Chapter 834: Preparing for Seclusion (1/2, Request Subscription)

Everyone is a martial practitioner; they understand this mindset.

The others silently dispersed, leaving only Lin Ling to seriously ask for guidance in Martial Arts.

Lin Ling's Martial Arts focus on spear techniques—a field foreign to Fang Yue, but the Martial Dao ultimately converges.

At this stage, while he couldn't personally tutor Lin Ling step by step, helping him spot flaws and weaknesses in his spear form was no problem.

Time passed, second by second.

Fang Yue occasionally gave Lin Ling pointers, occasionally gazing at the river ahead.

Yet to Fang Yue's disappointment, the path ahead became unexpectedly smooth, with no further anomalies appearing.

Perhaps it was because Fang Yue's earlier aura burst was too intense, or perhaps because they were nearing Jingcheng, entering territory under the capital's jurisdiction—even Han Jiang's waters were now regulated.

Fang Yue felt the latter explanation was more plausible.

After all, this was Jingcheng—the capital's wharf. If it weren't safe, how massive a scandal would that cause?

Riding the Han Jiang Giant Ship, this journey had seen, aside from the demon corpse incident—which even a Rain-level cultivator could barely survive—other anomalies were mostly within the capability of Rain-level cultivators to handle.

Only if one ventured deep into Han Jiang's core might truly formidable anomalies, beyond even Rain-level cultivators' match, be found.

But according to the Helmsman, such anomalies surfaced on the river's surface once every few thousand years; no need to pay special attention. They typically dwelled in Han Jiang's central depths, not near its edges at Jingcheng Wharf.

The closer one got to Jingcheng Wharf, the safer it became. Jingcheng's people prioritized eliminating Han Jiang anomalies using… trial Han Jiang Small Boats—the very small craft Fang Yue had seen at Hanjiang Wharf, replicas of the Han Jiang Giant Ship.

The Helmsman had strong complaints about the Han Jiang Small Boat, yet he had to admit that over the years, Jingcheng's talents had studied it nearly to completion.

If the Han Jiang Small Boat advanced further and became widespread, Qing Guo's next blue ocean might well turn its gaze toward Han Jiang!

Qing Guo was never the sole dominant power.

It was merely larger in territory, stronger in power, and more stable in status compared to surrounding nations.

But internal competition was extremely fierce. If a new blue ocean could be developed and exploited, Qing Guo would finally have a chance to rise as a great power, swallowing surrounding nations—a feat even past royal houses had failed to achieve.

"So the Seventh Prince's ambitions are grand indeed."

"No, that's just my thought—the Seventh Prince never voices opinions on such matters."

As Jingcheng Wharf drew near, Tian Ruichi unusually stood beside Fang Yue and began speaking with him.

The earlier information about the Han Jiang Small Boat and Han Jiang came from Tian Ruichi's intelligence shared with Fang Yue.

Such information, even if one forced Tian Ruichi's mouth open, would never make him utter a single word.

But Fang Yue was different—he was Tian Ruichi's savior, and his strength far surpassed Tian Ruichi's.

Unable to assist Fang Yue in strength, Tian Ruichi chose another way: revealing some information.

"Ye Ge, some things I cannot say outright, but listen to me: in Jingcheng, never provoke the Nine Great Princes! Not even the most carefree Seventh Prince. Either isolate yourself, stay far away, or firmly grasp one of them and climb as high as you can!"

Hearing Tian Ruichi's words, Fang Yue's eyes narrowed slightly.

Sometimes, it wasn't that he wanted to provoke those princes.

The Nine Dragons' struggle for succession held no interest for him.

But the problem was, the Phoenix Organization's backer might be one of these princes. If the Phoenix Organization wanted to eliminate him, he couldn't just sit idle.

Of course, he wouldn't mention this to Tian Ruichi—only nodded and said: "I understand. Jingcheng is the Nine Great Princes' domain, their playground. As an outsider, I won't act recklessly. But you… as the Seventh Prince's man, saying this carries great risk. If we ever become enemies, I'll spare your life for this one word today."

"…."

Tian Ruichi's expression stiffened. He didn't doubt Fang Yue could kill him—but back in Jingcheng, he'd be under the Seventh Prince's protection. Even if Fang Yue were stronger, standing against the Seventh Prince meant certain death.

