spiritual vein region to continue my training.”

“Friend Wang, your spiritual aura is faint—you haven’t yet formed a spiritual root. At your age, you should travel widely. Staying in a barren place like Huangshi City leads nowhere. Guangyuan Market lies within Tongzhou—I have friends there. If you wish to go, I can introduce you.” Yu Bin Tian offered warmly.

Wang Yu thanked him profusely.

After a while of casual talk, sharing tales of the immortal world, Wang Yu and the Huang couple listened with great interest.

At that moment, Lady Yin suddenly asked the young Huang man:

“Brother Huang, the two people who tried to board before departure were from your clan, weren’t they? Were they here to find you?”