Chapter 39: The Tian Gong Sect and the Four Symbols Gate

“Jet aircraft?”

The first thought that flashed through Wang Yu’s mind was that name, universally known on this Blue Star, yet his mind grew momentarily confused.

Had it not been for the iron vessel’s archaic design and the figure standing at the front—faintly recognizable as Luoyue Daoist of the Four Fiends of Lanshan—he might have believed the Blue Star had already opened a two-world passage and sent advanced aircraft to invade this other world ahead of schedule.

“So the Purple Cloud Miasma truly confuses the spiritual senses of the Four Fiends of Lanshan. Now I can travel in peace.” Nearby, Yin Linglong, seeing the iron vessel fly away without stopping, lightly patted her chest twice, her jade-like face brimming with delight.

“With the Purple Cloud Miasma protecting us, this journey should indeed be perilous but not fatal. But the vessel Luoyue Daoist rides—is that the standardized mechanical airship you mentioned before? It seems different from Elder Cui’s spiritual boat, and also unlike our self-propelled craft.” Wang Yu, watching the iron vessel vanish into the distance, exhaled slowly and asked the woman.

“Of course it’s different. Mechanical self-propelled ships, mechanical self-propelled carriages—these are merely the lowest-tier standardized products manufactured by the Tian Gong Sect, primarily aimed at cultivators with meager spiritual stones and wealthy mortals.”

“But the mechanical airship is different. Though it too is a standardized product of the Tian Gong Sect, it is already considered a magical artifact. Though made of cheap materials, offering little defense and inscribed with few spiritual patterns, and consuming astonishing amounts of spiritual stones, its speed alone rivals that of some low-grade flying magical artifacts crafted by alchemists.”

“Moreover, mechanical airships are cheap and produced in large numbers—usually half the price of a low-grade spiritual boat. If damaged, you simply visit a Tian Gong Sect shop, replace a few mechanical components, and it’s usable again. They’re immensely popular among low-level cultivators.” Yin Linglong no longer found her future husband’s “ignorance” strange and patiently explained further.

“So the Tian Gong Sect is this powerful? Is it based in Wu State?” Wang Yu’s expression turned thoughtful, and he pressed further.

“I don’t know. No one knows where the Tian Gong Sect’s mountain gate is, just as no one knows where the Bai Zhen Pavilion’s main hall is. Both suddenly appeared in the cultivation worlds of various states several hundred years ago, then rapidly recruited local cultivators and established branches in every province and prefecture.”

“All major sects tacitly accept their existence and do not expel them. So I suspect both are backed by at least Golden Core elders—otherwise, those cultivation sects wouldn’t be so accommodating.” Yin Linglong shook her head.

“I see. If there truly are Golden Core elders presiding over them, it makes all the difference. Linglong, have you ever seen a Golden Core elder up close?” Upon hearing the term “Golden Core,” Wang Yu’s expression shifted, and he asked with unmistakable yearning.

“Golden Core elders are pillars of stability even within cultivation sects; even ordinary sect disciples rarely get to see one.”

“If my Yin family’s Foundation Establishment ancestor were still alive, I might have had a chance to pay my respects. But now, how could such an opportunity possibly exist?”

“All I hope for now is that someone in the Yin family still manages to join a sect—then we can secure another decade or two of peace for our clan.” Yin Linglong’s lips curled into a faint bitter smile, her voice heavy with resentment.

“So the Yin family is in trouble?” Wang Yu sensed something and pressed again.

“It’s not exactly trouble. But because our family once produced a Foundation Establishment cultivator, we possess a sect token, making us a vassal family of the sect.”

“But a family token grants protection for only a hundred years. If no descendant within that century achieves Foundation Establishment or joins the sect, the token is revoked, the family stripped of sect recognition, and reduced to a lone cultivator.” Yin Linglong hesitated, then spoke slowly.

“So your original plan to have me become a son-in-law and recommend me to the sect was just to preserve the Yin family’s sect token.” Wang Yu frowned, his tone turning sharp.

“Hmph. Yes. If you hadn’t awakened your bloodline and weren’t so young, why would I have treated you well from the start—or even proposed marriage outright? Do you really think I, Yin Linglong, couldn’t find a suitable groom, that I’m desperate to marry?”

“If you now change your mind, I can reclaim the Yin family token you hold, and this matter is over.”

Yin Linglong sniffed, her face pale.

“Why would I change my mind? This is a win-win. I join the sect and gain a beautiful bride; your Yin family gains protection.” Wang Yu suddenly smiled, utterly unconcerned.

“If you think that way, it’s best. But rest assured—though flesh-blood awakened ones are inferior to dual or superior elemental roots, they’re still comparable to rare elemental roots.”

“Moreover, the sect protecting our Yin family is the Four Symbols Gate, which specializes in beast-taming arts. If you can form a triple elemental root or possess even a mid-grade elemental root, you’ll have a high chance of being accepted.”

“I, Yin Linglong, swear—even if you fail the Four Symbols Gate’s entrance test, you remain my husband. I will follow you like a hen follows her rooster, a dog follows her master—I will never change, or may a thousand swords pierce my heart and thunder strike me dead.” Yin Linglong’s expression softened, then suddenly pointed to the sky, her voice firm as iron.

Wang Yu, moved by this, stepped forward and seized her slender hand, his voice thick with emotion:

“Since you feel this way, I won’t change either. Why not bow to heaven right now, with heaven and earth as witnesses, and become true husband and wife? Let us spend our first night together immediately?”

“You… what are you imagining? How old are you? This is the time to focus on cultivation. Even if we truly become husband and wife, we must wait at least two or three years—until your essence and vital energy are fully stabilized—before even considering such matters.” Yin Linglong’s face flushed crimson instantly; she snatched her hand away, speaking with stammering haste.

“So no rewards at all for the first two years—just a nominal marriage?” Wang Yu’s eyes widened, his disappointment utterly unmasked.

“Instead of indulging in such base thoughts, you’d be better off cultivating harder and forming your elemental root sooner—then I can take you back to the Yin family and contact the Four Symbols Gate earlier.”

“I must now begin cultivating to restore my spiritual energy. This mechanical self-propelled ship is cramped, and only you and I are aboard. The remaining stretch of the Chishui River isn’t safe. We must remain vigilant.”

Yin Linglong scolded him, then ignored the boy entirely, sitting cross-legged on the deck and beginning her breath control and cultivation.

Wang Yu, helpless, sat cross-legged as well, pulled a small vial from his person, dripped a drop of Spirit-Condensing Elixir onto his brow, and activated the second layer of the Yin Water Technique, beginning his breath cultivation.