Yet seeing Fang Yue's calm, confident demeanor, he opened his mouth, then only said: "Stay cautious. If you need to leave Jingcheng, find me at the Tian Mountain Sword Sect."

"Aren't you staying by the Seventh Prince's side?"

"I'm his trusted aide, but I only see him when summoned. Otherwise, I train with my master's sect."

Training with the sword… day after day…

He's more talented than me—and even harder working?

Damn it, do these geniuses leave any room for ordinary people to survive?!

As they spoke, the silhouette of Jingcheng Wharf loomed ahead.

"We're here! Finally reaching Jingcheng Wharf!"

The first to shout excitedly was the Helmsman beside them.

He trembled with emotion, even tears in his eyes.

In the past, the Helmsman would never have shown such intense emotion.

But this time was different—once they delivered the passenger to Jingcheng Wharf, he could finally enter the Jade Pendant and be freed from the Han Jiang Giant Ship's bondage!

"That's Jingcheng? The most prosperous, thriving place in Qing Guo!"

Lin Ling stopped his spear practice, gazed far ahead, then quickly returned his focus and resumed training—every movement executed with full effort, diligent and earnest, the type of hard cultivation.

If Lin Ling were a player, such relentless training would yield tremendous gains—but Lin Ling was a Native.

For a Native to improve through hard cultivation alone was extremely difficult.

Fang Yue had already learned this upon entering the game.

The only way a Native could catch up to players was by killing anomalies.

Anomalies treated all equally—kill one, and your strength rose, whether player or Native.

Fang Yue could sense that after the swarm of fly anomalies, Lin Ling's strength had advanced further, nearing the next stage beyond Xiantian Realm—his progress was explosive.

But it wasn't enough!

In the perilous Jingcheng, Fang Yue himself couldn't guarantee safety. If Lin Ling encountered danger, he'd have to rely on himself. Xiantian Realm strength was simply inadequate in Jingcheng.

"Ye Ge! Is that Jingcheng?"

"Ye Ge, once we settle into an inn, I'll take Jing Yan around to see if I can find a clinic to remove his curse."

As if sensing the commotion, Jing Yan and Chen Qing also walked onto the deck.

The curse…

Fang Yue looked up at the black ring above his head.

Although he didn't turn his eyes pitch black or bleed black blood when the 【Ghost Ring】 was inactive, the Black Rain Tribe's curse on his head was too conspicuous, too troublesome.

As someone summoned to the palace by the Emperor's decree, every move he made was watched—he simply couldn't act freely.

If possible, Fang Yue truly wished to act discreetly.

Everyone gathered together, feeling the sea breeze, standing at the bow, watching the ship slowly approach the Jingcheng docks.

The Jingcheng docks were far busier than expected.

Only a ring around the docks was tightly controlled by Qing Si's guards; beyond that distance were merchants and pedestrians.

Although the Han Jiang Giant Ship made few round trips each year, those who disembarked from it were invariably wealthy or noble—some even were rich second-generation heirs, born into powerful families yet naive and gullible, perfect targets for deception.

Thus, the Jingcheng docks attracted many people, a mix of the noble and the lowly.

Originally, everyone hoped to profit from those arriving on the Han Jiang Giant Ship, but over time, the merchants who gathered there formed a commercial street, becoming a landmark of Jingcheng.

Even without the arrival of the Han Jiang Giant Ship, this place was always bustling with people.

Yet what puzzled Fang Yue was that this was Jingcheng—the capital—where life should be more refined.

But in reality, every person walking the streets wore simple clothing, mostly in muted tones.

Thus, amid the plain, dim colors, Fang Yue could instantly spot the Blue Guards maintaining order among the guards, and the Qing Guards stationed near the docks.

These two groups seemed to avoid each other entirely, staying far apart with no interaction, appearing completely separate factions.

Fang Yue asked Tian Ruichi about this confusion, and learned that in Jingcheng, to distinguish social status, ordinary citizens were forbidden from wearing overly bright colors.

Those of higher status—wealthy families or officials with rank—could wear specific or relatively vibrant colors.

"So many rules? I've never heard of such things anywhere else."

"It's Jingcheng—the Emperor's own domain—of course there are more rules. Fortunately, these rules apply only here; they're not enforced elsewhere in Qing Guo, so other regions remain relatively free."

Fang Yue understood: rules had to exist, and Jingcheng was the strictest place in Qing Guo. Compared to that, granting other cities some freedom was already a enlightened policy.

While Fang Yue and Tian Ruichi exchanged information, the others leaned forward, pointing at the Jingcheng docks, excited and eager to disembark immediately.

The Special Envoy's guards were even more thrilled—they had followed the Special Envoy all the way to the remote Chunuan City, enduring storms and hardships, and now, finally, they had returned to Jingcheng, completing their escort mission.

As everyone reacted differently to the arrival at the Jingcheng docks, the Han Jiang Giant Ship finally slowed and docked.

"Finally, finally!!"

"Tian Ruichi, now is the time to fulfill your promise!"

As soon as the Han Jiang Giant Ship docked, the Helmsman shouted excitedly.

His voice rang out loudly, disregarding the Qing Si guards standing on the docks.

The Qing Si guards naturally recognized the Han Jiang Giant Ship—but they had received no prior notice, and had not been told a Han Jiang Giant Ship would dock today with passengers.

"Unplanned individuals…"

Hai Dongye, the White Robe Qing Guard, stared at the docked Han Jiang Giant Ship, surrounding it with his men, waiting for those aboard to disembark before conducting routine questioning.

Yet after waiting a long time, not a single person stepped off the ship.

On the Han Jiang Giant Ship.

Fang Yue looked at Tian Ruichi—it was time to fulfill their original agreement.

But this was Jingcheng's docks, on Jingcheng's territory; if Tian Ruichi wished to break his promise, he could.

After leaving Han Jiang, this giant ship meant nothing, and the Helmsman had lost all leverage.

So what would Tian Ruichi do?

Fang Yue had already taught Tian Ruichi how to use the Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant—so if Tian Ruichi wished to…

As Fang Yue thought this, Tian Ruichi opened the wooden box, took out the Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant, and aimed it at the Helmsman.

"Alright, as agreed, I will take you into the Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant—henceforth, I will help you escape the Han Jiang Giant Ship. But Helmsman, you must understand: even if the Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant succeeds, it merely strips your soul from the ship and traps it inside—still no freedom."

"Not the same! I've heard the Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant is a divine-level arcane artifact capable of finding a suitable body to transfer the soul back into, completing soul reincarnation! If I reside within the Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant, someday I'll find a chance at resurrection! But on the Han Jiang Giant Ship, I merely wait passively for decay and obsolescence."

The Helmsman's lifespan was longer than Fang Yue and the others realized, so he had pondered many things.

Entering the Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant was not a fleeting impulse—it was a carefully considered decision.

"Now, right here—let me enter the Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant!"

"Alright!"

Tian Ruichi burned his life force; the Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant activated, slowly peeling the Helmsman's soul from the helm like unwinding silk, transforming it into translucent strands that flowed into the pendant.

"Aaaaaaah!!"

The Helmsman's piercing scream made Fang Yue frown slightly—he sensed something was off.

When Tian Ruichi first pulled it out, Fang Yue had already felt it: this Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant felt different from the one he'd encountered.

He couldn't say exactly why—it just felt abnormal.

Now, seeing the Helmsman's reaction, his frown deepened further.

But he did not stop Tian Ruichi—the soul absorption process was complete; interrupting it would cause backlash against Tian Ruichi.

Others on the ship covered their mouths, stunned by the scene.

Though the Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant's absorption of the Helmsman seemed strange and terrifying, the process was not slow.

Soon, the Helmsman's voice vanished entirely.

The human face previously visible on the helm disappeared completely, leaving only an ordinary ship.

"That's it?" Qing Chen asked, disappointed.

"It's done," Tian Ruichi panted, nodding.

"So now the Helmsman is inside…"

Before Qing Chen finished, Tian Ruichi grimaced and gave a faint shake of his head.

"No—I feel no trace of the Helmsman's presence. The Soul-Transferring Jade Pendant still feels empty."

(End of this chapter)